The Genius Doctor of the Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Hwasan Sect’s Prodigy Physician — Episode 24

“W-who are you?”
Gwak Hyeong asked, his voice trembling with alarm.
He found it strange that he could feel fear at all.
After all, he was a master of extraordinary caliber, his Muwi cultivation reaching the very pinnacle.
Yet something about this man radiated an oppressive force that his mind could not override, no matter how hard he tried to steel himself.
“I’m the guard here.”
But regardless of what Gwak Hyeong might think, Cho Woo-jin answered only with irritation in his tone—a fitting response, since from his perspective, Gwak Hyeong had just accosted his benefactor without cause.
“A g-guard?”
“That’s right. This gentleman is the great master Cho Woo-jin, who has graciously agreed to serve as our clinic’s protector.”
“The Unfeeling Blade—Cho Woo-jin!”
Gwak Hyeong’s eyes widened considerably.
The name of Cho Woo-jin was famous enough that even he knew it.
Yet standing before him now, Gwak Hyeong found it nearly impossible to believe. Why would a supreme master of such renown take on guard duty at a clinic?
Baek Hyeon answered the unspoken question for him.
“The physician here treated him, and he’s agreed to repay that kindness by protecting us for three years. We’re quite grateful for his help.”
“But I—”
“You got something to complain about concerning my benefactor?”
Gwak Hyeong’s mouth snapped shut. Cho Woo-jin narrowed his eyes in warning.
“If you don’t, then get out. My benefactor is a busy man and doesn’t have time for the likes of you.”
“Tch—!”
Though his face flushed with resentment, Gwak Hyeong complied with Cho Woo-jin’s words.
In truth, he had no choice. The oppressive aura radiating from Cho Woo-jin was frightening enough on its own, and remembering the reputation that name carried, Gwak Hyeong realized he would only bring shame upon himself if he tried to resist.
And so Gwak Hyeong departed.
“Worthless fool.”
Cho Woo-jin snorted derisively. At this, Baek Hyeon smiled warmly and spoke.
“Thank you for your help.”
“I’m simply fulfilling the guard duty I promised to take on. Dealing with small fry like that is hardly worth mentioning. There’s no need to thank me.”
“But you did help us just now. I should at least express my gratitude.”
“Hmph.”
Though he pretended otherwise, Cho Woo-jin’s mood had clearly brightened. Baek Hyeon’s proper courtesy made him feel genuinely respected.
“Then please rest yourself. I’ll continue with the consultations.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if I stood watch out front?”
“Strange visitors don’t come by constantly. It’s enough if you rest and step in only if a real problem arises.”
The truth was, Baek Hyeon feared that people might flee at the sight of Cho Woo-jin’s terrifying presence—but he wasn’t exactly lying either.
What he’d said just now was truthful enough.
Cho Woo-jin nodded in assent and withdrew to a place out of sight. At last, Baek Hyeon could receive the next patient.
However—
“Hmm?”
The next patient was a shabby-looking child.
Roughly the same age as Baek Hyeon himself, perhaps.
The child’s face was gaunt as if from prolonged hunger, and the clothes he wore were filthy, clearly unwashed for days.
“Um, excuse me… are you the physician who came down from the Hwasan Sect?”
“I am.”
Baek Hyeon nodded gently.
He wanted the child to feel at ease discussing his symptoms.
“What brings you here? Where does it hurt?”
“Well, that is…”
The child hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Actually, it’s not me who’s sick.”
“Oh?”
“It’s my younger sibling who’s ill…”
As he spoke, the child glanced up warily.
Surely he was afraid of being turned away.
Baek Hyeon, sensing this concern, spoke reassuringly to the child.
“Didn’t your sibling come with you?”
“He’s having trouble moving right now…”
Baek Hyeon understood the situation well enough.
Probably she’d come to ask the physician to treat her sick brother instead.
Baek Hyeon nodded and pointed to a cushion deeper inside the clinic.
“Sit for a moment. I’ll visit your brother shortly.”
“Really? You truly mean that?”
“I do.”
“But I have no money to pay you, sir…….”
“We’ll worry about that later.”
Baek Hyeon did not say he would do it for free.
He was the sort of man who generally expected payment for his work.
This held true even for the poor.
‘To practice medicine without compensation is merely to impose help upon someone unilaterally.’
There was a risk it would weigh on patients’ hearts instead. So he made it a practice to accept at least some small fee before treating anyone.
‘That way, they’ll feel they’ve paid a fair price for their cure.’
“Have some cool water while you wait.”
After handing the child a refreshing cup of water, he swiftly attended to the remaining patients.
Fortunately, not many were left.
“That’s the last of them.”
Baek Hyeon rose from his seat after seeing through all those who’d been waiting in line.
“I’m going out on a house call now.”
“Of course.”
Baek Ya, already apprised of the situation, nodded in acknowledgment.
“Take these with you.”
He handed over several medicinal ingredients useful for various ailments. It was clear the child’s appearance had moved him.
“I’ll come along.”
Just then, Cho Woo-jin also approached Baek Hyeon’s side.
“We don’t know where we’re going. If I’m there, we can be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.”
“It’s bound to be somewhere within Hwaeum County, so what’s the worry?”
“One never knows. There might be someone foolish enough to pick a fight with your benefactor, just like before.”
The elders of Hwasan Sect had worried about that too, after all.
Baek Hyeon nodded and accepted Cho Woo-jin’s company. He’d only demurred out of courtesy—in truth, having him along was deeply reassuring.
“It’s this way.”
And so the group made their way across Hwaeum County toward the Slum District tucked away at its edge.
…….
The Slum District was far from pleasant to behold.
The buildings were half-collapsed, sanitation was poor, and the eyes of passersby gleamed with menace.
……!
Yet the adults there all hastily averted their gaze the moment they made eye contact with Cho Woo-jin.
Though Cho Woo-jin was not particularly large, his very presence radiated an intimidating force.
“It’s here.”
The group arrived at a house that seemed ready to collapse at any moment.
“Yeon, I’m back.”
The boy spoke thus and carefully entered the house. At that moment, a girl appeared, lying still as if dead.
“Brother……?”
“Yes. I’ve brought the physician, so hold on just a little longer.”
The boy called Song Ha gazed at Baek Hyeon with desperate hope. Baek Hyeon nodded and took Song Yeon’s pulse.
‘Her forehead and body are burning hot. Classic fever symptoms, but the condition is severe…… Is it starvation?’
If this continued, the fever could spread to her lungs and develop into a Lung Abscess. Should that happen, it would be nearly impossible to save Song Yeon’s life.
“She’s severely dehydrated. Let’s start by getting her to drink.”
Baek Hyeon dissolved a little honey and salt into boiled and cooled water. Then, watching carefully to ensure Song Yeon didn’t vomit, he fed it to her slowly, spoonful by spoonful.
After that, he withdrew the Frost-White Silver Needle and inserted it at the Dajue, Quchi, and Hegu acupoints.
……!
“This should help bring down the fever. The Frost-White Silver Needle is specialized for exactly this kind of work.”
Within moments, Song Yeon’s breathing became noticeably easier.
The needles were beginning to take effect. At this, Song Ha’s eyes grew red.
“Physician, I can’t thank you enough…….”
“We’re not finished yet.”
Everything done so far was merely temporary relief.
Though the acupuncture had reduced the fever and eased her discomfort, the heat would return as time passed.
So Baek Hyeon surveyed the medicinal ingredients he’d brought: platycodon root, licorice, honeysuckle flower, forsythia, ophiopogon, raw rehmannia…… Fortunately, it seemed he had everything he might need.
‘Thorough, as always.’
It seemed Baek Ya had packed every medicinal ingredient he could find, preparing for any contingency. Baek Hyeon retrieved the Herbal Decoction Pot, kindled a flame, and began brewing the medicine with practiced efficiency.
“It’s the Clear Lung Generate Fluids Decoction. It drives out the fever accumulated in the lungs, clears the throat, and helps restore the body’s depleted fluids. Give it to your sister.”
“Yes, understood.”
Song Ha swallowed hard and fed the decoction to Song Yeon little by little. She accepted it weakly, then coughed.
“I added licorice, but it’s still bitter, it seems. Still, you must drink all of it.”
Good medicine had always tasted foul. After several attempts, Song Ha finally managed to get his sister to finish the entire dose.
“You won’t see results immediately. But after about a day, the effects should become apparent.”
“How can I ever repay such kindness…….”
Song Ha bowed his head, his eyes reddened. Baek Hyeon smiled gently and spoke.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll collect payment for the treatment one way or another. For now, the important thing is that you and your sister recover.”
“But I’m healthy…….”
“From what I can see, you haven’t caught the fever, but you’ve been without proper meals for so long that your body’s grown weak. I’ll leave some salt and rice—make rice gruel and eat that. If you feed yourself proper rice right away, you could get indigestion. The gruel must come first.”
“Is it truly alright for you to be so generous?”
“I said I’ll collect payment. Let me see…….”
Baek Hyeon looked around the dwelling and spotted a wooden Bodhisattva Statue.
It was still somewhat crude, but quite skillfully made.
He asked, surprised.
“Did you carve that?”
“Yes. I made it following a Bodhisattva Statue my father once showed me.”
“Your craftsmanship is remarkable. With a bit more practice, you could earn real money from work like that.”
Baek Hyeon took the Bodhisattva Statue with him as he spoke.
“I’ll take this as the treatment fee. I rather like it. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Is that really enough for you? Honestly, it’s not worth much…….”
“What are you saying? This is fine woodcraft. It’ll be perfect in the clinic.”
Baek Hyeon patted Song Ha’s shoulder and walked toward the door. Song Ha pressed down the emotion welling up inside him and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, truly thank you, Doctor. I’ll carve something even finer for you someday.”
“Good. If anything goes wrong, contact me right away. Take care of your sister.”
“Yes.”
Baek Hyeon exchanged brief farewells and left the Slum District.
Cho Woo-jin, who had been following him, spoke suddenly.
“The benefactor is a good-natured person.”
“Pardon?”
“The boy showed real talent, certainly, but that crude Bodhisattva Statue he made wasn’t worth the medicinal herbs, let alone the rice he’ll receive. Yet the benefactor accepted it and provided treatment anyway.”
“Still, the act of receiving something is what matters, isn’t it? Besides, those children will regard you as their benefactor.”
“As you did for me?”
“Well, yes, something like that.”
Baek Hyeon smiled.
“You never know how the world will unfold. Might there not come a day when you receive help from those children in return?”
As he spoke, Baek Hyeon turned the Bodhisattva Statue over in his hands.
“If that is the benefactor’s belief, then so it shall be.”
Cho Woo-jin nodded in agreement and said nothing more. Thus the two were able to return to the Hwasan Clinic.
And so the next day.
Just as Baek Hyeon was about to begin his consultation hours, a visitor arrived.
“D-Doctor…….”
The visitor was Song Yeon. Though the medicine must have helped somewhat, how had she managed to come here in such a weakened state?
But before he could ask the reason.
She looked at Baek Hyeon, her face gone ashen, and cried out.
“My brother Song Ha is badly hurt!”
“What?”
Baek Hyeon’s expression hardened at once.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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