The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 28

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 28

“It was Sasim-tang syndrome. That’s right, there’s heartburn too, so Banxia is needed. Ginseng helps with loss of appetite, extinguishing stomach heat… Yes. I was too trapped in thinking about insomnia.”

Hwangseoyeong said.

Since everyone had gone through the same educational process, there was no need to explain each medicinal ingredient one by one.

Instead, I wrote down the dosages of the ingredients and added just a bit of explanation about the modifications.

“I think we can reduce the Scutellaria. He’s not drinking alcohol now.”

Among the seven medicinal ingredients, Scutellaria baicalensis and Coptis chinensis are heat-clearing medicines. In Korean medicine, heat doesn’t just mean ‘fever’ but often refers to inflammation.

Basically, Banxia-sasim-tang is a prescription used for reflux esophagitis, gastritis, etc., so originally heat-clearing medicines play a very important role.

“Banxia is very important.”

However, the phlegm-heat blocking Hwang Sanghun’s heart and mind has phlegm first and heat second.

If Banxia, the great general of expectorants, expels phlegm while calming nervous hypersensitivity, the heat symptoms should subside together.

“That’s right. My chest has been stuffy all along, so it was phlegm. I only thought it was because I was worried about work.”

“It all starts with stress. Treatment differs depending on how the body reacts.”

Hwang Sanghun stared intently at the prescription I had written.

“…So this is how you approach the root cause. I was also thinking only of medicines good for insomnia like Seoyeong. Guibi-tang, Sanjoin-tang, things like that.”

“That’s not bad either. There’s also a need to calm what’s immediately uncomfortable.”

Of course, stress is also one of the main causes of heart-mind disharmony. Relieving nervous hypersensitivity is never bad no matter how much you do it.

There was a separate reason why I didn’t include it in the prescription.

“Brew the decoction like this, and take these pills together.”

Because Cyperus rotundus and Poria are already included in the medicine I specially prepared.

“What’s this? Gongjin-dan?”

“It’s Gyogam-dan! I got some really good Poria and made it. Actually, I brought it thinking Seoyeong would also have a lot of stress, but you need it urgently so I’ll give it to you first.”

“What’s Gyogam-dan?”

“…Cyperus rotundus and Poria cocos.”

“Ahaha, I know, I know!”

Perhaps because he studied hard, Hwang Sanghun had memorized the medicinal composition. When he looked at his cousin with slightly disdainful eyes, Hwangseoyeong pouted and gave him a knock on the head.

Be careful, you might collapse again.

“Cyperus rotundus will relieve stagnation and calm sensory hypersensitivity. Poria will also help a lot in stabilizing the mind and body.”

“That’s right. If it wasn’t heart-mind disharmony, this alone would be sufficient.”

Hwang Sanghun understood not only the medicinal composition but also the intention behind giving it together.

And it’s not ordinary Gyogam-dan? A very, very, really tremendously special Poria was included.

“Thank you so much. I’ll take it well. I should brew the decoction tomorrow and start taking it right away. This was very educational.”

He put one Gyogam-dan pill directly in his mouth and bowed his head to me.

Unlike when I had been joking earlier, this was sincere gratitude.

“Don’t mention it. Seeing you stagger like that and just passing by would disqualify me as a doctor.”

Ah, one problem solved!

Hwang Sanghun said he was grateful, but honestly I thought I was going to die from frustration.

Why just leave that alone? Don’t you want to fix it right away?

Back when I lacked experience and skill, my challenging spirit boiled over even more. When prescribing medicine to patients, I tried my best to achieve the maximum good effect within what I could do, but when I got sick myself, I often tried experimental medicinal ingredients.

I was curious about what side effects would occur and how, but I could only experiment on myself, right?

When my curiosity soared to the sky, there were times I even wanted to deliberately catch new diseases.

‘When I asked for some poison… He was really angry then.’

Master was someone who was very dissatisfied with the old policy of the Sichuan Dang Family that made physicians directly taste ten thousand poisons and a thousand medicines in their education.

– Try going to the Poison King and saying that. He’ll be delighted that the Thousand Poisons Hand finally got a real disciple and gladly give it to you. And you won’t wake up the next day.

He was relatively gentle with physicians, but that was the first and last time I directly faced the sharp, piercing gaze he usually showed to family members or enemy factions.

Ah, of course now I’m grateful that he straightened out my mindset. Being disappointed because I became too healthy from internal energy cultivation. What kind of mad scientist was I?

“…”

“Whoa!”

Lost in old memories, my eyes met with Hwang Sanghun who was similarly lost in thought while staring at me.

“That startled me, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just. Because you’re cool. No… because I’m envious.”

“Huh?”

How ridiculous. Two third-generation chaebols sitting there, what’s there to be envious of?

“Me too, me too. I want to confidently say like Yeowon, ‘This is exactly this disease! Take this and you’ll get better! Trust me and follow along!'”

“Your grandfather probably treats patients like that.”

The grandfather of both of them and founder of Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital, Hwangje, is renowned for his charismatic treatment style. There are probably videos on YouTube of him making people who couldn’t move their bodies stand up like Jesus, right?

“Grandfather has a lot of experience.”

“You two can also gain experience.”

“I don’t know. Even if I trained for a hundred years, I don’t think I could do it like you.”

“If grandfather doesn’t teach you separately, come to me. I’ll pass it down apprentice-style.”

“Really?”

“Really?”

I had just casually thrown out the offer to teach, but Hwangseoyeong jumped up and thrust her face toward me.

She had always liked asking me various things since our study days, but even Hwang Sanghun’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me.

“Why are you so happy about it. I’m not a professor or senior, just a classmate.”

“No. I thought your aura seemed different ever since you came back from China, but now that I’ve trained a little, I can tell. You have an inner power like grandfather’s, even more than the department heads at our hospital.”

“Right. Father and older brother are excellent in terms of achievements, but you’re something different.”

Why are these guys praising me so much? What did I even do!

It’s not like I cured all of Hwang Sanghun’s illnesses with a single needle. I just wrote one prescription, but they’re being way too dramatic.

“Well, if you’re still not confident after finishing your residency, really come as associate director. I can at least give advice on treatment directions for difficult patients.”

“Ooh!”

“…Really? No take-backs?”

The last words came from Hwang Sanghun. He’s probably lacking confidence especially since he’s an intern right now.

At Korean University Traditional Medicine Hospital, professors handle examinations, residents take care of inpatient wards and afternoon treatments, and interns assist them. Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital seems to share treatment responsibilities to some extent, but basically it’s a period with little authority and tremendous hardship.

After completing 3 years of residency, opening a private practice isn’t much to speak of, and they’d probably think they’re more impressive since they actively study through weekly conferences and paper writing, plus experience with severe patients.

But if they really come?

“Hmm, having two specialists come as associate directors would benefit me, right? I’ll expand the clinic and prepare positions, so don’t you guys back out and just wait.”

Auto-hunting would be amazing.

I’d delegate basic examinations and treatments to the associate directors and just give advice here and there. Actually, about 80% of patients who come to traditional medicine clinics have similar symptoms. And I’d only handle difficult cases in the high-level zone.

Mm, this is good!

Spending 100% of my days just playing around after graduation wasn’t entirely satisfying. Working when I want to work while running auto-hunting, feeling some achievement while training newbies – that’s what would bring vitality to life.

‘It wouldn’t be bad like when I was at the Medical Institute.’

Right before returning to modern times, I was focused on researching the Soul Return Technique and barely did any direct treatment. During that time, discussing treatment methods for difficult patients that my trained disciples consulted about was one of life’s pleasures.

‘Traveling and gaming instead of research time would be perfect!’

When I was in school, I just wanted to enjoy modern conveniences, but after opening the clinic, I realized something.

I fundamentally enjoy treating patients.

Of course it’s joyful when patients recover, live happily, and express gratitude, but it’s also thrilling when the right prescription hits the mark. Like the type who gets excited seeing damage numbers when criticals hit in games rather than item rewards.

“Wow! As expected of Yeowon! I’m really coming as soon as I finish residency!”

I nodded.

These guys have a little under 3 and a half years left until they finish residency. That’s more than enough time to expand the clinic.

“Anytime. I already took over a clinic with a spare examination room, considering hiring associate directors from the start!”

“Ooh, I failed to understand the head director’s deep intentions and opposed it!”

Surprisingly, there actually was space in the clinic currently being used as storage, and if we cleaned and renovated it, it could easily be set up as an examination room. We have 10 beds now, but with partitions and curtains for redecorating, we could probably fit about 5 more.

Maybe because the location is on a hill, the square footage is quite spacious compared to the monthly rent.

‘Perfect. When we have about three times the current patients, I’ll hire new associate directors! And… if things go well, maybe branch locations?’

Of course, there’s still a long way to go.

We’ve just barely established a system with one director and one staff member, and it took several months just to get this far. I’ll need to learn and try various things going forward.

But I don’t think it’s impossible. Whether it’s management or marketing, I can start learning from now.

A quest appeared and my motivation ignited.

Imagining setting up about 20 branch locations like Sky Traditional Medicine Clinic or Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital and traveling around made me smile naturally.

Money is definitely necessary. Just playing around while eating into past savings without any income – no wonder boredom found me after just half a year of unemployment.

The burden of having to work someday was sitting in one corner of my mind, so wasn’t I influenced by those strange videos and books?

In the martial arts world, no matter how much gold and silver treasures you accumulate, you can’t even make one phone, but here the possibilities are endless.

“I was feeling lost about what to do after leaving the hospital, but thanks to you I feel much more at ease.”

Hwang Sanghun said while looking at me smiling as I thought of grand plans.

Oh my, the third generation of a Korean medicine hospital must feel really lost!

Honestly, while I wasn’t sure about Hwangseoyeong, I didn’t really think that guy would actually come.

After finishing university hospital training, why would he come to Busan where he has no connections? Even if he cut ties with his parents for some reason, that guy could get hired anywhere, anytime.

I often hear these days that the economy is tough and employment isn’t easy, but tall, handsome male traditional medicine doctors are tier-0 – they can’t hire them because there aren’t enough!

“You’d be welcome even tomorrow. I’ll even provide room and board so you can get sufficient sleep.”

I exaggeratedly spread both arms to welcome the two.

Well, still, thinking there’s a place to escape to while going through tough hospital life might be comforting during hard times?

As we talked and the medicinal energy of the Sympathy Pill circulated, the resentment built up in Hwang Sanghun’s chest dissolved.

He returned to the hospital looking like he was being dragged back to hell, but his face was much better than before.

‘Anyway, one case successfully treated.’

I saw off Hwang Sanghun with a satisfied feeling, then enjoyed Seoul’s nightlife while catching up with Hwangseoyeong.

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