The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 339

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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 339

Kim Jaegyu’s eyes sparkled brightly.

Hmm, after talking this much, it would be a bit awkward to tell him he can’t come, right? It doesn’t seem like there will be any dangerous situations.

Since it was Kim Jaegyu who brought Im Seunghyun in the first place, I readily agreed.

“Should we infiltrate? It would be better to go pretending to be customers, right?”

“Hmm, if we say we came to buy something or receive treatment, they might ask who referred us. Since they have a martial arts school sign up, let’s go pretending to inquire about enrollment.”

Although Daehan Unjangdogwan was presumed to be a site of various medical law violations, there was nothing wrong with the dojang itself.

Since martial arts are fundamentally private technical systems, you can give them any strange name you want as long as you don’t violate trademark rights.

They probably added “Daehan Unjangdo” to make it look like something officially certified by the state, right?

“Ah, great! Other members like Seunghyun must also be under the swindler’s spell… If we defeat them with martial arts, they’ll come to their senses, right?”

Kim Jaegyu didn’t hide his excitement and shrugged his shoulders.

“When are you available, Clinic Director? I’m fine any day!”

The retired physical education teacher showed great enthusiasm, but I still had a long time left until quitting time.

“I’ll call you. Let’s focus on treatment first.”

I sent Kim Jaegyu to the treatment room and treated patients sequentially.

Fortunately, Im Seunghyun was able to use his arm again after receiving about ten needles.

“The needles don’t hurt at all! My arm moves well too. Thank you.”

He must have been quite worried, as he waited in front of the examination room, bowed again, and went home.

The next day.

I did a simple search for information about Daehan Unjangdogwan.

Perhaps because it operated mainly through word of mouth, there was no mention of it at all in places like local cafes.

‘That’s strange. Usually there are many child members, so even without advertising, there would be at least one or two comments.’

At least it was registered on the place listing, so I called right away.

“Hello, I saw your sign while walking by and decided to call.”

I made up a story about getting bored with other exercises and wanting to try something new, asking if consultation was possible.

Perhaps people like Im Seunghyun who come in after seeing the sign are common.

The instructor accepted my story without any particular suspicion.

– Then please come observe on Thursday evening!

“Yes, thank you.”

And so, a few days later.

On Thursday evening, 15 minutes before the working adult class started, Kim Jaegyu and I met in front of the dojang.

“To think these swindlers had made their nest near our school.”

It was over 30 minutes on foot, so not exactly right next to the school, but even that seemed to displease Kim Jaegyu.

“It looks ordinary from the outside.”

“Right. I wonder if they won’t reveal their true nature right away?”

The exterior was just an ordinary martial arts school in a commercial building.

It wasn’t much different from the Taekkyeon dojang that Kim Jaegyu attended.

Click.

I turned on the recorder and confirmed the light came on properly.

“I hope they do reveal it…”

Kim Jaegyu might not know, but I’m busy!

Since going back and forth several times would be bothersome, I wanted to catch evidence of illegal medical practice today if possible.

“Hello. I’m the person who consulted over the phone.”

“Finally, fate has brought us together.”

“Excuse me?”

“I knew you two distinguished guests would come today. I’m Kwantaesik, the instructor. Please come in.”

…Of course he knew since I called. It’s not like he’s some cult leader, what’s this about?

I wanted to call him out but held back.

“Oh.”

At least my worry about not being able to gather evidence because it was too secretive was unnecessary.

The ordinariness only applied to outside the front door.

Everything was suspicious, starting with the kudzu and various roots soaking in alcohol by the gymnasium windows.

“Wow, what’s that crescent blade?”

Even though we hadn’t planned any strategy, Kim Jaegyu showed interest in the decorations on the opposite side at perfect timing.

He examined the crescent blade with sparkling eyes.

…That’s understandable. It’s not something you see commonly.

I took the opportunity while he diverted Kwantaesik’s attention to quickly check the plant roots.

“If you practice Unjangdo sufficiently, you’ll eventually be able to handle that heavy crescent blade too. You could get seriously hurt if you carelessly touch it and drop it, so you must start with bare-handed training.”

“Ooooh…!”

Kwantaesik rambled on about internal energy, external energy, and immortality.

While photographing the medicinal liquor with a silent camera and listening, I felt a sense of déjà vu.

“Good evening!”

“Oh, new faces?”

“Hello, Instructor.”

Just as I finished taking photos, members came flooding in.

Fortunately, there weren’t many members interested in this suspicious martial art – only 7 members in this session.

Their ages ranged from their 30s to 60s.

“Are you the evening class members? I inquired about joining and was allowed to observe, so I came.”

“Ah! Welcome!”

As they entered, Kwantaesik and Kim Jaegyu also finished their conversation and approached.

“Choi Seongman, how did you feel after getting acupuncture? Did your head feel clearer?”

Kwantaesik asked the man who had welcomed me most enthusiastically.

Gasp, to bring up acupuncture so directly. The recorder should be working properly, right?

‘Is he bragging about doing acupuncture too?’

Choi Seongman answered with a bright smile.

“Yes. I think I’ll be able to achieve Sojucheon soon.”

“You got acupuncture too?”

“Sojucheon? Is that from the Taekkyeon lineage?”

Unfortunately, this time my words and Kim Jaegyu’s didn’t align.

Kwantaesik responded to Kim Jaegyu’s question.

“How can you compare it to such rootless martial arts? Our Unjangdo has a much longer history.”

They say those without roots are the ones who talk about roots the most, and sure enough, the story about Guan Yu that Im Seunghyun had mentioned came up.

Indeed, his talent for speaking dramatically was admirable.

Come to think of it, having the surname Kwan was probably taken from Guan Yu too.

“I’ve been practicing Taekkyeon but haven’t even come close to Sojucheon… How long have you been training, Senior?”

Kim Jaegyu’s acting wasn’t bad.

When he asked Choi Seongman in a tone that seemed deeply moved, Choi Seongman answered triumphantly.

“A little less than a year.”

“Really?”

“Hehe. Choi Seongman worked hard. He took wild ginseng liquor and got acupuncture regularly.”

“Ohh…”

“Hahaha! Now when I get needles in my neck, it tingles all the way down to my tailbone at the base of the Governing Vessel!”

It must be tingling because he’s hitting nerves.

I frowned.

I wondered why he was putting needles on the Governing Vessel, but the goal itself was something absurd like Sojucheon.

If you could achieve Sojucheon with just a few acupuncture sessions, who would bother training?

“When you members feel limitations in your training, just let me know. It’s a secret technique passed down through generations – you absolutely cannot encounter this at ordinary Oriental Medicine Clinics.”

“Instructor used to be a famous physician on Gyeryongsan.”

“Wow, how did you come all the way to Busan? It’s an honor to meet you.”

It was fortunate that Kim Jaegyu came along today.

He was completely immersed in his role, his eyes sparkling whenever anyone said anything.

“Many elderly people come just for acupuncture during the day too. He stimulates pressure points as well…”

“Actually, I came here because my Mother recommended it.”

“Ahem!”

It seemed they taught martial arts during class hours like office worker sessions or children’s classes, and did medical business at other times.

The members busily brought up treatment cases they had heard about.

“Are the prices similar to acupuncture at Oriental Medicine Clinics?”

When I showed interest, Kwantaesik pulled out a laminated paper from the bookshelf.

It really did look like a restaurant menu price list.

‘…Even if I had just barged in, I would have confiscated this. I should tell the Health Center to come during the day.’

I think I’ve done enough at this point?

Goosebumps rose on both my arms and I kept feeling the urge to get out of there quickly.

Still, I should pretend to listen to the class for now and slip that away when I leave.

If I report to the local Health Center with this much evidence, they should take appropriate measures.

“Alright, let’s start class now.”

The members changed into martial arts uniforms, and we joined the class together.

It was actually a relief that the martial arts class started so I didn’t have to listen to more nonsense.

The warm-up exercises and meditation were quite ordinary.

‘Phew.’

Then something started getting strange when they began doing punching motions in horse stance – some weird exercise that seemed like a mix of Taekkyeon and Taekwondo.

As I expected, it had absolutely no connection to Guan Yu.

Guan Yu remained composed even when receiving surgery from Hua Tuo without anesthesia, but if he saw this spectacle, wouldn’t even he shed tears?

“Since we have observers today, I’ll demonstrate the entire Azure Dragon Fist first.”

Was he going to show the techniques?

After all that practice lowering the body in horse stance, the actual Azure Dragon Fist started from standing upright.

Kwantaesik closed his eyes tightly… then opened them wide and extended his right arm outward.

He moved with fluid motions like Taekkyeon, then his elbow bent and swung sharply, his fist cutting through the air.

Whoosh! A short, intense explosive sound.

The flashy uniform sleeves fluttered with each movement.

At least the punching motions properly showed signs of long practice.

“Ohhh!”

When the technique demonstration ended, all the members applauded together.

I could understand why Im Seunghyun had switched over.

While its utility as a martial art was minimal, the fist dance movements themselves were composed quite impressively.

“Let’s practice Blue Dragon Fist from Chapter 1 to Chapter 12, each according to your own progress.”

Since everyone had joined at different times, they all practiced different movements.

Kwantaesik approached Kim Jaegyu and me, repeating the first part of the fist dance he had just shown.

“Let’s give it a try.”

When I whispered quietly, Kim Jaegyu nodded as well.

He showed reasonable interest and engaged in the training with his own earnest effort.

After having time to practice the techniques, the next turn was sparring.

The class time was only 50 minutes, but it was quite substantial in its own way.

Since including the instructor made an even number, the members including Kwantaesik stood facing each other in pairs.

…And I soon regretted not quickly grabbing just the price list and escaping from this place.

“The instructor has reached the level of Diamond Body, so no matter how much he gets hit, he doesn’t feel any pain.”

Those were the words of Choi Seongman, who had become my partner and whom Sojucheon had called naive earlier.

…The other people seemed to be training just normally, so why did only this person’s words sound particularly cult-like?

We moved one space to the side and sparred for 2 minutes each.

The structure was arranged so that each member could go through all the other members and finally spar with the instructor.

Thwack!

Kwantaesik didn’t attack, only received the members’ Blue Dragon Fist techniques.

They seemed to be hitting his abdomen quite hard, but even with the members’ full-force punches, Kwantaesik didn’t budge at all.

Kim Jaegyu also seemed intrigued watching that scene.

“May I try with the martial arts I’ve been learning before?”

“Of course.”

Kwantaesik readily accepted Kim Jaegyu’s suggestion with a confident smile.

When Kim Jaegyu lowered his body, a proper Taekkyeon stance emerged.

Swoosh! Chop!

He attacked with a knife-hand strike as well.

Thwack!

And also struck the torso with his fist.

However, just like the previous members’ attack attempts, Kwantaesik remained motionless, only showing a serene smile.

‘That’s…’

Too obvious.

Even if he didn’t notice at first, after hitting a few times, Kim Jaegyu seemed to have caught on as well.

Whoosh!

Unlike before when he had been hitting the torso safely, when he attacked the shoulder.

Swish!

Kwantaesik stepped back and momentarily showed something like a boxing stance.

He avoided the shoulder attack like that.

The moment Kim Jaegyu tried to kick.

“Ah, kicks are against the rules in Blue Dragon Fist sparring.”

…He said that and ended the sparring session.

“Ugh.”

“Haha, it’s your first time here, so of course you wouldn’t know the rules.”

Kim Jaegyu clenched his fists tightly.

He seemed quite frustrated at being jeered.

But given the atmosphere, it was awkward to challenge again.

“Next, I’ll give it a try.”

Now it was my turn.

“Please, come at me anytime.”

While he had been flustered by Kim Jaegyu’s kick attempt, when the challenger changed, he showed noticeably more composure.

After all, wouldn’t I look much easier to handle than Kim Jaegyu, who had clearly learned proper Taekkyeon?

“…It seems like he’s wearing something underneath. Try attacking his arms or legs.”

Kim Jaegyu whispered as we switched positions.

Ah, come to think of it, Kim Jaegyu had never seen my skills either.

I grinned.

I agreed that he had used some petty trick like wearing something underneath.

Well, attacking his arms or legs would quickly expose the deception.

But how should I put it.

…It’s just not my style.

“I’m coming right at you.”

I took the preparatory stance for the first technique of Blue Dragon Fist that I had just learned.

‘If I’m going to do it anyway, it’s more fun to hit where he’s confident.’

And the moment Kwantaesik gestured.

I extended my fist toward the center of his torso.

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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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