The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 359

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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 359

I had perfectly achieved my purpose for coming to Seoul.

I thought it might be a wasted trip, but it was definitely good that I came to see for myself at least once.

Choi Eunhee, who had poured out the story that was weighing on her heart, definitely looked relieved.

And I also threw away the heavy emotions I felt whenever I thought of Choi Eunhee, along with the darts.

As soon as we left the pub, Choi Eunhee and I turned around and went our separate ways.

Since we weren’t exactly friends, there was no need to share the sadness of parting with farewells or promise to meet again.

We parted cleanly.

And I caught the remaining train and went straight down to Busan.

* * *

“Clinic Director, how was Seoul…?”

“What did Director Choi say? Don’t take it to heart.”

And when I came to work the next day, Seo Inae and Hwang Sanghun were extremely anxious, worrying about my psychological and physical condition.

“Huh? No, it’s not like that. The conversation went well. Do I look bad? Maybe it’s because I’m tired from standing on the train?”

Did I fall asleep too quickly yesterday?

I scratched my head, thinking I should do some brief energy circulation during breaks between patients.

“What, you went without making a reservation?”

“I didn’t know how long it would take. I thought it would be relaxed since it was a weekday evening, but it wasn’t.”

“Wait, hold on. You said the conversation with CEO Choi Eunhee went well?”

“Is that possible? Was there some misunderstanding? …All those incidents can’t all be misunderstandings, right?”

“She said she’s reflecting, apologizing, and will wrap up the business.”

Seo Inae looked at me as if she couldn’t believe it.

Hwang Sanghun burst into laughter thinking I was joking, then soon realized I was serious and rolled his eyes.

“Well, she wasn’t completely without conscience after all.”

“How on earth did you persuade her? I thought she wouldn’t even pretend to listen and would turn you away at the door.”

That’s how it was at first.

But since I had already made myself an unwelcome guest, I wasn’t the type to quietly leave just because she turned me away, was I?

“I forced her to read all the documents, and when I showed her the difference in caliber between Director Choi Eunhee and myself, she conceded.”

“I see…”

“Ah, I understand.”

Hwang Sanghun and Seo Inae nodded their heads.

Wait, why are you accepting that?

Even though I had skipped all the crucial parts and was joking, they both accepted it as if that made sense.

I sighed and summarized what actually happened.

“I’ve never met her, but I thought she would be an extremely arrogant and self-righteous person. I guess she had that side to her.”

After hearing the story.

Seo Inae, who had only seen Choi Eunhee through documents, nodded as if that made sense.

“I thought she was like my great-uncle. But I guess she still had some untarnished parts left.”

Rather, Hwang Sanghun, who had actually met Choi Eunhee as his friend’s mother, was much more confused.

Soon it was time to start treatment, so we scattered to our respective positions.

Hwang Sanghun and I each treated our patients.

“Mr. Jeon Byeongho, it’s been a while. Is your wrist bothering you again?”

“Oh, no. My wrist is fine. Yesterday I had some work pushing things like this, and my elbow suddenly started aching. I rushed over just in case.”

“You did well to come. It’s best to treat it when it’s not severe. You probably strained your elbow by using force at an awkward angle because you were worried about putting pressure on your wrist.”

Jeon Byeongho, who had finished his industrial accident treatment and returned to work, also came after a long time.

“Is there any pain when I press here on your pelvis?”

“It’s fine.”

“Any discomfort when walking or in daily life?”

“Uh… No.”

“You’ve been through a lot. Let’s finish treatment today, and you don’t need to come anymore. But still, avoid intense shoulder joint activities like baseball for a while. Be careful from now on.”

“Yes. I’ll really, really be careful.”

I declared the end of treatment for Go Jinyeong, who had been receiving reduced frequency treatment.

– Hello? I’m calling after being referred by singer Kim Taeyun.

“Hello~. Are you looking for Hyangseongpajeokwhan?”

I also prescribed modified Hyangseongpajeokwhan through telemedicine.

Until now, I had tried not to let non-clinical work affect my practice.

But after putting down the Haneul Clinic matter, even with the same number of patients, it felt much more relaxed.

“You didn’t want revenge, did you? Are you dissatisfied that I resolved it too gently?”

The other directors at our branch just said it worked out well, but just in case, I called Chu Miyoung separately.

More than half of the investigation materials came from her, so shouldn’t I respect her wishes as much as possible?

Of course, she had agreed with my idea of going to Seoul for one last conversation, but neither I nor Chu Miyoung knew that I would actually be able to persuade Choi Eunhee.

– Oh, I don’t have any personal grudges. I didn’t want to destroy her or anything like that. The time I spent there was difficult, but… because I went through there, I met you, Clinic Director, and learned to appreciate what’s precious. It’s enough if there are no more victims in the future.

Chu Miyoung said she was completely fine, putting on airs.

She was angry when she first left Haneul Clinic, but now that she was satisfied with her current life, even the past had been somewhat romanticized.

– Headquarters contacted me saying they’ll compensate for all the forced equipment sales!

And a week later, I also got a call from Park Gayeong.

– You know how Choi Eunhee personally apologized? While it’s true that she said the UV treatment device was good, apparently the planning manager and the Cheonan Branch director had a back-door contract with the supplier and pocketed part of the profits!

I was quite surprised by this story too.

I thought the equipment issue was undeniably illegal.

“Wasn’t Director Choi Eunhee receiving kickbacks?”

– That’s the thing! Choi Eunhee actually participated in the development and apparently has a legitimate royalty contract. Looking at the terms, she did disclose herself as a stakeholder. Come to think of it, it was those two guys who directly made a fuss about having to buy it no matter what.

The planning manager aside, what’s the deal with the Director of Cheonan Branch?

According to Park Gayeong’s story, he was like an operating director.

He supports new clinic openings and gets involved in branch management?

Well, he was Choi Eunhee’s first Vice Director when she was in Cheonan, and when they adopted the network format, he was the director who joined as a branch right away, so for me, he’d be like Chu Miyoung or Hwang Sanghun.

I can understand why she trusted him completely.

‘Anyway, she’s properly started the investigation and apologies.’

Seeing that they even contacted Park Gayeong, who had already left the network, change has definitely begun.

This should be enough to say I’ve achieved the bet condition of starting measures within two weeks that even I in Busan could know about.

I thought about contacting her to say she was working hard, but decided against it.

We don’t have that kind of relationship, and somehow it felt cringeworthy.

I think I understood why Choi Eunhee couldn’t properly say thank you.

[Director, please check the Haneul Clinic website once.]

But this wasn’t the end.

A week after receiving Park Gayeong’s call.

That is, exactly two weeks after making the dart bet with Choi Eunhee, a popup appeared on the official Haneul Clinic website.

[We apologize to those who experienced medical harm or unfair treatment at Haneul Medical Center Network branches. The headquarters will directly accept complaints and compensation requests.]

Choi Eunhee opened a complaint window on the website along with a lengthy apology letter.

She announced that even if it takes time, she would personally reply or call each person.

She promised refunds after fact verification, individual apologies, and even medical consultation if desired.

“Wow…”

And looking at the announcements, right below this content was a post about network franchise terminations.

It stated they were terminating contracts with Incheon Branch, Ansan Branch, Cheonan Branch, Uijeongbu, and Gwangju Branch for repeatedly violating headquarters guidelines.

Moreover, it included an apology to other branches that suffered damage due to these branches’ misconduct, along with a promise to immediately terminate contracts without penalty fees for any branches that wished to do so.

“How did you manage to do this in just two weeks?”

I found myself calling Choi Eunhee without realizing it.

I was just too dumbfounded.

You can handle work this quickly?

Of course, there was also the implication of why she had neglected something she could do like this until now, but I was genuinely curious about how a person could process work at this speed.

– Huh? You told me to do it within two weeks.

I said to just start, but I didn’t expect something like this.

– It’ll still take some time until it’s completely finished anyway. Using staff to respond to inquiries would be meaningless. Whether it’s email or phone calls, I’ll personally handle everything in whatever way the patient prefers.

“Oh… Yes. That’s well thought out. You’re doing well now that you’ve started.”

– …Yes. Once I committed to it, it somehow worked out. My husband initially opposed it, saying there was no need to go this far, but once I posted it, he just accepted it.

“You made a big decision.”

I tried not to give encouragement or anything, but words of support naturally came out.

– …But, I looked up darts a bit after going home that day.

“Yes?”

– Nine darts, perfect nine. This is so rare even in professional matches that players who achieved it are separately recorded? What exactly are you, Director?

“Ah. That’s why I told you I’m good at it.”

– It’s not something that ends with just saying you’re good! And what about that Mancheonhwa-u video? Did you learn how to throw shurikens somewhere?

“You’re just seeing that now?”

You studied darts while handling all that work?

She must have been really frustrated.

“If you know yourself and your enemy, you’ll never be defeated in battle, but Director, you didn’t know about yourself and knew too little about me.”

– …

Choi Eunhee couldn’t argue back.

As I mentioned before, I left her with the message that I welcome a rematch anytime and hung up.

‘I can take my time watching what she does from now on.’

I had a feeling that Choi Eunhee was probably fuming right about now.

But at least she won’t frustrate me anymore.

It was slightly annoying that she compared the secret throwing techniques of the great Sichuan Dang Family to something like throwing shurikens, but I should tolerate this much.

* * *

The popup appeared, articles came out.

The posts that initially came up 30-40 per day decreased significantly over time.

It naturally became a huge topic in Korean medicine doctor communities.

But since it wasn’t revealed through whistleblowing or victim complaints, but rather Choi Eunhee taking the initiative, public interest quickly died down.

Choi Eunhee said she would maintain the complaint window for the next five years for patients who would learn about its existence later.

As much as Choi Eunhee became busy, my time definitely became more relaxed.

Not only were my steps to the clinic lighter.

Instead of checking damage cases online on my days off at home, I prepared study presentations and read game guides, which was so enjoyable.

It was amazing how much time I had.

Just when I thought I had completely returned to daily life.

“Hello, Director! How have you been?”

“Oh, Teacher Kawasaki? What brings you to South Korea?”

Manga artist Kawasaki Yumi, who had visited last time for a wrist problem, came to the clinic.

This time she was with a companion I’d never seen before, not Grandmother Heo Sunnam.

“Hehe, I didn’t come because I was seriously ill. Since I was traveling anyway, I wanted to get treatment for my back and wrist, and also give you a book as a gift.”

“A book, you mean….”

“My new work has finally been published.”

The magazine serialization had started long ago, but the book edition came out this time, Kawasaki said as she pulled a book from her bag.

Is this the one she said was inspired by our Oriental Medicine Clinic?

Has that much time already passed?

“Oh my goodness. Teacher’s new work! I’m so behind on the news!”

“It hasn’t been translated overseas yet, so it’s natural you wouldn’t know.”

As I excitedly made a fuss, Kawasaki smiled brightly and handed me the book.

I received the book with great excitement.

The cover had the title written on it like all other manga book volumes, with characters drawn on it.

But… strangely, the title was long.

“…How do you read this?”

I know the meaning of all the kanji written there.

I can roughly read hiragana and katakana too.

But what I was seeing was so unbelievable that I couldn’t help but doubt my own knowledge.

“【I Was Banished from the Floating City, but When I Came to My Senses, I Had Become Humanity’s Only Hope ~The Strongest and Most Fearsome Air Current Master~】! Very trendy, isn’t it? Hehe, I came up with it myself.”

Kawasaki said triumphantly.

Her companion covered her face with both hands.

I was completely speechless.

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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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