Chapter 159 - Chapter 32

Chapter 159: Chapter 32
 
When Kanghyok looked at him closely, Dolson was right.
There was a doctor dressed in tidy, not colorful clothes, sitting before them.
The doctor seemed tired as he already saw too many patients.

You don’t have to worry,
said the doctor in a kind voice.
His voice reminded Kanghyok of an old professor with the children and teens department of Chungmu Hospital he was affiliated with back in modern Korea.


His voice spoke volumes about his capabilities.
‘Shall I go and see him?’
Getting off his pony, he slowly approached the doctor.
Just then, a commoner came up to him and said,
Sir, stand in line, please.

With a hearty laugh, Kanghyok waved at him.

No, I’m not here for treatment.


What brings you here?


I came here to see the doctor.

The commoner became confused at Kanghyok’s remarks because he could not figure out the difference.
But he felt that Kanghyok seemed to be a man of noble birth, with that silk dress and a fan as well as the unfamiliar but sophisticated bag.


Besides, Kanghyok had fair skin and a stout build.

Sir, my doctor won’t like it,
said the commoner serving the doctor.
Dolsok and Makbok suddenly came forward.

Hey, he said he is not here to get his treatment.


Do you know who he is?

When these two strong men confronted the commoner, he could not handle them anymore.
Kanghyok felt like they made a mistake.
So, he pushed them aside abruptly and came forward.
Hahaha. They misunderstood my intention. Got it. Let me wait. When do you think he will finish?


Well, it’s a long line as you can see. It will take some time.


I see.



He was true. The line was quite long, with lots of people waiting outside the gate, too.
It was as if the whole village came along with their sick families.

Do you think he will keep seeing patients today? It’ll be dark soon.


Well, my doctor is so generous, so I think he will be done around midnight.

If that’s the case, Kanghyok couldn’t afford to wait indefinitely.

Dolsok, let’s stay at a nearby village bar. I guess that doctor would take a break at night.


Sure, master. Let me check it out.

In fact, Kanghyok’s company was pretty tired after a long walk.
Dolsok and Makbong went out hurriedly.

By the way, I feel sorry for you, Yoju.




I’m alright. I’ve plenty of time available.


Okay, then. Let’s wait here.

Fortunately, the village bar was rather large. Apparently there were lots of people who stayed there as it was located at the foot of the mountain.

Master, we made a reservation for rooms. Two rooms are enough, right?


Sure, that sounds like a plan.

Even though Yoni and Yoju were dressed like men, Kanghyok couldn’t mix them with Makbong and Dolsok.
When Kanghyok approved, Dolsok shouted in a strong voice,
Hey, madam, give us some food and alcoholic drinks.


Yes, sir!


Don’t you want some drink to relieve a hangover?


Oh… no thanks.




Really? I can’t believe you’re avoiding alcoholic drinks, sir,
Dolsok said.
Kanghyok’s refraining from alcohol was new to him.
How come he could reject drinking?

I think I shouldn’t smell of any liquor when I see that doctor.


I hear that he is a good doctor, but I don’t think he is as good as you, master.

It was impossible that a doctor in Joseon in the 16th century could surpass Kanghyok, who was called one of the best doctors in modern Korea.
Kanghyok was humble enough, though.
‘Maybe I can learn something from him.

Though Kanghyok had a glimpse of that doctor in the distance, he felt this village doctor had a good voice, which seemed familiar to him.

Hey, you guys can have a drink, Makbong and Dolsok. Don’t care too much about what I think.


Thank you so much, master.
Bowing to him continuously, Makbong and Dolsok began to gulp down alcoholic drinks.
When Kanghyok turned his head, he found Yoni staring at their table.
‘Oops, Yoni is also a heavy drinker!’
In fact, she could drink as much as Dolsok and Makbong, though she couldn’t beat Kanghyok.

Hey, Yoni, you can join them for a drink.


Really? Thanks, master.
As if she had been waiting for Kanghyok’s approval, she quickly joined them.
Now, there was only Yoju who couldn’t join the group, looking like a fish out of water.

Won’t you have a drink, Yoju?


Oh, no, sir.


Why don’t you try it today as you don’t have anything to draw today?


No thanks, sir.

In fact, Kanghyok himself was quite a personality to Yoju.
Despite the fact that he came from a noble family, he didn’t care about mingling with commoners like Dolsok, Makbong and Yoni.
He also learned medical skills, which were despised in Joseon.
Besides, he sneaked into a woman’s room at night to treat that sick woman.
‘I think it would be interesting to draw the daily life of such a man,’ Yoju thought.
How interesting a personality he had!
He looked like a happy-go-lucky man, but many people were drawn to his charisma.
Yoju was one of them.

It’s been a long time since I traveled as far as this place, so let me draw the landscape.


Great. That’s a good hobby. By the way, why are you guys so funny like that?

Instead of alcohol, Kanghyok poured some water in a cup and joined them.
Smelling strongly of alcohol, Dolsok said,
Listen to Makbong, master.


What is that?


Well, it’s the same story, sir.

Kanghyok found out that Makbong was telling them how he pleased the widows. Makbong satisfied many women’s sexual desires, with some detailed description.
With some nervousness Kanghyok looked at Yoni’s face, because Makbong used some lewd phrases and expressions that made even men blush.

So what? What did you do?
Yoni demanded.
Kanghyok’s concern was groundless.
With her eyes sparkling, Yoni kept on asking.
Kanghyok instantly doubted, ‘Is Yoni a man?’
Obviously, Yoni was a woman with red lips and a shapely nose.

What did I do? Of course, I had sex with her abruptly.


Wow, you’re awesome,
Dolsok murmured in admiration at Makbong’s skills.
While Kanghyok was listening to Makbong’s lewd episodes, Kanghyok slightly crossed his legs. At that moment, he heard somebody coming into the bar.
Makbong and Yoni quickly tidied up their clothes to greet him.
The doctor and his servant opened the door finally.
He looked pretty exhausted since he saw lots of patients all day long.
But his eyes were sparkling as bright as Soonsin’s.

Oh, here you are, sir!

Kanghyok quickly approached him.

May I ask who you are…


This is the man I told you a while ago, sir. He said he would be waiting for you here…


Oh, I see.

Apparently his servant tipped him off in advance.

How are you? My name is Kanghyok Paek.


Kanghyok… Paek? Aha, that famous doctor in the street in Suwon?


Yes.


Wow, it’s my honor! In fact, I have been anxious to see you.

Apparently, Kanghyok was widely known, given this village doctor’s surprised reaction.

My name is Joon Huh.’

Joon Huh?


Yes, I’m Joon Huh.

Kanghyok couldn’t believe his ears, his jaw dropping.
Joon Huh, the legendary best doctor of Joseon!
The only memory that Kanghyok had of Joon Huh was that of TV talent Kwangryol Chun, who played the role of Joon Huh in the most popular soap opera many years ago.
‘That soap opera was really great.’
The impact of that TV series was so strong that the oriental medicine college of Kyonghee University, the best in Korea, exceeded the medical college of Chungmu, the best medical school in Korea, in terms of the ranking of medical colleges across the country.
Accordingly, lots of excellent students went to oriental medical colleges that year.
‘Every man I meet here in Joseon is all famous,’ Kanghyok thought to himself.
Obviously, there must be tons of knowledge he could learn from Joon Huh.

That’s what I thought, sir. I think I came here to see the right person.


What do you mean?


I’ve been anxious to learn from a medicinal herb doctor. I think I can learn from you, easy in mind.


Learning from me? I’m only a nameless doctor. I really can’t catch up with you.

Joon Huh thought too lowly of himself.
Kanghyok couldn’t help admiring his humility.
‘That’s why he has been recorded as a historic figure.’
Kanghyok just endlessly admired him.

No, sir. Please teach me some.

Kanghyok had been widely known to many people even before he got to be known as a good doctor. Above all, he was known as the son of that powerful ex-official, Sungmun Paek.
Though Jooh Huh was from a good family, he was an offspring of a concubine. Joon Huh couldn’t feel comfortable when a real nobleman like Kanghyok bowed to him.

Oh my… I get it.


Thanks,
said Kanghyok.

Let’s see the patients together tomorrow. As you have asked me to teach you, I’ll be stern about it, though.


Yes, please.