Chapter 147

: Chapter 20
 

Ah, Soonsin Lee,
Kanghyok repeated that name.
‘If he is 28, he is like my elder brother. Wait a moment. Soonsin Lee? That famous admiral Soonsin Lee?’ Kanghyok’s eyes opened wide with surprise.

Are you sure your name Soonsin Lee?


Yes, it is. Why are you so surprised?


Master, let me get some sleep.



Dolsok, who had his sleep interrupted by Kanghyok, murmured with a disgruntled look.
Tak!
Lightly slapping Dolsok on the back of his neck, Kanghyok continued,
Oh my god, Soonsin Lee. Is it true that I have come to treat Soonsin Lee?


I wonder if you have got confused with someone else. I’m no one.
Rather puzzled, Soonsin looked at Kanghyok.
In fact, Soonsin Lee, at this point in his life, was not that famous.
‘I get it now. That’s why he looked so special,’ thought Kanghyok.
He showed incredible patience and mental strength that could hardly be found in a human being. Given his strong disposition, it’s pretty understandable that Soonsin Lee destroyed the mighty Japanese Armada with only 12 military vessels.
Kanghyok looked at Soonsin in admiration. Then, he suddenly felt that he should not get too excited.
‘If I make a big fuss about him, he might change.’
That would mean big trouble.


The whole history of modern Korea could be shaken with the emergence of a different Soonsin.

Um… it’s nothing. But nobody can stand this kind of surgery like you. Anyway, have some sleep. If you feel uncomfortable, you have to let me know.


Got it.

Kanghyok lay down after confirming that Soonsin went to sleep.
Soonsin fell asleep soon just like those with extraordinary endurance. Though he underwent surgery a moment ago, it looked like he didn’t feel pain.
‘Wow, I can’t believe this! Soonsin Lee is sleeping beside me now.’
Kanghyok couldn’t sleep.
Just imagine some great man lying down right beside you. If you don’t feel touched at all, that’s very strange of you.
‘Wait a minute. Am I now in the period of King Sonjo in old Korea (Joseon)? I hope I won’t go through Japan’s invasion of Joseon in 1592.’
As someone who used to live a peaceful modern Korea, he just felt it so regrettable that he had come to Joseon. It felt dreadful to think that he would have to undergo that notorious Korea-Japan war in 1592.


‘No, I still have some time left. Let me find out any way to go back to modern Korea. Oh, let me first help Soonsin rehab.’
What a great honor! He had the honor of treating him and helping him through rehab.
‘Let me hit the sack first.’
It had been a tiring day for him.
He fell into a sound sleep quickly.
Rubbing his eyes, Kanghyok woke up.
Instead of having the basin ready for his master’s wash in the morning, Dolsok was looking at the yard with a worried look.

Please stop that nobleman. He just wouldn’t listen to me.


Ugh? What the heck?


Look at that man.




Oh my… What is he doing now? Damn…

Kanghyok was about to use foul language but stopped right away when he noticed Soonsin Lee in the yard.
‘He deserves my blame.’
Thinking mischievously, Kanghyok came out of his room and shouted at him,
Excuse me, but what the heck are you doing, sir?


Oh, I’m wielding my sword.


I see,
said Kanghyok, stooping slightly. He could not believe that nobleman was Soonsin because he just casually replied.
‘No, you shouldn’t do this.’ He underwent surgery just yesterday.
Shaking his head, Kanghyok said,
What if the wounds on your calf reopened again if you moved around like that? Come into the room right now!


I know my leg was hurt, but my arms are just okay.

As expected, he truly was a great man in history. Even though what he said was utter nonsense, it was logically right.



I told you so,
said Dolsok.

You should have stopped him,


How can I stop him when he didn’t listen to you?

That was true.
Tilting his head to one side, Kanghyok went out to the yard. No matter how great a general Soonsin was, he had to listen to the doctor. Kanghyok cautiously tapped him on the shoulder.
Soonsin was brandishing the sword again.

Hey, brother. Would you stop it? You might hit me.


Why are you bothering me like this?


I’ve just told you. The wounds on your calf will break apart again if you keep doing this.


I know my body more than anybody else.


Didn’t you know you were in such a severe condition last evening?


That’s why I came to see you.


Oh, yeah, you are something else!
Kanghyok uttered an exclamation before his brain caught up to his mouth.

Oh my god, master!


What’s wrong?


Look at that bleeding on his calf.


What? Where? I knew it!

With such a thick calf, the wounds on it were opened. After all, he had been swinging his sword for a while.
The dressing around it was getting stained with red blood.

Now, stop it immediately and come back to the room. I have to stitch it up again.


By cracky!
As if he was embarrassed, Soonsin went into the room, putting up with the pain. He stretched his leg silently.
Fortunately, the wounds did not break open that much.

Dolsok, give me that bag.


Yes, master.

He searched through the bag. Fortunately, all the expendables that he used up yesterday were refilled like before.
‘What a relief!’
No matter how famous he was, Kanghyok would be treated no more than a quack without this bag.

Give me your leg.


Got it.

Kanghyok heavily wiped off the wounds with disinfectant.

You can be stubborn on something, but not this one. What if this wounds here breal open again?


I’m sorry,
he said politely.

It will hurt a bit.


Got it.

Hey, Dolsok! Hold it now.


Yes, master.

Kanghyon now wrongly vented his anger on Dolsok.

Done. You have to follow my instructions for one week.


Sure, let me promise.


I’ll trust you this time.

Kanghyok bound his calf again with dressing.
After that, he just sat on the floor, hardly moving.
Knock, knock.

Go and tell the patient that we’re closed today.


Yes, master.
Dolsok was so happy to hear that. He went out to the door excitedly and then came back with a letter.

Master, it is a letter from the mayor.


Really? I wonder why he didn’t come in person.


No idea. Please read it.

Then Kanghyok opened it casually. It wasn’t a long letter, but he could make nothing of it.
‘Oh my god…’
Though he learned some Chinese characters when he was in a calligraphy club in college, he couldn’t read the letter dotted with Chinese characters.
He knew Dolsok was much more ignorant than he was.
‘What should I do? Can I ask brother Soonsin to read it for me?’
Kanghyok was a doctor anyway, who was in a position to ask his patient to do something on the excuse of treatment.
Soonsin was in meditation at the moment.

Brother Soonsin?


What’s up?


How did the treatment go? I need to check your condition. Is it okay?


No problem.

Kanghyok handed the mayor’s letter to Soonsin.

Please read it aloud for me.


Isn’t this addressed to you?


I know it as I have already read it. So, it doesn’t matter.


Umm….
After thinking it over for a moment, he nodded. He had no reason not to read it to Kanghyok.

Got it. This is what it says: ‘Dear Kang, how are you? Soonsin came to see you yesterday, and I wonder how the treatment went. As I told you, there is a party this afternoon, so let me hear more about your treatment of Soonsin there. Oh, don’t forget to bring me the Viagra pill when you come.’ That’s it. Enough?

Kanghyok forgot the party was this afternoon.
He sprang to his feet and put on an overcoat, saying,
Good job! As you read it, I’m going to go to the party.


Sure.
Soonsin was really nice, replying so coolly.

Dolsok, take good care of brother Soonsin.


Are you going there alone? You don’t know where the party’s taking place.

Indeed, Kanghyok was bad with directions.
It was impossible that he could find his way into Mt. Paldal, where the party was set to happen.

I’m going to stop by a village bar and take a member of the acrobatic team there with me.


Why don’t you ask those servants to take care of this nobleman?
Dolsok looked askance at Soonsin, who was back in meditation.
But Kanghyok was adamant this time.
You’re the most competent at treating people here except for me. They merely handed ticket numbers to the patients. How can they take care of him?


Got it, sir. Please come back as soon as possible.


Sure. I don’t think the mayor will hold me up long as I have to see patients.


Yes, master.


I took out common medical tools here, so use them if need be.


Yes, yes.

Leaving Dolsok behind, Kanghyok came out of the examination room.
‘I guess it’s right there.’
To the best of Kanghyok’s memory, the acrobatic team was staying at the inn.
Only those important members like Pyonsu, Yoni and Makbong stayed there. It seemed that the other members were staying at private houses in return for helping with their odd jobs.
Kanghyok opened the door when the barmaid came running to him.

Welcome, master!

As he once treated her disjointed leg, she was very kind to him.
Waving to her, he said,
Are Orumsani and Makbong here?


Of course, they are. Let me call them.


Thanks.

A little later, Yoni came out. It seemed Makbong was out already.

Master, how come you’re here?


Are you alone here?


Yes, master.

Kanghyok scratched his beard gently, thinking, ‘I’m afraid I’m going to the party with a woman…’
The party was hosted by the mayor. This meant that there were already pretty women at the party. Kanghyok was determined to enjoy the liberty of touching women’s bosoms this time.
‘But I can’t go there alone.’
What if he got lost on his way to the party?
Aside from his personal embarrassment, it would be a disgrace to his name for the rest of his life.
‘Damn it. Let me ask Yoni to stay away from me.’