Chapter 195 - Chapter 68

Chapter 195: Chapter 68
Plastic surgery.
It’s often associated with cosmetic surgery, but not necessarily.
There were more reconstructive operations at the hospital that Kanghyok worked in modern Korea.
‘It’s a very difficult opeartion…’
Though Kanghyok was called a genius surgeon, he was not confident in plastic surgery.
‘I can’t shave her jaw!’


If he did, it would be like Yoni cutting open a patient with a scalpel.

Master, are you sick?


Ugh?


Because you make a frown..


Oh, I see.

Yoni was looked down at him with a worried expression.
He was touching the pit of the stomach with his right hand.
Thanks to Yoni’s care he felt less pain now.

I’m alright, Yoni.


Do you have any concern, master?




Wait a moment.

He slowly raised himself, though he felt so good about resting his head on her lap.

Well, it’s because of a patient.


Are you talking about Lord Sungryong?


No, not him. He’s fully recovered.

Though Sungryon had enough of drink and meat last night, he didn’t give any moan.

Which patient are you talking about?

In Yoni’s eyes Kanghyok was a happy-go-lucky man these days.
The only patient he was seeing was Sungryong, who offered him numerous goods in return for his treatment.

There was a nobleman called Hangbok Lee among the people I drank with…




Is he sick?


No, not him, but his wife.


His wife?

Come to think of it, Hangbok’s wife was definitely female.
And she was the daughter of General Yul Kwon.
It was somewhat burdensome for Kanghyok to touch her directly.

Yeah, I need your help, Yoni, when I go and see her.


Oh, no problem, master.


Let me get some sleep.


Sure.



When he was about to stand up, his vomit in the yard bothered him.
‘I didn’t eat meat only.’
There was some fish, too.
Fish was not his favorite as he usually enjoyed meat.
But he liked some fish such as eel or fugu.
‘Wait a minute…fugu?’
Why did he suddenly think of fugu?
Fugu tasted good whether it was roasted, fried or boiled with seasoning.

Master, let me clean it up.

Yoni was clearly concerned about Kanghyok staring at his own vomit carefully.



No, no. Wait a minute.

He stopped on the spot after waving his hand at her quickly.
He actually plopped down on the ground and examined the vomit more carefully.

Ah, Ah!


Have you hit upon any idea?


Yes, very good. Looks like it’s going to work.

Kanghyok made a satisfied smile, nodding his head repeatedly.
Without knowing what’s going on, she also smiled.
‘The poison of fugu is not botulinum toxin, but its action mechanism is somewhat similar.’
Fugu was more poisonous, but he could solve it by diluting it further.
Of course he could test it enough before using it.
Nodding his head again, he went into the room.
Much drunk, Yoju, Makbong and Dolsok sprawled out on the floor.

Can you carry her to the corner?

Kanghyok snatched up Yoju, who was asleep with a brush in hand.
He was going to have Yoni carry her to the corner.

Oops… I can’t carry her alone, master.


Really?


Well, you’re the strongest among us, master.


That’s true.

He readily carried her to the corner, and then pushed aside Dolsok and Makbong.
He made the bed, finally.

Thanks, Yoni. I covered Yoju with a blanket, so you don’t have to worry about her.


Yes, master.


Good night.

After letting her out, Kanghyon lay on back on the blanket.
Turning his head, he found Dolsok and Makbong sleeping in a hugging position.
They were snoring so loudly that he got even worried about them.
In particular, Makbong seemed to suffer from sleep apnoea.
Given his short neck and heavy weight, he probably developed that syndrome.
‘If I get more accustomed to general anesthesia of patients with herbal medicine, can I treat Makbong’s disease?’
To treat Makbong’s sleep apnoea, Kanghyok needed a tube that he could stick into his neck as well as a respirator.
He thought he could get these operating tools if he had more power and money.
For he was now in Hanyang.
While Kanghyok was fast asleep, somebody woke him up.
He was none other than Dolsok.

Master, a nobleman called Hangbok is here to see you.


Ugh? What time is it now?


Well, they’re about to ring the bell that lifts the curfew.

When he looked outside, he found some shadow approaching him.
His shadow implied that he was kind of nervous at the moment.
‘Hmmm… It looks like he really doesn’t want to see his wife’s face.’
Kanghyok raised himself laboriously.
Though he felt pain in abdomen, his head was not a mess anymore.

Let me wash my face.


I have the water basin ready for you, master.

Dolsok pushed a small basin toward him.
While he was touching his face with warm water, Dolsok handed him something.

It’s a toothbrush and salt.


Oh, that’s great!
His mouth didn’t feel fresh at all, so he cleaned his teeth with salt and a willow toothbrush before going out of the room.

Oh, it’s nice to you see!
said Hangbok gladly.
The sun was already rising behind his back, but Kanghyong got upset for some reason.
At that moment the bell lifting the curfew rang.
It was much louder and more noisy than Kanghyok heard in Suwon.
Ding, ding, ding~

I hate those rings! When I’m awake, I don’t have to hear it like this,
said Hangbok, putting his hands on his ears.
On the other hand, Kanghyok just got annoyed to hear the bell.

Dang it. I think I need ear plugs.


Hahaha. Let’s go, Kanghyok.


Wait a minute! I think I have to see Sungryong first to check his condition. As you know, he had too much last night.


Oh, I see.

Sungryong’s hemorrhoids was notorious because the fate of Joseon at that time depended on his condition.
As if he understood Kanghyok’s explanation, Hangbok nodded his head.
Fortunately Sungryong already got up.
He didn’t look uncomfortable when he washed his face.

How are you, milord?

At Kanghyok’s greetings he made a broad smile.

Hi, good morning!


Sorry to come so early, sir.


No problem. Please check my condition. Why are you here, Hangbok?


Oh, let me stand behind, sir.


Yes, please…

Sungryong didn’t show it, even to Soonsin.
As Hangbok was notorious for cracking jokes or making fun of somebody, Sungryong didn’t want to let him see it.

So, how does it look today?
asked Sungryong.
Sungryong lay on back quickly and raised his hips.
‘It’s a bit red around his anus, but it looks okay.’
It seemed that he tried to take a dump in the morning, though his anus was clean as he took the sitz bath.

Good, milord. Let me apply some ointment there…

Kanghyok applied herbal medicine jaungo, and gave him another medicine.

Take this.


Thanks so much.


Are you going to attend a meeting hosted by the king?


I guess so. Starting today…


Today?


I don’t have any reason to delay now. I just feel sorry for the king.

Come to think of it, Sungryong had no reason not to do work at the palace.
‘The problem is when he has to poop at the palace…’
Kanghyok felt dreadful when he thought that King Sonjo, chicken-hearted and lacking in national strategy, would run state affairs without Sungryong’s counsel.

Got it, sir. Please go ahead,
said Kanghyok.

Yes, allow me go to the palace today. This is all thanks to you, Kanghyok.


You’re welcome, milord.

In the meantime, Hangbok was waiting for Kanghyok with patience.

Are you done?


Yes, let’s go.

There were two horses ready at the gate, one for Hangbok and the other for Kanghyok.

My house is not far from here.


Got it.

When they arrived, Hangbok’s father-in-law Yul Kwon was about to go out.

Oh, my father-in-law is coming out. Introduce yourself!

For a general he was short and stout like Makbong.

Ugh? Did you stay out overnight?
asked General Kwon.

Yes, I stayed at Lord Sungryong’s house.


I see. Did he recover?


Yes, he has fully recovered.


I think I have to see him one of these days. By the way, who is this man?

General Kwon turned to Kanghyok.
Yul Kwon, the hero of the Siege of Haengju in 1593 when he led a militia of 9000 to defeat the Japanese invaders at the Castle of Haengju.

My name is Kanghyok Paek. Currently I’m staying at Lord Sungryong’s house.


This man is that famous doctor.


Oh, I have heard a lot about you. Great! What business has brought you here?

Kanghyok couldn’t tell the truth.
When he was hesitant, Hangbok quickly stepped in.

Well, I don’t feel good as I drank too much last night. So, I asked him to come over and check my condition and look around my house…


Got it. Be careful next time. Let me take my leave then.


Yes, father-in-law.

Hangbok’s lie was so natural that Kanghyok felt Hangbok was one cut above him.

You have just seen my father-in-law. What is your impression?


He is vigorous and valiant.


What if my wife exactly takes after him?


Well, I would say that’s repulsive.


You bet. I wouldn’t ask you a favor like this with no reason.


I see…