Doctor Goes Back to Joseon - Chapter 201

 

Kanghyok presented a pictorial book before Hangbok.

 

“I think I can explain to you better through pictures in this book, so I’ve brought this book.”

 

“Oh, do you a pictorial medical book?”

 

“Yes, I’m compiling one with the help of a painter.”

 

“That’s great!”

 

Hangbok looked at the book with intense curiosity.

 

The first part of the book was about the negative side-effects of the poison of fugu.

 

“What is this?”

 

Hangbok was pointing at the drawing of Kanghyok blowing a bull’s testicles.

 

“Oh, this is a description of the method on how to treat people who are poisoned with fugu.”

 

“Got it. I didn’t know there was such a treatment method.”

 

Hangbok went through a very miserable childhood.

 

His pregnant mother had poison for abortion but failed, which, after all, had her give birth to Hangbok. Baby Hangbok couldn’t open his eyes for three days after he was born.

 

Thanks to that painful memory Hangbok was greatly interested in medical skills.

 

“Yes, the poison of fugu can paralyze our muscles. That’s why those poisoned after eating fugu die without even breathing.”

 

“Oh, I see.”

 

“This is the way to sustain a patient’s life by forcibly blowing oxygen into his heart until the poison goes away from the body.”

 

“Amazing, it’s really amazing. What is this?

 

This time Hangbok was pointing to a guy whose face was partially paralyzed.

 

Just like a woman with a strong sense of observation, Yoju drew the characteristics of facial paralysis.

 

“This could happen while I’m doing the surgery, so don’t worry.”

 

“They, do you give the patient a medicinal injection as described here?”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“I see. I think she will be alright. See you tomorrow.”

 

The next morning Kanghyok and his party felt fresh.

 

Yoju and Yoni looked all very good as they ate their fill yesterday evening.

 

“Let’s have a light breakfast and head for lord Hangbok’s house.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“Don’t forget to take a couple of testicles, just in case.”

 

At that moment Dolsok and other guys looked gloomy, but became bright in no time.

 

It was already more than three days after they were involved in the blowing job.

 

“Let’s start now.”

 

Kanghyok got on a horse and went out to the market street in Hanyang.

 

Many commoners nearby greeted him as soon as they met him.

 

“How are you, sir?”

 

“Don’t look at him like that,” shouted Dolsok at those who didn’t move to watch Kanghyok in admiration.

 

Their feelings were mixed with fear rather than respect.

 

For many famous noblemen came out of his house where a series of scream was heard almost everyday, including Sungryong Yu and Hangbok Lee.

 

“Oops, you guys have a big misunderstanding about me.”

 

At Kanghyok’s statement Dorikke made a strange expression.

 

When Kanghyok’s party arrived at Hangbok’s house, his servant quickly came out to greet him.

 

“Welcome, doctor Paek!”

 

Soon the gate was opened, and Kanghyok walked up to the room of Hangbok’s wife.

 

“Welcome to my house!”

 

It was General Yul Kwon who greeted him, not Hangbok, to his surprise.

 

As Kanghyok was dealing with Hangbok about his wife’s treatment, he flinched for a moment.

 

“Oh my…how are you, sir?”

 

“I hear my daughter is sick.”

 

“Yes, that’s right…”

 

“I see. I just feel sorry to know she has been sick without informing me at all.”

 

General Kwon grumbled as if he felt it very regrettable that he was kept in the dark.

 

At that moment Hangbok appeared, dressed in casual clothing.

 

Obviously he didn’t attend a regular palace meeting hosted by the king.

 

“Oh, you met my father-in-law first. So, are you ready?”

 

“Yes, I’m going to fix her jaw well.”

 

Though it was about his wife’s surgery, Hangbok was calm.

 

In contrast, his father-in-law was pacing up and down at the gate.

 

“Hope she is in good hands. She is weak just like me,” said GeneralKwon.

 

“Yes, don’t worry.”

 

General Kwon held his hand tightly once more before he left.

 

Reaffirming his determination to do his best, Kanghyok took off his shoes.

 

“Dolsok, give me that, too.”

 

“Yes, master.”

 

Dolsok gave him a bull’s testicles that he wrapped in a silk pouch.

 

‘Hope I won’t use this.’

 

Then he went into her room, along with Yoni and Yoju dressed like a woman.

 

Hangbok followed him into his wife’s room.

 

When he was about to close the door, General Kwon came back and said, “If something wrong happens, call me immediately.”

 

Hangbok replied in an annoying tone,

 

“Got it, I got you, sir.”

 

“Pay more attention…”

 

“Oh my, you’re going to be late to work today.”

 

And then Hangbok quickly closed the door with a bang.

 

Though General Kwon grumbled about him outside, Hangbok didn’t care.

 

“Sorry, he likes to make such a fuss sometimes…”

 

Kanghyok wondered if Hangbok could treat his father-in-law insincerely.

 

Shaking his head, he opened the pictorial medical book.

 

“Hmmm… I’ve found it!”

 

There was a woman’s face that looked exactly like Hangbok’s wife in the book.

 

There were fine spots on her both cheeks as well as the root of the ear and beneath her chin, all of which needed an injection for the surgery.

 

“You could feel pain, so let me anesthetize your face first.”

 

Mrs. Kwon just nodded as she didn’t know what would happen.

 

“Yoni?”

 

“Yes, master.”

 

She took out an ointment she made in advance. It was kind of anesthetic ointment made with medicinal herb jaungo and the poison of toads.

 

Though it was not very effective, it still had the effect of anesthesia.

 

“Softly apply it now.”

 

Putting on gloves, Yoni applied the ointment on Mrs. Kwon’s face profusely.

 

Watching her face covered with the white ointment, Kanghyok explained to her,

 

“You’ll feel your face is burning, which means the anesthetic went well. So, don’t worry.”

 

When he turned back, Hangbok was also seen nervous, as he kept swallowing saliva in his dry mouth.

 

“Now, lie on your back, and wait for a minute.”

 

Kanghyok waited patiently until her face was fully anesthetized.

 

He felt a bit tense when it was time to give her an injection.

 

Never did he think that he would give a patient an injection of the poison of fugu.

 

‘It’s better than cutting her jaw.’

 

That could kill her at the worst.

 

“Oh, my face feels burning now…

 

“Good. Yoni and Yonju?”

 

“Yes, master.”

 

Both of them quickly sat beside Kanghyok.

 

Each of them had several syringes.

 

As it was painful, it was best for them to give her a shot at the same time.

 

“Now, just go ahead!”

 

“Yes, master.”

 

At his order both quickly began to give her an injection around her face and chin.

 

“Uhhhhh…..”

 

Mrs. Kwon screamed simultaneously, but fortunately, General Kwon left before he heard her screaming.

 

“Is this okay?” asked Hangbok, who did his best to stay calm, but finally lost his patience.

 

Indeed, her face was bleeding all over with the injection.

 

“It’s going to be done quickly.”

 

“Oh my god…”

 

Watching the surgery, Hangbok looked at his wife with a pathetic look.

 

After shivering with pain for a while, she looked at Kanghyok suddenly.

 

“Are you sure you can make my face pretty?”

 

“Sure, I can assure you the effect of the surgery.”

 

“Great. Thanks!”

 

As if to show she was the daughter of General Kwon, she wiped off the blood coming down her cheek courageously.

 

“Let’s wait and see for a while.”

 

“Any reason?” asked Hangbok.

 

“Well, when a doctor treats a patient, the doctor needs to check the patient’s condition for a day or two in principle.”

 

“Is that so? I think you are different as a famous doctor.”

 

Fortunately she didn’t show any particular side-effects.

 

She also recovered very well.

 

Less than a week from her surgery, she began to appreciate her modified face which now looked pretty.

 

As if she also liked it, she constantly looked in the mirror every day.

 

“Wow, this is great. How come you have changed my face like this?”

 

“Now I can really appreciate your true worth as the genius doctor, Kanghyok,” said Hangbok with a hearty laugh.

 

“But you need several more injections in the coming days.”

 

“No problem at all. As long as it’s effective, let me have more shots gladly.”

 

Mrs. Kwon made a bright smile as if she forgot her pain already.

 

“We have to go now,” said Kanghyok.

 

“Are you leaving already?”

 

“It’s quite dark outside,” said Kanghyok, pointing at outside.

 

Though Hangbok dissuaded him, Kanghyok insisted.

 

‘I was going to fry chickens properly with the flour you gave me today.’

 

Even the king would not stop him from leaving today.

 

“Hahaha. Let me take my leave now, sir.”

 

Kanghyok and his party quickened their pace at the thought of enjoying delicious fried chicken back home.

 

“Wow, the road is empty now,” murmured Dolsok in an excited voice.

 

As it was already quite dark, there were few people on the street.

 

Strange enough, there was not a single man out there while they were going back.

 

“Very, very strange.”

 

Yoni, who was walking ahead, made a frown because she smelt a rat.

 

“Wait a minute, master. Don’t you hear any noise?”

 

“Huh? Ah.. I hear something strange…”

 

Though there were no people on the road, they could hear the sound of footsteps here and there.

 

Obviously there was someone hiding behind their back.

 

Makbong shouted at the top of his voice,

 

“Who the hell are you? Just come out instead of hiding there!”

 

In no time a group of people appeared before them.

 

The guy standing at the forefront was a total stranger to Kanghyok’s party.

 

He had tough beards on his face, and his voice was loud and sonorous, suggesting he must be quite a strong man.

 

“How come you guys are running around like this when you did beat my brothers black and blue?”