Chapter 13: I am, after all, the Suwon Magistrate [1]
“This just isn’t working…”
The magistrate muttered, looking as if the world had ended.
Kang-hyuk hadn’t expected someone of his rank to say something like that out of the blue.
For a moment, he was at a loss and just stared at his face.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
Realizing his rudeness, Kang-hyuk quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, no, it’s my fault. At my age, it’s embarrassing.”
The magistrate, looking regretful, tried to leave the room.
It seemed he was ashamed of saying something so unseemly for someone of his rank.
Just as he was about to open the door, Kang-hyuk grabbed his arm.
He must have been desperate to come here alone, without even a single servant accompanying him.
‘If I treat someone like the magistrate, it’ll be much easier to navigate things around here.’
Of course, being Seungmun’s son already freed him from most restrictions.
But the more connections, the better.
Moreover, the magistrate of Suwon was practically the king of that region.
“No, I think I can help.”
“Really? You think so?”
The magistrate turned back with a hopeful look.
And then, he started pouring out his frustrations.
“You probably know that my wife is back in Hae-nam.”
Although this was news to Kang-hyuk, he replied smoothly.
As a resident, he had learned the skill of catering to his superiors’ egos, feigning interest even when he had none, pretending to know things he didn’t. He even thought he was a genius at it.
“Oh, yes, I know.”
“From now on, this is all a secret.”
“Don’t worry, sir.”
“Well… not too long ago, I took in a concubine. You know how lonely the nights can get…”
Kang-hyuk thought it was perfectly normal for a nobleman to take in a concubine, so he didn’t quite understand why the magistrate was being so secretive about it.
Later, he would learn that in the 16th and 17th centuries, women’s status was significantly higher compared to later periods. At that time, it was common for men to live in their wife’s household, and inheritance was often equally divided among children. Even ancestral rites were sometimes rotated among the children.
Many prominent female artists like Shin Saimdang, Song Deokbong, and Heo Nanseolheon emerged during this era for this reason.
In any case, the magistrate continued his story with great caution.
“But… it’s been so long since I’ve done this that I found out I can’t… perform.”
It was a plausible issue.
He likely felt guilt as well.
“I see. You must have been very troubled.”
“That’s why I came to you.”
How much must it have weighed on him to seek help from someone he had considered a scoundrel?
Had it not been for the recent rumors spreading in the town, he probably wouldn’t have come.
Even now, he wasn’t fully convinced.
But Heoyeop, whom he occasionally saw, had praised Kang-hyuk so much.
He had gone on and on about how the boil on his back, which no medicine had cured, was healed in one go.
“You’ve come to the right place.”
“So… what should I do? I can get any medicine you recommend.”
“That won’t be necessary. I have medicine for you. Take this.”
Kang-hyuk rummaged through his leather bag.
Out came a bottle of Viagra, which he had never had to use until now.
There were 180 pills.
Even if the supply didn’t renew itself, it was enough for six months of daily use.
Kang-hyuk took out one pill and handed it to the magistrate.
At this moment, the timeless lust of Chairman Lee shone brightly.
“Take this about 30 minutes before, uh, performing.”
“Just one pill will work?”
The magistrate looked at Kang-hyuk skeptically.
After all, this wasn’t his first time seeking help from a doctor.
Other physicians had tried acupuncture, made him eat raw octopus, eel, and even the semen of young men.
None of it had worked.
The fact that just one pill could solve everything seemed far-fetched.
But Kang-hyuk was firm.
“Yes, one is enough. Absolutely.”
“Hmm… Can I try it tonight?”
“Yes, please do. But don’t take it with alcohol. It could be dangerous.”
Viagra was originally developed as a blood pressure medication.
However, due to a mistake in its formulation, it didn’t lower blood pressure much, but it sure had another noticeable effect.
However, if taken with substances that also relax blood vessels, like alcohol, there was a risk that the blood pressure could drop too much.
So this was something to be careful about.
Fortunately, the magistrate was a reasonable man.
“Alcohol… I understand.”
“Good. I hope to hear some good news.”
“Thank you. If this works, I won’t forget this favor.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Clearly feeling embarrassed, the magistrate quickly stood up.
Being a third-rank official, just below the top, he was a very high-ranking nobleman.
For someone of his status to come all this way without even a single attendant or servant was remarkable.
Kang-hyuk bowed respectfully as the magistrate left.
“Take care, sir.”
The magistrate barely acknowledged Kang-hyuk’s farewell, hurrying out of the room.
He quickly mounted the horse he had tied to the fence and rushed back home.
All he could think about was making sure everything worked tonight.
It was nearing sunset, so there weren’t many people on the road.
Thanks to that, the magistrate galloped straight home without interruption.
“My lord, you’ve returned.”
Several servants rushed out to greet their master, who had arrived late at night.
The magistrate, in his hurry, leaped off the horse.
“Yes, yes. Bring me a cup of water.”
“Will you not drink it in your room?”
“Stop talking and just get the water.”
“Yes, sir.”
One of the servants quickly brought water, and the magistrate gulped it down with the Viagra he had received from Kang-hyuk.
“My lord, you might get indigestion.”
“Never mind. Stay away from my chambers for the rest of the night.”
Barely responding, the magistrate stormed into the room where his concubine lived.
The servants, knowing that their master had been recently smitten with his new concubine, figured he was just eager to spend the night with her.
They didn’t suspect for a second that he might have trouble in that department.
“You’re back, my lord.”
The magistrate’s concubine, Lady Bang, greeted him quietly.
As a former gisaeng, she was exceptionally graceful, and the magistrate adored her for it.
He felt more affection for her than for his wife back in his hometown.
His heart fluttered like that of a teenage boy, but there was a problem.
It had been quite some time since he had taken her as a concubine, yet they had not consummated their relationship even once.
The magistrate, hiding his nervousness, spoke with a calm face.
“I’m late.”
“Shall I take your clothes?”
Lady Bang gently helped him remove his clothes.
The mood was somewhat erotic, but the magistrate’s “junior” wasn’t responding.
He was growing anxious.
‘Still no sign…’
He licked his lips and sat across from Lady Bang.
“Was your day eventful?”
“No, my lord. What could happen in my day? Oh, I organized your books, as they were a bit messy.”
Despite her background as a gisaeng, Lady Bang was well-versed in literature and art.
The magistrate laughed warmly, finding her thoughtful.
“Really? Well done.”
“If you have time later, would you… Um? My lord, your face is red.”
It wasn’t just his face.
The Viagra had kicked in, and the effect was no joke.
He was swelling to the point where it was uncomfortable to remain seated.
‘Yes! Baek Kang-hyuk really is a miracle doctor!’
The magistrate let out a hearty laugh and lunged at his concubine.
“Enough talking! Come here!”
