Chapter 31: Another Renowned Physician [1]
“Really?”
It was welcome news that immediately sobered him up.
Though it was quite likely he could turn out to be a quack, it was still thrilling.
Living in Joseon, it was no easy feat for such a reputation to spread.
Since Gwanggyo Mountain was just nearby, there was no reason not to go meet him.
“Where is he now?”
“He asked us to wait in the consultation room. You were sleeping so soundly, sir.”
“Ha.”
When he raised his head, the sun was already high in the sky.
‘I really slept like a log.’
He couldn’t refuse the drinks Yi Sun-Shin offered.
How could he not match the cheerful mood as the drinks were being poured?
He had kept on drinking until things reached this state.
“Let me wash up quickly.”
“I’ve prepared water for you.”
Dolseok, as if he had expected it, handed him a basin of warm water.
As always, Dolseok was surprisingly thoughtful for someone of his appearance.
“Ah, thank you.”
“Not at all, young master.”
Kang-hyuk quickly washed his face with the water.
He gave his face a quick shake and was about to raise his head when Dolseok handed him something.
It was a toothbrush made from willow and some salt.
“You should brush your teeth too, sir.”
“Oh, right.”
The toothbrush was nothing more than a willow branch pounded with a stone, a crude item, but it cleaned well enough.
Using precious salt as toothpaste was a privilege, indeed.
The other servants had to make do with straw to clean their teeth.
“Ugh, it’s salty.”
“Here’s some water.”
“You really are impressive.”
“Hehe.”
Thanks to Dolseok’s diligent care, Kang-hyuk was able to finish getting ready.
He tidied his hair, put on his gat (traditional hat), donned his durumagi (coat), and slipped on a new pair of straw sandals.
“Alright, let’s head out.”
“Yes, young master.”
With his medical bag tucked in his arms, Kang-hyuk climbed onto the pony.
He also had to pack things for a few days. Suwon was spacious enough to require that.
Thus, Dolseok ended up carrying a large bundle. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to mind.
Eating chicken and pheasant every day recently had clearly paid off.
“There it is.”
Kang-hyuk pointed at the clinic set up in the marketplace.
It felt unfamiliar since he hadn’t been able to visit for a while, being occupied with Seungmun’s care.
Makbong was standing by the gate, ready to open it.
“You’ve arrived, young master.”
“Yes. You’ve lost some weight, haven’t you?”
At Kang-hyuk’s remark, Makbong scratched his head sheepishly, and lice the size of fingernails leapt here and there.
Despite this, he showed no sign of embarrassment.
‘He did say that fewer lice meant one was closer to death.’
It was a strange superstition, but not entirely without basis.
After all, lice were parasites, and when the host approached death, the parasites would seek another host for survival.
‘If you never wash, that belief isn’t entirely wrong.’
By Joseon standards, Makbong was in his prime.
Though he was slightly thinner, he still looked healthy.
“Since there haven’t been many performances lately, I’ve been busier at night.”
Makbong flashed his usual sly grin.
Kang-hyuk shook his head and glanced around the yard.
“Where is Yeon?”
“She’s tying up her topknot.”
“So, she’s inside. Let’s leave once she’s ready.”
“Understood. I’ll go get her.”
Before anyone could stop him, Makbong ran off to the room.
And then he yelled at the top of his lungs.
“Yeon! The young master is here!”
“Oh! Yes!”
The door burst open, and Yeon rushed out, her face filled with surprise.
She seemed quite startled.
She had unintentionally spoken in her natural voice instead of her male disguise.
She must have just tied her topknot, as it still looked somewhat awkward.
“You’ve arrived, young master.”
“Yes. Shall we go now?”
“Yes.”
Yeon hurriedly slipped on her straw sandals but stopped with a sudden realization.
“Oh, uh… Miss Jeong Yeoju sent a letter today.”
“Today? Let me see it.”
“Here it is.”
Yeon pulled out the letter tucked into her waistband and handed it over.
‘Hmm. As expected, she’s quite poor.’
It was obvious from the poor quality of the paper.
Sure enough, the ink was smeared all over the place.
Had it not been written in Hangul, it would have been impossible to read.
“Ah, so Jeong Chang-gwon passed away today. I see…”
Kang-hyuk raised his head to the sky, recalling a picture of Yeoju.
Her paintings were exquisitely detailed.
With such tools at her disposal despite her poverty, she could likely produce even better works with proper equipment.
‘There might be something to learn from the physician.’
Especially knowledge about medicinal herbs, which he desperately needed.
Knowing their names was useless unless he knew what they looked like.
Someone needed to draw each herb, and the only person he could think of was Jeong Yeoju.
‘Hmm.’
Kang-hyuk gazed at Yeon with a peculiar look.
His intense stare made Yeon lower her head.
‘If I dressed her as a man, she might pass without issue.’
And conveniently, he had an expert in male disguise accompanying him.
“Alright, let’s take Yeoju with us.”
“Sorry?”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
Kang-hyuk asked with a nonchalant expression.
With Chang-gwon gone, no one could oppose his decision.
“It’s not a problem.”
Dolseok, who had been massaging his backside, responded.
If they were caught, his plump backside would likely never be the same again.
It was certain they’d be flogged.
‘Still, I have a good feeling about this.’
There was something reliable about whatever Kang-hyuk did, no matter how reckless or risky it seemed.
Yeon and Makbong had no objections either.
They were hardly the type to care about rules.
“Alright then, we’ll take her with us.”
Yeoju’s house happened to be on the way.
Yeon delivered the message, and Yeoju agreed to come along without hesitation.
She wore an awkward male disguise.
“This… the coat is dragging on the ground.”
“It belongs to my father.”
Yeoju was busy lifting the large coat’s hem, sweeping the ground as she walked.
It reminded Kang-hyuk of the baggy hip-hop pants that were popular during his childhood.
If they continued like this, the few remaining coats would all become useless.
‘If we keep going, I’ll have to get her a proper outfit.’
Since she couldn’t ride a horse, there was no helping it.
As he unconsciously observed Yeoju’s back, she suddenly turned around.
“Um, young master?”
“Huh? What?”
“You asked me to draw medicinal herbs, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.”
Kang-hyuk concealed his surprise and answered calmly.
Fortunately, since he was on horseback, no one could see his face properly.
“I’ll need paints, smaller brushes, and paper.”
“I brought some paper, but we’ll have to get the other supplies.”
Kang-hyuk looked at the market with a displeased expression.
Going back would waste precious time.
“A friend of mine lives nearby. He should have what we need.”
“Oh? That’s convenient.”
“Where is he?”
“Master Heo’s house is just over there.”
“Heo?”
Kang-hyuk knew the man.
He didn’t seem like someone who would paint, though.
“Yes. His child, Nanseolheon, is a dear friend of mine.”
“Ha.”
Kang-hyuk let out a laugh.
He had barely studied Korean history, and now he regretted it.
To think he had almost passed by the father of one of Joseon’s greatest painters to rely on a nobody like Jeong Yeoju.
‘Well… I’m not here to collect masterpieces, anyway.’
As long as the drawings served their purpose, it didn’t matter.
Yeoju tilted her head at Kang-hyuk’s amused expression.
“Is it a familiar name to you?”
“Huh? No, no. I know Heo, that’s all.”
“Ah, I’ll notify him then.”
Kang-hyuk bit back the urge to ask, “Looking like that?”
Yeoju picked up a pebble and threw it over the wall with a practiced motion.
Compared to Chang-gwon’s house, Heo’s residence was much grander.
-Tok.
After a few more throws, someone opened the gate.
It was a woman with a neat appearance, instantly recognizable.
‘So,this is Nanseolheon.’
“Yeoju… What’s with the disguise?”
“I had my reasons.”
“And who is this?”
“This is Baek Kang-hyuk. You know of him, right?”
“Ah.”
Kang-hyuk was one of the most well-known figures in Suwon recently.
Moreover, he had miraculously treated her father, so she couldn’t be unaware of him.
She greeted him politely.
“Greetings. I am Heo Nanseolheon.”
“I am Kang-hyuk.”
After introductions, Nanseolheon turned back to Yeoju.
“What brings you here?”
“I’ve decided to assist him. Can I borrow some art supplies?”
“Assist him?”
“Yes, I’ll be drawing medicinal herbs and the treatment process for him.”
“That sounds interesting. Did your father approve?”
“No, I’m sneaking out.”
“That makes it even more exciting. Alright, I’ll lend them to you.”
Her playful expression was unexpected, considering her refined appearance.
‘There were girl crushes even in the Joseon era, huh.’
It seemed she had been painting, as she quickly returned with art supplies.
The quality was leagues beyond what Yeoju had.
“Take care, and make sure to come back. I need more lessons from you.”
“Of course. I’ll contact you. Thanks.”
To think Heo Nanseolheon had a private art tutor.
And it turned out to be Jeong Yeoju.
‘Well, I guess she’s trustworthy enough.’
With preparations complete, Kang-hyuk asked, “Yeon, where are we headed?”
“Near Gwanggyo Mountain. It will take at least half a day to get there.”
“That far, huh? Let’s get moving.”
Traveling at night in Joseon was impossible.
Especially in the mountains, the danger would multiply.
‘I don’t plan to end my life as tiger food.’
The others seemed to share the same thoughts.
Everyone picked up the pace, including Yeoju, who kept up surprisingly well.
‘Of course, she’s been treated by me.’
Kang-hyuk drove his horse forward with satisfaction.
Just then, Yeon pointed ahead.
“There it is, Gwanggyo Mountain.”
“We’re almost there. I see houses too… Perfect. He should be there, right?”
“Yes, definitely.”
“Alright.”
As they neared their destination, Kang-hyuk finally had a chance to take in the surroundings.
It was an ordinary field, like any other.
Except for the sickly ox plowing the field.
‘Its sores are festering badly.’
The scabs on its body suggested poor care.
Aside from that, nothing caught his attention.
As they reached the village entrance, they saw a group of people gathered.
“Is it a festival?”
Dolseok shook his head at Kang-hyuk’s question.
“It looks like they’re waiting for treatment. That must be the physician up ahead.”
“Oh.”