Doctor Goes Back to Joseon - Chapter 43: This Time, a Monk [1]

An anesthetic, he thought.

Various drugs floated through Kang-hyuk’s mind—from primitive drugs like chloroform to more recent ones like propofol.

‘If I could get my hands on just one of those, it would be revolutionary.’

Then he wouldn’t have to rely on the patient’s miraculous tolerance anymore.

“There are medicines called *Seom-su* (toad venom) and *Cho-o* (Aconitum).”

“Seom-su and Cho-o?”

Naturally, they weren’t English names.

But they were unfamiliar terms nonetheless.

After a brief pause, Heo Jun continued.

“*Seom-su* refers to the venom of a toad.”

“Poison?”

“Yes.”

Poison, out of nowhere.

Kang-hyuk swallowed his rising questions.

There was more to come.

“And Cho-o?”

“It’s an herb used in *sayaek* (poisonous brew used for execution).”

“Execution brew?”

“Yes.”

Kang-hyuk’s eyes went blank.

Anesthesia indeed immobilizes a patient.

It also aims to make the procedure painless.

‘Well, killing them… that would keep them still. They certainly wouldn’t feel any more pain.’

If that was the goal, why even bother with surgery?

Just kill them in one stroke.

He could think of several painless ways to end a life right then.

No need for poisonous herbs at all.

“What are you thinking?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing. Just… the word ‘poison’ caught me off guard. Haha.”

Kang-hyuk laughed awkwardly.

If anyone could figure out a solution, it would be Heo Jun.

The effects of *Seonbanghwalmyungum* and *Gamibulhwan Geumjeongsan*, which he had prescribed, were certainly impressive.

There hadn’t been any noticeable side effects.

‘And *Yanggyeoksan* was a decent gargle, too.’

Of course, it couldn’t compare to the benzydamine hydrochloride he often used in the hospital.

But in Joseon, with no proper manufacturing facilities, it was a luxury to even have a gargle that effective.

“Ahem, please continue.”

Kang-hyuk quickly stopped laughing and bowed his head.

Fortunately, Heo Jun didn’t seem offended.

To him, Kang-hyuk was an impressive physician and a kind of mentor.

“Historically, *Seom-su* was used as a potent poison. An overdose would instantly stiffen the limbs, and death would follow.”

It seemed to be some kind of neurotoxin.

The description of stiffening limbs gave it away.

‘Ah, come to think of it.’

He recalled a former student showing him a strange video.

It was a foreign YouTube video. YouTube—it had been so long that even pronouncing it felt strange.

‘A woman catching a toad and getting venom in her eye, paralyzing her and sending her to the hospital.’

Watching one eye not function properly was unsettling even for a doctor like Kang-hyuk.

Lost in thought, he realized Heo Jun had continued speaking.

“*Cho-o* is an herb known as *Odu* (Aconitum) in China, also used as a poison. But it has medicinal uses as well, which I’ve tested myself.”

“Tested? You tasted it?”

“To understand its effects and risks, a physician must test it personally.”

“Huh.”

Kang-hyuk exhaled in awe.

A true model of self-sacrifice.

‘I couldn’t do that even if my life depended on it.’

Animal testing, sure, but doing it on himself would be tough.

Remembering the taste, Heo Jun smacked his lips.

His expression hinted that it hadn’t been a pleasant experience.

“When you touch your tongue with its powder, it has a tingling taste, then numbs completely. There’s no sensation, which I believe is the effect you’re after.”

It seemed *Cho-o* was another type of neurotoxin.

If used carefully, it could likely serve as an anesthetic.

After all, numbness and anesthesia are only a hair’s breadth apart.

“Hmm. It seems worth trying. Thank you.”

“I’m glad I could be of help. Well then…”

“Oh, you’re leaving now?”

Heo Jun looked over the bustling square, where the festival was in full swing.

Every now and then, someone flew into the air—it seemed to be Yeon, performing her tightrope act.

To walk a tightrope like that without proper equipment was indeed a testament to her skill as the best *Eoreumsani* in Gyeonggi Province.

“I must. I managed to get a leave, but time is tight.”

“I see. Let’s stay in touch.”

“Of course. Once I settle in, I’ll write to you.”

“Yes, Dr. Heo.”

“Then.”

Heo Jun waved as he left.

Following him was the same man Kang-hyuk had seen with him at the start.

They traveled lightly, with minimal baggage.

For someone who had saved an entire village, his departure was rather humble.

“Wait, just a moment.”

Kang-hyuk called out hurriedly.

“Yes, Mr. Baek?”

“Since you’re going on a long journey, please take this.”

Kang-hyuk pulled a fan from his sleeve.

Made of fragrant juniper wood with elegant silver inlay, it was a fan of extraordinary beauty.

Anyone could see it was valuable, and indeed, it was a treasure.

Heo Jun was unsure of Kang-hyuk’s intent.

Given Kang-hyuk’s personality, he could simply be offering it to cool off.

Heo Jun considered Kang-hyuk to be an eccentric person, after all.

“What do you mean?”

“Use it as *Noja* (traveling money).”

“This? This is too much…”

It was an expensive item to use for travel expenses.

He could easily trade it for a few servants.

“It’s fine. It’ll make me feel better.”

“Even so…”

“No, no. You’ve given me anesthesia knowledge. I’ll have much more to learn from you.”

“Hmm…”

Though he protested, Heo Jun found it hard to resist.

Once he reached Hanyang, he would have neither a house nor a place to go.

“Then please, accept it.”

Kang-hyuk pulled out another fan from his opposite sleeve.

While it didn’t have silver inlay, it still looked valuable.

In fact, any fan was a prized possession.

“I have plenty.”

Kang-hyuk’s situation was vastly different from Heo Jun’s.

He came from a wealthy family and earned a large income.

‘You should’ve charged for your treatments.’

It’s not like physicians can survive on air.

Even after joining the Royal Medical Bureau, the salary wouldn’t be significant.

Judging by Professor Jeong Chang-gwon’s family situation, he knew just how little that salary would be.

“Then, I accept with humility.”

“Good decision. Please contact me as soon as you arrive.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Heo Jun bowed and departed for good this time.

When Kang-hyuk looked around, the festivities had also ended.

It was noisier than before.

The magistrate had opened his liquor storehouses to allow the village to enjoy themselves.

‘He really is generous.’

He was good at reading and soothing the people’s hearts.

Of course, he would likely slip away to enjoy something else in a secluded spot.

‘I should get some rest, too.’

Looking back, he hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep in the past two weeks.

Anyone else would have collapsed by now.

Not from smallpox, but from sheer exhaustion.

Kang-hyuk went down to the tavern and entered the largest room.

Spreading out his bedding, he sprawled out.

He was so tired that the commotion on the hill seemed like a lullaby.

“Ahh.”

His eyes closed automatically.

How much time had passed?

Someone shook him roughly.

“Young Master, Young Master.”

“Huh? Huh?”

“Oh, you’re alive. You were sleeping so soundly, I thought you’d passed away.”

Dolseok mumbled, his breath smelling of alcohol.

Bright sunlight streamed in from behind him, intense enough to indicate midday.

‘Medical bag? Ah, it’s here.’

As always, it was firmly in his hand.

Nothing to worry about.

“What’s with the fuss?”

Kang-hyuk scratched his head and sat up.

Something was on his bedside.

A letter.

“What’s this?”

“The Magistrate left it for you.”

“He’s gone already?”

“Already? He left last night. You slept for a whole day.”

A whole day.

It did feel surprisingly refreshing for a nap.

“I see. And Father?”

“The master left with the Magistrate. He thought he’d been away from home for too long.”

“You should’ve woken me.”

“Both of them told me not to disturb you. You were sleeping like the dead, really.”

Kang-hyuk shook his head at Dolseok’s light-hearted comment.

“Let’s see the letter.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kang-hyuk opened it slowly.

Having learned to read from Heo Jun and Yeoju, he could now understand most of it.

Not everything, but enough.

It mostly praised Kang-hyuk’s medical skills.

‘There’s even a reward.’

Looking outside, he saw an ox-cart loaded with herbs.

Everything that was left over from treating smallpox had been given to Kang-hyuk.

Even the cow, originally brought by the magistrate, made for a substantial reward.

‘But above all… learning the cowpox method is the real treasure.’

Kang-hyuk looked over at Yeoju, who was standing near the cow.

At her waist was a large book, filled with detailed records.

Every method, from extracting pus to injecting it or applying it under the nose, was all documented.

Without needing to instruct her, she had kept track of everything.

‘A real gold mine, honestly.’

When Kang-hyuk fully stood up, Yeon, Yeoju, and Makbong all approached.

“Did you sleep well?”

Yeoju greeted him politely.

“You need more *Taekkyeon* training.”

Yeon greeted him energetically.

“The innkeeper saved you some food. Heh.”

Makbong gave him a cheeky greeting.

“Alright. Did you all get some rest?”

“Of course! We even feasted on the cow yesterday. Too bad you missed it, Young Master.”

Yeon smacked her lips, savoring the memory.

Knowing what kind of cow it was, Kang-hyuk didn’t feel particularly tempted.

‘If they knew it was the smallpox-infected cow, they’d be horrified.’

He had swapped it in secret, not expecting it to end up like this.

With everyone happily patting their stomachs, he didn’t feel the need to spoil the mood.

Didn’t Master Wonhyo drink water from a skull once without knowing?

“Such a shame, really.”

Muttering with feigned regret, Kang-hyuk headed toward the low wooden table.

“Let’s have some soup, shall we?”

“Yes, sir. Right here.”

The innkeeper, sounding nasal, brought out the soup.

It was just as Makbong had requested.

“Wow, this is… loaded with meat.”

It was nearly half meat, half broth.

Makbong winked at him, rocking his hips slightly.

‘That rascal. He’s had his fun with the innkeeper.’

Realizing that, he felt slightly uncomfortable.

‘But it does taste good.’

Having finally had a good sleep, the soup went down smoothly.

Kang-hyuk emptied the bowl as if it was nothing.

“Shall we head out?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Dolseok, who had already prepared for departure, quickly replied.

Then he asked, with a hint of regret.

“Young Master, are we going straight home?”

“That was the plan. Why? Somewhere else you want to go?”

Yeon answered this time.

“I heard during the festival that there’s a famous monk nearby.”

“A monk?”

“Yes. He’s supposedly from Geumgang Mountain and occasionally preaches here. They even call him a living Buddha.”

“A living Buddha preaching.”

Honestly, it didn’t appeal to him at all.

But it seemed like everyone else’s minds were already set on going.

‘Well, alright.’

There was nothing urgent.

And he had enough herbs loaded in the cart for travel expenses.

It would be nice to see another area as well.

Sometimes, listening to his subordinates wasn’t a bad idea.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“As expected, Young Master! You’re generous.”

Dolseok excitedly took the reins and turned the horse.

They traveled a while, and then Makbong suddenly patted his stomach.

“Ah, it feels so full after such a feast.”

“You mean that cow from yesterday?”

“Yes, haha.”

The oblivious look on his face was priceless.

As he smirked, Yeoju spoke up.

“Young Master, you enjoyed the soup too, right?”

“Indeed. Thanks to someone.”

He was referring to Makbong, but Dolseok answered instead.

“Of course! I snuck it out before the feast.”

“What?”

“I wanted our Young Master to have some beef. Heh.”