Doctor Goes Back to Joseon - Chapter 44: This Time, a Monk [2]

“Damn it.”

Kang-hyuk cursed as he realized he had ultimately eaten that beef.

Despite mocking the teachings of the Great Monk Wonhyo earlier, he had gained an unexpected enlightenment of his own.

The meat, which had tasted delicious while eating, now seemed to carry the stench of pus in his mind.

“What’s wrong?”

Dolseok blinked his small eyes and asked.

Although his face was innocent, and he hadn’t actually done anything wrong, Kang-hyuk felt irritated.

“You, you damned… Never mind, let’s go.”

What was the point of exposing everyone after they had all eaten together?

‘Once it’s inside, it’s all the same. All the same once it’s inside.’

He had no choice but to console himself with such meaningless self-affirmations.

As they walked a long way, Kang-hyuk suddenly remembered a question he should have asked earlier.

“By the way, where exactly is this monk?”

“Um… It’s in Anseong.”

“Anseong? That bleeding magistrate?”

“Yes, that gentleman.”

The very same magistrate who had arrived with a cushion for his saddle.

As soon as he arrived, he had scolded everyone and even slapped Dolseok on the back of the head. But in the end, he returned to Anseong, having relieved his bloody troubles.

‘Once his hemorrhoids healed, his personality improved too.’

Given how much suffering he had endured daily, it was no wonder that his demeanor softened after the issue was resolved.

He had even sent a letter of gratitude later, along with a bundle of dried fish.

“Since we’re this close, should we visit and see his face?”

“Why bother?”

Dolseok, still bitter about the slap, replied curtly.

“Why not? We might get treated well.”

“Treated well, you say.”

“Sure. He might even offer us a room. An inn would be… well.”

The phrase “Traveling is hardship” was particularly apt for Joseon times. Inns were essentially no better than private homes, and their food was barely edible.

‘And in the end, they served pus-filled meat.’

The more Kang-hyuk thought about it, the more indignant he felt.

If not for Heo Jun, Makbong would have scolded the innkeeper on Kang-hyuk’s behalf—with entirely different methods, of course.

“Wouldn’t the magistrate’s office be better?”

At Kang-hyuk’s suggestion, Dolseok nodded in agreement.

Though he was a servant, he belonged to a high-ranking household. He had never experienced the kind of grueling hardship that commoners faced.

His life had been especially cushy recently, likely better than most commoners’.

“I suppose you’re right.”

Even Yeon nodded her agreement.

After all, when had she ever endured life on the road? Even a shabby, cramped house was still her father’s—a nobleman’s.

“If you know the magistrate, it might be worth visiting him.”

Yeon and Makbong seemed indifferent to the matter. They were the type to be grateful even for a humble inn, let alone care for such details.

And in any case, no one dared oppose Kang-hyuk’s decisions.

“Alright then, let’s head there.”

From the outskirts of Gwanggyosan to Anseong was a considerable distance. They only arrived at the outskirts of the town well after sunset.

Several constables approached them, their demeanor cautious.

From afar, Kang-hyuk’s status was clearly not low. Accompanied by four attendants and a large cart, he appeared quite distinguished.

“Where are you coming from, and who are you?”

In the past, Kang-hyuk might have answered immediately. But now, he was an official noble of Joseon. He sat on his horse with dignity, gazing down at the constables below.

His imposing stature atop the horse gave an overwhelming sense of authority.

The constables, almost instinctively, took a step back and asked again.

“Um… Who might you be?”

The second time they asked, it was only natural to reply.

Of course, it wasn’t Kang-hyuk who spoke. Dolseok, who loved moments like these, stepped forward eagerly, his grin stretching from ear to ear.

“When else would he get to speak sternly to constables like this?”

“This is Scholar Baek Kang-hyuk of the Suwon Baek Clan, here to meet the magistrate.”

“Ah, yes, of course. I’ll guide you.”

“Lead the way.”

Though the constables found it odd that a mere servant was issuing commands, Kang-hyuk’s commanding presence left no room for protest.

Moreover, one of the constables seemed to recognize him.

“Wait, isn’t that…”

“Who?”

“You know, the magistrate from Suwon…”

“Ah! You mean that Baek guy?”

“Yeah, I saw him back then. I think it’s him.”

“If we mess up, we’re dead meat.”

Rumors and memories tended to get exaggerated. Kang-hyuk’s reputation in Anseong was of a fearsome enforcer. Tales spread of him intimidating not only the magistrate but even higher officials like the deputy governor.

While it wasn’t entirely untrue, it had certainly grown in scale.

As a result, the constables’ attitude became all the more courteous.

“This way, sir.”

“Very well.”

Even Dolseok’s presumptuous replies didn’t provoke any reactions from them.

“We’ll inform the magistrate.”

“Go ahead.”

The group halted in front of a large gate. A constable entered through the side door to announce their arrival.

Standing at the gates now, Kang-hyuk felt a pang of apprehension.

They had come unannounced and without any prior arrangement.

“Think they’ll let us in?”

“Excuse me?”

Dolseok was bewildered at Kang-hyuk’s sudden uncertainty.

After all, he had been boasting earlier on the assumption that his master’s reputation would open doors.

“Well… He did send a letter, but I can’t remember if I replied.”

There was a high chance he hadn’t replied. Back then, he didn’t know many characters, so it wasn’t unlikely that he had failed to respond.

That meant he had already been rude twice: once during the treatment and again by ignoring the letter.

‘Even ignoring a message on KakaoTalk is infuriating.’

Imagining how one feels when left on read, Kang-hyuk couldn’t help but regret his earlier negligence.

-Thud, thud, thud.

But his worries were unfounded.

“Hoho, welcome, Physician Baek!”

The magistrate himself came running out, beaming with joy.

He looked completely transformed.

“Ah, yes. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Kang-hyuk, for once, spoke politely.

Pleasant greetings, after all, deserve pleasant replies.

“Of course, thanks to you, I feel like I’m living a new life.”

“That’s great to hear.”

Indeed, it was fortunate. Had they been turned away, the group would have had to endure not just hardship but the scrutinizing gazes of the constables.

“Please, come in. By the way, what’s that you’ve brought?”

The magistrate gestured to the goods loaded on the cart. A fragrant aroma wafted from it, suggesting herbal medicine.

Having suffered greatly himself, the magistrate now seemed especially interested in such things.

‘I’ll just gift him some of this.’

Kang-hyuk couldn’t simply accept the magistrate’s hospitality without offering something in return.

“Medicinal herbs from near Gwanggyosan,” Kang-hyuk explained smoothly. “This Angelica and licorice root are particularly good. Please try them boiled as tea.”

Having made up his mind, Kang-hyuk expertly spouted a plausible tale. He offered the cheapest and most common herbs first, avoiding anything too valuable like *jinhwangjeong* or *geumjeoncho*. Extravagant herbs like those were better reserved for officials of much higher rank, such as the deputy governor.

Additionally, rare herbs were often too potent, unsuitable for casual use as a health tonic.

“Oh, thank you! That’s very kind of you,” the magistrate replied enthusiastically.

Clearly unfamiliar with medicine, the magistrate was genuinely delighted by the gift of Angelica and licorice root.

“Servants! Bring out the table! We have honored guests!”

The magistrate barked at his household servants, his voice resonating through the courtyard. It seemed he had not yet established a separate residence like a deputy governor might. This could have been because he was newly appointed or simply preferred to live modestly.

“I apologize for the sudden visit.”

“Not at all! Honored guests are welcome anytime. So, what brings you all the way to Anseong?”

While the most flattering answer would have been to say he came specifically to visit the magistrate, Kang-hyuk couldn’t bring himself to lie about such a detail. If that were truly the case, he would have written ahead or sent word in advance.

“I heard a monk from Geumgangsan had arrived, so I decided to visit. And of course, I wanted to see you as well.”

“Ah, yes. The monk has been drawing quite a crowd these days.”

“Really?”

“Yes, his teachings are quite compelling. Even I found myself nodding along to parts of his sermons.”

“Interesting.”

“There will be a lot of people there. Take this; it might help.”

The magistrate handed Kang-hyuk a pass bearing the official seal of the magistrate’s office.

Even though the magistrate had once been nicknamed the “Bleeding Magistrate,” he was, after all, a Confucian scholar. In a time when the philosophy of *Sungyu-eokbul* (崇儒抑佛, “Revere Confucianism, Suppress Buddhism”) was dominant, his words suggested that this monk was no ordinary cleric but likely a highly respected master.

It seemed like it would be worth paying a visit.

‘He may not be a living Buddha, but still.’

Not that Kang-hyuk really understood what a living Buddha was. He was practically ignorant when it came to Buddhism.

“Anyway, you’ve come a long way. Here, have a drink.”

“Thank you.”

“And you all can have some too.”

“Thank you, sir,” the group replied gratefully.

The magistrate even prepared separate rooms for Kang-hyuk’s companions. Yeon hesitated briefly before following Dolseok. She couldn’t risk revealing her true identity by acting like a noblewoman.

She had already changed into commoner’s clothes to avoid suspicion.

“This was sent recently from Jeollanam-do. The flavor is incredible,” the magistrate said, pointing at a dish with his chopsticks.

“Ah, to think I’d get to taste this here,” Kang-hyuk replied.

The dish in question was none other than soy-marinated crabs filled with roe, perfectly prepared.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“You appreciate good food, I see. Not many know how to enjoy soy-marinated crab.”

“It’s simply because I can’t get enough of it.”

“Ha ha! I hear you’re from Suwon. When did you develop a taste for crabs? Eat as much as you like.”

“Thank you.”

The table was laden with other delicacies, such as fermented seafood, dried abalone, dried octopus, and pollack. Kang-hyuk, who had been eating simple dishes like rice soup for days, couldn’t put down his chopsticks.

The magistrate seemed to enjoy watching him eat and kept pouring him drinks—until he passed out first.

Looking down at the magistrate, who was snoring loudly, Kang-hyuk mused, “People really can change this much.”

Compared to the man he had met before, this magistrate seemed like an entirely different person.

“The food is great, too. Might as well enjoy a rare chance for some alone drinking.”

Not that it was really drinking alone. The moon shone in the sky, reflected in the liquor in his cup, and even the magistrate’s half-open eyes seemed to gleam like moons of their own.

—

“Wow, so many people!” Dolseok muttered in disbelief, shaking his head.

Even Yeon, who had practically lived in bustling markets, was wide-eyed.

“I’ve never seen a crowd this large before,” she said.

Needless to say, Yeon was clinging tightly to Kang-hyuk’s coat, afraid of getting separated from the group.

She thought she was being subtle, but her nervous grip made her presence very clear.

‘She’s going to stretch the fabric…’

It was silk, after all. If it tore, it would be a disaster.

Kang-hyuk glanced back with a disapproving expression but turned forward again without saying anything.

Her face looked like she might burst into tears if he did.

Although he was brash, Kang-hyuk had no interest in making women cry.

‘Eh, I’ll just buy another one.’

He had money; there was no reason to worry.

“Oh! There it is!” Yeon exclaimed, pointing eagerly.

In the distance, the signboard for **Chiljangsa Temple** (Seven-Peak Temple) came into view.

Rumor had it the temple had been recently rebuilt after being destroyed in a Wako (Japanese pirate) invasion.

“Is that the monk over there?”

“Do you see him, sir?” asked Makbong, gazing enviously at Kang-hyuk.

Despite standing on a rock and even trying tiptoeing, he couldn’t see anything.

“I do, but he’s far away.”

“Let’s go closer!”

Excited by the prospect of seeing the famed monk, Dolseok dashed forward, securing a prime spot.

Although they had to stand, it was still fortunate to have a clear view of the renowned master.

“The greatest teacher is none other than your own mind,” the monk declared in a deep, commanding voice.

His eyes shone with passion, and his imposing presence made it clear he was no ordinary person.

Even his voice carried an unusual resonance that demanded attention.

However, it wasn’t the monk’s charisma that caught Kang-hyuk’s attention.

“What do you think of that monk?” Kang-hyuk asked.

“Isn’t he amazing? You can tell he’s extraordinary just from his presence,” Dolseok replied, his voice filled with admiration.

Apparently, Dolseok was a fervent Buddhist without Kang-hyuk knowing.

“No, I mean… doesn’t he look a bit unwell?”

“Unwell? Aren’t you just looking for symptoms because you’re a physician?”

“No, something’s definitely off about him.”