Doctor Goes Back to Joseon - Chapter 49: Short-Term Military Surgeon [2]

“What? Your father is a professor?”

“Yes. Please, I’m begging you.”

Yeon bowed her head deeply.

*Hmm.*

She’d been with him for over a month now, helping and receiving help in equal measure. Most notably, the herb-illustrated book she’d shared with him was a priceless treasure.

‘I may be rough around the edges, but I’m not someone who forgets a debt.’

Kang-hyuk prided himself on his sense of justice and loyalty. With this in mind, there was no room to refuse. Besides, indebting the magistrate even further wasn’t necessarily a bad idea. Rumors were already circulating about him being summoned to the capital soon due to his handling of the smallpox outbreak. Successfully completing this expedition against the Wokou could pave the way for even greater opportunities.

“Inspector.”

“Yes, Master Baek.”

“I’ll prepare myself.”

“As expected, I knew you’d agree. I’ll wait.”

“Alright.”

Kang-hyuk first went to see Yu-jeong. Despite his outward show of calm, the thought of heading to a battlefield was nerve-wracking. His military experience consisted of a mere two months of training as a military doctor. His hands trembled slightly.

Yu-jeong was meditating when Kang-hyuk approached. As if sensing his presence, Yu-jeong opened his eyes with uncanny timing.

“So, it’s time for us to part.”

“Were you listening?”

It seemed unlikely given the distance, but Yu-jeong only smiled enigmatically.

“Where there’s a meeting, parting is inevitable.”

“…True.”

“Do not worry too much, benefactor. The day will come when we meet again.”

The cryptic words sounded eerily prophetic coming from Samyeongdang, enough to steady Kang-hyuk’s trembling hands.

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. This is your destined fortune.”

“Alright. You don’t need to take any more medicine, just make sure to drink plenty of water.”

Most illnesses that caused stones could be managed by drinking lots of water. Though there were tales of urinary stone patients being cured by drinking beer, the truth was only half-right. While beer could temporarily increase urine output, it often led to dehydration later, worsening the condition. Water was the safer option.

‘Not that a monk would be drinking beer anyway,’ Kang-hyuk thought. This wasn’t the kind of story where Samyeongdang would turn out to be Lu Zhishen from Chinese folklore.

“I’ll do that.”

“Then, farewell.”

“Take care. Oh, benefactor.”

“Yes?”

Yu-jeong stopped Kang-hyuk and handed him a smooth, polished stone. It gleamed brightly, clearly not an ordinary object.

“This will come in handy someday.”

“A stone?”

“Yes.”

“…Alright.”

A stone as a parting gift was peculiar, but Kang-hyuk tucked it into his robes nonetheless.

By the time Kang-hyuk joined his party, the others were ready to leave. Even a horse was prepared for him. He mounted it lightly and asked Dolseok, who held the reins.

“What about the incoming supplies?”

“I’ve instructed the monks to send them home by today.”

“Well done.”

Moments like this made Dolseok seem like a completely different person, sharp and efficient despite his limited education. Kang-hyuk couldn’t help but chuckle as he turned to the inspector.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes, let’s move out.”

The soldiers accompanying the inspector were numerous, ensuring the group’s safety on the road. The journey from Anseong to Suwon wasn’t far, especially with the inspector pushing the pace. They traveled so quickly that even Kang-hyuk, just sitting on his horse, felt drained.

“Phew. Is everyone okay?”

“We’re fine,” Yeon replied, as energetic as ever.

Even Yeonju, who was usually slower, nodded. Her concern for her father far outweighed any discomfort. She hadn’t fallen behind once despite her soft, uncalloused feet, unlike Yeon’s hardened soles from martial arts training. Her socks were slightly stained with red, suggesting some bleeding.

The Suwon marketplace showed no signs of urgency yet. While foot traffic seemed lighter than usual, the situation was still calm. However, Oetan-myeon was farther out, and Yeonju’s feet couldn’t afford to deteriorate before they arrived.

“Yeon, check her feet later.”

“Yes, young master.”

The inspector glanced back at them and announced, “We’re almost there. The magistrate must be anxiously awaiting us. Let’s hurry.”

“Yes.”

Given that the magistrate was Kim Yoon-gil, Kang-hyuk couldn’t help but let his mind wander.

‘Surely, he wouldn’t call me here to discuss something trivial like Viagra…’

It was unlikely, but considering the chaos during the smallpox outbreak, anything seemed possible. However, this situation could be far more serious.

Lost in thought, Kang-hyuk and his group arrived at the government office. Inspector Lee knocked loudly on the tall gate and called out.

“Open the gate! This is Inspector Lee Jeong-bok. I’ve brought Master Baek Kang-hyuk, the military doctor, as per the magistrate’s orders.”

“Yes, sir.”

The gates opened with a loud creak, revealing hundreds of soldiers armed with spears and bows standing in formation. Among them were officers dressed in metal lamellar armor instead of the usual uniforms, likely dispatched from the central government. Their movements produced a distinct clinking sound.

“You’ve arrived.”

The magistrate, who had been pacing anxiously, descended with open arms. He introduced Kang-hyuk to one of the unfamiliar officers.

“This is Baek Kang-hyuk.”

“Ah, I’ve heard much about you. Nice to meet you. I am Shin Rip, Second State Councilor.”

Kang-hyuk didn’t know what a Second State Councilor was, but the magistrate’s demeanor indicated Shin Rip held a significant position. Years of experience navigating hospital hierarchies had honed Kang-hyuk’s ability to assess rank.

Bowing his head slightly, he replied courteously.

“I’ve heard a lot about you as well. I’m Baek Kang-hyuk,” Kang-hyuk said.

“Haha, just as I heard! Straightforward and refreshing!” Shin Rip laughed heartily, slapping Kang-hyuk on the back.

His hands were so thick and heavy that Kang-hyuk felt as if his internal organs had been jolted.

‘Is this the “exploding energy” level that Heo Jun spoke about?’ Kang-hyuk wondered, almost in awe.

After a few hearty slaps, Shin Rip turned to address the soldiers.

“Listen up! Here is Master Baek Kang-hyuk, joining us as a military surgeon. As long as you don’t die, he’ll bring you back to life—so don’t worry!”

“Hurrah!”

The soldiers erupted in cheers, their morale skyrocketing.

From what Kang-hyuk could see, most of the soldiers were familiar faces, not newcomers from the central military. These were local troops stationed within Suwon, who naturally recognized Kang-hyuk’s name. Some of them had even been treated by him personally.

“It’s the Divine Doctor!”

Recent rumors had exaggerated Kang-hyuk’s reputation so much that the soldiers’ confidence in him seemed unshakable.

“Hurrah!” they cheered again.

Judging by the atmosphere, it felt as if Kang-hyuk could save everyone from the brink of death.

‘Even I can’t pull that off,’ he thought, glancing down at his medical bag. While it contained nearly all the surgical tools one could need, there was a severe shortage of other supplies.

‘At most, I could handle two patients a day. Maybe three if I push it.’

Given the limited gauze and IV supplies, that was the harsh reality. Yet, it was impossible to ignore the hopeful gazes fixed on him. For now, Kang-hyuk decided to accept the soldiers’ cheers with a smile.

*Thunk.*

Shin Rip tapped his sword’s scabbard lightly on the ground, and the boisterous noise abruptly ceased.

The discipline displayed surprised Kang-hyuk, who had thought these troops were only good for ferrying back Viagra for the magistrate. Apparently, their training wasn’t as lax as it seemed.

“Having a general here makes all the difference,” the magistrate remarked with a pleased smile.

“Haha, it’s thanks to your regular training, Magistrate,” Shin Rip replied, laughing.

Both Kang-hyuk and the magistrate knew that wasn’t true. The magistrate gave an awkward smile as he scanned the troops.

Even he found them unimpressive: a mere 200 men with insufficient equipment. Although they carried bows, their arrows were in short supply.

“Will we wait for the cavalry before setting out?” the magistrate asked.

Shin Rip was, after all, famed for his use of cavalry. His victory over the northern invader Itanggae was still celebrated in the central government. It was no coincidence the magistrate had specifically requested Shin Rip’s presence.

Shin Rip’s martial skill and strategies were unmatched, though his tendency to underestimate enemies was a well-known flaw. Unfortunately, that flaw seemed to be in full effect today.

“Cavalry? Why would we need them? These troops are more than enough.”

“But I’ve heard the Wokou have significant numbers…”

“Even so, they’re nothing but a ragtag bunch.”

The magistrate’s expression tightened. The same could be said of their own forces.

“Our soldiers have no combat experience either.”

“Don’t worry. With me and the captains here, wars are won by leadership, not foot soldiers.”

“While I trust you, still…”

“Magistrate, leave warfare to us officers. Let’s set out at once. The Wokou must be causing havoc as we speak.”

This was one point Kang-hyuk couldn’t argue with. It was shocking that Wokou raiders had made it as far as Gyeonggi Province. Such an invasion hadn’t occurred since the Eulmyo Incident, and the unpreparedness of the local defenses had led to devastating damage.

Oetan-myeon was especially vulnerable, housing a newly established Confucian academy under Magistrate Kim Yoon-gil’s orders. Professor Jeong Chang-gwon had been dispatched there, along with many young Confucian scholars, who might all face massacre if the Wokou reached them. Considering the Wokou’s notorious cruelty, the worst-case scenario wasn’t hard to imagine.

“You’re right,” the magistrate conceded.

“Then let’s go.”

Kang-hyuk was left dumbfounded. They were marching straight into battle after just arriving from the temple. His jaw dropped, unable to close.

“Uh…”

“Don’t worry,” Shin Rip said, patting Kang-hyuk’s shoulder before stepping forward to take his place among the ranks of officers. His towering figure exuded an air of unshakable confidence.

*Gulp.*

The soldiers’ nervous gazes followed him. Shin Rip, lauded as Joseon’s greatest general, was a man of few words.

“March! Open the gates.”

At his curt command, the soldiers sprang into action. They were already armed and carried rations in their packs, so there was no delay.

Kang-hyuk watched the soldiers in disbelief.

“Kang-hyuk,” the inspector called out.

“Yes, Inspector?”

“You likely won’t need it, but here’s a sword.”

“…Thank you.”

Inspector Lee handed Kang-hyuk five swords, their weight nearly causing him to drop them.

‘A sword… really?’

What had once been a joke now felt like a grim reality. Back in the hospital, calling himself a “knife-wielder” was just a lighthearted reference to his scalpel work. But now, he was literally holding blades the size of his arm.

Kang-hyuk handed one to Dolseok.

“Here, take one.”

“O-oh… yes, young master.”

Dolseok, who was all bluster on a normal day, looked like a deer in headlights as he held the sword, his hands sweating profusely. His awkward grip betrayed his inexperience.

Not that Kang-hyuk was in any better shape—this was probably the most ridiculous he’d looked since coming to Joseon.

“Young master, may I have one as well?” Yeon stepped forward with a confident voice.

“Ah, um… sure.”

“Don’t worry. I can handle a sword.”

Yeon strapped the blade to her side with practiced ease, exuding an unexpected air of competence. Watching her, Kang-hyuk felt a strange sense of reassurance.

If only they weren’t heading into a battlefield.