Chapter 138 (1/2)

Chapter 138: Chapter 11

“Scholar Paek?”

At Pyonsu's calling Kanghyok a ‘scholar,' the mayor narrowed his eyebrows.

There were only two persons by the surname of Paek.

He must not refer to Sungmun, of course.

Then the other Paek was Kanghyok.

Kanghyok was notoriously known as a sc.u.m in Suwon.

Even the governor of Kyonggi Province was aware of him because of his evil reputation.

Kanghyok was a fly in the ointment in Sungmun, a famous scholar who retired from the government service after successful public life.

How was it possible that Kanghyok had medical skills enough to save a man's life?

The mayor of Suwon could not believe it.

“That sc.u.m…Kanghyok Paek?

Even the governor of Kyonggi Province was so embarra.s.sed as to spit out his name before he knew.

It was pretty discourteous for the Kyonggi governor to mention Sunmun's son openly, given that he was far inferior to Sungmun in terms of rank and learning.

“Oh, I'm sorry, sir,” said the Kyonggi governor.

“No, that's fine. Hey, Kanghyok, is the guy you treated yesterday Pyonsu?”

Sungmun was as much surprised, so he stammered a bit when he asked.

Anyone who collapsed like that had no hope of surviving as a rule.

At that time there were many people interested in medical skills among the n.o.blemen, and Sungmun was one of them.

So, he read medical books whenever he had free time, and sometimes treated his sick servants.

According to the keisha who witnessed Kanghyok's surgery last night, he was the resurrection of Hwata or Pyonjak, the legendary medical doctors in old China.

So, Sungmun could not close his mouth at his son's miraculous medical skills.

But Kanghyok himself just stayed calm.

‘I just don't know why they're making such a fuss about me.'

When he worked at the hospital in modern Korea, he treated several patients like Pyonsu.

Kanghyok replied casually.

“Yes, dad. I treated Pyonsu.”

“Oh my G.o.d!”

Sungmun let out a short sigh to hear that.

Though he was stunned, Sungmun made a satisfied smile.

But the Suwon mayor and the Kyonggi governor differed.

‘I can't believe what the kisaeng said. How can I?'

In particular, the Suwon mayor who thought he was well versed in medical knowledge, didn't recognize Kanghyok's medical expertise.

Any famous doctor he met so far was not as young as Kanghyok.

But all the higher-ups didn't think like them.

Most of those who took seats at the upper tables looked at Kanghyok from a different perspective.

In particular, those middle-aged men showed intense interest in him

For their body ached or hurted here and there at that age.

As expected, there were lots of people who came to see him after the banquet was over.

“Hey, Kanghyok, it's been a while! My back started to ache a while ago. Can you cure it?”

“I had my ankle sprained on my way here. Can you examine it?

They were mostly ranking officials in their villages.

“If you come to my house, let me take care of your pain anytime. You can come with anybody who is sick around you.”

“Oh, really? Got it. Let me see you even tomorrow.”

“Sure, let me go home now.”

Kanghyok got on a horse right away.

When he was about to leave, Yoni ran to him with Pyonsu and Makbong.

“Are you going back, sir?”

“Yeah, I'm going home now.”

“Sorry I didn't pay you back properly. I received this gift from the mayor's office for our performance today. Please accept it, such as it is.”

At Yoni's request Makbong brought a box and put it down before him.

The box contained several pieces of marten and deer skin.

As they were precious, Sungmun burst into laughter at that.

“Kanghyok, accept them as you saved his life.”

“Ah, yes, dad. Thanks for this. As you have not been cured, come to see me every day for a while.”

“Yes, sir. In fact, we're going to stay here for a whole after consulting with Pyonsu.”

“Good. Good night then.”

“Good night, sir.”

Everybody was happy except for one.

He was Dolsok because he had to carry all the bags alone.

He couldn't share them with the servant now holding the reins of Sungmun's horse.

“Whew!” Dolsok kept breathing a sigh, as the bags were heavy.

But as he had a strong build, he walked alright without staggering along the way.

“By the way, what happened? According to the kisaeng next to me, you saved Pyonsu who was almost dead.”

“Well, I made his dead heart beat again.”

“Is that true? How is it possible?”

“If you know the principle, it is not that difficult, dad.”

“Huhhh…You saved Oksok's life like that. I think you really have wonderful medical skills. I just thought you were wasting your time away…”

What Sungmun wanted most was for Kanghyok to take the state civil exam.

But he gave it up as a bad job long time ago as Kanghyok was not interested.