Chapter 43: This Time, a Monk [1] Anesthetic.
Several drug names flashed through Kanghyeok's mind.
From primitive ones like chloroform to relatively modern ones like propofol.
If even one of those shows up, that'd be a jackpot.
If that happened, he would no longer need to rely on luck.
He would not have to depend on the patient's almost miraculous endurance.
"There are medicines called Seomsu and Cho-o."
"Seomsu and Cho-o?"
Naturally, they were not English names.
Even so, they sounded completely unfamiliar.
Heo Jun paused briefly before continuing.
"Seomsu refers to toad venom."
"Venom?"
"Yes."
Venom, out of nowhere.
Kanghyeok swallowed the questions rising inside him.
There was still the next one to hear.
"And Cho-o?"
"That is an herb used in sayak."
"Sayak?"
"Yes."
Kanghyeok's eyes went blank.
Anesthetic did indeed serve to immobilize the patient.
It also had the purpose of preventing pain.
If you just kill them… they'll stay still. And they won't feel any more pain either.
But then what would be the point of surgery?
Might as well just kill them in one stroke.
There were already several ways he could think of to kill someone painlessly.
There was no need to go out of one's way to use poisonous herbs.
"Is something wrong?"
"Hm? Ah, no. It's just… hearing about poison… Heh."
Kanghyeok let out an awkward laugh.
It was not just anyone—this was a method suggested by Heo Jun.
The effects of Seonbang Hwalmyeong-eum and Gamibulhwanggeumjeonggi-san that he had prescribed so far were clearly effective.
He had not even observed any side effects.
Even Yanggyeok-san worked pretty well as a gargle.
Of course, it could not compare to benzydamine hydrochloride, which he used often back at the hospital.
But for Joseon, where there were no proper manufacturing facilities, that level of effectiveness was more than enough.
"Ahem. Please continue."
Kanghyeok quickly stopped laughing and bowed his head.
Fortunately, Heo Jun did not seem offended.
To him, Kanghyeok was an exceptional physician—almost like a teacher.
"Since ancient times, Seomsu has been used as a potent poison. If taken in excess, the limbs stiffen on the spot, and death follows."
It sounded like a kind of neurotoxin.
Judging by the description of the limbs stiffening.
Ah, come to think of it…
He suddenly remembered a video a junior had once shown him, saying it was fascinating.
It had been on a foreign YouTube channel.
YouTube—just recalling it after so long made even the pronunciation feel strange.
Some woman caught a toad, got venom in her eye, and ended up paralyzed and hospitalized.
Even for Kanghyeok, a doctor, the sight of one eye unable to move properly had been difficult to watch.
While he was lost in memory, Heo Jun continued explaining.
"As for Cho-o, it is an herb called wutou in China. It is also used as a form of poison. However, it is sometimes used as medicine as well—I have personally tasted it."
"You tasted it?"
"If one is to understand both its effects and its risks, a physician must test it personally."
"..."
Kanghyeok let out a sound of admiration.
It was the very embodiment of self-sacrifice.
There's no way I could ever do that.
He would rather conduct animal testing than test it on himself.
Heo Jun smacked his lips slightly, as if recalling the experience.
His expression twisted—it clearly had not been pleasant.
"In any case, if it is ground into powder and placed on the tongue, it produces a tingling sensation, and soon after, numbness sets in. One feels no sensation at all. I believe that is the effect you were looking for, Scholar."
Cho-o also seemed to be a type of neurotoxin.
If used properly, it had a high possibility of functioning as an anesthetic.
After all, paralysis and anesthesia were separated by only a very fine line.
"Hmm. It sounds worth trying. Thank you."
"I am glad to be of help. Then…"
"Ah, are you leaving now?"
Heo Jun glanced toward the square where the festivities were still ongoing.
From time to time, someone shot up above the crowd—it seemed to be Yeoni.
To perform such tightrope walking without proper equipment.
She truly deserved to be called the best Eoreumsani.
"It's a pity, but I must go. Even though I've been granted leave, my time is tight."
"I see. Let's keep in touch."
"Yes. Once I have settled somewhere, I will send a letter immediately."
"Very well, Physician Heo."
"Then, farewell."
Heo Jun waved his hand lightly and set off on his journey.
Only one man accompanied him—the same one Kanghyeok had seen at the beginning.
His belongings were pitifully light.
He had practically saved an entire village, yet his departing figure looked so modest.
"Wait, just a moment."
Kanghyeok quickly called him back.
"Yes, Scholar Baek."
"You are going a long way. Please take this with you."
Kanghyeok pulled out a fan from his sleeve.
Made of fragrant wood, it gave off a subtle scent, and with its silver inlay, it was exquisitely ornate.
Anyone could see it was valuable—and in truth, it was a treasure.
Heo Jun could not immediately grasp Kanghyeok's intent.
Considering his usual personality, he might simply have been about to fan himself.
To Heo Jun, Kanghyeok was a somewhat peculiar person.
"What do you mean?"
"Use it as travel funds."
"This? This is far too…"
It was far too valuable to be used as travel money.
If bargained properly, it could probably purchase several slaves.
"It's fine. It will put my mind at ease."
"Even so…"
"No, no. You also told me about anesthetic medicine. And I still have much to learn from you."
"…."
Even as he said that, Heo Jun found it difficult to resist the temptation.
Once he reached Hanyang, he would have no house, no land.
"Just take it."
Kanghyeok pulled out another fan from the other side.
It did not have silver inlay, but it still looked quite valuable.
In fact, fans themselves were already precious items.
"I have plenty."
Kanghyeok's situation was very different from Heo Jun's.
He came from a wealthy family to begin with, and his income was substantial.
Why doesn't he charge for treatment?
A physician could not survive on digging up dirt and eating it.
Even if he received a stipend at the Royal Medical Bureau, it would not be enough.
Just looking at how Professor Jeong Changgwon's household was doing, it was obvious how much that stipend amounted to.
"Then… I will accept it, shamelessly."
"You've made the right choice. Please be sure to contact me once you arrive."
"Yes. Thank you."
Heo Jun bowed in gratitude and truly departed.
When Kanghyeok turned his head, the festivities had already ended.
It was far noisier than before, though.
The Busa had distributed alcohol for the villagers to enjoy.
He really is generous.
He knew how to read public sentiment and soothe it well.
Of course, he himself would probably slip off somewhere secluded to enjoy something else.
I should get some rest too.
Thinking back, he had not properly slept even once over the past half month.
If it had not been Kanghyeok, he would have collapsed.
Not from smallpox, but from overwork.
Kanghyeok went down to the tavern and entered the largest room.
He spread out the bedding and stretched out flat.
He was so exhausted that the commotion on the hill felt like a lullaby.
"Ah…"
His eyes closed on their own.
How much time had passed?
Someone suddenly shook him roughly.
"Young Master, Young Master!"
"Huh? What?"
"Ah, you're alive. You were sleeping so soundly, I thought you'd passed away."
Dolseok muttered, his breath reeking of alcohol.
Behind him, sunlight was pouring in—it looked like broad daylight.
My house-call bag? Ah, there it is.
As always, it was firmly in his hand.
Then there was nothing to worry about.
"What's all the fuss about?"
Kanghyeok scratched his head and sat up.
Something was lying by his pillow.
A letter.
"What's this?"
"The Busa left it before he departed."
"He's already gone?"
"What do you mean already? He left last night. You've been asleep for a full day, Young Master."
A full day.
No wonder he felt unusually refreshed for someone who had just woken up.
"I see. What about Father?"
"Master also left with the Busa. It seems he had been away from home for too long."
"You should have woken me."
"Both of them told me not to disturb you. You really did sleep like the dead."
At Dolseok's teasing, Kanghyeok shook his head.
"Let's see the letter."
"Yes."
Kanghyeok slowly unfolded it.
Having learned writing from Heo Jun and Yeoju, he could now read fairly well.
Not everything, but enough.
At a glance, it was mostly praise for his medical skills.
There's a reward too.
Looking outside, he saw a cart loaded with medicinal herbs.
It seemed everything left over from the Duchang treatment had been given to him.
The cow had originally been brought by the Busa as well, so the compensation was quite substantial.
More importantly… I've mastered inoculation.
Kanghyeok looked at Yeoju, who was lingering near the cow.
A thick book was tucked into her waist sash, filled with all sorts of records.
Everything—from extracting pus to injections and nasal application methods.
Even without being told, she had recorded everything meticulously.
There could be nothing better.
This is perfect.
As Kanghyeok fully got up, Yeoni, Yeoju, and Makbong, who had been in the yard, approached.
"Have you been well, sir?"
Yeoju greeted him politely.
"You need to practice more taekkyeon."
Yeoni greeted him energetically.
"The tavern mistress set aside a meal for you, heh."
Makbong greeted him in his usual lewd manner.
"Good. Did you all get some rest?"
"Of course. We even slaughtered the cow yesterday and ate it. It would've been nice if you had joined us, Young Master."
Yeoni smacked her lips, as if she could not forget the taste.
Kanghyeok, who knew exactly what kind of cow it was, did not feel the slightest appetite.
If they knew it was a cow infected with Duchang, they'd be horrified.
He had secretly switched it himself, just in case, but he had not expected things to turn out like this.
Seeing everyone patting their bellies in satisfaction, Kanghyeok did not bother to spoil the mood.
Was there not the story of Wonhyo and the skull water?
"What a shame, such a shame."
Kanghyeok muttered in a voice devoid of any sincerity and stepped out to the wooden platform.
"Well then, shall we start with some gukbap?"
"Yes, sir. Here it is."
The tavern mistress brought out the gukbap in a nasal tone.
It truly lived up to Makbong's special request.
"Wow, this is… the meat…"
It was practically half meat, half rice.
Makbong winked at him.
Even swaying his hips slightly.
This bastard. Instead of riding the swing, he rode the tavern mistress.
Thinking that made him feel a bit uncomfortable.
Still, it tastes good.
Perhaps because he had finally gotten a proper rest, the gukbap went down easily.
Kanghyeok finished the bowl in no time.
"Shall we go now?"
"Yes, Young Master."
Dolseok, who had already prepared to leave, answered quickly.
Then he asked, looking a little reluctant.
"But, Young Master."
"What?"
"Are we going straight home?"
"That was the plan. Why, is there somewhere else you want to go?"
It was Yeoni who answered.
"I heard during the feast yesterday that there's a famous monk staying nearby."
"A monk?"
"Yes. They say he cultivates himself at Mount Geumgang, but occasionally comes down to give sermons. Some even call him a living Buddha."
"A living Buddha, giving sermons…"
Not a single part of that sounded appealing.
But aside from Kanghyeok, everyone else already seemed eager.
Well now.
There was nothing urgent to do anyway.
It was not a world pressed for time.
With the cart full of herbs, travel expenses would not be an issue.
And it might be good to see another region as well.
Besides, it would not hurt to listen to his subordinates once in a while.
"All right, let's go."
"As expected of you, Young Master! So decisive."
Dolseok grabbed the reins with an excited expression.
They traveled like that for a while when suddenly Makbong patted his stomach.
"Wow, after eating so much, my stomach won't go down."
"What, the cow yesterday?"
"Yes. Haha."
He laughed without knowing anything.
A smirk crept onto Kanghyeok's lips, but Yeoju spoke first.
"You enjoyed the gukbap too, didn't you, Young Master?"
"I did. Thanks to someone."
He had meant Makbong, but Dolseok answered instead.
"Of course. I snuck some out before the feast."
"What?"
"So that our Young Master could have some beef. Heh."
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