Tangmunjeon - Chapter 271



Only Noblemtl

Episode 271: Waves

Dang Mu-jin woke up in an unfamiliar building.

It wasn’t a very large or fancy space. Looking around, all I could see was a few simple pieces of furniture.

Dang Mu-jin scratched the back of his head.

‘When did you lose consciousness?’

I couldn’t tell if I had passed out or fallen asleep.

But since it didn’t seem like a dangerous situation, Dang Mu-jin sat cross-legged and observed the inside.

I wasn’t planning on having a lucky breakfast in an unknown place. I was just taking action to check out the current situation.

Even without using the unique method of the martial arts technique, martial artists can gradually accumulate the energy in the air in their danjeon.

Since I had exhausted all my internal energy before losing consciousness, I will be able to guess how much time has passed by checking the amount of internal energy left in my danjeon.

As expected, I felt a faint sense of internal energy in my empty danjeon.

‘There isn’t much time left. An hour or so at most? It hasn’t been that long.’

The feeling of hunger is only a little bit, and the body is a little stiff, but not stiff. Dang Mu-jin’s guess has turned into certainty.

At that moment, the door opened wide and Namgung Myung appeared. Namgung Myung looked at Dang Mujin with an extremely serious expression.

“Are you finally awake?”

“at las?”

“It’s been seven days and seven nights since you passed out. I thought you’d never wake up.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. We all know that at most an hour has passed.”

“Hey, that’s not fun.”

When Dang Mu-jin did not fall for it, Nam Gung-myeong’s face showed disappointment. It seemed that he had seriously intended to deceive her.

Dang Mu-jin found Hyeon-gong and Hong-geol-gae beyond the door through which Nam-gung-myeong had entered. However, the two men seemed to have realized that they had messed up, and returned as if nothing had happened.

Dang Mu-jin realized that Namgung Myung was holding something in his right hand. It was the right arm of the Ssanggeuk Blood King.

Now that I can’t handle two spears, maybe I should call myself a single-pole swordsman.

Dang Mu-jin asked.

“Why are you carrying that around?”

Namgung Myung hesitated for a moment and then spoke.

“Didn’t you say I could put my arm around you earlier?”

Dang Mu-jin glanced at Namgung Myung up and down. It was hard to tell whether he was serious or joking.

Dang Mu-jin asked back.

“By any chance, have you ever heard of another member of parliament grafting human limbs onto someone?”

“I’ve never heard of it. But just in case…”

Dang Mu-jin laughed in disbelief.

I roughly understood what you were thinking. If there was one member of parliament in the world who could do that, it would definitely be you.

But of course, medicine has its limits.

“Just kidding. How could that be possible?”

When Dang Mu-jin answered, Namgung Myung threw the right arm of the Ssanggeukhyeolong that he was holding at Dang Mu-jin. It seemed that he had been sincerely expecting it.

Dang Mu-jin looked at the right arm of the Ssanggeukhyeolong. Although the cross-section had become curved over time, it was not difficult to guess how smooth it had been when it was cut.

Furthermore, I could vaguely guess how much Namgung Myung had expected. I thought he wouldn’t be too upset because he was always cheerful even after losing his left arm, but it seems he was surprisingly very disappointed.

‘Well, it would be abnormal for a martial artist to lose an arm and not care about it.”

Dang Mu-jin let out a deep sigh and said.

“Namgung Myung. Think about it logically. If you lost your left arm, you should reattach your left arm. How are you going to reattach your right arm?”

“What? Are you saying that if I bring my left arm, I can attach it?”

Namgung Myung’s eyes sparkled. It would have been difficult in normal times, but there were many left-handed people within the Gongdongpa right now.

Dang Mu-jin chuckled.

“I’m being fooled again.”

Men tend to vent their sadness and regret through teasing and pranks.

Namgung Myung, filled with gratitude for Dang Mujin’s prank, displayed amazing talent. The right arm of the Ssanggeukhyeolong that Dang Mujin was holding moved on its own, trying to stab Dang Mujin in the eye.

‘They do all sorts of things with empty space.’

Of course, Dang Mu-jin had no intention of being swayed by Namgung Myung, so he threw the right arm of the Ssanggeuk Blood King back to Namgung Myung.

Namgung Myung let out a deep sigh, opened the door, and threw the arm of the Ssanggeukhyeolong out.

For a forearm that has taken countless lives so far, it wasn’t treated very well.

Namgung Myung spoke a little rudely.

“Get up now. There are so many patients here, how can a doctor lie down comfortably?”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Dang Mu-jin got up from his seat and went outside with Namgung Myeong.

*

There were a lot of patients in the common area.

From people with minor scratches and cuts, to people with major injuries due to blood and energy being distorted, to people who are on the verge of death.

However, there were no survivors among the Sapa warriors. The Jeongpa warriors must have killed themselves while Dangmujin was unconscious.

Those who were not injured or had only minor injuries were running around busily treating the injured. The problem was that the treatment method was not that of a doctor.

A master of the Hwasan sect was seen taking a suspicious powder. In the direction the Hwasan sect’s footsteps led, there was a brother sitting with a deep cut on his palm.

The party leader called him over.

“Wait a minute. What powder is that?”

The master of the Hwasan faction answered Dang Mu-jin’s question confidently.

“It is a mixture of ground stone, magnetic powder, and iron powder.”

“···What on earth are you going to use that for?”

“I’ve heard that it’s good to sprinkle this on wounds caused by iron spikes.”

It’s a very unconvincing story.

As far as Dang Mujin knew, there were very few medicines that could help treat trauma. At best, there were a few herbs or gold-smelling medicines.

Dang Mu-jin knew that many people died from worsening wounds after believing in a treatment method that was passed down step by step. It was better to leave it alone than to believe in a treatment method whose source was unclear.

“Do you have any elixir of life? You must have some since you are on your way to the battlefield.”

Although the golden elixir cannot be used on broken bones, it is the most effective medicine for wounds where blood is flowing and the flesh is exposed.

The price is quite expensive, but it is probably affordable for a master of the Hwasan faction.

As expected, the master of the Hwasan faction had a golden elixir.

“I brought it. However, since they said that it is good to treat wounds like this, it would be even better if I sprinkle this powder first and then apply the gold ointment.”

People in the world had a shallow belief that if they took all the medicines that were said to be good, they would get the best results.

But in Dang Mu-jin’s experience, that wasn’t a very good approach. Mixing drugs together often produces strange results.

“Please put that iron powder aside for a moment and just apply the gold ointment.”

“Yes? But···.”

“If the wound gets worse because of that iron powder, you might have to amputate your entire arm. However, if you only apply the gold ointment, even if something goes wrong, it will only be limited to unnatural movement of one or two fingers, so it’s safer not to use it.”

However, the master of the Hwasan faction hesitated and could not throw away the iron powder.

An attitude that seems to indicate that he wants to use it secretly while avoiding the eyes of the party leader.

Finally, Dang Mu-jin said a word.

“Don’t you know who I am?”

This one sentence can put an end to all objections.

The head of the Tang family, the god of Sacheon Province, Yi-ryong, the true best doctor in the world.

Believing in the meager medical skills learned through rumors and rushing into Dangmujin was not much different from believing in the Samjae sword technique learned in the marketplace and rushing into Yukjeon.

The master of the Hwasan faction acknowledged Dang Mu-jin’s authority, but it seemed that he still had some lingering attachments.

“Is it really useless? I can understand the whetstone and iron powder, but the magnetic powder is quite expensive.”

“If there is a need to heal the wounds of a mortal enemy, pretend not to know and scatter it.”

“···.”

The master of the Volcano Sect poured the iron powder on the floor with a very sad expression.

By realizing this before the accident happened, the worst was avoided.

Since it seemed like similar situations were happening here and there, Dang Mu-jin shouted out loud with all his might.

“If anyone is bleeding, please stop the bleeding by drawing blood and then apply only the golden elixir. It is best not to use dirty or homemade elixirs. Also, those with internal injuries, please gather here.”

As was the custom at the Danggajang, Dang Mujin sat on the open veranda and waited for people. In an instant, about fifteen people gathered.

Their complexions were all very bad. More than half of them had blood flowing from the corners of their mouths, and several were carried in unconscious.

All the patients had a deep sense of anxiety and fear in their eyes.

For a martial artist, internal injuries are not a simple matter.

If he were to lose an arm, he could learn the right or left-handed sword and be reborn as a martial artist, but if he were to suffer an internal injury, his life as a martial artist would most likely end.

To be able to learn and demonstrate martial arts again while having intact limbs? What could be more frightening to a martial artist?

Dang Mu-jin found Yeong-heo-ja sitting cross-legged a little way away and sent a message.

– Would you like to receive treatment first?

Even if the weakling is treated first, no one will complain. The world of martial arts is a world where the strong are respected. It is natural for the strong to be treated well.

However, Young-Heo-Ja slowly shook his head. It meant that he should treat others first.

Dang Mu-jin nodded and called over the nearest shaman.

“Please sit over here.”

It just so happened that Dang Mu-jin had met him several times while going back and forth between the shamanist factions. He was around forty-five to fifty years old.

It is a time when one’s enlightenment is high and one’s body is full of energy, so it can be said to be the prime of one’s life as a martial artist.

He had vomited blood, as there were scabs slightly stuck to the corners of his mouth and nostrils.

Also, my throat kept going up and down as I desperately tried to suppress the nausea that was coming down my throat.

But there was a clear sense of anticipation in his eyes. The reputation of being the best doctor in the world is by no means light.

Even unlike other members of the National Assembly, wasn’t there a rumor that Yi-ryong, being a martial artist, could even cure internal injuries?

He knew that other members of the National Assembly would usually take his pulse first, so as soon as he sat down on the floor, he extended his right arm to the party secretary.

Dang Mu-jin spoke while pushing away his right arm.

“You don’t have to hold it in. Just vomit it out and sit back down.”

“···Is that okay?”

It seems like it was quite difficult to endure. Dang Mu-jin nodded.

“At least five of the fifteen people behind you will have to vomit. Don’t worry.”

The expression on the face of the shamanic Taoist monk brightened slightly, perhaps comforted by the fact that he was not the only one to show his shame.

He bent over, grabbed the floor with both hands, and vomited loudly. However, since he hadn’t vomited up food after eating, all that came out was a slightly sticky liquid.

But as if he had become much more comfortable with that, the shamanist Taoist sat down in front of Dangmujin and held out his wrist again.

“Thank you for waiting. It must not have been a pretty sight.”

“It was just part of the treatment.”

“yes?”

“Please wait a moment.”

Dang Mu-jin lightly dabbed the liquid he had vomited with his fingertips.

Not only the man who had just vomited, but also the people behind him were all shocked.

What kind of lawmaker or martial artist in the world would forget their dignity and act so dirty?

But Dang Mu-jin spoke to the people in a calm manner.

“You don’t need to make that face. If a doctor saves face in front of a patient and the treatment is inadequate, what could be more pathetic than that?”

Dang Mu-jin lifted his finger and checked the liquid. It was colorless and transparent.

Then I sniffed. It was a distinctly sour smell. Fortunately, there were no other smells mixed in.

“It’s gastric acid. It can be treated according to the treatment for major gastrointestinal upset.”

Dang Mu-jin deliberately raised his voice a little and explained slowly so that everyone could hear. If possible, a doctor should instill trust in the patient.

Of course, I had no intention of explaining every term in detail unless I was specifically asked about it.

Patients do not feel reassured because they have understood all the explanations. They simply want to be assured that the doctor’s treatment is based on a foundation and that he or she has the skills to explain it.

The shamanic Taoist asked hesitantly.

“What is a bandwagon?”

“The heat in your lungs is not dissipating and is rising upwards. It looks like you got hit in the chest during the chaos.”

As he spoke, Dang Mu-jin slightly lifted the Taoist man’s upper garment.

As expected, there was a red mark on the left rib cage. It looked like he had been kicked, not hit with a fist or palm.

There is nothing that puts people at ease more than predicting the cause and making sure it is correct.

The expressions of the onlookers were clearly one of admiration. Someone muttered.

“also···.”

Dang Mu-jin continued the story.

“Now, relax your body and do not resist the flowing energy.”

The patient held out his wrist to the attendant.

However, Dangmujin pushed his wrist away and placed his hand on his collarbone. The shamanist shrank back slightly, as if he was embarrassed. Wasn’t pulse taking usually done with the wrist?

The party leader explained.

“We will examine the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, and Foot Shaoyin Nerve among the meridians, so we don’t need to use our wrists. In fact, it would be better to feel the pulse through the feet rather than the hands… but that might be awkward.”

As he spoke, Dang Mu-jin poured a thin thread of internal energy through the acupuncture point on the collarbone.

After scanning three acupoints, I was finally able to figure out where the problem was. There was a slight problem with the breast root point on the stomach meridian of the foot-yang-ming.

When Dang Mu-jin poured his internal energy into the Yu Geun-hyeol point and stabbed it, the master of the shaman sect flinched and twisted his body.

“The place where I just felt pain is the Yugeun point. It is a path that internal energy almost always passes through when using internal energy, so if the wound had been even a little deeper, I would have had to give up martial arts.”

The Taoist’s expression brightened after hearing Dang Mujin’s story. Whether it was dangerous or not, it didn’t apply to him at the moment.

Dang Mu-jin finished explaining.

“Thank goodness the shock was mild. Please do not move your internal energy for the next few days.”

“Wouldn’t it be okay to have a light breakfast? I don’t expect the Great Circulation, just the Small Circulation.”

“Of course not. If you think that this much is okay and just rest, you may end up never being able to perform martial arts, so be careful. The injury was not serious, so it passed. If it had been a little more serious, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything.”

When Dang Mu-jin spoke sternly, the Taoist monk of the shamanist faction finally gave up his foolish thoughts.

“Is there anything else I should be concerned about?”

“Your face may turn red and you may feel a little dizzy for a few days, but it will subside within four days at the most, so there is no need to worry too much. Although they are not in the same meridian, it would be good to keep your internal energy from flowing between the Bogae point and the Sikdu point.”

Since the patient was familiar with internal energy and acupuncture points, it was not difficult to explain the internal injuries. Other patients also seemed to feel that Dangmujin’s explanation was systematic, and they nodded slightly.

Dang Mu-jin gestured and called Hyun-gong.

“Hyungong. Please boil some Maekmundongtang for him.”

Dang Mu-jin took out some herbs from the pack he was carrying. Ophiopogon japonicus, pinellia, licorice, jujube, glutinous rice, and a little ginseng.

Because of ginseng, the price of medicine has become quite expensive, but since Dangmujin is financially well off, it is not a problem.

Hyun-gong, whose name was suddenly called, asked back.

“me?”

“Yeah. You know how to make herbal medicine, right?”

After three years at a private school, a dog can recite poetry, and after three years at a hospital, a guest can make a good herbal medicine.

There is no way a guy as quick-witted as Hyun-gong wouldn’t be able to make a herbal medicine.

Hyun-gong said hesitantly.

“But, there is no herbal medicine pot.”

“If you don’t have it, you can just make do with it. You can also boil it in a pot over low heat.”

“···I get it.”

From the examination to the prescription, Dang Mu-jin completed the procedure skillfully without any problems.

The martial artists who were watching were noticeably relieved. There was no need to know much about medicine. A truly skilled person could be recognized even by a layman.

After examining the wounds of all the others, Dang Mu-jin checked Yeong-heo-ja’s condition.

“···.”

The face of the party leader who checked the condition of the deceased darkened.

Although simple steps were taken, what was to be said in the end was decided from the beginning.

“I think you’ll need some extended rest.”

When I say this, patients often ask questions like how to take care of their bodies or how long they need to recuperate.

However, Young-Heo-Ja did not ask Dang-Mu-Jin any further questions.

“Yes. I don’t think it’s a problem that will get better with a few months of recuperation. I thought I’d be unable to perform martial arts for several years at the shortest, or my entire life at the longest.”

“···Yes.”

Since Young-Heo-Ja was well aware of his condition, he postponed his turn to receive treatment until the very end.

It was a difficult task to put into practice even though I knew that it was hopeless.

Who in the world wouldn’t be worried about their health? The life of an ordinary person is to swear at others in order to hold on to a sliver of hope.

However, there was no regret or anger on Young-Heo-Ja’s face.

“Yeah. I thought this might happen. In a way, I guess I was lucky.”

“yes?”

“Isn’t there a saying that the back wave of the Yangtze River pushes the front wave (長江後浪推前浪)? It was about time for me to be pushed away. I was lucky to survive and be pushed to the shore of the Yangtze River. Isn’t that right?”

Dang Mu-jin lowered his head without saying anything. He felt heavy-hearted even though he had not committed a crime.

But instead, Young-Heo-Ja said as if he felt sorry.

“I feel sorry for you. I came forward with the intention of helping out in the Jeongsa Daejeon, but I never thought I would end up like this without being of much help.”

“No way. You did a great job. Really.”

Even if there had been no Young Heoja, someone else would have had to receive the secret seal of the Ghost King. If there had been no Young Heoja and Ilseonja, it would have been Dang Mujin and his party and Seonwooja who were sacrificed.

The old man smiled generously.

“Thank you for thinking so. Can I ask you one last favor?”

“What do you want?”

“I wish I could help that Jinhae guy.”

Next to Young Heo-ja was a young Taoist from the Cheongseongpa sect, Jin Hae. He looked even more frustrated than Young Heo-ja.

“All right.”

Of course, Dang Mu-jin did not refuse Yeong-heo-ja’s request.