Chapter 6 – Magok Clinic
Han Yibi shuddered with fear after discovering the identity of the old man.
He could change his mind at any moment and attack him.
However, humans are also known as animals of adaptation.
As time passed, Han Yibi gradually adapted to the old man’s lifestyle.
However, one day.
Han Yibi woke up to find a set of clothes at his bedside.
They were Song Myeong Cheon’s.
Even worse, they were in a much better state than the ones he was currently wearing.
For the first time, Han Yibi realized that his clothes had been stained with blood to the point where it was impossible to tell what their original color had been.
Han Yibi felt moved by the kind gesture.
“Thank you mister! Thank you very much!”
Song Myeong Cheon curtly responded.
“What are you doing instead of hurrying up?!”
Han Yibi hurriedly put on the clothes, he was as fast as a low rank soldier would take a shower in the barracks.
After seeing him do so, Song Myeong Cheong walked out of the hut and Han Yibi followed.
However…
Song Myeong Cheong suddenly showed something to Han Yibi.
“Mister… what is this?”
Han Yibi hadn’t asked because he did not know.
It was the water carrying device that Song Myeong Cheon had carried when Han Yibi saw him for the first time.
Two jars were suspended from a long stick that was placed on one’s shoulders.
As always, Song Myeong Cheong’s response was short.
“Put it on.”
“Yes…”
Han Yibi put the water carrying device on his shoulder and followed the old man.
However, the direction they were headed seemed a bit strange.
“Mister. Isn’t that… the way down the mountain?”
As expected, Song Myeong Cheon did not respond.
There was nothing Han Yibi could do.
Complaining inwardly, Han Yibi followed behind him.
*********************
It had been a bit more than two hours since they had started their descent.
Luckily, it had been downhill for the most part.
Finally, Song Myeong Cheon and Han Yibi arrived at the foot of the mountain.
After continuing for a bit, they reached flatland and saw other people walking around.
They were finally able to see ordinary humans.
Even though most of them looked poor, seeing ‘human-like’ humans after being with the cold and unfriendly old man for so long evoked a pleasant feeling.
However… where were they even going?
Han Yibi was dying from curiosity but kept his mouth shut.
Even if he were to ask many times, he would not receive a response from Song Myeong Cheon.
Like that, half an hour passed.
Now, they began to see regular buildings.
Initially the houses were scattered around and isolated but now they were clustered together.
There were some kids playing in front of the houses as well.
Song Myeong Cheon had led Han Yibi to the village at the base of Magok mountain.
As if he was surprised, Han Yibi tilted his head and thought.
‘Well that’s strange, I thought this old man hated interacting with people…’
As they neared the center of the village, the number of villagers increased.
This place seemed to actually be inhabited.
It then dawned to Han Yibi why the old man had given him new clothes. If he had worn the bloodstained clothes, they would have become the center of attention.
It was at that moment.
Song Myeong Cheon, who had been walking at an extremely fast pace, began to slow down.
Perhaps he was headed towards a specific building.
Han Yibi raised his head and stared at the sign.
Although it was written in Hanja, possibly as a result of his synchronization with Jongri Mae, he read it without difficulty.
T/N: Before the creation of Hangul (the current Korean characters, made by King Sejong the Great), Chinese characters were used instead of Hangul. These were and are still called Hanja.
-Magok Clinic
Hm… in modern terms, this would be a hospital.
No… back then, they didn’t have a division of labour so this would be a hospital and a pharmacy.
Song Myeong Cheon, in big strides, opened the door without knocking and entered.
There was no one. It seemed that no patients had arrived yet as it was still very early in the morning.
“Who is it?”
From behind a side door located in the interior of the apothecary, a voice called out.
Song Myeong Cheon replied.
“It’s me.”
As expected, he doesn’t talk much.
Someone opened the side door and came out.
Judging by his appearance, this person must be a doctor in his mid forties.
A big build… and a wobbling pot belly. The man was also red faced as if he had been drinking recently.
After seeing Song Myeong Cheon, he exclaimed.
“Oh Oh! You came?!”
Song Myeong Cheon greeted him informally by nodding his head slightly.
However, the pharmacist, seemingly finding something funny, laughed and said.
“Well, I figured it was about time you’d arrive.”
Song Myeong Cheon smiled uncomfortably.
However, the talkative middle aged man continued without stopping.
“Did… did you bring the herbs we agreed upon?”
Finally, Song Myeong Cheon began to talk. (opened his mouth)
“I found about 90 percent of the herbs but wasn’t able to find them all.”
“Heh. What happened to the venerable grandmaster herbalist? Anyways let’s see what you got.”
Song Myeong Cheong held his hand out to Han Yibi.
Understanding what he meant after a short while, Han Yibi untied the bag around his waist and handed it to him.
Finally noticing Han Yibi’s existence, the pharmacist smiled and said.
“I see you have a companion today. Who is he? A student?”
The moment Han Yibi opened his mouth to speak, Song Myeong Cheon interjected.
“That would be more or less correct. He is the nephew of a friend, and searched for me in order to learn medicine.”
Nodding his head, the pharmacist said.
“Good for you! Your teacher is the best in this field, you’ll benefit greatly from his teachings.”
More or less dumbfounded, Han Yibi nodded his head in agreement.
“You are right, sir pharmacist, I am eternally grateful”
The pharmacist smiled at his response, and replied.
“You’re well mannered unlike the youth these days. Anyway, good luck with your studies. Now shall we take a look at the herbs? I guess you also aided him in collecting them.”
Haha…. This person is very talkative. If Song Myeong Cheon was half as outgoing as the pharmacist it’d be perfect.
Han Yibi responded.
“Yes, I did help. However, it was simply by walking alongside him and carrying the herbs.”
“Ahaha. It’s like that for everyone at first. When I was first learning to become a pharmacist, I did the same.”
Han Yibi politely handed the bag of herbs to the pharmacist.
The pharmacist carefully took the bag and spread its contents on the table.
“Let’s see…
“This is china root, that’s stephania tetrandra… hmm this is white atractylis… platycodone, lily turf, chinese yam… that’s great. They look ordinary but are all high quality products as they are known for.”
Song Myeong Cheon spoke up.
“How much will you pay us?”
Frowning for the first time, the pharmacist responded.
“As you know… The herbs from other regions are in high supply.”
“So how much will you pay us?”
“I just want to let you know that the market price went down. For this much, I can offer about 500 mun.”
T/N: Mun is an ancient Korean bronze coin.
“At that moment, Song Myeong Cheon walked towards the table where the herbs were spread out as if he was going to take back the herbs.”
“That works out great then. I shall find a new clinic.”
Then, the pharmacist hurriedly exclaimed.
“Hey! Why are you like this? You have to let me finish speaking!”
Song Myeong Cheon retrieved his outstretched hand and stared at the pharmacist.
“But… Since we’ve been dealing with each other for so long. I’ll pay the market price. 700 mun.”
Song Myeong Cheon once again stretched out his hand to grab the herbs.
The pharmacist blocked Song Myeong Cheon’s hand.
“Wait! Ehehe. You move too hastily.”
Song Myeong Cheon replied.
“We don’t have all day, so make up your mind.”
Momentarily confused, the pharmacist made up his mind and said.
“Okay, I’ll give you one eunja. I can’t do more than that. This is a really good price.”
T/N: One eunja (silver ingot) is equivalent to 1000 mun. (1000 bronze coins).
Seemingly satisfied, Song Myeong Cheon did not respond.
Afraid Song Myeong Cheon would change his mind, the pharmacist quickly retrieved and handed Song Myeong Cheon an eunja, which he quickly stored away.
Seeing that a deal had been made, Han Yibi took a moment to examine the interior of the clinic.
Both in the past and the present, hospitals were… unpleasant. It was a place one would want to avoid visiting frequently.
The pharmacist was writing something down on a piece of paper while talking to Song Myeong Cheon.
It seemed like he was telling Song Myeong Cheon what herbs he needed for his next visit.
And finally…
Song Myeong Cheon faced Han Yibi.
“Let’s leave.”
“Yes.”
Copying Song Myeong Cheon, Han Yibi bade the pharmacist farewell.
“Until we meet again, sir pharmacist.”
Smiling, the pharmacist waved goodbye.
“Sounds good. Learn well and bring a stalk of wild ginseng next time.”
Following Song Myeong Cheon, Han Yibi realized that Song Myeong Cheon made a living by selling medical herbs.
‘Heuk, as expected, regardless of time and place making a living is hard.’
Song Myeong Cheon led the way. It seemed he was familiar with the region.
‘However, why did he tell me to bring this water carrying device? Furthermore, this doesn’t seem like the way back to Magok mountain….’
After about 15 minutes of walking, they arrived at a street full of loud people and merchants.
Song Myeong Cheon’s footsteps finally slowed.
Instinctually, Han Yibi looked at the signboard above his head.
T/N: In ancient China and Japan, many cities had gates with their names on them. (You’ve likely seen these in Murim/cultivation manhwas.)
– Cheong Yu Gaek Jan (Cheong Yu Inn)
This was a place that provided food, drink, and accommodation to travellers.
When they entered, a boy who looked like he was in his late teens ran to greet them.
“Welco… Ah! It’s been a long time since your last visit.”
The boy recognized Song Myeong Cheon.
However, Song Myeong Cheon just nodded his head slightly and sat down at a secluded table.
It seemed like this wasn’t the first time he had been here.
Seeing Han Yibi staring dumbly, Song Myeong Cheon said.
“What are you doing? Are you planning on standing there all day?”
Startled, Han Yibi placed the water carrying device on the ground and sat down at Song Myeong Cheon’s table.
Growl-
A delicious smell caused his stomach to growl.
The boy laughed and said.
“I see you have company today.”
Song Myeong Cheon had nothing to say in response. Han Yibi simply let out an awkward laugh.
The boy said.
“Should I prepare the usual?”
Song Myeong Cheon nodded his head.
“What liquor should I prepare?”
As if the boy had asked a dumb question, Song Myeong Cheon stared at him.
The boy laughed brazenly and said.
“Understood, I will prepare the usual Bunju”
T/N: Bunju is a type of alcohol.
The boy took the water carry device that Han Yibi had brought along.
“This is good quality alcohol so you will be quite satisfied. I will go fill it up with Bunju as per usual.”
Han Yibi began to feel a bit awkward, sitting face-to-face with Song Myeong Cheon at the table.
It felt as if he was eating together with an unpleasant army sergeant.
Luckily, Song Myeong Cheon seemed to be in an okay mood.
This was likely because today was Song Myeong Cheon’s payday.
After a short wait, the boy brought the food.
“The lamb meat you ordered is here.”
The steam from the meat made Han Yibi’s stomach growl violently.
“Uack! What’s this?”
Like many Koreans, the only Chinese food Han Yibi was familiar with was Jjajanmyeon, Jjambbong, and Tang Su Yook.
T/N: These are the Korean names of the chinese dishes.
But the appearance of this dish… was beyond ordinary boiled meat.
The bowl the meat was in was humongous. It contained not only the meat, but also various other vegetables.
On the side, there was a well-baked, crispy looking loaf of bread.
Normally, Han Yibi wouldn’t give such food a second look, but he hadn’t eaten quality food in a while.
He teared up, moved by the food.
Han Yibi then stood up, and served Song Myeong Cheon first, as is dictated by proper manners.
T/N: In many parts of Asia, elders and important guests are served first.