Episode 190: The Sages of Sima
Dang Mujin pondered his situation.
“This is going to take some time. The treatment won’t be over in a day or two, and who knows how long it will take to gather all the herbs and elixirs.”
It had been quite a while since Dang Mujin left Chengdu. He hadn’t given his family a definite return date, and he knew that Dan Seol-young was aware that his absence might be prolonged.
Yet, no matter how long one is away, thoughts of family inevitably creep in, especially when one has a wife and a young daughter.
After summarizing his current location and situation, Dang Mujin headed to the local office to send a message via carrier pigeon.
The official in charge of the pigeons was taken aback when he read the note.
“You want to use a carrier pigeon just to send a message home?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Not exactly, but the distance to Chengdu is considerable. The pigeon will need to be switched several times along the way, and ensuring its arrival will cost a fortune. You might as well uproot your entire household.”
“I have enough money. The cost doesn’t matter.”
The official seemed skeptical about Dang Mujin’s ability to pay, but Dang Mujin was in a position where money was no concern.
When Dang Mujin pulled out several large gold ingots to pay, the official’s expression turned gloomy. The amount Dang Mujin spent on a simple message home was more than the official’s entire savings.
Regardless of the official’s reaction, Dang Mujin felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
“With this, Dan Seol-young will worry less.”
He watched as seven pigeons took flight simultaneously, then returned to the inn.
Dang Mujin estimated that it would take Sima Yugong at least five to ten days to gather the necessary herbs. While common herbs could be easily procured from herbalists, the rare elixirs were not something money could easily buy.
However, Sima Yugong returned to the inn the very next day, much to Dang Mujin’s surprise.
“You’re back already? Gathering those herbs couldn’t have been easy.”
Sima Yugong shrugged it off as if it were nothing.
“It wasn’t difficult. The Sima family keeps a stock of herbs and elixirs.”
“But if they’re stored too long, their potency might diminish. We should check their condition first.”
“Go ahead. But there’s no need to worry. We regularly dispose of any that aren’t in good condition and replenish our stock.”
“Can you really afford such losses?”
“We’re the Sima family. We can more than handle it.”
Among the elixirs Sima Yugong brought, there were no rare ones that couldn’t be bought with money. Most were of lower quality or somewhere between herbs and elixirs.
Still, quantity can sometimes compensate for quality.
“Shall we begin?”
“Yes. Wang Jincheong, come here.”
Dang Mujin carefully examined Wang Jincheong’s condition once more.
Sima Yugong also infused his internal energy into Wang Jincheong, assessing his meridians, and asked Dang Mujin a question.
“How does this condition, the Meridian Blockage Syndrome, occur?”
“Once you understand the principle, it’s not difficult. Do you feel the irregularities in the Yunmen and Shaohai points?”
“I do.”
“There are two ways to understand the excess yang energy in the body. First, an overproduction of yang energy. Second, insufficient yin energy to balance the yang.”
Dang Mujin guided Sima Yugong’s internal energy, explaining as he went.
“Wang Jincheong falls into the latter category. Due to irregularities in the Lung and Heart meridians, there’s a lack of yin energy, causing an accumulation of unbalanced yang energy.”
“How do we resolve it?”
“For immediate relief, we should use the cooling properties of elixirs and herbs to balance the yang energy. But for a complete cure, we need to repair the meridian irregularities. Otherwise, the imbalance will return.”
Sima Yugong pondered this and then asked, “So, it’s possible to induce this syndrome in a healthy person by creating irregularities in their meridians?”
“I’ve never tried, but it seems possible.”
Though Dang Mujin was young enough to be Sima Yugong’s son, Sima Yugong listened intently, as if receiving instruction from a master.
He knew that despite Dang Mujin’s youth, his depth of knowledge was unparalleled.
“Now, this part isn’t easy. Watch closely.”
Dang Mujin didn’t hold back, demonstrating his techniques openly.
He showed how to create larger wounds in hardened meridians with internal energy to restore their original function, and how to infuse refined yin energy directly to temporarily balance the body without relying on elixirs.
It wasn’t just a matter of knowledge; it was a skill that even Sima Yugong found astonishing.
“Impressive…”
The old sage wasn’t one to easily praise others, but there were two skills of Dang Mujin’s that had earned his admiration: his craftsmanship as a blacksmith and his precise control and sensitivity with internal energy.
Unlike others who slowly built their internal energy over time, Dang Mujin had rapidly accumulated his through elixirs. Yet, he wielded it with precision far beyond others, a testament to his innate talent.
“Remarkable. I understand the principle, but I can’t imagine replicating it.”
“I wasn’t proficient from the start either. With experience, starting with simple treatments, you’ll be able to do it someday.”
Dang Mujin replied humbly, but Sima Yugong shook his head, doubtful.
“I’m not sure. Even if it’s possible, it might take years.”
Dang Mujin then began preparing a decoction using the herbs and elixirs.
While the decoction brewed, he and Sima Yugong engaged in discussions about medicine, and after administering the medicine to Wang Jincheong, they carefully observed how it affected his body.
It was only as night fell that the first treatment concluded.
Dang Mujin asked Wang Jincheong, “Do you feel any changes? No need to force an answer.”
“I feel like my head is clearer.”
“That’s because we’ve suppressed the heat affecting your head. You’ll continue to improve.”
Dang Mujin smiled faintly and then spoke to Sima Yugong.
“That’s it for today. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Indeed. I’ve learned a great deal.”
Respect naturally colored Sima Yugong’s tone when addressing Dang Mujin.
He understood that his role was more akin to a student receiving instruction than a fellow healer managing a patient’s condition.
Meanwhile, Hong Geolgae was progressing as planned, learning the Eighteen Dragon Palms from Geolseon.
Unlike in the past, when Geolseon had been somewhat indifferent, he now seemed to recognize potential in Hong Geolgae and was actively teaching him martial arts.
Interestingly, it was Hyeongong who seemed more excited than Hong Geolgae about the training.
“Why are you so thrilled?”
“A true friend is happy when their friend succeeds, right?”
Hong Geolgae, once a frayed rope, was becoming a sturdy one again, so Hyeongong’s joy was understandable. Yet, his true feelings were hard to discern.
Regardless, Hong Geolgae met with Geolseon early each morning to learn martial arts and trained tirelessly until late at night. Wang Jincheong, during breaks in his treatment, often watched Hong Geolgae’s training to pass the time.
Despite the fact that Hyeongong or Namgung Myung would have been more entertaining companions, Wang Jincheong stuck close to Hong Geolgae.
Hong Geolgae paused his training, wiped his sweat, and asked Wang Jincheong, “Why do you follow me around so much?”
“You’re just the most comfortable to be around.”
Hyeongong thought to himself, “Even a child instinctively knows who the easiest person to approach is,” but Hong Geolgae’s reaction was different.
“You said you were a beggar not long ago, right? Maybe it’s because we’re in similar situations.”
“Should I go somewhere else if I’m bothering you?”
Wang Jincheong hesitated, watching Hong Geolgae’s reaction, but Hong Geolgae didn’t push him away.
“No, it’s not a bother. I’m just worried you might find it boring since I’m so focused on training.”
Most people would be uncomfortable showing their martial arts training to others, but with a child like Wang Jincheong, who knew nothing about martial arts, it wasn’t a concern.
The Eighteen Dragon Palms wasn’t a martial art that someone without any internal energy training could easily grasp just by watching.
After ten days of treatment, Wang Jincheong’s condition had visibly improved.
His cheeks, once excessively flushed, now had a healthy pink hue, his demeanor was calmer, and his eyes sparkled with clarity.
“Good.”
Dang Mujin was pleased with the results, which were better than expected.
Unlike the rushed treatment of Baek Hyang-ah, Wang Jincheong’s treatment had no time constraints, and the quality of the herbs was excellent. Naturally, the outcome was exceptional.
Dang Mujin bowed to Sima Yugong.
“Thank you for your efforts. Wang Jincheong will grow to be a great martial artist. Though not of the Sima bloodline, he will be a great blessing to the Sima family.”
Sima Yugong replied, somewhat sheepishly, “Ah, but it’s not over yet. Could you spare a bit more time?”
“Pardon?”
“There’s a woman doing odd jobs at the Sima household. Her complexion isn’t good, and she seems easily fatigued. I took her pulse, and I suspect she might have the Meridian Blockage Syndrome.”
Having spent ten days examining the pulse with Samayugong, it was unlikely they had made a mistake.
Tang Mujin expressed his curiosity. “Two people in the Sama family suffering from the same condition? That’s unusual.”
“These days, I’ve been so preoccupied with the thought of this pulse disorder that I suspect it in anyone who seems even slightly unwell. That’s how I managed to find another case. There are just so many people connected to the Sama family…”
Samayugong spoke with a hint of embarrassment. “If I were a bit more skilled, I might have been able to treat them myself. But I know my abilities don’t match yours. Could you take a look at her tomorrow?”
Feeling guilty for passing more work onto Tang Mujin, Samayugong couldn’t hide his apologetic expression. However, Tang Mujin didn’t mind treating patients. He also wanted to teach Samayugong more about treating the pulse disorder.
“Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Great. I’ll make sure the family provides a little extra compensation.”
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
“No, there should be compensation. Work deserves its due.”
With that, Samayugong returned to the Sama family with Wang Jincheng.
The next day, Samayugong brought a woman who appeared to be in her early forties instead of Wang Jincheng. She was petite, frail, and her complexion was pale.
As Tang Mujin took her pulse, he thought, “She’s in worse shape than Wang Jincheng.”
Though not in immediate danger of dying young like Wang Jincheng, her condition was more severe due to suffering from the disorder for a longer time. Without treatment, she might not survive more than three or four years.
While holding her wrist, Tang Mujin pondered. Something about her situation was troubling him.
“She mentioned she started doing odd jobs for the Sama family recently. That means she’s been there for only a few years at most. Her health must have been poor even when she joined. Does the Sama family hire people in poor health, or has her condition worsened recently?”
Tang Mujin subtly slipped a question into the conversation. “Has your health deteriorated suddenly?”
“Yes, it got much worse last year.”
“Have you developed any new symptoms?”
“My hands and feet have always been cold, and I’ve had stomachaches since childhood. They’ve just gotten worse lately…”
Nothing seemed particularly unusual. Still, Tang Mujin asked Samayugong, “She says she’s had these symptoms for a long time. Does the Sama family hire people who aren’t in good health?”
Samayugong shrugged. “Yes. Healthy people can find work anywhere, but if we don’t take in the sick, they might starve.”
“Hmm…”
“Don’t worry. We don’t give them strenuous tasks. They don’t have to fetch water or do heavy labor. We assign them simple tasks like tending fires or light cleaning.”
Ah, so that’s how it was.
Understanding the Sama family’s good intentions, Tang Mujin decided not to question further. He even felt a bit of self-reflection, wondering if he had overlooked other patients with the pulse disorder.
“There might be more people with this condition than I thought. Many with chronic illnesses don’t realize their state is abnormal.”
It took about two weeks for Tang Mujin and Samayugong to treat the woman’s pulse disorder. She had suffered longer than Wang Jincheng, and the cold energy had settled deeply in her veins, making the treatment lengthy.
However, the treatment progressed smoothly, and her condition visibly improved. Tang Mujin felt a sense of pride as a physician.
“What?”
“It’s quite a coincidence, isn’t it? But I couldn’t just ignore it. This time, it’s not even someone from the Sama family. I’m sorry.”
On the day the woman regained a healthy complexion and thanked Tang Mujin, Samayugong asked him to treat a third patient with the pulse disorder.
Tang Mujin couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of suspicion.