The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim

“It feels much lighter now! Thank you so much!”

Jeon Yong-jun bowed to Hwang Sang-hoon as he left after his treatment.

I had observed the entire process from diagnosis to treatment, and there was nothing particularly noteworthy to criticize. He still seemed a bit tense, but that would likely fade after a month or so of adaptation.

It seemed safe to leave him in charge now.

“We have a new male director. Would you like to try acupuncture with him today?”

Given our location, there was a limit to the number of new patients we could see in a day. I suggested changing the treating physician to some of our regular patients who weren’t too sensitive.

“That’s fine with me.”

“Well… if you’re busy, it’s okay.”

“I prefer you, doctor.”

I assigned Hwang Sang-hoon to treat those who readily agreed.

On the first day, he saw a total of 10 patients. After their treatments, I asked for their feedback, which was also positive.

“I’ll stay with you until the end of this week, then I’ll reduce my schedule to four days a week! Please take care of my patients when I’m not here.”

After finishing for the day, I informed Hwang Sang-hoon as I prepared to leave.

On days when we work together like today, we’ll each treat our own patients, but from next week when I’m not here, whoever is present will need to treat all patients.

“Ah… thanks for trusting me.”

“Don’t worry about gradually increasing the number of patients, and don’t stress about your slower pace yet. You’ll get used to it soon enough.”

“Right.”

I quickly finished preparing to go home. Hwang Sang-hoon was also holding his bag, seemingly ready to head to the gym.

“Come to think of it, that trainer from earlier had some seriously well-defined muscles. It wasn’t forced bulk-up either, and he must be able to lift quite heavy weights, right?”

“I… suppose so? He is a trainer, after all.”

“Seeing as he came all the way here, you must have gotten close. Does he give you good guidance with your workouts?”

At my question, Hwang Sang-hoon’s face turned somewhat displeased.

What’s this about? His physique is excellent, but is there some other issue?

However, he quickly composed himself and answered.

“He’s very attentive. He tries his best to look after even non-PT members. Seems like a good person.”

“Oh, healthy in body and mind, then?”

“…Do you like well-built bodies?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

No matter what martial art one practices, a strong foundation of physical fitness is essential. Only after developing basic muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance can one hone external techniques, and when combined with internal energy cultivation, it finally shines.

“I see… Should I try learning properly next time?”

Hwang Sang-hoon’s offhand comment sparked an excellent idea.

Had this trainer, Jeon Yong-jun, ignited Hwang Sang-hoon’s interest in exercise?

I had been slightly, just slightly worried about his physical condition. Even though he had been overworking, experiencing stress and insomnia, I had witnessed him collapse right before my eyes.

If he was willing to improve his fitness through exercise, it was my duty as his employer to give him a strong push.

“That’s a great idea! Let’s start right away, no need to put it off!”

“Haha, I don’t have the money right now. Maybe after working for a few months and getting adjusted…”

“I’ll sponsor your PT sessions! Go learn properly from that guy!”

I proposed this special benefit.

“…Huh?”

I thought he’d agree immediately.

There was a moment of silence.

“Is it really okay to do that much?”

Ah, I see. He felt burdened.

“Of course! The more you build up your strength and work hard, the more it benefits me too, right?”

“That’s true… but…”

“In return, you have to work for at least a year, okay?”

“That goes without saying.”

So he’s agreeing, right? Surely he wouldn’t refuse free PT just because he doesn’t want to exercise.

I decided to emphasize that I really didn’t mind and push a bit more.

“You’re already providing accommodation and meals… Adding PT on top of that seems…”

“Come on, the clinic accommodation doesn’t cost anything, and meals are a given!”

“There’s also the issue of fairness with other employees.”

“That’s right, we can have all the other employees do it too!”

Hwang Sang-hoon had pointed out a very good point.

Why hadn’t I thought of this before?

Seol Yu-hee’s health had improved significantly since she became able to perform basic energy cultivation.

I had been considering teaching her the Three Realms Sword Technique to build up her body, but having her do strength training would be better than me teaching her something.

I immediately opened the clinic door and called the employees together.

“Everyone, I’m thinking of introducing a new benefit.”

“Yes?”

“What is it?”

At the mention of a benefit, Seol Yu-hee and Gong Na-ri’s eyes sparkled brightly. In contrast, Seo In-ae seemed worried about what I might be up to this time.

“It’s PT. Wouldn’t it be good in many ways to build up your strength and muscles?”

“Is it fully sponsored?”

“Of course. I’m not forcing anyone, just those who want to participate.”

At my words, the faces of the three lit up.

“That’s wonderful. I’ve always wanted to try PT. Exercise helps you work more efficiently, right?”

Seo In-ae said. As she pointed out, thanks to my healthy body, I didn’t get tired even with a considerable workload.

“Eek! I’m going to work out properly this time and take body profile photos!”

Gong Na-ri was also excited.

“Would it be okay for me too…? I won’t collapse from overexertion, right?”

“We’ll start from a very gentle level. If you explain your situation thoroughly to the trainer during the consultation, it should be fine.”

“Then I’d like to do it too.”

Seol Yu-hee also gladly decided to enjoy this new benefit.

“Oh my… I’d like to, but I have to look after my child after work. I don’t think I can manage exercise on top of that.”

“That’s perfectly fine! Feel free to let me know if you change your mind later.”

Jin Min-jung, a working mother, declined, but that was okay. Her basic skeletal muscle mass was already far above average even without exercise.

“So that’s four people including Dr. Hwang. I’ll go make the payments, and you can each set up convenient times.”

“Okay~!”

“Th…thanks.”

Hwang Sang-hoon nodded reluctantly.

Come on, be a little more excited! Mental strength alone won’t get you through six days of work a week!

“Our Doctor is the best~!”

“Thank you so much!”

Gong Na-ri praised me enthusiastically, clearly moved, and Seol Yu-hee expressed her gratitude multiple times.

Hehehe, I hope they all develop iron-like stamina soon and support me 200%!

I grinned, plotting how to fully utilize my employees with their enhanced physical strength.

◆◇◆◇◆

A little while later, Hwang Sang-hoon and I visited the gym run by Jeon Yong-jun.

Fortunately, this place was open until 11 PM, so we could easily visit after the clinic closed.

“Hello~”

“Welcome!”

Jeon Yong-jun, who had been a patient just hours ago, greeted us cheerfully.

“Oh, Dr. Hwang and… the female doctor came together?”

“Yes. We’re here to sign up for PT.”

“Oh, great decision! I’ll do my best to help you!”

As expected, he was a very passionate young man at his workplace.

For a fitness trainer, their body is essentially their portfolio, so just by looking at him, one could tell how serious he was about exercise. Seeing him like this made me even more certain.

“Are both of you doctors signing up together? Or just the Deputy Director?”

“Our Deputy Director and our employees. We’re adding three more staff members, but they couldn’t come today. They can set up their schedules later by phone or text.”

I explained.

“Huh?”

Jeon Yong-jun blinked, seemingly not understanding my words for a moment.

“The employees…”

“Um, are you the Chief Director, ma’am?”

“Yes. I’m just here to make the payment.”

“Oh…! I’m so sorry for my mistake!”

Jeon Yong-jun was startled and apologized for his misunderstanding.

Eh, had he thought Hwang Sang-hoon was the Chief Director all this time? If we hadn’t specifically mentioned him being the Deputy Director, it’s quite understandable that he might have thought so.

He might have assumed I was observing Hwang Sang-hoon’s consultations to learn from him.

‘I was mistaken for someone else? This is great!’

While Hwang Sang-hoon looked embarrassed and Jeon Yong-jun felt sorry, I couldn’t have been happier.

“Hahaha, don’t worry about it at all. I guess he’s doing such a good job that it caused some confusion.”

“…This is embarrassing.”

The Deputy Director was doing so well that patients couldn’t tell who the chief was. Could anything be better than this?

Some of the more particular patients naturally prefer to be treated by the Chief Director rather than the Deputy Director, but if Hwang Sang-hoon exudes the aura of a chief and attracts patients, how could I not be delighted?

The better the Deputy Director performs, the more the clinic’s revenue increases, and the incentives paid out are mere peanuts in comparison.

“Offering PT as an employee benefit, what an amazing director. I’m envious.”

Jeon Yong-jun said to Hwang Sang-hoon. Hwang Sang-hoon nodded, agreeing that it was indeed so. Tsk, such flattery.

“I’m counting on you. Our Dr. Hwang is new to working out, but he has excellent skeletal structure, so please train him to his limits.”

“Of course!”

“Ugh…”

Hwang Sang-hoon clutched his head with a pained expression, but it was too late.

We had already completed the PT contract forms and made the payment.

While at it, I explained the characteristics of the other employees as well.

“Seo In-ae-nim works a lot and enjoys it, so focusing on muscular endurance would be good for her. She’s very diligent, so please watch her carefully to prevent injuries. Seol Yu-hee-nim is extremely frail. This is the first time I’m recommending exercise after treating her all this time. She’s likely weaker than anyone you’ve ever seen, so please be as cautious as if you were training a 70-year-old.”

“Haha, I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Lastly, Gong Na-ri-nim wants to take body profile photos, so please help her bulk up while minimizing energy expenditure.”

“You’re an incredibly attentive director.”

Jeon Yong-jun expressed great admiration as he noted down my words.

I was equally impressed by his attitude of carefully listening to every detail.

“Since you’ve come all the way here today, why don’t you work out a bit too, Doctor?”

“I have my own exercise routine, so I’m fine, thank you.”

“Even so, let me at least check your squat form!”

On top of that, his service mindset was impeccable. He was offering to supervise my workout even though I hadn’t paid for a separate PT session.

Well, if he insists that much.

I changed into workout shoes and walked towards the back squat machine at the far end of the gym.

“This way… Oh? You’re going to use the bar?”

“Huh? Should I do it without weights?”

I graduated from horse stance training a decade ago.

I wouldn’t even feel anything with just bodyweight, would I?

“As you said, since we’re here, why don’t we test your one-rep max for the big three?”

I had done some weightlifting before going to Murim, and since returning, I had watched various YouTube channels, including fitness ones, so I had a general idea of the proper form.

However, I had never tested my maximum weight for a single repetition. After all, when training in Murim, we typically used weights that allowed for hours of continuous practice.

‘Even without using internal energy, I should be able to do at least 300 kg for the big three, right? 400 might be a bit challenging.’

I started loading 20 kg plates onto both ends of the bar.

“Yeowon! Those plates are heavy!”

“Member, let me do that for you!”

The two men rushed over in shock, trying to stop me, but I had already set up the back squat with 100 kg.

“Well then, let’s give it a try… Hup!”