Chapter 51: Descent from the Mountain (4)
Mu-Jin, who had been volunteering at the free clinic, noticed that it was almost time and got up. After enjoying a rewarding session of therapy and volunteer work, it was now time to earn some money.
"It seems like it's about time for my appointment, so I should head over to the professional facility."
"Alright, then I'll come with you."
"I'll go too."
Following Mu-Jin, Beob Gang and Beob Hwi also moved together. Beob Gang was a disciple of Hyun Gong, the head of the Court of Law who had inherited the Thunder God Palm. Thanks to this, he was selected as a disciple to handle electrotherapy at the clinic. For heat therapy, Beob Hwi, the former disciple of Hyu Dam and the master of Mu Gung, was assisting. Since there was one more second-generation disciple each handling electrotherapy and heat therapy as assistants at the free clinic, it wasn't a big issue for the two to leave.
The three of them left the free clinic and moved to a luxurious manor. After taking a break for about 15 minutes, the manor's door gently opened, and their first reserved guest arrived.
"Mu-Jin Boy, this is Magistrate Ahn Hee-Seung, who is in charge of this Deungbong County."
A magistrate was an official of the 7th rank, similar to a county chief in Joseon, the head of a county.
To start with the magistrate of Deungbong County, it was clear that the connections of the Heavenly Flow Merchant Group's leader were substantial.
'Well, considering the scope is all under heaven, a magistrate seems rather minor.'
Perhaps in the future, even a provincial commander or a governor might come for treatment.
"Nice to meet you. I am Mu-Jin, the third-generation disciple of Shaolin who will be handling your treatment."
Mu-Jin greeted with the characteristic half-bow of Shaolin, and Ahn Hee-Seung nodded stiffly in response.
'Tsk. To think I have to receive treatment from a mere third-generation disciple.'
In fact, Ahn Hee-Seung didn't come with much interest in Mu-Jin's treatment. He came reluctantly at the recommendation of Ryu Ji-Gwang, the owner of the Five Great Merchant Groups. If it weren't a clinic directly managed by Ryu Ji-Gwang, he might have raged at the thought of being treated by a third-generation disciple.
Although Mu-Jin sensed that Ahn Hee-Seung wasn't entirely pleased, his expression remained calm. He had already dealt with enough difficult customers in the modern world to be unfazed by such attitudes.
"First, I will begin with a palpation and acupressure to proceed with the treatment. Could you please lie down comfortably over here?"
Mu-Jin gestured to a luxurious bed made of high-quality fabric. As Mu-Jin applied gentle acupressure to Ahn Hee-Seung's body, he spoke.
"It seems that your pelvis and back are the most misaligned."
As expected, being a person who had studied intensely in his youth to pass exams, Ahn Hee-Seung had problems similar to those most commonly experienced by modern office workers.
"I will start with acupressure to relieve the muscle tension and reduce pain. It might hurt a little at first. Please let me know if it becomes too painful."
"Hmm. Go ahead."
With Ahn Hee-Seung's gruff reply, Mu-Jin gently pressed on the iliopsoas muscle to relieve the misaligned pelvis.
"Ugh! You insolent...!"
Ahn Hee-Seung's eyes widened and he sat up due to the intense pain. However, showing signs of panic or cowering when the customer is angry can make one appear guilty even when they haven't done anything wrong. Therefore, Mu-Jin spoke calmly without being flustered.
"This is part of the process to relieve muscle tension. The fact that it hurts this much with just a light press indicates how much your muscles are knotted. I assure you in the name of Shaolin and the Heavenly Flow Merchant Group. Please trust me."
When Mu-Jin mentioned Shaolin and the Heavenly Flow Merchant Group, Ahn Hee-Seung frowned but lay back down.
"If there are any issues after receiving the treatment, I will certainly hold Ryu Ji-Gwang and Shaolin accountable."
It was almost a threat, but Mu-Jin wasn't one to be intimidated. He continued with the acupressure to relieve the muscles.
Initially, Ahn Hee-Seung, who had been complaining loudly, felt relief in the previously painful areas after the acupressure and cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem."
Feeling the relief, Ahn Hee-Seung felt embarrassed about his initial reaction.
After that, just as he had done with Hyun Kwang, Mu-Jin proceeded with simple manual therapy and the Muscle Stretching Technique.
"If we only proceed with such treatments, the muscles will eventually knot again. Therefore, we will now start light exercises to maintain the corrected muscles and bones."
He then started a full-fledged Pilates session.
'Wow. As I saw yesterday, it's truly splendid.'
Mu-Jin couldn't help but chuckle at the Pilates equipment.
The grandeur of the high-end professional treatment facility was not limited to the exterior. The interior was also lined with luxurious decorations, and even the Pilates equipment was on a different level compared to the free clinic. Parts that should have been made of metal were replaced with gold, and the screw-like parts used to adjust the angles and lengths were adorned with jewels.
Even the leather covering the tools felt and looked entirely different from those at the free clinic. Although Mu-Jin wasn't sure what kind of leather it was, it was evident to anyone that it was expensive.
'If it were me, I'd feel suffocated and wouldn't be able to exercise at all,' he thought. As a former fitness center owner, he couldn't help but wonder how much it would cost if the leather got damaged during exercise. Meanwhile, Magistrate Ahn Hee-Seung acted as if using such luxurious equipment was completely natural.
After finishing their exercise with the opulent tools for about half an hour, they moved on to heat therapy and electrotherapy conducted by Beob Gang and Beob Hwi. Finally, they enjoyed luxurious Longjing tea and snacks while consulting with Mu-Jin and the clinic staff, followed by acupuncture and herbal medicine.
It was an extravagant treatment process that lasted for a whole hour.
"Hahaha."
As the treatments were wrapping up, the previously stern Ahn Hee-Seung was smiling with satisfaction.
---
The next day, the free clinic where the Shaolin disciples provided voluntary muscle and bone treatments began to see a bustling crowd. People who had initially visited out of curiosity left feeling refreshed after their treatments, prompting others to flock to the clinic.
Since the treatments were free, the villagers brought gifts to show their appreciation.
"Monk, please have some of this while you work."
"I picked these medicinal herbs myself this morning! You're treating my mother, and I'm sorry this is all I can give."
An elderly woman brought homemade rice balls early in the morning, and a middle-aged man handed over herbs he had picked himself to show gratitude for treating his mother.
"Hahaha. We're fine, benefactor. It's enough for us to help with our humble skills. Amitabha."
"Amitabha."
Despite continuously refusing the gifts from the villagers, Hyu Min showed no signs of annoyance. On the contrary, he felt a sense of fulfillment.
'Mu-Jin was right.'
Just because they lived in the secular world and were uneducated didn't mean they were foolish or shameless. Though they weren't helping with martial arts they had dedicated their lives to, as Buddhists, they were helping living beings. And the living beings were grateful. Both Hyu Min and the second-generation disciples could clearly feel this.
However, while the Shaolin disciples were happy, the guides from the Heavenly Flow Merchant Group were having a hard time. Despite the vast manor and the numerous tools brought in, they could only treat about thirty people at a time. This was only possible with smaller tools like foam rollers or barrels; with larger equipment like reformers, they could barely manage twenty.
Yet, the number of visitors had exceeded three digits, so they had to limit the number of people on a first-come, first-served basis.
"My mother's in more pain than anyone else!"
"What kind of system is this! We were in line since early morning too!"
While the villagers were endlessly kind to the Shaolin disciples treating them, those who were turned away complained to the guides about the unfairness.
At that moment, Mu-Jin stepped forward.
"Everyone! We conduct treatments four times a day. Moreover, our treatments are effective even if you receive them only once every three days! Our treatments are combined with exercises, so getting treated too frequently can strain your body!"
Mu-Jin, who was only fourteen years old and stood about 174cm tall with a solid build from exercise, still had a face full of baby fat. He looked unmistakably like a child monk.
Seeing a young boy suddenly emerge and give instructions, the villagers' attention shifted to Mu-Jin.
"Oh? Isn't that the boy monk?"
"That's right! That boy must be the Buddha Hand Boy!"
Realizing who Mu-Jin was, the villagers started following his instructions to receive his treatment.
"We will record the names and dates of those who enter from today! So, please come only once every three days! On days you can't come for treatment, do the Muscle Stretching Technique we taught you in the morning and evening to see improvements!"
Mu-Jin shouted, then personally assisted the guide by letting in the first-come, first-served patients and helping record their names. The other Shaolin disciples, seeing this, also assisted in organizing the patients in order and recording their names.
"Keep records of those who enter. Compare them with the records from the previous two days, and if anyone comes consecutively, let us know, and we will turn them away ourselves."
To the guides, Mu-Jin's words were like a ray of light.
There was also someone else watching Mu-Jin with a curious expression.
'He looks about my age….'
It was Ryu Seol-Hwa, the youngest daughter of Ryu Ji-Gwang, the leader of the Heavenly Flow Merchant Group. She had briefly visited the clinic on the first day Mu-Jin descended the mountain and had returned today after taking a break yesterday. She was watching the scene from within her palanquin, hidden from view.
* * *
The next day at the county office of Deungbong county.
As Magistrate Ahn Hee-Seung was immersed in his work, he pressed on his throbbing hip and recalled the treatment he received two days ago.
'Hmm, they were right. It can't be cured in just one or two sessions.'
In fact, it was the same with treatments from other clinics. Acupuncture and moxibustion had their effects, but the pain would return after a few days. However, the Shaolin disciple who treated him mentioned that correcting the muscles and bones must be paired with exercises to build the strength needed to maintain the corrections.
Aside from that, the luxurious service and the unique electrotherapy and heat therapy made him want to experience it again.
'But today, I have an appointment with Brother Kang. What should I do?'
The person he was thinking of was Kang Jae-Wan, a local influential figure in Deungbong county. Even though Ahn Hee-Seung was the head of the county, he was merely an official appointed by the emperor and his position as a 7th rank official wasn't particularly high among the bureaucrats. Naturally, maintaining good relations with local influential figures was crucial.
Torn between wanting to visit the clinic and keeping his appointment, he pondered for a moment.
"Hahaha! I should just take Brother Kang along!"
Having found a clear solution, Ahn Hee-Seung laughed heartily. The treatments were appealing, but the opulent facilities and luxurious service were superior to most inns. After socializing with Kang Jae-Wan, his stiff back and hips would feel even worse, so it was better to get treated together and then have their meal and drinks afterward.
Having made his decision, Ahn Hee-Seung headed to the clinic with Kang Jae-Wan right after finishing his work.
'Hmm?'
He noticed that the clinic was much busier than when he first visited. Mu-Jin greeted them as they entered the luxurious facility, and Ahn Hee-Seung asked him a question.
"Mu-Jin, I understand that the treatment here is quite expensive. How do these people afford it?"
Mu-Jin briefly explained the free clinic. Unlike the specialized facility, the free clinic treated groups and did not offer personalized treatments like massages or manual therapy. Instead, they taught exercises and movements for muscle stretching and rehabilitation (Pilates).
"This is all thanks to patrons like you, Magistrate Ahn. Because of people like you visiting our clinic, we can use the funds to help others."
As Mu-Jin finished with a bit of flattery, Ahn Hee-Seung smiled with satisfaction.
"Hmph. As the magistrate, it's my duty to set an example by taking care of the people. I will issue an order tomorrow to send medicinal herbs and food here. Make sure to distribute them to the people using the free clinic."
Ahn Hee-Seung's decision wasn't born out of benevolence like a virtuous character in a story. Partly, it was because Mu-Jin's flattery had put him in a good mood, but it was also because he was a moderately corrupt and greedy local official. Being evaluated on his governance of the county, he found that showing generosity in situations like this made it easier to climb higher positions. Especially in front of an influential figure like Kang Jae-Wan.
Mu-Jin seemed to understand Ahn Hee-Seung's intentions perfectly and responded in a way that delighted him.
"We will be sure to inform the patients at the free clinic that it was Magistrate Ahn who provided the relief food and herbs."
Ahn Hee-Seung and Kang Jae-Wan both laughed heartily at Mu-Jin's response. Watching them, Mu-Jin thought to himself.
'I've got a regular customer.'
And one with considerable influence in the region.
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