Time flew by like an arrow . During the last half a month, Ganghyuk did his best, as did Heo Jun, who was currently standing beside him with a haggard face .

Dolseok and Makbong, who had a.s.sisted them all this while, had collapsed a long time ago . Yeoju, who had been drawing all of these incidents, felt her fingers getting numb . Yeoni was not there, as she was busy preparing for the entertainment while celebrating the retreat of smallpox .

She was very tired, but she tried her best to maintain her pride as the best Eoreumsani in Gyeonggi area .

"It is time . " The governor looked at Ganghyuk with pitiful eyes .

"Yes, sir . It is alright to have the Gut now . " Ganghyuk said as he looked at the villagers leaning against the tree .

Everything was calm and peaceful . As most of the people were gathered on the hill, there were not many left in the village .

'Good . It is good now . '

Thanks to the quick response to the onset, infection did not spread out further . They were mostly cured with cowpox vaccine and the prescription of Heo Jun .

Alas, they had to hear the pitiful cries sometimes as well .

Ganghyuk was not a G.o.d, anyway . When a patient was found to have hemorrhagic smallpox, he could not do anything except reducing the pain on their way to the other world .

Many of them, including the first patient, pa.s.sed away in their sleep .

"You did a good job . You saved this village . " The governor showed a smile out of satisfaction . He had already reported the incident . It was mainly about how fast he had reacted after the onset, and how well he commanded the people to prevent the spread of this fatal disease .

Of course, there were some comments about Ganghyuk and Heo Jun as well, but that did not occupy too big a portion .

"Not at all . It is all due to you and my father . "

"You are always humble . Anyway, can I host the Gut now?"

"Yes, all the villagers are together, which is really good . "

"Good . It is really good . "

With that, the governor went to the shamans . Even from the back, Ganghyuk could sense his smiling face as his shoulders were moving from the joy .

At this moment, Dolseok called Ganghyuk .

"Sir…"

"What?"

"He is really great . "

"Yes, he is a great man as the governor of Suwon . "

"No, I mean… He did not take that medicine for fifteen days . "

"Ah…"

The governor did not ask for v.i.a.g.r.a during this period . A n.o.bleman like him could go to the salon for a girl even in that situation .

Furthermore, he was a lecher, and yet he controlled his s.e.xual desire all this while . He clearly cared about the people more than Ganghyuk had thought .

"Yes! It is surprising indeed…" Ganghyuk nodded his head with a moved face . But, the feeling did not last for long as the governor came back hastily .

He came back to him as quickly as possible, as if there were an emergency .

"Well, may I… Can I use it now?"

He extended his hand forward with a shy smile, holding a small silk pouch in it . It was made not long ago, but it had so much wear and tear, implying how often it was used .

"I should have given it to you before you asked . Here it is . "

"Yes, thank you!"

Having finalized his business, the governor went to the shaman for real . He was shrugging his shoulders this time again, but the reason might be different from the previous one .

"Sir . "

"What?"

"I take back what I said just now . "

"Yes, I agree with you . "

With that, the two laughed for quite a while . As for the rest of them who did not know what the medicine was for, they looked at each other with puzzled eyes .

"Sir, why are you laughing like that? What is the medicine for?"

When Ganghyuk looked back, there he saw Makbong . As the latter had worked quite hard during this fortnight or so, his cheeks were deeply sunken . But, he still had a very obscene atmosphere around him .

He might have read between the lines from the conversation between Ganghyuk and Dolseok, and seemed to know what the medicine was for .

'His name tells what he is . . . Makbong . '

He did not know who named him, but that person must have been good at physiognomy for sure .

'Mak' meant careless, and 'Bong' meant a rod . He was clearly a man who used his symbol way too carelessly .

Hence, Ganghyuk felt that he could not give him v.i.a.g.r.a . That would be just like pouring oil on the flame . Thinking that, Ganghyuk shook his head hastily .

"No, I cannot . I won't"

"What is it for? Please give me one . "

"No, you don't need it . "

Ganghyuk noticed that his trousers looked different . The latter might have been thinking of something, which made his symbol erect . He stared at the latter while thinking why it was like that . But, Makbong tried to act charming by shaking his shoulders .

"Sir, please . Please…"

"No, if you take that, you may have to cut it . "

"What do you mean? I am a man . "

"It is true . So, do not try to have it without telling me . "

"You are trying to trick me in order not to give me some . " Makbong complained .

He could not protest anymore though . His desire could not beat his loyalty toward Ganghyuk after all .

While Ganghyuk and Makbong tussled over the medicine, the people had almost finished the preparation for the Gut . So, Dolseok dragged him by his arms carefully .

"Sir, let's go . "

"Dr . Heo, let's go together . It is a party for us, so we must go and celebrate . "

"Yes, but my body is all sore… . Haha!" Heo Jun managed to get up while patting his back . At this time, Yeoju stopped drawing and followed Ganghyuk as well .

The small plaza on the hill was crowded with people . Their number was less that what he had seen when he had visited the Suwon marketplace last time, but the concentration was higher .

However, Dolseok did not need to make a way for Ganghyuk .

"Doctor . . . "

"Scholar Baik…"

"Sir Heo Jun…"

The people made way for them on their own volition while bending their heads with grat.i.tude . Some of them were treated by Ganghyuk and Heo Jun, some were saved, and some had family members who were saved by the two .

'Heo . '

He had been thanked too many times, but not like this . So many people came to him and thanked him at the same time .

'It feels strange . '

Ganghyuk pa.s.sed the people with excitement . On the upper seat, he could see the governor, but he could not find Seungmun .

He probably did not want to watch a vulgar play such as a Gut . He might be in a quiet place, reciting a poem .

He was not like Ganghyuk after all .

"Oh, there is Yeoni . " Dolseok pointed at Yeoni, the Eoreumsani who was warming up . Then, he looked at Makbong with despair .

"Why are you here?"

"They cannot make a swing here, because the trees here are too short . "

"Is it because of your technique?"

"No! Never! Sir, can I hit him?" Makbong asked because he did not want to make a scene before Ganghyuk .

Ganghyuk did not want to have a fight at a good day like this, so he shook his head .

"Later . You can hit him later . "

"Ok, I will wait till it finishes . "

"Ok . "

It was now Dolseok's turn o cry .

"Sir!"

"Why did you get on his nerves?"

"Getting on his nerves? I am superior to him . "

"But, you are not a n.o.bleman . "

"Wow! I am so sad!"

They looked like a group of ruffians in the marketplace, and Ganghyuk in his silk clothes looked like the head of the group .

"Haha…" Heo Jun had a wide smile on his face . When Ganghyuk used to be in the clinic, he would be all smart and scholarly . But right now, he was relaxed and looked like a wishy-washy person .

Furthermore, it was not just Heo Jun who felt that .

"How could Sir Baik Seungmun have such a son?" Yeoju murmured behind of Ganghyuk . There was nothing in common apart from the appearance .

"It begins now . " Dolseok pointed at the plaza with excitement . He probably had forgotten already that he would be hit later, as he liked watching plays very much .

"G.o.d smallpox… smallpox . "

As Dolsoek had said, a splendidly dressed shaman jumped here and there . The cow that Ganghyuk had collected pus from was there instead of a healthy cow .

Ganghyuk had changed them secretly, but n.o.body noticed it .

The people liked it better, as they thought that the smallpox G.o.d had possessed the cow .

They used to sacrifice a straw horse, but they could use a live cow for this session with the grade of the governor . They all a.s.sumed that the G.o.d was moved, and thus had possessed the cow .

Of course, that was all nonsense .

'I am sorry . '

The cow produced the therapeutic pus and then had to die, which made Ganghyuk feel guilty, only a little though .

'It was going to die, anyway . '

The cow was very weak because of the disease, so much so that it could not even move much .

"Hwai, hwai . "

A Shaman put a small straw bag on the shoulder of the cow . It seemed quite heavy, as it contained a wooden hammer . Feeling the weight, the cow's knees trembled even more .

"Hwai . "

The other shaman put another small straw bag on its waist, with rice cake and rice in it .

"Hwai . "

The other shaman put the last small straw bag, containing fruits, including melons .

The cow finally knelt because of the weight, seeing which, the shamans shouted with excitement .

"Good! The smallpox G.o.d has ridden the cow . "

Hearing the proclamation, all the villagers applauded, and so did the governor . He told Ganghyuk that it was to comfort the people, but it seemed that he believed in the existence of the G.o.d himself .

Ganghyuk and Heo Jun were the only ones who were not excited about seeing the scene .

"Smallpox G.o.d?"

"Yes, nonsense . "

Next was a dancing party in front of the ceremonial table that was covered with steamed rice cakes . Most of them were red bean rice cakes, but there were two lumps of white rice cakes, one for the dead and the other for the sick .

"There is nothing interesting here . "

Ganghyuk wanted to see the tightrope walking, but all the shamans had occupied the scene . Hence, he shook his head and escaped from the venue, with Heo Jun following him .

"Hui… What a Gut! It is a chaos . "

Ganghyuk sat down far from the venue, while Heo Jun sat beside him and said . "But, it was you who decided to hold the Gut fourteen days after the onset . "

"Yes, right, but it is still wicked . "

"But, we cannot help it . They need comfort and mental rea.s.surance . "

Comfort…

Ganghyuk felt that he could understand them a little more right now . He turned to look at Heo Jun after thinking for a while .

"You will go to Naeuiwon now, right . "

"Yes, I am already late . Fortunately, the governor reported the case and I got some allowance . "

"Good! Then, I can see you if I go to Hanyang . "

"Yes! I will treat you when you visit the place . "

Hanyang… Now, he had two people to meet there . . . two famous people .

'Heo Jun and Lee Suns.h.i.+n . '

They were the ones that he should be meeting by dropping everything else . He felt that he had to go there someday .

Beside him, Heo Jun continued, "I have something to tell you before I go . "

"Yes, go ahead . "

"You asked me about anesthesia when you performed a brain surgery . "

"Yes, is there any solution?" Ganghyuk opened his eyes wide with expectation .

And clearly, Heo Jun did not let his expectations down .

"Yes . I have searched through old books and thought of effects of herbs, and I think there is a solution . "

Time flew by like an arrow . During the last half a month, Ganghyuk did his best, as did Heo Jun, who was currently standing beside him with a haggard face . Dolseok and Makbong, who had a.s.sisted them all this while, had collapsed a long time ago . Yeoju, who had been drawing all of these incidents, felt her fingers getting numb . Yeoni was not there, as she was busy preparing for the entertainment while celebrating the retreat of smallpox . She was very tired, but she tried her best to maintain her pride as the best Eoreumsani in Gyeonggi area . It is time . The governor looked at Ganghyuk with pitiful eyes . Yes, sir . It is alright to have the Gut now . Ganghyuk said as he looked at the villagers leaning against the tree . Everything was calm and peaceful . As most of the people were gathered on the hill, there were not many left in the village . 39 Good . It is good now . 39 Thanks to the quick response to the onset, infection did not spread out further . They were mostly cured with cowpox vaccine and the prescription of Heo Jun . Alas, they had to hear the pitiful cries sometimes as well . Ganghyuk was not a G.o.d, anyway . When a patient was found to have hemorrhagic smallpox, he could not do anything except reducing the pain on their way to the other world . Many of them, including the first patient, pa.s.sed away in their sleep . You did a good job . You saved this village . The governor showed a smile out of satisfaction . He had already reported the incident . It was mainly about how fast he had reacted after the onset, and how well he commanded the people to prevent the spread of this fatal disease . Of course, there were some comments about Ganghyuk and Heo Jun as well, but that did not occupy too big a portion . Not at all . It is all due to you and my father . You are always humble . Anyway, can I host the Gut now Yes, all the villagers are together, which is really good . Good . It is really good . With that, the governor went to the shamans . Even from the back, Ganghyuk could sense his smiling face as his shoulders were moving from the joy . At this moment, Dolseok called Ganghyuk . Sir What He is really great . Yes, he is a great man as the governor of Suwon . No, I mean He did not take that medicine for fifteen days . Ah The governor did not ask for v.i.a.g.r.a during this period . A n.o.bleman like him could go to the salon for a girl even in that situation . Furthermore, he was a lecher, and yet he controlled his s.e.xual desire all this while . He clearly cared about the people more than Ganghyuk had thought . Yes It is surprising indeed Ganghyuk nodded his head with a moved face . But, the feeling did not last for long as the governor came back hastily . He came back to him as quickly as possible, as if there were an emergency . Well, may I Can I use it now He extended his hand forward with a shy smile, holding a small silk pouch in it . It was made not long ago, but it had so much wear and tear, implying how often it was used . I should have given it to you before you asked . Here it is . Yes, thank you Having finalized his business, the governor went to the shaman for real . He was shrugging his shoulders this time again, but the reason might be different from the previous one . Sir . What I take back what I said just now . Yes, I agree with you . With that, the two laughed for quite a while . As for the rest of them who did not know what the medicine was for, they looked at each other with puzzled eyes . Sir, why are you laughing like that What is the medicine for When Ganghyuk looked back, there he saw Makbong . As the latter had worked quite hard during this fortnight or so, his cheeks were deeply sunken . But, he still had a very obscene atmosphere around him . He might have read between the lines from the conversation between Ganghyuk and Dolseok, and seemed to know what the medicine was for . 39 His name tells what he is . . . Makbong . 39 He did not know who named him, but that person must have been good at physiognomy for sure . 39 Mak 39 meant careless, and 39 Bong 39 meant a rod . He was clearly a man who used his symbol way too carelessly . Hence, Ganghyuk felt that he could not give him v.i.a.g.r.a . That would be just like pouring oil on the flame . Thinking that, Ganghyuk shook his head hastily . No, I cannot . I won 39 t What is it for Please give me one . No, you don 39 t need it . Ganghyuk noticed that his trousers looked different . The latter might have been thinking of something, which made his symbol erect . He stared at the latter while thinking why it was like that . But, Makbong tried to act charming by shaking his shoulders . Sir, please . Please No, if you take that, you may have to cut it . What do you mean I am a man . It is true . So, do not try to have it without telling me . You are trying to trick me in order not to give me some . Makbong complained . He could not protest anymore though . His desire could not beat his loyalty toward Ganghyuk after all . While Ganghyuk and Makbong tussled over the medicine, the people had almost finished the preparation for the Gut . So, Dolseok dragged him by his arms carefully . Sir, let 39 s go . Dr . Heo, let 39 s go together . It is a party for us, so we must go and celebrate . Yes, but my body is all sore . Haha Heo Jun managed to get up while patting his back . At this time, Yeoju stopped drawing and followed Ganghyuk as well . The small plaza on the hill was crowded with people . Their number was less that what he had seen when he had visited the Suwon marketplace last time, but the concentration was higher . However, Dolseok did not need to make a way for Ganghyuk . Doctor . . . Scholar Baik Sir Heo Jun The people made way for them on their own volition while bending their heads with grat.i.tude . Some of them were treated by Ganghyuk and Heo Jun, some were saved, and some had family members who were saved by the two . 39 Heo . 39 He had been thanked too many times, but not like this . So many people came to him and thanked him at the same time . 39 It feels strange . 39 Ganghyuk pa.s.sed the people with excitement . On the upper seat, he could see the governor, but he could not find Seungmun . He probably did not want to watch a vulgar play such as a Gut . He might be in a quiet place, reciting a poem . He was not like Ganghyuk after all . Oh, there is Yeoni . Dolseok pointed at Yeoni, the Eoreumsani who was warming up . Then, he looked at Makbong with despair . Why are you here They cannot make a swing here, because the trees here are too short . Is it because of your technique No Never Sir, can I hit him Makbong asked because he did not want to make a scene before Ganghyuk . Ganghyuk did not want to have a fight at a good day like this, so he shook his head . Later . You can hit him later . Ok, I will wait till it finishes . Ok . It was now Dolseok 39 s turn o cry . Sir Why did you get on his nerves Getting on his nerves I am superior to him . But, you are not a n.o.bleman . Wow I am so sad They looked like a group of ruffians in the marketplace, and Ganghyuk in his silk clothes looked like the head of the group . Haha Heo Jun had a wide smile on his face . When Ganghyuk used to be in the clinic, he would be all smart and scholarly . But right now, he was relaxed and looked like a wishy washy person . Furthermore, it was not just Heo Jun who felt that . How could Sir Baik Seungmun have such a son Yeoju murmured behind of Ganghyuk . There was nothing in common apart from the appearance . It begins now . Dolseok pointed at the plaza with excitement . He probably had forgotten already that he would be hit later, as he liked watching plays very much . G.o.d smallpox smallpox . As Dolsoek had said, a splendidly dressed shaman jumped here and there . The cow that Ganghyuk had collected pus from was there instead of a healthy cow . Ganghyuk had changed them secretly, but n.o.body noticed it . The people liked it better, as they thought that the smallpox G.o.d had possessed the cow . They used to sacrifice a straw horse, but they could use a live cow for this session with the grade of the governor . They all a.s.sumed that the G.o.d was moved, and thus had possessed the cow . Of course, that was all nonsense . 39 I am sorry . 39 The cow produced the therapeutic pus and then had to die, which made Ganghyuk feel guilty, only a little though . 39 It was going to die, anyway . 39 The cow was very weak because of the disease, so much so that it could not even move much . Hwai, hwai . A Shaman put a small straw bag on the shoulder of the cow . It seemed quite heavy, as it contained a wooden hammer . Feeling the weight, the cow 39 s knees trembled even more . Hwai . The other shaman put another small straw bag on its waist, with rice cake and rice in it . Hwai . The other shaman put the last small straw bag, containing fruits, including melons . The cow finally knelt because of the weight, seeing which, the shamans shouted with excitement . Good The smallpox G.o.d has ridden the cow . Hearing the proclamation, all the villagers applauded, and so did the governor . He told Ganghyuk that it was to comfort the people, but it seemed that he believed in the existence of the G.o.d himself . Ganghyuk and Heo Jun were the only ones who were not excited about seeing the scene . Smallpox G.o.d Yes, nonsense . Next was a dancing party in front of the ceremonial table that was covered with steamed rice cakes . Most of them were red bean rice cakes, but there were two lumps of white rice cakes, one for the dead and the other for the sick . There is nothing interesting here . Ganghyuk wanted to see the tightrope walking, but all the shamans had occupied the scene . Hence, he shook his head and escaped from the venue, with Heo Jun following him . Hui What a Gut It is a chaos . Ganghyuk sat down far from the venue, while Heo Jun sat beside him and said . But, it was you who decided to hold the Gut fourteen days after the onset . Yes, right, but it is still wicked . But, we cannot help it . They need comfort and mental rea.s.surance . Comfort Ganghyuk felt that he could understand them a little more right now . He turned to look at Heo Jun after thinking for a while . You will go to Naeuiwon now, right . Yes, I am already late . Fortunately, the governor reported the case and I got some allowance . Good Then, I can see you if I go to Hanyang . Yes I will treat you when you visit the place . Hanyang Now, he had two people to meet there . . . two famous people . 39 Heo Jun and Lee Suns.h.i.+n . 39 They were the ones that he should be meeting by dropping everything else . He felt that he had to go there someday . Beside him, Heo Jun continued, I have something to tell you before I go . Yes, go ahead . You asked me about anesthesia when you performed a brain surgery . Yes, is there any solution Ganghyuk opened his eyes wide with expectation . And clearly, Heo Jun did not let his expectations down . Yes . I have searched through old books and thought of effects of herbs, and I think there is a solution .