Episode 12. (Guanwasa)

Cheong stared at the man’s face, which had turned noticeably paler than before.

‘I didn’t want to resort to such forceful methods, but I have no choice.’

In treatment, building trust with the patient was paramount. If the patient didn’t trust the physician, they would naturally be uncooperative, and the treatment’s effectiveness would diminish.

The body and mind were deeply connected.

That was why mental illness could manifest as physical symptoms, and why a diseased body could also sicken the mind.

If this had been before, Cheong would have taken the time to build trust first—but now, there was no time for that.

Of course, the deep-rooted distrust the people here held toward humans also played a part.

So, even if it meant using forceful methods, treating him quickly was crucial.

“How do you usually sleep?”

As the man’s hostility eased slightly, Cheong posed another question.

Naturally, she didn’t forget to toy with the acupuncture needle while flashing a wicked smile.

“I-I usually sleep without a shirt. I’ve always hated feeling stuffy.”

The man stammered, cautiously watching Cheong’s reaction.

‘This makes me look like some kind of villain.’

Seeing the man nervously eye the needle in her hand dampened her spirits, but Cheong didn’t let it show and continued her questioning.

“Aside from when you sleep, do you often expose your body to cold?”

“Since I work with fire, I rinse myself with cold water several times a day.”

Cheong nodded and asked a few more questions before pressing her fingers along various points of the man’s paralyzed face.

She meticulously checked for any strange sounds in his ears or tender spots before turning to Haewon and the ministers.

“I’ve identified this man’s condition.”

Her words sent another ripple of murmurs through the room.

Only Haewon remained composed, watching the scene with the same relaxed expression as before.

“What is the diagnosis?”

“It’s a condition called Gu-an-wa-sa (口眼喎斜, Facial Paralysis).”

“I’ve never heard of such an illness before. Did you just make it up?”

As Cheong immediately pinpointed the strange affliction twisting the man’s face, Byeoljubu, growing impatient, interjected sharply.

“It may be unusual here, but where I come from, it’s a fairly common condition.”

Commonly known as facial paralysis, Gu-an-wa-sa was an illness often seen among patients visiting traditional clinics.

This meant it was a condition that could be sufficiently treated.

Gu-an-wa-sa typically came in two forms: Bell’s palsy, caused by nerve dysfunction affecting facial muscles, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome, caused by viral infection of the nerves.

If it were viral, symptoms like tinnitus, hearing abnormalities, pain, and blisters around the ears would appear—but aside from mild tinnitus, this man showed none of those signs.

‘Meaning, it’s not caused by a viral infection.’

Viral facial paralysis took much longer to treat.

But if it was simple facial paralysis, visible improvement could occur within a week.

A full cure today might be impossible, but symptom relief would be enough.

“The patient’s pulse is tense (緊). While the causes vary, in his case, it’s due to wind-cold (風寒) and weakened digestion, which has blocked the flow of qi and blood. By using acupuncture to restore circulation and herbal medicine to strengthen his digestion, he will surely improve.”

“Good. Then treat him with the acupuncture you mentioned.”

“Yes, understood.”

At Haewon’s command, Cheong promptly retrieved an acupuncture case from her sleeve.

Without hesitation, she began inserting needles into the man’s face.

First, she targeted Jichang (地倉), a key point for Gu-an-wa-sa, located beside the corner of the mouth.

After inserting the needle there, she swiftly moved to other points:

Hyeopgeo (頰車), Duyu (頭維), Cheonggung (聽宮), Yeonghyang (迎香), and Yepung (翳風)—all along the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming (足陽明胃經).

Then, Pungji (風池) and Pungbu (風府), effective for wind-cold conditions.

Lastly, she inserted a needle into Hapgok (合谷) to smooth qi flow and restore balance.

Hapgok, also beneficial for digestive issues, referred to the depression between the thumb and index finger—often massaged for indigestion.

Everyone watched in hushed awe as Cheong carefully placed each needle.

‘Not bad.’

Haewon inwardly admired her.

He had given her a chance merely to observe her a little longer, but she was far more clever than he expected.

‘And I didn’t even have high hopes.’

It was no coincidence that Haewon had given Cheong the golden branch.

When he handed it to her small hands, he hadn’t even expected her to make use of it.

Yet here she was, boldly crafting acupuncture needles from the golden flower.

Moreover, the moment Cheong entered the palace, his piercing headache eased, and his blurred vision cleared.

Now he was certain.

The only one who could cure his chronic ailment was this woman.

‘Indeed, sparing her was the right choice.’

His crimson gaze trailed down her delicate figure.

Her slightly furrowed brows from concentration framed a rounded forehead, poised and elegant.

Lowering his gaze, he noticed stray wisps of hair clinging to her pale, slender nape.

As if irritated by the sensation, Cheong bit her plump lips lightly, staining them cherry-red.

Watching this, Haewon twitched his fingers.

For a moment, he nearly reached out, seized by the urge to brush away the strands stuck to her white neck.

‘Strange.’

He didn’t know whether this feeling was mere curiosity or something else.

The only certainty was that he wanted to keep her close and observe her.

Given how useful she was in many ways, he considered this reaction natural.

After leaving the needles in for a while, Cheong began removing them.

The moment she pulled out the last one, gasps erupted from all around.

“Unbelievable!”

“His stiff face…!”

“It’s as if he’s been enchanted.”

The voices buzzed with excitement—and for good reason.

The man’s grotesquely twisted face had returned to normal.

‘Just one session, and the paralysis is gone?’

Even Cheong was stunned.

Normally, Gu-an-wa-sa took at least a week to cure.

Severe cases could take months.

No matter how mild the symptoms, a single session should never have been enough.

‘Is it because these needles are special?’

She glanced at the golden needles neatly arranged in the case.

If it wasn’t due to her medical skills, this was the only explanation.

‘Because they’re infused with a dragon’s energy?’

No matter how much she racked her brain, this was the only plausible reason.

Her theory was that Haewon’s divine energy, embedded in the gold, had flowed through the needles into the afflicted area, maximizing the treatment’s effect.

‘Jackpot!’

Her eyes sparkled at the revelation.

With these golden needles, there was no illness she couldn’t cure.

Which meant she could swiftly heal Haewon’s chronic condition and return to the human world.

“Give the patient a mirror.”

At Cheong’s request, a court maid quickly handed the man a small hand mirror.

“Look in the mirror and try moving your face.”

Hesitantly, the man raised the mirror to his face—

“T-This can’t be!”

His eyes bulged in shock.

His once-distorted face was now perfectly normal.

And—

“My speech isn’t slurred anymore! My lips don’t droop when I smile!”

Disbelieving, the man scrunched his face, grinned, and opened his mouth wide.

The ministers, equally amazed, couldn’t tear their eyes away.

Cheong watched with quiet pride.

“As promised, you’ve cured this patient. I’ll grant you the chance to treat my condition.”

When Cheong secured the opportunity to treat Haewon—bypassing Byeoljubu, the royal physician—the latter couldn’t hold back.

“But Your Majesty, entrusting your sacred body to a lowly human wench is…”

“Are you daring to defy my command?”

“…No, Your Majesty.”

Under Haewon’s icy glare, Byeoljubu fell silent.

Cheong watched with immense satisfaction.

This was the perfect moment for the saying, “Another’s misfortune is my happiness.”

“Shim Cheong, was it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Hearing her name, Cheong smiled brightly and bowed respectfully.

“I shall entrust my condition to you.”

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

Her face glowed as she imagined the hopeful future ahead.

Watching her radiant, doll-like face, Haewon smirked.

“Then come to my quarters tonight.”