Although both books analyze Yin and Yang, they are based on the same concept, differing only in emphasis. Reading the insightful parts truly brings a sense of sudden enlightenment and clarifies many things.
By this time, Song Hao had mastered the "Ice and Fire Divine Needle" technique. He tested it on himself and experienced the amazing sensation of hot and cold. He suddenly realized that if he could use this needling technique to regulate his body temperature in special environments, wouldn't he be able to adapt to both cold and hot climates, allowing him to travel freely between icy and tropical regions? Whenever he thought of this, he felt a sense of ease and contentment.
Chapter 55 Shangqing Temple (4)
That day, Luo Beichen visited Song Hao at Shangqing Temple. Seeing that he was living comfortably, he was pleased. After exchanging greetings, he returned to the hall to speak with Xiao Boran.
"Brother Luo, thank you!" Xiao Boran said, stroking his beard.
"Why is Master Xiao thanking me?" Luo Beichen asked with a smile.
“Song Xin is a gifted and highly perceptive child, a rare talent in medicine. You must have a deeper meaning in bringing him here,” Xiao Boran said calmly.
"What Daoist Xiao means is..." Luo Beichen and Xiao Boran exchanged a knowing smile, understanding each other perfectly.
“Although this child is insightful, we don’t yet know the extent of his medical skills. I need to test him for a few more days before I can make a final decision,” Xiao Boran said.
"This person's meridians are full of energy. I don't know if it's innate or if he accidentally ingested some kind of miraculous medicine, but he was able to break free from my 'needles' on his own. Based on this alone, he is qualified to be a true disciple of the Daoist Master," Luo Beichen said.
“Oh! He broke your ‘needle’ technique! No wonder I noticed he was different from others on his first day at the temple. It turns out it’s because of his strong meridian energy. Has he practiced internal martial arts?” Xiao Boran asked in surprise.
"I haven't had a chance to ask about that in detail either," Luo Beichen said, shaking his head.
"What, you don't know much about this distant relative of your Luo family?" Xiao Boran asked in surprise.
"He's just a distant relative, not a member of the clan. My niece brought him here because she saw that he possessed extraordinary abilities, spoke eloquently, and enjoyed reading ancient books. So she brought him here to see if he would suit the Daoist's taste. If not, then he's not fortunate enough. It's also because the Daoist has such profound knowledge that he must pass it on to a disciple he is satisfied with. So I kept an eye out for you. I wonder if this child is destined to be with the Daoist," Luo Beichen said.
"Thank you for your trouble," Xiao Boran said gratefully. "It's better not to pass on knowledge to the wrong person. This is why many ancient and extraordinary skills have become obsolete. Although I am not a scholar of heaven and earth, I consider myself to have achieved a certain level of expertise. If I don't have a disciple to whom I can pass on my skills, I feel it would be a pity. I will observe for a few more days. If this Song Xin is indeed talented in medicine and can dedicate himself to this profession, I will let him become a renowned physician who can help the world on my behalf."
The two chatted for a while longer before Luo Beichen said goodbye to Xiao Boran and went to Song Hao's room.
"Judging from what Old Daoist Xiao said today, he's already got some ideas. Since he's taken a liking to you, you should seize the opportunity to show him what you're capable of. If you can become his disciple, you'll not only receive his true teachings and acquire unparalleled skills, but you'll also have his backing, so you won't have to fear trouble in the martial world anymore. This man is a reclusive master with immense knowledge. Although I've known him for many years, I still don't know the full extent of his learning. This is a rare opportunity, so don't let it slip away easily," Luo Beichen said earnestly.
"I will try my best!" Song Hao said with a smile.
"That's good. By the way..." Luo Beichen hesitated for a moment, then said, "Song Hao, tell me the truth. Although my niece has ulterior motives towards you, I've noticed that she also has some feelings for you. Do you have any feelings for her?"
“Senior, Miss Luo is not a bad person. Although she lured me into her traps twice, she never really hurt me. In fact, she helped me this time, and I am very grateful to her. As for what you mean, I dare not think of anything else, nor is it possible,” Song Hao said.
"Oh! Is that so?" Upon hearing this, Luo Beichen was quite disappointed, but then nodded, as if he had made a great decision, and said, "It is fate that we have met. I want to pass on the 'needle' technique to you, but you must promise me that this needle technique can only be used for righteous purposes and must not be used to deceive people. This needle technique evolved from the Luo family's magic needle and is the culmination of my decades of hard work. I don't want it to be lost like this."
Upon hearing this, Song Hao was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, senior! In that case, you should accept me as your disciple." He then prepared to bow.
Luo Beichen quickly helped him up, saying, "Don't be like that. Your true master in the future is that old Taoist Xiao. Only he can teach you real skills. My skills are just a matter of passing on knowledge between friends. Besides, I have never had the intention of taking on disciples. The Luo family has a bad reputation, and I don't want to cause you any trouble because of it. So let's not bring this up again."
Song Hao nodded helplessly after hearing this. Luo Beichen then taught Song Hao "needling techniques" and explained some of the reverse needling techniques of the Luo Family Magic Needles, from which Song Hao benefited greatly.
Luo Beichen was surprised to find that Song Hao grasped acupuncture very quickly, without needing any explanation; he learned it after just one lesson, realizing that Song Hao's medical skills were quite profound. He was secretly delighted.
At this moment, Song Hao didn't care whether the old Taoist priest Xiao would accept him as a disciple; he was content as long as he could quietly study here for a while. He had also discovered several ancient acupuncture texts in the scripture room, and became so engrossed in reading them that he paid no attention to anything else.
That night, Song Hao got up to relieve himself. While in the courtyard, he heard strange noises coming from the next courtyard. Curious, he peered over the wall. He saw several Taoist priests practicing martial arts in another courtyard. In the moonlight, their figures flashed, leaping and tumbling, some reaching several meters high – clearly displaying remarkable lightness skills. Another priest, practicing some unknown technique, spun in place, his form appearing and disappearing like a spiral. Song Hao was dazzled and stunned. He hadn't expected the Taoist priests in the temple to be so skilled in both literature and martial arts, each far more powerful than the heroes in movies and TV shows. Among them were several people Song Hao recognized: Wuguo, Wuchen, and two seemingly fierce-looking priests named Wufa and Wutian. Some of their Taoist names sounded random and incomprehensible.
"Sure enough, such profound martial arts exist in this world! These Taoist priests are all keeping their skills hidden, and that old Taoist Xiao is even more extraordinary. It seems Senior Luo was right; this Taoist temple truly harbors hidden talents and retains its ancient charm. I must be more careful in the future, lest I become a laughingstock among these Taoists." With these thoughts in mind, Song Hao quietly withdrew and went back to his room to sleep.
From then on, Song Hao became even more respectful, which won him the favor of the Taoist priests. Two months passed quickly.
That day, Wuguo found Song Hao and said, "Song Xin, would you be willing to come with me to the clinic outside the mountain to relax? It's my turn to be on duty these days."
"A clinic! What kind of clinic?" Song Hao asked in surprise.
Wu Guo said, "It is a medical clinic set up by our temple outside the mountain, which provides free medical treatment to the villagers in the vicinity."
“Great!” Song Hao replied happily.
After failing to find a Taoist robe, he and Song Hao changed into it. Then, carrying a package, he led Song Hao out of the back gate of Shangqing Temple and headed in another direction.
"Hehe! Wearing this Taoist robe really gives me a sense of transcendence!" Song Hao said excitedly as he walked.
"This was changed for your convenience. Those villagers only trust the people from Shangqing Temple. I heard from Layman Luo that you are also a practitioner of medicine. If you can help, you can also treat the villagers. The number of people will increase in the next few days, and we fellow disciples are afraid we won't be able to handle it all," Wuguo said.
“No problem, trust me! I’ve been treating patients in the clinic with my grandfather for ten years,” Song Hao replied.
"Oh! I didn't realize you came from a family with a long tradition of martial arts, a skill passed down through generations?" Wuguo asked.
“That’s right. I’ve heard my grandfather mention it. My great-grandfather was a famous doctor in the late Qing Dynasty,” Song Hao said. At this moment, being in Shangqing Temple to avoid trouble, some things could only be touched upon and not discussed in detail.
"My apologies! You come from a distinguished family," Wuguo said, slightly surprised.
Chapter Fifty-Six: Showing Off One's Talent
The two walked for more than ten miles along the mountain road and came out of a mountain pass. They could see an isolated courtyard in the distance, and a steady stream of people were heading towards it.
"That's it. It used to be a rest stop set up by the temple outside the mountain for people to stop when they came and went. Now it has been converted into a medicine shop," Wuguo said, pointing ahead.
The two entered the courtyard, where dozens of people were already waiting in line. A Taoist priest came out of the house to greet them, and upon seeing that they had no luck, he exclaimed with delight, "Senior brother, you've finally arrived! We've been so busy! This senior brother looks unfamiliar, who is he?"
“A new, nameless junior brother,” Wuguo casually remarked.
“So you’re Junior Brother Wuming, welcome, welcome! My name is Wujing,” the Taoist master said.
“Nameless! So be it! We’re all from the Wu generation.” Song Hao smiled inwardly and then greeted Wu Jing.
Upon entering the house, they saw several Taoist priests busy at work. Seeing that their efforts had been fruitless, they had even brought reinforcements from the temple, much to the delight of the priests. They greeted each other.
Wu Guo and Song Hao sat down at a table, and a group of patients gathered around. The two then began to examine, listen, inquire, and feel the pulse to diagnose and treat the patients.
Song Hao was very familiar with all of this. After taking the pulse, he asked a few questions about the pain, itching, and discomfort, and the patients answered accordingly. He then prescribed medicine and began acupuncture with astonishing speed. While Wu Guo was treating one patient, Song Hao had already treated three or four. Wu Guo was astonished and realized that Song Xin, who was studying at Shangqing Temple, was actually a master doctor.