Chapter 711: Chapter 366: The Four Supreme Ghost Veins, The Yanluo Secret Art, Ghost Doctor Li Xian! Is the Jade Girl in the Cocoon? (Part 3)
"This secret technique disrupts the harmony of the heavens and should not be used recklessly. All things adhere to the cycle of renewal and repetition, maintaining balance; some are born, others die. The Yanluo Needle revives the dead, an act against the will of heaven, and we must endure a test of life and death for it. If we withstand it, nothing happens; if not, we die in their place. Moreover, the Yanluo Needle can only save those not yet decrepit. Like this cooked fish, its texture is done, its organs removed. Even if the Yanluo Needle revives it, such wounds will soon claim its life again."
Li Xian nodded in understanding, "I see."
Su Mayfly said, "Moreover, for every year you extend someone’s life with the Yanluo Needle, you lose a year of your own. This ability is never displayed lightly by us, to avoid endless troubles. My master, your grandmaster, practiced medicine all his life and only demonstrated the Yanluo Needle before me once when taking me as his disciple. Throughout the history of the Ghost Doctor lineage, the true use of the Yanluo Needle has been exceedingly rare."
"However, speaking further, while Yanluo does not appear, sending lesser ghosts is harmless. For ordinary ailments, if treated with the Yanluo Needle, the illness will naturally be eradicated immediately."
Li Xian felt deeply shocked, thinking, "This Ghost Doctor is by no means obscure. It seems I indeed am an ignorant fool. No wonder the master mocked me."
Su Mayfly said, "Speaking of this, I must warn you. Our lineage’s medical techniques are truly extraordinary. Nonetheless, you should not overly rely on medical techniques and ignore treating the root of the ailments. Overdependence on technical skills without careful study of illnesses is negligence."
Li Xian said, "I understand. The master is wary that I might rely too much on our techniques to cure diseases, cultivating laziness and overlooking progress. Blindly applying our techniques to any disease without delving into its pathology prevents advancement in medicine, which is minor, but harming others is grave. Raw power may be simple, but knowing the reason behind things allows one to go further."
Su Mayfly sighed heavily, "I am gratified by your realization. When I first saw you, I thought you to be an arrogant son of a noble family. Yes, although medical skills are powerful, no illness, great or small, should be underestimated. It’s like sparring with a Martial Artist; one cannot rely on a single powerful move. While a single move may dominate, a misstep might plunge you into an abyss with no rescue."
Li Xian listened intently to the teachings. Su Mayfly added, "Forget the Yanluo Needle; it is beyond your grasp for now. But if you heed my words and inherit our lineage, you will eventually comprehend. The fourth inheritance is a ghost jade, symbolizing our faction’s Identity Token. Our sect passes down a singular lineage; the ghost jade is both a mark of identity and has profound meaning. You may not understand it now, but will in due time. I entrust this ghost jade to you."
Li Xian confessed, "Master, our meeting in the lake must be fate. Perhaps destiny indeed binds us as master and pupil, but your substantial inheritance weighs heavily on my shoulders. I am fearful of failing the Ghost Doctor lineage’s reputation. Learning some small skills from you is easy for me, but taking on the entire legacy at once is overwhelming."
Su Mayfly said, "Your frankness is rare and commendable. The Ghost Doctor lineage is of such character. Say no more, it must be you." He tossed the ghost jade to him.
Li Xian caught it in his hand, slowly gripping it tighter, and without refusing further, clasped his hands in respect, "Since it’s so, I vow not to let Master’s trust be in vain!"
Su Mayfly said, "Our Ghost Doctor lineage does not need you to bring glory upon it, but should the need arise, you must stand forth and announce to the world that the Ghost Doctor is not gone!"
"You are rather unfortunate, bearing the inheritance with no mentor. Ultimately, you must spend time pondering. For the time remaining, don’t embarrass yourself with clumsy martial arts. Follow my instructions, focus on medical skills, and I’ll pass on as much of our techniques as I can."
"From today on, you must sleep for only one hour daily. Sleep at the Ox hour and rise at the Tiger hour. Dedicate yourself to learning medicine: read the Medical Ethics Classic twice, then the Medical Heart Classic until dawn, to understand our lineage’s medical theory and grasp the essential skills of practice. Later, follow my directions to care for patients, learn the properties of medicines, study symptoms, and lay the foundation for the four absolutes."
Li Xian nodded in agreement. By Si hour today, Su Mayfly spoke of the essentials of medicine, covering the basics of practice, and drug use and composition.
Li Xian, taught by Wen Caishang, already had foundational medical knowledge. Yet Su Mayfly made it clear that the Ghost Doctor lineage’s path is unconventional, with theories, skills, and methods vastly different from common medicine. One must forget previous learning to focus solely on the Ghost Doctor’s medical theories.
By noon, after having lunch, Li Xian thoroughly read the "Medical Ethics Classic" once, then committed the "Medical Heart Classic" to memory. Neither of these texts are martial arts or skills; studying them deeply depletes mental energy, but they are the cornerstone of the Ghost Doctor inheritance.
The Medical Heart Classic contains the principles of practicing medicine and is the main doctrine of the Ghost Doctor lineage, surpassing the Medical Ethics Classic many times over. Li Xian found it challenging to fully comprehend but grasped its simpler principles, gaining deeper knowledge of the Ghost Doctor lineage.
Li Xian thought, "Until I master the ’Four Absolutes and One Secret,’ the Ghost Doctor lineage appears no different from regular physicians, requiring needles, medicine, taking the pulse, and inquiries, but the underlying principles are vastly different."
Half an hour later. Su Mayfly began formally teaching the "Ghost Doctor lineage" medical skills. He first taught "Ghost Eye Breaking Disease," which corresponds to the traditional medical doctrine of "Observation." Traditional medical observation involves examining complexion, posture, symptoms...to diagnose ailments. "Ghost Eye Breaking Disease," however, with eyes illuminated by profundity, judges ailments and allows "eye contact" to bridge and heal the illness remotely.
Su Mayfly said, "Don’t be deceived by the mystical methods of the Ghost Doctor lineage; indeed, a mighty building rises from the flat ground. First steps into this path, aside from differences in medical theories and pharmacology, the process of treating and curing is similar: confirming the disease, prescribing accordingly, and using needles."
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