Chapter 8, Visit
Upon hearing this, Liu Shisan immediately became alert and pondered, "If Professor Sun had something urgent or fell ill and couldn't take leave, he would at least make a phone call. Something might have happened. Let's go check on him at his home."
The bell for the afternoon class rang, yet there was no sign of Professor Sun.
The cool breeze of the night brushed against his face, and he felt somewhat more awake. On the way back to the inn, he could not fathom the true nature of Professor Sun, especially regarding the events that transpired that night in Lijia Gou. What was he really trying to accomplish by daring to dig up someone else's grave? Was he also searching for the "Shike Needle"? What connection did this Lijia have with the Medicine King, Sun Simiao?
Is it possible that Sun Simiao has no descendants? This is a bold speculation by Liang Da.
The old monk was very tight-lipped. Sun Yifeng pondered for a moment and said, "Master, did you treat a girl from Hanzhong with the surname Li that day?"
During his first experience with alcohol, Youliang felt a bit dizzy, so he stood up to take his leave. Professor Sun accompanied him to the entrance of the alley.
How did that girl recover later
"An old blind beggar, who was reduced to begging, cured her with a silver needle..." The old monk, who was naturally straightforward and unaware of the need to guard against others, would truthfully answer any questions posed to him.
Master, didn't you ask me to get close to Professor Sun? I went to his house for drinks tonight
Can the "Shike Needle" really cure my hand
That old mother cat is so fat, weighing dozens of pounds, but why does she like to raise black cats
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"Silly boy, hurry and go to class," Sister Du said with a beaming smile as she looked at him
The morning Qigong class is still teaching everyone the basic techniques, and we have already reached the third session
The old monk who had not crossed over mentioned that when he treated that girl from Hanzhong, he said that the Medicine King Sun Simiao had such needles, which were very effective, and even my disabled hands could be healed, so I took note of it
Alas, it would be great to find this needle
The black cat serves as a spiritual protector. The "I Ching" mentions that the black cat is an object of warding off evil; "black" refers to its color. Among all colored cats, only the black cat can communicate with humans and possesses the highest intelligence, explained Liu Shisan
Fo Ya Temple, with the spring rain gently falling, the pilgrims remain as before
Is it to kill ghosts?" Liang continued to ask.
"Let's talk about the old monk who has not crossed over yet," Professor Sun diverted the topic.
Could it be that he got an upset stomach from eating the fish entrails the night before last? He thought to himself with a sense of conscience
Wei Du is the abbot of the Foyasi Temple in Tongguan. He is very amiable and kind, often treating the villagers' ailments.
It is said that this needle is unfathomable, capable of reconnecting bones, restoring tendons, and unblocking meridians without limitation. This is recorded in the classics, and Professor Sun mentioned that he has used it to cure many incurable diseases.
"Where did you hear about the 'biting needle'?" he asked coldly
What you said is indeed quite good. He was originally a fire worker monk in the temple, but he left the temple a few days ago. However, I, the old monk, do not believe that he would say such words
Sun Yifeng politely said: "I am Dr. Wang from the Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute. I heard that you recently cured a girl from Hanzhong using the 'Thirteen Ghost Needles.' My research topic is classical acupuncture techniques, so I am very interested and would like to exchange insights with you on this matter"
His hands are already disabled, with all tendons severed... Sun Yifeng described a handsome appearance.
Amitabha, every word is true, the old monk indeed will not "Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles." He firmly believes that there is good and will not speak recklessly out of nothing.
Upon hearing this, Liu Shisan hurriedly asked for the details, and Liang recounted the entire sequence of events.
Liu Shisan pondered for a moment and softly called out: "Taking the cat demon on the road, they may have gone to Hanzhong. I must hurry to Lijia Gou." After saying this, he took out 100 yuan to give him as meal money, reminding him to continue attending classes at school and to pay attention to when Professor Sun returns.
"It's so late, where have you been?" Liu Shisan questioned with dissatisfaction upon seeing Youliang return.
There is no doubt about it; some have witnessed it with their own eyes. You need not be modest. Traditional Chinese medicine is indeed profound and extensive, and there remain many unsolved mysteries to this day. I kindly ask the master for your generous guidance.
This matter is indeed true
"Fo Ya Temple."
"Shike" means to bite and is the twenty-first hexagram in the sixty-four hexagrams of the Book of Changes. The text of the hexagram describes how one first bites off the toes, then the skin and nose, followed by gradually gnawing away at the flesh, bones, and ears. As for "Shike Needle," it likely refers to a punishment for the harm done to the yin spirits.
"Pay attention to what is different from what you saw last time," Liu Shisan advised
Indeed, there are records of the 'biting needle' in ancient literature, but they have long been lost.
"Alas, Professor Sun hasn't taken a leave of absence either; I wonder what could be the matter," said Sister Du, frowning.
What is it? Liu Shisan quickly asked
The next day was Sunday. Liang Zhao, also known as Liu Shisan, borrowed ten yuan and went to the Xinhua Bookstore in Wangfujing to buy a book introducing the life of Sun Simiao. Upon returning to the inn, he read it carefully. Previously, he had never heard of this person from the *Tu* books; it turned out that he was so renowned in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. His "Qianjin Fang" is the first clinical medicine encyclopedia in history. However, as Professor Sun mentioned, the book does not mention "Shike Needle" either.
Professor Sun listened attentively while stuffing fish entrails into his mouth, and soon he finished a bottle of Erguotou
Hastily getting up, without taking anything, he quietly slipped out of the Dongfeng Hotel and hurried to the train station to catch the night train directly to Tongguan
This, Sun Yifeng hesitated for a moment and said, is a young man who witnessed it with his own eyes at Fo Ya Temple, and his name is Youliang
I do not know, my humble self
"The old monk has not yet crossed over, may I ask what brings you here, benefactor?" The monk, who has not yet crossed over, greeted with a single palm.
"Fo Ya Temple?" Professor Sun seemed very alert, "Who did you hear that from?"
"The Dharma boat sways, the Buddha's wind penetrates the ears, the dazzling Buddha light shines, universally saving all beings, the young disciple worships the Buddha..." Li Lin shouted, while correcting the students' incorrect movements.
Master, in recent years, due to the destruction caused by the Cultural Revolution, the essence of our country's traditional medicine has been nearly obliterated, and it is indeed fraught with difficulties to restore it. However, for the sake of all living beings and the health of the vast laboring populace, the Buddhist community seeks to alleviate suffering. I earnestly request you, Master, to speak candidly.
That has been difficult; since the death of the Medicine King, the "Biting Needle" has not appeared again. For thousands of years, countless people in the martial world have sought to obtain it, yet it remains elusive.
Professor Sun put down his chopsticks, his puzzled gaze fixed on Youliang behind his glasses
"It is indeed the cat he raised," Liu Shisan snorted
Sun Yifeng carried a heavy travel bag as he ascended Fo Toudshan. He looked up at the smoke curling from incense and the books at Foyasi, his expression shifting between light and dark. Upon meeting the attendant monk, he stated that he was a doctor with matters to discuss with the abbot, and was thus taken to the abbot's meditation room
The old monk wished to expel the malevolent entity within her using his internal energy, but unfortunately, he failed
As the door to the inner room was pushed open, a foul odor rushed towards me. Most of the black cats were sound asleep, and scattered on the floor were the cleaned fish bones.
The fat old mother cat is missing
A brand new black sweater was draped over Youliang's body. Sister Du looked him up and down and said with satisfaction: "The size and fit are just right, and the young man looks quite spirited when dressed up."
You Liang returned to the inn and informed his master about this matter
Sun Yifeng pondered for a while. One of the old monk and Youliang must have lied; who could it be? How could a blind old beggar identify the hole? Was it by feeling? That was simply impossible. In any case, since he had already arrived at Foyai Temple, he could not leave empty-handed. This old monk surely knew something, he concluded.
There are differences. There is a good saying.
The door is unlocked, and there is no one inside
Sun Yifeng was even more surprised; this simple-minded student turned out to be a little monk. The "Thirteen Needles of Ghost Gate" appeared at Foyasi, and he suddenly transformed into my student in the capital. No wonder the questions he asked at home that day seemed to have a deeper meaning. It seems that the situation is much more complicated than I had imagined.
After a short while, Sister Du arrived at the classroom and apologized to everyone, saying that Professor Sun was ill and could not notify the substitute teacher in time, so there would be no class this afternoon
"Not at home, where could they have gone?" Liu Shisan looked around and saw that there was no one in the alley, so he hurriedly said, "Let's go inside and see if there is anything unusual." After speaking, he stretched out his arms to embrace Youliang's waist and leaped over the wall, landing in the courtyard.
"Sister Du, what illness did Professor Sun have?" You Liang quietly asked her from the side
The old monk's expression changed upon hearing this, and he asked in surprise: "Is there a good one? What does he look like?"
The two parted ways on the overpass, and Liu Shisan hurried to the train station, while Liang returned to the inn alone. At night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep, always feeling that something was amiss. In the middle of the night, he suddenly jolted awake; Professor Sun had not gone to Lijia Gou, but to Foyasi!
Upon hearing the good news, he pondered in his heart: is this Sun Yifeng truly a descendant of the Medicine King? If so, and if he is aware of the whereabouts of the "Shike Needle," as a professor of traditional Chinese medicine, it would be impossible for him not to seek it out for use. In that case, he would soon become renowned throughout the world
A wave of warmth surged within his conscience; it had been many years since anyone had treated him with such meticulous care and consideration. Instantly, his nose felt a twinge of acidity, and his eyes became moist.
The name 'Shike Needle' is quite strange
On the second day, as Liang just arrived at school, Sister Du pulled him into the office and urged, "Come and try it on quickly, the sweater is finished."
A monk does not speak falsehoods. May I ask from whom you have heard this?
Where is that old beggar now? May I know his name?
When the two arrived at the Tianqiao Hutong, they found that the door to Professor Sun's house was tightly closed and locked.
The old monk has never treated anyone with the 'Thirteen Needles of the Ghost Gate'; Master Wang must have made a mistake
How is it treated
If his descendants were aware of the whereabouts of the 'Shike Needle', it would likely have caused a sensation in history. However, since the death of Sun Simiao in the first year of the Tang Yongchun era, there has been no mention of it in either official or unofficial historical records.