Chapter 4, Anatomy
The area of the corpse's skin that was cut open showed no blood seeping out; only a faint aura of阴气 slowly escaped, and the scalpel was covered with a layer of white frost
As Master Fei recited the incantation, he gently pushed open the lid of the ice coffin with his left hand, reaching inside. His fingers deftly unfastened the child's belt, lifting the clothing to reveal the slightly protruding abdomen. He then pressed down with his palm, leaving a crimson handprint on the corpse's belly
"Stop being so pedantic and just tell me how to treat it." Mr. Yu's face turned red, and he awkwardly shifted his hands back and forth in his lap, his expression filled with embarrassment
On one side of the main room, a simple Eight Immortals table is set with a large blue-and-white porcelain basin, in which a huge fish head floats in a broth of red and green hues, the aroma of spices and heat permeating the entire room, even wafting out into the night sky beyond the door
"How strange, where is Ling hiding?" the forensic odontologist said, trembling in surprise
Boil concentrated chili water, take it in large quantities, and apply raw garlic and ginger to the affected area. Hurry! The old professor suddenly realized and quickly stated the prescription
The county magistrate pondered for a moment and replied, "The incidents all occurred locally. As for the perpetrator, they could be within Hukou, Jingdezhen, or Jiujiang."
The experts present all applauded, with someone exclaiming: "The county chief's speech was truly excellent; Jiangnan indeed has a profound cultural heritage, even the way of eating fish is so refined."
Cut, cut... Curiosity compels people to emit cold, emotionless sounds, urging the forensic expert to make the incision
"So how much does this whole fish weigh?" someone at the table asked in astonishment
For the first bite, use chopsticks to pick up a small piece of fish head meat and place it directly in your mouth to savor its delicate fragrance and sweetness, smooth and refreshing. For the second bite, place a piece of fish meat into a soup bowl, pour a little of the broth from the pot, and then enjoy it together with the fish. You will fully experience the subtle elegance of the relationship between fish and water, akin to the bond between the people’s soldiers and the common folk. The wild giant fish has grown in Poyang Lake for over ten years, and through years of emotional exchange with the lake water, it naturally develops a kind of intimate connection, just like the relationship between the soldiers and the people. For the third bite, add an appropriate amount of wild chili to the fish and broth, and a wave of spiciness will immediately rise within you. By the fourth bite, you will feel your body warming up and your appetite increasing. Please pick up a piece of lotus root from beneath the fish head and place it in your mouth; it will bring you a refreshing sensation, merging all your emotions together, as if you have returned to nature once again.
Old Yu smiled as he picked up the food and put it in his mouth. Suddenly, his eyes sparkled, then became hazy, and a look of ecstasy appeared on his face. "It's, it's so delicious..." he said incoherently
The county magistrate, desperately gripping the retracted penis, hurriedly asked the old professor with a mournful expression: "What exactly is this 'shrunken penis syndrome'? How can it be treated?"
Of course, are there any fakes? Moreover, these are all cases of heinous murders from several years ago
The people standing around the ice coffin felt their pores tighten, and they began to experience a cramping sensation in their lower abdomen accompanied by a faint pain. Soon, a chill and spasms occurred in their groin, and their genitals involuntarily retracted slowly, gradually drawing inward towards the abdomen
No one noticed that there were three straight horizontal lines on the palm, resembling the symbol of the first hexagram of the I Ching—Qian Hexagram. This is the manifestation when the Eight Trigrams Palm is practiced to its utmost limit
There must be some trickery involved here," Mr. Yu replied, his face flushed.
Master Fei smiled gently and said, "Little darling, don't be afraid. How about coming out to meet everyone?" At the same time, he turned to the two forensic experts, who were already dumbfounded, and gestured, "You may begin now."
Just as the crowd was in chaos, the little figure inside the boy's abdomen in the ice coffin leaped up and landed on the ground, then immediately took off running
Thus, it can be said that this 'Ling Ge' possesses quite strong remote sensing abilities, and it is indeed necessary to conduct further research on this matter, Daoist Fei pondered
***
It weighs over 100 jin, as the saying goes, "Eating meat is not as good as eating fish, and eating fish is better with the fish head." The locals all know that the wild male fish heads from Poyang Lake are known for their tender fish lips, smooth fish brains, fragrant fish skin, and delicate fish meat, which has a sweet taste and an endless aftertaste, indescribably wonderful, and completely free of any fishy smell. Regular consumption enhances intelligence and wit, making it the best choice for scholars like you to stimulate the mind. " After the county head finished speaking, he inserted his chopsticks into the fish's mouth, broke off a piece of fish lip, and respectfully placed it in Mr. Yu's bowl.
The county magistrate first offered a round of wine, then leisurely continued, "To savor the wild male fish head, it should be divided into four portions for tasting, thus one can truly appreciate the profound connection between fish and water in nature"
The air seemed to stagnate, as under the steadfast gaze of the county chief, the stainless steel scalpel gently sliced through the child's tender skin
The county magistrate of Hukou County proudly introduced: "Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China. This fish head weighs over 30 pounds and has an exceptionally delicious taste, making it the top delicacy in the Pengli area. After the founding of the nation, leaders from the older generation, including Mao Zedong, would always sample this fish head whenever they passed by Poyang Lake on their way to Lushan for summer retreat in Jiujiang."
"Fei Daozhang, I must respectfully disagree with your views on remote sensing," Yu Lao set down his wine cup, glanced around, and then said, "As we all know, remote sensing is a high-altitude detection technology that emerged in the 1960s, based on the theory of electromagnetic waves. It employs various sensing instruments on aircraft and artificial satellites to collect, process, and image the electromagnetic wave information radiated and reflected by distant targets. How can the so-called 'Ling Ge' hide in the belly of a small boy and conduct remote sensing? How can this 'Ling Ge' command the police to capture a murderer who committed a crime years ago and is hundreds of kilometers away? This is absurd. As an old Bolshevik, I unequivocally express my opposition."
The forensic expert cautiously opened the instrument bag, each donning white gloves, holding sharp scalpels, yet their eyes darted towards Fei Daoshang and the county magistrate, hesitating to make the incision.
The bond between fish and water? Many do not understand
Master Fei looked at the awkward expressions of the crowd, a faint cold smile playing on his lips; among everyone present, he alone remained indifferent to the situation
Daoist Fei smiled slightly, looked around, and said: "Of course, it is my duty to respond. This 'Ling Ge' is a treasure that has been cultivated for a thousand years and must be treated with respect. Before we proceed, we must first burn incense and offer prayers. Although the ritual implements are incomplete and the ceremony is simple, the 'Golden Light Divine Incantation' must still be recited."
"This is not good, it's phimosis!" Among the experts, there was an elderly professor from the Traditional Chinese Medicine College, who shouted in panic while hurriedly reaching into his groin, forcefully pulling back the glans, and simultaneously warned everyone, "Quickly hold on, do not let it retract into the abdomen"
The county magistrate turned to Master Fei and said solemnly: "Master Fei, you are quite knowledgeable about these supernatural matters. I would like to invite you to guide the upcoming dissection work, if you would be so kind."
"How delightful! I have never seen such a large fish head before." Old Yu gazed at the giant "Chopped Chili Fish Head" in the basin, exclaiming in admiration.
The pink fascia retracted to the sides, and within the tumor stood a tiny figure dressed in red, wearing green shoes, only two inches tall. It had no arms, a sallow complexion with a beard, a face full of wrinkles, and all facial features including eyebrows and eyes. Its small eyes slowly turned, scanning the faces of everyone present.
Master Fei stroked his beard and asked with a smile, "What is the extent of the area where the incidents occurred and the region where the murderer is hiding?"
"Quickly tell me how to treat it!" The county magistrate shouted in exasperation, fearing that if it was not resolved promptly, he would have no face to preside over the county standing committee meeting the next day
As the drinks flowed for the third round, the conversation among the guests gradually shifted to "Ling Ge".
In the evening, the conversation between the little boy with the parrot and "Ling Ge" was heard by everyone. May I ask, Old Yu, how do you explain this?" Master Fei said with a smile.
Everyone nodded in agreement, their faces filled with admiration
Then, Daoist Fei first cleansed his hands, and from his bosom, he took out a small box made of rosewood. Inside was vermilion clay, which he evenly applied to his right palm. He then chanted softly: "Heaven and Earth, the Mysterious Sect, the root of all energies, extensively cultivated over countless eons, to certify my divine powers. Within and beyond the Three Realms, only the Dao is supreme, my body radiates golden light, reflecting upon me. Invisible to the eye, unheard by the ear, encompassing Heaven and Earth, nurturing all living beings. Reciting it once, my body shines with light, the Three Realms stand guard, the Five Emperors welcome. All gods pay homage, commanding thunder, demons and monsters lose their courage, spirits and strange beings vanish. Within and beyond the Three Realms, only the Dao is supreme, my body radiates golden light, reflecting upon me. Invisible to the eye, unheard by the ear, encompassing Heaven and Earth, nurturing all living beings. Reciting it once, my body shines with light, the Three Realms stand guard, the Five Emperors welcome. All gods pay homage, commanding thunder, demons and monsters lose their courage, spirits and strange beings vanish. Within are thunderclaps, the Thunder God hidden in name, profound wisdom intermingles, the Five Energies surge. Golden light swiftly manifests, protecting the true person, urgently as the Jade Emperor's light descends with commands..."
"Stop! You sorcerer!" Ling Ge screamed in terror from inside the little boy's belly
This "Koro syndrome" is a term from Malay, prevalent among the Chinese communities in the South Seas. Since the reform and opening up, it has been introduced to our country..." The old professor spoke at length.
"County Chief, I have heard that this 'Ling Ge' has helped the public security organs solve several old cases. Is that true?" an expert asked, his eyes slightly glazed.
Under the intense gaze of the crowd, the forensic expert trembled as he gently incised the surface of the tumor
The old professor stammered, saying: "The 'Lingshu: Jingjin Chapter' of the 'Huangdi Neijing' states, 'The foot Jueyin generates tendons... it ascends along the inner thigh, connecting to the genitals; if injured by cold, the yin retracts.' Traditional Chinese medicine holds that the liver meridian encircles the genitals and enters the lower abdomen; therefore, cold and dampness stagnating in the foot Jueyin liver meridian can lead to the condition of yin retraction.
At midnight, the sound of a car horn echoed outside the door. Two forensic experts from the county public security bureau entered, carrying a small suitcase. They were ordered to conduct an overnight autopsy on the body of the young boy, while the other officers set up a perimeter around the house
The Daoist priest Fei still wore a faint smile on his face, pointing at the tumor and softly saying: "Cut it open"
Everyone eagerly picked up their chopsticks, each grabbing the tender, jelly-like brain of the male fish, with broth splattering everywhere, followed by an endless stream of admiration.
Another forensic expert used two rat-toothed tissue forceps to pull the skin and flesh of the child's abdomen to the sides, exposing the abdominal cavity. In the dim light, a pink tumor, approximately the size of a cantaloupe, could be seen growing between the bladder and the pelvis, beneath the coiled small intestine and the stout large intestine. Aside from this, there were no other abnormalities.
***
Upon hearing this, the government secretary stood up and approached the homeowner to request some incense and candles, which had originally been prepared for the child's burial. An incense altar was set up in front of the ice coffin, and the incense and candles were lit one by one, marking the beginning of the ritual.
At that moment, the secretary of the township government hurried into the kitchen and pulled down all the strings of dried chili peppers that the villagers had hung out to dry under the eaves, throwing them into the large pot to start a fire.