Chapter 4, Medical Prescriptions

Daoist medicine is not as widely transmitted as traditional Chinese medicine; however, in terms of ranking, Daoist medicine surpasses traditional Chinese medicine. Furthermore, Daoist medicine is profound and difficult to comprehend, being passed down from master to disciple and not publicly shared, making it even more challenging to glimpse its true essence

Now it's quite something, even the founder of the Quanzhen School of Daoism has been brought up, with talk of practicing elixirs and collecting snake techniques. I listened in a daze, feeling it was all nonsense. Unable to help myself, I stared intently at the yellow dog, thinking that this little fellow has grown bolder over the past two years. Could it be that he is deliberately trying to fool me and make me look foolish?

Hiss! I gasped and said, "You say that kid is a Taoist? Doesn't seem like it, does it?" I thought to myself, although that kid is as unlikable as a ghost, he does look fair and tender, and if placed in a crowd, he would attract countless light beauties. Why would he be so misguided as to become a monk?

Later, upon returning and flipping through it, I discovered that it contained a wealth of information regarding spells and similar topics. My uncle, being quite bold and a typical materialist, believed that these charms and talismans were nothing but tricks and deceptions of various supernatural entities. He was just about to use the book to prop up the table when he suddenly realized that not only did it record some Taoist techniques, but it also involved a great deal related to pharmacology and medical theories, with insights so unique that they were simply unheard of.

Later, as the years passed, this legend was forgotten by everyone until twenty years ago, when my uncle's snake-catching incident revealed a flaw. This is because snake-catching is not a method of traditional Chinese medicine, but rather a practice of Taoist medicine, which involves certain talismans and spiritual matters. After my uncle caught the snake, my grandfather questioned him seriously, asking where he had learned the skill of snake-catching.

As a result, various methods emerged one after another. Some began to search for the specific location of the tomb of the living dead. According to historical records, the tomb, which contained medical prescriptions, should be located in the Zhongnan Mountains. It is said that at its most spectacular time, the grass on Zhongnan Mountain was almost trampled to extinction by the physicians traveling from north to south. However, the medical prescriptions never appeared. In the Zhongnan Mountains, there were indeed instances where some people secretly excavated several tombs, but none of them were the tomb of the living dead.

At that time, my uncle remained silent, his expression was quite poor. When I inquired about the matter, he turned dark-faced; he did not scold me, but he also did not take me out to play. Later, I learned that my uncle did not like others to mention this matter, so I never asked again, treating it merely as a folk tale to listen to.

Later, Wang Chongyang comprehended the true way of heaven and earth, emerged from the Tomb of the Living Dead, traveled the world, and founded the Quanzhen School, which, alongside the Zhengyi School of Daoism, became one of the two major sects of Daoism

The little yellow dog rolled its eyes and said, "That was just my guess, I'm not sure. I heard the master say that after he confessed, the ancestral master confiscated the books. The boundary between traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist medicine is very strict. The master's behavior is equivalent to stealing knowledge, but the incident with the snake collection caused too much of a stir, and it wasn't long before someone came knocking, wanting to meet the person who collected the snakes."

Uncle's heart stirred, thinking he had stumbled upon a treasure, and he hurriedly read through the book overnight. However, the text was indeed profound and obscure, and he could only grasp it partially. Before long, the wealthy man arrived, and upon seeing him, Uncle recognized it was snake venom. Moreover, the wealthy man's face had turned purple, clearly indicating that the venom had already invaded his heart's meridians. Given his medical skills, it would be very difficult to save him.

Of course, the version I heard back then has naturally been refined through countless rumors, and many parts have been altered beyond recognition. I had previously asked my uncle about that matter, inquiring whether this skill of catching snakes was taught by my grandfather. So, our family's medical skills are that impressive?

I immediately said, "Alright, alright, I believe you, please continue. What happened next? How did it get related to that person with the surname Chen?"

It is often said that a physician has the heart of a parent. Although my uncle did not wish to take on the role of a parent, being young and eager, he recalled the technique for capturing snakes mentioned in that book. He made an agreement with the woman beforehand: if he succeeded in the treatment, he would not charge her; if he failed, it would cost her life. The woman agreed, and unexpectedly, he succeeded at once.

This matter must begin with Wang Chongyang himself

Anyone who has read Jin Yong's novels is certainly familiar with Wang Chongyang. He founded the Quanzhen Sect and once resided in a tomb of the living dead to cultivate his martial arts. Most outsiders believe that this character is fictional; on the contrary, he not only existed but the matter of the tomb of the living dead is also recorded in history, and it is absolutely true

I was taken aback and said, "How could there be another half of the book?"

The little yellow dog paused and said, "That person with the surname Chen is the one who came to ask for this book."

He walked to a place called Zhongnan Mountain, captivated by its enchanting beauty, and built a tomb-like underground chamber there to practice his Daoist cultivation, isolating himself from the world. The people around knew that a living person resided in that tomb, but he never ventured outside. Over time, the place came to be known as the Tomb of the Living Dead

In fact, traditional Chinese medicine encompasses many theories that originate from Daoist practices. The Daoists' pursuit of medicine is even more ambitious, often seeking longevity and even immortality. Therefore, in historical legends, whether it is Wang Chongyang of the Quanzhen School or Zhang Tianshi of the Zhengyi School, both have practiced alchemy.

I was furious as soon as I heard it. What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? Who am I? I am the only descendant of the Sun family. My uncle treats me like his own son. If he has any issues, then they are my issues as well. Can you really say it has nothing to do with me?

When my uncle was young and unaware of the depths of the world, he honestly recounted an incident where a beggar passed by and offered him a half-damaged book in exchange for a drink of water. My uncle glanced at the writing inside and, noticing that it was an ancient artifact, without even looking at the content, he proceeded with the exchange.

Later physicians, many hoped to obtain this medical manuscript. Regardless of whether the elixir of immortality is real or not, even if it is false, the other prescriptions recorded in that manuscript are also extremely valuable. Any physician with a sense of conscience or ambition hopes that this manuscript can be published, using it to save lives and achieve fame and success.

If my uncle were to encounter an incident and I stood by doing nothing, then I would be nothing but an ungrateful person

I felt something was amiss at this point and said, "Even if he is indeed a Daoist physician, there are so many Daoists in the world; what right does he have to demand the book? Is his name written on it?" The little yellow dog shook his head and replied, "This is the crux of the matter; what he wants is not the one obtained by his master, but the other half of it."

Exchanging life for something? Is the person with the surname Chen part of the underworld?

The little yellow dog shook its head and said: "My master didn't tell me the specifics, but he did mention one thing to me. He said that if I can't avoid this matter, I will owe a significant favor to a person with the surname Chen, and I might have to pay for it with my life in the future"

My uncle sensed something was amiss at that time, and he keenly felt that perhaps this was not a medical prescription from traditional Chinese medicine, but rather a medical prescription from Daoist medicine

In fact, it was said to be a meeting, but it was really just an attempt to probe my uncle's background. My uncle is a well-respected traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and if he were to make an appearance, his true nature would be revealed. Therefore, my grandfather met with them on his behalf. Who those people were and what exactly they discussed with my grandfather remains unknown to anyone, but after that day, the book disappeared without a trace

I stared at him for a while, and the little yellow dog became displeased, saying: "You are forcing me to speak; even if I do, you won't believe me. Forget it, believe it or not, this matter has nothing to do with you."

It is said that Wang Chongyang practiced alchemy in the Tomb of the Living Dead. After several years, he left behind a medical manuscript that recorded his insights on alchemy and the art of reviving the dead. This manuscript contains numerous extraordinary prescriptions and may even document the method for concocting the elixir of immortality. However, when Wang Chongyang emerged from his seclusion, he did not bring this manuscript with him

A thousand years ago, a Taoist named Wang Chongyang traveled the world, seeking immortals and practicing the Tao, saving lives. He not only possessed great supernatural powers but was also a highly skilled Taoist physician

To be honest, I am a well-educated young man who has received modern compulsory education, and I have never believed in any superstitions. The most superstitious thing I have ever done in my life was when I was in middle school; in order to pursue a girl in my class, I specifically went to a temple to buy a love knot, telling her that it could bind our fates for three lifetimes. Now, when I think back on this incident, I wish I could erase it from my memory.

The little yellow dog finally caught its breath, frowned, and said: "As for that person with the surname Chen, I am not clear about his background, but I estimate that he should be a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner"

the other half of the book

After listening to the words of the little yellow dog, I couldn't help but gasp in surprise and asked suspiciously, "After saying so much, you wouldn't be trying to tell me that the medical book my uncle exchanged for is the one left by Wang Chongyang, would you?"