After bidding farewell to the small village, Su Mu continued along the route recorded in the medical manuscript. The divination indicated that he should head southwest into the deep mountains, where it was said that a highly skilled physician resided in seclusion.
In the depths of the mountains, ancient trees towered above, blocking out the sun, and the paths were rugged and difficult to traverse.
Su Mu forged ahead, cutting through thorns and brambles, often needing to climb steep rock faces and cross rushing streams.
He would occasionally stop to consult the divination for direction and gather some rare medicinal herbs encountered along the way.
Some herbs grew on sheer cliffs, requiring Su Mu to risk his life to collect them.
After several days of travel, Su Mu finally arrived at the location indicated by the divination—a secluded valley.
The valley was shrouded in mist, resembling a fairyland. A simple wooden cabin was nestled among the green trees, and in front of it lay a medicinal herb garden filled with various rare plants. An elderly man with white hair was busy tending to the garden; he had a full head of white hair and a spirited demeanor, exuding an aura of wisdom.
Su Mu approached steadily, clasping his hands in front of him and bowing respectfully. With a smile on his face and sincerity in his tone, he explained to the elder the reason for his visit.
Upon hearing this, the old man’s sharp eyes began to scrutinize Su Mu from head to toe, as if trying to see through his exterior to discern his true essence.
After a moment, the elder slowly asked, “Young man, may I know who your master is?” Su Mu did not dare to be negligent and promptly answered truthfully.
Once he finished speaking, the elder nodded thoughtfully. A barely perceptible smile appeared on his face as he softly said, “Oh, so you are indeed a descendant of an old friend! In that case, please come in.” With that, he stepped aside to make way for Su Mu.
Through their conversation, Su Mu learned that this elder was named Hua Li. Although he was not the legendary recluse explicitly mentioned in the medical manuscript, his demeanor and the profound knowledge conveyed in his words clearly demonstrated his deep-rooted expertise in medicine.
Hua Li then led Su Mu into the seemingly simple and unadorned wooden cabin.
Upon entering the room, the first thing that caught the eye was the neatly arranged array of various herbs and medical tools. Although the decor appeared quite simple and unadorned, the rich aroma of medicinal herbs wafting through the air was invigorating and refreshing.
Hua Li first inquired about Su Mu's progress in learning medicine, showing genuine concern. He then used some common ailments as examples to test Su Mu's actual medical skills on the spot.
Facing Hua Li's questions, Su Mu was unfazed, responding calmly and accurately to each one in detail.
Not only that, but he also demonstrated to Hua Li some exquisite techniques he had learned from a precious medical compendium, such as the "Nine Needles of Rejuvenation."
Seeing Su Mu's diligence and solid foundation in medicine, Hua Li couldn't help but nod in satisfaction, his eyes revealing unreserved admiration.
In the days that followed, Su Mu wholeheartedly immersed himself in learning medicine under Hua Li's guidance.
Every morning, when the first rays of sunlight spilled onto the windowsill, Su Mu would rise early, ready to embark on a new day of study.
Hua Li, a master of exceptional medical skills, generously imparted to Su Mu many unknown techniques and valuable prescriptions accumulated over years of experience.
This knowledge seemed like a gateway to a mysterious world of medicine, broadening Su Mu's horizons.
In addition to theoretical knowledge, Hua Li personally demonstrated and patiently taught Su Mu how to accurately identify various herbs.
From their physical characteristics to differences in scent and growth environments, Hua Li explained every detail thoroughly, ensuring that Su Mu could truly master this essential skill.
Formulating suitable prescriptions based on different patients' constitutions was an even more profound art.
Through practical case analyses, Hua Li guided Su Mu to observe subtle changes in patients' complexions, pulse conditions, and tongue coatings, enabling him to accurately determine their constitutional characteristics and prescribe targeted treatments accordingly.
In addition, traditional treatments such as acupuncture and massage are also important components of Hua Li's teachings.
He guided Su Mu step by step to familiarize himself with the human body's meridians and acupoints, imparting the correct techniques for needle insertion and massage pressure, allowing Su Mu to gradually master these effective methods that could alleviate pain and even cure diseases.
Su Mu approached his studies with utmost seriousness, always listening intently to every word from Hua Li and demonstrating a keen ability to think and summarize. Whenever he encountered something he did not understand or had questions about, he never hesitated to seek clarification from Hua Li.
With this dedication and diligence, it wasn't long before Su Mu successfully grasped the essence of the medical skills that Hua Li had imparted.
Notably, in Hua Li's vast medicinal herb field, a variety of rare medicinal materials were cultivated. Among them, one particularly remarkable herb known as "Snow Lotus Essence" stood out.
Legend has it that it possesses astonishing healing abilities capable of addressing many difficult ailments. Whenever Su Mu passed by this herb field, his gaze would invariably be drawn to the clusters of pure white "Snow Lotus Essence," which emitted a faint fragrance.
Deep within, Su Mu was filled with an uncontrollable curiosity about this magical herb.
One day, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Su Mu finally asked Hua Li for more details about "Snow Lotus Essence." Hua Li smiled and told him, "Although the properties of 'Snow Lotus Essence' are mild, it contains an incredibly powerful vitality.
However, to fully unleash its maximum efficacy, a special preparation method must be employed." He then went on to explain this unique preparation process in detail, captivating Su Mu and deepening his understanding of "Snow Lotus Essence."
In addition to learning the profound and complex medical arts, Hua Li spared no effort in teaching Su Mu various health preservation methods.
These methods were not commonly seen but were distilled from Hua Li's years of clinical experience. Furthermore, Hua Li patiently interpreted the deeper meanings hidden behind the mysterious hexagrams in the medical texts for Su Mu.
It turned out that these seemingly esoteric hexagrams were intricately connected to the complex flow of meridians within the human body.
As time passed, Su Mu was pleasantly surprised to discover that the health preservation methods he learned perfectly corroborated the hexagrams recorded in the medical texts.
They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, seamlessly complementing and enhancing each other.
This remarkable connection deepened Su Mu's understanding of medicine, making him increasingly adept in its application.
After months of relentless study, Su Mu's medical skills experienced a qualitative leap, advancing rapidly.
Even Hua Li, who had always been demanding, could not help but smile with satisfaction at Su Mu's achievements. Nodding approvingly, he said, "Child, with your current level of medical skill, you have already made some notable progress.
After all, this is just a secluded mountain forest, and the patients you can encounter are limited. In the cities outside, with their large populations, there are countless patients in need.
That is where true talents like you, with both ability and compassion, are needed to showcase their skills.
So go back! Use the exquisite medical skills you have learned to help those who urgently need assistance and realize their greatest value."
Upon hearing these words, Su Mu felt a deep sense of reluctance towards Hua Li and the tranquil mountains. Yet he understood the truth in Hua Li's words.
He slowly bent down and deeply bowed to Hua Li, expressing his endless gratitude from the bottom of his heart.
Finally, after bidding a heartfelt farewell to Hua Li, Su Mu shouldered his pack, filled with the invaluable "Snow Lotus Essence" and all the knowledge he had gained during his time there.
With determined steps, he resolutely left the mountain that had once provided him with so much knowledge and warmth, embarking on the long road to the bustling city ahead. Awaiting him would be new challenges and opportunities…
Comment 0 Comment Count