Chapter - 124 Acupuncture And Medicines Unable to Remedy (6) (1/2)

Then, he recalled a passage from a chapter in the same book that was known as 'A Great Discussion of the Responses of the Yin and the Yang' (Yin1 Yang2 Ying4 Xiang4 Da4 Lun4): ”The physician begins by treating the skin, then the flesh, then the nerves, then the Six Secondary Organs and finally the Five Primary Organs. He who treats the Five Primary Organs is left with only half a chance for success.” An able physician must begin treating an illness the moment its symptoms appear, said Zhang Wuji to himself. If he waits until the disease has eaten into the Five Primary Organs before taking action, his chances of success would have already fallen by half. As for people like me, whose internal systems are overrun by toxins, we are doomed nine times out of ten.

As he praised the wisdom of the ancient physicians and reminisced about life since his injuries, Zhang Wuji suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves heading into the valley. A short while later, the riders came to a stop outside the huts. A voice among them called out: ”Friends from the martial arts circle seek an audience with the Sage of Healing, Mr Hu, requesting that he provides treatment for our ailments.”

Stepping out for a look, Zhang Wuji saw a swarthy man standing in front of his hut. The man had the reins of three horses in one hand, two of which carried a blood-soaked man each. The swarthy man wore a huge bloody bandage on his head, while his right arm hung from his neck in a sling. All three of them appeared to be seriously wounded.

”You have come at a most unfortunate time,” said Zhang Wuji. ”Mr Hu is ill and bed-ridden, so he is unable to offer you his services. Please see another physician!”

”But we have ridden hundreds of li (1 li = 500 metres) with our lives hanging by a thread,” said the swarthy man. ”We can be saved only by the Sage of Healing.”

”Mr Hu has been struck by a very serious case of smallpox,” Zhang Wuji explained. ”This is the truth, for I do not dare to deceive you.”

”The three of us are gravely wounded,” said the swarthy man again. ”Unless we are treated by the Healing Sage of Butterfly Valley himself, we are sure to die. Little Brother, please report to Mr Hu on our behalf and find out what his instructions are.”

”In that case, may I enquire what your esteemed surnames and names are?” asked Zhang Wuji.

”Our worthless names deserve no mention,” answered the swarthy man. ”Please say that we are disciples School-Leader Xianyu from Mount Hua.” His body shook and he threw up a large mouthful of blood.

Zhang Wuji was taken aback. He knew that Xianyu Tong from the School of Mount Hua was a great enemy of Hu Qingniu, so he went over to the physician's door and called, ”Sir, there are three seriously-injured men outside who seek your services. They say that they are disciples of School-Leader Xianyu from Mount Hua.”

Hu Qingniu gasped in surprise before replying angrily: ”I will not treat them! Chase them away at once!”