Taoist Doctor - Chapter 40

The **Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin**—this concept, which had once been vague to the overseas acupuncturists, became clear to them at this moment.

 

Hans had generally used an abbreviation for this channel during his studies, but now he felt that the abbreviation was insufficient because the channel’s path and functions seemed to be embedded in its name.

 

Acute and chronic pharyngitis are often caused by heat invading the body, harming the yin and affecting the lungs, with phlegm and fire accumulating in the throat. The throat belongs to the lung system, and the **Yuji Point** is the **Xing Point** of the Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin. The Xing Point refers to where the meridian energy flows.

 

As the saying goes, “where the meridian passes, it treats.” This is a key point for treating throat issues.

 

Since the cause is heat, Dr. Zhou Jinyuan used the **Tianliang** needling technique on the **Yuji Point** to expel the evil, which naturally clears the lungs and benefits the throat, leading to improvement in the condition.

 

Both the **Tianliang** and **Shanhuo** needling techniques, which are for substantial discharge and replenishment, are rarely mastered in China and are even considered to have been lost to history. Moreover, Dr. Zhou’s needling sensation is extremely intense, which few can achieve.

 

“Is this really… a meridian phenomenon?” Hans swallowed, and with the act of swallowing, his throat only became more comfortable.

 

He actually had an answer in his mind; he just found it hard to believe that the phenomenon could be so evident.

 

The effect was much better than anything he had experienced with Western medicine. The cooling sensation spreading in his throat seemed to instantly cleanse it, and it felt incredibly refreshing!

 

“Meridian transmission of sensation, Qi reaching the disease site,” Dr. Zhou Jinyuan explained, thinking that these people should understand this if translated into other languages. “The needling sensation travels along the meridian from the point to the disease site, allowing quicker relief. This is the function of acupoints and meridians. Different acupoints and meridians combined together achieve such effects.”

 

Many acupuncturists and therapists recognized Hans as a colleague. Their acupuncture association often held events, and it was inconceivable for Hans to be acting in collusion with others.

 

Even so, it was hard to believe why this meridian phenomenon appeared so vividly as described by Hans—was it exaggerated?

 

“Why is the effect so quick?”

 

“The speed of Qi arrival determines the speed of effect. As I mentioned, it’s related to the technique. The quicker the needling sensation reaches the disease site, the better the result.”

 

The **Tianliang** and **Shanhuo** techniques, both for substantial discharge and replenishment, were excellent for helping them understand the Qi of acupoints and meridians.

 

The scene became lively, with many eager to experience this needling technique. They even wanted to design experiments to compare its impact on therapeutic outcomes.

 

Often, Western experiments fail due to technique and lack of emphasis on needling sensation. If a Chinese physician conducted the experiments, the results might be different.

 

“It’s already after class. There are more classes later, and I’ve already delayed. Patients will come tomorrow; I’ll continue explaining then,” Dr. Zhou Jinyuan politely declined the requests to experience the technique.

 

Despite the class being over, many acupuncturists attending the training were reluctant to leave. They had suddenly developed an interest in previously ignored research areas. The technique was undoubtedly difficult to master, but it was so intriguing that they wanted to explore it further.

 

Dr. Zhou’s refusal only made them eager for the next day’s class. No, the next lecturer was also from China; they could ask that teacher if they used classical needling techniques!

 

Their curiosity and interest were exactly what Dr. Zhou and many Chinese doctors hoped for. The more interest generated, the more large-scale research and a virtuous cycle would form, which was the key to long-term development.

 

“Oh my God, I suddenly remembered I read a book where the author went to the East and experienced classical acupuncture. The disease site would feel warm. At the time, I thought it was a coincidence or some other technique… Now that I think about it, it should be the same technique we saw today, right?” A therapist suddenly said.

 

“Uh… actually, the doctor in that book should be me,” Dr. Zhou Jinyuan said with a bit of embarrassment. “So, indeed, it is the same technique.”

 

Not just the same technique, but the same person?

 

The therapist burst into laughter. “It’s really you?!”

 

Dr. Zhou’s resume was quite simple because he was indeed young, and he hadn’t included his achievements in “leading the development of hair loss treatment in Haizhou San Hospital.”

 

Otherwise, the therapist might have recognized him earlier, especially since the hype was around hair loss treatment.

 

Now that he was recognized, the topic shifted to Dr. Zhou’s hair loss treatments.

 

After all, studying medicine can also lead to hair loss…

 

Everyone thought Dr. Zhou was just skilled in acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine wasn’t their specialty. However, since they had learned acupuncture, they had some understanding and contact with it. Some acupuncture organizations even combined with Chinese herbal medicine.

 

Dr. Zhou had no choice but to agree to give them a hair loss clinic tomorrow.

 

—

 

After the class, Dr. Zhou did not return to his hotel room. Instead, he greeted Zhao Yanyan and headed out. He had already checked that there was a store selling that golden pen in City L, so he planned to visit it.

 

He checked the specific route and found it wasn’t too far, so he decided to walk there.

 

The fountain pen store was next to a large plaza in City L, a landmark building.

 

Following the map, Dr. Zhou walked in that direction. As he passed the plaza, he heard the beautiful sound of a violin, probably from a street performer. There were many street performers along the way, but the place where the violin music was coming from had particularly many people because the melody was so enchanting and evocative that it captivated people, making them feel a sense of vitality.

 

Dr. Zhou was mesmerized by the music. Live performances have a quality that audio and video recordings can’t capture. But he soon remembered he had other things to do, so he didn’t approach but went to find the store.

 

To his dismay, the store was already closed at just 5 PM.

 

Dr. Zhou felt quite helpless. With no other options, he decided to come back early the next day and went back while listening to the music to make the trip worthwhile.

 

He squeezed into the crowd just as the violinist started a new piece. The familiar melody of **”The Butterfly Lovers”** played, which energized him as a traveler from China. He stood on tiptoe to get a better view, but from this angle, he could only see the performer’s back.

 

The violinist, facing away, wore long sleeves despite the warm weather and had a hat and mask on, showing a bit of white hair. However, the person’s straight back did not seem like an elderly with white hair, which made Dr. Zhou think of the owner of the golden pen he was carrying.

 

What a coincidence in such a vast world…

 

Just as Dr. Zhou was about to move to the front to see, the violinist suddenly stopped playing and collapsed on the ground. The previously straight back curled up in pain, showing clear signs of suffering.

 

The crowd became restless, and someone started calling for emergency help.

 

“Let me through, I’m a doctor,” Dr. Zhou shouted, and people moved aside. He rushed to the center and turned the person over.

 

Although only the frosted eyebrows and eyes were visible, this was definitely the albinistic man he had seen at Haizhou Airport!

 

“It’s you?” Dr. Zhou was momentarily surprised, then quickly checked his wrist. “Can you speak? Do you have any medication on you?”

 

“Don’t call an ambulance… I have… painkillers…” The albinistic man gritted his teeth and said to Dr. Zhou, “I’m just… in pain…”

 

He didn’t recognize Dr. Zhou due to the pain that made it hard for him to concentrate.

 

With white eyelashes falling and his brows tightly knitted, his emaciated body looked like a bundle of ice and snow that could melt at any moment.

 

“I understand,” Dr. Zhou said. He searched but found no medicine bottle on him, not sure if he had forgotten to bring it. When Dr. Zhou tried to speak with him again, the man was in too much pain to respond.

 

Dr. Zhou felt the pulse, and his face changed dramatically. He immediately took out the acupuncture tools, moved his hand away, and placed it on the liver area. “Is it here that hurts?”

 

……

 

Jin Chuo Xian was in so much pain that his consciousness was blurred. He even had another thought, wondering if he shouldn’t have been so forgetful or if he had overestimated his own body.

 

After receiving treatment from Professor Mo in Haizhou, Jin Chuo Xian didn’t answer his company or friends’ calls for several days.

 

He wandered alone in Haizhou for a few days before deciding to go to Country B. He stayed at a friend’s house whom he had met while composing music for a film and worked on his final pieces.

 

He took his medicine on time, occasionally visited the hospital, and performed as well, trying to enjoy the last days of his life.

 

Thanks to the medication from Professor Mo, he was spared from the worst of the pain. However, after finishing the medicine he brought from home, he found that one of the prescriptions wasn’t available in Country B, so he had to wait for the logistics and started using painkillers again.

 

Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the painkillers was diminishing, and after forgetting to bring his medication when he went out today, the pain arrived earlier than he expected. He shouldn’t have been so optimistic…

 

In the midst of the extreme pain, he vaguely felt his hand being pulled away, and someone was asking him questions. He heard every word clearly but couldn’t understand their meaning.

 

Soon, the person pressed on his liver area and did something, causing the pain to gradually lessen…

 

At this moment, Jin Chuo Xian could see the surroundings more clearly, with some people bending over to ask if he was okay.

 

Jin Chuo Xian was still a bit disoriented. The others were speaking foreign languages, but the person beside him spoke in his native language, saying, “Be careful not to bump into the needle.”

 

Jin Chuo Xian’s reddish eyes finally regained focus. He recognized the face of the person, realizing it was the Taoist priest who had left a deep impression on him at Haizhou airport. “It’s you…”

 

“It’s me!” Zhou Jinyuan helped him sit up. “You came to Haizhou seeking medical treatment? Liver cancer? You shouldn’t have left so soon; there are quite a few good doctors in Haizhou! If not, you could have contacted me. I can’t promise anything else, but at least you wouldn’t be in this much pain!”

 

He noticed that Jin Chuo Xian was staring blankly at him. “Hello?”

 

Jin Chuo Xian slowly said, “Aren’t you a Taoist priest…”

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “…”

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “Is that all you have to say?? I am both a Taoist priest and a doctor.”

 

By now, Jin Chuo Xian’s pain had lessened significantly, and he picked up his violin, politely thanked the bystanders, and they dispersed.

 

At this point, his phone rang. Jin Chuo Xian answered, spoke a few words in a foreign language, and then said, “My friend is here to pick me up.” He paused and politely asked, “Doctor, may I ask how you knew what illness I have?”

 

He realized only then that he had never disclosed his illness to the other party.

 

Zhou Jinyuan hesitated and said, “I figured it out from feeling your pulse, and remember the characters I had you write last time? ‘Yan Tong Yan,’ where ‘Yan’ denotes illness, indicating cancer…”

 

Jin Chuo Xian was somewhat stunned. They had barely spoken last time before he left. It turned out a single character had foretold his fate, but why wasn’t it completely accurate? He had come to the southwest with hope, only to find no opportunities.

 

“By the way, do you know where there is a Chinese medicine store? Let’s find a place to get some painkillers first—this needle needs to stay in,” Zhou Jinyuan said, having inserted three needles across the painful area. He had no tape to secure the needles, so he advised the patient to be careful.

 

Seeing that Jin Chuo Xian didn’t seem to have good painkillers, Zhou Jinyuan, who had experience with advanced cancer patients, had some effective pain relief prescriptions.

 

Jin Chuo Xian came to his senses and immediately nodded, not questioning Zhou Jinyuan’s qualifications as he had hoped.

 

This young man was both a Taoist priest and a doctor, with accurate diagnoses and character readings. Jin Chuo Xian couldn’t help but think of various legendary figures. He then laughed at himself for being overly fanciful.

 

At that moment, a black car stopped at the edge of the square. It was Jin Chuo Xian’s friend.

 

Zhou Jinyuan helped Jin Chuo Xian into the car. He looked up and saw a blond foreigner in the car, someone who was handsome regardless of whether one was Western or Chinese. The foreigner looked at Zhou Jinyuan with some suspicion and straightened up, seemingly on guard.

 

Zhou Jinyuan thought the man looked familiar, recalling that he had seen him in the news. Wasn’t he a celebrity from Country B?

 

He hadn’t expected Jin Chuo Xian’s friend to be a celebrity from Country B. However, Zhou Jinyuan wasn’t a fan, so he just glanced at the man’s hair, which he had heard was quite a topic nationwide.

 

The foreigner was staring at Zhou Jinyuan and asked his friend, “…Who is he?”

 

“This doctor just helped me,” Jin Chuo Xian pointed to the needles on himself. “Arthur, have the driver take us to a Chinese medicine store. I need to buy some medicine.”

 

“Oh.” Hearing that Zhou Jinyuan was a doctor from elsewhere, Arthur relaxed a bit. “Your face is pale; you should rest first. If you need any medicine, I’ll have someone buy it.”

 

Jin Chuo Xian looked at Zhou Jinyuan.

 

Zhou Jinyuan typed out a prescription on his phone. Jin Chuo Xian saw that the prescription was different from Professor Mo’s, using herbs like mountain tortoise, borneol, cinnabar, and red euphorbia, which should be available in local stores.

 

Zhou Jinyuan thought Jin Chuo Xian was doubtful about the prescription. “These are for making a topical ointment. You should change it every two days when the pain worsens at night, so you can sleep peacefully.”

 

“How did you know?” Jin Chuo Xian asked. No previous doctor had mentioned this without him revealing it first. He looked at Zhou Jinyuan and whispered, “Was it calculated?”

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “…No need to calculate; it’s obvious.”

 

Jin Chuo Xian silently handed the prescription to Arthur. Arthur, who couldn’t understand their conversation, immediately made a call to get the medicine while the car headed directly to his home.

 

Zhou Jinyuan’s treatment wasn’t finished; he needed to help Jin Chuo Xian remove the needles and prepare the medicine. Thus, it seemed he had to go to Arthur’s home with them.

 

……

 

“I haven’t asked for your name yet,” Jin Chuo Xian turned to Zhou Jinyuan and asked.

 

“Zhou Jinyuan—what about you?”

 

“My surname is Jin, Jin Chuo Xian. This is my friend Arthur.” Jin Chuo Xian also introduced his friend. Hearing his name, Arthur gave a lazy wave.

 

Zhou Jinyuan recognized the name and recalled that Jin Chuo Xian was the low-profile, reclusive composer. “You’re Jin Chuo Xian?”

 

He remembered that he wasn’t always up-to-date with the news, so he wasn’t sure if anyone reported on Jin Chuo Xian’s illness. It made sense that Arthur and Jin Chuo Xian knew each other. Although he wasn’t familiar with Arthur’s work, Jin Chuo Xian had indeed entered that industry behind the scenes.

 

Seeing Zhou Jinyuan recognized him, Jin Chuo Xian lowered his gaze. “Please don’t disclose my illness.”

 

“…I understand.” Zhou Jinyuan pondered and asked, “So, are you receiving treatment in City L?”

 

City L had excellent medical facilities but wasn’t necessarily the most advanced in cancer research globally.

 

Jin Chuo Xian replied, “…Sort of.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan asked, “What do you mean by ‘sort of’?”

 

He assumed Jin Chuo Xian came abroad after failing to find treatment in Haizhou.

 

Jin Chuo Xian looked at Zhou Jinyuan with a hint of unspoken emotion in his reddish eyes. “Doctor, you’ve already determined I have cancer. I can only opt for palliative care and wait for the end. Being able to end painlessly is already the greatest mercy from heaven.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan didn’t fully agree. “From the piece you played in the square, I felt a strong desire for life.”

 

Jin Chuo Xian was stunned. His white eyelashes fluttered, and after a while, he gave a self-deprecating smile. “…Because my heart isn’t ready to end yet.”

 

It was not just resignation, compromise, or despair after struggle, but every moment he thought if he had a future, if there was still a miracle… he had too many dreams left unfulfilled.

 

“You know? I might only have four months left. But if I could have an extra day, an extra month, to stay in this world, I would be willing. It’s only when faced with loss that one realizes how precious things are.”

 

Jin Chuo Xian smiled silently, his fingers gently touching his instrument.

 

“In that case, you should fight for it! As long as you can snatch time from the hands of the king of the underworld, it’s worth it. I see your spirit is still strong, and you’re not dispirited; you might not only have a few months left!” Zhou Jinyuan said immediately.

 

Jin Chuo Xian was a bit surprised, “You’re the first person to say that.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan said, “I’m just speaking the truth. If I were to take your case, I would suggest you not set a four-month deadline.”

 

He could sense a strong will to live from Jin Chuo Xian’s music and what he said. It wasn’t just because of Jin Chuo Xian’s music—any life cut short is a great loss.

 

Moreover, not saving someone in danger is not the way of a healer.

 

Since the vital energy is still strong and the end is not yet certain, if Zhou Jinyuan were to take the case, he would do everything possible to extend the patient’s life. He and his father had dealt with such situations before. Even cancer can be lived with.

 

As Jin Chuo Xian himself said, even an extra day, an extra month, is precious. No one knows what miracles might occur in the next moment, or if new treatments for cancer will be discovered—life is hope.

 

Jin Chuo Xian felt his heartbeat quicken. Zhou Jinyuan’s diagnosis and divination were unlike anything he had seen before, and Zhou Jinyuan had a unique aura, as if he were ready to challenge the King of Hell at any moment.

 

But soon, he calmed down and asked, “Have you heard of Professor Mo Xiangting?”

 

“Professor Mo? Of course, I’ve heard of him.” Zhou Jinyuan immediately replied, “Professor Mo is a renowned contemporary physician!”

 

Hearing Zhou Jinyuan’s high regard for Professor Mo was expected, but it still disappointed Jin Chuo Xian a little, “I went to Haizhou last time to seek treatment from Professor Mo. He gave me the same answer.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan was momentarily stunned by this response.

 

Any doctor hearing that Professor Mo had given a diagnosis would be concerned. But if Zhou Jinyuan were that easily intimidated, he wouldn’t have honed his medical skills to this point.

 

His father had told him that a healer must have both courage and compassion!

 

So, Zhou Jinyuan quickly said, “The most skilled doctor isn’t necessarily the right doctor for you. As a Daoist physician, I believe not only is your vital energy still strong, but we also have a connection.”

 

He rummaged in his pocket and took out an item.

 

Jin Chuo Xian looked closely and saw it was the pen he had lost.

 

Zhou Jinyuan said, “If you want to give it a try, come back to Haizhou with me. Don’t forget, fortune lies in the southwest!”

 

Jin Chuo Xian’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at Zhou Jinyuan, thinking that there might still be hope in the southwest…

 

Here are the medical terms explained:

 

1. **Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin (手太陰肺經)**  

   **Chinese**: 手太陰肺經  

   **Pinyin**: Shǒu Tàiyīn Fèi Jīng  

   **English**: Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin  

   **Explanation**: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is one of the twelve primary meridians. It is associated with the lungs and plays a role in regulating respiratory function and overall health.

 

2. **Yuji Point (魚際穴)**  

   **Chinese**: 魚際穴  

   **Pinyin**: Yújì Xuè  

   **English**: Yuji Point  

   **Explanation**: This is an acupuncture point located on the hand, specifically on the thenar eminence (the fleshy part of the palm near the thumb). It is used to treat various conditions related to the lungs and throat.

 

3. **Tianliang Needling Technique (透天涼針法)**  

   **Chinese**: 透天涼針法  

   **Pinyin**: Tòutiānlíang Zhēn Fǎ  

   **English**: Tianliang Needling Technique  

   **Explanation**: A specific acupuncture technique known for its cooling and refreshing effect on the body, often used to alleviate symptoms of heat or inflammation.

 

4. **Shanhuo Needling Technique (燒山火針法)**  

   **Chinese**: 燒山火針法  

   **Pinyin**: Shāo Shānhuǒ Zhēn Fǎ  

   **English**: Shanhuo Needling Technique  

   **Explanation**: Another acupuncture technique, which involves strong stimulation, used for significant therapeutic effects such as large-scale discharge or supplementation. It’s considered one of the more intense methods in acupuncture.