Taoist Doctor - Chapter 43

The day after his sudden rise to fame overseas, Zhou Jinyuan stayed at the hotel until the afternoon and only went to class after eating.

 

The class was held at a local acupuncture school, and upon arriving, the impact of the situation became apparent.

 

There were many onlookers, likely due in part to the holiday season, and among them were many people with thinning hair or already bald, who had come specifically to see him!

 

Zhou Jinyuan had become famous because of Arthur’s hair, and some had already seen the news online. If someone suffered from hair loss, they’d hear that a visit to Huaxia(Ancient name for china), particularly Haizhou, was necessary because there were secret remedies for baldness there.

 

Moreover, Zhou Jinyuan’s young age, contrasting with his abilities, added a bit of a legendary aura. Traveling to Huaxia was far, so with the miracle doctor in front of them, they naturally wanted to seize the opportunity.

 

Some were not bald and didn’t even have any ailments. They were likely just curious about traditional Chinese medicine or acupuncture. Knowing that Zhou Jinyuan was giving a course, they had seen the introduction on the official website and figured it wouldn’t hurt to see what classical Huaxia acupuncture looked like.

 

“I’m sorry, I’m here for class. Please don’t disturb… If you truly want treatment, you can book an appointment during my break!” Zhou Jinyuan had no choice but to ask Zhao Yanyan to help play the role of assistant, registering those who had rushed over specifically for him.

 

There were indeed many people, and those who just wanted to watch could only observe from a distance outside the classroom without interrupting the class.

 

In fact, no one dared to go too far. The scene of Zhou Jinyuan throwing a bear-like man aside was still fresh in everyone’s memory, and no one could say they’d be able to withstand a throw from this doctor.

 

There were also media outlets present, hoping to get some details about Arthur’s condition directly from Zhou Jinyuan.

 

If there was anything positive about this situation, Zhou Jinyuan thought, it was that people were now paying attention to the acupuncture pain management training because of him. In trying to learn more about him, they reported on his acupuncture methods.

 

Setting aside Arthur’s misfortune, this was still a successful promotion!

 

As agreed with Arthur, Zhou Jinyuan still maintained his explanation for him. However, to the public, it sounded like he was trying to cover something up, and people smiled knowingly, believing he was just keeping the patient’s information confidential.

 

As for the students in the training class, they arrived at least half an hour early today, filled with excitement.

 

They were already amazed by Zhou Jinyuan’s acupuncture techniques, and then, seeing the news, they realized that their teacher was actually Arthur’s primary physician, the one who solved the mystery of Schrödinger’s hair!

 

This class had certainly been worth their while, and it also gave them something to boast about among their peers.

 

Look at all the people here to see him, lining up for their turn. But yesterday, Zhou Jinyuan had already treated some of them for hair loss. They were the first in the country to get the same hair treatment as Arthur!

 

…

 

In the following days, Zhou Jinyuan followed his teaching schedule while continuing to treat patients on-site, allowing people to witness his treatments and the patients’ reactions.

 

During breaks, he also treated some patients, most of whom were dealing with hair loss, but not exclusively.

 

On the other hand, thanks to the word-of-mouth spread by the students, the editors of acupuncture magazines returned and widely praised Zhou Jinyuan’s classical acupuncture methods. This drew many local acupuncture professionals who hadn’t attended the course, sparking great interest in his techniques.

 

For years, they believed that meridian phenomena were rare and subtle, but Zhou Jinyuan had shattered that belief. It turned out that meridian phenomena could be so apparent, and his precision in selecting acupuncture points was vastly different from their usual practice.

 

This was a great direction for research! Though research in this field was scarce, even in Huaxia, where the studies weren’t particularly scientific, it also meant there was plenty of room to publish high-quality academic papers!

 

It could be said that, whether in the industry or among the general public, Zhou Jinyuan had both gained fame and promoted traditional Huaxia acupuncture well.

 

Even the search term “Daoism” surged online. Arthur was still stubbornly insisting that he was learning Daoist cultivation from Zhou Jinyuan, and his fans clung to this explanation as well.

 

The most outrageous part was that someone even asked if Zhou Jinyuan would like to open a clinic there, with offers to invest…

 

“Did you agree?” Arthur asked Zhou Jinyuan.

 

Actually, if Zhou Jinyuan could open a clinic in Country B, that would be great. He could showcase more of his medical skills, and maybe his grievances would gradually be cleared…

 

“No, I already have a clinic opening soon in China with some friends. Later, they even asked if they could distribute my Invincible Hair Growth Elixir.” Zhou Jinyuan said helplessly, “Of course, I refused. These people don’t understand traditional Chinese medicine at all. Formulas are prescribed based on each individual’s condition.”

 

Arthur laughed, “It’s like a high-end custom service.”

 

“By the way, when you return to China, do you want to be hospitalized? If so, you can stay in our traditional Chinese medicine department. The environment is pretty good.” Zhou Jinyuan asked Jin Chuo-xian.

 

Jin Chuo-xian, who preferred peace and quiet, replied, “I’ll just visit you regularly.”

 

Actually, he had already started looking for a suitable place to live in Haizhou through the internet, preferably close to Zhou Jinyuan. After wandering around Haizhou for a few days, Jin Chuo-xian had really come to like the cultural atmosphere there. If it weren’t for his health, he would have considered staying there long-term for inspiration.

 

But now, it seemed that this idea would come to fruition since he’d need to stay long-term.

 

“That works. But after my clinic opens, I’ll be there sometimes, so be sure to check the time. If I’m not at the hospital, you can come to the clinic to find me,” Zhou Jinyuan reminded him.

 

Jin Chuo-xian asked, “What’s the name of your clinic?”

 

Every time he was asked this question, Zhou Jinyuan always felt a bit embarrassed. He had heard that Rong Tu felt embarrassed when registering the name too. At home, they complained to each other, but neither was willing to back down.

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “Uh… It’s… Little Green Dragon…”

 

Jin Chuo-xian looked a bit puzzled. “Green Dragon?” He explained to the confused Arthur, who didn’t understand Chinese, “Green Dragon, it’s a mythical creature in Huaxia folklore.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “There’s also a ‘Little’ in front of it… Little Green Dragon.”

 

Jin Chuo-xian stopped himself from commenting.

 

Zhou Jinyuan pretended that he had carefully thought about the name. “This is from one of the ten famous traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, Xiao Qing Long Tang. The Little Green Dragon enters the sea to dispel coldness!”

 

Arthur, half understanding, genuinely praised the rich traditional culture of Huaxia.

 

But Jin Chuo-xian, being Chinese, couldn’t ignore how the name still sounded like a children’s playland. However, considering that Zhou Jinyuan also had a prescription called Invincible Hair Growth Elixir, he thought this naming style was consistent. Perhaps this was the unique charm of a renowned doctor!

 

…

 

Before they knew it, it was the last day of the course. The next day, Zhou Jinyuan would be flying back to Huaxia, and Jin Chuo-xian had booked the same flight.

 

The students in the training class were reluctant to part. Although the course was only ten days, they had formed friendships with the Huaxia peers and instructors.

 

Many of them expressed their willingness to continue researching meridians and acupuncture points in the future.

 

Zhou Jinyuan was pleased. He left his email address, telling them that if they encountered any problems and couldn’t find a reliable Huaxia doctor in the area, they could email him. Though he wouldn’t be there in person, he might be able to offer advice, especially in dealing with cultural differences.

 

They also planned a farewell meal near the school with the Huaxia instructors.

 

Arthur, on the other hand, had also invited them to dinner. Since they were leaving the next morning, he wanted to bring along Jessica, who had just finished work, and have a farewell meal with Zhou Jinyuan and Jin Chuo-xian.

 

When Zhou Jinyuan saw that the timing clashed, he called Arthur to explain. Arthur, however, didn’t mind at all and suggested they could all eat together since he didn’t only associate with people in the industry.

 

The only concern was whether Jin Chuo-xian would mind—he was someone who preferred peace and quiet.

 

The acupuncture physicians in the training class were thrilled to learn they would be dining with Arthur.

 

Even though everyone knew Arthur had been bald, it wasn’t a matter of character. Arthur was still a professional, and now that his hair had been restored, he could continue to bless everyone with his good looks. His past works wouldn’t be diminished just because he had gone bald!

 

This wasn’t just Zhou Jinyuan’s last day of teaching, but also the last day he would treat patients. Many people had come to see him over the past few days, and today he had even added two extra slots after class.

 

After seeing the additional patients, Zhou Jinyuan packed up his acupuncture tools and was about to leave with the others when he saw a green-eyed man with a bald top of his head rush in.

 

Upon seeing so many people, the man, panting heavily, said, “Great, you’re still here… Is Dr. Zhou around? Or does anyone have his contact information?”

 

Knowing that the training course would last only ten days, they rushed over as soon as they got off the plane.

 

“I am Dr. Zhou. What can I help you with?” Zhou Jinyuan stepped forward and asked.

 

“I came to seek treatment. May I ask if you’re available now…” The middle-aged man looked at him pleadingly, tears almost welling up in his eyes. In their custom, once work hours were over, that was it, especially since Zhou Jinyuan wasn’t officially on duty here, just temporarily treating patients. Seeing Zhou was about to leave, the man became even more desperate.

 

“Please, don’t cry,” Zhou Jinyuan, who had seen countless patients and their families cry, still couldn’t bear it. “It’s nothing that serious, just come over, and I’ll take a look to see what type of hair loss you have.”

 

Look at that! What kind of society has driven people to such a state? First, Arthur’s nationwide infamous baldness, and now this grown man was shedding tears over his hair loss!

 

The acupuncturists attending the training began to speculate. Could this man have come from another city? Otherwise, why would he be so late and so emotional? Dr. Zhou had really gained fame these past few days, with people even making special trips just to treat their baldness.

 

“No, no, it’s not me!” The man was briefly stunned before quickly explaining, “The patient is my daughter. We were treating her at Hopkins Hospital, but her lower limbs have become paralyzed. My daughter is a ballet dancer, but her attending physician told me that even if she recovers, she’ll never be able to dance again!”

 

“But another doctor told me they knew of a Chinese doctor who once used traditional Chinese acupuncture to treat a patient they had determined could only recover to the point of standing with support. It was nothing short of a miracle. That doctor is you—

 

“Dr. Zhou, I used a translation app to read the article you published in a Chinese academic journal. My daughter’s condition is different from that patient’s, but I believe if it’s you, maybe you can work another miracle!”

 

He paused, then added, “Please, I beg you, my daughter is only twenty-four, and dance is her life!”

 

At his words, the acupuncturists in the room were stirred, not because this man wasn’t here for hair loss treatment, but because his daughter had been treated at Hopkins Hospital, renowned for its high standard of medical care, particularly its rehabilitation center.

 

Since they weren’t in the same field, they had no idea that Dr. Zhou had once cured a case that Hopkins’ rehabilitation doctors considered miraculous!

 

These past days, Dr. Zhou had shared his expertise in treating pain, gaining fame for treating baldness. But now that they thought about it, didn’t this also prove the wonders of Dr. Zhou’s traditional acupuncture techniques from another angle?

 

Moreover, the information about the patient sounded increasingly familiar.

 

A ballet dancer with paralysis? The local doctors immediately thought of something—the principal dancer of L City’s Grand Theater Ballet, Elena. The news of her paralysis half a year ago had made the headlines. She had been the youngest principal dancer in the theater’s history, and her unexpected fall from grace had been a tragedy.

 

“Where is your daughter? I need to assess her condition first,” Zhou Jinyuan asked solemnly. If necessary, he would have to miss the dinner gathering that night.

 

“Please wait, my wife is with Elena, just outside. I’ll call her!” The middle-aged man’s words confirmed to the others that the patient was indeed Elena, the fallen star they had all heard of.

 

Soon, a middle-aged woman came in, supporting a wheelchair in which sat a young woman in her twenties from Country B. She had thick black hair and striking green eyes, as beautiful as a lake in a forest, with finely chiseled features.

 

But sadly, her beautiful eyes were dull, like a once-lustrous pearl that had lost its shine.

 

“Hello,” Zhou Jinyuan nodded at Elena’s mother and greeted her, then spoke to Elena, though her reaction was slow. After a moment, she lifted her eyes and softly replied, “…Hello.”

 

“Please tell me more about the patient’s condition,” Zhou Jinyuan said.

 

Elena’s mother gently stroked her daughter’s hair and quietly said, “Elena was in a car accident with her best friend. That child didn’t survive, and Elena lost all function. Her nerve reflexes are gone. The doctors said…”

 

She trailed off, not wanting to speak further for fear of upsetting her daughter.

 

So that’s how it was. Zhou Jinyuan looked at Elena, sensing that her mental state was also affected. At first, he even suspected it might be conversion disorder paralysis—a psychological condition where trauma causes loss of motor function.

 

In such cases, psychological therapy is often required in addition to physical treatment.

 

Though Elena didn’t have conversion disorder, her mental state was undoubtedly poor. She had suffered great trauma, lost hope of returning to the stage, and her emotions had been deeply affected.

 

“Let me examine her first.” Zhou Jinyuan crouched down to check Elena’s pulse. She showed no reaction, letting him proceed.

 

After the examination, Zhou Jinyuan took out his acupuncture needles and said, “I don’t have my special needles with me. I’ll try a session using regular ones first. Do you mind that these needles are different from the ones used in the hospital?”

 

Here, they used short and thin needles, but Zhou Jinyuan’s needles were long. Elena’s parents, however, had no objections, thrilled that he was starting treatment right away, nodding eagerly.

 

“Do you still want to dance?” Zhou Jinyuan asked. Immediately, Elena’s eyes twitched, showing a clear response. He took note of this reaction.

 

What he wanted to test wasn’t just her meridians but to try adjusting Elena’s emotional state.

 

Zhou Jinyuan began inserting needles at the top of Elena’s head. At the same time, everyone noticed that he was singing while applying the acupuncture!

 

The tune was one they had never heard before, with a very unique rhythm and lyrics in Chinese. Even though they couldn’t understand the words, the melody had a calming and soothing effect.

 

Could this be music therapy? Singing during treatment—this was rare, and it had a strong cultural flavor!

 

No one noticed three new arrivals—Jin Chuo Xian, Arthur, and Arthur’s girlfriend, Jessica. They had come to look for Zhou Jinyuan but found him still treating a patient while singing.

 

“What is this?”

 

Arthur mumbled to himself.

 

He, along with Arthur and Jessica, had just arrived. Excited, he tapped someone on the shoulder and asked, “What’s he treating?”

 

The person, annoyed at first, turned to see it was Arthur, covering his mouth to stifle a gasp, then whispered excitedly, “This is a paralyzed patient from Hopkins Hospital! They said only Dr. Zhou might be able to help her!”

 

Hopkins Hospital? Arthur became the most excited person in the room. He turned to his girlfriend, exclaiming, “See! What did I say? I told you Dr. Zhou does more than treat baldness—he’s even better in other areas!!”

 

Jessica scoffed, “What are you so excited about? No matter how amazing Dr. Zhou is, unless you’re paralyzed, you’ll only ever need him to treat your baldness.”

 

Arthur: “…………”

 

…

 

“The Great Way encompasses the mysterious void, and with thought, all is attuned. Refining the essence leads to the true immortal, achieving a body like diamond. Beyond the three realms, difficult to traverse, releasing from the five sufferings of hell…”

 

Zhou Jinyuan continued to chant, his tune ancient and peculiar, his tone smooth and mellow, flowing through the room like a serene, ethereal presence. Even without instrumental accompaniment, the melody resonated throughout the spacious hall, creating a sense of distance and timelessness.

 

Was this music therapy? You could say so!

 

More accurately, Zhou Jinyuan wasn’t singing a song but was using Daoist chants in combination with the Zhu You technique.

 

He had once used a bit of this method when treating Qu Guanfeng, back then using words to distract the patient, playing music, and tapping rhythmically while performing acupuncture, which led Qu Guanfeng into a deep sleep.

 

Now, he had chosen to chant himself.

 

Music born from religious rituals could not only communicate with heaven and spirits but also serve as medicine. In the ancient medical text, music was already categorized within the system of the Five Elements. The chants he used had been tested by countless predecessors and were most effective in influencing the human mind and spirit.

 

Every aspect of the chant—the tone, pace, and rhythm—followed the principles of yin and yang. The five notes—Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu—corresponded to the five internal organs, which in turn corresponded to joy, anger, thought, sorrow, and fear.

 

Using the five notes to move the five organs, and the six pitches to influence the six bowels, he could regulate the mind and shift emotions!

 

Two people were most deeply affected by this—Elena and Jin Chuo Xian.

 

There isn’t a dance without rhythm, as dance and music are inseparable arts. As an exceptional dancer, Elena had an acute sense of music and rhythm. Jin Chuo Xian, of course, was an outstanding musician.

 

In that instant, Elena’s spirit seemed to be touched by Zhou Jinyuan. The fear and gloom on her face gradually shifted into calmness.

 

She had been injured in a car accident, witnessed her closest friend pass away, and was deeply traumatized herself. Her personality had changed as a result, and despite receiving psychological therapy, she had not felt like this for a long time.

 

Originally excited, Arthur gradually became embarrassed to even breathe loudly as the chanting continued. He felt like Dr. Zhou Jinyuan was reciting a spell and wanted to ask Jin Chuo Xian about it, but saw that Jin Chuo Xian was already deeply engrossed.

 

Listening to the rhythm, Jin Chuo Xian’s emotions surged. It wasn’t that he didn’t feel the calming and tranquil effect of the melody, but rather that Dr. Zhou Jinyuan’s chanting had a peculiar resonance, with a rich religious undertone. The combination with medical treatment gave off a feeling of a sacred ritual.

 

Jin Chuo Xian thought back to the time when Dr. Zhou had done a character reading and diagnosis for him. In that moment, inspiration began to stir wildly, as if he had captured a mysterious melody.

 

Jessica also noticed and whispered, “What’s going on with Jin?”

 

“Shh,” Arthur whispered in return. Knowing Jin well, he speculated, “Maybe… a major new work is about to emerge.”