Chapter 181: Chapter Twelve: Four Symbols Needling Method

"Straighten him out, I'm going to needle him!" Sitting on the long chair was Yangzi, who was trembling as he gazed at the long, dim needle in Pangzi's hand.

I asked Pangzi, "Are you preparing to use the Thirteen Needles of Ghost Gate again?"

I felt a bit surprised, because the needle Pangzi now held was different from the needles used in ordinary acupuncture. Not to mention its length being longer than ordinary needles, even the color of the needle seemed off. It gave one a feeling of being very cold and icy.

Pangzi shook his head and replied, "No, this is another set of needling techniques; in traditional Chinese medical classics it's called Four Symbols Acupuncture."

After briefly explaining it to me, Pangzi picked up Yangzi's arm and instructed, "This needle is a cold-iron needle; when it pierces the body it feels a bit cold, so bear with it."

After saying that, Pangzi flicked his five fingers, and with both hands he dropped needles onto Yangzi's acupoints at an astonishing speed; in my words, it was a whoosh, and suddenly countless silver needles appeared on Yangzi's arm. It felt strange yet smooth.

Moreover, Pangzi's needling technique this time was slightly different from before. Previously, Pangzi would take the needles out one by one from the needle box and slowly insert them into the patient's body. This time, Pangzi seemed to have concealed the needles all at once; with a swipe of his fingers, a dense row of silver needles instantly appeared on Yangzi's arm.

"Azure Dragon swings its tail, White Tiger shakes its head, Vermilion Bird scatters its feathers, Black Tortoise returns to its place..." What made me even more incredulous was that, as Pangzi dropped the needles, Songlin actually murmured the names of these techniques.

I couldn't help but give Songlin a push, then leaned in and whispered, "Brother Songlin, do you know Pangzi's needling method?"

Songlin nodded, but then immediately shook his head. Rubbing the back of his head, he sincerely answered me, "I've only heard of it, but never seen it. The name of this needling method I heard from my master; my master described the scene of using this set of needles, and it's exactly the same way Brother Qiang is shaking the needles now."

After hearing Songlin's explanation, I finally understood why Liu Guozhong would know the names of these needling methods—it's not strange at all. Unlike Daoism, our Fa Sect is a great mishmash, or rather, it has permeated every corner of the folk world as a great mishmash.

Whether it's martial arts sects of the jianghu, or the criminal organizations of the Ming-Qing era, or the infamous Boxer Rebellion at the end of the Qing dynasty, our Fa Sect's techniques and mantras have been passed down.

Even more, many secret signs of underworld gangs founded during the Republic of China used the opening of our Fa Sect's mantra: "The sun rises in the east, a point of red." Because of the Fa Sect's practical cultivation style, its disciples' footsteps have trodden every corner of the folk world; aside from the numerous tales of extraordinary folk figures, there are also the magical arts that have been spread abroad.

Liu Guozhong, the direct disciple of the Liu Family Fist, has been an old hand in the jianghu for decades; knowing these secrets is no surprise. Although he may not have been granted a talisman nor know any magic, in fact, the knowledge of many elderly folk and old jianghu hands is not inferior to that of the new generation of Fa Sect disciples.

After Pangzi inserted the needles, he twisted and flicked them, employing several techniques at once. Like a hedgehog, Yangzi would sometimes shiver from cold, sometimes his face would flush hot. After more than half an hour of torment, Yangzi's complexion quickly turned purplish-blue.

Then, at that moment, Pangzi slammed Yangzi's chest hard; after Yangzi exhaled a mouthful of stagnant qi, Pangzi actually twisted Yangzi's wrist and then severed his vein.

Under Yangzi's frightened and uneasy gaze, that blood trickled down into the basin. Moments later, Pangzi chanted a hemostasis incantation and pressed a broad blade onto Yangzi's vein.

"All right..." Pangzi exhaled a mouthful of turbid air with a sigh, wiping the sweat droplets from his forehead.

At that moment, Yangzi happily felt himself over, exclaiming joyfully, "Ah, it's fine—I don't feel any pain anymore, and my head feels much more refreshed, as if I'd taken a cold shower on a scorching day."

Pangzi merely grinned, then waved at Songlin, saying, "Brother Songlin, help him inside, and then help the other brothers out."

After Songlin got up to help Yangzi back, Pangzi finally plopped down onto the long bench, breathing slowly and rhythmically while closing his eyes to nurture his spirit.

At that moment, I squatted down and lightly touched the fresh blood in the basin with my hand, discovering that the blood's temperature was a bit off—aside from being somewhat higher than normal human blood temperature, the spot where my fingertip touched gave a stinging sensation.

In an instant, I realized this blood must be Yangzi's resentful blood, stagnant blood corrupted by resentful qi. Although on the surface he looked much weaker after the bloodletting, in fact, once this stagnant blood was cleared, Yangzi's body returned to normal.

"Ah, Pangzi, you just said your needling method is called the Four Symbols Needle, right? Could you tell me who transmitted this needle to you? I don't know why I'm unaware of it!" Curious, I pushed Pangzi, who was resting with closed eyes.

Pangzi merely opened his eyes, glanced at me listlessly, and replied, "The needle was passed down to me by Seventh Master; if you want to know, ask Seventh Master yourself or read the Baopuzi—I'm busy..."

After saying that, Pangzi continued to close his eyes, nurturing his essence and energy.

I "......"

What followed was much simpler; Pangzi, following the previous method, gave needling and bloodletting to each injured brother one by one, although the needling process was extremely tedious—despite having the first experience, it still took a lot of time and effort.

After everyone had been treated and Pangzi had written up the tonic prescription, it was already past seven in the evening. Eight people, having spent a full five hours, an entire afternoon's time.

After all the patients were cured, Pangzi finally patted his chest and let out a relieved sigh. After chatting with everyone for a moment, the exhausted Pangzi packed up his gear, preparing to return with us to Liu Guozhong's residence.

"I thought I'd have to stay in Red Peace for a while; I didn't expect to cure everyone so quickly. It looks like in two more days I'll have to part from my uncle again." Pangzi took a sip of water and said reluctantly.

Liu Guozhong had once said that as long as Pangzi could cure the brothers in the troupe, his Liu Family Troupe would immediately leave Red Peace. Although Pangzi likes to meddle, I estimate he won't oppose Liu Guozhong.

Walking at Pangzi's left side, I held a cigarette, smirking at him and said, "Fortunately we're all close; otherwise they wouldn't know what you mean by that! Are you really trying to heal the troupe's brothers, or are you cursing them to get better later……"

Hardly had I finished speaking when I involuntarily stopped, because I saw Songlin beside me zone out for a moment, his face filled with worry, as if he were deep in thought.

I gave him a push and asked, "Brother Songlin, do you have something on your mind? Why do you seem so listless, as if you'd lost your soul?"

"Ah…… what did you say?" Songlin was indeed absentminded; even though I shoved him, he still stared blankly for a while before coming to.

At that moment, Pangzi walking ahead noticed something off and promptly stopped.

Under our two pairs of intent gazes, Songlin still tried to hide it by shaking his head and saying nothing's wrong, but the worry in his brow completely gave him away.

"Brother Songlin, just say what's on your mind! We're all our own people; although you're not related by blood to us, you're my uncle's disciple. People often say a disciple is like half a son to his master; since I was little I've never treated you as an outsider…… Could it be that the brothers' predicament is because of you?" At the end, Pangzi gave a weird laugh and teased Songlin.

Who would have thought, Pangzi's words were like stepping on Songlin's tail; he jumped up, his face flushed red, and shouted loudly, "What nonsense are you spouting? The troupe's brothers are all my brothers; I, Songlin, am no beast—how could I possibly harm my own kin? I'm merely worried that this play can't go on, and the Liu Family Troupe will collapse……"

When people are emotionally agitated, they often reveal their inner true feelings because they lack time to think. Take Songlin, for example—he is exactly in that state now.

Although he reacted in time and covered his mouth. But since it concerns his own uncle, Pangzi couldn't help but ask for the truth.

After barely a moment of dazedness, Pangzi grabbed Songlin's shoulder and anxiously asked, "What did you say? Which play can't go on, the Liu Family Troupe will collapse—tell me clearly, what exactly is going on."