Chapter Twenty-Two: Passing the Needle

Zheng Zhichao was quickly driven out of the ward by Zhao Zhongyi, along with all other unrelated people. Sun Simin’s disciples also left, and the group of experts temporarily withdrew as well.

Now, only four remained at the scene: Qin Tian, Lin Jian, Sun Simin, and Zhao Zhongyi, along with the patient lying on the bed.

“Young man, is this the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles?” Sun Simin pointed at the small black clusters on the patient’s body.

“You have a keen eye, sir. It is indeed the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles,” Qin Tian wiped the grime from his face and nodded with a smile.

“Young man, who is your master? Could it be Elder Long from Nanshan?” Sun Simin asked, puzzled.

In China, there were three world-renowned masters of traditional medicine: Elder Long of Nanshan, Elder Yuan of Beihai, and Elder Sun of Jiangzhong.

Elder Sun of Jiangzhong referred to none other than Sun Simin himself. As for Elder Long of Nanshan, he was Shangguan Jinglong, reputed to have mastered the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles, though he had always kept the technique hidden and had never demonstrated it publicly. Elder Yuan of Beihai, named Yuan Yu, possessed medical skills on par with Sun Simin and Shangguan Jinglong.

“Elder Long of Nanshan? I don’t know him,” Qin Tian shook his head.

“Then Elder Yuan of Beihai?” Sun Simin frowned. But Yuan Yu didn’t practice the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles.

“No, not him either,” Qin Tian shook his head once more.

“Then who is your master?” Sun Simin was slightly astonished. Besides Yuan Yu and Shangguan Jinglong, he couldn’t think of anyone else capable of producing such an outstanding young talent.

“This medical art is a family inheritance,” Qin Tian replied after a moment’s thought, not mentioning the old man Kong or the book he had received.

At the same time, he confirmed again in his heart that this “Book” was truly a miraculous treasure. If he could master all its contents, there would be no place between heaven and earth beyond his reach.

“A family inheritance?” Sun Simin frowned. Throughout thousands of years of Chinese history, he couldn’t recall any legendary physician with the surname Qin.

“Could you demonstrate the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles again?” Sun Simin asked.

However, he quickly realized his own presumption. The Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles was a consummate secret art; how could it be shown so lightly to others?

Yet, to his surprise, Qin Tian nodded calmly, untroubled by the prospect of others learning his technique.

“As it happens, the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles is time-sensitive. The virus will soon spread again, so I’ll reinforce the sealing,” Qin Tian said. He then took out a pack of silver needles from his pocket. These needles had been tucked within the pages of the “Book.” They were so slender that he hadn’t noticed them at first, only discovering them by chance when they fell from the book one day.

Once ready, Qin Tian began the procedure, deliberately slowing down each step, moving so unhurriedly that even Zhao Zhongyi and Lin Jian could almost follow along.

Sun Simin was completely entranced, his eyes never leaving Qin Tian’s hands, his gaze following the fall of each silver needle.

The entire process took an hour, but Lin Jian and the others watched with rapt attention, as if witnessing an enthralling television drama rather than a dry medical operation.

As for Sun Simin, he was lost in recollection, replaying every movement of Qin Tian’s needlework in his mind.

Qin Tian saw this and simply smiled, stepping aside to wait quietly with Lin Jian and Zhao Zhongyi, careful not to disturb Sun Simin’s contemplation.

Half an hour passed before Sun Simin finally returned to himself, only to find that Qin Tian was no longer before his eyes. Turning around, he saw Qin Tian and the others waiting for him.

Sun Simin took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Qin Tian.

Qin Tian had purposely performed the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles for him to witness! Such a secret art would usually be jealously guarded, never shared with others, let alone personally demonstrated. This was a tremendous favor—a profound act of virtue.

If all physicians in the world were as open-hearted as Qin Tian, how could the art of medicine not flourish?

“Old as I am, I, Sun Simin, thank you, young friend Qin Tian, for passing on your knowledge!” Sun Simin offered a formal bow of deep gratitude.

Qin Tian smiled and nodded, accepting the bow. If he were to refuse, Sun Simin would likely feel uneasy, unable to learn the technique with a clear conscience.

Qin Tian stepped forward to help Sun Simin up, saying with a smile, “All practitioners of traditional medicine are one family, sharing the same ancestor, Shennong. So there’s no such thing as a strictly family-inherited art.”

“If a technique can save lives, what harm is there in sharing it freely with others?”

Qin Tian’s words, along with the resolve in his eyes, deeply moved Sun Simin. It was as though heaven itself wished to invigorate the medical arts, and so had sent forth such an extraordinary youth.

“Director Zhao, make sure to issue a qualification certificate to young Qin Tian,” Sun Simin said to Zhao Zhongyi. He didn’t want Qin Tian to face obstacles in the future for lack of credentials when saving lives.

“No need for an exam?” Zhao Zhongyi frowned slightly, thinking this was irregular.

“He’s half my teacher already—do you really think he still needs to take an exam?” Sun Simin shot Zhao Zhongyi a look.

“What?” Zhao Zhongyi stared in astonishment.

During his doctoral studies, Zhao Zhongyi’s advisor had been Sun Simin, and their friendship had long since surpassed the bond of teacher and student. By that logic, Zhao Zhongyi was Sun Simin’s disciple. If Qin Tian was half a teacher to Sun Simin, then didn’t that make him Zhao Zhongyi’s grand-master? No wonder Zhao Zhongyi was shocked.

“Elder Sun, I dare not accept such an honor,” Qin Tian was startled as well and quickly protested.

He had chosen to share the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles with Sun Simin partly so a virtuous man like him could master more life-saving skills, and partly to cultivate goodwill. Sun Simin’s influence in the world of traditional medicine was second to none; having such a titan at his side could prove invaluable in the future.

“A master-and-disciple bond knows no age! You taught me the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles; that makes us master and disciple, and that’s all there is to it,” Sun Simin declared with a wave.

Qin Tian gave a wry smile. Clearly, Sun Simin was somewhat of a stubborn old man, but he let it be.

“Do you understand? If you don’t issue him the certificate, I’ll apply for it at the provincial level. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go to the national authorities. My reputation still carries some weight,” Sun Simin said, looking at Zhao Zhongyi.

“No, no, Elder Sun, I’ll take care of it, I’ll handle the application,” Zhao Zhongyi replied with a wry smile. What a situation—he had unexpectedly become someone else’s grand-disciple. If word got out, he’d hardly be able to preserve his dignity.

“Elder Sun, let’s bring the other experts back in. Together, we can study this virus. For now, I can only suppress it with the Eighteen Sealing Dragon Needles, but we need everyone’s collective wisdom to truly overcome it,” Qin Tian said, shifting the topic.

Sun Simin nodded. Researching the virus was, after all, their original purpose for coming here.