Chapter 447: Five Elements and Yin-Yang

At the Qihuang Hall, when Mu Qingxuan heard that Zhang Xiaohua was heading to the Inner Valley, he felt a deep sense of reluctance. He knew well that in just over a month, Zhang Xiaohua had already reached such a level in medicine that his future accomplishments would be beyond measure, perhaps even surpassing those of his own master. However, this was the jianghu. Zhang Xiaohua was, first and foremost, a martial artist of extraordinary skill, and only then a healer with compassion in his heart.

Therefore, though Mu Qingxuan lamented the loss of a divine physician, he did not try to stop him needlessly. In the final few days, he earnestly passed on his own insights in the art of healing to Zhang Xiaohua, sparing nothing—not only sharing his personal notes but also gifting him treasured texts from his own collection. Zhang Xiaohua, on the other hand, found Mu Qingxuan’s behavior a bit baffling. He was only going to the Inner Valley to take a look at alchemy—he wasn’t saying farewell to the Qihuang Hall forever. Was it really necessary to make it feel like a parting of life and death?

Still, it was a rare opportunity to learn, so Zhang Xiaohua listened with utmost focus, absorbing the essence of this marvelous medical knowledge.

A few days later, after finishing another lecture, Mu Qingxuan said, “Young Hero Ren, I’ve more or less finished teaching you what I know of medicine. A person has seven emotions: joy, anger, worry, thought, sorrow, fear, and shock. They also have five viscera: heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys. These are all intricately tied to the Five Elements. Joy belongs to fire and corresponds to the heart; anger belongs to wood and corresponds to the liver; worry and sorrow belong to metal and correspond to the lungs; thought belongs to earth and corresponds to the spleen; fear and shock belong to water and correspond to the kidneys.

As for the laws of the Five Elements: wood overcomes earth, earth overcomes water, water overcomes fire, fire overcomes metal, and metal overcomes wood. Thus, anger overcomes thought, thought overcomes fear or shock, fear or shock overcomes joy, joy overcomes worry or sorrow, and worry or sorrow overcomes anger. Of course, the theory of the Five Elements is not limited to mutual overcoming—it also encompasses mutual generation, reinforcement, counteraction, and more…”

Mu Qingxuan’s summary of the medical theory of the Five Elements stirred something in Zhang Xiaohua’s heart. He thought to himself, “Isn’t this just the Five Elements as expressed in the Heavenly Dao?” So he calmed his mind and committed the teachings to memory, slowly savoring their meaning.

Mu Qingxuan, having finished expounding on the Five Elements in medicine, did not stop there. He continued speaking at ease: “That which is external is Yang; that which is internal is Yin. The upper is Yang; the lower is Yin. The back is Yang; the abdomen is Yin. Thus, the skin and hair on the outside are Yang, while the viscera within are Yin. The head, being above, is Yang; the feet, being below, are Yin…

When the Yin and Yang of the human body fall out of balance, various symptoms manifest. The ancients also categorized symptoms using the concepts of Yin and Yang.

Yang conditions are generally marked by symptoms such as fever, thirst, and rapid pulse—these were collectively referred to as ‘heat’ or Yang syndromes.

Yin conditions, on the other hand, are typically seen in the absence of fever, no thirst, cold hands and feet, and a slow pulse—these are called ‘cold’ or Yin syndromes…

Medicinal herbs, though numerous in variety, ultimately fall under the two categories of Yin and Yang in terms of their nature. In terms of medicinal temperament: hot, warm, and slightly warm are classified as Yang; cold and cool are Yin.

The fundamental principle of treatment is: adjust Yin and Yang, with the goal of achieving balance.

In response to excess or deficiency of either Yin or Yang, one supplements what is lacking and drains what is in excess, thereby correcting abnormal imbalances and restoring a state of relative harmony between Yin and Yang…”

This was the Yin-Yang theory in medicine. Zhang Xiaohua, comparing the Five Elements of medicine with those of the Heavenly Dao, found himself greatly enlightened. And now, hearing the theory of Yin and Yang, he saw in it reflections of the Dao of life and death—everything resonated, everything aligned. His understanding became increasingly clear, as if he were receiving a divine revelation. But just as it reached a critical juncture, Mu Qingxuan abruptly stopped. Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but grow anxious and asked_ “Why did you stop, Senior Brother Mu?”

Mu Qingxuan was startled as well and replied: “What I just spoke of encompasses my years of comprehension, as well as all that is recorded in the existing medical classics. Could it be that Young Hero Ren still finds it lacking?”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned slightly and said: “Just as you said, Senior Brother Mu, I feel the content is profoundly deep—its subtleties defy words. But…”

Hearing this, Mu Qingxuan felt a bit ashamed and said: “It seems Young Hero Ren truly is a genius born of Heaven. I pale in comparison. Much of what I said just now was merely recitation from the books. Knowing that your time is limited, I simply shared everything I’ve come to understand and have seen. If you have further questions, feel free to look through the texts I gave you. If even those hold no answers… then you will have to rely on your own research.”

“Oh, I see.” Zhang Xiaohua came to understand then: the doctrine of Yin and Yang had always been something each person interpreted in their own way. Blindly adhering to another’s perspective might not suit one’s own path. Since he had insights into the Heavenly Dao, as long as he could find the proper direction, was there any reason to fear he wouldn’t one day comprehend it fully?

So, Zhang Xiaohua stood up, bowed deeply, and said: “Many thanks to Senior Brother Mu for your instruction.”

Mu Qingxuan did not dare accept the full courtesy and quickly rose to return the gesture, saying: “Young Hero Ren possesses a gift for the medical arts that few in the world can match. It’s a pity that there are greater tasks still awaiting you… such a pity, truly a pity.”

Mu Qingxuan added: “My master already informed me today that starting tomorrow, Young Hero Ren need not come here anymore. Junior Sister will come find you—she’ll likely be taking you into the Inner Valley to study the Dao of alchemy.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded upon hearing this and replied: “Many thanks for informing me, Senior Brother Mu. I’ll take my leave now. When I have some leisure time in the future, I’ll be sure to return and seek your guidance on the Dao of the Five Elements and Yin-Yang.”

Mu Qingxuan naturally agreed without hesitation.

The next day, after finishing his cultivation of the Big Dipper Divine Fist in the courtyard, Zhang Xiaohua did not go out. He simply sat cross-legged within his room, quietly digesting all he had gained over the past several dozen days, contemplating it in light of his own understanding of the Heavenly Dao. Time drifted by slowly.

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaohua stirred slightly and opened his eyes with a smile. As expected, Nie Qianyu came skipping in from outside. Before she had even stepped through the door, she was already calling out: “Big Brother Ren! Big Brother Ren!”

Zhang Xiaohua stood up and, with practiced ease, put away his green meditation cushion into his money pouch. Smiling, he responded: “Over here, Little Fishy Nie. If you keep shouting like that, this whole loft might come crashing down.”

Nie Qianyu entered with a sweet smile and teased: “Big Brother Ren has been studying medicine under Senior Brother Mu these days. Aren’t all those physicians just hard-of-hearing old fogeys? I’d wager you’re picking up that deafness yourself. If I spoke any softer, I was afraid you, old sir, wouldn’t be able to hear me.”

Zhang Xiaohua rubbed his ears and said: “Now that you mention it, I really should be careful. If I ever stop hearing Little Fishy’s sweet voice, what would I do then?”

Nie Qianyu’s face flushed slightly, and she nearly spat in mock annoyance. Then she said: “Come on, Big Brother Ren, my father’s been waiting for a while now. Didn’t you say you wanted to see the Inner Valley and learn more about alchemy? Let’s head over now.”

“Alright,” Zhang Xiaohua nodded lightly and said, “Let’s not keep our elders waiting—wouldn’t be proper of us juniors.”

These words, though casually said, filled Nie Qianyu’s heart with sweetness, happier than if he’d praised her directly.

Outside the Peach Blossom Grove, the Valley Master Nie was already standing with his hands behind his back, watching the two walk over while laughing and chatting. At the sight, a faint, near-imperceptible smile touched the corners of his lips. As the saying goes: affection grows with time—how true those words were.

As Zhang Xiaohua approached, he respectfully cupped his fists and bowed. The Valley Master did not stand on ceremony and said with a smile: “Yesterday I heard Qingxuan say he was deeply reluctant to let you go. He wanted to pass on all his medical skills to you. Ai, that disciple of mine—though not young, he’s still a bit inflexible in temperament. Medicine can certainly heal people, but the number who benefit is limited. The art of alchemy, on the other hand, can benefit the many, and is also of use in one’s own cultivation. If medical skills truly aided in cultivation, how could I—as an elder—not spare no effort in passing them down?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Senior Brother Mu is warm-hearted and chivalrous. From what I hear, his reputation in Mochou City isn’t all that far behind Uncle Nie’s. Though his martial arts may not be strong, he’s saved countless lives—that’s exactly the kind of virtue we younger ones ought to admire and learn from. Once I’ve had some practice with alchemy, if I have the time, I’d still like to visit him for pointers. And if there’s anything I don’t understand, I hope Uncle won’t hesitate to enlighten me.”

Seeing his attempts at persuasion had no effect, Valley Master Nie merely shook his head slightly and said: “When I first met you, your voice and demeanor were so composed, I thought you overly mature. Only now do I see the youthful passion and impulsiveness—how rare. Very well, do as you will, Nephew Ren. But remember: ‘In the pursuit of the Dao, some may come first and others later; in the pursuit of the arts, each has their specialization.’ Don’t discard the fundamentals in pursuit of things beyond reach.”

Hearing these words, Zhang Xiaohua felt a warmth in his heart. Though Valley Master Nie’s tone sounded like a reproach, what filled it even more was concern and care.

Zhang Xiaohua bowed and said: “Nephew accepts your teachings and will keep them firmly in mind.”

“Father~” Nie Qianyu pouted. “Big Brother Ren just has a kind heart and wants to help people—why are you making such a fuss about it?”

A faint smile played on Valley Master Nie’s lips. “Little Yu…”

It seemed he wanted to say something more, but after a moment’s hesitation, he simply shook his head.

Nie Qianyu saw this and walked up to him, hugging his arm and acting coy. “Father, if you have something to say, then say it. Why act all mysterious?”

Since Zhang Xiaohua had met Nie Qianyu, he’d only seen her poise and cleverness—but never this sort of girlish demeanor. He couldn’t help but stare in a daze. “Isn’t this just a twelve-year-old girl? And she said she was sixteen? Don’t tell me she tricked me again?”

Valley Master Nie said dotingly: “It’s nothing, really. Just reminded me of something from the past. Best not to bring it up—wouldn’t want to make your Brother Ren laugh at me.”

Sure enough, Nie Qianyu didn’t press the matter, her obedience showing her tact.

And so, the three of them left the Peach Blossom Grove and headed for the Inner Valley.

Speaking of the Inner Valley, Zhang Xiaohua had already swept it once with his divine sense the second day he arrived at Spring Rebirth Valley, and he had more or less grasped its layout. Now that he was personally entering it, it felt a little less mysterious.

Still, although he had seen it with divine sense, standing at the entrance and seeing it with his own eyes, he couldn’t help but marvel at nature’s craftsmanship.

It was a vast valley surrounded by towering cliffs on all sides, with no visible paths leading downward. Not even someone with the highest level of qinggong could come and go freely. Moreover, the moment one stepped into the valley, a wave of warm fragrance washed over them, like bathing in a spring breeze. The temperature within the valley was clearly different from that outside.

Zhang Xiaohua furrowed his brows and asked in a low voice: “Uncle Nie, this valley seems to be…”