Chapter 454: The Theory of the Five Elements in Medicinal Herbs

After Nie Qianyu finished speaking, she led Zhang Xiaohua to the area where huangjing was being cultivated. In the herb garden of one- or two-year-old plants, she helped Zhang Xiaohua dig up a few, handed them to him, and said: “Brother Ren, these huangjing roots aren’t easy to wash. Hold onto them for now—when we reach a place with water, I’ll help you clean them.”

Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled and blurted out: “Why bother washing them?”

But then he understood. Of course—Spring Rebirth Valley was a place for ‘pill refining’. If the herbs weren’t cleaned properly, wouldn’t the ‘Fasting Pill’ end up with an extra ingredient? If someone found out, wouldn’t it become a ‘Dirt Pill’, just like that ‘water-injected chicken’ Young Master Li Jinfeng talked about?

Seeing Nie Qianyu’s confusion, Zhang Xiaohua explained: “In the ancient method of pill refining, the key is to use the pill fire to purge impurities from the herbs. Even if there’s a lot of dirt, the fire can cleanse it all away—there’s no need to go to the trouble of washing them spotless.”

A blush flashed across Nie Qianyu’s face, and she smiled: “I’ve read the steps of ancient pill refining before, but never thought of this detail. It seems the pill-making methods of our Spring Rebirth Valley really do have their flaws.”

Taking the huangjing from Nie Qianyu, Zhang Xiaohua’s mind stirred. Huangjing could be harvested and stored for long periods, but many herbs used in pill refining were extremely delicate. If not properly preserved, their spiritual energy would quickly dissipate. While Spring Rebirth Valley didn’t need to worry about such things, he himself couldn’t afford to prepare in advance.

Thinking for a moment, he recalled that the appendix of the “General Principles of Artifact Refining” included a method for making jade boxes. He’d have to refine a few more for future use.

The other ingredients for the Fasting Pill were all quite common, grown in the outer valley of Spring Rebirth Valley. So Nie Qianyu led Zhang Xiaohua further out.

By this time, the sun had already set in the west. The two walked along the rugged inner valley paths, dappled shadows falling on them from time to time. Nie Qianyu felt that the path through the inner valley had never felt so pleasant to walk; her mood was like a happy bird, soaring through the herb-scented valley.

There was still some distance from the inner valley’s huangjing fields to the outer valley, but Nie Qianyu wished it were even farther. Since Zhang Xiaohua had entered Spring Rebirth Valley, he’d been studying and cultivating tirelessly. Though he lived nearby, they rarely met. Compared to the old days, traveling together and chatting in the carriage, Nie Qianyu truly missed those times on the road.

This not-too-short, not-too-long journey let her rediscover that warm feeling from before.

However, Zhang Xiaohua’s choice of topics was anything but romantic.

“Little Fish Nie, I just looked at the recipe for the ‘Fasting Pill’. Besides huangjing as the main ingredient, what are the functions of the other ingredients? Can you tell me? Also, I have another question—if you used only huangjing to refine the ‘Fasting Pill’, would it work?”

Nie Qianyu was embarrassed and replied: “Brother Ren, I can’t answer your second question. I’ve never tried it, and it seems that no one in Spring Rebirth Valley has either. As for the first question, I can give you a simple answer. The effects of these herbs are all recorded in the classics…”

She then carefully explained the growth, effects, and characteristics of the other ingredients. These were all things recorded in books, and Zhang Xiaohua naturally knew them as well. However, listening to Nie Qianyu’s gentle voice, and hearing her draw comparisons with other herbs so knowledgeably, Zhang Xiaohua nodded to himself—her intelligence was not undeserved.

However, Nie Qianyu did not mention the Five Elements theory in pill-making, or perhaps she knew of it but hadn’t considered it in this context. Her explanation did not touch on it at all.

As Zhang Xiaohua listened to Nie Qianyu’s explanation, he pondered quietly and gradually sensed something deeper. He couldn’t help but smile: “Little Fish, after listening to you, I’m truly impressed. To be honest, I’ve been reading these herbal books, but I haven’t reached your level in such a short time.”

Hearing this, Nie Qianyu felt sweet inside but modestly replied: “Brother Ren, you’re too humble. It’s already impressive to have learned so much in such a short time.”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and asked: “But, Little Fish, can you think about it more deeply?”

Nie Qianyu was stunned: “Deeper? In what way?”

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xiaohua probed: “Aren’t you able to write prescriptions? Don’t the herbs in a prescription need to be matched according to the Five Elements and balanced for yin and yang?”

Nie Qianyu’s eyes lit up, and she hesitated: “Herbs in a prescription are for treating people, so of course you have to consider their interactions. If you’re careless, it could be fatal. Also, the medicine must fit the symptoms to regulate the changes of the Five Elements within the body and restore normalcy. Oh, Brother Ren, you mean…”

Zhang Xiaohua stroked his chin, putting on the air of a master, and said meaningfully: “Decoctions are for ordinary people, while pills are for those in the martial world. Decoctions treat illness, while pills regulate inner strength or qi and blood. In essence, aren’t they the same?”

Nie Qianyu continued to shake her head, saying: “They’re different, really different. Decoctions are just ordinary things—how could they compare to pills? Besides, what you mentioned is fairly basic in pharmacology. It’s said that decoctions actually evolved from pills. If the Five Elements theory were really suitable for pill refining, why isn’t it mentioned in alchemy texts? Could everyone else really have missed something so obvious?”

“Uh…” Zhang Xiaohua scratched his head. That was true—such a simple line of reasoning, even he could make the connection. How could those experts not have thought of it?

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua at a loss for words, Nie Qianyu smiled and said: “Still, it’s the first time I’ve heard such a theory about pill refining. It’s quite novel. Brother Ren, you really do study thoroughly—able to infer and connect ideas.”

Zhang Xiaohua straightened his back and said: “Of course! Your Brother Ren has read the ‘Three Character Classic’ many, many times.”

“Pfft!” Nie Qianyu, though used to this joke, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

After that, the two didn’t dwell further on the topic, chatting idly as they headed toward the outer valley.

The herb gardens in the outer valley were also full of medicinal plants, though all were common varieties and not rare. However, thanks to the valley’s abundant Yuan Qi energy, these herbs grew exceptionally well.

All these herbs were managed by Fei He, a tall, thin, and taciturn middle-aged man whom Zhang Xiaohua had met before. His only impression was that the man’s name suited him. When Fei He saw Zhang Xiaohua and Nie Qianyu arriving together, he put aside his work to greet them. He helped them gather a few herbs, then, not wanting to intrude on their time together, prepared to leave.

But Nie Qianyu stopped him, saying: “Second Senior Brother, don’t go just yet.”

Fei He asked in surprise: “Little Junior Sister, is there something else?”

Nie Qianyu pointed at Zhang Xiaohua and said: “Second Senior Brother, you know Brother Ren. If he comes to the garden to pick herbs in the future, please don’t stop him.”

Fei He smiled: “Who in Spring Rebirth Valley doesn’t know Young Hero Ren? Little Junior Sister, you worry too much, haha.”

Seeing Fei He’s odd smile, Nie Qianyu stomped her foot lightly and scolded: “Second Senior Brother~~”

Fei He, who had watched Nie Qianyu grow up and cared for her like his own child, found her girlish manner amusing. He added: “Young Hero Ren used to come to the garden often when he was at Senior Brother’s Qihuang Courtyard. Little Junior Sister, you don’t need to worry.”

“So that’s how it is.” Nie Qianyu seemed to understand, but she still wouldn’t let Fei He off the hook. In a gentle voice, she asked: “Second Senior Brother, you’ve managed the herb garden for many years and are thoroughly familiar with the properties and characteristics of all kinds of medicinal herbs. May I ask you a question?”

Fei He smiled: “Little Junior Sister, you’ve always been full of questions since you were young. Even now, you haven’t run out of them?”

Nie Qianyu laughed: “Your memory is as good as ever, Second Senior Brother. You’re not old at all.”

“But just now, when Brother Ren asked me this question, I truly didn’t know how to answer.” Nie Qianyu then earnestly gave a brief explanation of the Five Elements theory as it relates to alchemy.

Fei He pondered for a moment before replying: “That’s a good question, Young Hero Ren. I’ve noticed it before too, but I only know about herbs, not alchemy, and I’m only somewhat familiar with medicine, so I never thought too deeply about it. As for why the Five Elements theory isn’t mentioned in alchemy, here’s what I think.”

Zhang Xiaohua, hearing that Fei He had also considered this issue, became very interested.

Fei He continued: “The use of herbs in pharmacology is based on the principles of alchemy, applying herbs to treat human ailments. The Five Elements theory first arose in acupuncture, then spread to herbal prescriptions, and was later applied back to the herbs themselves. Most of these herbs are common and don’t involve the ‘immortal herbs’ used in alchemy. Alchemy has existed since ancient times, and those before us were wise—if they couldn’t categorize immortal herbs by the Five Elements, then perhaps the Five Elements only apply to ordinary herbs.”

“When I realized this, I stopped thinking further. There’s so much work to do—who has the leisure to pursue what our predecessors dismissed or found impossible? Oh, Young Hero Ren, I don’t mean to criticize you…”

Zhang Xiaohua was left speechless; Fei He’s reasoning was sound and straightforward. “Even if ordinary herbs can be classified by the Five Elements, it’s only done according to the patient’s condition. Immortal herbs aren’t for treating illnesses, so perhaps they can’t be classified that way. And if they could, alchemy would have included this long ago, since it’s much older than medicine. The fact that no one has done so suggests it’s not possible.”

However, Zhang Xiaohua faintly felt that things were not as simple as Fei He described. As for the reason behind the Dao of Heaven, he might not know, but he had already vaguely glimpsed the patterns of its operation. He didn’t know what the ancients thought, but he could truly sense from the Dao of Heaven that the theory of the Five Elements was present everywhere—so it must also exist within the medicinal herbs used for alchemy.

Suddenly, a grand ambition welled up in Zhang Xiaohua’s chest: to do what those before him had not—perhaps he could open a new era!