Chapter 09 | An Encounter in the Qinling Mountains

Li Jing was so frightened that he felt as though he had lost two of his three souls. With his current martial skills, even if he couldn't kill the tiger, he could at least hold his own against it. His fear stemmed from the worry that the tiger might harm Master Sun.

However, the more one fears something, the more likely it is to happen. The tiger turned its head and began walking toward Sun Simiao. Li Jing gripped his sword, ready to strike with all his might, but from a distance, Sun Simiao shook his head at him. The tiger slowed its pace, wagging its tail, and almost crawled on its belly as it approached Sun Simiao. Li Jing knew that Master Sun was a Taoist master, and although he had never displayed his martial prowess during their journey, Li Jing suspected that his skills were no less than anyone he had ever encountered. Thus, he followed closely with his sword drawn, ready to attack if the tiger pounced.

The tiger approached Sun Simiao, bent its front paws, and knelt on the ground, completely ignoring the sword-wielding Li Jing behind it. Sun Simiao had remained still and calm since the tiger appeared. Seeing the tiger kneel, he spoke gently, "Have you been following us because you're sick and need healing?"

The tiger nodded repeatedly, opening its mouth wide and making guttural sounds, as if in great pain. Even Li Jing, standing several steps away, was nearly overwhelmed by the foul stench emanating from the tiger's mouth.

Sun Simiao took two steps forward and leaned in to examine the tiger's mouth. Li Jing's heart raced. If the tiger decided to attack now, even a deity like Sun Simiao would have his neck snapped in an instant.

However, Sun Simiao remained focused. After examining the tiger, he gently stroked its cheek and gestured for it to roll onto its back. The tiger seemed to understand and twisted its body to lie on its back, still keeping its mouth wide open. Sun Simiao said, "Don't open your mouth yet. Let me find a way to treat you." The tiger obediently closed its mouth and lay still.

Sun Simiao made a few gestures and said to Li Jing, "Third Nephew, fetch the copper ring from the medicine chest." It turned out that while treating a tribal chief in Tongzhou, the chief had offered gold as payment, which Sun Simiao refused. The chief then presented a large ancestral copper ring as a token of gratitude, insisting that Sun Simiao take it as a memento.

Li Jing retrieved the ring. Sun Simiao crouched down and instructed the tiger to open its mouth. The tiger, highly intelligent, immediately complied. Sun Simiao placed the copper ring in the tiger's mouth, propping it open, and then reached his right hand through the ring into the tiger's throat, seemingly feeling for something.

The tiger's nostrils flared as it panted heavily, tears streaming from its eyes. Sun Simiao concentrated and exerted force, causing the tiger's body to tremble. Li Jing watched closely and saw that Sun Simiao had pulled out a bone the size of a finger, his hand now covered in blood and mucus.

Sun Simiao wiped off the filth with dirt from the roadside, then asked Li Jing to fetch a packet of hemostatic and antiseptic powder. Using three fingers, he pinched some powder and reached into the ring again. After repeating this three times, he finally stopped the bleeding. Quickly, he removed the copper ring. The tiger rolled on the ground, howling in pain, its cries echoing through the mountains and startling birds into flight.

After treating the tiger, Sun Simiao and Li Jing washed their hands by the stream. Li Jing's heart was still pounding. Sun Simiao said, "Animals and birds are all living beings in this world; they just can't speak like humans. This tigress has been following us for at least ten li. A bone was stuck in her throat, causing inflammation and festering. If we had delayed any longer, she would have died from internal heat."

Li Jing exclaimed, "How did you know she had been following us for ten li?"

Sun Simiao replied, "Tigers move silently, which helps them hunt. They often get close to their prey without being noticed. You've been practicing Taoist breathing techniques. If you reach a high enough level and your mind is clear, you can even sense the flight of mosquitoes and flies."

Li Jing cleaned the copper ring and packed up the medicine chest. He saw the tigress lying by the roadside, panting, with only a small amount of blood foam in her mouth, indicating that she was out of danger. He then followed Sun Simiao deeper into the mountains. Li Jing was now deeply impressed by the Taoist techniques and resolved to practice diligently every day to reach the level Master Sun had described.

After walking another six or seven li, the terrain became more rugged. Suddenly, they heard a gust of wind behind them, and the tigress limped into view. Li Jing, worried that the hungry tiger might attack, remained on guard. Sun Simiao stopped and turned around, reaching out to pat the tigress's head. The tigress lay on the ground, her throat emitting rhythmic sounds.

"Go now. Don't harm anyone in the future," Sun Simiao said with a smile. But the tigress refused to leave.

Li Jing noticed that the tigress's belly was nearly flat, and her body was extremely weak. She must have gone days without eating due to the bone in her throat. He said to Sun Simiao, "Master, she's too weak from hunger. Let me find some food for her."

Sun Simiao nodded in approval. Li Jing took the Lone Star Sword and went into the forest to hunt. After an hour, he returned with a wild boar, cut the meat into pieces, and fed the tigress. He named her "Spotted Cat."

The two continued into the mountains, and the tigress did not follow.

---

Mount Taibai, the highest peak of the Qinling Mountains, rises two hundred li high and spans eight hundred li across. Even in April, the main peak, Baxiantai, was still covered in snow, with an ice cave beneath it that never melted. Sun Simiao and Li Jing arrived at a thatched cottage at the foot of the peak. It turned out that Ouyang Xinde had built this cottage to live in seclusion, intending to protect Little Tiangang. After Empress Dugu sent assassins after them, Ouyang Xinde had to flee with Yuan Tiangang, leaving all the Ouyang family's medical texts behind.

After becoming Sun Simiao's disciple, Yuan Tiangang told him about the medical texts Ouyang Xinde had hidden on Mount Taibai. The Ouyang family was a renowned medical family from the Central Plains, and their collection of texts was extremely rare. However, the steep and treacherous terrain made survival difficult, so Sun Simiao had Little Tiangang continue his studies with the Yuan brothers on Mount Qingcheng, planning to bring him to Mount Taibai to study medicine in a few years.

Throughout their journey, Sun Simiao had been collecting medicinal samples and marking them, with Li Jing serving as his capable assistant. Mount Taibai was rich in medicinal herbs, including Codonopsis, Astragalus, Polygonatum, Gastrodia, Fleeceflower Root, Acorus, Rhubarb, Taiqiang, Ganoderma, and Peucedanum, among hundreds of others.

When they reached the cottage, they saw a wooden plaque hanging above the door that read "Xinde Cottage," though the characters were faded. The cottage had been uninhabited for a long time, and the years had taken their toll, leaving it in disrepair. Sun Simiao and Li Jing stored the herbs and began repairing the cottage. After more than ten days of work, the five-room thatched cottage was restored to its former state.

The Ouyang family was a prominent family, and Ouyang Xinde had once served as the governor of Xiangzhou. Even in seclusion on Mount Taibai, their living utensils were of high quality, especially the granary, which was well-built and still contained enough grain to feed the two of them for half a year. The study also had enough stationery to last for years. It was unclear how much manpower had been used to transport these supplies. However, the medical texts Little Tiangang had mentioned were nowhere to be found.

Sun Simiao lived a simple life and was obsessed with collecting and experimenting with medicinal herbs. He often ventured into the mountains, forests, and streams alone to gather herbs. Li Jing asked to accompany him, but Sun Simiao said, "The path of medicine requires lifelong study. Third Nephew, you are not destined for this path. A basic understanding is enough. You should focus on martial arts and literature." In truth, Li Jing was not particularly interested in medicine. Although he had learned a lot during their journey, he had not become obsessed with it. Thus, the two pursued their own interests.

One day, after finishing his martial arts practice, Li Jing, having nothing else to do, prepared a torch and climbed up a cliff to explore the ice cave. He felt a chilling cold, and the cave walls were covered in millennia-old ice that numbed his hands. The deeper he went, the harder it became to breathe, and he felt as though he might suffocate.

However, Li Jing was now strong and healthy, and his leg injury had long since healed. Driven by curiosity, he pressed on. The light from outside the cave extended to a bend, beyond which was complete darkness. Li Jing lit the torch and continued winding through the cave. Gradually, the cave opened up into a massive dome, filled with ice pillars, ice rocks, ice mounds, and ice towers, creating a breathtaking sight.

What fascinated Li Jing the most, however, was the smooth, mirror-like ice walls that reflected his image. At the time, men did not use mirrors, and only wealthy or official families had bronze mirrors for their wives and daughters to use. Since leaving home, Li Jing had never seen his own reflection. Seeing his tall figure reflected in the ice wall, he felt a mix of emotions.

Originally, he had wanted to roam the martial world, seeking justice and revenge, but things had not gone as planned. Instead, he had been forced into hiding, living like a fugitive. Thinking of this, he felt a surge of sadness, and his eyes grew moist.

Suddenly, he noticed strange markings on the ice wall. Li Jing rubbed his eyes and saw that there were indeed carvings on the wall, arranged in vertical columns. The depth of the carvings was similar to those in the stone chamber on Mount Wu, and the shapes were also quite alike, though the reflections on the ice made them hard to see. Li Jing stared intently but still couldn't decipher them. After pondering for a long time, he finally lost interest.

When he returned to the cottage, Sun Simiao had come back from gathering herbs and was busy unrolling bamboo scrolls and writing notes. Li Jing cooked a meal and told Sun Simiao about the strange markings in the cave. Sun Simiao frowned and said, "Could they be writings left by Ouyang Xinde?"

Li Jing led the way back to the cave. Sun Simiao studied the markings intently, muttering to himself. Finally, he said to Li Jing, "Third Nephew, these are indeed writings left by Ouyang Xinde. They indicate that he hid his medical texts under a flat-topped ice tower in the cave."

Li Jing had noticed the ice towers in the cave earlier but had assumed they were natural formations and hadn't paid much attention. Following Sun Simiao's directions, he found a flat-topped ice tower about the height of a person. Using the Lone Star Sword, he struggled to break it open. Inside, he found two wooden boxes filled with bamboo scrolls and yellowed books.

The two carried the books back to the cottage, and Sun Simiao eagerly began reading. Li Jing stood by, watching as Sun Simiao deciphered the ancient texts, which resembled crawling snakes and insects. After a while, Sun Simiao exclaimed with joy, "These are mostly ancient medical texts passed down by the Ouyang family! Among them are medical theories written by Rongcheng Gong, which have long been lost. This is incredibly rare!"

Li Jing asked, "Master, can you read these ancient texts?"

Sun Simiao replied, "Aside from a few characters, I can understand most of them. Ancient writing began with Cangjie during the Yellow Emperor's era, and it evolved differently in various regions. The ancients observed celestial phenomena and geographical features, creating characters based on landscapes and animal tracks. It's said that when writing was invented, 'the heavens and earth changed color, and ghosts and gods wept,' signifying the end of the era when shamans ruled humanity. However, ancient writing was quite complex, with many characters having multiple forms, some even having dozens of variations, and differing between the north and south, and between Han and non-Han peoples. Over time, these ancient characters evolved into inscriptions on metal and stone, then into small seal script. After the Qin dynasty unified China, Prime Minister Li Si standardized the script, promoting seal script. By the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties, the current clerical and regular scripts had become widespread, with some calligraphers using running and cursive scripts. Thus, it's not unusual for modern people to be unable to read ancient texts."

Li Jing asked again, "How did you learn to read these ancient characters?"

Sun Simiao said, "The roots of medical knowledge lie in the common people, not the court. The court promotes scripts that are simple and easy to use, but medical schools are numerous, and each generation must draw from a wide range of sources. In addition to years of medical practice, one must also study medical texts extensively. However, medical texts from different schools vary in their records and experiences. Some contain errors passed down through generations, while others are outright mistakes. It's a mixed bag, and one must carefully discern the good from the bad. Ancient medical texts, however, are meticulously recorded and rigorously argued, like the Ouyang family's medical texts, which are extremely rare and contain pure medical theories. They are truly masterpieces. I've been studying medicine since childhood and must refer to texts from various schools, whether they are carved on bones or inscribed on metal. I must learn ancient characters, or else a slight mistake could lead to misdiagnosis and harm to lives."

Recalling the strange inscriptions on the stone walls of Mount Wu, Li Jing's eyes lit up, and he explained the situation. Sun Simiao's eyes sparkled. "It seems these stone carvings are also lost ancient medical texts! Third Nephew, quickly write them down from memory so I can study the ancient techniques."

Li Jing agreed, grinding ink and spreading out bamboo slips to transcribe the inscriptions from memory. After finishing, he presented the scrolls to Sun Simiao. Sun Simiao studied them for a while and then shook his head. "These are not medical texts. Although I can't recognize half of the characters, I can guess that they are related to warfare. Don't worry, Third Nephew. Let me take my time to decipher them." He then buried himself in thought, gesturing with his hands or annotating the characters with a fine brush. By evening, Sun Simiao was still reading by candlelight. Li Jing, accustomed to sleeping early, went to bed.

The next morning, Li Jing woke to the sound of birds and saw that the candle in Sun Simiao's room was still burning. He went over and found that Sun Simiao had already translated the ancient characters into modern script. Li Jing felt deeply ashamed. It seemed that without the dedication and late-night toil of someone like Master Sun, it was impossible to achieve greatness.

Sun Simiao smiled slightly and motioned for him to sit down. "Third Nephew, what a rare opportunity! After a night of intense thought, I've mostly deciphered these inscriptions. They contain the essence of Chi You's military strategies. Chi You was called the 'Lord of War' by the Yellow Emperor and was indeed a god of war. After Chi You's death, his followers migrated south and, following his wishes, carved his military strategies into the caves of Mount Wu. However, the writing system used by Chi You's tribe was erased by the Yellow Emperor's people, and most of it has been lost to history, with only a few similarities remaining. Today, I've translated a portion for you to study carefully." He then handed Li Jing two sheets of mulberry paper with the ancient military strategies translated into modern script.

While Sun Simiao was translating, Li Jing had prepared breakfast and brought it to the table. Although he wasn't particularly interested in military strategy, he bowed in gratitude and asked somewhat dejectedly, "I originally thought these were the Mohist texts General Changsun asked me to find. I didn't expect them to be about warfare. If I had known... why did I bother memorizing them?"

Sun Simiao picked up a baked cake and said while eating, "Humans are the most intelligent beings in the world, born between heaven and earth, each with their own destiny. How can you underestimate such an opportunity? The world needs doctors, but it also needs military strategists, legalists, Confucian scholars, Buddhists, Taoists, and diplomats. Dynastic changes can be a blessing or a curse for the people. Take us doctors, for example. We can treat illnesses, but we can't stop the ravages of war. During the Warring States period, Bai Qi conquered the Chu capital of Yan and Ying and later buried 400,000 Zhao soldiers alive. During the Western Jin dynasty, the Five Barbarians caused chaos, leading to the deaths of millions. Throughout history, when a king rules with virtue, the world is at peace, and the people are happy. However, virtuous rule must rely on military strategy to maintain order. Thus, Tang of Shang overthrew the Xia, King Wu of Zhou established the Zhou dynasty, Liu Bang founded the Han, and the Three Kingdoms were unified under the Jin. The current emperor has pacified the north and is now seeking to unify the south, ending three centuries of division in China. History serves as a mirror, revealing the rise and fall of dynasties, with military affairs at their core. Third Nephew, you are living in a pivotal era. Why not devote yourself to military strategy, achieve great deeds, benefit the people, and leave your name in history?"

Li Jing was stirred by Sun Simiao's words but was at a loss for a response. He carefully rolled up the papers. After a while, he said, "Master, your words are like a bright moon in the sky or a thunderclap on the ground. However, if you believe the current emperor is a wise ruler and that unifying the world is inevitable, where will there be a need for military strategy?"

Sun Simiao said, "The current emperor is indeed talented, but I observe that he is outwardly lenient but inwardly suspicious, overly meticulous and distrustful, making decisions alone and keeping his thoughts hidden. He micromanages everything and doesn't trust his officials. If this continues, disaster may strike. If the ruler faces disaster, the people will suffer, and the world may undergo upheaval."

Li Jing said, "I've heard that the emperor holds you in high regard and once summoned you to court to serve as an official. Are you worried about future political instability, which is why you declined the appointment?"

Sun Simiao shook his head. "Not at all. Since childhood, I've studied Taoism and medicine, with no interest in fame or power. I only wish to use my modest abilities to heal the sick and alleviate suffering. Whether in times of chaos or peace, my初心 (original intention) remains unchanged."

Li Jing said, "Forgive my boldness, Master, but even if you were as skilled as Hua Tuo, how many patients could you treat? As you said, if one can achieve great deeds, wouldn't it be easier to benefit the people?"

Sun Simiao smiled. "Third Nephew, you are absolutely right. My purpose in staying at this old cottage is to collect medicinal herbs, gather proven prescriptions, organize medical texts, and record my insights. Where are Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han now? But Lü Buwei's 'Spring and Autumn Annals' and Sima Qian's 'Records of the Grand Historian' have endured through the ages. Where are Emperor Wu of Wei and Emperor Yuan of Jin? But Zhang Ji's 'Treatise on Cold Damage' and Ge Hong's 'Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet' have been passed down for centuries. I dare not compare myself to these sages, but I will take them as my models and dedicate my life to preserving useful knowledge for future generations. That would make my life worthwhile."

Suddenly, a tiger's roar echoed from the forest outside the cottage.

The two stopped eating and went outside. They saw a man, agile as a monkey, climbing up a tree. A fierce tiger pounced on the trunk, trying to climb up after him. The man took a bow from his back, nocked an arrow, and in an instant, shot it toward the tiger's head.