Two cars moved slowly on the mountain road; the weather had warmed up, and the roadside trees were faintly showing green. The mountain was quiet, and Xu Zhen Dao Gu sat with her eyes closed in the hall, seemingly reciting some immortal text. When they entered, she opened her eyes and carefully applied needles to Xi Lin Xuan before inspecting Wei Lin Xia’s homework and teaching her acupuncture techniques. However, she seemed weak, with a light cold sweat on her forehead. Wei Lin Xia noticed and hurriedly helped her sit down, pouring her a cup of tea. Xu Zhen said, “I’m old and useless. This winter has been especially difficult. I think my time is near. I’m not afraid, but your homework is not yet complete, the prince’s leg is not yet healed, and Tai Qing is not yet grown. I cannot rest assured. Lin Xia, you are a careful child, so I decide to entrust this to you. In the future, if you meet a kind-hearted person, pass it on to help save people.”
Xu Zhen took out a book and placed it in front of her.
The book was unremarkable, with only “Mysterious Needle Technique” on the cover. “I will teach you the prince’s treatment method. If I am gone, you will treat the prince in my place and also care for Tai Qing. Her temperament is not suited for confinement. If she wants to leave in the future, I hope you can help her.”
“But it’s easy to get sick during seasonal changes. Why speak such inauspicious words? When we go down the mountain, I will send someone to call a doctor to examine you. A few doses of medicine will help,” Wei Lin Xia consoled.
The old Taoist nun smiled kindly. “I am eighty-one this year. Living to this age is a blessing from my ancestral master. Lin Xia, just promise me these things.”
Wei Lin Xia nodded, greatly admiring Xu Zhen Dao Gu, whose insights into life and death inspired her awe.
This journey weighed heavily on Wei Lin Xia. Death seemed distant, but Xu Zhen’s words and demeanor made her realize its closeness.
Wei Lin Xia informed her mother about Xu Zhen Dao Gu’s condition. Her mother, thinking she was worried, comforted her and agreed to invite an old doctor to the mountain for treatment.
