131 Learning a Skill (1/2)
After Wang Yao returned to his cottage, he took out his notebook to document the patient he had seen at Dao City. The patient had a very rare condition, which Wang Yao had never come across before.
How to treat this illness?
Wang Yao started to think about how to treat the patient's illness after he had documented his symptoms. The patient's Yin and Yang were imbalanced, which was common and easily cured. However, his imbalance was extremely severe, and he was seriously ill, so it would be tricky treat it.
I need to give him some herbs first, and the herbs should have a cool nature to reduce his Yang.
The common herbs wouldn't work for sure, so Wang Yao needed licorice roots.
Wang Yao used his mind to get the Catalogue of Magic Herbs. In fact, he had memorized information of most of the licorice roots in the book. But, he still needed the book for reference to get a better idea of the licorice roots he wanted to use. He read both volume one and volume two and found several suitable licorice roots. Given Wang Yao's current status, he could only get two of those licorice roots.
The first one was the Moonlight herb. Its function was to nurture Yin and calm the mind.
The second one was frost grass, which only grew in the winter. Its function was to diminish inflammation and remove Yang toxins.
The nature of the Moonlight herb was mild, much weaker than frost grass. Wang Yao had planted both licorice roots in his herbal field. He also had some Moonlight herbs in the storage of the system. But, frost grass had stopped growing since it became warmer. It wouldn't grow even if Wang Yao watered it with ancient spring.
Wang Yao couldn't get his mind off the licorice roots. He didn't leave Nanshan hill until it started to get dark. It suddenly occurred to him that it was time for him to go home. He wrote down his thoughts in the notebook and put it away before going home for dinner.
His parents mentioned Tong Wei again when they were having dinner.
”Mom, please do not push me,” said Wang Yao.
”You should act quickly in case she starts to see someone else,” said Zhang Xiuying softly.
”Well, when she comes back I will invite her to our home. But I can't guarantee she will come,” said Wang Yao.
”Sounds good. Don't forget to make regular contact with her,” said Zhang Xiuying.
”Okay,” promised Wang Yao.
Wang Yao's parents stopped talking about Tong Wei as Wang Yao finally decided to take some action.
…
Zhou Xiong and his son visited Nanshan hill the next day after they heard that Wang Yao had come back. Wang Yao found that Zhou Wukang continued to get better after taking Regather soup. Zhou Wukang seemed to be in good spirits.
”You look much better than last time,” said Wang Yao.
”Great! How about you? Do you want to continue learning Tai Chi?” asked Zhou Xiong.
”Sure,” said Wang Yao.
This time, Zhou Xiong taught Wang Yao how to use his strength efficiently when practicing Tai Chi. Zhou Xiong had been practicing Chinese martial arts for several decades. As an experienced martial arts expert, Zhou Xiong had a good understanding of Tai Chi, including how to control Qi and strength. Without Zhou Xiong's demonstration, Wang Yao would take years to learn how to practice Tai Chi properly. Although Zhou Xiong was teaching Wang Yao Tai Chi, he included skills from other martial art styles. Zhou Xiong taught Wang Yao all that he knew about Chinese martial arts without any hesitation.
In fact, what Zhou Xiong did was against the rules. He shouldn't have taught someone outside his family and passed on all the knowledge he knew about Chinese martial arts to the person. The skills he taught Wang Yao were supposed to be secretive and should only be passed on to someone in his family.
Zhou Xiong was impressed by Wang Yao's ability to comprehend everything he demonstrated so fast. Once Wang Yao understood one point, he was able to understand the rest by analogy. Wang Yao was such a gifted person. He demonstrated his gift not only in a medical aspect but also in learning Chinese martial arts. God seemed to love Wang Yao.
”Stay for lunch at my place. I've asked my mom to prepare some food,” said Wang Yao.
Zhou Xiong didn't want to stay, but Wang Yao insisted that he and his son should stay for lunch.
Wang Yao's family was very hospitable. They really liked Zhou Wukang, and Zhang Xiuying cooked a lot of delicious dishes.
”This is enough! Please don't cook anymore!” said Zhou Xiong repeatedly.
Both Wang Yao's family and Zhou Xiong's family enjoyed the meal. Zhou Xiong and his son went back to Nanshan hill with Wang Yao after the meal.
After climbing the hill for the second time of a day, Zhou Wukang was short of breath. He seemed to be exhausted.
”Come in and take a break,” said Wang Yao. He gave Zhou Wukang a glass of water.
”We can leave Kang to have a rest in the cottage while I teach you Tai Chi,” suggested Zhou Xiong.
”Sounds good,” agreed Wang Yao.
Zhou Xiong continued to teach Wang Yao the skills of Tai Chi, including attacking skills and how to use his strength in the afternoon.
Time passed quickly, and it started to get dark.
After drinking several cups of tea, Zhou Xiong and his son left Nanshan hill.
The next day, Tian Yuantu came to visit Wang Yao and told him that he had found an expert in making tea.
”Shall we go together to check it out?” asked Tian Yuantu.
”Sure! Actually, I'm available now if you want to go together,” said Wang Yao.
The two of them went down the hill and drove to a household at Lin He under Tian Yuantu's guidance. They came to see Master Xu, a man in his 50's with a medium build but thin stature.
”Hello, Master Xu. How are you?” said Tian Yuantu with a smile.
”Please come in,” said Master Xu with a smile. It appeared that he and Tian Yuantu had already known each other.
Master Xu made a pot of green tea for Wang Yao and Tian Yuantu after they entered his house.