Chapter 600: Chapter 571: Expelling the Cold

Xu Chunliang said, "If you dare to default in the future, I’ll come to collect everything with interest."

Liu Haiyu couldn’t speak now. Even if he could, he would definitely agree without hesitation; he’s not foolish. Keeping his life intact is the priority.

Xu Chunliang made a brief preparation and began treating him.

He first chose the Zigou Acupoint for the needle insertion.

Zhi, meaning the branch’s fork. Gou, meaning ditch. The name of this acupoint indicates that the Qi and blood of the Triple Burner Meridian absorb heat and disperse here.

The material at Zigou Acupoint is the yang heat qi conveyed from the Outer Gate Acupoint, with little moisture. Upon reaching this acupoint, it absorbs further heat and expands into high-pressure qi. This qi follows its own yang heat properties, moving upward along the pathways of the Triple Burner Meridian, spreading outward like a branch’s fork, hence called Zigou.

The circulation and transformation of Qi and blood at this acupoint exhibit the fire attribute among the five elements. The material at this acupoint is the yang heat qi ascending to the sky after heat absorption, with its ascending transformation manifesting the flaring characteristic of fire.

Zigou Acupoint is one of the commonly used acupoints on the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, located on the dorsal side of the forearm, on the line connecting the Yang Pool and the elbow tip, three inches above the wrist dorsal crease, between the ulna and radius.

Xu Chunliang inserted a filiform needle into Liu Haiyu’s Zigou Acupoint, inserting straight for an inch, using the reinforcing method to guide external yang heat qi through the needle into the orifice, allowing warm yang qi to seep in from the peripheral branches and gradually enter the main trunk of the meridian, which is a gentle method to drive out cold.

To quickly expel the cold poison, one could directly inject Inner Strength into Liu Haiyu’s Spirit Platform Acupoint, using Inner Strength to suppress the cold poison in Liu Haiyu’s body and force it out of his meridians. However, this method requires high demands on both the rescuer and the injured.

For Xu Chunliang, there was no issue, at most some loss of Inner Strength. However, for Liu Haiyu, it was uncertain. Xu Chunliang had no grasp of Liu Haiyu’s physical condition, unsure if his meridians could withstand such a direct and forceful method to drive out cold.

Under the influence of cold poison, Liu Haiyu’s meridians had become fragile, not as strong as usual. If the poison was forcibly expelled, it could lead to further injury. Therefore, Xu Chunliang decided to use a relatively gentle method first, supplementing warm yang qi through acupuncture to warm his meridians, and then applying Inner Strength to drive out the cold once the meridians restored some vitality and elasticity.

Yang heat qi was continuously guided into the Zigou Acupoint.

Xu Chunliang then chose the Fire Master Acupoint, located on the foot, in the depression directly in front of the connection of the first and second meta-bones.

The Fire Master Acupoint is named so, meaning heart master, as the foot Jueyin communicates with the hand Jueyin, with the meridians of the same name connected, and around the Fire Master Acupoint, there is the Tai Chong Meridian. Supplemented by needling the Taichong Acupoint, it can treat heart paralysis, having a heart-strengthening and resuscitating effect.

The cold poison caused Liu Haiyu’s body temperature to drop suddenly, the low temperature leading to a slow heartbeat. Needling the Fire Master Acupoint can improve heart pulsation. Once heart pulsation returns to normal, warm qi and blood can be continuously transported through all body meridians,

Taichong Acupoint, being a wood meridian and earth acupoint, where wood governs sinews and wind, and earth governs flesh and moisture, the liver meridian’s wet wind qi rushes upward at this acupoint. Needling close to the bone can reach the kidneys to treat cold.

Liu Haiyu felt streams of warm currents entering his body from his hand and foot acupoints, like small streams melting snow and ice. His meridians, numbed by cold poison, gradually regained vitality.

After applying needles in succession, Xu Chunliang finally placed his right palm on Liu Haiyu’s Spirit Platform Acupoint, channeling Inner Strength. A powerful stream of heat was injected into Liu Haiyu’s Spirit Platform Acupoint, flowing into his entire body’s meridians like the Yangtze River.

Liu Haiyu’s body, numbed by cold, suddenly felt like transitioning from a freezing winter to a warm spring, feeling so comfortable that he almost let out a cry, sensing his life slowly reviving.

However, as the Inner Strength entering his body kept increasing, the pressure on Liu Haiyu’s meridians also grew.

A tearing pain spread throughout his body. Liu Haiyu gritted his teeth tightly, feeling increasingly hot inside. He soon experienced a transition from an icy cave to a blazing furnace. Inside, it felt as if he was being burned by fierce fire, so hot that every pore in his body opened up, expelling sweat continuously.

Sitting behind him, Xu Chunliang was now surrounded by white mist. After jumping off the cargo ship, Xu Chunliang was completely soaked, not having had time to change clothes. He took this opportunity while treating Liu Haiyu to use Inner Strength to evaporate the water vapor from his clothes.

Now, Xu Chunliang was like a large dryer, warming himself while also giving warmth to others. This was the first time he had used Inner Strength to treat others since arriving in this world.

Liu Haiyu was drenched in sweat. Although an hour had passed, it felt to him like enduring a long hot summer.

Xu Chunliang removed his palm from Liu Haiyu’s back. The dark green palm imprint originally on his back had completely vanished.

Xu Chunliang stood up and said to Liu Haiyu, "Get a good sleep tonight, and you should be back to normal tomorrow."

Liu Haiyu nodded, "Thank you!" His voice was extremely hoarse, and speaking made his throat feel like it was on fire.

Xu Chunliang opened the room door, and the thin man was still diligently guarding the door. Seeing Xu Chunliang come out, he hurriedly asked, "How’s Old Hai?"

Xu Chunliang said, "He won’t die," squinting his eyes as he looked at the distant lights of the ancient city, "Can you give me a ride?"

By the time Xu Chunliang returned to his residence, it was already two in the morning. In helping Liu Haiyu expel the cold poison, he had expended considerable Inner Strength. Additionally, his phone was completely ruined from being soaked in water.

After adjusting his breathing, Xu Chunliang took a bath and rested, sleeping until nine the next morning. He went out to buy a phone, inserted the SIM card, and as soon as he turned it on, he saw a message from Mo Han.

Xu Chunliang chuckled to himself. Mo Han’s transaction this time not only failed to acquire the dragon bone from the other party but even lost four pieces, truly losing both men and soldiers.

Xu Chunliang didn’t reply. On his way back to the hotel, he saw Xue Anliang in the lobby.

Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Dr. Xue, what brings you here today?"

Xue Anliang, who held him in high regard, smiled and said, "The professor asked me to invite you for tea."

Xu Chunliang said, "There’s actually no habit of drinking tea here."

Xue Anliang said, "He has something to discuss with you."

Xu Chunliang glanced at his watch and said, "I’ll go get my luggage. I have to head back to Dongzhou later."

While Xu Chunliang went to get his luggage, Xue Anliang waited honestly for him in the lobby.

Bai Mushan invited Xu Chunliang to drink tea at the Hongxing Tea House, which was not far from the hotel. Xue Anliang accompanied Xu Chunliang as they walked over.

Xu Chunliang asked, "What does he want with me?"

Xue Anliang said, "I’m not sure, but the professor is in a bad mood." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Xu Chunliang almost burst out laughing. Bad mood? Serves him right. Thought he could go off and make deals alone, and now he’s been double-crossed, huh?

Xue Anliang glanced around, ensured that no one was nearby, and then whispered, "Professor Bai went out last night and didn’t return until very late."

Xu Chunliang replied carelessly, "Jizhou’s nightlife is that exciting?"

Xue Anliang said, "I had someone follow him. He went to meet Shi Taiping."

Xu Chunliang furrowed his brow. He was already aware of what Xue Anliang told him, but the fact that Xue Anliang shared this information proved he was still doing his job as an insider. Partly because he needed his regular antidote, and partly because Xue Anliang had his own agenda.

Xu Chunliang said, "That old geezer is not being honorable. He promised I’d be there, yet he sneaks off to do something like this behind my back."

They arrived at Hongxing Tea House. Neither spoke further, and Xue Anliang told Xu Chunliang the room number so he could go up himself.

In a private room named Taibai Residence, Xu Chunliang entered only to find it wasn’t Bai Mushan inside but Mo Han.

Mo Han gestured for him to take a seat. Xu Chunliang sat across from her with a smile, "You’ve turned this into a magic show. I thought it was a hypocrite then turned out to be a traitorous lady."

Mo Han didn’t mind his sarcasm at all. She poured him a cup of tea and said softly, "Professor Bai was injured, so I’m here in his place."

Xu Chunliang said, "Injured? He was perfectly fine when we parted ways last night."

Mo Han asked, "What time did you part ways?"

Xu Chunliang said, "When did you become a cop?" Was she suspecting his involvement in Bai Mushan’s injury?

Mo Han said, "Last night, someone broke into Professor Bai’s residence, stole the dragon bone from him, and injured him."

Xu Chunliang secretly laughed to himself. Mo Han was lying without batting an eye. Bai Mushan sneaked off to make a deal with Shi Taiping. As for the dragon bone being stolen, that happened at the Ghost Market. Mo Han surely knew, right? Bai Mushan wouldn’t trick even her, would he?

Xu Chunliang feigned surprise, "Unbelievable! Who’s so daring as to steal from Professor Bai?"

Mo Han stared into Xu Chunliang’s eyes coldly, "You went out last night, didn’t you?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Yes, you were following me?" He picked up the teacup, sniffing at the fragrance, "Your jasmine tea is quite nice." He had noticed the tea leaves Mo Han used were her own supply, proving she had a taste for quality in everything.

Mo Han said, "Coming and going from a hotel, anyone could see. No need for surveillance."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’ll have to discuss privacy concerns with the innkeeper later."

Mo Han said, "If you don’t want people to know, don’t do it in the first place."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Mo Han, that’s not fair. What have I done to wrong you? You come at me like I did something bad to you? I’m protecting your interests, and you go behind my back to strike a transfer deal with Hua Nian. You’re the one stabbing me in the back."

Mo Han said coldly, "Go on."

"I didn’t even hold it against you. As soon as I got the dragon bone information, wasn’t I the first to tell you? I accompanied Bai Mushan and others to meet Shi Taiping, helped you connect..."

Mo Han interrupted him sharply, "Where’s the dragon bone?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Are you crazy? If you want the dragon bone, go find Shi Taiping."

Mo Han said, "Did you go to the Ghost Market last night?" Pointless to go around in circles with Xu Chunliang, she opted to be straightforward.

Xu Chunliang said, "Ghost Market? You think this is a mystery novel?"