Chapter Fifty-Two: The Resounding Chessboard and the Divine Needle (Part 2)

Jian Liang was deeply moved upon hearing this. Not only was the man skilled in medicine, but his medical ethics were also exemplary, without the slightest trace of arrogance. His respect grew even stronger. Hastily, he performed a deep bow and said, “Sir, for such noble principles, I, Jian Liang, thank you sincerely.”

Seeing this, the man replied, “I, Qiu Hailin, regard healing and saving lives as the foundation of our profession. This is what we doctors ought to do. Little brother, there is no need for such formalities.” Having said this, Qiu Hailin turned to a nearby servant and instructed, “Please inform Master Wang that I have a patient needing my attention and may return late.” He then casually took some acupuncture tools and said to Jian Liang, “Please lead the way, little brother.” With that, he set off ahead.

Jian Liang felt deeply touched and greatly respected Qiu Hailin’s understanding and dedication. Even after treating many patients, he did not hesitate to accompany him on this house call. He hurriedly led Qiu Hailin all the way to the inn.

Upon arrival, Zhong Shiyuan was dozing in his room. Jian Liang respectfully addressed Qiu Hailin, “Mr. Qiu, this is my friend. I kindly ask you to treat him.”

Qiu Hailin approached and inspected Zhong Shiyuan carefully, unable to suppress his surprise. He quickly bent down and took Zhong’s pulse, suddenly furrowing his brow with a look of puzzlement.

Jian Liang anxiously asked, “Mr. Qiu, may I inquire what illness afflicts my friend?”

After feeling Zhong Shiyuan’s pulse, Qiu Hailin slowly withdrew his hand, his expression strange. “This condition is very unusual. Externally, it is not caused by wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, or fire. Internally, it is not due to the injuries inflicted by the seven emotions—joy, anger, worry, contemplation, sorrow, fear, or shock. Rather, it is solely from weakness in the heart’s Shaoyin meridian, with a disordered, faint, and scattered heart pulse. The heart is the dwelling of the spirit; when its qi is exhausted and cannot anchor the mind, the spirit wanders outward, causing confusion and disorientation. Even a slight fright can cause sudden collapse. Truly a strange and perilous evil ailment, it must be caused by some other reason.”

Jian Liang was astonished. “Indeed, it is a strange illness! What can be done?”

Qiu Hailin, still perplexed, asked, “Little brother, don’t be anxious. Please tell me, when and where did your friend fall ill? What was the cause?”

Jian Liang shook his head in confusion. “I do not know. I found him this morning in a grass hut outside town. At that time, Mr. Zhong was already mentally confused.”

Qiu Hailin was taken aback and scrutinized Jian Liang carefully. “You two were strangers before this, not acquainted?”

Jian Liang nodded. “Yes, this is our first meeting. But it is my honor to have encountered Mr. Zhong today.”

Qiu Hailin admired him. “So you are a man of great righteousness, saving others from peril. I am truly impressed. Forgive my earlier presumptions.” He showed Jian Liang profound respect.

Jian Liang replied modestly, “Mr. Qiu, you flatter me. How can one stand idle by while others perish? Moreover, Mr. Zhong Shiyuan is a famed master in the world of chess.”

“Zhong Shiyuan?!” Qiu Hailin was startled again, glancing at the man lying on the bed. “So this is the renowned Mr. Zhong Shiyuan, one of the three greatest masters in today’s chess world!”

Jian Liang said, “Mr. Zhong is famed for his rapid chess play; all chess enthusiasts admire him.”

Qiu Hailin asked curiously, “Little brother, how do you know his name if you just met?”

Jian Liang explained, “When I rescued Mr. Zhong this morning, his mind was sometimes clear, sometimes confused. He spoke a few words to me, so I learned his name.”

Qiu Hailin nodded thoughtfully. “I see. It seems Mr. Zhong must have encountered some misfortune on the road that caused this strange ailment.”

He then said, “Given the situation, I will administer an acupuncture treatment to strengthen the heart qi and clear the mind. After Mr. Zhong regains consciousness, we can inquire further.”

Selecting a needle, Qiu Hailin inserted it gently into the Shenmen point on Zhong Shiyuan’s left wrist and applied some techniques. At once, Zhong Shiyuan’s throat moved, and he gradually woke, his previous confusion somewhat diminished.

Jian Liang rejoiced and approached, asking, “Mr. Zhong, do you feel better? This is the divine healer, Mr. Qiu, who has come to treat you.”

Zhong Shiyuan slightly lifted his chin and softly said, “Thank you.”

Seeing he could speak, Qiu Hailin inquired, “Please, Mr. Zhong, what happened to cause such a strange and dangerous condition?”

Zhong Shiyuan’s eyes flashed with terror as he trembled and whispered, “Chess… the killing chess!”

“The killing ghost chess!” Jian Liang exclaimed in alarm. “Did you encounter that national master eunuch? Was he using his sinister chess technique during your match?”

Zhong Shiyuan closed his eyes and sighed deeply, nodding faintly. Jian Liang was shocked.

Qiu Hailin asked in surprise, “Are you two referring to the infamous ‘killing chess’ rumored in the martial world?”

Jian Liang sighed. “Yes, that is the matter. Over the past year, a national master eunuch named Li Ruchuan has emerged, having mastered a ghostly chess technique that kills invisibly on the board. He seeks out chess masters and after a match, those players mysteriously die beside the board. He is a great calamity, beyond imagination. Even the supreme master Zhong Shiyuan was injured by his ghostly chess.”

Qiu Hailin was astonished. “No wonder Mr. Zhong’s pulse is abnormal—it’s caused by chess. But chess is an elegant art; how can it harm people?”

Jian Liang said, “Mr. Qiu, do not doubt. That national master eunuch’s killing chess is a grim reality. While chess is refined, it has its righteous and sinister paths. I am also a chess enthusiast. On this trip, I intend to find that eunuch and counter his ghostly chess, to prevent him from harming others.”

Qiu Hailin’s eyes widened. “So little brother is a chess master!”

At that moment, Zhong Shiyuan slowly said, “Brother Jian, that national master eunuch’s chess has descended into demonic arts. No one can counter his ghost chess. Do not seek him for a match, lest you lose your life.”

Jian Liang replied calmly, “Good will always triumph over evil. There must be a way to overcome him, no matter what demonic path he has taken. He will make a worthy opponent for me.” His few words surprised both Zhong Shiyuan and Qiu Hailin greatly.

Jian Liang then asked, “By the way, Mr. Zhong, how did you encounter that national master eunuch? How did the match come about? Since you survived his ghost chess, you must know what makes it different.”

Zhong Shiyuan sighed lightly. “My survival was a matter of luck.” He began slowly, “A month ago, I received a letter from Yuchi Yunlu of the Jade Chess Villa, inviting me to a chess gathering held there. The purpose was to lure out the national master eunuch and find a way to eliminate him, restoring the true spirit of chess. On the day I arrived at a town…”

Here, Zhong Shiyuan suddenly stopped speaking, his nerves getting the better of him, and his mind again grew hazy.

Seeing this, Qiu Hailin quickly manipulated the needle a few more times. Zhong Shiyuan soon regained clarity and exclaimed, “Sir, you truly are a divine healer! Just now I felt a strong qi flow from the needle at my wrist into my heart, a most pleasant sensation!”

Qiu Hailin said, “I have temporarily used acupuncture to strengthen your heart meridian’s qi. Take your time to tell me the rest; there is no rush. Once I discover the root cause, I will continue treatment.”

Zhong Shiyuan gratefully said, “Thank you.” Then he resumed, “That day, I reached a small town as night fell and found an inn to stay. During dinner, a man approached and pointed at the chessboard on my table, asking, ‘Are you skilled at chess, sir?’ The man appeared old, beardless, and somewhat strange. Not knowing who he was, I answered affirmatively. He was pleased and said, ‘If you have no plans tonight, would you care for a game to pass the time?’ Although he seemed odd, I respected him as a fellow chess enthusiast and agreed. After dinner, I invited him to my room to play. When I placed a piece on the board, the sound it made was clear and pleasant. The man was visibly amazed…”

“A sounding chessboard?” Jian Liang interrupted, surprised. “So Mr. Zhong’s treasured chessboard is called a ‘Sounding Board’? What a rare artifact!”

Zhong Shiyuan explained, “This chessboard was left behind by my late master, Qingyun Shu. It is carved from a solid piece of paulownia wood, expertly crafted. The board is hollow inside and produces a crisp, resonant sound when struck. Paulownia is prized for making musical instruments. This special board is called the ‘Sounding Board.’ There is a subtle artistry to it. Each move produces a clear and pleasant tone. The sound lingers even when the piece is lifted and returned. The volume varies depending on the piece’s weight, but the length of the sound is always consistent. Since I excel at rapid chess, I rely on the sound to time my moves. I must respond before the previous note fades. This has earned me the nickname ‘Fast Chess Player’ among fellow enthusiasts.”

Jian Liang marveled, “This Sounding Board is truly a divine chess implement! It elevates the game to an exquisite realm!”

Qiu Hailin, intrigued, asked, “What happened next?”

Zhong Shiyuan continued, “As we began, the strange man seemed irritated by the board’s sounds and grew restless.” Qiu Hailin appeared to understand. Zhong went on, “I played rapid moves, and surprisingly, the man responded with equal skill. His prowess was profound and unfathomable, an extremely rare talent. His style was neither orthodox nor unorthodox, full of strange and unpredictable moves. I marveled that such a master existed. As the game neared its end, I suddenly felt an unexplainable panic, as if some energy was slipping away from me.”

Jian Liang was alarmed inwardly and thought, “The ghostly chess is beginning to take effect!” He hurriedly asked, “Mr. Zhong, why did you feel this way?”

Zhong Shiyuan shook his head and sighed, “That unease came from nowhere, a foreboding omen.”

Jian Liang was stunned. “Just as Brother Fang said, the killing chess invisibly drains the opponent’s heart qi! It truly is as formidable as they say!”

The story debuts here.

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