Chapter Twenty-Four: The Brain Replacement Technique (Part Two)

Bu Yuan and Fang Guohuan exchanged startled glances. Though they found their own banter amusing, an ominous sense of impending danger still lingered. Bu Yuan promptly instructed Fang Guohuan to secure the room, then personally took up his Dominator Bow and patrolled the inn’s perimeter, but saw no sign of suspicious activity. Returning to the room, he kept the bow close at hand and slept fully dressed, keeping watch with Fang Guohuan over Qu Liangyi through that unusual night. The night passed peacefully without incident. At dawn, they settled their bill and set out in haste. As they left, Bu Yuan casually took a sturdy willow staff from the inn’s courtyard, slung it over his horse as a weapon, and remained ever vigilant along the road. Fang Guohuan, even more anxious, pressed their little party onwards without pause, daring not to linger.

By noon, they stopped at a small shop where Fang Guohuan bought some steamed buns, which they ate quickly on horseback with Bu Yuan and the driver before spurring the horses on again. The long afternoon passed uneventfully; the distance traveled left their pursuers far behind. Fang Guohuan finally breathed easier and said, “Brother Bu, it seems all is well. Yesterday, you felled two bandits with a single shot—surely that has frightened off the rest; they won’t dare follow us.” Bu Yuan replied, “Let’s hope so. But trouble, if it comes, only grows more dangerous the longer it delays. We cannot afford to relax—let’s hurry on.” The coachman lashed the horses again, quickening their pace, with Bu Yuan still on guard, Dominator Bow clasped tightly.

As they traveled, they saw ahead, beside a pond, a youth tending cattle on the bank. A strong bull had waded in to drink and now floundered in the mud, submerged up to its belly and nearly two meters from solid ground. The boy stretched desperately but could not reach the bull’s body. As the animal sank deeper, the boy, in his anxiety, thrust his bamboo staff into the earth, leapt onto the bull’s back, seized its horns, and with a mighty effort lifted its head and forequarters clear of the mire. Witnessing such strength, Bu Yuan and Fang Guohuan stopped the carriage, curious to see how the boy would free the beast.

But though the boy raised its head, the bull’s hindquarters sank deeper; soon, both the bull’s back and the boy’s feet were submerged. The boy could have leapt to shore, but was unwilling to abandon the bull and seemed at a loss.

Seeing the urgency, Bu Yuan dismounted, ran over with his willow staff, and extended one end to the youth. “Little brother, let me help you,” he called. The boy, overjoyed at this aid, clutched the staff with one hand, the other still gripping the bull’s horn. Bu Yuan smiled. “Since you won’t leave your bull, let me lend my strength and pull you both up together. Hold tight!” With a heave, he began pulling toward the bank.

By now, the mud had nearly swallowed the bull, leaving only its head and a bit of its back. The boy, finding no purchase beneath him, tugged twice on the staff to test Bu Yuan’s grip, realized he was dealing with a strong man, and called, “Hold steady, brother!” He then wrapped his legs around the staff, pressed himself to it, and, still grasping the horn, cried, “Pull harder, brother!” Bu Yuan, heartened by the youth’s trust, shouted, “Here we go!” and, combining their efforts, slowly dragged both boy and bull from the mire. Bu Yuan’s power held the staff, the boy’s arms drew the bull up, and together they gradually lifted the animal free. Fang Guohuan, watching, praised them both in a loud voice: “What strength, brothers!”

Bu Yuan strained, dragging the staff and its burden three or four steps backward. The youth, finding solid ground beneath him, called, “It’s steady now!” Then, vaulting off the staff, he seized both bull’s horns, shouted, “Out!” and, by sheer might, hauled the beast the rest of the way from the mud. Once safely ashore, he patted the bull’s brow. “This place is treacherous—don’t come here again. Let’s go wash off in safer water.” He stooped, grasped the bull’s front and hind legs, muttered “Up!” and, to everyone’s astonishment, hoisted the sturdy animal above his head. The bull, seemingly used to such treatment, did not resist. The youth carried the bull seven or eight paces and, with a sudden turn, hurled it into the pond, tossing it a dozen meters away. The bull landed, rolled delightedly, washing off the mud, then climbed out the far side and resumed grazing.

Fang Guohuan and Bu Yuan stood dumbfounded, unable to believe the boy’s prodigious strength. The youth washed his hands at the water’s edge, then approached Bu Yuan, offered a deep bow, and said gratefully, “Thank you for your help, brother. Had I lost the bull, I could never have faced my master.” Bu Yuan marveled, “Brother, you possess such strength! What is your name?” The boy replied, “My surname is Lü. Folks in the village call me Lü Zhufeng.”

Fang Guohuan stepped forward, exclaiming, “Such strength is rare in any age!” Bu Yuan introduced himself, “I am Bu Yuan, and this is your Brother Fang Guohuan, who is also a man of remarkable skill.” Lü Zhufeng, sensing the noble air of both men and grateful for their help, replied cheerfully, “Greetings, brothers. I am Lü Zhufeng, at your service.” Fang Guohuan smiled, “Brother Bu’s strength is already rare, but I never expected you, Lü, could heft and hurl a bull as if it were nothing. How do you possess such power? Is it a gift of birth?”

Lü Zhufeng, pleased by their friendliness, confided, “I won’t hide it from you. I lost my parents at seven and had no one to turn to. To pay off their debts, I started herding pigs for my current master. At first, I carried the piglets everywhere, running wild, and as they grew, so did my strength. By twelve, I was tending cattle and kept the habit of cradling the calves. Now I am seventeen, and tossing these big bulls feels no different than playing with piglets used to. It takes no effort.” Bu Yuan and Fang Guohuan were astonished. Bu Yuan exclaimed, “So your great strength was forged by carrying piglets and calves! Had I known such secrets, I’d have sought out a baby elephant at age four—by now I’d be invincible!” His words sent Lü Zhufeng and Fang Guohuan into hearty laughter. Lü added, “Truly, Brother Bu, your strength is rare. If it had been someone else, the bull would have been lost.”

Fang Guohuan, noticing Lü’s patched, coarse clothes, guessed at his impoverished upbringing. Respecting his strength, he fetched a hefty fifty-tael silver ingot from the carriage and presented it to Lü. “Brother Zhufeng, fate has brought us together today. Please accept this as a token of friendship.” Lü Zhufeng started in alarm, “How could I accept this? I could never earn so much in a lifetime. My parents owed my master six taels, and I’ve still not paid it off after ten years of herding. If I took this, my master would think I stole it. Your kindness is appreciated, but I dare not accept.” Honest and pure-hearted, Lü Zhufeng would not take unearned silver, nor risk misunderstandings—truly a young hero.

Bu Yuan, a little incensed, demanded, “What sort of master is this? Ten years and you still haven’t paid off six taels? Outrageous! Let me find him and give him a piece of my mind.” Lü Zhufeng shook his head, “No matter what, he’s housed and fed me for ten years. Even if I’ve paid my old debt, I still owe him for this life’s meals.” Bu Yuan sighed, “So honest and loyal! But don’t you remember you’ve tended his cattle for ten years?” He shook his head in disbelief. Fang Guohuan also smiled wryly, then fetched some broken silver, wrapped it in cloth, and offered it to Lü. “Brother, at least take this for daily use. If you refuse, you’ll make us feel unworthy of your friendship.” Lü, moved and grateful, was still unwilling to accept, feeling awkward. Bu Yuan took the silver from Fang and stuffed it into Lü’s arms. “It’s just a little money between brothers. We must be on our way—perhaps we’ll meet again someday.”

Lü Zhufeng watched them with reluctance as they prepared to leave. Fang Guohuan smiled, “Brother, if we weren’t on urgent business, we’d bring you with us to see the world. Until we meet again.” He and Bu Yuan clasped hands in farewell.

Lü Zhufeng watched as the two rode off with the carriage, grateful in his heart. “These two are truly good men, giving me so much silver. What shall I do with it? I’ll bury it for now and dig it up if I ever need it,” he mused, finding his logic sound. He then retrieved the bamboo staff—over two zhang long and as thick as his wrist—from the earth and went to herd his thirty-some cattle grazing by the road.

Bu Yuan and Fang Guohuan, having parted with Lü Zhufeng, resumed their journey, escorting the carriage. Their spirits lifted, and for a while they forgot the lurking dangers ahead. Bu Yuan praised Lü’s strength at length. Fang Guohuan said, “After we return Mr. Qu to his home in Jiangsu, let’s find Lü Zhufeng and introduce him to Sister Lian at the Hall of Six Harmonies. There, working alongside heroes, he can serve justice and make a name for himself. Better that than letting such natural talent go to waste herding cattle in the wilds.”

Bu Yuan replied joyfully, “To join the Hall of Six Harmonies and do great deeds with such company would be a life worth living. But… but I can’t let you travel the world alone, especially with that eunuch chess master still to be found. I’d better go with you for safety’s sake.” Fang Guohuan answered, “If you’re willing to join the Hall and show the world your prowess, I’ll be delighted. My journey is to challenge others at chess, not with force, so there’s little danger. As for the Grandmaster Eunuch Li Wusan, he’s a shadowy figure, hard to find. If one day I do cross paths with him, the chessboard may be perilous, but you won’t be able to help with that.”

As they spoke, a whistle suddenly rang out ahead. From a grove, forty or fifty mounted men burst forth and blocked the road. Bu Yuan and Fang Guohuan were shocked—if trouble comes, it cannot be avoided. As they stared in alarm, another commotion arose behind; turning, they saw twenty more horsemen had cut off their retreat. Their faces paled.

At that moment, the front riders parted, and three sedan chairs were borne forth and set down. The curtains lifted, and three figures emerged. The central figure, evidently the leader, had five long whiskers flowing over his chest. Though aged, he was well preserved, his face radiant, his eyes keen, not inferior to a youth of twenty. He wore a splendid brocade robe, idly played with a slender jade ruyi scepter, and bore an air of elegance, yet there was something indescribably sinister about him. On his right stood a burly, fierce-looking black-faced monk; on his left, a young man with a dull, vacant expression.

Bu Yuan, startled but undaunted, pointed at the leader and demanded, “Who are you? Why block our way? Is this a robbery?” A burly man leaned down and whispered in the leader’s ear. The man nodded, then laughed aloud, “We’ve been waiting for you a long time. You’re late. I am Yu Mantang, known in the martial world as the ‘Divine Physician Jade Ruyi.’ Is it necessary to ask why I’m here?” His tone was arrogant and self-satisfied—clearly prepared for this encounter.

Bu Yuan retorted, “Jade Ruyi or not, I’ve never heard of you. What do you want?” Yu Mantang smiled, “Your knowledge is pitiable, but I won’t hold it against you. Yesterday, I sought to do business with you—a box of silver to buy a ruined man, but you refused, and two of my men died for it. You chose force over reason. Today, not only must that cripple remain, but your lives as well, lest you spread tales that tarnish my reputation or attract official scrutiny.”

Bu Yuan bristled with anger, but Fang Guohuan quickly intervened, whispering, “Brother Bu, don’t act rashly. Stall for time and look for a chance to escape.” Turning to Yu Mantang, he bowed and said, “So it is the famed Divine Physician Yu. I am Fang Guohuan. Tell me, my friend in the carriage has lost his wits. If you mean him no harm or have no intention to heal, why insist on taking his life? Is that not against all decency?”

Yu Mantang shook his head. “Take his life? Nonsense. I have practiced medicine for many years and dedicate myself to healing, not harming. I merely offer him another way of living—discard the useless body, preserve the brain, and transplant it into another. The mind endures, and thus, in a sense, he lives on. Both parties avoid true death.” Fang Guohuan exclaimed, “You mean your ‘brain transplant technique’?” Yu Mantang replied proudly, “Exactly. After years of study, I’ve mastered the art of mind and brain exchange. The brain is the sea of marrow, the seat of spirit; all perception and memory reside there. This national chess champion’s brain is the finest of its kind. By taking it, I do a great service—creating another champion and preserving a top talent for the world of chess.”

Amazed, Fang Guohuan’s thoughts raced: “Whether we escape or not, here stands Yu Mantang, a physician of vast, if twisted, knowledge. Perhaps I can seize this chance to learn how Master Qu suffered such a fate at the hands of the demon chess.” He asked, “Divine Physician Yu, your medical skill is unmatched. But I’m puzzled: Master Qu, the greatest chess player alive, fell into a stupor after a single game. How could a contest of chess bring about such ruin?”

Yu Mantang was surprised. “Are you saying Qu Liangyi’s mind broke during a game, not from some sudden shock or trauma, as rumor claims?” Fang Guohuan replied, “Exactly. The truth is stranger than rumor. In the imperial palace, the eunuch chess master Li Wusan acquired a demonic chess treatise and mastered its evil ways. After a match with him, Master Qu fell into this state. What brought about his madness?” Yu Mantang, stunned, said, “Chess, a noble art, can give rise to such sinister power? That eunuch is a true fiend—formidable indeed!”

After pondering a moment, Yu Mantang said, “The eunuch’s demon chess must possess some abnormal power, luring Qu Liangyi into error and awakening his inner demons, thus shattering his spirit and dividing his mind. The root lies in the heart. The heart governs spirit, will, and soul. When disturbed, it can affect all organs and emotions. Though every emotion has its seat, all arise from the heart. The demon chess unleashed a formless, murderous intent that Qu Liangyi could not withstand, thus his spirit was disturbed and his five emotions thrown into chaos. Exhausted, his mind could not cope, and his spirit was scattered. He lost not to a move on the board, but to a state of mind—a defeat of spirit by the demonic aura. Thus, his injury lies in the heart, not the brain.”

Fang Guohuan, inwardly impressed by this analysis, pressed on, “One more thing—how can your brain transplant method allow the recipient to function normally, with mind and body in harmony?” Yu Mantang laughed, “You’re clever, but lack fame or skill. Later, my friends will feast on your brain to replenish themselves.” He nodded to the black-faced monk, who grinned, “This one’s brains will be tender—let’s eat the flesh as well.” The bandits laughed uproariously. Bu Yuan, barely containing his rage, reached for his bow, but Fang Guohuan, knowing they were outnumbered, stopped him, hoping to buy time.

Yu Mantang continued, “Very well. Today, I’ll let you die with understanding. Master Qu’s spirit is broken, but his brain remains intact—his chess mastery undiminished. Once I transplant his brain into my son, I have ways to manifest that skill, if not perfectly, at least to a remarkable degree.” Bu Yuan, furious, shouted, “You fiend! Even worse than the eunuch! Once you take his brain, Master Qu will be doomed.” Yu Mantang, unperturbed, replied with a chilling smile, “He’s already a ruined man—living is only suffering. But his brain will live on, displaying its brilliance in another’s skull. That demon eunuch likely has a unique brain as well; if I ever capture him, I’ll swap his brain too, and create yet another grandmaster, a scourge to chess players everywhere.” With that, he gave a sinister laugh.