Chapter Fifty-Two: The Resounding Chessboard and the Divine Needle—Part One

Jian Liang hastily bought some food in town and asked the shopkeeper for a jar of water. Then he cupped it carefully and rushed back to the thatched hut. The man inside was still unconscious, so Jian Liang fed him a few mouthfuls of water.

After a long while, the man slowly opened his eyes. He seemed to realize he had been saved and looked at Jian Liang gratefully. “Thank you, young brother,” he said. Jian Liang was overjoyed and quickly replied, “It’s good that you’re awake. Don’t speak yet; eat something first.” He then fed the man some food. But after just a few bites, the man’s head lolled to the side, and he fell unconscious again.

Seeing this, Jian Liang shook his head and murmured, “Poor fellow! Well, a life saved is a life saved. I’ll keep helping you until you get better.” He then gently adjusted the man’s posture to make him more comfortable.

Since the man showed no sign of waking, Jian Liang sat nearby to keep watch. He casually picked up a chessboard from the grass, removed the fallen yellow silk covering, and was startled by what he saw. The chessboard was lustrous and polished, imbued with an ancient charm. Its four corners were perfectly square, measuring two feet wide and three inches high. The board was hollow inside, and when tapped, it produced a crisp, resonant sound that lingered endlessly.

Jian Liang marveled, “What a remarkable chessboard! I wonder if placing the pieces and books on it might produce even more beautiful sounds.” Knowing that the man carried such a chessboard, he reasoned there must be chess manuals as well. After searching through a bundle in the grass, he found two exquisite sets of Yunnan kiln chess manuals.

He took one piece and gently tapped it onto the board. Suddenly, a clear, melodious tone rang out from the interplay between the board and the manual—sharp yet pleasant, sustained like striking a golden bell or plucking silk strings, filling the air with delight.

Enthralled, Jian Liang tapped several manuals in succession. Before one sound faded, another arose. Though the weights and tones varied, the length of each note seemed uniform, echoing far and wide. The music was enchanting, uplifting his spirits.

Amazed, Jian Liang whispered, “I never imagined a chessboard could hold such a wondrous secret!” He glanced at the man, puzzled. “Who is this person? To carry such a treasured chessboard, he must be a grandmaster. Yet why is he ill and collapsed by the roadside like this?”

At that moment, the man seemed stirred by the gentle chess sounds and gradually regained consciousness. His complexion improved somewhat, but his eyes remained clouded and vacant. Seeing him awake, Jian Liang offered more water and food, and the man’s strength slowly returned.

Jian Liang touched the man’s forehead, feeling no fever, and thought in surprise, “Such a strange illness—not hot nor cold, yet his mind drifts in and out. What could this be?” Gently, he asked, “Sir, are you feeling better?”

The man looked at Jian Liang gratefully and said slowly, “Thank you for saving me, young brother. I’m okay now. What is your name?”

Jian Liang, delighted he could respond, said, “I am Jian Liang. May I ask your name, sir?”

The man replied, “So you are Brother Jian Liang. I am Zhong Shiyuan.”

“Zhong Shiyuan?!” Jian Liang was startled and glanced at the chessboard and manuals nearby. “Are you the Zhong Shiyuan from Hebei, renowned as a master of fast chess?”

Zhong Shiyuan nodded faintly.

Jian Liang was overjoyed. Zhong Shiyuan was one of the top three grandmasters in the current chess world, known as “The World’s Fastest Chess Player.” Jian Liang had long heard of him. He hadn’t expected to meet him today under such circumstances and hurriedly asked, “Mr. Zhong, did you fall ill on the road?”

Zhong Shiyuan shook his head.

Surprised, Jian Liang asked, “If you are not ill, why do you look like this?”

Lying there, Zhong Shiyuan’s eyes suddenly widened in terror. “Chess…” he gasped before fainting again.

Jian Liang was alarmed, unsure what to do, and quickly gave him some water.

After a while, Zhong Shiyuan regained consciousness. Jian Liang placed the chessboard and manuals before him and said, “The chess set is here, Mr. Zhong. Don’t worry.”

Zhong Shiyuan slowly raised his hand to stroke the chessboard, calming somewhat, but then shook his head, as if denying that this was the chessboard he meant earlier.

Jian Liang didn’t understand why and said, “Mr. Zhong, since you are so unwell, please rest for now. I will find a doctor to see what is wrong.” He then got up to leave.

Zhong Shiyuan quickly shook his head to stop him. “I… I am not ill. Young brother, don’t go looking for a doctor. It would be useless.”

Jian Liang was astonished. “You look terribly sick, yet you say you are not?”

Zhong Shiyuan took a deep breath and said slowly, “Brother Jian Liang, my condition is unusual. Ordinary doctors cannot cure it. Please sit down; I have something to tell you.”

Puzzled, Jian Liang sat beside him.

Zhong Shiyuan said, “Brother Jian Liang, please take me to a certain place. I will reward you handsomely.”

Jian Liang replied, “We are both chess enthusiasts, and you, Mr. Zhong, are a respected master. There is no need for such ceremony. Where do you wish to go? I will escort you.”

Zhong Shiyuan looked surprised. “So you, Brother Jian Liang, are also skilled in chess. Very well, please take me to the Jade Chess Manor.”

“Jade Chess Manor!” Jian Liang was taken aback. “Are you going to find the chess grandmaster Yuchi Yunlu?”

“Correct. I have urgent matters to inform Master Yuchi. I’m not sure if I can reach him in time...” Zhong Shiyuan’s expression suddenly grew distant and confused. He then slumped and fainted again, as if mentioning something had unsettled his mind.

Jian Liang was even more perplexed. Shaking his head, he said, “Mr. Zhong, you are too sick to travel now. Let’s find a tavern in town for you to rest. Once you recover, we can go to Jade Chess Manor.” Taking the bundle and chess set, he carried Zhong Shiyuan away from the dilapidated huts toward the town.

Jian Liang found a tavern and settled Zhong Shiyuan in a guest room. Seeing his strange illness and fluctuating consciousness, Jian Liang knew he must act quickly. He approached the clerk and asked, “My friend is sick. Do you know of any skilled doctors nearby?”

The clerk replied, “This town is full of quack doctors. Few can truly cure anyone. You’re a traveler, so beware of being cheated out of your money. But recently, the eldest son of Lord Wang’s family fell ill. Lord Wang specially brought in a doctor from out of town who cured the boy’s stubborn illness with a single needle. That doctor still treats patients at Lord Wang’s house and doesn’t charge fees. Many sick people go to him daily. You might try to find this doctor.”

Jian Liang’s heart lifted. “This doctor must be truly skilled. Wonderful! Please tell me how to find him.” After thanking the clerk, Jian Liang left the tavern to seek the doctor.

At the gate of a residence on a busy street, Jian Liang saw many people coming and going. He overheard someone saying, “This Mr. Qiu is remarkable! I suffered from back and leg pain for years and tried countless bitter herbs with no relief. But Mr. Qiu healed me with just one silver needle—a divine healer!”

Another praised, “Mr. Qiu treats without medicine, only with a few thin needles. His skill is miraculous! Incredible! Incredible!”

Jian Liang listened in amazement. “Could such a great healer truly exist? If so, Mr. Zhong may yet be saved.”

He followed the crowd inside, unimpeded. Since Lord Wang’s eldest son was cured, word had spread, and many sick sought out Mr. Qiu. Lord Wang, a kind man, set up a clinic in his home for Mr. Qiu to treat patients free of charge.

Inside a crowded room, a scholar in his thirties was administering acupuncture. A servant stood by with the needles. The doctor examined a patient’s ailment and found an acupuncture point on the patient’s back. With a single gentle prick, he inserted a silver needle, his technique light as piercing tofu. The patient felt no pain but suddenly exclaimed, “It’s numb! Numb!”

The doctor asked, “Does the numbness reach your waist?”

The patient nodded, “Yes, right to my waist.”

“Does it extend to the knees?”

The patient replied eagerly, “Yes, yes! My knees tingle like ants crawling.”

The entire room murmured in admiration.

Watching from the side, Jian Liang’s heart raced. “This man knows precisely how the needle’s sensation travels through the body. His technique is masterful and confident. He is truly a great doctor!”

Because so many patients waited, Jian Liang stood aside to watch. The doctor worked swiftly, treating one patient with one or two needles, asking a few questions, feeling the needle’s path, then removing it. “Next!” he called.

One treated patient moved hesitantly, then joyfully exclaimed, “My waist no longer hurts! Truly no pain!” He stood and bowed deeply, prompting applause.

The doctor smiled, helped him up, then turned to the next patient. He never charged a fee. Jian Liang was deeply impressed and filled with respect.

Soon, the room emptied as all the patients had been cured. They left with heartfelt thanks and joy.

Seeing the room clear and Jian Liang still standing, watching as if entranced, the doctor smiled. “Young brother, do you have any ailments that Master Qiu can treat?”

Startled back to reality, Jian Liang stepped forward and bowed. “I am well, but a friend of mine is gravely ill at the tavern. I beg you to visit him. We will pay double your fee.”

The doctor was surprised. “If he is so seriously ill, why not say so earlier? Travelers are most vulnerable when ill on the road. Since you have come to ask, I will go at once. No need for payment.”

—End of first release.

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