At night around 11 pm, Andy returned to Zhong clinic. He went straight to his room.
"Whew, at last I can start reading the books."
Andy Yue started to read the book that Zhong Wu gave him. 'The basic principles of Medicine'. He started reading the Philosophical foundation of chinese medicine, the relationship between Qi and the meridians...
At around 2 pm, he finished reading. He heaved a sigh of relief. Andy couldn't believe himself. He finished the basic foundations of traditional chinese medicine in one day. He still could believe himself so he closed his eyes and tried to remember the important concepts. As he expected, the pages appeared in front of him like a photograph. He opened his eyes. He was again amazed at his photographic memory.
Andy went to sleep. He decided to tell Zhong Wu that he finished reading the book and he will give the two clowns Haoqiang Lam and Feng Xiao a big shock.
. . .
The next day after the clinic was closed. Andy decided that it was time.
"Master !", Andy Yue called him.
"yes.", Zhong Wu was pleased that him carrying the book that he gave him. He thought that Andy had started reading the book and have encountered a doubt. He is always happy to solve his students' doubts.
"Master , I have finished reading the book", Andy dropped the bomb. Everyone was shocked especially Zhong Wu. He didn't expect Andy to finish the book. He knew that Andy couldn't finish the book in a week. He gives everyone less time than required so that they don't slack off. In the past, everyone including Reba Long, Ding Gai, Haoqiang Lam and Feng Xiao who he considers his best apprentices till now, hadn't been able to finish the book in the given time. They asked for some more time to finish the book. But Andy finished this book within a day. Its unbelievable.
"Don't waste my time. Its no use bluffing. Go and read. I gave you the book yesterday", its not that Zhong Wu looks down upon Andy, its that he can't believe that anyone can finish such a thick book within a day.
"Master ! I don't dare lie in front of you. I have finished reading the book. You can ask me questions ?", Andy gave a sincere look.
"Don't bluff ! Its no use. You can't decieve the master", Feng Xiao sneered.
"Yeah, don't spread lies." Haoqiang Lam joined league and supported Feng Xiao.
Reba Long and Ding Gai wanted to support Andy Yue but they also don't believe that Andy has finished the book in one day or rather specifically one night.
"Okay", Zhong Wu waved his had and told them to stop the argument. He then snatched the book from Andy.
"Okay Andy tell me the relation between Qi and Yin and Yang ?", since Andy dared to be so bold Zhong Wu wont show any mercy.
Andy Yue was calm and slowly explained " Qi is the vital force of any living entity and is the key to the body's movement. Yin and Yang are the different aspects of Qi.
Everything that is yin contains some element of yang, and everything that is yang contains some element of yin. There is nothing so solid or material (yin) that does not contain some energetic vibration (yang), and nothing so kinetic or immaterial (yang) that does not also contain some material substance (yin).
Yin and yang are continuously changing; they constantly adjust to one another, and are endlessly transforming one into the other in an eternal dance of becoming. This wonderful concept of change is beautifully illustrated in the simple image of the "yin-yang symbol."
When all of the yin and yang aspects of Qi are in harmony with one another, there is health, wellbeing and contentment. When yin and yang are in disharmony, when there is too much or too little of one aspect of Qi relative to another, then there is illness, pain and suffering."
Andy Yue spoke in a fluent manner, no stammering. just as he finished, Zhong Wu didn't give him and moment of rest and threw the next question
"name the 12 standard meridians in body ?"
Andy Yue smiled as if he had expected this question and answered without any delay
"The vital Qi flows through various channels knows as meridians to the various organs of the human body, causing the body to work. The 12 standard meridians in the body are
Hand-Taiying lung meridian, Hand Shaoyin heart meridian...', Andy Yue slowly told the names of all the 12 standard meridians.
Zhong Wu asked him questions and Andy Yue answered without any delay. This continued for an hour until Zhong Wu realized that there is nothing left to ask him.
"Andy answer my truthfully, did you read this book before ?', Zhong Wu reached this conclusion that Andy Yue must have read this book before.
"No master, I just read this for the first time yesterday. I have read many books about Acupuncture and Moxibustion but I read the basic concepts of traditional chinese medicine for the first time."
Zhong Wu looked at him to find a trace of lie but he found none.
"Okay Andy. I am impressed. But don't rejoice too soon. You have much to learn", Zhong Wu cautioned him.
"I know master.", Andy Yue was never arrogant of his skills. He always wanted to learn more and more.
"That's all for today, I am giving you a rest for today. Tomorrow I will give you another book. Be ready"
Zhong Wu departed for his room. "this guy can finish the basic concepts of traditional chinese medicine within a night. He is a genius. I am really blessed", Zhong Wu smiled in his heart and thanked god for sending him such an apprentice.
On the hand the faces of Haoqiang Lam and Feng Xiao were worth looking at. They wanted to say something to Andy Yue but they suddenly remembered that day's beating. They can't afford to offend him.
"Seriously man. Are you even human ?", Reba Long laughed. Ding Gai also stood there dumbfounded, he still can't believe it.
"well, I think that I am human. Whether you consider me as human depends on you.", Andy joked. Reba and Ding Gai also laughed at his sense of humour.
"well, guys its been a heck of a day for me. I think I should retreat to my room", Andy Yue walked to his room.
. . .
Andy decided to cultivate. he broke through the Foundation building stage but he didn't know how he could break through the early stage of valley. Andy's main problem is that he is not getting any time to practice. He prioritizes medicine over martial arts.
"Shit ! at this rate I don't know if I can even break through. To progress through the cultivation below the Heavenly master, every martial artist needs to practice almost daily to keep up with the cultivation or he will fall behind and will face difficulty in breaking through.
Andy Yue closed his eyes and ran into his divine consciousness and checked the two cauldrons. He found that one of the cauldrons is filled with a strange golden fluid like substance.
"What the hell is this thing ?", Andy asked himself.
"It is your collected merits. Once it fills, you will be able to breakthrough.", the strange divine voice again sounded in his mind.
"But I haven't practiced a single time after breakthrough, how can I gain merits ?", Andy Yue was confused.
"You have chosen the noble path of learning medicine and treating humans, so, the cauldron fills not only by practice but also by curing your patients."
"I have attended two patients. One by stopping his bleeding , thus paving the way for his cure and another is the young boy I cured myself. So the merits I have collected right now is because of that."
"Exactly. Help more and more patients. But don't forget to practice. You have achieved a good combat effectiveness. You have to keep up with it otherwise when you will breakthrough, you foundation will be unstable.", the voice sternly reminded him.
"I know.", Andy Yue is different from other martial artists. While others strive for a higher realm. Andy strive for strength and perfection. He believes in strength and combat effectiveness.
"Okay", the voice again disappeared.
. . .
After dinner, Andy Yue had a chat with Ding Gai and Reba Long for sometime.
Retreating to his room, Andy closed his eyes and dozed off to sleep.
"