PCJ – Chapter 118 Qi-boosting Soup

“Disciple, do not forcibly cast spells. When you invoke a deity for help, it is never without cost. Therefore, invoking a deity requires ritualistic offerings and sacrifices. Without proper rituals and sacrifices, you will become the offering yourself. This will deplete your vital energy. In severe cases, it will damage your life force or even take your life. Remember this well.”

After Zhang Jiaohua fell asleep, the bell on his hand began to ring by itself, and he rarely dreamt again. This time, the dream was not about after his apprenticeship but before it. In the dream, he seemed to have cast spells without any rituals, resulting in a backlash.

In this dream, the old Taoist priest revealed the essence of Meishan magic. Essentially, the practice of Meishan magic is an equivalent exchange between the spellcaster and the divine. When you request something from the divine, you must offer something in return.

Zhang Jiaohua seldom worshipped the gods in daily life, so when he needed divine help urgently, he had to make offerings immediately. Hence, his vital energy was greatly depleted. Fortunately, Zhang Jiaohua’s Five Thunder Curse had only initiated one strike of mysterious lightning. If he had summoned all five, his life would have been at stake.

Zhang Jiaohua now understood why the old Taoist priest worshipped the gods daily. Every Meishan water master has a personal guardian deity, which can include various ancestral masters and gods. These guardian deities must be worshipped daily so that they will come to your aid in times of crisis without depleting your vital energy.

The old Taoist priest also took him to the mountains to collect various herbs. Upon finding a wild ginseng plant, the old Taoist priest was overjoyed, “You are fortunate. Just as your vital energy is depleted, we find this wild ginseng. It should help restore your vitality.”

“Master, why are you so happy over finding a radish?” Zhang Jiaohua said with a playful grin. Though he wanted to say this, he actually voiced it in the dream, which surprised him.

“You’re the radish! This is ginseng! And it’s at least a few decades old.” The old Taoist priest knocked on Zhang Jiaohua’s head, making a thudding sound that made him grimace in pain.

Even gathering herbs required invoking deities. Before heading up the mountain, the old Taoist set up an altar and chanted, “God of Medicine, divine assembly of healers, predecessors and ancestors, who are sensitive and responsive, we humbly invite you to bless us. May you transform this fan into a green dragon bronze sword that repels snakes and tigers, and wards off all evil spirits. By the order of the Supreme Lord Laozi, may it be done.”

With divine protection, they could safely gather herbs without being harmed by poisonous creatures or malevolent spirits. In ancient times, with dense forests and prevalent miasma, venturing into the mountains was extremely dangerous. Meishan water masters, who focused on medical skills, were adept in Meishan magic.

Besides the ginseng, the old Taoist priest gathered dozens of various herbs and made Zhang Jiaohua recognize each one clearly.

“This is Poria. Disciple, observe carefully. It mainly promotes water circulation…”

“This is White Peony Root. Remember, it is the guiding herb for the Spleen and Stomach meridians…”

Returning to the temple, the old Taoist priest repeatedly quizzed Zhang Jiaohua until he was confident that he had remembered everything.

Even brewing the medicine required invoking deities. The old Taoist priest recited a spell, “We invite Hua Tuo, the divine healer, male and female disciples humbly request, refine the medicine, manifest your power, by the order of Supreme Hua Tuo, may it be done.”

The way water masters brewed medicine was completely different from ordinary people, and the aroma was distinct. After invoking the deities a few times, the medicine was finally ready, filling a clay pot.

“Disciple, drink it while it’s hot.” The old Taoist priest placed the pot of medicine on the table.

The medicine had a beautiful color, like amber, with a hint of golden hue. Just looking at it, one could tell it was extraordinary.

Zhang Jiaohua took a sip, and although the pot was hot to the touch, the medicine felt soothing as it entered his body, spreading warmth through his organs.

However, the pot was too hot to hold, and when he put it down hastily, a drop of medicine spilled onto his hand.

“Ah!” The burn was painful.

The dreamscape shattered like a reflection in water struck by a stone. Zhang Jiaohua woke up abruptly, sitting up in bed.

Liu Qiaoye, who was sleeping beside him, also woke up quickly. Having worried about her son all night, she had stayed in his room. She turned on the light and saw Zhang Jiaohua sitting up, immediately hugging him, “Don’t be scared, Mama is here.”

“Mom, I had a dream. Master took me to the mountains to gather herbs and we found ginseng! He taught me to make a tonic to restore my vitality. The medicine was delicious, but I accidentally burned my hand and woke up.” Zhang Jiaohua recalled the taste of the medicine.

“Medicine tasting good? Our little one must be craving sweets. Tomorrow, I’ll have your father get some meat from the commune to nourish you.” Liu Qiaoye lovingly observed her son’s frail body.

“Mom, I’m not lying. That medicine was truly delicious, better than sugar water.” Zhang Jiaohua insisted.

“Alright, alright. I’ll make you some sugar water tomorrow.” Liu Qiaoye laughed.

“Mom, how about Dad takes me to the mountains tomorrow to gather herbs? I want to make that tonic. It will help me recover my vitality.” Zhang Jiaohua was eager to try the remedy.

“Fine, fine. Your dad will go with you.” Initially, Liu Qiaoye wanted to refuse but then changed her mind. Zhang Jiaohua wasn’t an ordinary child; the things he learned from his dreams had proven to be real before. His Meishan magic came from dreams. Now, his dream master had given him a recipe for a vitality tonic, just when he needed it most. Perhaps it could indeed help improve his condition.