The first four techniques of the Divine Needle Eight Methods are foundational, as evident from their names.
Qi-Retaining Method, Qi-Guiding Method, Qi-Lifting Method, and Central Qi Method—their functions can largely be inferred from their names alone.
However, the two new techniques Jiang Fei recently comprehended are entirely different. Their names alone convey a distinct, extraordinary aura.
Fifth Technique of the Divine Needle Eight Methods: Azure Dragon Swings Its Tail
Mnemonic Verse:
“The Azure Dragon swings its tail through the joints,
Gently guiding the needle with a twist and turn.
Like a rudder steering a boat on the river,
Qi flows smoothly through the body, revitalizing all.”
If the reinforcing method is used and Qi is obtained, then pure reinforcement is applied. If the reinforcing method fails to obtain Qi, then the reducing method is employed. This is the principle of adaptation in needling.
When inserting the needle, guide the Qi to the joints, then gently twist and turn the needle, much like a boat’s rudder adjusting to the current. The Qi will naturally harmonize, circulating throughout the body without obstruction.
Sixth Technique of the Divine Needle Eight Methods: Crimson Phoenix Nods Its Head
Mnemonic Verse:
“The needle moves like an oar in a boat,
Resembling a crimson phoenix nodding its head.
Distinguish between welcoming and repelling,
Do not act contrary to the natural order.”
When needling obtains Qi, if you wish to guide it upward, you must first block the downward flow. If you wish to guide it downward, you must first block the upward flow. Insert the needle continuously from dawn to mid-morning, then withdraw it from mid-morning to noon. Twist left, and the Qi moves left; twist right, and the Qi moves right. The motion is akin to shaking a bell—withdraw in squares, advance in circles, while gently shaking left and right to disperse the Qi.
As Jiang Fei observed the names and descriptions of these two techniques surfacing in his mind, he was overwhelmed with excitement.
“Just from the names alone, these techniques exude dominance! They’re definitely far more impressive than the first four!” he thought to himself.
Indeed, these two techniques were fundamentally different from the previous four.
When Jiang Fei returned to his office and calmly focused on sensing the nuances of these new needle methods, he made a startling discovery. As he held the silver needle, preparing to perform acupuncture, he felt a surge of energy circulating within his body!
It was as though, when he applied the needle, this energy could be transmitted through it into the patient’s body, drastically enhancing the treatment’s efficacy.
“What’s going on?” Jiang Fei was stunned.
“Could this be the legendary ‘inner energy’?” He marveled at this indescribable sensation.
He now understood clearly that the reason the Azure Dragon Swings Its Tail and Crimson Phoenix Nods Its Head techniques were so different from the first four was that their execution required this internal energy!
This energy seemed to elevate his acupuncture skills to an entirely new level. Previously, Jiang Fei’s medical prowess could only be considered “quasi-divine”—already at the pinnacle of conventional standards. But now, with the fifth and sixth techniques of the Divine Needle Eight Methods, he had stepped into the realm of a true medical master!
“No, this definitely isn’t the ‘inner energy’ from wuxia novels. There’s a fundamental difference,” Jiang Fei mused, setting down the needle with a frown.
First, he had never practiced any internal energy cultivation techniques, nor had the system provided him with any. It was impossible for him to spontaneously develop inner energy. After all, he was only advancing his medical skills—no matter how high his medical level rose, it wouldn’t translate into martial arts or generate internal energy. The two were entirely separate domains.
“I’m not Dongfang Bubai, after all. I wield needles to heal, not to embroider,” he joked inwardly.
Second, after careful reflection, Jiang Fei had gleaned some insights.
Given his current medical expertise, this internal energy, though seemingly fantastical, wasn’t entirely beyond reason. At the very least, it remained within the realm of human capability. Just as some martial artists, even without a system’s assistance, could become grandmasters capable of defeating a dozen opponents single-handedly, Jiang Fei’s internal energy was akin to this phenomenon.
It was a qualitative transformation that occurred when one’s acupuncture skills reached an exceptionally high level—an ability to sense and harness the body’s innate Qi, maximizing the effects of acupuncture.
Traditional Chinese medicine had always emphasized the concept of “Qi” within the body. Terms like “tonifying Qi” or “purging Qi” referred to this very energy.
The first four foundational techniques of the Divine Needle Eight Methods—Qi-Retaining, Qi-Guiding, Qi-Lifting, and Central Qi—all contained the character for “Qi” in their names.
Most physicians knew of this “Qi” and understood that illnesses arose from its imbalance. They knew how to regulate it and treat diseases, but they couldn’t truly sense or manipulate it directly. Instead, they relied on ancient texts, accumulated wisdom, and empirical knowledge—practicing medicine by rote.
This approach could be summarized by the saying: “They know the ‘how’ but not the ‘why.’”
While this might sound harsh, it held some truth.
Most TCM practitioners followed this pattern. They studied the classics, honed their skills through experience, and gradually became more proficient. Even Jiang Fei had once been no different.
The ancient medical sages were indeed remarkable. Their teachings allowed later generations to become skilled physicians capable of saving lives, even without direct perception of Qi.
However, a true medical master couldn’t stop there. They had to personally sense and manipulate this internal energy. Only by crossing this threshold could one be considered a genuine acupuncture expert.
Yet, such masters were exceedingly rare, not just in modern times but throughout history. Likely only the most legendary figures—like Hua Tuo, Bian Que, and Zhang Zhongjing—had achieved this level.
Jiang Fei was ecstatic. Despite his medical skill being only at Level 8 (not yet the supreme Level 9), he had already reached a realm comparable to these ancient sages!
This was nothing short of miraculous.
Having witnessed Old Master Cui perform the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles, Jiang Fei was certain that while Cui’s skills were extraordinary—far surpassing his own at Level 7—the old master had not yet attained the ability to sense internal Qi. If he had, he wouldn’t have needed acupuncture to diagnose the measles-afflicted child; he could have discerned the condition through Qi alone.
Thus, while Jiang Fei might still lag behind Cui in certain areas (such as decades of clinical experience), in core medical skills—especially acupuncture—he was now confident of his superiority.
And since Old Master Cui was already a towering figure in TCM, with few (if any) hidden experts surpassing him, did that mean Jiang Fei was now… peerless in traditional medicine?
The thought filled him with an indescribable pride.
“To think I’ve reached the pinnacle so soon. How… lonely,” he mused, half-jokingly. “Now, my goal isn’t to surpass others but to etch my name alongside the greats in medical history.”
Though this might sound arrogant, it wasn’t entirely unfounded.
If Level 8 already made him unmatched, what heights would Level 9 bring? At that stage, reviving the dead or snatching lives from the jaws of the underworld might no longer be hyperbole but literal truth.
“The thought is… rather thrilling,” Jiang Fei admitted to himself.
After half an hour in his office, his excitement finally settled. Stepping out, he resumed treating patients, eager to test the new techniques.
With his skills at Level 8, the upcoming East-West Medical Exchange no longer worried him. If he couldn’t dominate the event now—with abilities rivaling Hua Tuo’s—he might as well “find a block of tofu to crash into.”
His focus shifted to experimenting with the fifth and sixth techniques. The results?
Astounding.
Harnessing internal Qi didn’t just enhance acupuncture—it revolutionized pulse diagnosis as well. The difference from his Level 7 self was like night and day.
However, there was a catch: while his previous acupuncture relied on mental energy (replenished via his “Spirit” stat), using internal Qi for the advanced techniques drained him physically. After a few treatments, he’d be utterly exhausted.
This “Qi” was even more precious than mental energy—it had to be conserved. Unless absolutely necessary, he’d stick to the first four techniques, which were still significantly boosted by his newfound perception of Qi.
Returning to his office, weak and drained, Jiang Fei pondered:
“If ‘Spirit’ can be increased via stats, how do I boost my ‘Qi’? Is it tied to stamina? Or is it actual ‘inner energy’? The system hasn’t given me any internal cultivation manuals yet, and the shop only sells top-tier stuff like the Nine Yin Manual—way too expensive!”
“I’ll need to learn internal energy eventually. My incomplete Tai Chi suffers without it. And if I ever acquire Lonely Nine Swords, lacking internal energy would cripple its power, no matter how exquisite the forms.”
