A friendship beyond age

Su Ziyang didn't want to sleep, so he sat by the fire and meditated all night.

The next day, Wei Boyan saw Su Ziyang still sitting there, his clothes still a little damp, and asked in surprise, "Xiao Su, you've been sitting here all night?"

"It's alright, Teacher Wei. I'm full of energy and can't sleep. I'm just warming myself by the fire!"

Su Ziyang chuckled softly, without saying anything more.

"By the afternoon, the aconite will be ready. Let's go get some breakfast!"

Wei Boyan patted Su Ziyang on the shoulder.

Su Ziyang stood up and stretched his back and legs. The two of them didn't go far and ate some breakfast nearby.

He returned to continue guarding the place. Time passed second by second, but Su Ziyang didn't feel it was a long time. He just watched quietly and smelled the smoke in the air.

The fire finally burned out, and the ashes slowly cooled. Wei Boyan brushed aside the ashes, took out two aconite roots, and touched them in his hand.

The aconite made a hollow sound, and Wei Boyan revealed a satisfied smile.

The next step is steaming. Wei Boyan said that this method is called "water and fire co-cooking," which has the ability to connect water and fire. Water represents the kidneys in the human body, and fire represents the heart in the human body. This means that water and fire are in harmony.

Steaming takes three days. This is where the benefits of Su Ziyang's cultivation become apparent; he doesn't sleep or rest, he just keeps an eye on the fire...

Su Ziyang's spirit moved Wei Boyan, and the old man said excitedly, "Child, no, you must learn to make medicine with me."

"Teacher Wei, you flatter me. I'm just skilled in cultivation techniques; I didn't put in that much effort. Why don't you rest a little longer? There are still a couple of hours left. I'll call you! Come and check the medicine!"

Su Ziyang chuckled and put a handful of firewood into the stove.

"I never expected you to be so skilled in this at such a young age. When I was young, I was fortunate enough to meet a master. He gathered herbs in the mountains, going for half a month without eating or drinking, yet he felt neither hunger nor thirst. At that time, he taught me a method of standing meditation, but alas, I didn't persist in practicing it!"

Wei Boyan spoke of this with deep regret.

"Teacher Wei, if you don't find it offensive, could you demonstrate the standing meditation posture for me? I have a little knowledge of this!"

Su Ziyang spoke very modestly, while Wei Boyan was a little excited. "Really? That's great! You don't need to be so modest, Xiao Su. 'Among three people walking together, there must be one I can learn from!'"

"Look, Xiao Su. I remember it was a movement like this. The person said that if you keep doing it, you can feel a swelling sensation in your lower abdomen, but I've never felt it."

Wei Boyan struck a pose, his hands clasped in front of his chest, not in a horse stance, but with his knees slightly relaxed.

After making Wei Boyan stand there for three minutes, Su Ziyang figured out a little bit of the trick.

People are most sensitive to qi when they are teenagers, but as they age and their bodies weaken, their ability to sense qi becomes less and less noticeable.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva has a verse that admonishes the masses, which goes like this.

Like a flowing river, it goes forth and never returns.

Human life is like this; the dead never return.

The day has passed, and life is drawing to a close.

Like a fish in little water, what joy can it find!

One should strive diligently, as if putting out a fire on one's head.

But remember that everything is impermanent, so be careful not to be negligent.

It means that time flies, and life force diminishes day by day, so we should cultivate ourselves more diligently and not waste our lives.

Therefore, it is advisable to begin cultivating oneself as early as possible.

Su Ziyang stood in front of Wei Boyan and corrected his movements, gently bringing Wei Boyan's hands together so that the ball he was holding was much smaller.

Then he asked Wei Boyan to tuck his legs in a little, making them slightly narrower than his shoulders, and to turn his feet inwards slightly, making them slightly pigeon-toed.

After correcting his posture, Wei Boyan felt it for a moment and said, "It's definitely more comfortable than when I was standing. But I still don't feel that same sensation."

"It's alright. Teacher Wei, please stand there a little longer, let me take another look!"

Su Ziyang told Wei Boyan to stand, and then he carefully observed from the side.

About five minutes later, Su Ziyang made a sword-finger gesture and pressed on the Guanyuan acupoint below Wei Boyan's navel.

Su Ziyang pointed, Wei Boyan gently pulled his stomach back a little, causing it to shrink back slightly.

Then Su Ziyang pressed on Wei Boyan's Tanzhong acupoint, and Wei Boyan's puffed-out chest contracted.

With Su Ziyang's help in adjusting things, Wei Boyan stayed for less than three minutes before beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead.

"Oh, I feel a warm, bloated sensation in my arms and lower abdomen!"

Wei Boyan said excitedly.

"Yes, Teacher Wei, that's roughly the idea. You can stand for fifteen minutes every morning, and gradually increase the time as you go!"

Su Ziyang said softly.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!"

Wei Boyan thanked Su Ziyang repeatedly, making Su Ziyang feel extremely embarrassed.

"I'll practice like this from now on. If I have any questions, I'll ask you. Let's keep in touch anytime, Xiao Su."

Wei Boyan happily added Su Ziyang on WeChat. Su Ziyang replied with a smile, "I wouldn't dare to ask for your advice. Just let me know if you need anything, and I'll do my best to help!"

As people get older, they seem to cherish life more. Wei Boyan seems very interested in this method of health preservation and exercise.

He kept chatting with Su Ziyang.

Su Ziyang was also very happy to chat with the elder. Time seemed to fly by as they talked.

The aconite was steamed quickly; all that was left was to cut it into slices.

The two of them no longer need to do the cutting themselves; the clinic has its own pharmacist who can cut the herbs directly, and his knife skills are excellent.

And so, Su Ziyang's time with Wei Boyan came to an end. He felt he hadn't had enough, because Wei Boyan's knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine was simply too rich and extensive!

Su Ziyang could hear knowledge points and Wei Boyan's unique insights into traditional Chinese medicine in every sentence Wei Boyan spoke.

The elderly can readily explain methods for distinguishing genuine medicinal herbs from counterfeit ones, assessing their quality, and identifying the authentic producing areas of medicinal herbs.

This elderly man, who began learning to process medicinal herbs at the age of fifteen, has dedicated his entire life to understanding these traditional Chinese medicines.

"Teacher Wei, let's keep in touch. I have some questions about medicinal herbs, and I'd like to ask you for advice!"

Su Ziyang spoke respectfully to Wei Boyan was about to return.

"Speak freely. This old man will tell you everything he knows."

Wei Boyan was also a little reluctant to part with Su Ziyang. After all, such a good person was hard to come by. If he didn't have other things to do, he would have liked to stay and spend a few more days with Su Ziyang.

"Alright, Su Ziyang, you've got some nerve now. That old man's got you all figured out!"

When Mr. Mengfei saw that Wei Boyan was a little reluctant to Su Ziyang, he started joking.

"Absolutely! You know who taught me. Master, when is Master Yang coming back? I still need to spar with him."

Su Ziyang felt itchy all over if he didn't get a beating every day...

"What about him? His dad sent him back to work. You're homeless and penniless now. If he doesn't leave, your Mrs. Yang will come and kill you. She'll think you're a mistress!"

Mr. Mengfei put his arm around Su Ziyang's shoulder and said, "By the way, I might have to go back for a while. If you miss us, just give us a call!"

"Going to find your master's wife?" Su Ziyang said with a sly smile.

"Get lost!"

Mr. Mengfei kicked Su Ziyang's butt while laughing and scolding him.