Chapter 121: Treating Symptoms vs. Treating the Root Cause
In the video, after Dugu Bo admitted defeat and the duel ended, Sun Zhongjing once again pulled his bow across the strings of the erhu. Through the unique frequency of his sonic poison technique, he dispelled the "poison" from Dugu Bo's body, restoring his ability to move.
At this point, some might think Ye Cheng was making things up what kind of nonsense was "sonic poison technique"? How could sound waves make someone poisoned? And how did this even relate to poison?
But in reality, it wasn't as mystical as it seemed. The so called "poison" was just an easier way for Dugu Bo to understand the technique. The principle behind it wasn't that the sound waves actually carried toxins, but rather that they interfered with the body's energy flow, blood circulation, and nervous system. They could even manipulate the symbiotic bacteria that naturally existed in the human body, triggering a series of reactions that simulated poisoning symptoms.
Of course, achieving this was incredibly difficult. It required an unparalleled understanding of the human body, the ability to instantly analyze the circulation of energy and blood, and even the ability to perceive and manipulate the distribution of symbiotic bacteria at a microscopic level. Without these capabilities, using the technique was impossible.
At the beginning stages, the sonic poison technique could only work through the ears, as sound waves traveled into the body and spread their effects. That's why blocking one's ears could prevent the technique from working.
But at the advanced stages, when the technique evolved into shockwave needles, the sound waves could directly penetrate any part of the body, making it unavoidable.
So, despite how fantastical it sounded, the sonic poison technique was actually quite scientific in its approach. It wasn't just some supernatural ability with no logical basis.
Back at the medical hall, Dugu Bo's attitude toward Sun Zhongjing had completely changed. He had always been arrogant, but when faced with true skill, he knew when to show respect. Especially now this person had the ability to cure him. And who would dare act rudely toward their own doctor? That would be asking for death.
After sitting down, Sun Zhongjing looked at Dugu Bo and said, "There are two ways to cure the poison in your body one treats the symptoms, and the other treats the root cause. Which one do you choose?"
"Two methods?!"
Dugu Bo was ecstatic.
He had originally thought that solving his poisoning problem would be extremely difficult, yet now Sun Zhongjing was offering two different options right from the start!
In the real world, Dugu Bo clenched his fists as he watched the video. He knew that the future shown in the video was before the start of the question and answer event. And since that event had already changed the future, things wouldn't play out exactly the same way.
For example, in the video, Dugu Bo still had nine spirit rings but in reality, he had already lost one due to the punishment from the last question.
Still, it didn't matter.
As long as the person in the video could cure him, then the real Sun Zhongjing should be able to cure him too!
The only thing he needed to know now was:
Had Sun Zhongjing already arrived in Heaven Dou City?
Or, if not… when would he arrive?
Better yet if he could find Sun Zhongjing beforehand, he might be able to get treatment immediately!
In the video, Dugu Bo hesitated for a moment before asking, "Senior, may I ask… what is the difference between treating the symptoms and treating the root cause?"
His tone had completely changed he now addressed Sun Zhongjing as senior, taking the position of a junior.
After all, whether in age or ability, Sun Zhongjing was far beyond him. Calling him senior was no shame at all.
"To treat the symptoms…"
Sun Zhongjing stroked his long beard and explained, "The simplest method would be for me to create a specialized antidote, which, when consumed, would eliminate the poison in your body."
"Or " he added, "I could directly extract the poison from your body, making you completely toxin free. However, both of these methods are only temporary solutions."
"Extract the poison directly? Is that even possible?" Dugu Bo was shocked and a little skeptical.
Sun Zhongjing didn't respond with words.
He simply raised a hand and made a small gesture in the air.
At that moment, Dugu Bo suddenly felt his soul power stir, as if something inside him was being pulled.
Then, a thick green mist began to rise from his chest, floating through the air and gathering in Sun Zhongjing's palm forming a swirling sphere of poison!
"These… are the toxins inside me?!"
Dugu Bo quickly examined himself.
To his astonishment, he realized that the unbearable pain and discomfort he had lived with for years had suddenly been reduced by half!
He had just watched as part of the poison was pulled out of him!
This left him completely stunned.
How had Sun Zhongjing done that?
"The toxins in your body come from your martial soul," Sun Zhongjing explained.
"Every time you activate your martial soul, the toxins merge further with your body. That's why, even if I completely remove all the poison from you, it will build up again as soon as you use your martial soul."
"In other words unless you never use your martial soul again, the poison will always return."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo couldn't help but smile bitterly.
In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, not using his martial soul was impossible.
If he did that, his enemies would slaughter him immediately.
Not to mention having such power and not being able to use it was worse than death!
"Senior… is there any solution to this?" he asked, cupping his hands respectfully.
"If your martial soul were an artifact, you could simply store the poison inside it, and the problem would be solved," Sun Zhongjing explained.
"But your martial soul is a beast type, meaning the poison merges with your body."
"To prevent the poison from harming you, the best solution is to find a storage vessel for example, a spirit bone."
Dugu Bo's eyes widened in realization.
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that before?! This method is so simple!"
In the real world, Dugu Bo was just as shocked and excited.
He had assumed that he had to find Sun Zhongjing in person to get treated.
But now the solution had been revealed right in the video!
And as for a spirit bone?
He already had one!
But then, Sun Zhongjing spoke again.
"However, this is still just treating the symptoms."
Dugu Bo's excitement faded as he heard those words.
Frowning, he asked, "Senior… what do you mean? I feel like this solution already eliminates the problem. Or… is it because spirit bones are hard to obtain? If so, I can assure you I have the means to get one."
"No, that's not the issue."
Sun Zhongjing shook his head.
"Using a spirit bone to store the poison does prevent it from harming your body."
"However, every time you activate your martial soul, you'll have to spend time transferring the poison into the spirit bone."
"And remember time is life."
"Wasting time in battle is no different from slow suicide."
"Thus, this is not the best solution."
(End of Chapter)
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