Chapter 697: Communication

Chapter 697: Chapter 697: Communication

"Mm-hmm."

Cui Guanghui nodded. "Dad, Brother Li is truly skilled. He didn’t even take Mom’s pulse. He just chatted with her for a bit, observed her for a while, and pinpointed the root of her illness. Plus, he’s already told me a method that doesn’t involve any Chinese medicine."

With that, Cui Guanghui recounted in full detail the method Li Xu had designed—a form of ritual therapy. The plan was to have an eminent monk write the Hundred Buddha Painting, have it consecrated, and then have his mother silently copy it every day to center her spirit.

HISS...

After hearing the plan, Cui Jianmin couldn’t help but gasp.

It wasn’t because the method was complex, but because it was so ingenious.

"Using one emotion to overcome another, transforming the essence to alter the qi..."

Cui Jianmin muttered to himself, his eyes glinting. ’This Li Xu is truly a master. A method like this is on par with those renowned National Medical Masters. In fact, when it comes to insight into human nature and worldly affairs, he might even be a cut above them.’

Cui Jianmin was a self-made, first-generation billionaire. Although he had leveraged some resources from his father-in-law’s family, his experience and vision were undeniable, given that he had built Guangshun Group to its current scale.

With his status and position, he could easily invite and frequently consult with even Li Xu’s teacher, Professor Gao Guanghui.

While Shen Wen had been ill, Cui Jianmin had also spoken privately with Gao Guanghui.

Although Elder Gao hadn’t come to see her in person, he had offered some suggestions based on her symptoms.

Besides TCM experts, the Cui Family had also consulted numerous top Western medical specialists in neurology and psychiatry.

But the results had been unsatisfactory.

To put it bluntly, Shen Wen’s illness was a "sickness of the heart"—post-traumatic stress disorder on a spiritual and psychological level.

For this kind of illness, Western medicine often just relies on forced sedation, which has significant side effects and only treats the symptoms, not the root cause.

As for conventional psychological counseling, it was impossible to break through the defenses of someone as strong-willed and inwardly closed-off as Shen Wen. She wouldn’t listen to a single word the doctors said.

Li Xu’s method, however, could be considered a form of Psychological Therapy in a broad sense.

But it wasn’t some dry "talk therapy." Instead, it cleverly leveraged Shen Wen’s own beliefs and interests, tailoring a "therapeutic space" for her that was filled with a sense of ritual and sanctity.

This was on a completely different level than simple psychological guidance.

This was a case of "pushing the boat with the current" and "inviting the lord into the urn."

Cui Jianmin was worldly and experienced. After hearing his son’s explanation and thinking it over for a moment, he knew Li Xu’s method would absolutely work.

Because he knew his wife all too well.

This process perfectly leveraged her psychological vulnerabilities.

And as for Li Xu, who could devise such an ingenious and intricate plan, his skill and intellect were plain to see.

"Brother Ding mentioned to me before that his mother’s severe insomnia was cured by Brother Li," Cui Guanghui added. "I was skeptical at the time, but after seeing him today, I’m completely convinced."

Cui Jianmin said with admiration, "Ah, Guanghui, this is the kind of young talent you should be spending more time with and building deep connections with. You should make good friends, not waste time with those hedonistic sons of the rich who only know how to eat, drink, and play."

Cui Jianmin had always been strict in raising his son. Although Cui Guanghui was a top-tier heir born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he had none of the arrogance or debauchery common to his peers. On the contrary, he was very measured in his dealings with others.

"I know, Dad."

Cui Guanghui said with a smile, "Brother Li is very low-key and pragmatic. From my interactions with him today, I also really admire his dignified air, neither servile nor overbearing."

"Good." Cui Jianmin nodded. "We should act on this sooner rather than later. I’ll go to Golden Ray Monastery myself tomorrow to find Master Huiyuan. Once your mother has recovered, we must invite Li Xu to our home for a family banquet to thank him properly."

"AH—!!"

Just as the father and son were speaking in low voices, a sudden cry of alarm came from upstairs.

The voice was filled with terror.

"Not good, your mother’s having another nightmare!"

Cui Jianmin hurriedly stood up. "I’ll go check on her. You get some rest. You have a lot to do tomorrow."

...

「The next morning.」

Cui Jianmin arrived at Golden Ray Monastery.

Golden Ray Monastery was bustling with worshippers, but the abbot’s private chambers in the rear courtyard were an oasis of tranquility.

Master Huiyuan was nearly seventy this year, but he had a ruddy complexion and a kind, benevolent face, giving him the air of an immortal sage.

He was not only the abbot of Golden Ray Monastery but also the vice chairman of the provincial calligraphers’ association. His Yan-style regular script was majestic and demonstrated immense skill.

In Master Huiyuan’s presence, even a magnate like Cui Jianmin, who commanded the business world, appeared exceedingly polite, showing a heartfelt respect.

"Amitabha Buddha. Patron Cui, what brings you here today? Is there anything this humble monk can help you with?"

Master Huiyuan invited Cui Jianmin to sit on a cattail cushion, had a young novice monk serve some light tea, and asked with a smile.

Business tycoons of Cui Jianmin’s stature were often major benefactors to many monasteries and temples.

While not all wealthy people necessarily believed in Buddhism or Daoism, most would donate large sums of "incense money" to temples, whether to seek peace of mind or to accumulate good karma.

Over the years, the Cui Family had contributed greatly to the renovation and expansion of Golden Ray Monastery.

Therefore, when Cui Jianmin suddenly appeared at his door today, Master Huiyuan guessed he must have a favor to ask.

"Master, I wouldn’t trouble you without good reason. I do have an urgent matter that I hope you can help with."

Cui Jianmin pressed his palms together in a respectful gesture and said politely, "To be honest, my wife has been ill for some time now. For the past three months, she’s been constantly anxious and terrified, plagued by nightmares every night, and her sleep is extremely poor. She’s become gaunt and haggard. Western medicine can’t find anything wrong, and if this continues, I’m afraid she’ll have a mental breakdown."

Hearing this, Master Huiyuan sighed softly.

"This humble monk may know a little about the medical arts, but..."

The master’s face showed his difficulty. "When Patron Shen came to the monastery to offer incense before, this humble monk observed her complexion and wanted to take her pulse. However, Patron Shen seems to have a poor opinion of Chinese medicine and doesn’t accept it. A sickness of the heart requires a medicine for the heart. If she is resistant, this humble monk is powerless to help."

Generally, eminent Buddhist monks or accomplished masters from the Daoist School, in order to enlighten all beings and facilitate the spread of their teachings, would have some understanding of the principles of Chinese medicine.

This goes without saying for the Daoist School, where the saying goes, "nine out of ten Daoists are physicians," as medicine and the Dao share the same origin.

After Buddhism spread to Central Earth, it also absorbed a great deal of traditional medical knowledge, and many monks became skilled healers who served the world.

Master Huiyuan was naturally no exception.

He was well aware of Shen Wen’s aversion to Chinese medicine, which was why he said this.

"You are right, Master. My wife is indeed a bit stubborn."

Cui Jianmin gave a wry smile. "However, a master gave us an idea yesterday that perfectly bypasses this mental block of hers..."

Then, Cui Jianmin recounted Li Xu’s "Hundred Buddha Painting" plan to Master Huiyuan in full detail.