In ancient times, apart from using medicinal stones and acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine also employed the Zhu You Thirteen Arts, a method of treating diseases with charms and spells. The concept of “Zhu You” is broad, encompassing prohibition methods, spell methods, talisman methods, as well as suggestive therapy, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, music therapy, etc. It’s not merely about wishing away the disease but involves various approaches.
For some illnesses with known causes that don’t respond to spells, it indicates that Zhu You methods are ineffective. In such cases, prohibition methods, symbol methods, or a combination of these with medication might be employed. Many diseases indirectly result from psychological factors, so their origin lies in the mind.
The treatment of tumors with Zhu You is widely recognized, but it is limited to tumors caused by psychological factors, not all tumors can be treated this way.
Many organic lesions are also caused by psychological factors. Therefore, Zhu You can also be effective in treating the diseases originating from these organs or tissues.
From the perspective of Qi-martial arts, human illnesses are essentially divided into mental and physical ailments.
Mental ailments fall within the scope of Zhu You treatment, and some physical ailments also fall within this scope. However, Zhu You is not a cure-all for mental ailments. It is essential to understand that Zhu You is only a supplementary aspect of medicine, not the sole means of treatment.
As scientific technology continually advances, many diseases have been conquered, but there are still some for which suitable treatments haven’t been found. This is why Zhu You Thirteen Arts have persisted for thousands of years.
Zhu You treatment involves minimal or no medication, relying mainly on the intentions of the Zhu You practitioner, the energy field produced by symbols and spells, to treat various diseases. Therefore, Zhu You Thirteen Arts places high demands on the practitioner, with many rules that must be followed.
After delivering this lengthy explanation, Leo concluded with a tone of regret, “Zhu You Arts gradually declined by the end of the Ming Dynasty. What has been passed down is very limited, mostly minor spells and incantations that may work for minor ailments but are ineffective for major diseases. Moreover, many people use the name of Zhu You to deceive others, leading to the gradual perception of Zhu You as a form of feudal superstition.”
Today, not only Zhu You Thirteen Arts but also Feng Shui and Yin Yang arts are rare to find in their authentic forms. With curiosity in his heart, Leo, accompanied by Monica and Sakura, left the clinic and headed towards a small square to the east.
This square, which Leo had visited before, was originally somewhat deserted. Now, it was not only lively but also bustling.
Under a large tree in the square sat a slender man in his fifties, dressed in traditional Chinese clothing with a goatee.
In front of the man lay an old-fashioned wooden table with yellow talisman papers, a box of cinnabar, a wolf hair brush, and some peculiar items.
Facing him across the table was a man around forty years old. He placed his right arm on the table, and it was evident that his arm had been burned, with many red blisters emerging on the skin.
Intense pain caused the man to break into a sweat, and he couldn’t help but let out painful groans.