Thousand Bamboo Grove
With the death of the Grand Academician, Tian Bugu had returned from the Sea of Learning to his own Thousand Bamboo Grove.
Having nothing else to occupy himself, Tian Bugu waited in the Thousand Bamboo Grove for the day when the Mystic Hanging Needle and the Bell-Spirit Needle would reunite into one.
The Mystic Hanging Needle and the Bell-Spirit Needle had originally been split from the Seven Divine Needles.
The Bell-Spirit Needle was the outer needle, hollow within.
The Mystic Hanging Needle, on the other hand, was the inner needle that could be inserted into the hollow of the Bell-Spirit Needle.
Individually, the Bell-Spirit Needle in Medicine Tathāgata's hands and the Mystic Hanging Needle in Tian Bugu's could unleash formidable power.
But when the two needles merged, they truly lived up to their name as divine instruments.
It was precisely for this reason that Tian Bugu desired to possess the complete Seven Divine Needles.
That day, in order to save Ye Xiao Chai, Six Gold Garments had borrowed the Mystic Hanging Needle from Tian Bugu.
When Medicine Tathāgata returned the needle, he had also promised that the two needles would one day reunite.
That day would be the next time Medicine Tathāgata sought out Tian Bugu.
However, though Medicine Tathāgata had made this promise, Tian Bugu had not expected that day to come soon.
Yet in the end, Tian Bugu had miscalculated—the day arrived far sooner than anticipated.
"Hmm…" Tian Bugu murmured.
Just then, Tian Bugu sensed something and turned his gaze beyond the Thousand Bamboo Grove.
"The Bodhi is no tree, nor the mirror a stand. Originally, there was nothing—where could dust alight?" Medicine Tathāgata recited.
In the next moment, Buddhist verses drifted into Tian Bugu's ears.
Medicine Tathāgata was approaching the Thousand Bamboo Grove.
"Great Master, have you come today to fulfill your promise?" Tian Bugu asked.
Though Tian Bugu had already guessed Medicine Tathāgata's purpose for arriving so early, he still sought confirmation.
"No." Medicine Tathāgata answered.
Yet Medicine Tathāgata's answer once again took Tian Bugu by surprise.
"Then what brings the Great Master here today?" Tian Bugu demanded.
Tian Bugu's expression darkened, his tone turning sharp.
After all, if Medicine Tathāgata was not here to fulfill his promise, then he was breaking it—and Tian Bugu did not appreciate being toyed with.
"This humble monk has decided to offer the Bell-Spirit Needle to you with both hands." Medicine Tathāgata declared.
Before Tian Bugu could voice his anger, Medicine Tathāgata spoke again, delivering yet another unexpected statement.
His expression was one of utmost sincerity.
Today, Tian Bugu had encountered more surprises than he had in an entire year.
"Is this truly so?" Tian Bugu pressed.
Suppressing his emotions, Tian Bugu sought confirmation once more.
"A monk does not speak falsehoods." Medicine Tathāgata affirmed.
Falling silent, Tian Bugu studied Medicine Tathāgata carefully, attempting to discern his true intentions.
This was the first time since his arrival that Tian Bugu had truly observed him.
"This…" Tian Bugu muttered.
In the next instant, Tian Bugu seemed to discover something—his expression shifted abruptly.
Without hesitation, he activated the Left Eye of Death, scrutinizing Medicine Tathāgata's condition in detail.
Medicine Tathāgata, of course, noticed the divine glow in Tian Bugu's left eye. Though he did not know exactly what it was, he understood it to be a unique ability.
Yet he neither resisted nor concealed himself, allowing Tian Bugu to proceed freely.
Once Tian Bugu had fully examined Medicine Tathāgata's condition, he finally understood why the monk had come to offer the Bell-Spirit Needle so willingly.
"Great Master… you do not have long to live." Tian Bugu stated.
Had there been others in the Thousand Bamboo Grove, Tian Bugu's words would have shocked them all.
Of course, the more likely outcome was that no one would have believed it.
Who would believe that Medicine Tathāgata, a master of healing, could be dying?
Tian Bugu had first noticed an abnormality in the five colors of Medicine Tathāgata's complexion.
Though the irregularity was slight, it had not escaped his notice.
That was why he had used the Left Eye of Death to inspect him further.
In the end, Tian Bugu confirmed Medicine Tathāgata's condition—he truly was nearing death.
The irregularities in his complexion had even been deliberately concealed.
Had they been left uncovered, even a moderately skilled individual would have detected them.
This alone spoke volumes about the severity of Medicine Tathāgata's state.
"Your vision is keen, Benefactor. Indeed, this humble monk does not have long." Medicine Tathāgata admitted.
Medicine Tathāgata admitted it freely.
When he had decided to come to the Thousand Bamboo Grove, he had already anticipated that Tian Bugu would see through his condition.
"That is why I have decided to offer the Bell-Spirit Needle to you.
At the same time, I have a request to make." Medicine Tathāgata continued.
"What is it?" Tian Bugu asked.
By now, Tian Bugu could already guess what Medicine Tathāgata would ask.
"I ask that the Benefactor lend me the Seven Divine Needles.
Before my death, I will return them to you.
Will you grant me this?" Medicine Tathāgata requested.
"As I thought." Tian Bugu remarked.
Medicine Tathāgata's request was exactly as Tian Bugu had expected.
"Very well." Tian Bugu agreed.
In the end, Tian Bugu agreed.
After all, Medicine Tathāgata was already at death's door—how could he refuse a dying man's plea?
"My gratitude, Benefactor.
This is the Bell-Spirit Needle. I leave it in your hands." Medicine Tathāgata said.
After expressing his thanks, Medicine Tathāgata produced a wooden box and handed it to Tian Bugu.
Inside lay the Bell-Spirit Needle.
Taking it, Tian Bugu opened the box and retrieved his own Mystic Hanging Needle.
Then, he merged the two needles together—thus, the Seven Divine Needles were whole once more.
Once this was done, he placed the reassembled Seven Divine Needles back into the wooden box.
"Take it." Tian Bugu offered.
He returned the box to Medicine Tathāgata.
"My thanks for your generosity, Benefactor." Medicine Tathāgata bowed.
Accepting the box, Medicine Tathāgata bowed once more.
By first giving the Bell-Spirit Needle to Tian Bugu, he had acknowledged it as Tian Bugu's possession.
Then, by allowing Tian Bugu to reunite the needles, he affirmed that the Seven Divine Needles belonged to Tian Bugu.
Finally, by receiving the Seven Divine Needles from Tian Bugu, he made it clear that he was borrowing them.
With the needles in hand, Medicine Tathāgata prepared to leave.
"What could compel the Great Master to make such a sacrifice?" Tian Bugu inquired.
Just as Medicine Tathāgata turned to depart, Tian Bugu voiced the question lingering in his heart.
Hearing this, Medicine Tathāgata paused.
"For the sake of the Buddha Emperor's safety." Medicine Tathāgata answered.
With those words, he resumed his steps.
"If the Great Master ever regrets this decision, Tian Bugu can save your life with the Seven Divine Needles." Tian Bugu declared.
Tian Bugu's words did not slow Medicine Tathāgata's stride in the slightest. His steps remained resolute.
"My thanks, Benefactor." Medicine Tathāgata replied.
Still, Medicine Tathāgata offered his gratitude.
But his tone made it clear—this was a refusal.
With the Seven Divine Needles and the Left Eye of Death, Tian Bugu could indeed heal Medicine Tathāgata's condition.
Yet he also recognized the unshakable determination in the monk's heart.
In truth, Medicine Tathāgata's impending death was his own doing.
And now, Tian Bugu was certain—having made this choice, Medicine Tathāgata would never turn back.
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