The Intersection of Ying and Yang

Hey, you there! Can I interest you in some eastern healing?

Eastern healing? Never heard of it. What does it do?

You don't know about eastern healing?!

So fast! But, uh... Could you step back a little, please?

Judging from your appearance, I'd say you're a traveler from the western continent, correct?

So eastern healing has yet to spread to the western continent... Interesting...

Well, then, it's no wonder you've never heard of it!

Well, maybe you could start by telling me what exactly this eastern healing is?

Of course, of course! Where do I even begin?

Eastern healing is a mystery discovered almost 40,000 years ago, and it all began in Nagsham!

40,000 years?! Woah, that's pretty cool!

It can cure anything! Sickness, injuries, fatigue, even skin ailments... It can even help with relationship issues!

If there's anything troubling you, you can count on eastern healing to cure it! That's how amazing it is!

If that's true, then that's amazing. It sounds like magic!

Hahaha! Magic, he says! You know, lots of people who try eastern healing say the same thing!

But, for something to be THAT good... There's got to be a catch.

It's only natural to be skeptical, my friend! How about you try some yourself?

Of course, it's only a sample, so it's on the house!

Will I feel the effects straight away? From the way you described it, I thought it would take a while to kick in...

Of course, of course! It wouldn't have made sense to offer you a sample otherwise, would it?

I guess that's a good point, actually. Okay, I'll give it a try.

An excellent choice, sir! Now, follow me. This way!

Here we are! Now then, try this! It's a sample of my famous "Yang Healing"!

Yang Healing? This stuff is starting to sound more and more like magic.

You must be a fighter, right? I can tell from that big ol' sword you have. Why not try the restorative healing blend?

Restorative healing, huh? Well, I've definitely been feeling a little battle-worn lately. Sure, I'll try it out!

Excellent, excellent! In that case, I'll prepare it now. This won't take long!

Huh?

Hm? Is something wrong?

Oh, no, it's... Well, I didn't know that this healing needed preparing.

Well, you see...

Now hold on just a second!

What?! It can't be...!

What? What's going on?!

You... You're the Yin Sage!

Yin Sage?

You know this guy?

Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do! This old geezer here happens to be my arch-enemy!

You there, traveler. Come here.

If you want sham healing, then feel free to get it from the Yang Sage here... But if you want the real deal, I've got what you need.

Don't let him fool you so easily, sir! This fraud's Yin Healing is incredibly dangerous, not to mention ineffective!

I'm trying to trick him, is that right? Do you actually believe that Yang Healing is better than Yin Healing?

Don't make me laugh! You may have fooled the townspeople with that nonsense, but you can't fool me, you braggart!

Well, if an entire town of people can't convince you that you're wrong, how about we settle this the old-fashioned way?

That's fine by me, boy!

What...? What in the world is going on?!

Yang Saaage!

Oh, Sage, please do something! My baby has a terrible fever!

What? That's awful!

And just when I have a customer, too...

Well, I'd be lying if I said I knew what was going on, but don't worry about me. Hurry, now, get going!

I'm so sorry about this! I should warn you, though, be careful with that Yin Sage! He's a cunning one!

We'll settle this next time, old man! Don't try any funny business while I'm gone!

Let's go, ma'am!

Who does she think she is, calling him "Sage"? How pathetic of him, running off like that.

Well, so be it. At least he's not around to get in my way right now.

Now then, come with me! I'll show you some REAL eastern healing.

Whoa, back up! Do you sages not understand the idea of personal space?!

Besides, who are you ordering around? I'm not coming with you, especially since I was told to be careful around you!

Pay no attention to anything that fool says!

He's just afraid that when you see what I've got to offer, you'll realize he's a complete fraud!

A fraud? So Yin Healing is better than Yang Healing?

Exactly! My Yin Kanpo is the real deal. It originated in Nagsham 40,000 years ago, you see. You can't argue with that much history!

Now stop dallying and come with me! I'll prove this once and for all!

Ngh! Hey, is there any need to grab me so tight? I couldn't escape even if I wanted to!

Okay, okay! I'll come with you, just as long as you let go of me!

Good. Now then, follow me.

This old guy sure is pushy. I guess I don't have much of a choice...

Hey, who are they?

These people, boy, have come in search of my Yin Healing.

Now, before your very eyes, I shall show you the power of true eastern healing!

Hey, Sage... I just want to check, this stuff will definitely cure me, right?

It's just that we tried Yang Healing, but it didn't do anything at all...

Of course it didn't! But don't you worry! Yin Healing is far superior to that ineffective Yang Healing!

In fact, why don't I just show you?

Yes, please.

Here we go! Graaargh!

Wow, he's really getting into it!

Woah! There's no doubt about it, this guy is an expert!

Feel! The power! Of Yin Healing!

...... ...Ugh?!

What? They collapsed?! What did you do?!

Hey, you! What did you do to them?!

Hah... It seems the Yin Healing is beginning to take effect.

Aaargh! Help me!

It burns! My eyes... They're burning!

A light... I see a bright light... Is this it for me?!

Hang on, everyone!

Ha ha! Do not fear, boy! They will be free of pain soon enough!

How can you laugh at a time like this?! And what do you mean, "free of pain"?

Heh... I meant exactly what I said. Now, be quiet, and watch carefully. You will understand soon.

I can't just stand by and...

Aaaaaargh! Somebody help me!

No... This can't be happening!

......

They aren't breathing...

Ha ha ha! We've come to the end of our little demonstration!

Damn it! I knew it your Yin Healing was trouble! The Yang Sage was right!

I could have saved them... This is all my fault!

I... I feel amazing! My bad back is completely cured!

My eyes don't hurt any more! This is incredible!

Wow... I feel ten years younger!

Wait! You guys are alive?! But you weren't even breathing!

I'm glad you're all okay, but what the heck happened just now?!

That, boy, was the power of Yin Healing! Now do you see how superior it is to Yang Healing?

You're right, this is wonderful! My back was so painful, but now it's completely cured!

It's just like you said, gramps! Your Yin Healing is way more powerful than that Yang Healing!

Well, of course! That's Yin Healing for you! But please, keep the praise coming...

Hold on! I wasn't finished!

What did you say?!

My back pain has been cured, yes. However...

I've never experienced pain like that curing process in all my years! It was 100 times worse than any back pain!

This Yin Healing... It must have been dreamt up by demons.

I may feel ten years younger, but the pain must have aged me at least another thirty years...

What IS this "Yin Healing" nonsense anyway?!

I was blinded by how much pain I was in! I really thought I was done for!

Even if Yang Healing is less effective, I'd take it over this any day!

What?!

We've had enough of your Yin Healing!

Tch... What weaklings! Don't they know the meaning of "no pain, no gain"?

You need to take this more seriously! They stopped breathing!

What if something went wrong?! Somebody could get seriously hurt!

Oh, it's not that bad. It was simply their first time experiencing Yin Healing, so they weren't used to the side effects.

They weren't used to it?! This guy just can't be reasoned with.

Yin Sage!

Oh? Why, it's that Yang fraud, and his customer from before.

What do you want? Shouldn't your baby be feeling better by now?

That's why I'm here... I need your help!

My help? What do you need my help for?

I thought it was just a regular fever... But it seems her baby has contracted Uponka!

Did you just say Uponka?!

U...Uponka? What's that? Is it bad, or something?

Long, long ago, there was an Uponka epidemic.

At first, it might seem like just a sore throat, or a regular fever.

But before long, your entire body feels like it's on fire, and there's nothing in the world that can cool you down.

Finally, the heat becomes too much for the body, the infected lose their minds, and eventually succumb to death.

So like a fever, but 100 times worse?!

Yes! Uponka is a truly terrifying disease!

In the history of Nagsham, there has never been a disease the Sages fear quite like Uponka!

So, this Uponka... How do we cure it?

Apparently, a few hundred years ago, there was a Sage who managed to cure the disease with his healing powers...

Seriously? Then you should be able to cure it this time too, right?!

No. It's impossible!

He's right... My healing powers alone aren't enough to cure such a disease.

Well, of course. Do you really think you, a mere healing peddler, could compare to the Sages of old?

Why, you...!

Oh please, I beg you! Won't you at least try? My child's life is at stake!

Your Yin Healing is my last hope!

Ma'am, please, think about this! There must be some other way! Yin Healing is far too dangerous to use on a child!

I'll do everything I can to try and cure the disease myself!

Yeah, me too!

I've seen what Yin Healing does to people, and it's not something I'd wish on anyone!

But there's no other way! It's the only chance we've got!

Please try to understand! His Yin Healing will only make your child suffer more!

Even so, if it saves his life...

You heard her, boy. She has chosen the superior healing technique. She knows Yin Healing is the right path.

Darn you, old man!

Sit back and watch as my Yin Healing achieves what your Yang Healing could not!

Now then, madam. Take me to your child.

Yes, this way...

Do you think he can actually do this?

No! It's no lie that Yin Healing is more powerful than Yang Healing, but it's far too much to use on a baby!

Even if he can cure the Uponka... Well, what comes next doesn't bear thinking about.

Seriously?!

It's not right! That's the whole reason I developed Yang Healing in the first place.

It just makes no sense to make people who are already in pain suffer any more!

Is there really nothing we can do? You said this "Eastern Healing" stuff could cure anything!

You...

You're right. It's still too soon to give up! Now, if I could just tap into the secrets of these healing powers...

Healing secrets? How do you find those?!

Well, you usually have to train for a very long time before anything reveals itself to you.

But we don't have that kind of time right now!

We have no choice! We need to use an ancient Nagsham training ritual, steeped in 40,000 years of history!

An ancient training ritual?!

We must head to the Kunlun Mountains! It's the perfect place for such training!

Got it! I'll do whatever I can to help!

The Kunlun Mountains... Yes, this is the perfect place for my training!

This training you keep mentioning... Is it difficult?

Well, those who tried it didn't live to tell the tale, so if I'm being honest, I'm not actually sure.

Seriously?! That doesn't sound good at all!

Hey. This training... No, not just this, but curing Uponka, too. Do you think I can really do it?

If I do, you'll have to promise to try out my Yang Healing sometime. A lot has happened since I offered you that free sample, huh?

Yeah! I'll definitely give it a try!

Heh heh, I'll hold you to that!

Come on, Aldo! Let's do this!

*huff* *puff* I'd expect no less from such an ancient training ritual.

At last, we've reached the final test... Though it's not going to be easy.

The final test... I wonder what it is?

I must use my power to slay a ferocious monster... Honestly, I don't know if I can do this...

A ferocious monster, huh?

It's okay! You've endured some pretty harsh training so far. You can definitely do this!

Thanks, Aldo. Now, let's do this...

Huh? Is that...?!

Look! Over there! This may be over sooner than I thought!

All right! Let's bring down this monster and save that baby!

Huh?

What's wrong?

*whine*

This monster is wounded! Now's our chance to defeat it!

Wait! True, we'll be able to defeat it, but...

It seems like it's hurt pretty bad. Would defeating this one really count?

Well...

No, you're right. Killing a monster that's already injured isn't going to make my powers any stronger.

What...? What's that voice? Hey, Aldo, did you hear that?

What are you talking about? I don't hear any voice.

Cast aside my doubt... Follow my heart?

That's right! I can't give up now!

Grrrr...?

......

No!

My powers are for protecting the weak!

Any power I gain from using this weakened creature as a stepping stone... Is not the type of power I'm looking for!

I will follow my heart, and right now, my heart is telling me to help this monster!

What are you doing?!

Here I go.

Aaahhh!

Grrr...? Grrr!

Its wounds were healed! Was that your healing power?!

Yeah, I did that. No matter the situation, I can never turn my back on the weak!

Huh? What the–?!

What's going on?!

Ah, I get it... So that's what the voice meant.

You keep mentioning some voice... What on earth is going on?

It was a test, from the Sages of old.

Looks like I've finally learned what it means to be a Sage.

You mean...?!

Yes! I feel power flowing through my veins!

I've finally mastered the secrets of healing!

You did it! Now let's hurry back to Nagsham!

Yes! We should... Huh?!

Another monster?! Give us a break!

*gasp* My healing powers... They're telling me...

YOU'RE the one who hurt the monster we ran into earlier!

You can tell?! Man, you really did get stronger!

By the looks of it, there must have been some sort of territorial dispute.

And since we're in its territory, that means it wants to hurt us, too!

Leave this to me, I can take care of it. You go on ahead!

But Aldo!

I can't do anything about the Uponka situation, but I know how to take down a monster!

Thanks! I'll go ahead and see what I can do, then!

Prepare to die, beast!

All right, that went pretty smoothly!

Time to head back to Nagsham!

Graaaaaahhh!

Ngh! This Uponka...! How is it resisting my Yin Healing powers?!

It's you! Have you cured him yet?

No. As you can see, not even Yin Healing has any effect on this dreaded Uponka.

Wait! You can still save him, though... Right? Right?!

He looks like he's been in pain for a while now...

It doesn't look like it, no.

I knew it!

No! You can't be serious!

Between the Uponka and the Yin Healing, I'm afraid he doesn't have much of a chance!

Hrngh!

Ugh?!

Stop, stop already! Where's the Yang Sage? Isn't he here yet?

The Yang Sage? Ha! You really think he'd show his face here? And even if he was, what good would he be anyway?

It would be a different story if he had somehow managed to learn the secrets of healing... But as that idiot's master, I know better than anyone how impossible that is!

Wait, you're his master? Huh...

Not any more. That's ancient history. Tch, I thought I was better than this. Why am I thinking of that fool at a time like this?

But sir! He left for Nagsham well before I did!

And yet, he isn't here!

In other words, he waited until the last minute to turn tail and run away!

You're wrong! He'll definitely turn up!

Well, I can't wait for him any longer! I'm going to try one last time!

Haaaaaahhh!

Wait, please! Any more, and he'll...!

No, stop! You can't do this!

We have no more options! This is the only way we can cure his Uponka!

Sorry I took so long!

Sage! You're back!

Oi, old man...no, Master!

What?! You... You did it?! You discovered the secrets of healing?

It was incredibly difficult, but somehow I managed.

So now... Now I'm not a burden any more, right?

Hmm. If you'd learned anything, you wouldn't have taken so long.

But I can feel it. The Sages of old are watching over you, and the path you will take.

Now, come! Show me what you're made of, and cure this child's Uponka!

Prepare yourself, my disciple! Let the flame of passion burn bright within you!

Yes, Master!

It is time... Yin and Yang shall become as one, and unleash the ultimate arcana...

It's time to use the "Grand Cross Invocation"!

Grand Cross Invocation?! What in the world is that?!

Let's do this, Master!

Prepare yourself, boy!

Haaaaaahhh!

True power...is protecting the weak!

True power...is destroying all evil!

Aaaaaaah!

Huh? What is that thing?!

Is that...the Uponka?! Your powers gave it a physical form!

I see! You can only cure Uponka by defeating its physical form!

Arcana!

Healing...Power!

Grand...Cross...Invocation!

Haaaaaahhh!

......

......

Did it work...? I can still see it...

Master...

Hmph...

Now, spirits... Let us act as one.

Huh? Spirits? Act as one?

With my Yang Healing...

And my Yin Healing...

We can create the perfect medicine. Go give it to the little one.

......

Here you go, little guy.

......

... *hiccup*

His temperature is dropping. The color in his face is returning, too.

*gasp* My baby!

......

That wasn't what I was expecting...

Is something the matter, Aldo? You look disappointed.

No, I'm not! I'm just confused!

Huh? This feels way less dramatic all of a sudden!

I thought eastern healing was something to do with magic, but you just... You just made some medicine?

What are you talking about? Eastern healers come up with remedies made with medicinal ingredients from the East. Did you really not know that?

Oh?

But that screaming... That weird attack! You were talking about spirits!

Spirits...? No, no, I said "stir it." You need your ears checked, boy.

Huh? So... That's it?

Excuse me, Sages. Do you have a minute?

Wait, don't tell me there's something else wrong with the baby?

How much do I owe you?

You charge for this? Are you for real?!

Ah, of course. We'll send you the invoice later, there's no need to worry about it right now.

Very well. Thank you for your help today.

Is this... Is this normal? Am I missing something here?

The student finally becomes the teacher, hm? Who would've thought you'd learn the secrets of healing at the last minute?

Well, I'm a Sage too, after all. I can't leave you to do all the work by yourself, now, can I Master?

Splendid. From this day forth, then, we shall be known as neither Yin, nor Yang, but both as Nagsham Sages.

Master!

I feel like I came away knowing less about healing than I did before...

But at least those two have finally set aside their differences. That's a relief.

Now, I'm thinking of creating a new style of healing, to replace the old Yin and Yang styles.

I actually already have a recipe prepared!

It uses the best parts of both Yin and Yang healing to create something entirely new, and even better!

Well, fancy that. That's exactly what I was thinking.

I suppose it was only natural that we would reach the same conclusion, given that we're both equals now.

Ha ha! Equals... I like the sound of that!

I have so much to show you. Recently, I've been making great progress by using sand lotus in my work.

Huh?

What? Are you crazy?! You can't use sand lotus in a healing tonic!

Oh? Then what would you do?

Dandelion broth. Isn't it obvious?

Dandelion broth?! Absolutely not! No disciple of mine uses Dandelion broth!

Huh?

I see...that's a shame master, or should I say...old man!

Looks like no matter what happens, we'll never get along!

I knew it! There's no way the idiot who came up with Yang Healing could understand my methods!

Huh? You guys aren't going to start fighting again?

I guess we're just going to have to settle this here and now!

So be it! Don't come crawling back to me when I best you!

Oh no, they're at it again! You'd better run before you get caught up in this mess!

But they were getting along so well! Jeez, I guess I'd better leave them to it... I'm out of here!

Urrrgh!

Hiyaaaaaah!

I think I'm fine with good old western-style healing for now.