I couldn’t count the number of cuts Zen Master Baimei made before he finally stopped. I felt my eyes watery as I counted thirteen jujube-sized iron caltrops taken out of Chuyi’s flesh! 

Chuyi’s back didn’t have a square inch of intact skin. It could be worse, though. At least, the caltrops couldn’t release any more toxins after they were taken out.  

Zen Master Baimei took out some ointment from Chuyi’s bag and applied it on his back. Most of the ointments Chuyi created were multipurpose. At the moment of contact, Chuyi whimpered. His back fumed white smoke. I instinctively wanted to wipe the ointment away. Zen Master Baimei pushed me away and hissed, “Don’t disturb me if you know nothing!” 

I was baffled. I had known him for a long...