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(Referring to Jianjing [GB21, Shoulder Well], located in the depression between the shoulders, anterior to the clavicle above the Quepen [CV15, Sea of Water] point; it is the intersection of the Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang, and Yang-Wei vessels. Needle 0.5 cun, moxa 3 cones.) Guan Yuan [CV4, Gate of Origin]: one point. (Explanation seen previously.)

Wei Yang [BL39, Yang of the Calf]: two points. (It is the lower auxiliary Shu point of the Sanjiao [Triple Burner]. Located between the two tendons on the lateral side of the popliteal fossa; this is the divergent branch of the Foot-Taiyang bladder channel. Needle 0.7 cun, retain for five breaths, moxa 3 cones. Take the point with the body flexed.)

Jian Zhen [SI9, Shoulder Truth]: two points. (Located in the depression between the two bones below the shoulder joint's curved bone, posterior to Jianliao [TE14, Shoulder Crosstalk]; it is where the Qi of the Hand-Taiyang small intestine channel emerges. Needle 0.8 cun, moxa 3 cones.) Yin Men [DU19, Door of Aphonia]: one point. (Located in the depression at the hairline of the neck, connecting internally to the root of the tongue; it is the intersection of the Du Mai [Governing Vessel] and Yang-Wei vessels. Take the point with the head extended. Needle 0.4 cun. Moxibustion is contraindicated; if moxibustion is applied, it causes aphonia. Note: The commentary on Qifu Lun states it is one cun from Fengfu [DU16, Wind Palace].)

Qi Zhong [CV8, Center of the Navel] (Shenque [CV8]): one point. (Puncture is strictly prohibited. Puncturing leads to malignant ulcers and suppuration; if feces are discharged, death ensues and is incurable. If moxibustion is used, apply 3 cones.)

Xiong Shu [Chest Shu Points]: twelve points. (Refers to Shufu [KI1, Kidney Mansion], Yuzhong [KI2, Fragrant Middle], Shencang [KI3, Spirit Treasury], Lingxu [KI4, Spiritual Palisade], Shenfeng [KI5, Spirit Enclosure], and Bulang [KI6, Step Corridor]. Left and right sides total twelve points. Shufu [KI1] is below Jugu [LI1, Giant Bone], flanking the Ren Mai [Conception Vessel], two cun lateral to the midline in a depression. The subsequent five points are each 1.6 cun apart in depressions. They are all sites where the Qi of the Foot-Shaoyin kidney channel emerges. Take the points with the head extended. Needle 0.4 cun, moxa 5 cones.)

Bei Shu [Back Shu Points]: two points. (Refers to Dazhu [BL11, Great Pivot]. Located on both sides of the first thoracic vertebra, 1.5 cun lateral to the midline in a depression. It is the intersection of the divergent branch of the Du Mai [Governing Vessel] and the Qi of the Hand-Taiyang and Foot-Taiyang channels. Needle 0.3 cun, retain for seven breaths, moxa 7 cones.)

Ying Shu [Chest Anterior Shu Points]: twelve points. (Refers to Yunmen [LU2, Cloud Gate], Zhongfu [LU1, Central Treasury], Zhouying [SP15, Zhou Ying - *Note: Standard text usually cites Zhourong SP15, but here follows the source text's specific naming or potential variant*], Xiongxiang [SP16, Chest Region], Tianxi [SP17, Heavenly Stream], and Shidou [ST23, Food Sinus]. Left and right sides total twelve points. Yunmen [LU2] is below Jugu [LI1], flanking the Ren Mai [Conception Vessel], six cun lateral to the midline in a depression, where arterial pulsation is palpable. Yunmen [LU2] and Zhongfu [LU1] are one cun apart; the remaining five points are each 1.6 cun apart in depressions. They are all sites where the Qi of the Hand-Taiyin lung channel emerges. For Yunmen [LU2] and Shidou [ST23], raise the arm to locate; for the rest, extend the head. Yunmen [LU2]: needle 0.7 cun. Too deep causes reverse flow of Qi. Zhongfu [LU1]: needle 0.3 cun, retain for five breaths. Others: needle 0.4 cun, moxa 5 cones. Note: Xin Zheng Jiao says: "Upon detailed examination, Wang Bi attributes these twelve points solely to the Hand-Taiyin. However, according to the Jia Yi Jing, Yunmen [LU2] belongs to the Hand-Taiyin, Zhongfu [LU1] is the intersection of Hand and Foot Taiyin, and Zhouying [SP15] onwards belong to the Foot-Taiyin. Thus, they do not all belong exclusively to the Hand-Taiyin.")

Fen Rou [Muscle Intervals]: two points. (Located three fen above the end of the Juegu [peroneal bone] at the lateral malleolus, in the interval between muscle and flesh; it is where the Qi of the Yang-Wei vessel emerges. Needle 0.3 cun, retain for seven breaths, moxa 3 cones. Note: Xin Zheng Jiao says: "The Jia Yi Jing does not list Fen Rou. Careful analysis of the location suggests it might be Fuyang [BL59, Yang of Attachment], located anterior to the fibula above the lateral malleolus at the end of Juegu, as described above. Also, the commentary on Ci Yaotong Pian places it two fen behind the end of Juegu, needles 0.5 cun, retain ten breaths, which differs slightly from this commentary.")

An Shang Heng [Horizontal Points Above Ankle]: two points. (Above the medial malleolus is Jiaoxin [KI6, Intersection Trust], located two cun above the medial malleolus, anterior to the Shaoyin, posterior to the Taiyin, between bone and tendon; it is the Xi-Cleft point of the Foot-Yin Qiao vessel. Needle 0.4 cun, retain for five breaths, moxa 3 cones. Above the lateral malleolus is Fuyang [BL59, Yang of Attachment], located three cun above the lateral malleolus, anterior to the Taiyang, posterior to the Shaoyin, between bone and tendon; it is the Xi-Cleft point of the Yang-Qiao vessel. Needle 0.6 cun, retain for seven breaths, moxa 3 cones. Note: The Jia Yi Jing writes "Fu Yang".)

Yin Yang Qiao [Yin and Yang Qiao Vessels]: four points. The Yin-Qiao point is below the medial malleolus, called Zhaohai [KI6, Illuminating Sea], where the Yin-Qiao vessel originates. Needle 0.4 cun, retain for six breaths, moxa 3 cones. The Yang-Qiao point is called Shenmai [BL62, Yang Linking], where the Yang-Qiao vessel originates, located in the depression below the lateral malleolus (Note: Commentaries on Ci Yaotong Pian and Miao Ci Lun state it is five fen below the lateral malleolus, which is correct). It accommodates the nail tip. Needle 0.3 cun, retain for seven breaths, moxa 3 cones.

Shui Shu [Water Disease Shu Points] are located in the Fen [muscle intervals]. ("Fen" refers to the interstices between muscle fibers; select these for treating water diseases.) Re Shu [Heat Disease Shu Points] are located at Qi Xue [energy acupoints]. (To drain heat, select these.) Han Re Shu [Cold-Heat Disease Shu Points] are located in the two points of Liang Hai Yan [knee outer depressions]. ("Liang Hai Yan" refers to the depressions flanking the knee bone on the lateral side.)

Da Jin [Great Prohibitions]: twenty-five points, located five cun below Tianfu [LU3, Heavenly Mansion]. (This refers to Wuli [LU3, Five Miles]. It is called a Great Prohibition because puncture is forbidden. The Zhen Jing states: "Meeting the Qi at Wuli, going up the center, stop after five times. Five injections deplete the organ's Qi. Therefore, five times five equals twenty-five, exhausting the Shu points." This likely refers to this situation. It also states that Wuli is five li posterior to Chize [LU5, Cubit Crease], consistent with this text.)

In total, there are three hundred and sixty-five acupoints, through which needles travel. (Note: Xin Zheng Jiao says: "Carefully examining from the Zang Shu fifty points to here, there are repetitions, totaling three hundred and sixty points. Adding Tiantu [CV22], Ten Vertebrae, Shangji [CV12], and Xiaji [CV11], the total is three hundred and sixty-five. Excluding repetitions, there are actually three hundred and thirteen points.")

The Yellow Emperor said: I have already known the locations of the Qi acupoints and the residence of wandering needles. I wish to hear whether Sunluo [branch collaterals] and Xigu [valleys of muscles] also have corresponding correspondences? (Sunluo refers to small collaterals, i.e., branches of the collaterals.)

Qibo replied: There are three hundred and sixty-five intersections of Sunluo, corresponding to the three hundred and sixty-five days of a year. They serve to overflow strange pathogens and unblock Ying and Wei [nutritive and defensive] Qi. If Ying and Wei Qi stagnate, Wei disperses and Ying overflows, leading to Qi exhaustion and blood stasis. Externally this manifests as fever, internally as shortness of breath. Rapidly drain without delay to unblock Ying and Wei. When pathology is seen, drain it, regardless of whether it is at an intersection. (When Ying accumulates and Wei stays, clashing internally and externally, observe the blood collaterals and drain immediately, without asking if it is at a pulse Shu or intersection.)

The Yellow Emperor said: Excellent! I wish to hear about the convergence of Xigu [muscle valleys]. Qibo said: The large gathering of muscles is called Gu [valley], and the small gathering is called Xi [stream]. Between the muscle layers, the convergence of Xi and Gu serves to circulate Ying and Wei Qi and gather Da Qi [great/polar Qi]. (Note: The Jia Yi Jing reads "to house Da Qi".)

If pathogens overflow and Qi becomes obstructed, pulses become hot and flesh deteriorates, Ying and Wei cannot circulate, and pus will inevitably form. Internally it consumes bone marrow, externally it breaks down large masses of flesh (due to excessive heat). If it remains in the joints, it will inevitably cause destruction. (If it remains between bones and joints, where fluids gather, the marrow fluid in the joints will ulcerate into pus, thus inevitably rotting the sinews and bones, preventing flexion and extension.)

If accumulated cold lingers, Ying and Wei cannot reside normally, muscles curl and sinews contract (Note: Quan Yuanqi's version reads "cold muscles and contracted sinews"), the ribs and elbows cannot extend, internally it presents as bone Bi [painful obstruction], externally as insensitivity. This is named deficiency, caused by great cold lingering in the Xigu. (Pathogens are extremely abundant, true Qi fails to nourish, marrow fluid is consumed internally, hence these symptoms. "Deficiency" refers to insufficient Yang Qi. Cold pathogens press from outside, accumulating over time, Yang cannot overcome them externally, consuming sinews and marrow internally, hence termed deficiency, meaning great cold lingers within the Xigu.)

There are three hundred and sixty-five intersections of Xigu, corresponding to a year. For minor Bi syndromes overflowing and circulating along the meridians, fine needles can reach them, and the method is the same as usual. (If minor cold Qi flows and overflows, moving along the meridians to form Bi disease, treatment with needles follows the standard method.)

For Sunluo branches diverging from the main meridians, if the blood is abundant and requires draining, there are also three hundred and sixty-five vessels, which pour into the collaterals and transmit to the Twelve Luo vessels, not just the Fourteen Luo vessels. (...The Fourteen Luo vessels refer to the Luo vessels of the Twelve Meridians plus the Ren Mai [Conception Vessel] and Du Mai [Governing Vessel]. The Large Luo of the Spleen originates from the Spleen itself, so it is not included in this count.)

The Yellow Emperor then dismissed his attendants, rose, and bowed twice, saying: Today you have enlightened me and resolved my doubts. I will store this in the Golden Cabinet, daring not to show it again, but rather storing it in the Chamber of Golden Orchids, titled "The Locations of Qi Acupoints". (Note: In Wang Bing's edition, this paragraph appears below "consistent with the method" and above "Sunluo vessels", which must be a misplaced slip. It has now been corrected.)