Dr. Finch followed my gaze to the bronze figurine and smiled with obvious pride. "Ah, you recognize it. This is a replica of one of the legendary Acupuncture Bronze Figurines from the Song Dynasty."
"A replica," I repeated, studying the intricate carvings more closely.
"Yes," Dr. Graves added, moving to stand beside it. "The original was lost centuries ago, along with two others. They were said to contain the secrets of the most advanced acupuncture techniques ever developed."
I approached the figurine slowly, my heart rate increasing. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, even for a replica. Every meridian line was perfectly etched, every acupoint precisely marked.
"Where are the originals now?" I asked, though I suspected I already knew the answer.
Dr. Finch's expression darkened. "One was taken to Japan during the war. Another ended up in a private collection in America. The third was supposedly destroyed during the Cultural Revolution."
