In 1998, Xu Huatang (a pseudonym), 55 years old, had just retired from his position as the deputy director of the Agricultural Bureau of Yongxing County, Hunan Province. His wife, industrious and virtuous, was fully devoted to housework after retiring from the head office of Commercial Corporation in Yongxing County. The couple had a daughter and a son, both filial and sensible. The children, already married, worked as national civil servants. It can be said that theirs was an enviable family, living happily and harmoniously, with no concerns about food and clothing. However, perfection is always elusive in this world.

Xu Huatang, born in 1943, spent a long time working in towns and villages during his youth. Due to overwork and an irregular lifestyle, he developed stomach disease and myocarditis. Although his illnesses were managed through long-term medication, he needed to continue taking medicine for an extended period. If he neglected this, he would experience severe pain, which caused him significant distress.

In October 1998, Xu Huatang retired early for health reasons. Feeling lonely and empty at home, he often went out to spend time playing cards with old friends. One day, Zhao, his former friend, learned about his physical condition and recommended "Falun Gong" to him, claiming that practicing this exercise could "eliminate illness and keep fit" without the need for injections and medication, and that Falun Gong teachings promoted concepts such as "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance" and "being a good person." Xu Huatang followed Zhao with a mindset of giving it a try and started practicing Falun Gong.

Eager to cure his illness, Xu Huatang practiced Falun Gong very seriously. He would get up before dawn to meditate, exchange cultivation experiences with fellow practitioners during the day, and even study the book "Zhuan Falun" late into the night.  After a period of cultivation, he felt changes in his body and his mental state improved.

Xu Huatang attributed it to the magical effect of practicing Falun Gong. From then on, he firmly believed that practicing Falun Gong could "eliminate karma and cure illness." He became even more dedicated to "learn the Fa" and "practice Gong", but stopped taking medicine and set his mind on cultivating an indestructible body. At the same time, he not only practiced Gong by himself, but also persuaded more than 10 relatives and friends to join the ranks of “cultivators”. Fellow practitioners all admired his ability, coupled with his popularity and lately retiring from his leadership post, he was soon elected deputy director of Falun Gong branch in Yongxing County. Xu Huatang, who was so proud of his "success", felt that he had embarked on a new chapter in his life, and his retired life now was full of enjoyment.

Since becoming the deputy director, Xu Huatang not only had to practice Falun Gong by himself, but also had to gather and guide other fellow practitioners in cultivation. To achieve "further advancement", "go up to a higher level" and "reach Consummation," he devoted himself wholeheartedly, no longer helping with household chores, avoiding friends and relatives who came to visit, and even leaving behind his beloved grandson. He spent a lot of time practicing every day, reading Zhuan Falun over and over, and indulging in the dream of entering the "Falun Dafa world" as soon as possible.

In July 1999, the state banned Falun Gong according to law. Xu Huatang was puzzled by the decision. Although he promised to stop his practicing, he did it in a secret way.

His wife was worried about his health and advised him not to practice, but he rejected, “Don't disturb me. I practice Falun Gong not just for myself. When I achieve Consummation, all of you will benefit from it.” His wife could only shake her head helplessly. His children also asked him to stop practicing, but he responded with harsh words, “You are all demons, whom I encounter on my cultivation path. If you continue to disturb me, I will eliminate you!” His children had to give up.

During the Spring Festival in 2003, Xu Huatang fainted suddenly and turned pale while meditating and practicing Gong at home. His family promptly sent him to Yongxing County People's Hospital for emergency treatment, and he was later diagnosed with gastric ulcer caused by untreated stomach perforation. The doctor said it might be dangerous if he had not been sent to hospital in time. When Xu Huatang regained consciousness and saw himself in the hospital, he loudly blamed, “Who told you to bring me here? Master Li said that seeking medical treatment in a hospital would only delay the elimination of karmic obstacles and cause even greater illness. Hurry up and take me home!” The doctor advised him to stay in the hospital for treatment, but he refused to listen. His family mobilized all their relatives and friends, asking him to trust the doctors and believe in science, but he wouldn't listen. He even accused his family and the hospital of conspiring to kidnap him, shouting, cursing, and causing great disturbance throughout the entire hospital ward. After forcibly treating him and stopping the bleeding for a period of time, the doctor had no choice but to prescribe some medication for him to take at home, and advise him to recuperate slowly.

After the incident, his family became more careful about his condition. In order to prevent any accidents while practicing at home, his wife and children took turns taking care of him. However, Xu Huatang heartlessly protested, “I don't need you to take care of me. With the protection of the Master Li’s law bodies, nothing will happen as long as you don't interfere with my practice.”

Xu Huatang also ignored completely the doctor's advice. Whenever he was asked to take medication at home, he would secretly throw it away, and refused to go to the hospital for follow-up checks. He continued to “study the Fa,” and practiced as usual. He often sneaked out with fellow practitioners in the dead of night to engage in activities such as “promoting the Fa,” “telling the truth,” or distributing and posting Falun Gong propaganda materials everywhere. He believed that by doing so, he could not only improve his own Gong powers, but also “save other people”.

Due to long-term refusal of medical treatment, the tragedy finally struck. On the morning of August 20, 2004, Xu Huatang went out with Falun Gong propaganda materials and suddenly fell on the road, unconscious. Although kind-hearted passersby promptly called 120 Emergency number, it was too late. Xu Huatang died at the age of 61 due to recurrent massive stomach bleeding and ineffective rescue for myocardial infarction.

After the tragedy, everyone felt sorry for him. Such a good person, such a happy family, all ruined by the cult of Falun Gong!

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