Chapter 05 …
The western sky was tinged red.
Gu Yangcheongang, still reeling from the shock of the Qiji Breath Technique, sat propped up on his bed with a stiff expression.
His entire body ached, but even more than the physical pain, his mind was so cluttered it gave him a splitting headache.
“Akasha, have the analysis results for the Qiji Breath Technique come in yet?”
[Yes, Doctor. I’ve finished organizing the data. But the results are quite interesting.]
“Interesting? I nearly died!”
[Exactly why it’s interesting. During the process of overcoming this crisis, you made some unexpected discoveries.]
Gu Yangcheongang took out the silk pouch containing the perpetual warm jade and held it in his hand.
A warm energy flowed through him.
“First, explain exactly what happened earlier.”
Akasha explained in a calm voice.
[The problem occurred when the trace amount of energy generated by the Qiji Breath Technique passed through the Great Meridians into the Chong Meridian. At the entry point of the Chong Meridian, a sudden energy collision occurred, causing a complete reversal of the Qi flow.]
“Energy collision? What kind exactly?”
[It was a clash between the cold of the Gu Yin Meridian and the Yang energy you generated. It caused a violent reaction, like fire meeting ice.]
Gu Yangcheongang frowned.
“So, just attempting to train martial arts is essentially suicide?”
[Not exactly. There were also hopeful discoveries.]
“What’s that?”
[My activation increased by 0.001%. Thanks to that, we confirmed that the nanobot system can detect and analyze Qi energy.]
Gu Yangcheongang’s eyes widened immediately as he realized the implication.
“You mean I can use Qi as your operating energy!”
[Exactly.]
“That gives me a definite reason to train in martial arts.”
Gu Yangcheongang asked next,
“Akasha, to what extent can you control the nanobots now?”
Akasha answered in a slightly dejected tone.
[With my current energy, I cannot control the nanobots. But I can monitor your body status in real time.]
“That’s already something. Anyway, thanks. Without you, I would’ve died…”
[You’re welcome.]
Akasha continued, her tone slightly embarrassed.
[From now on, while you train, the nanobots can analyze your status in real time, and I can provide optimal guidance based on that.]
“Hmm… feels like a cheat code,” Gu Yangcheongang muttered.
[But there are still limitations. Due to lack of energy, active intervention isn’t possible. I can only provide simple advice and analysis.]
Gu Yangcheongang suddenly slapped his knee.
“Wait, that means I can approach my body completely as a ‘system’?”
[What do you mean, Doctor?]
“I mean treating my body as a complex machine or program. Gu Yin Meridian is a system error, martial arts training is a system upgrade, and you and the nanobots are debugging tools and monitoring systems.”
Akasha replied slightly reluctantly.
[A very Doctor-like approach. Anyway, according to that perspective, we can analyze the previous incident simply as a ‘system collision.’]
“Exactly! Then all I need to do is find a way to prevent system collisions, or handle them safely if they occur, right?”
[According to the nanobot data, the Qi backflow was caused by a sudden energy collision at a specific meridian point. If we can predict the collision or subtly adjust the pressure at the point…]
“Oh, good idea. Like load balancing to prevent system overload?”
[Exactly. Divert the Qi flow through multiple pathways or control the speed at the predicted collision point.]
Gu Yangcheongang’s eyes grew sharp.
“So theoretically, we can perform the Qiji Breath Technique safely while avoiding the Gu Yin Meridian?”
[It’s possible. But more data and precise analysis are needed. And…]
“And?”
[We need more Qi energy to fully activate me.]
“Qi is accumulable energy. It will take time, but eventually, I can fully power you.”
At that moment, a voice came from outside the door.
“Master, dinner is ready.”
“One moment.”
Gu Yangcheongang spoke to Akasha.
“Akasha, continue collecting data on my body and martial arts progress.”
[Understood. But Doctor?]
“What?”
[You’re not giving up? It was really dangerous…]
Gu Yangcheongang smiled wryly.
“Giving up? Don’t be ridiculous. I’m the man who created you after thousands of failures. Quitting over something like this would be a shame. Besides, I have the best partner—I have you.”
His eyes now shone with anticipation for a new challenge, rather than the fear he felt during the Qiji Breath Technique.
“Let’s completely hack the martial arts system of this world, Akasha.”
[Yes, Doctor. Let’s do it!]
Late night (around 9 PM).
Gu Yangcheongang sat at his desk, opening the Qijian Secret Manual, with several blank sheets of paper beside it.
A single candle illuminated his pale, exhausted face.
“Akasha, let’s fully deconstruct the Qiji Breath Technique using the data we collected.”
[Yes. I suggest analyzing the energy efficiency at each stage.]
Gu Yangcheongang picked up a brush and began writing the first verse of the Qiji Secret Manual.
Akasha said,
[Doctor, according to yesterday’s data, the nanobots’ responsiveness improved significantly at a specific breathing rhythm: inhale 4 seconds, hold 2 seconds, exhale 6 seconds…]
“4-2-6 pattern? That’s completely new. Not in the original manual.”
[Yes. But it’s optimized for your biological rhythm and the nanobot system. Think of it as ‘custom firmware.’]
Gu Yangcheongang’s eyes sparkled.
“Good. Then let’s create a completely new version: Qiji Breath Technique 2.0, Gu Yangcheongang custom edition. How about it?”
[No comment.]
Throughout the night, Gu Yangcheongang and Akasha analyzed, modified, and re-analyzed each verse.
They changed the linear Qi circulation to a spiral and switched from powerful Qiji methods to fine-tuned control.
By sunrise, the modified version of the Qiji Breath Technique was complete.
A look of joy spread across Gu Yangcheongang’s half-healed face.
“Finally! Name… let’s call it Nano Assist Qiji Breath Protocol 1.0.”
[The naming is a bit… How about just ‘Qiji Breath Plus’?]
“Plus works too. Now, time for beta testing.”
[Doctor, be very careful. Even with safeguards…]
“I know. I don’t have much internal power anyway. So don’t worry too much.”
Gu Yangcheongang sat comfortably on the floor, holding the Jade from the Portage Rooftop, and closed his eyes.
He inhaled deeply for 4 seconds, held for 2, then exhaled over 6 seconds.
[Biometric signals stable. Heart rate normal. Continue.]
Normally, practicing the Qiji Breath Technique while talking to others was a martial arts taboo.
It disrupted the Qi flow and, in severe cases, could lead to possession or worse.
But Gu Yangcheongang and Akasha, knowing only martial arts from novels, didn’t know that.
Their modified Qiji Breath Plus allowed conversation even during Qiji Breath practice.
It was essentially an early version of Daoist Conscience Martial Arts, though neither realized how incredible their invention was.
Gu Yangcheongang imagined the warm energy from the jade spreading throughout his body.
Instead of focusing intensely on the Dantian like last night, he tried to generate tiny warmth carefully, like lighting a small candle.
At first, he felt nothing.
But after 10 or 20 minutes, he sensed a faint yet definite warmth in the Dantian.
He tried to move it, avoiding the first point of the Gu Yin Meridian in the Great Meridians.
[Heat dispersion pattern is good. Avoiding the cold of the Gu Yin Meridian perfectly.]
“Really?”
[Yes. But doesn’t it hurt?]
“Nope.”
The terrifying pain from last night was gone. Instead, it felt cozy and stable.
[Data shows energy output is 1/100 of the initial attempt, but control accuracy is much higher.]
Gu Yangcheongang circulated the faint warmth slowly along the meridians like a crawling snail.
Starting at the Dantian, through the Chong Meridian to the waist, then back to the Dantian, completing a small circle.
It took nearly 30 minutes, but he finished without issue.
[One meridian, but a perfect circulation.]
“Did this… really succeed?”
[Analysis shows 97.8% reduction in bodily strain and 85.2% improvement in energy control compared to the previous method.]
His whole body felt refreshed and rejuvenated, unlike the exhaustion he first experienced.
“Wow… completely different. Not only no pain, my body feels better.”
[Yes. Though minor, continuous Qi circulation improves blood flow and metabolism. The cold in the Gu Yin Meridian is neutralized little by little. Of course, it’s still like scooping a cup of water from the Pacific.]
Gu Yangcheongang clenched his fist.
“That’s something!”
[Doctor, I’m not sure how much value you see in this, but in my view, this is remarkable. You’ve completely reinterpreted the martial arts system to create your own unique training method.]
“Would’ve been impossible without you, Akasha.”
A wry smile appeared on his lips.
“But the road ahead is long. With this little Qi energy, it will take decades to fully heal the Gu Yin Meridian.”
[Still, proving its potential is key. Once energy efficiency increases and I can control the nanobots, healing speed will improve dramatically.]
Gu Yangcheongang organized the papers on his desk, filled with diagrams of the new training method he designed overnight.
He exhaled deeply.
“Akasha, now I can really see hope.”
[Yes, Doctor. We’ve developed ‘Scientific Martial Arts.’ This might be the first in this world.]
“Exactly. Maybe one day we can publish a paper…”
[Title suggestion: ‘Development of a Personalized Internal Power Training Method Using Nanobot Assisted System.’]
“Too long. Let’s just call it ‘Martial Arts Hacking 101.’”
[Doctor… the naming is really…]
