Chapter 10 …
Gu Yangcheongang, building on Akasha’s idea, began designing a completely new Qi Circulation System.
By the time the sky outside had fully brightened, the new mental technique was finally complete.
Tired but excited, Gu Yangcheongang gazed at the final schematic.
[Based on the 29th revision, the theoretical expected efficiency compared to the original Choyeon Simgyeol is increased by 541%. Compared to Choyeon Simgyeol Plus, it shows an improvement of 280–300%.]
“What about the effect on weakening the Guum Jeolmaek?”
[Regrettably, it’s minimal. It’s not yet at a level where dramatic effects can be expected. Further improvements are needed. Perhaps the answer lies in the remaining half of the pupil. Nevertheless, the condition will no longer worsen.]
“What should I name this technique?”
[Choyeon Simgyeol Ultra? Or Choyeon Simgyeol Revolution?]
“That’s too childish… Let’s just call it Choyeon Musang Shingong. Since the effectiveness is more than tripled, it deserves a name like that, right?”
[Wow, your naming sense has improved a lot, Doctor!]
“Are you mocking me?”
[Not at all.]
Gu Yangcheongang chuckled lightly.
If martial artists had overheard this conversation, they would have been utterly astonished. Even geniuses called prodigies often failed to properly create a single internal energy technique in their lifetime. Yet here, in just one night, Gu Yangcheongang and Akasha had devised a supreme technique that could potentially cure Guum Jeolmaek—a feat unprecedented in martial history.
But neither Gu Yangcheongang nor Akasha, who had only been in this world for a few days, could have known the magnitude of what they had accomplished.
Akasha asked,
[Doctor, are you not going to practice the new technique you’ve created?]
“Uh… well…”
Creating a new Shingong was thrilling, but memories of nearly dying when he first practiced Choyeon Simgyeol made him hesitant. While he was now familiar with the old technique, Choyeon Musang Shingong was entirely new—it was like starting from scratch. The trauma of that first Qi circulation session lingered.
[Doctor, remember what you always said whenever you got stuck studying me?]
Gu Yangcheongang felt a pang of discomfort but pretended not to remember, avoiding the question.
“What do you mean? I don’t recall ever saying anything to you…”
[My memory data of your statement is 100% accurate… Are you sure I’m not talking to the Doctor from another universe?]
“So, you’re picking a fight?”
[Of course not. Anyway, what you always said was, ‘Take a step forward at the edge of a hundred-foot precipice.’]
“Ugh…”
“To ‘take a step at the edge of a hundred-foot precipice’ means to summon the courage to face death at a critical moment and move forward.”
With Akasha putting it that way, he could not, for the sake of pride, refuse to practice.
“Alright, I’ll do it!”
The room grew tense.
Grasping the Myeonnyeon Jade at hand, Gu Yangcheongang slowly closed his eyes and began his first circulation of the newly named Choyeon Musang Shingong. This was the culmination of a challenge, born from a night-long struggle with Akasha and filled with his hope.
At first, he calmed himself with the familiar 4-2-6 breathing rhythm. Focusing his mind on the breath entering deeply into the lungs and slowly exhaling, all external noise faded. Warm energy began to seep from his hands holding the jade, settling gently into the lower Dantian.
At that very moment, an entirely new sensation enveloped him.
Normally, the nine major acupoints of Guum Jeolmaek constricted him painfully, but now, the chilling energy was drawn to the Dantian as if attracted by a magnet. Cold sweat formed on his forehead. Instinctive fear surged, but the excruciating pain he remembered did not appear. Instead, the cold energy met the warm Dantian energy, neutralizing gently and transforming into a new form of Qi he had never experienced.
“Is… this really working?”
The shock at the unbelievable change was brief as Akasha’s voice echoed in his mind.
[Doctor, success. The cold energy is transforming into a new form of energy.]
“I know.”
Gu Yangcheongang refocused on the energy in his Dantian. It was no longer the ominous, oppressive cold unique to Guum Jeolmaek. Instead, a clear, sharp, and subtly cool pure Yin energy was forming.
He carefully guided this newly formed pure Yin energy through the major meridians encircling his waist. Remarkably, the energy flowed more smoothly and rapidly than when using Choyeon Simgyeol Plus.
It wasn’t just speed. It felt as though long-blocked pipes, clogged with rust and sediment, had been instantly cleared by high water pressure. The major meridians opened, producing a refreshing sensation.
After about an hour of intensive circulation, Gu Yangcheongang slowly opened his eyes. His entire body felt as light as if lifted into the air, as though even the last trace of impure energy had been expelled. Most importantly, the usual oppressive sensation of cold had noticeably diminished.
[Doctor, congratulations. The first beta test of Choyeon Musang Shingong is a complete success!]
Akasha’s voice, usually calm, was filled with joy.
“Truly… we did it, Akasha.”
[Yes, Doctor. And this is only the beginning. If you practice consistently, you’ll certainly be able to overcome Guum Jeolmaek!]
“So, how efficient is the technique?”
[Analysis shows an average 335% energy conversion and circulation efficiency. Considering your current body condition and the characteristics of Guum Jeolmaek, this is an extraordinary figure.]
A bright smile appeared on Gu Yangcheongang’s face. He exhaled deeply and rechecked his body.
“Phew… this feels on an entirely different level. The flow of Qi is much smoother and more stable.”
He asked Akasha further,
“Have you analyzed its specific effects on Guum Jeolmaek? Besides preventing worsening, can it actually reduce the condition itself?”
Akasha, now in analysis mode, spoke calmly.
[Yes, Doctor. Data from your first circulation of Choyeon Musang Shingong clearly shows it has an effect in weakening Guum Jeolmaek.]
Before Gu Yangcheongang could rejoice, she continued,
[But currently, the effect is still very minor.]
He furrowed his brow and let out a thin sigh.
[Considering the cold-energy conversion efficiency and your daily practice time, for Guum Jeolmaek symptoms to noticeably improve or be completely cured…]
Akasha hesitated. Gu Yangcheongang pressed,
“Be honest.”
[It is expected to take ten years or more.]
He clicked his tongue, frowning.
“Ten years… I’d be dead before that. People with Guum Jeolmaek don’t live past twenty.”
[You say such horrifying things so casually.]
“Isn’t there a way to speed up the results?”
Akasha’s voice brightened again.
[There’s plenty of room for improvement. The current Choyeon Musang Shingong is only an initial model, designed based on your special physical condition, the nature of Guum Jeolmaek, and holographic pupil reference.]
“That’s true.”
[We need to collect as many different mental technique datasets as possible. Using these as reference, the principles of Choyeon Musang Shingong can be continuously improved and optimized. Success will drastically enhance cold-energy conversion efficiency and overall practice effectiveness.]
“Hmm…”
[Consequently, the time needed for treatment will be greatly reduced. If we can obtain datasets of techniques practiced by those with similar conditions or other methods handling cold energy, it will be a huge help.]
Gu Yangcheongang clicked his tongue.
“More technique data… so that means studying other martial arts manuals. But with this fallen family’s resources, how could I even obtain them…”
He scratched the back of his head.
“Well… I’ll figure something out. I can’t just keep hiding forever. Even if returning to Earth is a later issue, considering the assassin from last night, my current condition leaves no options.”
After calming his excitement over the first success of Choyeon Musang Shingong, Gu Yangcheongang went to pay respects to his parents.
Upon entering the main house’s garden, Akasha’s voice alerted him,
[Doctor, Dong Yeonhwa is exhibiting unusual behavior patterns.]
“Huh?”
[She’s moving now, walking faster than usual and scanning her surroundings warily.]
Gu Yangcheongang paused and carefully peeked around the far corner of the garden.
He saw Dong Yeonhwa walking quickly toward the annex. Her tense expression and vigilant glances were clearly those of someone trying to hide something.
“Looks like she’s heading to where Dong Hajin and Dong Seola are staying…”
[Yes. It’s very suspicious for her to visit them so stealthily so early in the morning.]
Curiosity piqued, Gu Yangcheongang discreetly followed her from a safe distance.
Though his light body made quiet movement easy, if discovered, he would have no excuse.
Once Dong Yeonhwa entered the annex, Gu Yangcheongang hesitated outside the wall.
“Damn, I can’t hear anything.”
Martial arts masters could hear the smallest sound from several meters away, but with his barely detectable internal power, it was impossible.
Then Akasha said unexpectedly,
[Doctor, we may be able to eavesdrop on their conversation.]
“Eavesdrop? How?”
[The Qi energy accumulated so far, although weak, can be sent outward through a single nanobot. Beyond five meters, control is impossible, but within that range, it’s feasible.]
“Isn’t it dangerous? Dong Yeonhwa and the Kump Tower siblings are martial arts practitioners too…”
[Don’t worry. They won’t be able to detect the nanobot.]
“Then do it.”
[We will disguise the nanobot as a microscopic particle in the air and infiltrate through window cracks or wall crevices. Once positioned, it will detect voice vibrations and transmit them to me in real time. However…]
“However?”
[Until the nanobot is retrieved, Doctor, you must continue circulating Choyeon Musang Shingong. Stable Qi supply is essential to maintain connection and receive data.]
“No problem. Got it.”
Gu Yangcheongang surveyed the area. A large tree cast deep shade in the farthest corner of the annex wall. He moved there cautiously and concealed himself.
Crouched in hiding, he began circulating Choyeon Musang Shingong.
