Almighty God of War - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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005

The western sky was dyed red.

Guyang Cheongang, still not recovered from the shock of Energy Circulation and Breath Control, sat leaning against the bed with a hardened expression.

His whole body ached and hurt, but his head was more complicated than that, almost giving him a headache.

‘Akasha, are the analysis results for the Energy Circulation and Breath Control from earlier ready?’

[Yes, Doctor. I’ve finished organizing the data. But the results are quite interesting.]

‘Interesting? I almost died, you know?’

[That’s what makes it more interesting. There were unexpected discoveries in the process of you overcoming the crisis.]

Guyang Cheongang took out the silk pouch containing the Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade and held it in his hand.

A warm energy was transmitted to him.

‘First, explain exactly what happened earlier.’

Akasha explained in a calm voice.

[A problem occurred when the trace amount of qi energy generated by the Transcendent Heart Method’s Energy Circulation and Breath Control moved from the governing vessel to the penetrating vessel. A sudden energy collision occurred at the entrance point of the penetrating vessel, causing the qi flow to completely reverse.]

‘Energy collision? Specifically what kind?’

[A collision between the cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians and the yang energy you generated. It was like a violent reaction when fire meets ice.]

Guyang Cheongang frowned.

‘So my attempt to practice martial arts is essentially a suicidal act?’

[Not necessarily. There were hopeful discoveries too.]

‘What would that be?’

[My activation level increased by 0.001 percent. Thanks to that, I confirmed that I can detect and analyze qi energy using the nanobot system.]

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes widened as he immediately grasped the meaning behind those words.

‘You’re saying you can use qi as your operating energy!’

[That’s correct.]

‘Now I have a definite reason to practice martial arts.’

Guyang Cheongang continued asking.

‘Akasha, to what extent can you control the nanobots now?’

Akasha answered in a slightly dejected tone.

[With the energy I currently have, I cannot control the nanobots. However, real-time monitoring of your physical condition is possible.]

‘That’s something at least. Anyway, thank you. I would have died without you…’

[Don’t mention it.]

Akasha continued in a slightly embarrassed tone.

[From now on, when you practice, the nanobots can analyze your condition in real-time, and based on that, I can provide optimal response methods.]

‘Hmm… that’s like cheat code level?’

[But there are still many limitations. Due to insufficient energy, active intervention is impossible, and only simple advice and analysis are possible.]

Guyang Cheongang suddenly slapped his knee.

‘Wait, then I can approach this body’s condition completely as a ‘system’?’

[What do you mean?]

‘I’m viewing my body as one complex machine or program. Nine Yin Severed Meridians is a system error, martial arts practice is a system upgrade, and you and the nanobots are debugging tools and monitoring systems.’

Akasha responded in a slightly reluctant tone.

[That’s a very Doctor-like approach. Anyway, following your logic, the earlier situation could also be analyzed as a simple ‘system collision’.]

‘Exactly! Then we just need to find a way to prevent system collisions, or handle them safely even when they occur, right?’

[According to the data detected by the nanobots, the qi reversal at that time was caused by a sudden energy collision at a specific meridian point. If we could predict this collision in advance, or finely adjust the pressure at the collision point…]

‘Oh, that’s a good idea. Like doing load balancing to prevent system overload?’

[Exactly. Distributing the qi flow across multiple pathways, or controlling the speed at points where collisions are expected.]

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes grew intense.

‘Then theoretically, I can safely perform Energy Circulation and Breath Control while avoiding the Nine Yin Severed Meridians?’

[The possibility exists. But more data and precise analysis are needed. And…]

‘And?’

[To activate me, more qi energy is needed.]

‘Qi is energy that can be accumulated. It will take time, but someday I’ll be able to run you perfectly.’

Just then, Elder Hwang’s voice came from outside the door.

“Young Master, dinner is ready.”

“Just a moment.”

Guyang Cheongang spoke to Akasha.

‘Akasha, continue collecting data related to my physical condition and martial arts from now on.’

[Understood. But Doctor?]

‘What?’

[You’re not giving up? It was really dangerous…]

Guyang Cheongang answered with a grin.

‘Give up? Don’t joke around. I’m the man who created you after thousands of failures. It would be a shame to my name to give up over this level of difficulty. Besides, I have you, the best partner.’

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes were filled with anticipation for new challenges instead of the fear he felt during Energy Circulation and Breath Control.

‘Let’s completely hack this world’s martial arts system, Akasha.’

[Yes, Doctor. Fighting!]

* * *

Hae-si cho (around 9 PM).

Guyang Cheongang sat at his desk with the Transcendent Heart Method secret manual spread out, and several blank sheets of paper placed beside it.

Only a single candle illuminated the darkness, casting light on his pale face worn with fatigue.

‘Akasha, let’s completely break down the Transcendent Heart Method based on the data collected during Energy Circulation and Breath Control.’

[Yes. It would be good to analyze the energy efficiency of each stage of qi circulation.]

Guyang Cheongang picked up his brush and began writing the first verse of the Transcendent Heart Method on paper.

Akasha spoke to him.

[Doctor, looking at yesterday’s collected data, the nanobots’ responsiveness greatly improved at specific breathing rhythms. It was a pattern of inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 2 seconds, and exhaling over 6 seconds…]

‘4-2-6 pattern? That’s completely new. It’s a breathing method that wasn’t in the original Transcendent Heart Method.’

[Yes. But it’s an optimized pattern for your biological rhythm and the nanobot system. You could call it a kind of ‘personalized firmware’.]

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes sparkled.

‘Good, then let’s create a completely new version. Transcendent Heart Method 2.0, Guyang Cheongang exclusive custom edition, how about it?’

[No comment.]

Guyang Cheongang spent the night with Akasha repeatedly analyzing each verse, modifying it, and analyzing it again.

He changed the existing straight-line qi circulation to spiral form, and switched from powerful qi circulation methods to fine adjustment methods.

By dawn, the modified version of the Transcendent Heart Method was complete.

A clear light of joy appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s half-face.

‘Finally complete! The name will be… Nano Assist Transcendent Heart Formula Protocol 1.0.’

[Your naming sense is a bit… how about just ‘Transcendent Heart Formula Plus’?]

‘Plus sounds good too. Now, shall we do a beta test?’

[Doctor, you must be really careful. No matter how many safety measures we’ve created…]

‘I know. I don’t have anything that could be called Internal Energy anyway. So you don’t need to worry too much.’

Guyang Cheongang sat comfortably on the floor, took out the Laughing Buddha Jade Ornament, held it in his hand, and closed his eyes.

He took a deep breath, counted to 4, paused for 2 seconds, then slowly exhaled over 6 seconds.

[Vital signs stable. Heart rate in normal range. Please continue.]

Originally, conversing with outsiders during Energy Circulation and Breath Control was taboo in Murim.

Qi Circulation Practice wouldn’t proceed well, and in severe cases, the probability of falling into Qi Deviation would increase exponentially.

However, Guyang Cheongang and Akasha, whose knowledge of Murim and martial arts was only at the level of martial arts novels, didn’t know this.

Their improved Transcendent Heart Formula Plus included incantations that allowed the two of them(?) to converse even during Energy Circulation and Breath Control.

This could be called an early version of the Taoist Dual Mind Divine Art, but again, neither of them knew how tremendous a thing they had created.

Guyang Cheongang continued to feel the warm energy emanating from the jade ornament in his hand, imagining that warmth spreading throughout his entire body.

This time, instead of intensely focusing on his dantian like last night, he attempted to generate very subtle warmth, as carefully as lighting a small candle.

At first, he felt nothing.

But after 10, 20 minutes passed, he could feel a faint but definite warmth in his dantian.

He tried to slowly move it along his meridians, avoiding the first major acupoint of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians in his belt vessel.

[Warmth dispersion pattern is good. You’re perfectly bypassing the cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.]

‘Oh… really?’

[Yes. But doesn’t it hurt?]

‘No.’

Indeed, there was none of that terrible pain from last night.

Instead, it felt warm and stable.

[Looking at the data, the energy output is 1/100th of your first Energy Circulation and Breath Control attempt. But the control accuracy is much higher.]

Guyang Cheongang circulated the faint warmth generated from his dantian very slowly along his meridians, like a snail crawling.

The warmth starting from his dantian began drawing a small circle through the Chong meridian to the belt vessel at his waist, then back to the dantian.

It took almost 30 minutes to complete one cycle, but he finished without any problems.

Guyang Cheongang slowly opened his eyes.

[It’s just one meridian, but it’s perfect circulation.]

‘This… did I really succeed?’

[Data analysis shows a 97.8% reduction in biological burden compared to the previous method, and an 85.2% improvement in energy control accuracy.]

His whole body felt refreshed and invigorated, a world of difference from the exhaustion he experienced initially.

‘Wow… this feels completely different. Far from painful, my body actually feels better.’

[That’s right. Though minimal, the continuous energy circulation is improving blood flow and metabolism. The cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians is also being neutralized bit by bit. Of course, it’s like taking a bowl of water from the Pacific Ocean.]

Guyang Cheongang clenched his fist and said.

‘That’s still something!’

[Doctor, I don’t know how valuable this accomplishment is, but from my perspective, you’ve done something truly remarkable. You’ve completely reinterpreted the existing Martial Arts system and created your own unique cultivation method.]

‘It wouldn’t have been possible without you, Akasha.’

A bitter smile appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s lips as he continued speaking.

‘But there’s still a long way to go. With this tiny amount of energy, it’ll take decades to completely cure the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.’

[Still, proving the possibility is what matters. If we can increase energy efficiency further and I gain control over the Nanobot System, the treatment speed will be much faster.]

Guyang Cheongang organized the papers on his desk.

They were covered with diagrams of the new cultivation method he had designed throughout the night.

He let out a long breath and said.

‘Akasha, I think I can finally see hope.’

[Yes, Doctor. We’ve developed ‘Scientific Martial Arts.’ This is probably a first in this world.]

‘Right. If we could publish this as a paper later…’

[How about ‘Development of Personalized Internal Energy Cultivation Method Using Nanobot Assistance System’ for the title?]

‘Too long. Let’s just call it ‘Murim Hacking 101.”

[Doctor… your naming sense is really…]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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