Chapter 5

About seven days passed, and Ji Ao Jian's high fever finally subsided. The pain in his chest had also diminished to a tolerable level. His younger sister, the miraculous doctor, could finally return to her own room to rest, no longer needing to stay by her brother's side day and night.

The second day after his fever broke, the girl in green came early to check on her brother's condition.

When Ji Ao Jian first saw his sister upon arriving in this world, he was amazed by her beauty, and the impression was deeply etched in his mind. Now, seeing her, he noticed that she had clearly lost a significant amount of weight, and his heart ached.

Ji Xiao Su softly asked, "How are you feeling, Brother?"

Her voice was cold and flat, and even when she tried to be gentle, it only came out as a lower volume.

Ji Ao Jian sighed, "Everything else is fine, but I seem to have forgotten everything about my past."

He knew that his sister had already noticed that he had no memory of his original self, so he decided to be straightforward.

Ji Xiao Su, fearing that he might become unstable after surviving and losing his memory, comforted him, "Brother, don't be sad. Life is but a dream. Forgetting the past is like being reborn today."

Without waiting for Ji Ao Jian to respond, she pulled his hand and began to feel his pulse.

Ji Ao Jian, now fully conscious, felt the coldness of his sister's fingers, which were as smooth as marble, matching her icy demeanor.

After a long while, Ji Xiao Su raised her head and slowly said, "Brother, when you fought with the original Jian Kong, you were hit in the chest by his unique Heart-Crushing Palm. This palm technique is primarily based on yin energy, which has damaged your internal organs."

Ji Ao Jian's heart sank: damaged internal organs sounded serious, and it might leave him with a lifelong illness, even shortening his lifespan...

"Fortunately, you managed to use some internal energy, which allowed your blood and qi to flow in time, protecting your heart and lungs from serious damage," the girl in green said calmly. "With continuous treatment over these days, your injuries have stabilized. In about half a month, you should be able to get out of bed and move around."

A nearby maid blinked and suddenly said, "Young Master, the Heart-Crushing Palm can knock someone unconscious and lead to certain death. Even if you were taken to other famous doctors, they wouldn't dare to treat you for fear of damaging their reputation. But Miss Su, with her incredible medical skills, managed to save you."

My life was really pulled back from the brink of death by my sister.

Ji Ao Jian felt a mix of emotions and suddenly asked, "Xiao Su, will this injury affect my ability to practice and catch up with the original Jian Kong?"

"You are almost fully recovered, and you can start practicing again once you get out of bed," Ji Xiao Su paused, then her eyes lit up, "Brother, you mentioned catching up with the original Jian Kong. Do you want to take revenge on him?"

She originally thought that Ji Ao Jian's memory loss was due to the deep psychological impact of the original Jian Kong's actions. Hearing that her brother still wanted to take revenge, she felt a surge of joy.

Ji Xiao Su thought: Yes, my brother has forgotten everything, but he now knows who his enemy is, so he wants to defeat him.

Ji Ao Jian nodded and said seriously, "I must take revenge for this."

Being attacked and left with life-threatening injuries not only caused him to suffer for many days but also exhausted his sister. Such a grave wrong cannot go unavenged.

Ji Xiao Su immediately said, "It's best that you have this determination, Brother."

Ji Ao Jian asked, "I want to know, how big is the gap between me and him now?"

His sister replied, "The original Jian Kong is a master in external martial arts, with his blood and qi flowing at seven times the speed. You were originally at four times the speed, but this injury has set you back to three times the speed."

Ji Ao Jian was confused, "What does this 'blood and qi flowing at several times the speed' mean?"

The girl in green was taken aback, "The speed of blood and qi flow is a method to measure the level of external and internal martial arts. Have you forgotten this, Brother?"

Ji Ao Jian nodded, looking even more confused, "I really can't remember it."

Ji Xiao Su explained, "In martial arts, the goal is to harmonize internal and external cultivation. External martial arts focus on training the muscles, bones, and skin, while internal martial arts focus on cultivating a single breath."

Ji Ao Jian nodded: The phrase "training the muscles, bones, and skin externally, and cultivating a single breath internally" is something he had heard many times.

The miraculous doctor continued, "Although external martial arts train the physical body, they also exercise the blood and qi. When a person wields a spear, swings a sword, or practices punches and kicks, their blood and qi flow faster, and their heart rate increases. This is why people who practice martial arts regularly have stronger blood and qi."

Ji Ao Jian nodded again: Life is in movement. When a person exercises, their heart rate and breathing speed up, and blood circulation accelerates. This is what his sister meant by exercising the blood and qi.

Ji Xiao Su said, "The deeper one's cultivation, the faster the blood and qi flow. The normal speed of blood and qi flow for a martial artist is one turn. The number of turns indicates how many times faster the blood and qi flow."

Ji Ao Jian blinked, "You said the original Jian Kong's blood and qi flow at seven times the speed. Does that mean his blood and qi flow seven times faster than a normal person? How can he handle it?"

Ji Xiao Su shook her head, "Not seven times faster than a normal person, but seven times faster than his own normal speed."

Ji Ao Jian looked at her expression and suddenly understood.

People who regularly exercise have a slower resting heart rate. The average person's heart rate is about 75 beats per minute, while a top athlete's heart rate is only about 30 beats per minute.

Ji Ao Jian had also heard that the human heart rate limit is 220 beats per minute, and exceeding this value would prevent the heart from functioning normally.

If the original Jian Kong's heart rate is kept below 30 beats per minute, then seven times the speed would not reach 220 beats per minute, making it feasible for him to have blood and qi flowing at seven times the speed.

It seems that the original Jian Kong's physical abilities would make him a top athlete even in the modern world, truly deserving the title of a master.

Ji Ao Jian vaguely understood the concept of blood and qi flow and asked, "You said that internal martial arts are also measured by blood and qi flow. Why is that?"

Ji Xiao Su explained, "The internal cultivation techniques of breathing and guiding focus on training the heart and lungs. Once the breathing is strong and the internal breath is long, it can directly enhance the speed of blood and qi flow, even surpassing the limits of external martial arts."

Ji Ao Jian understood: The effect of internal martial arts is to control the speed of blood and qi flow.

Practicing punches and kicks to speed up blood and qi flow means that one needs to warm up and wait for the heart rate and blood flow to increase before reaching peak performance.

However, those who practice internal martial arts can regulate the speed of blood and qi flow without a warm-up phase, allowing them to quickly enter their strongest state and catch their opponents off guard.

Ji Xiao Su added, "Originally, there were only external martial arts and no internal martial arts. Ancient martial arts masters, after reaching the pinnacle of external martial arts, naturally had strong blood and qi. As they aged and their external martial arts declined, they found that their blood and qi remained strong, far surpassing ordinary people. They then delved into the principles of blood and qi flow and developed separate methods for internal cultivation, which is the origin of the internal breathing and guiding techniques."

Ji Ao Jian curiously asked, "When did this happen?"

Ji Xiao Su replied, "It started around the Southern Song Dynasty and was formally established during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties."

After the Southern Song Dynasty? Ji Ao Jian immediately thought of "Water Margin," which describes the heroes of the late Northern Song Dynasty. According to the book, these heroes spent their days training their physical strength and muscles, which were all external martial arts. There were no internal martial arts techniques mentioned. Even Lu Zhishen, who practiced Zen, and Gong Sun Sheng, who had magical powers, did not mention regulating their breathing or practicing internal martial arts.

So, this is what internal martial arts are about.

Before his穿越, Ji Ao Jian was a college student who had been educated in materialism and did not believe in the concept of internal energy, thinking it was a fictional creation in martial arts novels.

Ji Ao Jian remembered that a medical researcher once claimed on Weibo that they had successfully opened the Ren and Du meridians, which made the entire country laugh.

With this question in mind, he asked his sister, the miraculous doctor, "Is there a concept of opening the twelve regular meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians in internal martial arts?"

Ji Xiao Su said strangely, "The twelve regular meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians are the essential channels for the flow of blood and qi in the human body, as described by medical practitioners. What does opening meridians have to do with practicing internal martial arts? If the meridians are blocked, the person is already dead."

Ji Ao Jian nodded, "So, the purpose of internal martial arts is to train the heart and lungs and control the flow of blood and qi?"

Ji Xiao Su said, "In addition to that, practicing internal martial arts can also nourish the spirit and promote health."

She added proudly, "Our medical practitioners discovered thousands of years ago that practicing external martial arts to strengthen blood and qi can lead to a longer life, which led to the creation of the Five Animal Exercises. Later, with the development of internal martial arts theory, it was found that internal cultivation is even more effective in training blood and qi, leading to the formation of the internal health-preserving techniques."

Ji Ao Jian nodded, "My blood and qi flow are now at three times the speed, while the original Jian Kong's is at seven times the speed. How long will it take for me to catch up with him?"

Ji Xiao Su was not concerned, "Brother, don't worry. As long as you practice diligently, you can surpass the original Jian Kong within three years."

Ji Ao Jian was delighted, "Really?"

Ji Xiao Su said, "Tianqing Mountain Villa is a top-tier family, and we have produced the most masters in the world. Eight of our sisters became top masters before the age of twenty, while the original Jian Kong is only a second-tier master. As long as you practice diligently, you will surely catch up with him."

Ji Ao Jian was shocked, "We have so many sisters, and they are all so powerful?"

Ji Xiao Su was a bit annoyed, "Brother, you even forgot this! You have nine sisters and two younger sisters."

So many... Ji Ao Jian was speechless.

He looked at Ji Xiao Su's ice-cold but beautiful face and wondered if the other sisters and younger sisters were as beautiful as the girl in green.

Ji Xiao Su noticed his unusual expression and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Ji Ao Jian thought for a moment, "What is my status in the martial arts world with my blood and qi flow at three times the speed?"

Ji Xiao Su said, "You are far from being a master. When you were at four times the speed, you were just a decent practitioner. Now, you are about the level of an ordinary disciple."

Ji Ao Jian nodded, "So, I'm back to being a beginner." He thought, "It seems that as a穿越er, I have to start from the beginning."

Ji Xiao Su, thinking he was discouraged, encouraged him, "Brother, don't be disheartened. Take it step by step. First, practice to reach four times the speed, then quickly break through to five times the speed, and then practice our family's internal breathing techniques."

Ji Ao Jian had no objections to her plan but asked, "Why can't I practice internal breathing techniques now?"

Ji Xiao Su said, "In your youth, your blood and qi are vigorous, and external martial arts are the fastest way to improve. Practicing internal breathing techniques would delay your progress. Once you reach five times the speed and your external martial arts are stable, it's the best time to practice internal martial arts."

She sighed, "Brother, you previously complained about the hardship of external martial arts and started practicing internal techniques early, which delayed your progress. Otherwise, you wouldn't have such a big gap with the original Jian Kong."

Ji Ao Jian thought, "The original Ji Ao Jian was indeed not a hardworking person."

Ji Xiao Su added, "Before you reach five times the speed, don't secretly practice internal martial arts."

Ji Ao Jian smiled, "Don't worry, I've forgotten how to practice breathing and internal techniques, so I can't secretly practice them."

Ji Xiao Su nodded in satisfaction, "It seems that forgetting the past has some benefits."

From then on, Ji Ao Jian eagerly looked forward to the day he could get out of bed and start practicing. He could feel his body recovering with the green, thick medicinal porridge he took every day, and his spirits grew higher each day.

One day, after the miraculous doctor checked his condition, she said, "Brother, in two days, you can get out of bed and walk."

Ji Ao Jian was delighted but noticed that his sister seemed a bit uneasy and quickly asked.

Ji Xiao Su composed herself, "Brother, there has been a change in the family, and I need your decision."

She handed him a ledger, and Ji Ao Jian took it and flipped through it, seeing entries like "White Rainbow Gang - 300 taels," "Iron Spear Society - 650 taels," "Silver Soldier Workshop - 1800 taels," and other names and amounts from various gangs.

He thought for a moment and said, "These are gifts from various gangs to our family?"

Ji Xiao Su nodded, "Exactly. Tianqing Mountain Villa is a renowned martial arts center in Jiangnan, and various gangs and halls often pay tribute. However, after Father's passing, the tributes have decreased by 70% compared to previous years. And after you lost to the original Jian Kong, it has been rumored in the martial arts world that you were beaten to death, which means our family is now completely ruined, and we will no longer receive these tributes."

"Completely ruined?" Ji Ao Jian was stunned, thinking that the reputation of the Heart-Crushing Palm was indeed powerful, making people believe that he was dead.

"But I'm not dead, and this news will eventually be known, right?"

"Brother, you must understand that the reason some people still send tributes after Father's passing is entirely due to his reputation, not because of you," the miraculous doctor said bluntly. "Now that the martial arts world believes you are dead and Tianqing Mountain Villa is ruined, these tributes will stop. Even if it is known later that you are still alive, the stopped tributes will not be restored."

Ji Ao Jian understood: The family had completely lost its external financial sources, and the previous Ji Ao Jian, who was like a "timely rain," could no longer be supported financially.

"There are about 600 martial arts practitioners who have come to our villa," Ji Xiao Su asked, "What should we do with them?"

"Send them away."

"Sending people away is not easy," Ji Xiao Su replied.

"I know," Ji Ao Jian nodded.

Laying off people is always a difficult task, whether in a company or even a country. Reducing public welfare in Europe has been a challenge for years, and several countries have been hesitant to cut their fiscal spending.

These hundreds of martial arts practitioners, though they were just eating and drinking at Tianqing Mountain Villa, would resist if asked to leave, as it would disrupt their established way of life.

"Demolish the Tian-character archway and announce that I am retiring from the martial arts world. This way, Tianqing Mountain Villa will no longer have to interact with martial arts people or support them."

Ji Xiao Su was shocked, "Demolish the archway that Father established? Brother, do you know that if this Tian-character archway is demolished, you will have to rebuild it based on your own martial arts achievements. Can you guarantee that you will become a grandmaster and rebuild a Tian-character archway?"

Is that how it works?

Ji Ao Jian thought for a moment and said sincerely, "Xiao Su, Father's martial arts achievements are his own. Keeping the archway does not make me a grandmaster. As for the future, I cannot guarantee that I will become a grandmaster, but I know that if I cannot rebuild the Tian-character archway, I will be a failure. So, I must think about this every day and force myself to succeed."

Ji Xiao Su looked at her brother carefully for a long time, then suddenly bowed, "Even if you rebuild a Ren-character archway, Xiao Su will be proud of you."

Miraculous doctor, your expectations for me are really low.

Thinking about this, he said, "Xiao Su, since you are known as a miraculous doctor, do you know how to use poisons?"

...

Tianqing Mountain Villa is located at the foot of Liuhexia Mountain in Jinling.

The back of the family archway is inscribed with "Human Talent and Natural Beauty," which encompasses two meanings and is the most commonly used back inscription for Tian-character families.

The front is inscribed with "Head Held High Under the Blue Sky," which not only represents the realm of the grandmaster, the old villa master, but also the core principle of the Ji family's martial arts.

Ji Ao Jian's father, Ji Qing Tian, was an extraordinary martial arts genius who dedicated himself to developing the family's martial arts. He reached the grandmaster level before the age of thirty and founded Tianqing Mountain Villa. Before his death, he was recognized as the top martial artist in the world and served as the first leader of the martial arts alliance in recent years.

His personal reputation as the top martial artist, the prestige of the Tian-character family, and his genuine role as the martial arts alliance leader made his life complete.

Standing under the tall stone archway, Ji Ao Jian gently touched the mark of this legendary figure, as if seeing a signpost leading to the peak of martial arts.

"Young Master, are you really going to demolish it?" A dozen servants, holding stone and tile tools, looked at the tall archway with reluctance.

"Demolish it!" Ji Ao Jian's voice was firm.

After demolishing the archway that represented the martial arts family, the Ji family was now just an ordinary landlord's estate. However, a family of such status usually still needed a simple archway at the entrance, both for good feng shui and to benefit future generations.

On the original site, using the same stone materials, a much smaller archway was quickly rebuilt.

The servants asked Ji Ao Jian again, "Young Master, what should we write on the front and back of the new archway?"

"Write 'Four Seasons of Good Fortune' on the front," Ji Ao Jian squinted, looking up at the blue sky, and said, "And 'Bountiful Harvest' on the back."

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