The restraint lines pulsed under Yan’s knees. The forced current scraped through his channels, while the bands held his wrists against the stone. Gu watched the pattern and the way Yan’s shoulder had turned inward.
“I remember it,” Gu said. “The last part was in a margin note, not the public manual.”
Yan drew a careful breath. “What does it say?”
“Let the current reach the lower channel. At the turning breath, take control and direct the method’s own force outward.”
“Which way?”
“Toward the restraint node. The original wording said to turn through the body, not fight the incoming force head-on.”
Zhao stepped toward Gu. “Stop explaining the art.”
Gu did not look away from Yan. “The pattern is complete. I have the final turn.”
