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2. Malaria pathogens follow the meridians and lie hidden in the spine and back muscles, penetrating deeply into the interior of the spine to enter the Fuchong (Hidden Rushing) vessel, extending laterally to connect with the Membrane Source (Moyuan) and pressing against the Zang-Fu organs. When Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) arrives at this location, Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) and Xie Qi (Pathogenic Qi) contend. When pathogenic Qi presses inward toward Yin, chills are generated; when it moves outward toward Yang, steaming heat is produced. When pathogens are shallow, attacks occur daily as they meet with Wei Qi each day; when pathogens are deep, attacks occur intermittently because the meeting with Wei Qi is delayed due to its slower circulation.

[Note] The pathogenic Qi of malaria lies hidden within Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). Following its respective meridians, it travels downward along the exterior of the spine and back muscles. This represents the initial stage where pathogens are shallow, corresponding to the early phase of transmission progression. In cases where pathogens are deep, they enter the interior of the spine and back muscles, lying hidden and injecting into the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), extending laterally to connect with the origin of the fat membranes of various meridians and reaching the interior of the Zang-Fu organs. This represents a deeper level of pathology, corresponding to an advanced phase of transmission progression. Wei Qi circulates through the entire body once every twenty-four hours. Each morning, it emerges from Jingming (BL1) of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and converges at Fengfu (DU16), causing the Cou Li (pores/skin texture) to open. Upon opening, the pathogens residing in Ying and Wei Qi can move in and out. When pathogens press inward toward Yin, cold is generated; when they move outward toward Yang, heat is generated. The internal and external forces clash, and the struggle between Zheng Qi and Xie Qi causes the disease to manifest. In the early stages when pathogens are shallow, the circulation of Wei Qi remains normal, so the pathogens meet with Wei Qi daily, resulting in daily attacks. In chronic cases where pathogens are deep, the circulation of Wei Qi becomes sluggish and irregular, so the pathogens cannot meet with Wei Qi daily, resulting in intermittent attacks. Occasionally, attacks may occur after two days, three days, or even several days; this is because the circulation of Wei Qi is increasingly sluggish, delaying the meeting time further, thus prolonging the interval between attacks.

3. Wei Qi does not follow the standard meridians but moves outside the vessels; Yang convergence leads to daytime onset, while Yin convergence leads to nighttime onset. As pathogens recede, they naturally return to the Yang aspect; as the disease progresses, it inevitably enters the Yin domain.

[Note] Ying Qi circulates within the vessels following the meridians. Wei Qi does not strictly follow the meridians but moves outside the vessels, traveling through the Three Yang meridians during the day and the Three Yin meridians at night. Therefore, pathogens located superficially in the Three Yang meridians manifest during the day. Pathogens located deeply in the Three Yin meridians manifest at night. When pathogens are receding, a shift from nighttime attacks to daytime attacks indicates a movement from Yin to Yang, suggesting that the disease is about to resolve. When pathogens are progressing, a shift from daytime attacks to nighttime attacks indicates a movement from Yang to Yin, suggesting that the disease is worsening.