Chapter 758: Youth Frozen

One month later, Responding to Heaven, Hall of Martial Excellence.

Morning light filtered through the exquisitely carved lattice windows, falling onto the pristine gold‑brick floor.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) set down his vermilion brush and rubbed his wrist.

Memorials piled up like mountains on the desk, already more than half reviewed.

He lifted his head and looked toward Liu Ji, who stood at attention to one side, his expression somewhat odd.

"Bo Wen, you've been looking at me all morning."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) spoke in a flat tone.

"Do I have flowers on my face?"

Liu Ji, hearing this, hastily bowed.

"I have been remiss."

"It's just… just that I have observed, Your Majesty, your complexion is excellent, your energy vigorous, far surpassing before; my heart is both pleased and perplexed."

He paused, then finally could not hold back.

"Your Majesty, since that day a month ago when you occasionally felt unwell, the very next day you seemed different."

"Not only has your fatigue vanished, your eyes shine with inner light, your steps are steady and vigorous, and even the speed of reviewing memorials and the clarity of your decisions surpass what they were before."

"Upon close inspection, the fine lines at the corners of Your Majesty's eyes seem to have faded, and the frost at your temples hints at turning dark again."

Liu Ji spoke softer and softer, even feeling himself a bit incredulous.

This can no longer be explained by ordinary 'physical improvement'.

It seems more like… reverse growth?

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) lifted his teacup and took a sip.

The tea was warm, leaving a sweet aftertaste as it went down.

He certainly knew of his own bodily changes.

Over the past month, the sensations have become increasingly evident.

At first it was merely the disappearance of fatigue, with energy returning extremely quickly.

Later he discovered that old wounds from his early campaigns, hidden aches, had quietly eased and vanished.

His sight, hearing, even smell and taste, became unusually keen.

His strength, stamina, and reaction speed steadily improved.

Most noticeable of all was his appearance.

This morning, when he faced the mirror, he himself noticed it.

His skin grew a little tighter, the lines at the corners of his eyes became shallower, and the scattered white hairs on his head actually revealed new black at their roots.

It was no illusion.

That 'Immortal Code,' being incomplete, could not grant him eternal youth, yet it repaired the wear and tear of his body with astonishing efficiency, optimized his physiological functions, and fixed his vital state at a… peak of prime adulthood.

In the terms of his era, it was as if the cellular activity and metabolic balance of his whole body had been forcibly raised and locked in.

"Perhaps it is because he worried over state affairs, accumulated strain into illness, and once he relaxed his mind, his body naturally recovered."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) set down his teacup and offered an explanation that sounded plausible but would not bear close scrutiny.

"Or perhaps it is that I have recently practiced a set of health‑guiding techniques from… the 'Ancient Texts,' which have some effect."

He then proceeded to promote the crude 'Vital Energy Breathing Method' devised by the Investigation of Things Institute, based on the resonance principle of strange iron and some ancient health practices.

This method does have a slight use, able to faintly stir the weak 'warm current' within his body (which he guesses is some kind of life energy produced by the fusion of the code), but it is nowhere near this miraculous.

Liu Ji, being who he is, naturally heard that His Majesty was holding something back.

But he would not press further.

That miraculous events befalling His Majesty are auspicious omens for the state and the people.

As long as His Majesty remains the enterprising, people‑loving Hongwu Emperor, the remaining details need not be examined.

"Your Majesty's holy health is the blessing of all the people."

Liu Ji said solemnly.

"But these changes have already sparked whispered talk at court and among the populace, fearing that villains will exploit them to stir up trouble, speaking of… monstrous power and chaotic spirits."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) gave a cold laugh.

"Let them say what they will."

"I walk upright and sit straight, with one heart to restore China and repel demons; why should I fear the petty criticisms of small‑minded men?"

"And you, Bo Wen."

He shifted the conversation.

"With my energy sufficient, some matters can be sped up."

"How goes the progress on the 'Strange‑Iron Gun' at the Investigation of Things Institute?"

When the subject turned to official business, Liu Ji's expression grew solemn.

"Your Majesty, following your idea of 'focused activation,' we have made a breakthrough."

"With strange iron as the core, wrapped in a specially made copper‑wire coil, placed inside a refined steel gun barrel, then connected to an improved flintlock mechanism and a high‑voltage capacitor assembly—this is the prototype of the 'Hongwu Model One Strange‑Electric Gun.'"

"In testing, within ten paces it can evoke a weak 'neutralizing field,' causing blue earth contaminated with yin energy to temporarily lose its color, and small contaminated rodents to stiffen for a moment."

"But many problems remain: the gun is bulky, akin to a small cannon, usable only by strongmen; charging is slow, requiring nearly ten breaths to store energy for one discharge; range is extremely short, the field fading sharply beyond fifteen paces; and consumption of strange iron remains high, making mass production difficult."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) listened quietly.

There is progress, but it is still far from battlefield readiness.

"Continue improving, sparing no expense."

"Furthermore, order Xu Da and Tang He to select from the Bei Jing army loyal, brave, quick‑thinking soldiers who hate yin energy with a passion, and form the 'Purge‑Dust Battalion.'"

We don't need many; a first batch of a hundred will do.

They will be taught a simple vital-energy breathing method, issued preliminary improved strange-metal talismans and weapons, and assigned to small-unit reconnaissance, sabotage, and……testing of future new weapons.

Liu Ji's eyes lit up.

Your Majesty, are you looking to create a force specialized in countering ghostly energy?

Seeds—someone must always plant them first.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) rose and walked to the hanging map of Bei Jing.

The Qing state is accumulating strength; we must too.

In a head-to-head army clash, we currently have no advantage.

But small elite units infiltrating, striking key points, gathering intelligence, destroying nodes……could perhaps pry open a gap.

He pointed his finger at Liaodong.

That 'Immortal Code' given to me is not merely time.

There is also……a 'feeling'.

He frowned slightly, as if searching for the exact word.

The perception of life's passing has become more……acute? Or rather, the aversion and vigilance toward 'unnatural erosion' have deepened.

I can vaguely feel that the northern land's vitality is being continuously drained and polluted by some cold thing.

The Guangning Front Battalion Guard is merely a beginning.

We must be faster.

He turned, his eyes blazing.

Pass the order down.

Starting today, I will extend my daily governance time by two double-hours.

Military affairs, investigation of things, border preparations—any matter concerning the north shall be given priority and brought directly to the imperial presence.

Liu Ji's heart shuddered.

His Majesty intends……to burn this newlygained vigorous energy as the cost, forcibly accelerating state policy!

Your Majesty, although the dragon body is at peace, it also needs……

I have it in mind.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) interrupted him.

This 'youth' is not for enjoying blessings.

It is for risking one's life.

Go ahead and do it.

Liu Ji took a deep breath, swallowed all his admonishing words back into his belly, and gave a deep bow.

Subject, I obey the decree.

He knew that, starting today, the Hongwu Emperor, who seemed to have regained his youth, would drive the entire Ming with a more radical and urgent posture, racing down the perilous path against the formless enemy.

And he himself would also witness and participate in this unprecedented struggle for the survival of civilization.

Outside the hall, the sunlight was just right.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) stood alone before the map, feeling his heart's steady, powerful beat, feeling the vigorous, seemingly inexhaustible energy within his body.

Youth has never truly been frozen.

But the peak state has already been prolonged.

Does the enemy want to crush him with time?

Then he will use this seized time to forge a blade to cut down the enemy.

This game of racing against time

He had just obtained a new chip.

Now……

It's time to place the bet.