Chapter 39

Chapter 39: The Arrival of the 31st Year of Hongwu, Mastery of the Magic Mirror Technique!

When Zhu Yuanzhang spoke up to this point, he suddenly started coughing violently. Zhu Yunwen hurriedly stepped forward, concerned.

“Imperial Grandfather! Please stop talking and rest for a while! Your health is most important!”

Zhu Yuanzhang took a sip of tea to calm himself, then grabbed Zhu Yunwen’s hand and spoke in a strained voice, “Yunwen, the New Year is approaching. You should send a message on my behalf to your uncles, inquiring about their well-being. Yunwen, it’s hard to conquer the land, but it’s even harder to rule it! In the future, you must rely more on your uncles to ensure the continuation of our Zhu family’s empire.”

Zhu Yunwen listened with his head lowered in agreement, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He did not fully agree with his grandfather’s words. Those uncles of his, holding territories and wielding great power, were the root cause of the Ming Dynasty’s troubles! If he ascended the throne, the first thing he would do would be to reduce their power, to remove all those vassal kings who posed a threat to his rule. Only then could he secure his own position and lead the Ming Dynasty to greater prosperity and glory.

…

On Zhongshan, snowflakes fluttered down. It was rare for it to snow in Jinling City, as it was located in the southern state of Zhonghua. However, this year was different. Not only did snow fall around Zhongshan, but it was also a heavy snow, covering the mountain in a pristine white blanket.

For Zhu Xuanji, Zhu Biao, Liu Bowen, and Shan Tianxie, who were cultivating in the mountains, the snow was a pleasant surprise. Heavy snow was a rare occurrence, and it brought a special kind of beauty to their surroundings.

On this day, the twenty-ninth of the twelfth month, it was New Year’s Eve. At Liu Bowen’s suggestion, everyone decided to have a lively celebration. From the morning, he and Shan Tianxie busied themselves with preparations. By dusk, the white fox Tu Shan Rong’er, along with four red foxes, arrived at Yunmeng Dao Pavilion, setting up fruit platters. Zhu Xuanji instructed Xiao Liuzi to make rice balls from the five-colored spiritual rice and placed them aside. He also brought out the fruit wine he had brewed in previous years.

As the bright moon slowly ascended and night fell, everyone gathered in front of Yunmeng Dao Pavilion. They drank fine wine, ate spiritual fruits and rice, and shared laughter and joy. There was a special warmth in the air. Da Huang, Xiao Liuzi, the pheasant Ah Si, and the white snake Xiao Bai also joined the festivities. The black eagle “Ye Ying” stood silently on the roof of Yunmeng Dao Pavilion. As everyone recited poems and sang, the white fox Tu Shan Rong’er was so happy she was speechless.

Later in the night, after everyone had gone to rest, Zhu Biao walked alone to the mountaintop. Standing on the peak, facing the cold wind, he looked in the direction of Jinling City in silence.

At that moment, Zhu Xuanji appeared beside him without a sound. “Missing home?”

Zhu Biao heard Zhu Xuanji’s voice but did not turn around. He continued looking toward Jinling City and softly said, “Yes. It’s already past midnight, and it’s the thirty-first year of Hongwu. I came to Zhongshan in the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu, and in a flash, it’s been over five years, almost six. I wonder how my father is doing. I wonder how my daughter is. I wonder how Lady Lü is. I wonder if Yunwen, Yuntong, Yunshun, and Yunxi are well. I feel unprecedented peace while cultivating here on Zhongshan, but sometimes, thinking about my father’s old age, I wish I could go down the mountain immediately to see what is happening down there.”

Zhu Xuanji stood beside him, also looking toward Jinling City, and said calmly, “Wangchen, do you remember asking me a few years ago if one day, the old Zhu passed away, could he be brought back to life?”

Zhu Biao was startled by these words and then nodded. “I remember. Of course, I remember.”

Zhu Xuanji continued, “At that time, I didn’t give you an answer. But now, I can give you a definite answer. I will save him. A person’s lifespan is ordained by heaven, but I enjoy stealing people from the hands of heaven. Old Zhu has suffered more than you, Wangchen, in this life. Just for his bold words about sharing the empire with the people, I must save him.”

After hearing this, the weight in Zhu Biao’s heart was immediately lifted. In this life, he felt most indebted to his father. If his father died and he couldn’t see him again, it would be his greatest regret. However, with Xuanji Zi’s promise, he was no longer afraid. In the future, his father could come to Zhongshan and cultivate with him, shedding the burden of being an emperor. His father might live more happily and comfortably!

Zhu Biao let go of his worries and went back to rest. Zhu Xuanji said he would continue to cultivate on the mountaintop for a while.

After Zhu Biao left, a strange look flashed in Zhu Xuanji’s eyes. In recent years, he had been very aware of his grandfather Zhu Yuanzhang’s condition. Four years ago, he had mastered the Magic Mirror Technique.

At first, the Magic Mirror Technique could only see within a radius of fifty miles. Later, as Zhu Xuanji’s cultivation progressed, the range kept expanding. Now, four years later, his Magic Mirror Technique could see within a radius of three thousand miles! Three thousand miles, almost encompassing the entire southern state—this was quite extraordinary.

Two years ago, Zhu Xuanji had been using the Magic Mirror Technique to secretly observe Zhu Yuanzhang’s condition. After all, old Zhu was his grandfather. Old Zhu cared deeply for the country and its people, worked hard all his life, and endured the pain of losing his wife and son. An ordinary person might have collapsed long ago, but Zhu Yuanzhang held on for several more years. However, since last winter, his health had deteriorated significantly. According to Zhu Xuanji’s estimation, old Zhu had at most another half year to live.