Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 301 Rejuvenation

Sigismund and Loken quickly reported the matter of the Blood Knight and the Flesh Tearer to Chen Xi.

Faced with the situation of these two problem groups, Chen Xi also felt a headache.

The past experiences of these two warbands have been far too terrible.

The Flesh Rippers are in a slightly better situation.

After discovering that the Chapter was mired in Black Fury and almost beyond redemption, the entire Chapter began to fight in a near-self-destructive manner across the galaxy.

They sacrificed themselves for the empire regardless of casualties or costs, using their blood to wash away their past stigma.

Although this extreme approach is not very effective, with casualty ratios often being alarmingly high, it has at least somewhat reversed the warband's previously unfavorable reputation.

Later, in the Battle of Baal, they sacrificed most of their troops to completely wash away their former reputation for brutality and won the respect of many.

But the Blood Knights... have already been branded as traitors by the Highlords Council, so their reputation speaks for itself.

Previously, Chen Xi had been wary of these two battle groups due to their reputations.

Although Saint Gilles did indeed raise his offspring from ghouls into noble angels, just like the archangel himself was a wolf in sheep's clothing, Saint Gilles' offspring were still cannibals at heart.

This innate bloodlust has never truly disappeared; some warbands are able to control it through strict discipline and faith, while others choose to indulge this nature.

Although the Holy Blessing Wine could temporarily relieve the symptoms of thirst and black rage, Chen Xi knew very well that this was not a cure.

The root causes of the problems in both war groups remain and could erupt again at any time.

If it were another reputable Holy Blood Angels subgroup that came this time, Chen Xi would have used them without hesitation, even if it were the Crimson Angels, he wouldn't care.

But the Blood Knights and the Flesh Rippers... the situations of these two chapters are completely different.

Chen Xi was worried that they would suffer from a thirst for blood on the battlefield and indiscriminately kill friendly forces, causing irreparable losses.

On the other hand, there was also the concern that once they were released, they would rush headlong into the most dangerous battlefields without regard for anything else, until they were all killed in action—they were not seeking victory, but rather death.

Keep in mind, these are two complete warbands! Dante actually sent them all this time, which is both support for the expeditionary force and possibly a heavy burden.

Chen Xi even suspected that the Lord of the Holy Blood Angels might also harbor some desire for them to seek relief on the battlefield.

If the war truly necessitates it, then so be it.

For example, during the last attack on the Great Stone, almost half of the Death Company's soldiers perished. Chen Xi felt the pain, but didn't think much of it—because it was necessary casualties, the cruel reality of war. But Blood Knights and Flesh Tearers are different; they will actively seek death!
They didn't care about tactical value or the battlefield situation; they only sought to burn their lives in battle.

If they were to die, the loss of two battle groups would be a devastating blow to the already short-staffed expeditionary force.

So even though he knew that these two battle groups were eager for battle and might even be dissatisfied because they were being suppressed, Chen Xi still dared not easily let them go out to their deaths.

He could only instruct Sigismund and Locken to keep an eye on them as much as possible, and only send them to carry out their "glorious sacrifice" when the suicide squad was truly needed—at least that way, their deaths would have some value.

As for other things, such as their morale, discipline, or even potential internal conflicts... Chen Xi has no control over them and doesn't have the mind to care right now.

Because of Olivia's rejuvenating potion, it was finally made.
-
"Is this the Rejuvenation Potion?" Chen Xi stared at the two low-temperature potion boxes in front of him, which were emitting a cold aura. The misty cold air condensed into fine water droplets on the metal surface.

He looked up and turned his gaze to Olivia, who was standing to the side.

“Yes, as per your request, Your Excellency, I have prepared two different grades of the potion.” Olivia stepped forward, her slender fingers lightly touching the purple potion box: “This is the highest-grade formula I currently possess. There are four vials in the box, and only one is needed for a single surgery. The first use can extend the recipient's life by 90 years.”

If used again, it can extend lifespan by seventy years, but after that, its effectiveness diminishes significantly. It is recommended to switch to a better medication.

Her fingertips moved to the green medicine box next to her: "And this one is a simplified version that I improved based on the Imperial Standard Rejuvenating Serum formula, with a total of ten vials."

Each vial can extend lifespan by 20 years, but the effect diminishes significantly afterward. A second surgery only extends lifespan by 10 years, and a third only by one year, after which it becomes completely ineffective.

At this point, Olivia frowned slightly: "Although I don't know your specific purpose, I must remind you that this simplified version of the potion is usually only used by members of the Nest City gang or minor nobles who cannot afford a proper rejuvenation surgery. I do not recommend that you try it yourself."

"I have my own considerations," Chen Xi replied calmly, then changed the subject: "By the way, I learned about a special kind of jellyfish that can reverse its own cells into a stem cell state when it reproduces or is stimulated by external factors, and then redevelop into a larval form, thus achieving a cycle of life regeneration."

Does this biological characteristic have any reference value for the research of rejuvenating medicines?

"A creature capable of rejuvenating on its own?" Olivia's pupils dilated slightly, and a look of shock appeared on her face.

Olivia fell into deep thought. After a moment, she looked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement: "If such a creature does exist, as long as we can analyze its mechanism of rejuvenation, I can develop an even better life-extending drug!"
Not only is it more effective, but it also avoids the common drawbacks of existing rejuvenating serum, such as diminishing efficacy and postoperative infection.

“If it’s useful, that’s fine. I’ll give you the biological samples later, but…” Chen Xi paused for a moment, then warned Olivia, “Keep this a secret. Don’t tell anyone about it. I don’t want to cause trouble.”

Olivia looked puzzled: "Researching rejuvenation potions isn't taboo in the Empire, is it? Even if someone covets the advanced formula you have, they usually just choose to pay for the surgery."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone tinged with a hint of confusion: "As for business competition... you are the planetary governor, and soon to be promoted to the governor of a sub-sector, Judge."

Olivia's implication was simple: who dares to challenge your authority as an inquisitor, and who dares to steal your business as the governor of the subsector?
Chen Xi realized she had misunderstood, so she nodded, took the medicine, and said nothing more.

(End of this chapter)