Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

Two days later, in Shuntian Prefecture, outside the capital city.

Li Changqing stood outside the towering Zhengyang Gate, looking up at the majestic city tower.

A faint, earthy yellow halo wafted between the cracks in the blue bricks of the city wall.

That was the "Gathering Earth and Returning to Origin Formation" that Shen You deduced back then.

Now, this formation has been improved several times by the formation masters of Qintian Pavilion. It not only covers the cities of Xinzhou, but also turns the strategic passes of the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty into an indestructible fortress.

The city gates were wide open, and the soldiers guarding the city, holding long spears engraved with battle formations, stood as straight as pine trees, checking the travel documents of passing merchants.

Instead of going through the crowded city gate, Li Changqing found a secluded corner of the city wall. With a slight sway, he silently passed through the array light barrier that was strong enough to withstand the impact of high-level ferocious beasts, and stepped into the inner city street.

The streets of Beijing are more than twice as wide as they were twenty years ago.

The shops on both sides are lined up one after another, and the names of each business are written in gold paint on the signs.

The most eye-catching feature is the crisscrossing "green vines" above the streets.

Those were not real vines, but rather "sound transmission array tubes" made by Qintian Pavilion by twisting together spirit wood and black iron.

With the help of these arrays, the decrees of the Ming Dynasty and the contracts of merchants could be spread to every corner of the capital within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

As night falls, the lights are on.

The capital city did not fall into darkness; instead, it was as bright as day.

On both sides of the street, a carved stone pillar stands every ten steps.

A fist-sized, translucent white bead is embedded at the top of the stone pillar.

That was the "Eternal Pearl" crafted by the master craftsmen of Qintian Pavilion using a mixture of low-grade spirit stones and fluorite.

Once the formation was activated, soft yet bright white light filled the long street, adorning the night scene of the capital like a world of crystal.

Li Changqing stopped in front of a tavern called "Zui Xian Lou".

The tavern was bustling with noise, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.

He stepped into the lobby and chose a secluded corner by the window to sit down.

"Sir, what would you like to eat? We have chilled deep-sea spirit fish freshly transported from Xinzhou, as well as venison stewed with snow ginseng—it's very nourishing!"

A waiter with a snow-white towel draped over his shoulder approached eagerly.

Li Changqing placed the mottled Xiangfei bamboo folding fan on the table and spoke gently.

"Bring a pot of aged Zhuyeqing tea, a plate of sliced ​​braised beef, and a dish of peanuts."

The waiter was taken aback. Every customer who came to this Drunken Immortal Pavilion wanted to taste those delicacies from the mountains and seas that seemed to be imbued with the spirit of immortals, but this gentleman in his worn blue robe ordered a very simple menu.

However, the waiter was very perceptive and didn't say anything. He simply responded and turned to go to the kitchen to report the dishes.

Before long, the food and wine were served.

Li Changqing poured himself a drink, listening to the lively conversations of the diners around him. This kind of bustling tavern had always been the best place to find out about the world's affairs.

"Have you all heard? Minister Wang of the Ministry of War formally submitted a memorial a few days ago requesting to retire. The Emperor tried to persuade him to stay three times, but finally granted his request. He was posthumously granted the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Duke of Wei, and bestowed with a python robe and jade belt, which can be considered a glorious return to his hometown."

At the next table, a middle-aged merchant dressed in a silk robe lowered his voice, his expression full of admiration.

"Minister Wang spent his life on the battlefield, conquering the vast territory of Xinzhou for our Great Ming Dynasty. His achievements are worthy of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. I heard that the one succeeding him as Minister of War is Lord Shen You, a graduate of the Imperial Academy's Immortal Cultivation Academy!"

The other companion nodded repeatedly and raised his glass.

"That Lord Shen is also a legendary figure. Born into a poor family, he improved our Ming Dynasty's cannons and warships to their ultimate level with his superb skills in formation. I heard that the repeating muskets that the Shenji Battalion is now equipped with are his creations. With him in charge of the Ministry of War, the Ming Dynasty's military might will surely be even greater."

Upon hearing the names of these old acquaintances, Li Changqing paused slightly in his wine glass, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

Wang Shouren retired after achieving his goals, and Shen You took charge of the affairs on his own.

In the Ming Dynasty court, the transition between the old and the new was finally completed.

The seed that he casually pointed out at the tea stall has now grown into a towering tree strong enough to support half of the Ming Dynasty.

"His Majesty's health seems to have declined in the last two years."

"Although the Emperor has practiced the Tai Xu Dao Yin Technique, he is busy with state affairs every day and has developed many ailments in his early years. The lifespan of mortals is eventually coming to an end. I heard that the tonics prescribed by the Imperial Hospital can only barely maintain his energy."

"Hush! Don't talk about the palace!"

His companion quickly tugged at the old scholar's sleeve.

"His Majesty is a sage ruler. He lifted the sea ban, established the Imperial Academy, and spread military power throughout the land. Such a great emperor of all time must be blessed by Heaven."

Li Changqing silently finished the wine in his cup.

For ordinary people, a hundred years is the maximum lifespan.

Even if one has mastered the art of breathing exercises, if one cannot break through the barrier between life and death and step into the ethereal path to immortality, one will ultimately turn into a handful of dust.

Zhu Youzhen was a true emperor who dedicated his entire life to the Ming Dynasty.

He did not choose to retreat into seclusion and practice asceticism in pursuit of personal immortality.

Instead, he chose to burn his limited lifespan to illuminate the path forward for this vast empire.

"My disciple, your life has been more wonderful than my own for the past hundred years."

Li Changqing silently said something to himself.

He stood up, laid out a few newly minted "spiritual covenant coins" on the table, picked up his folding fan, and walked out of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

A cool night breeze caressed the glow emanating from the Everlasting Pearl on the long street.

Li Changqing followed Chang'an Street northwards until he arrived outside the Forbidden City.

The majestic Meridian Gate resembles a sleeping behemoth in the night.

On the city wall, golden-armored guards held rune-inscribed halberds, their eyes fixed straight ahead.

Li Changqing did not alert anyone.

He moved like the wind, stepping through the night, as if strolling leisurely through the palace gates, and arrived at the white marble square outside the Qianqing Palace.

The main hall was brightly lit.

Through the carved window frame, Li Changqing could clearly see an elderly man sitting behind the large imperial desk.

Emperor Chengping, Zhu Youzhen, was wearing a bright yellow fox fur coat, and his hair was completely white.

That once dignified and aloof face is now covered with deep age spots and wrinkles.

He was holding a vermilion brush, carefully reviewing the mountain of memorials.

He would pause occasionally, cover his mouth, and let out a violent cough.

The old eunuch Liu Jin, who was too old to straighten his back, was holding a bowl of steaming ginseng soup and gently comforting her.

"Your Majesty, it is late. Please take care of your health and we will see it tomorrow."

Zhu Youzhen waved his hand and pushed away the bowl of ginseng soup. Although his voice was hoarse, it still revealed a stubbornness that did not allow him to back down.

"The pioneering army on the western route of Xinzhou has encountered several poisonous swamps. The formation battalion urgently needs to allocate a batch of antidote herbs. If this request is not approved tonight, who knows how many more Ming soldiers will die in vain at the front."

"My old bones can still hold up."