Chapter 306

The secret chamber in the Night King's mansion.

Translation: Night King Manor's secret chamber. Or "Secret chamber of the Night King Manor". Keep concise: "Night King Manor's secret chamber."

The candlelight flickered, casting light on the Night King's deep, solemn face.

Translation: "Candlelight flickered, illuminating the Night King's deep and solemn face."

Night King Ye Wuchen, one of the three great non‑imperial kings of the Great Qian dynasty, had guarded the northern borders for years, his renown far‑reaching.

Translation: "The Night King, named Ye Wuchen, is one of the three great surnamed kings of the Da Qian dynasty, having guarded the Northern Frontier for many years, his fame spreading far."

Now his eyes showed a trace of bewilderment and struggle he had never felt before.

Translation: "At this moment, his eyes revealed a hint of unprecedented bewilderment and struggle."

"My lord, the Zi Xia Dao sect has been utterly destroyed."

Translation: "\"Report, my lord, the Purple Cloud Dao Sect has been utterly wiped out. \""

The scout's report rang in his ears, and the Night King's hand twitched slightly.

Translation: "The scout's report seemed to still echo in his ears, and the Night King's hand involuntarily trembled slightly."

He understood that taking this step meant there was no going back.

Translation: "He knew well that once this step was taken, there would be no turning back."

"My lord, we have no way out; we must rise in arms now, not later."

Translation: "\"My lord, we now have no retreat; raising troops should be done sooner rather than later. \""

An armored general spoke solemnly.

Translation: "A general in armor spoke in a low voice."

This general was Zhao Fengyun, a trusted lieutenant of the Night King.

Translation: "This general was named Zhao Fengyun, a capable subordinate of the Night King."

In a northern border battle he had defeated a larger force with few men, repelling several major steppe invasions, and was hailed as the "Wolf of the Northern Frontier."

Translation: "In a battle at the Northern Frontier, he defeated a larger force with fewer troops, repelling several large-scale invasions by the steppe tribes, earning him the title \"Wolf of the Northern Frontier\"."

The Night King looked around the room; everyone there had been his trusted ally and friend for years.

Translation: "The Night King glanced around at those present; each was a longtime confidant and comrade-in-arms."

Besides Zhao Fengyun, there was the wise and brave strategist Ye Yun, the martial‑arts expert female general Yan Qifeng, and others.

Translation: "Besides Zhao Fengyun, there were the strategist Ye Yun, versed in both wisdom and valor, and the female general Yan Qifeng, skilled in martial arts, among others."

Together they constituted the core force of the Night King's estate.

Translation: "Together they formed the core strength of the Night King Manor."

"I know this step is inevitable."

Translation: "\"I know, this step was bound to come. \""

"But rebelling is a path with no return."

Translation: "\"But raising troops in rebellion is ultimately a road with no return. \""

"I, Ye Wuchen, have fought all my life; must I now be remembered as a rebel and traitor?"

Translation: "\"I, Ye Wuchen, have spent my life fighting on the battlefield; must I end up branded a traitor and villain? \""

The Night King spoke slowly, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

Translation: "The Night King spoke slowly, his voice tinged with helplessness."

"My lord, the times leave us no alternative."

Translation: "\"My lord, the situation is such that we have no other choice. \""

"The Great Qian dynasty is rotten to the core, the people are suffering terribly; we rise not just for ourselves but for all under heaven."

Translation: "\"The Da Qian dynasty is utterly corrupt, the people suffer beyond endurance; our raising troops is also for the sake of all under heaven. \""

Ye Yun sighed softly.

Translation: "Ye Yun let out a soft sigh."

"Mr. Yun is correct," said General Yan Qifeng, "My lord, you have defended the northern borders for years and know the steppe peoples' ambitions. If we do not act, the Great Qian realm will inevitably fall into foreign hands."

Translation: "\"Mr. Yun is right, \" Yan Qifeng interjected, \"My lord, you have spent many years in the Northern Frontier and know well the ambitions of the steppe tribes. If we do not step forward, the Da Qian realm will sooner or later fall into foreign hands. \""

Hearing this, the Night King fell into contemplation.

Translation: "Hearing this, the Night King fell into deep thought."

He realized that every decision he made affected the lives of countless people.

Translation: "He understood that each of his decisions concerned the life and death of countless people."

As a non‑imperial king of Great Qian, he felt deep affection for the land and its people.

Translation: "As a surnamed king of the Da Qian dynasty, he held deep affection for this land and its people."

But now the imperial court is corrupt, the people are struggling; should he heed the times and take up arms?

Translation: "But now, with imperial authority corrupt and the people unable to survive, should he follow the tide and rise up?"

As the Night King pondered, heavy footsteps echoed outside the door.

Translation: "Just as the Night King was sunk in thought, heavy footsteps sounded outside the door."

Two youths entered the chamber one after another—Zhao Fengyun's adopted sons, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi.

Translation: "Two youths entered the chamber in succession; they were Zhao Fengyun's two adopted sons—Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi."

"Father, my lord," Zhao Kuangyin said first, "We've heard the Zi Xia Dao sect has been wiped out; should we now act?"

Translation: "\"Adoptive father, my lord, \" Zhao Kuangyin spoke first, \"I have heard that the Purple Cloud Dao Sect has been destroyed by us; should we now take action? \""

Zhao Kuangyin was tall and sturdy, handsome, an orphan Zhao Fengyun had picked up on the battlefield.

Translation: "Zhao Kuangyin, tall and sturdy with a dignified appearance, was an orphan Zhao Fengyun picked up on the battlefield."

Raised by a few caretakers, he was regarded as the future star of the northern frontier.

Translation: "Raised by several people, he is seen as the future star of the Northern Frontier."

Zhao Guangyi was somewhat frail, yet the wisdom and resolve in his eyes could not be overlooked.

Translation: "Zhao Guangyi, however, is somewhat frail in appearance, yet the wisdom and resolve in his eyes cannot be ignored."

The Night King gazed at the two young men before him.

Translation: "The Night King looked at the two youths before him."

"You've arrived."

Translation: "\"You have come. \""

"Indeed, it's time to act."

Translation: "\"Indeed, it is time to act. \""

"But this is a serious matter; we must consider it carefully."

Translation: "\"But this matter is of great importance; we need to plan carefully. \""

The Night King gave a slight nod to Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi.

Translation: "The Night King nodded to Zhao Kuangyin and the other."

"Father, the Great Qian dynasty is now a hollow shell; rising in revolt is also following Heaven's will."

Translation: "\"Adoptive father, the Da Qian dynasty exists in name only; our rebellion is also in accordance with Heaven's mandate. \""

"Furthermore, we have the backing of our uncles and elders."

Translation: "\"Moreover, we still have the support and assistance of our uncles and elders. \""

Zhao Guangyi said.

Translation: "Zhao Guangyi interjected."

"Guangyi makes sense."

Translation: "\"Guangyi speaks sense. \""

"But raising an army is no small feat; we must prepare fully."

Translation: "\"But raising troops is no trivial matter; we must make thorough preparations. \""

The Night King sighed and spoke softly.

Translation: "The Night King sighed and spoke in a low voice."

His brow was furrowed, showing he harbored concerns.

Translation: "At this moment his brows were tightly knit, evidently he had some concerns."

"My lord, the situation is delicate; with the Zi Xia Dao sect gone, now is a perfect moment for us to act."

Translation: "\"My lord, the current situation is delicate; with the Purple Cloud Dao Sect eradicated, this is an excellent opportunity for us to rise. \""

A strategist seated below spoke, his voice tinged with urgency.

Translation: "A person resembling a strategist seated below spoke up, his tone showing a hint of urgency."

"Though the Zi Xia Dao sect is gone, the Great Qian court is not idle."

Translation: "\"Although the Purple Cloud Dao Sect has been eliminated, the Da Qian court is not without response. \""

"Acting now could bring needless complications."

Translation: "\"Rising now might invite unnecessary trouble. \""

The Night King raised his hand, gesturing for him to stay calm.

Translation: "The Night King raised his hand, signaling him to calm down."

"My lord, we cannot let this opportunity slip; time will not wait."

Translation: "\"My lord, opportunity must not be missed; time will not come again. \""

"Now the Great Qian realm is engulfed in conflict; this is a prime moment to revolt. If we wait for the court to steady itself, rebelling later will be far more difficult."

Translation: "\"Now the Da Qian realm is aflame with beacon fires; this is an excellent moment to rise. If we wait for the court to stabilize the situation, rising later will be even harder. \""

Another man in military attire spoke, his voice booming.

Translation: "Another person dressed as a military officer interjected, his voice unusually loud."

"I know we must not miss this chance, but rebellion is no small undertaking; we need to deliberate."

Translation: "\"I, the Prince, naturally know that opportunity must not be lost, but rising is no small matter; we must plan carefully. \""

"Moreover, other powers are still watching from the shadows, and the hundred schools of thought are rife with hidden currents."

Translation: "\"Moreover, other forces are still lurking in the shadows, and among the Hundred Schools, undercurrents run turbulent. \""

"If we act hastily, we may fall into another's snare."

Translation: "\"If we act rashly, we fear falling into someone else's trap. \""

"One misstep and we'd become another's tool."

Translation: "\"One careless move, and we'll become someone else's knife. \""

The Night King fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

Translation: "The Night King fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly."

Hearing this, they all fell into contemplation.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, everyone fell into thought."

After all, the Night King had sent his Night Shadow troops to wipe out the Zi Xia Dao sect, and also used the excuse of a special period to crack down on jianghu rebels.

Translation: "After all, this time the Night King sent the Night Fiend Army to destroy the Purple Cloud Dao Sect, also having the pretext of a special period to suppress the jianghu troublemakers."

Under the current circumstances, Great Qian even if dissatisfied with the Night King destroying the Purple Cloud Dao Sect, can only suffer a dumb loss.

But if we truly launch an uprising, then there will be no room for maneuver.

We can only follow Yan Wang's path, a single road to the bitter end.

Now the situation is tangled and complex; every move must be made with extreme caution.

"Your Highness considers everything thoroughly, but now the situation in the Da Qian dynasty has become clear. If we do not rise up, when else would we wait?"

That strategist, unwilling to accept it, pressed further.

Upon hearing this, Ye Wang's eyes flickered with a hint of complex emotion.

How could he not know the current situation of the Da Qian dynasty?

But raising a rebellion pulls the whole body with a single thread; a slight mistake will lead to eternal ruin.

"How could I not know the opportunity is rare? But the matter of rebellion is of great importance; we must be even more cautious."

"Pass the order down, strengthen vigilance, and closely watch the movements of the court and the world."

"When the opportunity matures, we will discuss the rebellion again."

Ye Wang took a deep breath, rose, walked to the window, and gazed up at the bright moon.

"This matter is of great importance; it must not be decided hastily."

Ye Wang stood firm by the window and said slowly, "I need to think it over again."

Upon hearing this, the generals looked at one another.

They knew Ye Wang's character; once he made up his mind, it was hard to change.

Thus they all bowed and withdrew, leaving only Ye Wang alone, pacing under the moonlight.

The night breeze blew gently, lifting Ye Wang's robes; his heart was filled with worry and anticipation.

He knew this decision would change the fates of countless people, including his own.

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye it was the third watch.

Ye Wang continued to pace in the courtyard, his worries not lessening in the slightest.

He lifted his head to gaze at the bright moon, and a nameless feeling welled up in his heart.

"Did Yan Wang, back then, also hesitate like I do now?"

Ye Wang murmured to himself, as if asking that distant departed friend.

The night was like water, the moonlight pure and bright.

"Elder brother!"

Zhao Guangyi called out softly.

After the great generals under Ye Wang's command withdrew one after another, the entire mansion once again sank into tranquility.

Yet beneath this calm surface, an undercurrent stirred.

Zhao Guangyi, the adopted son of Ye Wang's great general Zhao Fengyun, now found himself unable to sleep.

He clearly felt in his heart that this was a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity; if he did not seize it, he would likely regret it for the rest of his life.

Thus he hurried through the mansion's corridors and caught up with his elder brother Zhao Kuangyin.

(End of chapter)