Chapter 124: Where the Blade Points

Blood-stained cloth fragments, cold tokens, and strange crystal ore powder.

Together with Chen Wen's personally written urgent military report and analysis, they were placed into a waterproof oilcloth bag.

Carried by the two most capable scouts, they silently left Wild Wolf Valley in the darkest moment before dawn.

They sped off toward the direction of the High Peace main battlefield.

After seeing off the messenger, Chen Wen felt no relief at all.

The hidden ache in his shoulders and the heaviness in his heart became even clearer.

The Iron Crow Army was like a venomous spider lurking in the shadows, having only snapped a few strands of its web.

Its main body remained hidden in an unknown corner, ready at any moment to weave a deadlier net.

"Maintain the status quo," "eliminate variables"—these eight words swirled in his mind like a curse.

They not only had to win, but to win in a specific way?

Could it be that my own existence and that of Chai Shijun are themselves a mistake?

"Military Envoy, the traps have been cleared, and the damage to the official road and the dam has been preliminarily repaired."

Zhang Cheng came to report, interrupting Chen Wen's thoughts.

"The fallen soldiers' bodies have been properly arranged, and the severely wounded have been escorted back to the main camp by a squad of brothers."

Chen Wen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers silently packing their gear and bandaging wounds.

The successive bloody battles had this young army quickly shed its inexperience, taking on an iron-blooded and weathered character.

Yet it could not hide the fatigue between their brows.

"Let the brothers rest another half hour, eat and drink."

Chen Wen gave the order, his voice not loud but carrying an indisputable resolve.

"Then, we set out."

"Set out? Military Envoy, where are we going?"

Shi Dun wiped the blood from his face and asked.

The threat of Wild Wolf Valley having been eliminated, we should by rights return to the main camp or continue patrolling other sections.

Chen Wen walked to the crude map, his finger pointing to the northwest of Wild Wolf Valley, a region marked as rugged mountainous terrain.

"Based on the scattered information Qian Gui previously gathered and the clues we seized this time, the Iron Crow Army's activities in Chan North are certainly not limited to the few squads we encountered."

"They must have a relatively fixed foothold, a base where they can resupply, rest, and transmit information."

His finger tapped heavily on the map's vague mark representing an unknown area:

"I suspect that this base lies right here!"

"Their operation this time has been thwarted, especially losing a minor leader; they will surely retreat to the base to report."

"This is our only chance to find them, gain more intelligence, and even strike straight at the Yellow Dragon!"

Those inside the tent all gasped upon hearing this.

"To actively go look for the Iron Crow Army's base?"

"That is no different from actively charging into a dragon's pool and tiger's den!"

"Military Envoy, is this venture too risky?"

Zhang Cheng showed a worried expression.

"Our army has been fighting for days, suffering significant casualties, the troops are exhausted. The Iron Crow Army's base is surely heavily defended; if we rush in recklessly…"

"Precisely because they would never expect us to dare go, we have a slim chance!"

Chen Wen cut him off, his eyes sharp.

"We are in the open, they are in the dark; if we cannot find their lair, the initiative will forever remain in their hands!"

"They can harass and destroy again and again, while we can only react passively, unable to guard against everything!"

"Only by uprooting this base can we fundamentally relieve rear pressure and ensure long-term peace for the supply lines!"

"Only then can we clarify what their so-called 'purge plan' and 'nodes' actually mean!"

He looked around at everyone, his tone solemn:

"I know this undertaking is dangerous."

"But with the great battle imminent, the rear absolutely cannot harbor such a deadly tumor."

"For the tens of thousands of soldiers at the front, for the envoy, and for our fallen brothers, this risk must be taken!"

Shi Dun was the first to stand up, speaking in a deep, muffled voice:

"The Military Envoy is right! We can't just keep taking hits without striking back! No matter what dragon's pool and tiger's den, I, as a subordinate, am willing to be the vanguard!"

Qian Gui also took a deep breath, clasped his hands, and said:

"I am willing to lead men forward on reconnaissance, determined to find the exact location of that base!"

Wang Ru looked at Chen Wen's determined profile, knowing he had made his decision, and spoke softly:

"Since the Military Envoy has made a decision, we will naturally follow. However, should we first report to the envoy?"

Chen Wen shook his head:

"There's no time. With the messengers going back and forth, plus the envoy needing to weigh and issue orders, it would take at least two or three days."

"The battle opportunity is fleeting; we must act immediately."

"I alone decide this matter; if there is any mistake, I alone will bear the responsibility!"

He hesitated no longer, immediately seized paper and brush, and wrote swiftly at the desk.

This time, he was not requesting orders, but stating his resolve.

"……The Iron Crow bandits harbor unyielding intent; their lair lies hidden in the Chan North mountains, truly a grave internal threat, or perhaps deeply connected to the High Peace battlefield situation."

"Chen Wen observes their traces; if not eradicated, future troubles will be endless."

Now we have obtained its clue; the battle opportunity has arisen, and we must not miss it.

Therefore, I dare to act on my own authority, intending to personally lead the elite troops forward to seek traces and extract this venomous fang.

If successful, we can pacify the rear and scout enemy conditions;

If we fail, we will have no guilt in our hearts.

I earnestly request the Military Governor to pardon my crime of acting first and reporting later, and pray that the front lines hold steady until I send news.

He sealed the letter he had written and handed it to another messenger:

Deliver it quickly to the Military Commissioner's main camp. If you encounter our army's main-force messenger along the way, you may also hand it over.

Received the order!

After the messenger left, Chen Wen immediately began deployment.

Shi Dun, select brothers who can still fight and dare to fight, gather a total of one hundred fifty, and pick the finest!

Carry five days' dry rations, light armor and simple retinue, and prepare plenty of bows, crossbows, arrows, and incendiary materials.

Qian Gui, you take all the scouts and set out first, heading northwest, conducting a carpet search of the area we have estimated.

Pay special attention to valleys and caves rarely visited by people, and whether there are any special markings or signals.

Once a suspected stronghold is discovered, do not startle the snake; report immediately!

Zhang Cheng, you and Old Zhao Nian lead the remaining troops, escort the wounded back to the main camp, and report to Mr. Wang Pu in detail about the situation here and our movements.

If... if we do not send back any news within five days, you may inform the Military Governor and make other plans.

Zhang Cheng's face changed: 'Military Secretary!'

Chen Wen raised his hand to stop him:

No need for more words; carry out the order. The main camp needs someone to hold the fort, logistics needs someone to coordinate—this is an important duty.

Zhang Cheng looked at Chen Wen's unquestionable gaze, and finally nodded heavily:

Subordinate... obeying! Military Secretary, take care!

Half an hour later.

A streamlined yet sharp-aura-emitting detachment.

In the faint dawn light, they silently departed from Wild Wolf Valley and set out toward the lofty mountains and steep ridges to the northwest.

Chen Wen walked at the very front of the detachment; his figure on the rugged mountain road appeared exceptionally resolute.

This is an all-or-nothing gamble, an adventure venturing into the tiger's den.

He does not know what awaits ahead—more slaughter, a cruel truth, or... the final outcome.

But he has no other choice.

In a chaotic world like a tide, if you do not advance, you retreat; if you do not retreat, you perish.

Having chosen this path, he must uproot every enemy that threatens what he guards!

The mountain wind was bitterly cold, fluttering his blood-stained battle robe.