Chapter 134: On the Eve of the Great Battle

The air inside the Central Army's main tent grew even more solemn as Chen Wen brought back the intelligence.

It seemed to turn into a viscous substance, weighing on everyone's heart.

The shadow of the Iron Crow Army's "purge plan".

Like a cold poisonous snake, it coiled over the impending great battle.

For this battle that would already decide the nation's fate, it added an indescribable eeriness and danger.

Chai Rong stood with his hands behind his back before the map, his silhouette like a mountain, silent for a moment.

In that silence, there was no hesitation.

Rather, he was digesting this astonishing information and integrating it into his final decision.

When he turned around again, all emotion had vanished from his face.

Only an iron will and the absolute composure of a commander-in-chief remained.

Generals!

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable force.

The Iron Crow Army's fiends act strangely; their hearts deserve death.

However, the victory or defeat of this battle still primarily lies in breaking the enemy head-on!

The Northern Han-Khitan allied army is our greatest internal threat; only by crushing the enemy before us can we speak of anything else!

His gaze swept over every officer in the tent, finally settling on Chen Wen.

Chen Wen.

The subordinate is here!

Chen Wen stepped forward, the armor plates softly clinking.

You and the Jing'an Army have fought continuously, discerned the enemy's situation; your merit is great.

Now I order your unit to serve as the army's overall reserve and to guard the central army's flanks in tomorrow's decisive battle!

Chai Rong's voice was decisive, each word bearing a weighty trust.

The reserve force is the key to victory; the central army is the soul of the entire army.

These two positions determine the battle's outcome and the fate of the Great Zhou!

I entrust this heavy responsibility to you—can you bear it?

The eyes of all the officers in the tent instantly focused on Chen Wen.

The overall reserve and the guard of the central army's flanks!

This means, at the most intense and perilous moment of the battle.

The Jing'an Army will be the force thrown into the battlefield to decide victory or defeat.

At the same time, they must act like the sturdiest shield, ensuring the safety of the central army's command core.

Especially the absolute safety of Chai Rong himself!

What great trust, and what heavy pressure!

Chen Wen felt his heart jump violently, his blood seeming to heat up a few degrees.

He drew a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions.

In his mind flashed the Jing'an Army's equipment, morale, and training.

And his own progress, which had reached ninety-nine percent, lacking only the final step.

He hesitated not at all, clasped his fists and bowed, his voice steady and powerful, like a boulder:

I will obey orders! The Jing'an Army, up and down, will exert every effort to guard the central army and serve as a pillar in the stream!

Where the commander's flag stands, there shall be the Jing'an Army's flesh-and-blood Great Wall!

Good!

Chai Rong's eyes flashed with a hint of admiration; he wanted exactly this unreserved sense of responsibility.

Your unit's position is just at the left rear of the central army formation.

I hope you can assess the situation and, at the critical moment, be equal to the great task!

I understand!

Chai Rong said no more, turned his gaze to the other officers, and began issuing the final battle orders.

Zhang Yongde, Han Tong, Zhao Kuangyin and other commanders respectively received their orders.

Each person's duty was clear and distinct; the entire Zhou army's war system meshed like precision gears.

It began to operate at full speed in preparation for tomorrow's life-or-death battle.

After the war council ended, the generals filed out one by one.

Each returned to their respective units to make final preparations.

Chen Wen walked out of the tent and found the sky already bright.

Yet the sunlight could not dispel the solemn, lethal atmosphere that permeated the entire camp.

The air was filled with cooking smoke, leather, iron rust, and an indescribable sense of tension.

He did not pause for a moment, immediately returning to the Jing'an Army's encampment.

Upon learning that he had been entrusted with such a heavy responsibility, the Jing'an Army, up and down, did not become noisy.

On the contrary, after a brief silence, it burst forth with even greater fighting spirit.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, Zhao Dayan and other core cadres quickly gathered around.

Military envoy, the commander has entrusted us with such a heavy responsibility; it is both a sign of trust and a test!

Zhang Cheng's expression was solemn as he spoke first.

What the hell are we afraid of!

Shi Dun thumped his chest armor, making a dull, hollow sound.

Just let those Khitan brats taste how fierce our Jing'an Army is!

Wang Ru, meanwhile, was more meticulous:

Commander, guard the flanks of the central army; need to guard against enemy cavalry flanking and penetrating.

We need to lay down several more layers of anti-cavalry obstacles and caltrops, and readjust the positions of the archers.

Qian Gui whispered: "Commander, the Iron Crow Army over there..."

Chen Wen raised his hand, stopping everyone's discussion.

His gaze swept over each face—some resolute, some excited, some calm.

"Brothers!"

His voice rang clearly in everyone's ears.

"The Commander places great trust in us, entrusting the army's vital points to us."

"This battle is no ordinary affair."

"We must not only face the overt Northern Han and Khitan strong enemies, but also constantly be wary of the hidden poisonous snake called the Iron Crow Army."

"Their target is very likely the Commander himself!"

He paused, letting everyone digest this information.

Immediately his tone turned exceedingly firm:

"But, no matter open or hidden attacks, our Jing'an Army will be the one to step forward! Shi Dun!"

"Present!"

"You lead the vanguard battalion, positioned at the front of the formation; hear my orders and be ready to strike at any moment!"

"Received the order!"

"Qian Gui!"

"Present!"

"The Inspection Bureau dispatches all its elite scouts, not only to closely monitor the allied army's movements,"

"but also to pay special attention to any suspicious, non-allied-standard units appearing, especially those carrying special equipment!"

"As soon as anything is discovered, report immediately!"

"Understood!"

"Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, assist me in adjusting the formation, inspecting the armaments, ensuring nothing goes wrong!"

"Zhao Dayan, the Logistics Battalion, get to work immediately; according to my earlier draft, add three layers of movable anti-cavalry obstacles before the formation—be quick!"

"Yes!"

Orders were issued one after another.

The entire Jing'an Army operated like a wound-up war machine, efficiently and orderly.

Soldiers checked the tension of bowstrings, sharpened blade edges, and filled quivers arrow by arrow.

Cooks buried pots to make rice, mixing the dried meat they usually reluctance to eat into the porridge.

Just to give the soldiers a bit more strength.

Chen Wen walked among the busy soldiers.

He would occasionally stop to pat someone's shoulder and check someone's equipment.

He could see the soldiers' reverence for war in their eyes.

But more so was a strong sense of responsibility and honor arising from being trusted and entrusted.

They followed Chen Wen.

From Jiao Tu Zhen all the way to this Gaoping battlefield that decides the fate of the world.

No longer were they mere defeated troops seeking survival; they had become a strong army with conviction.

His inner Fortune Momentum vortex was not frenzied despite the impending great battle.

Instead, in a tranquil atmosphere it slowly accelerated its spin, the vortex's scale seeming to condense and grow a bit.

That was the manifestation of the entire Jing'an Army's united will, a symbol of solid foundations and soaring morale.

He once again looked toward his sea of consciousness.

【Personal Ability Multiplier: Lv. 4 (16x)】

【Growth Progress Bar: 99%】

【Fortune Momentum Vortex: steady, massive, slowly accelerating spin】

The setting sun slowly sank westward, dyeing the distant clouds a grim blood-red.

Upon the vast plain.

The Zhou army and the allied army's two massive formations already faintly outlined, like two primordial beasts poised to strike, silently facing off in the twilight.

Tomorrow, this place will become a great crucible deciding the fate of countless people, and even the direction of an era.

Chen Wen gripped the hilt at his waist, straightened his spine, and stood before the Jing'an Army's formation.

His gaze swept over the land soon to be battlefield, looking toward the distant enemy camp's connected lights.

He knew that he and his troops had already stood at the eye of the storm.

Just wait for tomorrow, when the wild wind will rise and blood and fire will flood the heavens.