Chapter 193: Dark Undercurrents of the Crow Army

Night was as dark as ink; twenty li north of Chan Prefecture city, a deserted earthen fort stood alone on a barren hill.

The cold wind howled, lifting the dry grass on the ground, emitting a mournful sound.

The only intact part inside the fort, the lower hall, had a few points of blue fire flickering in the darkness, casting vague, stiff shadows.

On the main seat, a figure completely cloaked in black sat silently.

His face was covered by a metal crow-beak mask with no expression, revealing only a pair of eyes so deep they seemed bottomless, devoid of any human feeling, only an almost absolute coldness and indifference.

He was the master of the Iron Crow Army.

Below him, several similarly attired Iron Crow Army leaders stood with hands clasped, their aura chilling.

The air was filled with a suffocating oppression.

Footsteps sounded from far to near.

Zhao Kuangyin walked alone through the weeds and entered this deserted earthen fort.

He had taken off his usual armor, wearing only dark casual clothes, yet the agitation and hostility in his brows could not be concealed.

Upon entering the hall, the familiar killing intent, mixed with bloodlust and yin cold, rushed at him, making his breath catch slightly, while the nameless fire in his heart burned brighter.

He endured the discomfort, walked to the hall's center, and, facing the inhuman presence on the main seat, gave a reluctant clasped-fist salute.

"Esteemed Envoy summons me; I dare not ask what instructions you have."

His voice carried a slight, barely perceptible dryness.

The metal crow beak turned slowly, those icy eyes falling on Zhao Kuangyin.

He did not answer immediately.

Only the blue fire crackled, and the wind outside grew ever more mournful.

This silence was more embarrassing than any questioning.

Zhao Kuangyin felt an invisible pressure, as if the surrounding air had solidified, squeezing his heart.

He could no longer restrain himself, lifted his head, his tone heavy with repressed resentment.

"Esteemed Envoy!"

"That Chen Wen has already led his troops north, seizing supreme power!"

"Meanwhile I must hold Chan Prefecture, watching him gain further merit!"

"Is this the 'opportunity' you spoke of, Esteemed Envoy?"

His voice echoed in the hall, filled with unwillingness and questioning.

The master of the Iron Crow Army finally spoke.

His voice came through the mask, low and hoarse, without any inflection, like two rusted iron plates rubbing together.

"General Zhao."

"You are questioning…… the direction of the 'script'?"

"\"Script\"—he emphasized the word slightly, giving it an indescribable eeriness."

Zhao Kuangyin froze.

"Script? What script?"

He didn't understand the term, but instinctively felt uneasy.

The Iron Crow Army master gave no explanation, merely continuing in that toneless voice.

"Chen Wen is a 'variable'."

"His very existence interferes with the set course."

"The Battle of Gaoping was a major deviation."

"Now Hukou Pass is another critical 'node'."

"According to the original course, at this moment marching north to resist the enemy, shaking the world with prestige, and then being invested with the yellow robe, should have been you, Zhao Yuanlang."

"What?"

Zhao Kuangyin's pupils shrank sharply.

"Invested with the yellow robe?"

These four words struck like thunder, exploding in his mind.

An indescribable surge of heat flooded his body, the ultimate longing and a raging fury at being thwarted.

"It should have been me……"

He muttered to himself, then suddenly looked at the Iron Crow Army master.

"If so, Esteemed Envoy, why do you still stand by while Chen Wen steals my opportunity!"

"Why not let me send troops!"

The Iron Crow Army master's gaze remained icy.

"We…… are helping you."

"But your progress is too slow."

"Your hesitation, your reservations, make you miss good chances time and again."

"Chen Wen's roots have been deeply planted in Luo Chuan."

"His power has already swollen in Chan Prefecture."

"If you continue to follow the rules, waiting for the so‑called mandate of heaven, the outcome…… will only be a dismal retreat, even…… the annihilation of your clan."

Zhao Kuangyin shuddered all over, his face turning deathly pale.

"Annihilation of clan?"

He had never imagined such a dreadful consequence.

"No…… impossible!"

I have soldiers who give their lives for me, I have……

What you have, Chen Wen has too, and even more, better.

The master of the Iron Crow Army interrupted him, his voice carrying a kind of cruel precision.

He has an 'ability' that you do not.

That eerie 'ability' that can make one's power surge and efficiency double……

Zhao Kuangyin fell silent, his fists clenched tight, nails digging into his palms, bringing a painful clarity.

Then…… what should I do?

His voice carried a slight tremor, more so the ruthlessness of burning one's boats and fighting to the death.

The master of the Iron Crow Army gave a slight nod, seeming to feel a hint of satisfaction at his change of attitude.

He lightly waved his hand.

One of the Iron Crow Army commanders stepped forward and placed a heavy wooden box before Zhao Kuangyin.

The box was opened.

Inside were neatly arranged crystals that flickered with a faint azure light.

They were Nether Energy Crystal Ore.

The quantity far exceeded what had been previously provided.

This is……?

Zhao Kuangyin's breath hitched.

'More power.'

The master of the Iron Crow Army said lightly.

Use them to arm your most loyal death warriors.

With the 'tempering' method, unleash their potential without worrying about loss.

We need a…… sharper blade, one that fears neither life nor death.

Zhao Kuangyin gazed at the box of Nether Energy Crystal Ore, a flicker of greed crossing his eyes, but reason quickly suppressed it.

The tempering method incurs huge losses among the troops; it's probably not a long-term plan……

In extraordinary times, take extraordinary measures.

The master of the Iron Crow Army's voice suddenly turned cold.

Do you pity the lives of a few soldiers, or do you covet the supreme position of the Nine-Five?

General Zhao, it's time to make a choice.

History…… will not wait forever.

Zhao Kuangyin's body shuddered violently.

He lifted his head, gazing into those eyes devoid of human emotion, then at the azure crystals in the box that were both tempting and perilous.

In his mind flashed Chen Wen's steady face, the leanings—open or hidden—of Han Tong, Zhang Yongde, and others, the terrifying prophecy of his own possible 'death and extermination of his clan,' finally settling on those four words that made his heart race—'Yellow Robe Investiture.'

A flame mixed with fear, ambition, and ferocity completely consumed his last hesitation.

He drew a deep breath, and when he lifted his head again, his eyes were a resolute crimson.

I understand.

He reached out and slammed the box lid shut.

I know what to do now.

The master of the Iron Crow Army gave a slight nod, the metal crow's beak reflecting a cold gleam in the azure firelight.

Go.

Remember, 'Chen Bridge' is the crux of the crux.

Do not let 'variables' disrupt the predetermined outcome again.

Zhao Kuangyin said nothing more, merely hoisting the heavy wooden box, turning, and striding into the darkness outside the fortress.

His back bore an irrevocable resolve, and… a ferocity born of ambition and fear.

The wind grew sharper.

The abandoned earthen fort returned to dead silence, only those few points of azure flame still flickering eerily in the darkness.

As if silently watching, a storm destined to be even bloodier is about to break.