Chapter 196: Burning with Jealousy

Chan Prefecture, Zhao Kuangyin's manor, training ground.

The night was dark and deep, the cold wind rolled up the sand and dust on the ground, emitting a mournful sound.

In the field, three hundred bare-chested men were conducting inhuman training.

Their muscles bulged, veins protruded, and beneath the skin a faint abnormal bluish gleam showed; their eyes were wild and numb, and the white breath they exhaled carried a hint of chill.

This was the three hundred stalwart soldiers Zhao Kuangyin forged using the 'Tempering Fire' method provided by the Iron Crow Army, combined with Nether Energy Crystal Ore, at any cost.

They were paired up, holding unsharpened iron rods, engaging in all-out combat.

Boom!

Crack!

The dull clang of the iron rods striking together mixed with the sharp crack of breaking bones, making teeth ache.

One soldier's shoulder blade was smashed to pieces by the opponent's rod, yet he only let out a beast-like low growl, his other hand still gripping the rod tightly, trying to strike back.

Another had his leg twisted at a strange angle, yet he remained standing on one leg, wildly swinging his weapon.

Several expressionless military judges stood at the edge, whips in hand; whenever someone moved slightly slower or showed a hint of retreat, the whip lashed down with a whistling sound, leaving bloodstains.

The air was thick with the strong stench of sweat and blood, plus a faint, eerie scent like metal and herbs mixed together.

Zhao Kuangyin stood by the edge of the high platform, hand on his sword, expressionless, watching all of this.

Behind him stood several trusted generals, all holding their breath and focusing, daring not to make a sound.

Everyone could feel the almost tangible repression and ferocity emanating from General Zhao.

After the news of the great victory at Black Pine Ridge on the northern front arrived, Zhao Kuangyin shut himself in his manor for half a day, then emerged and ordered that these three hundred undergo even more brutal, no-holds-barred 'tempering'.

Big brother.

One trusted aide finally couldn't hold back, speaking in a low voice.

"Today we've already 'lost' seven…… If we keep training like this, we're afraid……"

He hadn't finished speaking, but the meaning was clear.

These three hundred men were the most ferocious and loyal soldiers they had selected from the various camps after expending countless resources.

"Every 'loss' is a huge loss."

Moreover, with this training method, even those who survive may have their lifespans greatly diminished, and whether they can retain their sanity later is questionable.

Zhao Kuangyin snapped his head back, his eyes bloodshot, that gaze like a starving wolf, frightening the trusted general so he retreated two steps, nearly falling off the platform.

"Loss?"

Zhao Kuangyin's voice was hoarse, carrying a cold mockery.

"Chen Wenzhong, at Black Pine Ridge, with just a few hundred men, in less than an hour, chopped off eight hundred Northern barbarian heads! He piled them into a skull mound!"

"His might shakes Hebei!"

"Now the whole of Chan Prefecture, the whole of Hebei, are singing praises of the martial prowess of his Pacification Army, of Chen Wenzhong's prestige!"

He stepped closer to that general, almost squeezing the words out from between his teeth.

"And what about us?"

"We're here, like turtles pulling their heads into their shells!"

"Training these few troops, and you still talk to me about losses?"

He suddenly pointed his hand at the soldiers struggling in pain and madness in the field, and growled lowly.

"Look at them! Look!"

"The blood they now shed, the suffering they endure, is so that in the future they won't have to watch others earn glory and fame, and won't have to damnably endure this nonsense!"

"What I want is an army that can tear everything apart, that can make everyone tremble with fear! Not a bunch of feather-cherishing weaklings!"

The generals fell silent like cicadas in winter, lowering their heads deeply, daring not to advise further.

They knew that the fire in Zhao Kuangyin's heart had been completely ignited by Chen Wen's another great victory, burning his five viscera to ashes, his reason gradually fading.

Just then, a personal guard hurried up onto the platform and whispered a few words into Zhao Kuangyin's ear.

Zhao Kuangyin's gaze suddenly sharpened, and he waved his hand.

"Keep training! If they don't die from it, train them to death!"

He threw down those words, turned and strode away, leaving behind the training field still echoing with blows and wails.

……

Inside the study, the candlelight flickered.

The Iron Crow Army envoy, still in that black robe, stood there silently, as if merging with the shadows.

"General Zhao seems uneasy."

The envoy's monotonous voice sounded.

Zhao Kuangyin ignored his nearly provocative words, walked straight to the desk, and slammed the detailed military report on the Battle of Black Pine Ridge onto the table.

"Envoy, have you seen it?"

"Chen Wen has won again! Won cleanly and beautifully! Now the pressure on the northern front has suddenly eased, his prestige is at its peak!"

"And I, I'm still here playing this 'waiting for the opportunity' game with you!"

His chest heaved violently, staring at the envoy.

"What about the 'script' you mentioned? What about the 'yellow robe being placed upon'?"

"Are we just supposed to watch him walk every road, take all the credit he deserves, and do nothing?"

The Iron Crow Army envoy fell silent for a moment, his metal mask reflecting a cold light in the candlelight.

"Victory, sometimes, is poison."

He slowly spoke.

"Especially, when this victory is built upon a trajectory that deviates from the 'node'."

Chen Wen's victory at Black Pine Ridge indeed temporarily stabilized the Hukou Pass defense line.

But this did not change the fact that the main force of the Northern Han-Khitan allied army remains, and the internal power of Later Zhou is about to shift.

On the contrary, his overly conspicuous performance will accelerate certain 'processes'.

For example, the young emperor in Bian Liang and several regents' apprehension.

For example, the growing ambition of some of his commanders.

Furthermore...

The envoy's gaze, through the mask, fell on Zhao Kuangyin's face.

General, your increasingly anxious... determination.

Zhao Kuangyin's pupils constricted slightly.

What do you mean?

Our 'purge plan' is not limited to military eradication alone.

The envoy's voice carried a hint of strange allure.

Pushing the historical torrent to let it naturally swallow the 'variables' is likewise an effective correction.

The higher Chen Wen stands now, the harder he may fall in the future.

What you, General, need to do is not to contend with him for temporary superiority now.

But to accumulate strength, await the most critical moment, and at Chen Bridge—the most important juncture—deliver a fatal blow to him and to this world that has deviated from its course.

Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

When must we wait until?

Chai Rong... how much longer can he hold on?

He cannot last long.

The envoy said firmly.

And after he falls, in the storm that is destined to come, Chen Wen will be the target of public criticism.

Only then will it be the time for you, General, to raise the banner of 'Restoring the Zhou Court', go with the flow, and reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to you.

We will provide you with all necessary support.

More 'strength', more accurate intelligence, and even... at the critical moment, to create some 'accidents' for him.

Zhao Kuangyin fell silent.

He walked to the window, opened it, and let the icy night wind brush his scorching cheeks.

From the training field came faint roars and clashing sounds, mingling with the envoy's icy, strange words, weaving together in his mind.

The flames of jealousy continued to burn.

But a deeper, darker resolve was also slowly coalescing.

He turned around; the crimson in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by an almost cold calm.

Good.

I will trust you once more.

Remember your promise.

If, by then, there is any mistake...

He did not continue, but the cold light that flashed in his eyes already said everything.

The Iron Crow Army envoy bowed slightly.

As you wish.

The course of history will ultimately return to the right path.

The black shadow silently merged into the darkness of the corner and vanished.

Zhao Kuangyin stood alone by the window, gazing at the north's pitch-black night sky, where Chen Wen had established his achievements.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.

Chen Wenzhong...

And let you be proud for a moment longer.

This Hebei, this world—who will ultimately possess it remains unknown!