Chapter 206: Moment of Decision

Urgent footsteps sounded in the darkness before dawn, shattering the brief tranquility.

Chen Wen lay down fully clothed, and almost the moment the footsteps reached outside the door, he opened his eyes.

Envoy!

Outside the door was Qian Gui's voice, suppressed yet unable to hide its urgency.

North Gate emergency report! At the initial moment of the Chen hour, a rider claiming to be an envoy of Taiyuan Prefecture, holding a military dispatch sealed with the Prefect of Taiyuan's seal, raced into the city and straight to the Military Commissioner's Office.

The contents of the dispatch have been ascertained: it claims that Northern Han's ruler Liu Jun personally leads a force of fifty thousand, joining with twenty thousand Khitan cavalry, has already broken through Tuanbai Valley, and the troops' spearhead points straight at Lu Prefecture, the situation being extremely perilous.

Chen Wen sat up abruptly, the last trace of sleep instantly vanishing from his eyes, sharp as a hawk.

It has come.

That forged military report, sent according to the "script", is the fuse that ignites the Chen Bridge mutiny.

He drew a deep breath, calming his suddenly racing heartbeat, and spoke in a low voice.

Come in.

Qian Gui pushed the door open and entered, his face showing the fatigue of a sleepless night, yet his eyes shone startlingly bright.

"What's the response from the Military Commissioner's Office?" Chen Wen asked while quickly putting on his outer robe.

Mr. Wang Pu has already summoned the remaining civil and military officials for deliberation.

Zhao Kuangyin and his faction reacted most strongly, advocating an immediate march north to rescue Lu Prefecture and defend the capital region.

Generals Han Tong and Zhang Yongde, among others, argued for caution on the grounds that the Envoy is gravely ill and Chan Prefecture needs a commanding general to hold the fort.

The two sides are locked in a dispute at the Military Commissioner's Office.

Qian Gui spoke extremely quickly, with clear logic.

And Zhao Kuangyin himself?

He has returned to the detached residence, now mustering his personal troops, especially the three hundred "Tempered Fire" elite soldiers, preparing to set out at a moment's notice.

It seems he has made up his mind; regardless of the Military Commissioner's Office's final decision, he will proceed with the plan to march north. Chen Wen gave a cold laugh.

Are our people all in position?

All in place. Qian Gui nodded affirmatively.

The North Gate, Azure Cloud Temple, and Zhao Kuangyin's detached residence are all under strict surveillance.

The detachment of capable soldiers sent by General Shi Dun has also been dispersed and infiltrated Chan Prefecture, ready to be used at any time.

Chen Wen fastened the last sash of his robe and walked to the desk.

On the desk lay a simple map, with the location of Chen Bridge Station marked heavily in vermilion.

His gaze fell upon that red circle and lingered there.

The room fell into silence, only the occasional faint crackle of the lamp flame.

Qian Gui stood at attention to one side, like the most patient of hounds, awaiting Chen Wen's final order.

Time passed, minute by minute.

Outside the window, the sky shifted from a deep, dark blue to a grayish white.

A faint commotion drifted from the city, the inevitable prelude to chaos before a great upheaval.

In Chen Wen's mind, countless thoughts flashed by in rapid succession.

The weighty injunction of Chai Rong on his deathbed.

Wang Pu's meaningful gaze.

When Han Tong and Zhang Yongde ultimately chose to support him, that weighty trust.

The hopeful gazes of the people of the Luo River Three Counties.

The silhouettes of the Jing'an Army soldiers following him.

And… the cold, procedural "purging plan" of the Iron Crow Army envoy, as well as Zhao Kuangyin's undisguised envy and ambition.

Loyalty?

Righteousness?

Ambition?

Responsibility?

These terms intertwine, collide, and transform in the crucible of a chaotic age.

He recalled his journey from Jiao Tu Zhen all the way to this point.

From merely seeking survival, to protecting a region, and now to being thrust onto the crest of the wave that decides the world's course.

He is no saint, and he has his own selfish motives.

But he understands all too well that if Zhao Kuangyin, and that Iron Crow Army which regards human lives as straw and exists only to uphold the so-called 'script', were to succeed, everything he cherishes, everything he guards, would come to nothing.

In this chaotic age, there will never be peace.

"Survival outweighs empty fame; the greater good transcends personal loyalty."

Chai Rong's words once again rang in his ears, like a great bell.

This is not betrayal.

This is, in the collapsing old order, seizing that slender thread of hope to establish a new order… responsibility!

He jerked his head up, all hesitation and wavering draining from his eyes, leaving only rock-solid resolve.

Qian Gui.

Here.

Convey my orders.

Chen Wen's voice was not loud, yet it carried a force as decisive as striking metal, like the clang of iron on iron.

"First, order Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, and Zhao Lao Nian, according to the prearranged plan, to activate all Luo River emergency protocols and enter the highest state of combat readiness. The foundation of Luo River must not be lost!"

Second, order Generals Han Tong and Zhang Yongde to stabilize the remaining forces in Chen Prefecture, especially the Imperial Guard system, and after I leave, ensure Chen Prefecture does not descend into chaos; if necessary, harsh measures may be taken!

Third, personally lead men, immediately eradicate that hidden post at Qingyun Temple, capture the 'Wind Listener', and cut off the Iron Crow Army's last ear inside the city!

Fourth," Chen Wen's gaze fell back onto Chen Bridge Station on the map, and he tapped his finger heavily.

Assemble a hundred of my personal guards, all equipped with the finest warhorses, armor, and divine-strength crossbows.

I will personally apply the 'Conferred Concentration 16x' effect to them!

We're going to Chen Bridge!

Qian Gui's eyes flashed with sharp light, without the slightest hesitation he bowed and replied.

Yes!

He turned and, like a ghost, swiftly departed to execute this series of orders that would decide the future's fate.

Indoors, once again only Chen Wen remained.

He slowly closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his body.

The originally deep and heavy Fortune Momentum vortex, after he made this final decision to contend for the throne, seemed as if a spark had been dropped into an oil depot, suddenly boiling up!

The vortex spun at an unprecedented speed, its volume rapidly expanding, golden light faintly radiating from his body, illuminating the entire room in brilliance.

Within the vortex, it seemed as if there were the prayers of myriad people, the clash of golden spears and iron horses, and the weight of the land, rivers, and state altars!

The Growth Progress Bar in his mind began to jump wildly!

29%……31%……34%……38%……42%……

Fortune Momentum surged like a hundred rivers returning to the sea!

This is the will of the people, the trend of the times, and moreover the resonance between his own will and this heaven and earth!

When he opened his eyes again, his entire aura had changed.

He had less of a commander's lethal edge, and more of a ruler's dignity and weight.

He walked out of the room and came to the courtyard.

A hundred carefully selected personal guards had already assembled, each holding their breath and focusing, their armor bright, their eyes filled with unconditional trust in Chen Wen and fervent fighting spirit.

Chen Wen's gaze swept over these young and resolute faces.

He did not say much in the way of morale-boosting words.

He simply took a deep breath and slowly raised his hands.

An invisible, vast and mighty force, centered on him, suddenly spread out, completely enveloping the hundred personal guards.

Conferred Concentration—16x!

As he silently chanted, powerful power surged like a tide into each guard's body.

In an instant, the hundred guards felt their blood and qi boiling; their strength, speed, endurance, and even the acuity of their five senses were elevated to a terrifying realm they had never imagined!

The world before their eyes seemed clearer, the sounds in their ears more distinct, their weapons light as nothing, yet they felt they contained the power to split mountains and crack stone!

A fierce fighting spirit, almost bursting from their bodies, blazed fiercely in their chests!

Mount up!

Chen Wen's voice thundered like a clap of thunder, exploding in the morning air.

Target, Chen Bridge Station!

He led the way, swinging onto the warhorse led by the guards.

A hundred knights, endowed with the 16x ability boost and armed to the teeth, followed closely behind.

The horse hooves shattered the silence of the blue-stone road, like war drums beating.

Like an arrow released from a bow, they pierced the last darkness before dawn in Chen Prefecture, racing southward toward the place destined to be recorded in history.

The decision has been made, the sword is drawn.

The fate of Chen Bridge, and indeed the allegiance of all under heaven, will be revealed within the next dozen or so hours.