Chapter 235: Triumphant Return and Undercurrents

The winter sun, uncommonly generous, poured down, lighting the winding official road and the fields beside it, where amid the withered yellow a hint of stubborn green showed.

A troop, its military bearing strict and its banners fluttering, was marching along the official road toward the direction of Bian Liang.

The core of the troop was that black dragon flag snapping in the wind; beneath it, Chen Wen sat upon his divine steed, his black armor gleaming with a cold, stern luster in the sunlight.

He did not deliberately speed up, but moved forward with a steady rhythm, his gaze calmly sweeping over the scenery along the way.

Behind him were the elite guard cavalry, tempered by the fires of the northern frontier and bearing fierce expressions;

Further back were the accompanying civil officials and a convoy of part of the seized supplies.

This was not the entire army returning; Shi Dun still led the main force, holding the northern frontier.

But this victorious army, personally led by the Emperor, was already enough to proclaim to the world Great Chen's victory and dominance in the north.

The news had long been spread by swift horse to all the prefectures and counties along the route.

The closer they got to Bian Liang, the more the crowds gathered along both sides of the official road.

They brought the elderly and helped the young, looking up in anticipation, their faces lit with heartfelt smiles and reverence.

When the black dragon flag and the Emperor's figure appeared at the horizon, the crowd instantly erupted in deafening cheers!

"Long live the Emperor!"

"Victory to Great Chen!"

The sound waves surged like tides, each wave higher than the last.

Many people spontaneously brought forth their only eggs, flatbread, even live chickens and ducks.

They desperately shoved them into the hands of the petty officials maintaining order beside the troops, begging them to pass them on to "His Majesty and the soldiers who fight the Khitan dogs for us."

Even more, some knelt directly on both sides of the road, tears and snot streaming as they kowtowed, murmuring words of gratitude for the peace the Emperor brought, praying heaven would grant him a long life.

Chen Wen sat on his horse, watching all this; his heart felt little self-satisfaction, instead a heavy sense of responsibility rose.

These simple cheers and expectations were more genuine, and also heavier, than any praises sung in the court.

What they longed for was nothing more than a peaceful world where they could farm and weave without fear.

And this is exactly what he swore to create.

The victory in the northern frontier was merely the beginning of that goal.

He slightly raised his hand in greeting to the people beside the road.

This simple gesture again provoked an even more enthusiastic response.

The civil and military officials accompanying him felt this almost tangible will of the people, their hearts filled with myriad emotions, sharing in the honor.

For a newly founded dynasty to have such a scene, for the Emperor to receive such adulation, is undoubtedly the firmest foundation for consolidating the realm.

Yet, beneath this grand and fervent celebratory atmosphere, Chen Wen's extraordinarily keen perception, together with the vague forewarning from the vast "Fortune Momentum" vortex within him, let him detect a faint abnormality.

The closer they got to Bian Liang, the clearer the feeling became, as if a venomous snake hidden in the darkness were fixated on him.

It did not come from any specific direction, but was a cold malice diffusing through the air.

It seemed as if countless eyes, through the cheering crowd and the trees beside the road, were staring at him tightly and venomously.

He knew this was no illusion.

The "Annihilation" threat mentioned in Qian Gui's secret report, the civilian informants discovered by Wang Ru, and the warnings coming from Northern Han and Hebei all pointed to the Iron Crow Army plotting a frenzied revenge.

And his own victorious returning army was undoubtedly the best target.

"Pass the order down."

Chen Wen's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of the chief of the personal guard beside him.

"Keep the whole army on guard, loose outside, tight inside."

"Extend the scouts' forward range by another five li, focusing on scouting the woods and hills on both sides of the official road, places easy for ambush."

"Notify the rear civilian officials' convoy to keep close and not leave the formation on its own."

"I will obey your command!"

The chief of the personal guard's expression tightened; he immediately whispered the orders down the ranks.

Although the already disciplined unit appeared unchanged in formation, every soldier's nerves subtly tightened a notch, their hands unconsciously moving toward their waist weapons.

At the same time, inside Bian Liang City.

The good news had long spread; the report of the Emperor's triumphant return immersed the whole city in a festive atmosphere.

The welcoming procession organized by the authorities was already in place; the main streets had been swept spotless, and every household even hung red cloth symbolizing celebration at their doors.

But beneath this clamor, undercurrents stirred.

Inside the Inspection Bureau headquarters, Qian Gui had before him the latest secret report just sent back by the "Dark Blade" squad.

The report confirmed that in a forested area along the route the Emperor must take on his return, traces of non‑military activity were found, along with a few shallow pits deliberately concealed for hiding.

Although no ambush troops were directly discovered, the various signs indicated that the place was very likely the enemy's chosen attack site.

"As expected… it is the place they chose."

Qian Gui's eyes flashed with a cold light.

"Notify our people, according to the third plan, to infiltrate that area in advance and seize the high ground and key passages."

"Remember, without my order, absolutely no exposure!"

"What we must do is to be the mantis stalemate behind, catch them all in one net, and ensure the Emperor's absolute safety!"

"Yes!"

His capable subordinates received the order and departed.

Qian Gui walked to the window, gazing toward the palace, his brow furrowed.

The "Cold Crow" inside the palace remained silent, yet the quieter it was, the more uneasy he felt.

The Iron Crow Army's plan could hardly be limited to just an ambush outside the city.

Inside the city, there must certainly be coordinating actions to create chaos, or… some other scheme.

He took a deep breath.

"Issue the order, activate the 'Clean Street' contingency within the city."

"Deploy plainclothes officers to mingle with the welcoming crowd and closely monitor all suspicious individuals."

"Especially… the areas near the Imperial Palace and the residences of the various senior officials."

"Tell the brothers, the real test is coming right up."

And deep within the sparsely wooded area outside the city that is under heavy suspicion.

Several figures, as still as rocks, perfectly blended into the dead branches and shadows.

The leader was none other than the icy-voiced commander of the Iron Crow Army.

He peered through the gaps in the branches, far off seeing the dust faintly rising at the end of the official road, feeling the ever-closer, immense "Fortune Momentum" that made even his crystalline mineral energy feel sluggish and repulsed, a flash of mad determination crossing his eyes.

"The target… is about to enter the hunting grounds."

He whispered to the two assassins beside him, who tightly held the azure "Annihilation Thunder" in their arms.

"Remember your mission."

"For the master's glory, for the world's 'Correctness'."

"When chaos rises, that will be your time to sacrifice."

The two assassins had expressionless faces, merely staring fixedly toward the official road, their fingers gripping the "Annihilation Thunder" turning slightly white from overexertion.

The azure light flickered faintly in their embrace, like the breath of hell.

Chen Wen's unit continued onward at a leisurely pace.

Deafening cheers rang out without end, the sunlight was just right, and everything appeared so beautiful and full of hope.

But Chen Wen, seated on his horse, straightened his posture slightly.

The "Fortune Momentum" vortex within his body seemed to spin a fraction faster.

The patch of forest ahead, tranquil and ordinary in the winter sunlight, seemed in his eyes like a giant mouth slowly opening, ready to devour.

He lightly gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist, his eyes sharp as a blade.

The storm lay right before him.

And he had already made ready to face whatever came.

Beneath the glory of triumph lay a deadly threat on the razor's edge of life and death.