Chapter 284: The Master Flees

Just as Chen Wen was rewarding the troops below Jinzhou City, organizing the forces, and preparing to return to court in triumph with the prestige of his great victory.

In a dimension far removed from worldly clamor and beyond ordinary perception, a silent defeat is unfolding.

This is not a physical space; it is more like a 'deep realm' woven from countless cold data streams and fixed rule lines.

A once thick and sturdy 'main trunk' that shone with a stern azure light is now violently spasming and twisting.

This 'main trunk' represents the Iron Crow Army Master's interference power and control node over this world.

Its light far outshines any crystal array, and its structure is far more complex and profound than any rune.

Yet at this moment, the azure main trunk is covered with dense, spiderweb-like bright gold cracks that keep spreading!

These cracks are not physical damage, but a conflict and erosion at the level of 'rules'.

It is the vigorous, variable power of the Great Chen's Fortune Momentum, fiercely countering and negating the cold, predetermined 'script' upheld by the Iron Crow Army Master!

Especially the total collapse of the Jinzhou node (K-747), the self-destruction of the faceless leader, and the loss of many nether-energy constructs—like detonating a series of bombs on this main trunk, causing severe structural damage.

"Ugh—ahhh——!!!"

A soundless shriek mixed with extreme pain, boundless anger, and a hint of... incredulous terror reverberated through this deep realm.

The source of that shriek is the core of the azure main trunk—a constantly shifting aggregate of pure cold will and nether energy.

The Iron Crow Army Master.

It has no fixed form, and perhaps never needed one.

But now, its very 'existence' is becoming extremely unstable.

Those bright gold cracks, like a bone-deep ulcer, spread not only on the surface but also erode toward its core.

Each extending crack signifies a weakening of its control over this area's 'script,' and further expansion of the deviation caused by the variable Chen Wen.

"Why... has this happened..."

"Just a mere variable designated CW-Z001..."

"A native of a low-dimensional world..."

"How could it possibly bear such enormous... 'abnormal data'?"

"That golden light... that 'Fortune Momentum'... what exactly is it?"

Chaotic thoughts churned within the core.

It tried to mobilize deeper power to repair the cracks and erase those damned gold 'contaminants.'

However, it horrifiedly discovered that its connection to the higher-level 'main control center' had become abnormally sluggish and blurred, as if blocked by a thick barrier made of that golden power.

The loss of the Jinzhou node seemed to trigger a chain reaction.

Not only was it a material failure, but on the rule level it also gained a kind of... 'firewall'-like protection for that variable and his dynasty.

It had become a 'virus' temporarily isolated from the outside.

"No! Impossible!"

"The cleanup must be completed! The script must be corrected!"

"Otherwise... otherwise..."

It dared not think of that consequence.

"'Doom' is not a word it uses to threaten; it is a real sword hanging over its head."

The punishment for mission failure is far more terrifying than 'death'—it is the total erasure of existence, an ultimate void leaving not a trace.

It forcibly gathered strength, attempting a final struggle, projecting cold detection and interference waves once more toward the region faintly shrouded by the golden barrier.

However——

"Hum!"

A golden force far more massive and concentrated than before, imbued with clear repulsion and counterstrike will, surged back along that detection wave as if it had been prepared!

This force stems from Chen Wen's stabilization after his breakthrough, and from the ever more cohesive popular will and national fortune of the Great Chen dynasty after victory.

It also arises from the initial understanding of the world's essence sparked by those information fragments, which has strengthened his own resolve!

"Bang!"

The azure main trunk shuddered violently again, its core aggregate feeling as if struck hard by an invisible heavy hammer.

The power it had just gathered instantly dissipated, and the bright gold cracks even deepened a bit further!

"Pfft——"

A sensation akin to coughing up blood on the mental level surged forth.

The Iron Crow Army Master clearly realized his current state.

Not only could he not complete the cleanup task, but even maintaining his present existence and interference had become extremely difficult.

If he stubbornly lingered, what awaited him was...

... only to be utterly eroded and assimilated by the ever-growing golden 'Fortune Momentum,' or to trigger a deeper backlash mechanism, prematurely inviting 'Doom.'

Despair.

Like icy floodwaters, it submerged its core.

It never imagined it would end up in a low-dimensional place regarded as a 'test field' or 'script world.'

Being driven to this state by a 'data anomaly' that should have been easily erased.

Frenzied anger and icy despair intertwined.

It fixed its gaze upon the region bathed in the Great Chen's golden light.

It etched every trait of the variable named Chen Wen deep into the deepest part of its core database.

Hatred, like the deadliest curse, was engraved into it over and over.

"Chen Wen..."

"Great Chen..."

Anomaly...

Waiting...

The loophole in the rules... will not exist forever...

The end... will eventually descend...

I... will return...

When the time comes... you all... together with this erroneous world line... will be... thoroughly... purified...

Carrying this endless resentment and venomous vow, the master of the Iron Crow Army began to forcibly contract his own existence.

The azure light of the main trunk quickly dimmed, and the spreading golden fissures gradually faded as the main trunk itself withered.

It severed the data connection and rule interference with Jinzhou and most surrounding areas.

Like a wounded beast, dragging its broken body, it retreated to the icy, dark, deep lair belonging to its own rules.

It needs to lie dormant.

It needs to lick its wounds.

It needs to recalculate, seeking new "loopholes" and "entry points".

It also needs to... report to the superiors the "anomaly" occurring here that exceeds comprehension.

Although that might mean it also has to bear punishment for incompetence.

But it's better than being completely obliterated here.

With the master of the Iron Crow Army fleeing, that deep region gradually regained a kind of "tranquility".

However, the once proud azure main trunk has withered, leaving an indelible scar.

Opposite that scar, a pale gold realm, full of vitality and uncertainty, is slowly expanding, becoming more substantial.

Real world, Jinzhou.

As Chen Wen leaned over to examine the sand table and plan the route back to the capital, his motion paused slightly.

An indescribable, as if an invisible weight had long been pressing somewhere in his heart, suddenly lightened considerably.

Not completely gone, but that sticky feeling of being constantly watched and calculated from a higher dimension faded.

Sensing something, he raised his head, gazing into the void, his eyes deep.

The information fragment in his arms also seemed to warm slightly for a moment.

He understood.

The greatest adversary that had always lurked behind the scenes has temporarily retreated.

Not out of mercy, but because... it had no choice but to withdraw.

Great Chen has gained a precious respite and opportunity for development.

Yet Chen Wen's face shows little ease.

He knows this is far from over.

The departing icy will carries what intense hatred and reluctance.

Its so-called "return" and "purification" are by no means empty words.

The road ahead remains strewn with thorns.

But at least for now, the sunshine is just right, the banner of victory already flies high on this blood‑stained land.

He took a deep breath, pressing that hidden worry down once more.

At present, he has more important matters to attend to.

Withdraw the troops, return to the court.

Use this splendid victory to comfort the fallen spirits, unite the people, and inaugurate a brand‑new era belonging to Great Chen.

As for the lurking darkness and unknown threats...

I, am waiting.

He murmured softly, his tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable firmness.