Chapter 298: with translation of chapter title

The magnificent scene of the Chen Dynasty unfurls like a scroll across Bian Liang City, inside and out; its vivid colors and vibrant vitality almost make one forget the gloom that once shrouded the wilderness.

Named entities: Chen Dynasty (i. e., the Chen Dynasty). Actually, the Chen Dynasty is a dynasty; but is it a named entity? It's a dynasty name, which could be considered a polity or faction. Should we include it? The guideline says to list sects, clans, factions, or peoples. So the Chen Dynasty, as a dynasty, could be listed as 'Chen Dynasty'. However, the glossary does not provide it. Should we translate it? 'Chen Dynasty' literally means 'Chen Dynasty'. We could translate it as 'Chen Dynasty'. But we need to decide whether dynasties should be included. The guideline includes sects, clans, factions, and peoples; dynasties could be considered a polity or faction. I would include it.

Also, Bian Liang City (Bianliangcheng) - a place.

However, the more intense the sunlight, the sharper the shadows it casts.

That day, Duke Jingguo Qian Gui, as usual, entered the imperial palace silently at nightfall and proceeded directly to the side hall of the Hall of Martial Virtue.

Named entities: Duke Jingguo (title), Qian Gui (person), Imperial Palace (place – though generic, not a specific name, so likely not listed), and the Side Hall of the Hall of Martial Virtue (place).

He held no heavy memorial in his hand, only a thin bamboo tube sealed with wax.

The candles in the hall flickered, casting light on Chen Wen's composed face.

He had just finished reviewing a memorial about promoting new looms in the Huainan region, and his vermilion brush was still in hand.

Upon seeing Qian Gui arrive with a more solemn expression than usual, he realized it was certainly not ordinary affairs.

Your Majesty.

Qian Gui bowed and greeted him; his voice was as steady as ever, but a faint chill could be sensed upon close listening.

"Duke Jingguo, what urgent business brings you to the palace now?"

Chen Wen put down his vermilion brush, his eyes fixed on the bamboo tube in the other's hand.

Qian Gui stepped forward two paces and offered the bamboo tube with both hands.

"The Northern Wing of the Inspection Bureau received a secret report today from the Hedong Circuit regarding the Iron Crow Army; I dare not delay."

"The words 'Iron Crow Army' struck like an icepick, instantly piercing the hall's slightly warm atmosphere."

Chen Wen's eyes narrowed as he took the bamboo tube, pressed with his fingertips to break the wax seal, and drew out a thin scroll as delicate as a cicada's wing.

The letter's characters were minute, written with a special secret ink; its content was brief but shocking.

"A hunter at the base of the Taihang Mountains reported that a month ago, while gathering herbs in the deep mountains, he saw several black-clad figures moving among cliffs and precipices; their movements were ghostly, unlike ordinary people. They carried boxes and baskets, vanishing into a mist-filled valley, never to be seen again."

"Near Guankou Pass, border scouts found recent signs of habitation in an abandoned beacon tower, leaving a small amount of unidentifiable blue crystal powder and a fragment of black fabric that was neither leather nor hide, which felt cold to the touch."

"Cizhou Prefecture reported that three days ago, a convoy transporting tribute to Taiyuan was ambushed on a mountain road by unknown attackers, leaving three guards dead, five wounded, and some tribute stolen. The wounds inflicted by a peculiar weapon showed slight freezing at the edges, matching descriptions of casualties from the Jin Prefecture battlefield."

"Based on all available clues, only a few remnants of the Iron Crow Army remain; they did not flee entirely with their leader, but instead lie hidden somewhere in the Taihang Mountains, having established a temporary outpost or route and still capable of small-scale activity. Their purpose is unclear, but the threat remains."

Although short, the letter's contents felt like cold stones dropped into Chen Wen's heart, stirring up layers of chill.

The hunter's account, the traces in the abandoned beacon tower, the seized tribute, the strange wounds…

These scattered clues, like phosphorescent fires in the dark, reveal an unsettling fact: the venomous snake with a broken spine has not died; it has merely retreated to its cold den, licking its wounds, and still flicking its tongue in the shadows.

Chen Wen gently laid the secret letter on the imperial desk, his fingertip unconsciously tracing the smooth surface.

"The Taihang Mountains…"

He softly repeated the name.

The mountain range stretches far and wide, with complex terrain; since ancient times it has been an ideal hiding place.

The Iron Crow Army chose that location because it conveniently overlooks both sides of the mountains—Hebei and Hedong—and allows them to obtain covert support or resources from the former Northern Han territories (now nominally subordinate); moreover, the high, densely forested mountains with few visitors make it easy for them to conduct clandestine activities.

"Zhao Kuangyin…"

Chen Wen suddenly raised his head and looked toward Qian Gui.

"Are there any clues related to this?"

Qian Gui shook his head slightly, his face showing no surprise; he had clearly already considered this possibility.

"Your Majesty, there is currently no direct evidence linking Zhao Kuangyin with these remnants of the Iron Crow Army."

"But," he shifted his tone, speaking firmly.

"Given its importance, the Iron Crow Army, having rescued him, would certainly not leave him idle. I suspect that his hiding place, even if not at the outpost just discovered, must still be connected to these active remnants."

Chen Wen remained silent.

Yes, the lord of the Iron Crow Army suffered a severe blow and fled; his forces were leaderless, either scattering like birds and beasts or retreating deeper underground.

But rescuing Zhao Kuangyin was their final move, and also an extremely important one.

They could not possibly abandon that piece.

These newly emerged 'shadows' might be preparing for the next move of that piece.

"What is their purpose in looting the tribute?" Chen Wen asked.

"Is it to replenish supplies, or… do they need something among the tribute?"

"I have ordered someone to check the list of seized tribute."

Qian Gui replied.

"The seized goods consist mainly of Northern Han specialties—medicinal herbs and furs—with nothing particularly special. However, we cannot rule out that the action itself is intended to probe our border defenses or to sow panic."

Chen Wen rose and paced a few steps within the hall.

The candlelight stretched his shadow across the wall, swaying with his movements, like the unease surging in his heart at this moment.

The sense of relief brought by the great victory at Jin Prefecture has completely vanished at this moment.

He had originally thought he could at least gain several years, or even longer, of peaceful development time.

Now it appears that the enemy is unwilling to give

He stopped in his tracks and asked, "How strong are these remaining forces?"

Judging from the scene traces and injuries, their individual combat strength remains far above that of ordinary troops, and their tactics are bizarre. However, their scale is probably small, their movements even more secretive, and there is no evidence yet that they can mount an offensive as large as the one at the Battle of Jin Prefecture.

Qian Gui analyzed the situation calmly.

Moreover, they hide in the dark like a bone‑deep ulcer, impossible to defend against. Especially… if they were to ally with Zhao Kuangyin.

Zhao Kuangyin's military leadership, combined with the unconventional strength and support from the Iron Crow Army…

Just the thought of this combination is enough to raise alarm.

Chen Wen drew a deep breath, holding back the killing intent surging in his chest.

He needed to remain calm.

Deploy more capable personnel to watch every exit and key route in the Taihang Mountains, especially the valleys and forests where they could easily conceal their movements.

He gave the order in a low voice.

Order the northern prefectures and counties to heighten vigilance, strictly inspect suspicious passersby, especially those carrying special minerals or possessing a yin-cold aura.

Notify Shi Dun and Li Hong: border defenses must not relax in the slightest because the Northern Han has submitted; we must guard against infiltration by small elite forces.

Furthermore, have Zhao Lao Nian speed up research on the Nether Energy Crystal Ore and the application of Fortune Momentum; we need more, more effective means to deal with these rats hiding in the shadows.

Subject, I obey the edict.

Qian Gui bowed to receive the order, paused, then spoke again.

Your Majesty, should we proceed with … eradication of the suspected strongholds already discovered?

Chen Wen pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

Not necessary for now.

The Taihang Mountains are vast; since they dare to show themselves, they must have a backup plan. Rashly sending troops to suppress them may not find their main force, and could instead scare the snake, driving them deeper underground or forcing them into a desperate last stand.

First, focus on surveillance and containment to clarify their activity patterns and true purpose.

I want to see what they, after lying low for so long, now emerging, actually intend to do.

His gaze was sharp as a blade, as if it could pierce the hall walls and reach straight to the mist‑enshrouded deep Taihang Mountains.

Keep a close watch on them. Report immediately at any sign of movement.

Yes.

Qian Gui said no more, bowed, and withdrew from the great hall.

Inside the hall, only Chen Wen remained, along with the secret letter lying quietly in the candlelight.

Outside the window, Bianliangcheng still showed its scattered lights, a tranquil scene of an impending prosperous age.

But beneath this tranquility, shadows still linger.

They are like stubborn stones at the bottom of the water; they do not vanish with the surface's calm, but at some unnoticed moment they resurface, becoming hazardous obstacles in the channel.

Chen Wen walked to the window, clasped his hands behind his back, and gazed toward the dark northern night.

The Fortune Momentum within him seemed to sense the potential threat, flowing slowly, carrying a weight of stored power ready to be unleashed.

The accumulation of the Growth Progress Bar must not slacken in the slightest.

He knew that the contest with the Iron Crow Army and the shadows behind it had never truly ended.

The previous victory merely pushed the war from the open into a more complex and perilous darkness.

And the next storm may lie hidden behind the clouds and mist of the Taihang Mountains, waiting for the moment to sweep in.