Chapter 342: Hastily Formed

Inside the golden-topped grand tent of the Mirror Khitan royal court, belonging to Yu Yue Yelü Wuzhi (Mirror).

The air seemed to solidify, carrying an oppressive heaviness that made one breathless.

The False Song envoy's hand holding the pen trembled like a leaf in autumn wind.

The pen tip, soaked in ink, hovered above the blank space at the end of the treaty document that determined the nation's fate, where the False Song envoy was to sign.

His face was ashen, his lips devoid of color, cold sweat beading on his forehead and sliding down his temples to drip onto the floor covered with an ornate carpet, spreading a small dark stain.

In his mind, the icy, bone‑chilling urging filled with destructive will, like countless steel needles, incessantly pierced his nerves, almost driving him to collapse.

He knew this was not the personal will of Yu Yue Yelü Wuzhi (Mirror), but came from an irresistible, terrifying presence hidden behind the scenes.

The thought of resistance seemed laughable and insignificant before that absolute power.

Yu Yue Yelü Wuzhi (Mirror) sat opposite, eyes icy and empty, like an emotionless statue merely carrying out some supreme command.

He no longer urged, yet the silent pressure was more intimidating than any words.

"Uh..."

The envoy let out a painful groan from his throat, closed his eyes, and, as if summoning all his strength, pressed down the pen that felt as heavy as a thousand jin.

The ink blurred on the paper, forming a crooked character that signified endless humiliation and disaster.

The pen slipped from his limp fingers, fell onto the carpet, rolled a few times, and left intermittent ink marks.

His whole body felt as if his spine had been ripped out; he went limp and was hastily steadied by the deputy envoy behind him.

Yu Yue Yelü Wuzhi (Mirror) watched expressionlessly until the ink dried slightly, then he picked up the great seal of the Mirror Khitan side and stamped it heavily onto the document.

"The treaty is concluded." He announced coldly, his voice devoid of joy, only a detached sense of duty fulfilled: "The envoy may return to report. May your country keep the agreement, delivering the tribute in full and on time."

The False Song envoy was helped away from the grand tent, spiritless and dazed, even forgetting basic etiquette.

The treaty document he held, just a few light sheets of paper, felt heavier than mountains, pressing so hard he could barely breathe.

He knew what he brought back to his country was not a guarantee of peace, but a slowly tightening noose.

……

Almost at the same time.

In the genuine Khitan royal court, a ceremony with a completely different atmosphere was also underway.

Fan Zhi and Southern Court King Yelü Tala, representing Great Chen and Khitan respectively, solemnly signed their names on the 《Treaty of Commerce and Friendship》, written in neat regular script alongside Khitan script, and affixed their state seals.

There was no humiliation, no extortion.

The treaty's terms were clear and explicit, stipulating the locations of mutual trade, categories of goods, dispute‑resolution mechanisms, etc., embodying the spirit of equality and mutual benefit.

Although not as deep as the secret "Security Cooperation Intent," this formal agreement marked that Great Chen's relations with the genuine Khitan had entered a wholly new, stable stage.

Yelü Tala wore a satisfied smile as he linked arms with Fan Zhi in cheerful conversation.

The surrounding Khitan nobles also stepped forward to offer congratulations, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

"Envoy Fan, from now on our two houses will be friendly neighbors!" Yelü Tala boomed with laughter, "Smooth trade routes will be a blessing for all Khitan tribes."

Fan Zhi returned the gesture with clasped hands, his demeanor calm:

"Your Majesty's words are quite right. Peaceful trade benefits the state and the people. May the affection between our two nations be like the steppe grass, evergreen year after year."

After the ceremony, the Khitan side held a grand celebration.

Bonfires were lit, the aroma of roasted whole lamb filled the air, and horse‑milk wine swayed in silver bowls.

Khitan maidens danced lively dances, while warriors sang rugged war songs.

Fan Zhi and Han Wei stood amidst it, feeling the vitality and vigor that starkly contrasted with the Mirror Khitan court.

……

Beyond the light curtain, deep within the False Song imperial palace.

Inside the secret chamber, the dark‑blue crystal burst into a blinding flash at the moment the treaty was concluded, utterly engulfing the illusory figure of the Iron Crow Army's master.

A distorted energy wave, strong with dissonance, radiated outward from the crystal.

"Node…… forcibly…… pushed……"

A hoarse voice cracked intermittently through the light, carrying a deformed sense of satisfaction and anguish that could not be concealed.

"Corrective force…… drawing……"

He could feel a force flowing along the twisted bond of the freshly forged treaty, slowly seeping into his nearly depleted origin.

But this force was impure, brimming with resentment and unwillingness, far less pure and vast than if the node had been advanced naturally.

Moreover, he could clearly "see" that on the genuine Khitan side, another surge representing a "variable" — a burgeoning momentum — was growing in sync, like an ever‑expanding black hole devouring and canceling the corrective force he had painstakingly drawn.

With this waxing and waning, his recovery effect was greatly diminished.

"Not enough…… far from enough……"

The light faded, the crystal grew much dimmer, and its surface cracks seemed to have increased.

The figure of the Iron Crow Army's master reappeared, even fainter than before, its crimson glow as weak as a candle in the wind.

Forcibly pushing this malformed node was, to him, no different than drinking poison to quench thirst.

……

Great Chen, the imperial city of Bian Liang.

Inside the Imperial Study, Chen Wen had almost simultaneously received the final reports from two northern lines.

Fan Zhi's memorial detailed the joyful news of successfully concluding the 《Treaty of Commerce and Friendship》 with the genuine Khitan, and attached a copy of the agreement.

Meanwhile, the Office of Peace and Security's secret report brought a transcribed text of the specific clauses of the Mirror Khitan–False Song treaty.

Chen Wen first carefully read Fan Zhi's memorial and the treaty contents, his face showing relief.

"Lord Fan, Lord Han, you have not disappointed my expectations." He gave a slight nod, "The northern front is temporarily secure, and we have gained a strong ally — this is a great blessing."

Afterward, he picked up the copy of the treaty from the Mirror Khitan.

When he saw the outrageous amount of "tribute," even he could not help but furrow his brows.

"Such terms…… how can False Song bear them?" he mused, "Zhao Kuangyin actually signed it?"

He set down the document, walked to the window, and gazed westward.

Within him, the thick, dark-yellow Fortune Momentum vortex now rotated with unprecedented vitality, becoming more solid and more massive.

A feeling of fullness and growth permeated his whole body.

He could clearly feel that, with the conclusion of False Song's deformed alliance and the achievement of a friendly agreement with the genuine Khitan, the dynasty's Fortune Momentum had welcomed a noticeable surge!

"Indeed..." Chen Wen's eyes flashed with precision, "Interfering with and distorting the 'node' that the Iron Crow Army tries to push, causing it to deviate from its set course, can weaken their strength and bolster ours!"

This complete diplomatic victory not only brought real strategic benefits, but also verified his thoughts on the "balance of Fortune Momentum" and how to counter the Iron Crow Army's strategy.

The treaty that False Song signed appears to be a victory for the Iron Crow Army, but is actually a sugar-coated poison.

It will not only heavily damage False Song's national strength, but due to its twisted nature, the recovery gained by the Iron Crow Army's master will be far less than expected.

And Great Chen, seizing this opportunity, consolidated the north and strengthened itself.

"Zhao Kuangyin, this 'great gift,' I shall accept."

"I just don't know what tricks you and that sneaky fellow will pull next."

Chen Wen knew that temporary victory did not mean the end.

The opponent will not sit and wait for death.

The next round of storms may be brewing.

But at this moment, Great Chen's Fortune Momentum is thriving, sufficient to meet any challenge.