Chapter 344: Zhao Kuangyin's Wrath

False Song, the low growls and venom within Chonggong Hall did not dissipate with the wind, but settled, turning into something even colder and more resolute.

Zhao Kuangyin stood alone in the empty, silent great hall for a long time, until the sky outside the window shifted from light to dark, and palace attendants cautiously entered to light the lamps.

The flickering candlelight shone on his face, wavering, outlining that deep hatred and a certain resolve verging on madness with greater clarity.

He did not summon his close ministers to discuss as he usually did, nor did he sit idly before a map.

【5> He simply sat quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of the throne, producing a dull, regular sound.

He simply sat quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of the throne, producing a dull, rhythmic sound.

In his mind, he repeatedly replayed the humiliating scene described by the envoy when the pact was signed, replayed the Iron Crow Army master's unquestionable icy will, and also replayed the imagined gaze of Chen Wen, filled with mockery and pity.

"Puppet... disgrace..."

These two words, like poisonous snakes, gnawed at his heart.

He, Zhao Kuangyin, had originally risen to power as a warlord in chaotic times through military exploits and strategy, and ought to have founded a lasting legacy, his name etched in history.

Now, however, he is trapped in this mirror-world, wearing the title of emperor while acting as a puppet, and even forced to sign a treaty that would earn infamy for all ages!

This anger, he cannot swallow!

"We must do something..." he muttered, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes, "We can no longer wait passively, nor can we continue to be led by the nose by that monster!"

He wanted revenge, to avenge himself against Chen Wen, and even more, to prove to the master of the Iron Crow Army who controlled him that Zhao Kuangyin was not a mere plaything to be tossed about!

He needed power, power sufficient to break the stalemate, even to turn against its master!

An extremely bold, even crazy, idea gradually took shape in his mind.

In the deep of night, when all was quiet, he returned once more to the secret chamber where he communicated with the master of the Iron Crow Army.

Inside the chamber, the glow of the azure crystal was dimmer than ever before, its cracks clearly visible, and the surrounding chill had weakened considerably.

"You... have come..."

The voice of the Iron Crow Army master was more fragmented, betraying an unmistakable lethargy.

Zhao Kuangyin could sense that the other's condition was poor. This not only failed to reassure him, but instead strengthened his resolve.

"The pact has been signed, the node has been pushed forward." Zhao Kuangyin got straight to the point, his voice eerily calm, "But the effect seems not entirely as you wished."

From the shadows came a suppressed undulation—the irritation of having a sore spot probed.

"Variable interference... Fortune Momentum deviation... all because of that rebel in the east..."

"I don't want to hear these excuses." Zhao Kuangyin interrupted him, his tone hardening, "I only want to know what means you have left? Must we simply watch Chen Wen grow stronger while we sit here awaiting doom?"

The master of the Iron Crow Army fell silent for a moment, the crimson light flickering unsteadily.

"Power... insufficient... the 'Shadow Erosion' effect fell short of expectations... subsequent agreements... activation difficult..."

"What if I... could provide you with more?" Zhao Kuangyin suddenly said.

"Provide... what?"

"My people, my lands, all the resources I can mobilize!" Zhao Kuangyin's voice carried the resolve of breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats, "You don't just need to push the node; you need 'corrective force,' don't you? I can proceed more proactively, more aggressively! No matter the cost!"

"But the precondition is—you must grant me greater power! Not merely information, not merely those unstable etheric weapons! I want a more direct, stronger power to interfere with reality! I want the power to truly threaten Chen Wen, to threaten the foundation of his deformed dynasty!"

He almost growled as he spoke these words.

This is a gamble, a daring bargain with the tiger for its hide.

Binding himself and False Song more tightly to the Iron Crow Army's war chariot, in exchange for a destructive force capable of burning everything—and possibly himself as well.

The chamber sank into a long silence.

Only the faint sizzle of energy flowing within the crystal could be heard.

The master of the Iron Crow Army was weighing the options.

Zhao Kuangyin's proposal was fraught with risk; over-exploiting the resources of this 'script world' could accelerate its instability and even trigger unforeseeable consequences.

But... his current situation is too dire.

Ordinary methods are hard to take effect, while Chen Wen's Fortune Momentum growth is too rapid.

He needed a strong, destructive force to interrupt the opponent's momentum and buy himself time to recover.

Zhao Kuangyin's madness, perhaps... is precisely a blade that can be used.

"Possible..."

After a long while, that hoarse voice finally sounded again, carrying a desperate, icy chill.

"But... the price... you must bear..."

"I... can guide more violent etheric power... for your use... to transform your army... and even... grant you partial permission to communicate the 'Bone-Eroding'..."

"But this process... is painful... and irreversible... the required resources... are enormous..."

"You... are you sure?"

Zhao Kuangyin's face showed no hesitation, only a sheet of cold madness.

"I, am sure."

"As long as I can avenge myself on Chen Wen, as long as I can destroy what ought not to exist, I, Zhao Kuangyin, will spare neither self nor state!"

Several days later, in the court of False Song.

Zhao Kuangyin issued a series of astonishing edicts.

He levied a 'Northern Expedition Special Tax,' the burden of which far surpassed previous taxes, nearly reaching the point of scraping the land three feet deep.

He forcibly conscripted able-bodied youths into service, forming a new army called the 'Divine Martial Army,' whose treatment far exceeded that of ordinary troops, yet its selection and training methods were shrouded in a mysterious shadow, directly overseen by the commander of the emperor's most trusted imperial guard, making it difficult for outsiders to scrutinize.

At the same time, the Divine Machine Workshop under the Ministry of Works was granted higher authority and more resources; the emperor strictly ordered it to accelerate the research and production of 'special armaments,' sparing no expense.

Within court and society, undercurrents surged.

The heavy taxes caused widespread resentment among the populace, and forced conscription plunged many families into panic.

Some relatively clear-minded ministers submitted memorials urging restraint, only to be harshly rebuked by Zhao Kuangyin or outright dismissed.

At this point, Zhao Kuangyin seemed to have become another person, growing more autocratic and ruthless.

He had only one thought in his mind—gather all his strength, even if it meant completely draining this mirror realm, to gain the means to take revenge on Chen Wen and on fate!

The False Song war machine, under the dark support of the emperor's paranoid will and the hidden hand behind the scenes, began to roar to life at an almost mad speed.

An extreme and dangerous aura began to spread from within False Song's territory.

…

East of the light curtain, Great Chen's Bian Liang.

Chen Wen quickly learned of the abnormal movements within False Song through a report from the Jing'an Office.

"Heavy new taxes? Forced conscription of a new army? The Divine Martial Army?" Chen Wen frowned as he looked at the intelligence in his hand.

Zhao Kuangyin's reaction was even more intense and extreme than he had anticipated.

This was not the sort of decision a rational ruler would make; it was more like a gambler backed into a corner, pushing all his chips forward.

"Your Majesty," Qian Gui reported in a low voice, "resentment is growing within False Song's territory, but control is extremely tight—especially regarding news of the Divine Martial Army and the Divine Machine Workshop, which is sealed off like a leak-proof vessel. Our people find it hard to reach the core."

"But it is certain that the remnants of the Iron Crow Army operating within its territory have become noticeably more active recently."

Chen Wen rose to his feet, walked to the map, and his gaze fell upon False Song's borders.

He could feel that, deep within that mirror realm, a cold, violent, destructive force was silently awakening.

"He's… trying to burn himself by playing with fire, and drag me down with him." Chen Wen muttered under his breath.

Zhao Kuangyin's madness might indeed bring about his own ruin, but it could also unleash an unpredictable destructive power.

Especially when this madness combines with the Iron Crow Army's strange and unfathomable power.

"Issue orders to the northern outpost at Shi Dun and all border garrisons: heighten vigilance, strengthen defenses, especially against new weapons and unconventional attacks."

"Order the Jing'an Office to spare no expense in uncovering the full details of the Divine Martial Army and the Divine Machine Workshop!"

"Order Wang Ru and Zhang Cheng to closely monitor domestic public opinion, pacify the populace, and ensure the rear remains secure."

Orders were issued in rapid succession.

Chen Wen knew that the next clash with False Song would no longer be a diplomatic gambit or a minor border skirmish.

Once Zhao Kuangyin's accumulated mad power erupts, it will surely be earth-shattering.

He must make thorough preparations.

The wind fills the tower as the mountain rain approaches.

Beneath the calm surface of the east–west standoff, the undercurrents have already turned into a turbulent whirlpool, about to drag everything into it.