Chapter 397

The brief elation brought by the suppression of the Light Prefecture rebellion was quickly drowned out by a harsher reality.

Translation: "The brief exhilaration brought by the pacification of the Guang Prefecture rebellion was quickly dulled by a harsher reality."

Check: Light Prefecture we translated as Light Prefecture? Actually we decided to translate meaning: Light Prefecture. But we could also keep as "Guangzhou"? The instruction says translate meaning unless it's a person's name or a bare surname/meaningless proper noun. Light Prefecture has meaning "Light Prefecture". So we should translate as "Light Prefecture". However Light Prefecture is also a historical prefecture; but we'll go with Light Prefecture.

Thus: "The brief exhilaration brought by the pacification of the Light Prefecture rebellion was quickly dulled by a harsher reality."

But "Light Prefecture rebellion" is "Guang Prefecture rebellion". So "Light Prefecture rebellion".

The impact of the Bone-Corroding did not disappear with the suppression of the rebellion; instead, in the severely affected, impoverished areas, it spread like maggots in the bone.

Translation: "The influence of Bone-Corroding did not disappear with the rebellion's suppression; instead, in the severely disaster-stricken, livelihood-devastated regions, it persisted like maggots in the bone, continuing to spread."

We need to keep the quoted term "Bone-Corroding" as translated. The idiom "maggots in the bone" translates as maggots in the bone.

The Imperial Court's relief efforts and medical officials' patrols could ease surface hardships, but they could not dispel the intangible haze that lingered over the villages and eroded people's hearts.

Translation: "The Imperial Court's relief efforts and medical officials' patrols could ease surface hardships, but they could not dispel the intangible haze that lingered over villages and eroded people's hearts."

Check: "Imperial Court" Imperial Court (glossary). "relief" relief. "medical officials' patrols" medical officials' patrols. "surface hardships" surface hardships. "lingered over villages" lingered over villages. "intangible haze that eroded people's hearts" intangible haze that eroded people's hearts.

New Emperor Chen Hong looked at the reports coming from all places about the slowly increasing number of "Dead Silent" villages, his brows furrowed.

Translation: "New Emperor Chen Hong gazed at the reports from all regions concerning the slow increase in the number of Dead Silent villages, his brows furrowed."

He knew that if the Bone-Corroding problem was not solved at its root, similar unrest would likely erupt again in other fragile parts of the empire.

Translation: "He knew that if the Bone-Corroding problem was not solved at its root, similar unrest would likely erupt again in other fragile parts of the empire."

We keep "empire" as empire (generic). Not a named entity.

"Minister Zhao."

Translation: "Minister Zhao."

But we need to keep the line as a single output line with 【6】 prefix. So: 【6】 "Minister Zhao."

Chen Hong turned his gaze toward Minister of Works Zhao Ting, his tone filled with anticipation and heaviness.

Translation: "Chen Hong turned his gaze toward Minister of Works Zhao Ting, his tone filled with anticipation and heaviness."

"The Ministry of Works' research on these 'pestilential qi' must be accelerated! Whatever is needed, I will try to satisfy!"

Translation: "\"Research on this sort of 'pestilential qi' by the Ministry of Works must be accelerated! Whatever is needed, I will try to satisfy! \""

Zhao Ting bowed deeply.

Translation: "Zhao Ting bowed deeply."

"We must exert our utmost effort!"

Translation: "\"We will exert our utmost effort! \""

The pressure he felt was in no way less than that of the emperor on the Dragon Throne.

Translation: "The pressure he felt was no less than that of the emperor on the Dragon Throne."

At the same time, in a secret workshop far from Bianliangcheng, the atmosphere was equally tense and focused.

Translation: "At the same time, inside a secret workshop far from Bianliangcheng, the atmosphere was equally tense and focused."

We need to use Bianliangcheng from the glossary. "secret workshop" secret workshop.

Here, it is the core research and development base actually led by the deceased Minister of Works Zhao Lao Nian.

Translation: "Here, the core research and development base was actually led by the deceased Minister of Works Zhao Lao Nian."

Unlike the grand and proper Ministry of Works of the Imperial Court, here the focus is more on practicality and efficiency, and many ingenious ideas based on the Nether Energy-Fortune Momentum coupling principle are born here.

Translation: "Unlike the grand and proper Ministry of Works of the Imperial Court, this place emphasized practicality and efficiency, and many ingenious ideas based on the Nether Energy-Fortune Momentum coupling principle were born here."

At this moment, on the test bench in the center of the workshop, a bronze artifact roughly the size of a millstone with a complex structure is placed.

Translation: "At this moment, placed on the test bench at the workshop's center was a bronze artifact roughly the size of a millstone, with a complex structure."

Its core is not a traditional mechanical structure, but rather inlaid with several pieces of Nether Energy Crystal Ore that have been specially cut and arranged in a specific pattern.

Translation: "Its core was not a traditional mechanical structure, but rather inlaid with several pieces of Nether Energy Crystal Ore that had been specially cut and arranged in a specific pattern."

Around it are finely carved ancient patterns; these patterns are not decoration, but rather an energy-guiding circuit devised by Zhao Lao Nian based on Chen Wen's vague description of Fortune Momentum energy, years of experience fighting the Iron Crow Army, and repeatedly refined to guide and amplify the righteous qi of Fortune Momentum.

Translation: "Around it were finely etched, ancient patterns; those patterns were not decoration, but rather an energy-guiding circuit devised by Zhao Lao Nian based on Chen Wen's vague description of Fortune Momentum energy and his years of experience fighting the Iron Crow Army, capable of guiding and amplifying the righteous qi of Fortune Momentum."

Several master artisans of the Ministry of Works gathered around the artifact, their expressions a mix of expectation and unease.

Translation: "Several Ministry of Works master artisans gathered around the artifact, their expressions a mix of anticipation and apprehension."

Zhao Lao Nian's beard and hair stood on end, his eyes bloodshot, he stared fixedly at the few pieces of crystal ore in the core of the artifact that emitted a faint unstable blue light.

Translation: "Zhao Lao Nian's beard and hair stood on end, his eyes bloodshot, as he fixed his gaze on the few crystal ore fragments at the artifact's core that faintly emitted an unstable blue light."

"Final check of the energy-guiding circuit!"

Translation: "\"Final verification of the energy-guiding circuit! \""

His voice was hoarse yet unquestionable.

Translation: "His voice was hoarse yet beyond doubt."

"Energy injection must be precise; a little more could cause the crystal ore to run amok, a little less would fail to trigger Fortune Momentum resonance!"

Translation: "\"Energy injection must be precise; too much could trigger the crystal ore to run amok, too little would fail to evoke Fortune Momentum resonance. \""

The assistants held their breath, carefully adjusting the several probes connected to the artifact.

Translation: "The assistants held their breath and focused, carefully adjusting the several probes connected to the artifact."

The air was filled with a faint, ozone-like special odor, a phenomenon produced when the Nether Energy Crystal Ore releases energy.

Translation: "The air was filled with a faint, ozone-like special odor, a phenomenon produced when Nether Energy Crystal Ore energy dissipates."

"Circuit check complete!"

Translation: "\"Circuit verification complete! \""

"Energy passage stable!"

Translation: "\"Energy pathway stable! \""

"Begin injecting initial energy!"

Translation: "\"Begin injecting initial energy! \""

As a master artisan operated an ingenious mechanism, a water-driven vortex machine nearby began to emit a low hum.

Translation: "As a master artisan operated an ingenious mechanism, a water-driven vortex machine beside it began to emit a low hum."

A strictly regulated and transformed energy flowed along specially made conductors into the bronze artifact.

Translation: "A stream of energy, strictly restrained and transformed, flowed along specially made conductors and slowly entered the bronze artifact."

Hum——

Translation: "Hum—"

We need to render onomatopoeia as English sound word: "Hum—". Keep the em dash? We'll output "Hum—".

The Nether Energy Crystal Ore fragments in the artifact's core suddenly blazed, blue light intensifying; that cold, violent energy seemed about to break free from its bonds.

Translation: "The Nether Energy Crystal Ore fragments at the artifact's core suddenly blazed, blue light intensifying, as if that cold, violent energy were about to break free the next moment."

But at that very moment, the engraved energy-guiding patterns around it seemed to activate, emitting an extremely faint pale gold halo barely perceptible to the eye.

Translation: "But at that very moment, the energy-guiding patterns etched around it seemed to activate, emitting an extremely faint pale gold halo barely perceptible to the eye."

This halo does not come from the crystal ore, but seems to be drawn from the void, carrying a sense of warmth, vastness, and purification of impurity.

Translation: "This halo did not originate from the crystal ore, but seemed to be drawn from the void, carrying a sense of warmth, vastness, and purifying away impurity."

When the pale gold halo met the Nether Energy blue light, there was no explosive clash; instead, they formed a strange mutual cancellation and neutralization.

Translation: "When the pale gold halo met the Nether Energy blue light, no explosive clash occurred; instead, they formed a strange mutual cancellation and neutralization."

The irritating, chilling aura around the artifact that had been troubling the mind dissipated at a visible speed.

Translation: "Around the artifact, that irritating, chilling aura vanished at a speed visible to the eye."

In its place came a feeling that calmed the mind, like the warmth of basking in spring sunlight.

Translation: "In its place came a feeling that calmed the mind, like the warmth of basking in spring sunlight."

"It's done! Success!"

Translation: "\"It's done! Success! \""

A young master artisan couldn't help but shout in joy.

Translation: "A young master artisan could not help but shout in celebration."

Zhao Lao Nian's tense face finally broke into a relieved smile; he staggered a step, nearly collapsing from exhaustion, but was quickly steadied by an assistant beside him.

Translation: "Zhao Lao Nian's tense face finally broke into a relieved smile; he staggered a step, nearly collapsing from exhaustion, but was quickly steadied by the assistant beside him."

"Quick… quick record it! Energy ratio, pattern response parameters, none can be wrong!"

Translation: "\"Quick… quick, record it! Energy ratio, pattern response parameters—none may be wrong! \""

He panted his instructions, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Translation: "He panted as he gave the order, excitement flashing in his eyes."

"This thing shall be called… the Miasma-Dispelling Device!"

Translation: "\"Let's call this thing… a Miasma-Dispelling Device! \""

Although this Miasma-Dispelling Device is costly to make, complex to produce, and has limited coverage, it proves that using technical means to actively guide Fortune Momentum power against Bone-Corroding energy is feasible!

Translation: "Although this Miasma-Dispelling Device is costly to make, complex to produce, and limited in coverage, it proves the feasibility of actively guiding Fortune Momentum's power via technical means to counter Bone-Corroding energy!"

This is undoubtedly a technological dawn piercing the darkness.

Translation: "This is undoubtedly a blade of technological dawn piercing the darkness."

The message was immediately encrypted and sent to the Hidden Mountain Villa.

Translation: "The news was immediately encrypted and sent to the Hidden Mountain Villa."

In the quiet chamber of the Mountain Villa, Chen Wen slowly set down the scroll in his hand.

Translation: "Inside the Mountain Villa's quiet chamber, Chen Wen slowly set down the scroll in his hand."

What he had just finished reading was a secret report compiled by Qian Gui with great effort, concerning recent personnel changes and economic measures of the False Song.

Translation: "What he had just finished studying was a secret report painstakingly gathered by Qian Gui, concerning recent personnel changes and economic measures of the False Song."

With the Lv. 1 (2x) thinking multiplier boost, he processes this complex information far faster than ordinary people, quickly extracting context and inferring Zhao Guangyi's next possible move.

Translation: "Under the Lv. 1 (2x) thinking multiplier boost, he processed this complex information at a speed far beyond ordinary people, able to more quickly discern its context and infer Zhao Guangyi's next possible move."

This high-intensity mental labor indeed yields a growth efficiency higher than mere land reclamation.

Translation: "This high-intensity mental labor indeed yields a higher growth efficiency than mere land reclamation."

He sank his mind into the depths of consciousness, observing the faintly glowing 【Growth Progress Bar】.

Translation: "Chen Wen sank his mind into the depths of consciousness, observing the faintly glowing 【Growth Progress Bar】."

Unlike the WP value shown when the system was first activated, after this reset the system seems to focus more on measuring his intrinsic growth, directly presenting it as a progress bar.

Translation: "Unlike the WP value shown when the system was first activated, after this reset the system seemed to focus more on measuring his intrinsic growth, directly presenting it as a progress bar."

The progress bar clearly shows that, after sustained study and thought, especially the strategic judgments made during the southern rebellion suppression that brought substantial growth, the progress has reached approximately thirty percent.

Translation: "The progress bar clearly showed that, after this period of sustained study and thought—especially the strategic judgments made during the southern rebellion suppression—the growth had increased substantially, reaching approximately thirty percent."

He felt that after this system reset, although the starting point was low, there seemed to be some changes he could not quite describe.

Translation: "He could feel that, although the starting point was low after this system reset, it seemed to have undergone some changes he could not quite describe."

Not only did the display change from WP to a progress bar, but the entire system's underlying logic now emphasizes the fundamental forging and enhancement of his very self.

Translation: "Not only had the display changed from WP to a progress bar, but it seemed the entire system's underlying logic now emphasized the fundamental forging and enhancement of his very self."

The same effective effort yields growth accumulation that feels a little smoother and more solid than at the start.

At this rate, reaching the next upgrade still requires a considerable amount of time and accumulation.

Chen Wen estimated in his mind, without a trace of anxiety.

He clearly knew that before he reaches Lv. 4 (16x) again to unlock Ability Granting, all his 'multiplier effects' can only apply to himself.

Whether it's strength, speed, thinking, or this arduous growth process.

After the massive administrative labor triggered by losing his emperor status, he had long anticipated that the road to renewed growth would be longer and more difficult.

Impatience solves no problem.

Just then, familiar footsteps sounded outside the quiet chamber.

Qian Gui's voice rose from behind the door, carrying a faint, hardly perceptible excitement.

"My lord, word from Zhao Lao Nian says the trial of the Miasma-Dispensing Instrument succeeded!"

Chen Wen's eyes flashed with a glint of light as he rose and opened the door.

This is indeed good news.

The technological breakthrough means their means of countering the Bone-Corroding plague and stabilizing popular sentiment are no longer limited to passive defense and post-hoc remedy.

"Send the schematics and core parameters of the Miasma-Dispensing Instrument through secret channels to Zhao Ting."

Chen Wen ordered.

"Tell him this is the lifelong painstaking legacy of the Veteran Secretary; hope the Ministry of Works makes good use of it, rushes mass production, and prioritizes distribution to the confirmed epidemic‑qi stricken areas."

"Yes, my lord!"

Qian Gui accepted the order, then added with a hint of regret.

"What a pity—if we could pinpoint every source of the Bone‑Corroding plague with greater precision, we would achieve twice the result with half the effort. For now we must rely on local reports and sporadic investigations, like a blind man feeling an elephant."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen turned his gaze toward the distance, as if he could see through the walls to the prefectures shrouded in gloom.

How could he not wish to possess a vision that grasps the whole situation?

If he had keener perception, able to directly discern the flow of the dynasty's fortune and the gathering of corruption, their actions would be more targeted and their efficiency doubled.

But he knows he cannot yet do that.

The changes brought by the system reset, aside from that progress bar and a vague sense of smoother growth, remain a mist.

He does not know what new ability will be unlocked at a certain level.

Everything must be explored and unlocked step by step.

"No problem, just proceed step by step."

Chen Wen withdrew his gaze, his tone calm yet resolute.

"First solve the known problems. The unknown will reveal itself when we are strong enough."

He turned back to the quiet chamber and picked up again an analysis dossier on the recent movements of Empress Xiao of the Khitan in the Northern Frontier.

The double effect of Lv. 1 (2×) operates silently, and his thoughts accelerate once more.

"【Growth Progress Bar】" in the corner of his consciousness creeps upward at an imperceptibly slow pace, trudging toward thirty‑one percent.

The road must be walked step by step, and the level must be raised bit by bit.

Before a true transformation arrives, he needs more patience and more effective effort.

The dawn of technology has already appeared, while his own system's growth continues steadily, quietly accumulating strength for the next breakthrough.