Chapter 401: A New Chapter Begins

In the depths of the hidden mountain villa, Chen Wen rose from his seated meditation.

He walked to the window, pushed open the wooden window, and let the morning air, scented with plants, flow into the room.

He stretched his limbs, feeling the abundant energy within his body.

This feeling of vigorous energy was much stronger than before, as if he had returned to his early twenties, an age when he didn't know what fatigue was.

He knew this was a tangible change brought by his rank advancement, the fourfold effect already beginning to infuse his everyday movements.

But what he was thinking of now was not the increase in strength, but that more mysterious new ability.

He gathered his mind, focusing his attention on a completely new perception.

No light, no sound—just a vague yet certain intuition, like a hound catching a lingering scent in the wind.

In his mind, the mountain villa presented an ineffable 'state'.

He could sense an overall, upward 'momentum', like the vigorous growth of all things in spring, resilient and full of hope.

This was the vague reflection of Great Chen's national fortunes in his perception.

But when his 'attention' turned northward, toward that light curtain beyond, the feeling became sluggish and oppressive.

That land seemed shrouded in an invisible gauze; though it held vitality underneath, it appeared rigid.

What's more striking is that, on this oppressive backdrop, several 'existences' stood out like undercurrents beneath the water, drawing particular attention.

They were scattered within the False Song's territory, some feeling relatively clear and stable, bearing the sense of books and ink;

others were somewhat restless, hiding a sharp edge;

One of them, located in the direction of Hebei Road, felt especially special—it appeared exceptionally 'vivid' and 'lively', strikingly conspicuous amid the gloom.

Chen Wen understood clearly in his heart.

This is what the Shi Yong reveals—those bearing special destiny, who ought to play important roles in the historical torrent.

They are the key to the Iron Crow Army maintaining its 'script', and likewise could serve as fulcrums for him to pry open change.

He withdrew his perception, and the world returned to normal.

But the outline sketched by intuition had already pointed him toward a direction.

He straightened his robes and stepped out of the room with composure.

In the outer small hall, Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and Zhao Lao Nian were already waiting.

Seeing Chen Wen come out, they all rose to their feet.

"Your Lordship."

Chen Wen nodded, signaling them to sit, and took his seat at the head.

"I've asked you all here today to discuss an important matter."

He got straight to the point, his gaze sweeping over the five core companions.

"After this period of rest and adjustment, I have some new……views on the situation."

He chose his words carefully, wanting to convey the information without sounding too fantastical.

"I vaguely sense that, beyond the light curtain, within the False Song's domain, there exist several rather special individuals."

"These people may currently be obscure, but they are likely to exert significant influence on the other realm's situation in the future."

Qian Gui's eyes narrowed; as the intelligence officer, he immediately grasped the key point.

"Your Lordship means these people are the future pillars or key figures of the False Song?"

"That's one way to understand it."

Chen Wen gave a slight nod.

"The Iron Crow Army must ensure that such individuals follow their predetermined course in order to maintain the other realm's operation."

"Therefore, I intend to change our strategy and attempt 'micro-intervention' in the other realm."

He elaborated on his idea in detail.

"Initially, we do not seek to alter its overall situation, for that is beyond our current power and would easily provoke a fierce reaction from the Iron Crow Army."

"Our strength is still like a tiny spark."

"Thus we should act like mosquitoes biting an elephant, focusing on the minutiae."

He paused briefly, letting everyone grasp the meaning.

"We could, when such key figures are still insignificant or even young, observe them covertly; if we find Iron Crow sentries about to act maliciously, we could seize the opportunity to remove them, aiding their smooth growth and forming good karma;"

"or we could, at crucial junctures in their history, make slight interventions, adding variables to slow their progress and deepen their internal troubles;"

"or we could scatter some technological seeds, subtly influencing them to disturb their set course."

Chen Wen's gaze swept over the crowd, his tone calm and resolute.

"This move aims for the long term."

"We, newly risen, are like fledglings learning to fly—weak in strength and lacking full plumage."

"The Iron Crow and its lord have deep foundations, they control the rules; a direct confrontation would be utterly unwise."

"Only by carrying out this micro‑method, like mosquitoes biting an elephant, can we hardly wound its foundation yet disturb its mind and slow its steps."

He looked toward Zhang Cheng and Qian Gui.

"More importantly, by doing this we can gain a deeper understanding of the other realm's operational mechanics, discern the patterns linking its persons and events, and accumulate cognition for possible future changes, seizing precious opportunity."

"This is the core of 'micro‑intervention': hearing thunder in silence, seeing the truth in minutiae, accumulating small victories into great ones, trading time for space."

The hall fell silent, save for the composed breathing of those present.

Zhang Cheng stroked his beard, pondered a moment, then nodded slowly.

"Your Lordship's strategy is mature and state‑wise."

"To march north directly, cross the light curtain, and engage the False Song and Iron Crow Army in open battle would indeed be beyond our strength and would play right into their hands."

"Such infiltration, protection, guidance, and delay tactics may seem insignificant, yet like spring rain nourishing the earth, if we persist long term, given time they might well yield remarkable results."

Qian Gui's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he said via the interface:

"Especially if we can indeed, as the lord said, preemptively identify the key figures in that realm, we can then act with precision and place our moves accurately."

"My Jing'an Office will certainly cooperate fully, building the Investigation Network to support the lord's actions."

"Zhao Lao'nian rubbed his hands, his face showing the excitement of a technician."

"Coincidentally, the Ministry of Works has some minor improvements, and I've been worried about having nowhere to test them."

"If we quietly use it over there, seeing if we can grow something different, that would certainly be interesting."

"Shi Dun spoke briefly and to the point."

"Militarily, I can provide tactical guidance and support small-scale resistance."

"Wang Ru also nodded to show agreement."

"I will fully coordinate the allocation of supplies and personnel."

"Seeing that everyone understood his intention and expressed support, Chen Wen felt reassured."

"Good."

"He stood up, walked to the large map hanging in the hall, his gaze falling on the north."

"Since none of you have any objections, then the new regulations are hereby established."

"The primary task is to ascertain the stability of the light curtain passage and its passage restrictions."

"He looked toward Zhao Lao'nian."

"How is the research progress on the passage at the Ministry of Works?"

"Zhao Lao'nian hurriedly replied."

"Replying to the lord, we already have some leads."

"Currently we can barely maintain a temporary passage that allows only a few people through, but the number should not be large; limiting it to three persons is relatively safe, and each opening requires an interval of several days before it can be used again, otherwise there is a risk of collapse."

"Chen Wen nodded."

"Three people is enough."

"The first operation, I will go personally, aiming to test the passage and verify whether my... sense is accurate."

"His finger pointed toward the direction of Hebei Road, the area where he felt an especially 'vivid' presence."

"Qian Gui, you will accompany me, responsible for vigilance and recording."

"Qian Gui immediately bowed."

"Subordinate obeys!"

"Zhang Cheng asked with concern."

"'The lord has just recovered not long ago; personally going into danger, is it...?'"

"Chen Wen waved his hand, his tone calm yet undeniable."

"'Precisely because my abilities have just begun to form, I need to verify them personally in order to devise subsequent plans.'"

"'This matter, my intention is already decided.'"

"He looked around at everyone."

"'During my absence, the manor's affairs shall be jointly decided by Lord Zhang and Wang Ru, Shi Dun will be in charge of security, and Zhao Lao'nian will continue to optimize the passage.'"

"'Everyone, perform your respective duties and be cautious.'"

"'Yes!'"

"All five responded in unison, their expressions solemn."

"The new campaign quietly unfolded its curtain amid this tranquil discussion."

"Sparks of faint light, ready to illuminate the unknown darkness."