Chapter 447: Secret Plot in the Dark Chamber

False Song, Bianjing, Imperial Observatory.

The night was deep, the Observation Platform towered, merging into the dark blue canopy.

The Chief Astronomer dismissed all officials and students, standing alone on the cold stone platform.

He did not look up at the stars, but bowed low, his posture humble to the point of prostration, facing the empty darkness ahead, and whispered his report.

"Honored Envoy, His Majesty has begun fasting as instructed, his sincerity profound."

"Although there are steadfast elders like Li Hang and Wang Dan in the court advising against it, His Majesty's anticipation for the Heavenly Book grows day by day."

"Within ten days, the opportunity will be ripe."

In the darkness, no substance appeared.

Only a wisp of extremely thin gray mist, almost blending with the night, slowly drifted in the corner of the Observation Platform.

An icy, emotionless voice sounded directly deep in the Chief Astronomer's mind:

"Hmm. You handled this adequately."

"However, the affair of the Heavenly Book concerns the orthodox Mandate of Heaven; it cannot afford any loss."

"Zhao Heng's resolve is weak, easily swayed by outside influence; we must ensure absolute certainty."

The voice paused, as if receiving some sort of intangible information flow.

A moment later, the voice sounded again, carrying a hint of near‑imperceptible stagnation.

"Recently, the database recorded several minute parameter fluctuations."

"Although they did not trigger the main plot deviation alarm, their pattern…… is abnormal."

The Chief Astronomer lowered his head further, not daring to respond.

The gray mist stirred slightly, and the icy voice continued:

"The Eastern Circuit and Western Circuit show grain‑production statistics for some prefectures and counties slightly above the historical model's expected mean."

"Although the error lies within the allowed range, the distribution is concentrated, not random fluctuation."

"The Works Arsenal has logged civilian tool improvement diagrams; both quantity and innovation show a slight rise."

"Within the civil official system, with Li Yuan at its core, an informal clique has formed, its discourse leaning…… pragmatic."

"Each minute 'anomaly' was listed, like bubbles occasionally rising on a calm lake surface—seemingly trivial, yet they shattered the absolute 'calm'."

"These fluctuations are themselves insignificant, insufficient to affect core nodes such as the Chan‑Yuan Alliance and the Heavenly Book Fengshan."

"But their existence is nothing but 'noise'."

"Behind them seems to be the same driving force, systematically and slowly…… eroding background parameters."

The gray mist's flow sped up slightly.

"They are those 'variables'……"

"They have not fallen silent after the previous southern purge; instead, they have changed their infiltration method."

"From direct military interference, they have shifted to more covert technical diffusion and ideological infiltration."

The Chief Astronomer felt an intangible pressure envelop his whole body, making him barely able to breathe.

"Honored Envoy…… what do you mean?"

"Strengthen surveillance of the civil official system, especially newly appointed officials, and…… all who show an 'excessive' pragmatic leaning, or who are skeptical of the Mandate of Heaven and auspicious signs."

"Li Yuan and his close associates are to be listed as key observation targets."

"Activate the Yinying sequences seven through nine, deploy them to Bianjing, blend into the populace, monitor the targets' daily words and deeds, and their social networks."

"Report any abnormal contact immediately."

"Yinying!"

The Chief Astronomer's body shuddered.

That is a special unit more concealed and more adept at lurking and intelligence‑gathering than the ordinary Iron Crow Army.

Directly controlled by its master, it is a living surveillance probe embedded in this 'script world'.

Mobilizing Yinying means the surveillance capability will increase by several levels.

"Yes! I will faithfully obey the Honored Envoy's order!"

The Chief Astronomer promptly agreed, cold sweat already beading on his forehead.

"Go."

"Maintaining the progress of the Heavenly Book script is the top priority."

"As for those insects in the dark……"

In the icy voice, for the first time a hint of near‑'disgust' emotion appeared.

"Find them, then…… eliminate them."

As the words fell, the gray mist in the corner vanished instantly, as if it had never existed.

Only the Chief Astronomer remained, shivering in the night wind, his heart filled with fear of Yinying and trepidation toward the unseen force opposing the Honored Envoy.

Chen Dynasty, underground of the separate estate, the core secret chamber of the Jing'an Office.

Here the lights are bright, a huge map hangs on the walls, covered with dense symbols and lines.

Several capable officials sat at desks piled with documents, whispering as they processed information flowing in like snowflakes.

Wang Ru stood in the center, brows furrowed, listening to an urgent report from a trusted subordinate.

"Envoy, in the direction of False Song Bianjing, our three grade‑B liaison points have successively sent warnings over the past twelve shichen."

"They have noticed that some unfamiliar faces have appeared among the populace."

"These people behave discreetly, blend in extremely well, yet their observation skills are extremely keen; they appear to be systematically scanning official residences in a specific area, frequently visited teahouses, and even painting and calligraphy shops."

"At one liaison point, while trying to tail one of them, the target was lost after less than two street blocks; feedback shows their anti‑tracking ability is extremely strong—far from an ordinary scout."

Wang Ru's eyes narrowed.

Describe the features of those unfamiliar faces.

Reporting officer, according to the report, these people have ordinary appearance, plain clothing, no distinctive features.

But there is one common trait——their gazes are overly calm, lacking the emotional fluctuations ordinary people should have, like……dead water.

Moreover, they seem to know Bianjing's layout like the back of their hand, always appearing where surveillance is needed, yet skillfully avoiding patrolling martial marquises and bustling crowds.

Dead-water-like gazes……extraordinary concealment and counter‑tracking abilities……

Wang Ru muttered to herself, her complexion gradually turning grim.

It's 'Yinying'!

The Iron Crow Army has deployed 'Yinying' into Bianjing!

She abruptly turned and walked toward the more detailed False Song Bianjing map on the opposite wall.

Immediately verify whether the areas where these unfamiliar faces appear overlap with Li Yuan's residence, the tea house he frequents, and the activity range of the officials he associates with!

The clerks sprang into action, quickly cross‑checking the intelligence.

The result came soon——high overlap!

As expected!

Wang Ru's heart sank.

The master of the Iron Crow Army has noticed our infiltration!

Although they may not yet have locked onto a specific target, they have already strengthened their surveillance net and directly deployed 'Yinying'!

This is aimed at Li Yuan, at the official circle we are guiding!

She dared not delay, personally wrote an encrypted report, sent it via the most urgent channel to Zhang Cheng, and requested an immediate audience with the sovereign.

Half an hour later, in the quiet chamber of the villa.

Chen Wen, Zhang Cheng, and Wang Ru gathered together.

Wang Ru finished reporting the detailed situation of the appearance of 'Yinying'.

A moment of silence fell in the quiet chamber.

Their response is swift……

Zhang Cheng mused, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop.

Our technical infiltration has just begun to show results, our guidance of Li Yuan has only just stabilized, and their countermeasure arrives.

And as soon as they act, it is a surveillance force of the caliber of 'Yinying'.

Chen Wen's gaze was calm and steady, but a chill gathered in the depths of his eyes.

The Iron Crow Army upholds its 'script' and will not allow any uncontrollable 'variable' to exist.

Technological diffusion and ideological infiltration, though slow, are a means of fundamentally shaking the foundations of their rule.

They will inevitably regard it as a grave taboo.

Dispatching 'Yinying' means they have begun to take this 'soft' erosion seriously and are determined to nip it in the bud.

Wang Ru said worriedly:

Your Majesty, 'Yinying' is no trivial matter.

Our personnel planted in Bianjing can cope with ordinary Iron Crow Army and the False Song Imperial City Guard, but under 'Yinying's' comprehensive surveillance, the risk of exposure is enormous.

Especially 'Lu Ming', who has had more contact with Li Yuan; although he has switched to covert communication, we cannot guarantee he left no traces beforehand.

Chen Wen rose to his feet and paced slowly in the quiet chamber.

Notify 'Lu Ming' to enter a state of silence effective immediately.

Unless it is a matter of life and death, he must not initiate contact with Li Yuan; suspend all activities that might attract attention.

The contact channel between him and Li Yuan shall become one‑way: we will dispatch encrypted letters at regular, irregular intervals for him to receive only, without replying.

Yes!

Wang Ru noted it down at once.

Notify all our hidden posts and contact points in the False Song to raise the alert level.

For the time being, suspend all non‑essential infiltration and intelligence‑gathering activities.

To preserve ourselves, remaining concealed is the foremost priority.

Zhang Cheng added:

Especially those points attempting to promote new technology, or in contact with technical officials such as Zhou Huai'an and Zheng He, must be treated with extra caution.

The Iron Crow Army is likely to follow the trail of technological diffusion.

Orders were issued one after another, sent swiftly through encrypted channels to the far side of the light curtain.

After the arrangements were made, Chen Wen walked to the window and gazed westward.

In the night, one could almost feel the existence of that sky‑spanning light curtain, and beyond it, within Bianjing city, the invisible surveillance net that was quietly tightening.

The Iron Crow Army intends to use high‑pressure surveillance to strangle the budding……

Chen Wen's voice echoed in the quiet chamber, carrying a hint of chill.

Then let them see: once a seed falls into fertile soil, even if a boulder presses upon it, it will eventually break through and emerge.

But for now……

He turned around, looking at Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru.

We need deeper concealment and more patient waiting.

Undercurrents are ultimately strongest when flowing beneath the surface.

Wang Ru nodded solemnly.

Your servant understands.

We will make our people disappear before their eyes like water droplets merging into the sea.

Zhang Cheng then said:

This isn't necessarily all bad.

The Iron Crow Army will focus its attention on the civil official system and technological dissemination, perhaps giving us some room to act elsewhere.

Chen Wen nodded slightly.

Not bad.

Maritime trade, the northern borders, and even the observation of the newly sensed 'Literary Star' light point can all be advanced.

But the core principle remains unchanged—consolidate existing achievements and pause new high-risk penetrations.

First, ensure our existing 'seeds' are not uprooted.

The secret scheming in the dark chamber has brought a harsher wind.

But after the wind passes, the deeply buried underground roots will only grow deeper and steadier.