Chapter 462: Fragment Warning

Night had not yet faded, but the private villa's secret chamber had already lit candles again.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and Zhao Lao Nian returned after having left, their faces showing no displeasure at being disturbed, only solemnity and inquiry.

They saw Chen Wen standing with his hands behind his back before the window, and felt an aura utterly different from moments before—more restrained yet infinitely deeper—and their hearts stirred.

"My Lord," Zhang Cheng spoke first, his tone carrying a barely perceptible probe, "Have you made a new breakthrough?"

Chen Wen turned slowly, the candlelight falling on his calm face, his eyes deep as stars.

"Yes."

He did not beat around the bush, but spoke directly:

"Just now, in quiet sitting, I fortuitously broke through, reaching Level 3."

His words fell, and the secret room was filled with a momentary silence.

Shi Dun clenched his fists tightly, his eyes flashing with delighted light;

Qian Gui's hand, stroking his beard, paused slightly;

Wang Ru's lips curled with a hint of understanding smile;

Zhang Cheng drew a deep breath, his face showing relief;

Zhao Lao Nian rubbed his hands together, seemingly already considering how much this improvement would aid technical research and development.

They knew all too well what a rise in rank signified.

This was not only a leap in individual strength, but also a crucial chip for the team in future contests.

"Congratulations, My Lord!"

The five voiced their congratulations in unison, from the heart.

Chen Wen waved a hand slightly, indicating no need for ceremony, yet his expression showed no relaxation.

"While leveling up is certainly welcome, what comes with it is not entirely good news."

He swept his gaze over the crowd and spoke in a low voice:

"With the breakthrough, the ability of Shi Yong is strengthened, and a new power is unlocked, called—Cause-and-Effect Fragments."

"Cause-and-Effect Fragments?"

Qian Gui keenly caught this unfamiliar term, his brow slightly furrowed.

"What does it mean? Could it foretell the future?"

"It is not foreknowledge, but rather scattered fragments that capture the critical junctures of possible futures."

Chen Wen explained, his tone grave.

"The information is fragmentary and chaotic, like shattered lenses, requiring one to piece it together and interpret it oneself."

"Just now I tried to sense the area of False Song Shandong Circuit, and the fragments obtained were alarming."

He paused, then clearly related what he had seen and heard:

"First, a vast expanse of water, named Liangshanpo."

"Second, a chaotic star chart, one hundred and eight points of light, killing energy shooting to the heavens, corresponding to the Heavenly Gang and the Earthly Fiends."

"Third, cries of slaughter and shouting, the core lying in the two words 'Righteous Unity.'"

"Liangshanpo…"

Wang Ru repeated it softly, quickly recalling from her mind the geographic intelligence of the Tranquil Peace Bureau concerning False Song Shandong Circuit.

"This place lies indeed within Yuncheng, Shandong, its waters broad, its ports intertwined, reeds growing thick, long a gathering place for outlaws."

"But hearing what My Lord said, this place is likely no ordinary bandit lair."

"Heavenly Gang, Earthly Fiends… Righteous Unity…"

Shi Dun responded in a deep, resonant voice, paying more attention to the martial force and killing energy within.

"Just listening makes it seem like a tremendous commotion is about to erupt! One hundred and eight evil stars gathering together—how could that be tolerable?"

Zhang Cheng pondered for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop:

"Stellar power, killing energy, Righteous Unity—such imagery is certainly not that of an ordinary popular uprising or banditry."

"Behind it must lie a vast circulation of Fortune Momentum, possibly even concerning the rise and fall of False Song's fortune."

"The Iron Crow Army could hardly fail to notice this; indeed, it is very likely that they have meticulously plotted it as a key link in driving the script's direction!"

Qian Gui's eyes flashed with insight as he added:

"Combining prior intelligence, False Song Shandong Circuit has seen incessant natural and man-made disasters in recent years, corrupt officials, and a struggling populace."

"Such soil is most prone to breed great upheaval."

"If the Iron Crow Army again fuels it from behind, guiding or even directly controlling the Righteous Unity of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends, the energy it could unleash would be enough to shake a region, seriously deviating from My Lord's goal for us of setting things right."

Chen Wen nodded, affirming their analysis.

"My heart is the same."

"This juncture holds both risk and opportunity."

"The risk lies in letting the Iron Crow Army control this situation, using the Liangshan Righteous Unity to stir up winds and clouds; not only False Song Shandong and even larger areas would fall into chaos, but the gathered killing energy and distorted Fortune Momentum would more likely become nourishment for the Iron Crow Army to repair and strengthen its script."

"At that point, the advantages we have accumulated over more than ten years of 'micro-intervention' and 'dark current infiltration' would likely suffer a severe blow."

He shifted his tone, his words revealing resolve.

"Yet opportunity also lies here!"

"Such a node where immense energy converges is precisely an excellent opportunity for us to vie with the Iron Crow Army for leadership of Fortune Momentum."

"If we can intervene therein, break their layout, and guide this force—whether by dividing it, utilizing it, or turning its aim toward a greater good favorable to us—"

"Then not only could we severely damage the Iron Crow Army's schemes, but we could also greatly accelerate my growth at this node, and even… lay an important foundation for ultimately dismantling their script."

Once again the secret room fell into silence, only the candle flames flickering.

Each person digested this sudden information, weighing its pros and cons.

Personally intervening in a node heavily laid out by the Iron Crow Army, where killing intent surges to the heavens, its danger is self-evident.

It is nothing like the previous covert infiltration and technical seeding.

But the sovereign's words are not empty; this, too, is a strategic opportunity hard to replicate.

"The sovereign's intention is……"

Zhang Cheng looked at Chen Wen, having already guessed his decision.

"I intend to go myself."

Chen Wen's voice is not loud, yet it carries undeniable weight.

"At such a critical point, without my personal presence, it is hard to grasp the rapidly changing situation."

"Relying solely on remote command and hidden posts for transmission, information is delayed, response is feeble, good opportunities are easily missed, and we may even be counterattacked."

He looked at Shi Dun and Qian Gui.

"Shi Dun, you'll go with me. As for Liangshan, armed confrontation is hard to avoid; we need your courage and strategy."

"Qian Gui, concerning the Jing'an Bureau's work against the False Song, especially the Investigation Network of the Shandong Circuit, you must personally oversee dispatch, give timely feedback, and try to infiltrate Liangshan internally."

"Yes!"

Shi Dun and Qian Gui accepted the order without hesitation, solemnly; their eyes flashed with eagerness to try.

"Wang Ru."

Chen Wen looked at the woman in charge of surveillance and internal security.

"You will coordinate the overall situation, ensuring that during our infiltration the Chen dynasty's interior remains stable, secret lines remain open, and you will closely cooperate with Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian to support the front."

"Sovereign, rest assured."

Wang Ru nodded solemnly.

"Internally, there will be no leaks."

"Zhang Cheng, Zhao Lao Nian."

Chen Wen finally looked at the two senior ministers in charge of overall strategy and technical support.

"You two will remain to guard the Chen dynasty."

"Zhang Cheng, you must assist the Emperor, oversee the big picture, coordinate all sides, ensure state policies advance steadily, and let Fortune Momentum continue to accumulate."

"Zhao Lao Nian, the optimization of the Light Curtain Passage, the development of new-style warships and armaments, and the promotion of the new salt law all depend on you; there must be no delay due to our departure."

"We will dutifully obey the sovereign's orders!"

Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian bowed and replied.

They deeply know the heavy responsibility on their shoulders; guarding is no easy task.

The decision having been made, the atmosphere suddenly became solemn and tense.

"Matters should not be delayed."

Chen Wen decisively gave the order.

"Shi Dun, Qian Gui, you two must immediately select capable and competent personnel; quality over quantity."

"Prepare the necessary equipment; disguises must be flawless."

"Wang Ru, coordinate resources to ensure the channel opens without fail."

"In three days we will cross the Light Curtain again, head straight to Shandong, and meet the Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Fiends of Liangshanpo!"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison, their voices echoing in the secret chamber.

The candlelight stretched their shadows on the wall, as if they were soldiers about to embark on a campaign.

The warning from the karmic fragments has turned into resolute action.

A covert and overt struggle surrounding Liangshanpo is about to begin.

And Chen Wen will personally step into the center of this vortex.