Chapter 490

Shandong, outside Dongping Prefecture, a remote goods depot built beside the water.

On the surface it is an inconspicuous storage node of the South Wind Chronicle, but in fact it is a newly established secret contact center set up by Chen Wen.

It is more convenient for personnel movement and information transmission than an ancient mountain shrine, and its protective measures have been upgraded again under the guidance of Zhao Lao Nian.

Inside the secret room, candlelight blazed.

Chen Wen sat in the chief seat; though merely an ordinary posture, he naturally exuded a steady, awe‑inspiring composure.

That was an intangible change brought about by his breakthrough in strength and enhanced control.

Qian Gui stood in attendance beside him.

Seated at the lower place were Lin Chong, Ruan Xiaoer, and Wu Yong, who had secretly slipped out of Liangshan.

Lin Chong remained tall and straight like a pine, but his brow now bore a hint of gloom and repression never seen before.

Ruan Xiaoer appeared vigorous and alert, his eyes sharp.

Wu Yong gently swayed his feather fan, his countenance calm, only the depths of his eyes flashing with calculation and anticipation.

This was the first secret gathering of the core figures of the Northward Aspiration faction since Chao Gai's "death," Song Jiang's rise to power, and especially after the Stone Stele celestial event.

"Mr. Chen."

Lin Chong spoke first, his voice tinged with hoarseness.

"The stronghold now… alas! Brother Gongming is wholeheartedly seeking surrender; Military Advisor Wu does his best to maneuver, but after that stone stele…"

"'Acting on Heaven's Behalf' has become the sole slogan; the two words 'Northward Aspiration' are now taboo on the surface, and even the contents of the lecture hall have changed drastically."

He clenched his fists slightly, revealing his inner resentment and indignation.

Ruan Xiaoer interjected, his tone bearing the bluntness of a fisherman:

"Sir, nowadays the water stronghold also has many of Brother Song Jiang's confidants, openly and covertly watching us brothers."

"If it weren't for Brother Shi Dun secretly helping us, many things would have been impossible to carry on. This pent‑up feeling is unbearable!"

Wu Yong gently set down his feather fan, his gaze turning to Chen Wen, his tone calm yet tinged with inquiry:

"Mr. Chen, by inviting us here this time, you must already have a countermeasure?"

"Now the stronghold's situation appears settled; the Iron Crow Army, relying on that stone stele, has almost sealed off 'Heaven's Mandate.'"

"If we take no further action, I fear that over time hearts will scatter, and this 'Northward Aspiration' fire may truly be extinguished before it even ignites."

Chen Wen's gaze swept over the three, taking in their anxiety, reluctance, and expectation.

He did not answer directly, but slowly raised his right hand.

An intangible yet real force field spread silently from him as its center, not oppressive.

Rather, it carried a strange, invigorating vitality that enlivened body and mind.

Lin Chong, Ruan Xiaoer, and Wu Yong all felt a slight tremor in their bodies, their eyes showing astonishment.

They sensed that the fatigue and inner agitation accumulated over recent days due to the stronghold's upheaval

were swiftly eased by this force, their spirits lifted, and their thoughts seemed to become clearer and sharper.

What shocked them further was that the internal energy originally circulating within them seemed to become more condensed and lively, giving the illusion of being reborn.

Although this feeling was fleeting, like a blossom that quickly fades, the genuine sense of improvement was etched into their hearts.

"This is a method I have recently mastered."

Chen Wen lowered his hand, spoke calmly, his tone carrying a natural sense of control, as if this were an ability he ought to possess.

"It can greatly enhance the recipient's spirit, stamina, and even technical potential in a short time."

He did not reveal the full truth of the Ability Granting and its multiplier; this is necessary caution.

"For me, this technique is no longer difficult; given time, it could help you all, and even more like‑minded brothers, to unleash power far beyond the ordinary at crucial moments."

He was not lying; the experience just now was precisely his use of Lv. 4 Ability Granting authority.

He applied to the three an extremely brief, safety‑controlled fourfold efficiency boost (mainly affecting spiritual recovery and potential stimulation).

This let them personally experience the existence and value of that ability. For him, performing this technique was indeed much easier than before, with restrictions greatly reduced.

Lin Chong and the two others looked at each other, each seeing disbelief and tremendous exhilaration in the other's eyes.

They personally felt that miraculous change, which no known martial art could achieve!

"Mr. Chen actually wields such a ghost‑god‑like method!"

"Sir, you are truly a divine person!"

Ruan Xiaoer spoke excitedly, the slight confusion in his heart instantly dispelled.

Lin Chong drew a deep breath, his eyes rekindling with fervent fire:

"With Sir's such means, what great undertaking could we fail to accomplish!"

Wu Yong clapped his hands in praise, the light in his wise eyes blazing brightly:

"Excellent! This is the key to breaking the impasse! No need for much—only at the critical moment, applied to the critical person and critical matter, can we turn the heavens and earth!"

Chen Wen nodded, his expression turning solemn:

"Although this technique is beneficial, we must not rely on it recklessly. Our primary task now remains to accumulate strength and conceal ourselves."

He looked toward Wu Yong:

"Military Advisor, being in the open, you must continue to maneuver with Song Jiang, using his trust to preserve our strength as much as possible, and discern the Iron Crow Army's future moves, especially regarding the 'Jade Seal,' which I sense is of utmost importance."

"Instructor Lin and Brother Ruan, while in the army, need to be more forbearing, firmly grasping the portion of troops we can influence, especially the grassroots brothers who identify with the Northward Aspiration ideal."

"Daily drills must not be relaxed, but we should place greater emphasis on ideological cohesion, using the pretext of discussing border troubles to arouse martial fervor."

"Shi Dun will continue to serve as the link, responsible for the secret conveyance of supplies and information."

"And I…"

Chen Wen's gaze swept over the crowd.

"I will, together with an ally you would never expect, fully support you all from the shadows and begin to establish a more concealed, independent supply and training conduit outside Liangshan."

"An unexpected ally?" Lin Chong wondered.

Chen Wen looked at them and slowly said, "Brother Chao Gai, he hasn't truly died."

"What?!"

Lin Chong and Ruan Xiaoer almost simultaneously jumped to their feet, their faces filled with extreme shock and disbelief!

Wu Yong remained composed, but his feather fan suddenly stalled, his eyes flashing with astonishment as he fixed his gaze on Chen Wen.

"Big Brother Heavenly King… is he… still alive?" Ruan Xiaoer's voice trembled, his tiger eyes instantly reddening.

Lin Chong trembled even more, his body shaking: "Sir, is this true?! That day we saw with our own eyes…"

"That was merely a ruse to deceive the heavens and cross the sea."

Chen Wen calmly explained.

"The cold arrow at Zengtou Market was indeed a poisonous scheme of the Iron Crow Army, aimed at removing Brother Chao Gai's 'Northward Aspiration' banner."

"I turned the plot against them, making him feign death to escape and retreat into absolute secrecy."

"Now he is in a safe place, together with me planning the affairs of the Northward Aspiration Army."

A huge surge of joy struck Lin Chong and Ruan Xiaoer; they were so excited they could hardly contain themselves, and had they not been in the secret room, they would have almost cheered out loud.

Wu Yong let out a long breath, his face showing a smile of relief mixed with fighting spirit.

"Excellent! A perfect golden cicada shedding its shell! Thus, my Northward Aspiration lineage, with light and dark supporting each other, gains greatly increased initiative!"

Chen Wen then clearly outlined the upcoming plan of action:

Consolidate existing forces, develop covertly, disrupt key points of the Iron Crow Army (such as the imperial seal), and establish backup channels.

"Moreover," Chen Wen added last, his eyes deep, "I need to leave Shandong for a period of time."

The three, hearing this, gradually calmed from the joy of Chao Gai's survival.

Chen Wen explained:

"The Shandong matter has been preliminarily arranged. The Liangshan spark, though temporarily suppressed, still has its roots intact, and there are several guardians watching over it."

"I need to go handle some urgent affairs, coordinate further support, and make more thorough preparations against possible greater storms in the future."

His tone carried a heavy certainty, as if he foresaw something.

"I will return as soon as possible."

The secret discussion lasted half the night, with all details from each side settled one by one.

As Lin Chong, Ruan Xiaoer, and Wu Yong slipped out of the warehouse under the cover of night.

Though their silhouettes still blended into the darkness, their steps were countless times firmer than when they came, their eyes filled with new hope and burning fighting spirit.

The news of Chao Gai's survival and Chen Wen's displayed power were like a spark in the thick mist and oppression.

A spark was suddenly cast in, instantly igniting all their perseverance and belief.

After seeing the three off, Chen Wen stood alone by the window, gazing at the deep night outside.

The results are evident:

Successfully implanted the "Northward Aspiration" concept in Liangshan, letting it take root in people's hearts; though temporarily suppressed, the spark remains unextinguished.

Established a covert force with Lin Chong, Wu Yong, the Ruan brothers, and Shi Dun as its core, and also formed a direct link with the "resurrected" Chao Gai.

He himself broke through to Level 4, unlocking the strategic ability "Ability Granting", with its restrictions greatly reduced.

He disrupted multiple schemes of the Iron Crow Army.

He preliminarily established a secret operational network independent of Liangshan.

The cost was also not small:

Chao Gai was forced to retreat into absolute obscurity, losing his overt leadership of Liangshan.

Song Jiang, backed by the Iron Crow Army, seized full control, and Liangshan's overall direction was twisted.

Internal ideological differences became public, increasing the risk of potential split.

"The spark has been kindled; though temporarily suppressed by wind and rain, its light does not die, and its resolve grows stronger."

Chen Wen summed up in a low voice.

"Next, we must help this spark, find a broader ground for it to burn, and accumulate greater burning power."

He turned and ordered Qian Gui:

"Make preparations; we will set out today."

The undercurrents beneath the marsh will, with the temporary departure and return of the core figures, surge toward a deeper, vaster expanse of sky and earth.