Chapter 526

Once the decision was made, the entire Black Cloud Stronghold immediately sprang into action, organizing the South-going Squad at full speed.

Translation: "Once the decision was made, the entire Black Cloud Stronghold immediately went into high gear organizing the South-going Squad."

Once the decision was made, the entire Black Cloud Stronghold immediately went into high gear organizing the South-going Squad.

Ok.

Selecting the right people is the top priority.

Translation: "Personnel selection was the top priority."

Chao Gai slapped his chest and personally went to each unit to pick the members.

Translation: "Chao Gai slapped his chest and personally went to each camp to pick people."

He rejects reckless brawns who rely only on brute courage, choosing instead seasoned brothers who are meticulous, have prior experience heading south, speak with a Central Plains accent, and are adept at reading people.

Translation: "He didn't want braves who relied only on raw courage; he specifically picked those who were thoughtful, had experience going south, or spoke with a Central Plains accent and knew how to read people."

Lin Chong, from a military standpoint, selects those proficient in archery and horsemanship, especially excelling in small-unit combat and covert reconnaissance.

Translation: "Lin Chong, from a military standpoint, screened for those skilled in horseback archery, especially excelling in squad combat and reconnaissance ambush."

Wu Yong and Qian Gui's intelligence staff coordinate to ensure the squad includes someone knowledgeable about the complicated southern terrain, gang boundaries, and the many ins and outs of the pseudo-Song administration.

Translation: "Wu Yong and Qian Gui's intelligence staff coordinated, ensuring the squad included someone familiar with the south's current complex terrain, gang territories, and the many ins and outs of the False Song bureaucracy."

Within two days, a roster of thirty members was drawn up.

Translation: "In just a couple of days, a list of thirty people was drafted."

Chen Wen personally reviewed the list and saw that the personnel composition was quite thorough:

Translation: "Chen Wen personally reviewed it, and saw that the personnel composition on the list was quite exquisite:"

Eight of them are veterans from the original Liangshan, mostly former followers of Ruan Xiaoqi, adept at water and well-versed in all walks of life;

Translation: "Among them, eight were veterans of the original Liangshan, mostly former subordinates of Ruan Xiaoqi, skilled in water and familiar with all sorts of sects and trades;"

Twelve are former pseudo-Song border troops who fled north and joined; they are not only capable fighters but also know the pseudo-Song military system, gates, and checkpoints like the back of their hand;

Translation: "twelve were former False Song border troops who had fled the collapsing north and joined us; they were not only capable fighters, but also knew the False Song military system and every pass and checkpoint like the back of their hands;"

Another ten were recruited after the North Hope Army was formed from refugees, hunters, and itinerant merchants who travel south and north, each bringing their own expertise.

Translation: "another ten were capable hands recruited from refugees, hunters, and itinerant merchants who had wandered north and south after the Northward Aspiration Army was formed, each with their own strengths."

This squad is truly a microcosm of the North Hope Army's current elite.

Translation: "This squad was essentially a microcosm of the Northward Aspiration Army's current elite."

As commander and deputy commander, Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi had already begun researching the routes and plans for heading south.

Translation: "Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi, as commander and deputy commander, had already begun studying the route and plan for heading south."

"Going by land, crossing the Yellow River, passing through Hua and Pu Prefectures heading south—although the route is a bit longer, it lets us bypass several key points where the pseudo-Song court currently has strong defenses."

Translation: "\"Traveling by land, crossing the Yellow River, passing through Hua and Pu Prefectures to head south—although the route is a bit longer, it avoids the several key points where the False Song court currently concentrates its defenses. \""

Shi Dun pointed at the rough map and spoke in a low voice.

Translation: "Shi Dun pointed at the rough map and said in a low voice."

"But there are many defeated soldiers and refugees along the way, so it may not be peaceful."

Translation: "\"But there are many defeated soldiers and refugees along the way, so it may not be peaceful. \""

"Going by water is also not advisable."

Translation: "\"Going by water is also not suitable. \""

Ruan Xiaoqi, meanwhile, scratched his head.

Translation: "Ruan Xiaoqi interjected, scratching his head."

"The Yellow River corridor is now tightly blocked; large ships can't pass, and small ships are risky."

Translation: "\"The Yellow River corridor is now tightly blocked; large ships have trouble passing, and small boats carry great risk. \""

"The land route is still safer; if trouble arises, maneuvering is easier."

Translation: "\"Land travel is still the safest; if trouble arises, maneuvering is easier. \""

In the end, they agreed to primarily take the land route, possibly using small ferries on certain river sections depending on the situation.

Translation: "In the end, the two agreed to mainly travel by land, and if circumstances allowed, they could make use of small ferries on certain river sections."

On the night before departure, Chen Wen summoned Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi to his tent.

Translation: "On the night before departure, Chen Wen summoned Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi to his tent."

Under the oil lamp, his expression was solemn.

Translation: "Under the oil lamp, his expression was solemn."

"This journey across thousands of mountains and rivers is fraught with danger and unpredictable."

Translation: "\"This journey will cross thousands of mountains and rivers, full of unknown dangers. \""

"The burden on your shoulders is not light."

Translation: "\"The burden on your shoulders is not light. \""

"My lord, rest assured!"

Translation: "\"My lord, rest assured! \""

Ruan Xiaoqi spoke first, his eyes flashing with excitement and determination.

Translation: "Ruan Xiaoqi spoke first, his eyes flashing with excitement and resolve."

"We'll definitely get the job done, find that Mr. Yue, and get to the bottom of those sneaky tricks in the south!"

Translation: "\"We'll definitely get the job done, find that Yue fellow, and get to the bottom of those sneaky tricks down south! \""

Shi Dun, however, was much steadier, simply clasping his fists firmly.

Translation: "Shi Dun, much more steady, simply clasped his fists firmly:"

"I will not disgrace the mission."

Translation: "\"I will not disgrace the mission. \""

Chen Wen gave a slight nod, took out two seemingly ordinary wooden waist tokens from his pocket, simple in design.

Translation: "Chen Wen gave a slight nod, took out two seemingly ordinary wooden waist tokens from his bosom, their style ancient and simple."

Engraved on them is the emblem of the North Hope Army—a simple mountain outline supporting a star.

Translation: "They bore the emblem of the Northward Aspiration Army—a simple mountain peak outline supporting a star."

He has recently become more adept at using the Initial Momentum Sense, especially after repeatedly experiencing it at level 4 multiplier.

Translation: "He has recently become ever more proficient in using 'Shi Yong,' especially repeatedly experiencing it under the Lv. 4 multiplier."

He has gained a more subtle understanding of this momentum force, which stems from the foundation of power and the people's will.

Translation: "He has gained a more subtle understanding of this 'Fortune Momentum' force that springs from the foundation of power and the people's will."

He realizes that he is the core variable of the North Hope Army.

Translation: "He realized that, as the core variable of the Northward Aspiration Army,"

He himself, as well as certain objects endowed with special meaning, naturally carry a faint, unique momentum marker.

Translation: "he himself, and certain objects endowed with special meaning, naturally carry a faint, unique 'Fortune Momentum' mark."

This marker is not energy; it is more like a mark or trait existing in higher-level rules.

Translation: "This mark is not energy; it is more like a brand or trait existing in a higher-level rule."

"Keep this object close to your person."

Translation: "\"Keep this item close to your person. \""

He handed the waist tokens to the two, his tone calm.

Translation: "He handed the waist tokens to the two, his tone calm."

"This is the token of our North Hope Army, also carrying a bit of our army's unique fortune."

Translation: "\"This is the token of my Northward Aspiration Army, and it also carries a hint of our army's unique destiny. \""

"Perhaps... at a critical moment, it could let me sense something."

Translation: "\"Perhaps... at a critical moment, it could let me sense something. \""

He cannot communicate remotely or pinpoint precisely, but he relies on his vague perception of his own force's momentum.

Translation: "He cannot communicate remotely or pinpoint precisely, but relying on his vague perception of his own force's Fortune Momentum,"

If the area where these two waist tokens are located experiences a violent, unusual momentum fluctuation.

Translation: "if the area where these two waist tokens are located experiences a violent, unusual fluctuation of Fortune Momentum,"

He might be able to perceive a slight anomaly through the Initial Momentum Sense.

Translation: "he might perhaps detect a hint of abnormality through Shi Yong."

This is more like a warning mechanism based on a mysterious connection, rather than a precise communication tool.

Translation: "This is more like a warning mechanism based on a mysterious connection, rather than a precise communication tool."

Although Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi don't fully understand the deeper meaning, they know it's related to Chen Wen's special ability, so they solemnly receive it and keep it close.

Translation: "Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi, though not fully grasping the deeper meaning, knew this was tied to Chen Wen's special ability; they solemnly received them and hid them close to their bodies."

Next, Chen Wen further detailed the signals for meeting with southern covert personnel, emergency contact points, and most importantly—

Translation: "Next, Chen Wen also detailed the signals for meeting with southern covert personnel, emergency contact points, and most importantly——"

the attitude and wording to use when contacting Yue Fei.

Translation: "the attitude and wording to use when contacting Yue Fei."

"Yue Pengju, this person—observing his momentum, he is upright and unyielding, loyal to his country and family."

Translation: "\"Yue Pengju, this person—observing his Fortune Momentum, he is upright and unyielding, heart devoted to home and country. \""

"In dealing with him, we should be sincere, righteous, and move him with the grand aspiration of the North Hope Army's resistance to the Jin."

Translation: "\"In dealing with him, we must be sincere, righteous, and move him with the Northward Aspiration Army's grand ambition to resist the Jin. \""

"We must avoid using power to oppress others, and must not lightly promise what we cannot fulfill."

Translation: "\"We must never intimidate with power, nor lightly promise what we cannot fulfill. \""

"If he is temporarily unwilling to join forces, we need not insist; leaving a good connection is enough."

Translation: "\"If he is temporarily unwilling to join forces, we need not insist; leaving a good affinity is enough. \""

"The primary task is to ensure he knows that in this northern land, there remains a sincere force resisting the Jin, willing to echo north and south."

Translation: "\"The primary task is to make sure he knows that, in this northern land, there remains a force sincerely resisting the Jin, willing to echo north and south. \""

Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi listened carefully, committing every word to memory.

Translation: "Shi Dun and Ruan Xiaoqi listened carefully, committing every word to memory."

They know this is not just a simple reconnaissance mission, but possibly a breakthrough journey that could affect the future situation.

Translation: "They knew this was not just a simple reconnaissance mission, but possibly a breakthrough journey that could affect the future situation."

The next day at dawn, the sky was still dark.

Translation: "The next dawn, the sky was still dark."

The fortress gate quietly opened; the thirty selected elites were already ready.

Translation: "The stronghold gate opened quietly; the thirty selected elites were already ready."

They did not wear the standard uniforms of the North Hope Army, but instead dressed in various rough clothes, some posing as merchant guards, others as fleeing compatriots, their weapons wrapped in cloth and hidden in cargo carts or carrying poles.

Translation: "They did not wear the Northward Aspiration Army's standard armor, but changed into various coarse cloth garments—some posing as merchant guards, some as fellow villagers fleeing disaster—while their weapons were wrapped in cloth and hidden in the cargo carts or shoulder poles."

At first glance, they look no different from the usual refugee groups on the road, except that everyone in the team has sharp eyes, moves silently, and exudes a compact, vigorous spirit.

Translation: "At first glance, they looked no different from the usual refugee bands on the road, but everyone in the squad had sharp eyes, moved silently, and naturally exuded a refined vigor."

Chen Wen, Lin Chong, Chao Gai, Wu Yong and others personally saw them off to outside the stronghold gate.

"Shi Dun brothers, Xiao Qi, be extra careful!"

Chao Gai firmly patted their shoulders.

"If you meet someone who doesn't know better, just kill them and then hurry back!"

Lin Chong then handed over two waist sabers polished to a snowy brightness.

"Take this, just in case."

Wu Yong stepped forward last and whispered:

"In the False Song's new capital, Ying Tian Prefecture, it's a mix of dragons and snakes; the Iron Crow Army has many eyes and ears; be cautious in all matters, safety first."

Shi Dun and Xiao Qi gave a deep fist salute to all the leaders and also to the Black Cloud Stronghold behind them.

"Brothers, please stay!"

"We are going!"

Without further grand words, the thirty-person squad turned silently, merging into the lingering morning mist, and along the southbound dirt road, they gradually faded away.

Chen Wen stood outside the stronghold gate, gazing long at the direction where the squad disappeared.

He silently exercised Shi Yong, able to faintly "see" that the two waist tablets bearing the unique qi of the Northward Aspiration Army were like two faint stars, steadily moving southward.

As long as they do not suddenly undergo severe dimming or explosive fluctuations, it means the squad is temporarily safe.

The southbound squad, like an antenna he extended, is about to venture into the southern region shrouded in the shadow of the Iron Crow Army, unknown.

The accumulation of his internal Growth Progress Bar also seemed to advance a small but solid step forward with the implementation of this major decision.

"Next, it's just waiting."

Chen Wen silently chanted in his heart.

"Hope they can bring back good news."

He turned and walked back into the stronghold.

The daily routine of the Northward Aspiration Army remained unchanged: training, farming, and vigilance.

But in everyone's heart, there was an added longing and anticipation for the south.

The southbound squad, carrying the future hopes of the Northward Aspiration Army, embarked on the expedition.