Chapter 544: North-South Echoing Situation

The news of Eagle Beak Valley again defeating the Jin army's elite spread like wings, quickly spreading across the northern lands.

This time, it not only boosted the morale of the Northward Aspiration Army itself, but also produced a profound influence in the surrounding areas.

Those local tyrants, scattered soldier groups, and even small rebel armies that had been wavering between the Northward Aspiration Army, the Jin army, the False Song remnants, and various mountain strongholds.

Upon hearing that the Northward Aspiration Army could even repel the vanguard of the Iron Pagoda in open battle, their thoughts became active.

Previously, although the Northward Aspiration Army had a reputation, most still regarded it as merely a stronger band of mountain bandits and drifters.

But now, being able to stand firm against one of the Jin state's most famed elite forces, that weight is entirely different.

Within a few days, outside Black Cloud Stronghold became especially "lively".

The able-bodied youths who came to enlist streamed in endlessly; though of mixed quality, they nonetheless gave the Northward Aspiration Army a tangible boost in manpower.

Moreover, there were several small armed forces of a few hundred strong, occupying nearby mountain peaks.

Their leaders personally came to pay a visit, speaking earnestly, expressing their willingness to accept the Northward Aspiration Army's orders and jointly resist the Jin.

What they valued was not only the Northward Aspiration Army's combat strength, but also its potential to provide a relatively stable rear and a clear anti-Jin goal.

Lin Chong, Wu Yong, and others were overwhelmed, sorting personnel, reorganizing units, dividing defense zones, and assigning tasks.

The actual territory controlled by the Northward Aspiration Army, under the combined effect of swords and newfound prestige.

Silently expanded outward by over ten li, incorporating several strategic mountain passes and the small roads leading further north.

A pattern centered on Black Cloud Stronghold, radiating outward, is gradually taking shape.

"Instructor Lin, Military Advisor Wu, it seems our 'Northward Aspiration' banner has truly taken root."

Chao Gai looked at the bustling scene inside and outside the stronghold, split his wide mouth in a laugh, and said.

"At this momentum, before long we'll drive those Jin dogs in the northern prefectures back to their homes!"

Wu Yong fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan; although his eyes showed delight, he was more cautious.

"Heavenly King, one must not be careless.

The Jin people's setback this time will certainly not be let go easily.

Now that our momentum is high and many come to attach themselves, yet among them there are inevitably opportunists and even those with ulterior motives.

To train and strengthen the troops, to consolidate the foundation, is the long-term plan.

Lin Chong also nodded in agreement.

"What the Military Advisor says is absolutely correct.

With the territory expanding and personnel becoming more complex, the difficulty of management also doubles.

We must quickly clarify the system, make rewards and punishments clear, so as to forge this new strength into a single rope rather than a loose sand.

Meanwhile, in the southern Huainan West Circuit.

Yue Fei followed the 'steady and solid' strategy, and did not rush for quick success despite his promotion to Commissioner.

He used the court's formally granted title and part of the provisions to vigorously rectify defenses, clear his jurisdiction, and gradually integrate and drill the newly allied rebel armies and gathered scattered soldiers.

At the same time, continuing under the banner of 'eliminating bandits' and 'countering harassments',

he carried out surgical strikes against the False Qi strongholds and small Jin forces in the surrounding areas, step by step consolidating the defense line of the Huainan West Circuit.

Although the Yue Family Army's victory reports were not as shocking as the Northward Aspiration Army's repelling of the Iron Pagoda's vanguard, they excelled in continuity and stability.

The prestige of the Yue flag in the Huainan region grew day by day; more and more people regarded it as a refuge, and many scattered soldiers and anti-Jin righteous men came flocking by reputation.

An anti-Jin bulwark centered on Yue Fei, with the Yue Family Army as its backbone, radiating throughout the Huainan West Circuit, is quietly being constructed.

This forms, with the Northward Aspiration Army in the north, a strategic posture of distant mutual response, though not directly connected.

One in the north, one in the south, two nails, firmly wedged into the heartland of the Central Plains that the Jin army seeks to fully control.

This North-South Echoing situation, which shows a thriving development trend, clearly deviates greatly from the 'historical script' upheld by the Iron Crow Army and its master.

In the Iron Crow Army's simulation, at this time the Southern Song (False Song) should be struggling under the Jin army's onslaught, barely holding on.

It absolutely should not have a variable like the Northward Aspiration Army that can stand toe-to-toe with the Jin army's main forces.

Nor should there be an unexpected development like Yue Fei, who continually grows within the framework and furtively forms his own pattern.

In a dark space beyond mortal perception, countless light streams like data flows crisscross; among them, the light points representing the Northward Aspiration Army and Yue Fei.

They are shining abnormally bright and continuously flashing, conspicuously out of place with the dim light streams representing the 'established history' around them.

Even producing obvious interference and repulsion toward them.

At the core where the light streams converge, that vague figure shrouded in dense dark energy—the master of the Iron Crow Army—let out a silent roar.

Although limited by the rules, he cannot directly act upon Chen Wen's true form, which has not yet reached the critical point.

But the ongoing 'deviation' of the Northward Aspiration Army and Yue Fei is constantly draining the foundation of his power to recover.

Weakening his control over this 'script world'.

"Variables... must be eliminated..."

A cold thought surged in the dark energy.

"Since a direct military strike cannot quickly take effect... then we will disintegrate from within, distort from the root..."

The dark shades of the Iron Crow Army surrounding him received the new orders.

They are no longer solely focused on surveillance and direct military intervention.

Instead, they begin to infiltrate, guide, and exploit those lurking within the False Song court,

and within the Jin high-level, those forces hostile, fearful, or usable toward the Northward Aspiration Army and Yue Fei.

Within the False Song court, memorials from the pro-peace officials began to mention more frequently the 'menace of regional militarism' and 'raising a tiger to one's peril,' implicitly pointing at Yue Fei, who holds troops to assert independence and continually provokes border conflicts.

On the Jin side, the discourse that the Northward Aspiration Army possesses sorcery and must be eradicated as soon as possible is gaining the upper hand among the high ranks.

An invisible net began to be cast simultaneously toward the northern Black Cloud Stronghold and the southern Huainan Main Camp.

The North-South Echoing situation, while bringing strategic advantage, undoubtedly pushes both sides into the spotlight, facing more complex and dangerous challenges.

Black Cloud Stronghold, Chen Wen stood on the wall, gazing southward.

Although he could not directly "see" the data stream like the master of the Iron Crow Army could.

But through "Shi Yong", he could faintly perceive it.

The fortune-momentum light cluster representing the Northward Aspiration Army and the Yue Family Army, while steadily growing,

The gloomy aura gathering around it, representing "malice" and "crisis", is also becoming denser and more targeted.

"The tree desires calm, but the wind will not cease……"

Chen Wen whispered softly.

"Having steadied his footing, what comes next is to face the overt and covert attacks from all directions."

He felt the surging power within his body, and the growth progress that needed only a thread more to be complete.

The true storm may have only just begun.