Chapter 565: Critical Conferment

The noise of the Yancheng battlefield gradually quieted as night fell.

It was not an end, but a weary respite.

The Gold Army retreated ten li and set up camp; their campfires scattered like stars across the wilderness.

They needed to reorganize their formation, which had been cut in half, and digest the day's shocking defeat.

The Yue Family Army likewise lacked the strength to pursue.

The soldiers leaned on broken shields, sitting beside corpses in the marsh that had not yet grown cold, silently chewing hard biscuits and drinking the little water left in their waterskins.

The wounded's groans drifted on the night wind, stifled and painful.

Yue Fei did not rest.

He inspected the frontline positions, checked the fortifications, comforted the wounded, and gave the last of the rations to the hungriest young soldiers.

His mystic armor was stained with blood, both enemy's and his own.

A sword wound on his left arm was hastily bandaged, oozing dark red.

Yet his steps remained steady; wherever his gaze fell, the soldiers instinctively straightened their spines.

When he returned to the commander's tent, it was already midnight.

The attendant soldiers tried to take off his armor, but he waved them away.

Only a single oil lamp remained in the tent, its flame flickering dimly.

He sat alone and finally took out the jade pendant from his bosom.

In the faint light, he examined it closely.

The jade pendant was still warm and smooth, but the strange heat it had held in the daytime had vanished; to the touch it felt merely the coolness of ordinary stone.

Yet that feeling was certainly not an illusion.

Had it not been for that sudden clarity and strength, he could not have seized the opportunity, nor cut into the Iron Pagoda's waist and ribs.

The battle situation perhaps…

He shook his head, not daring to think further.

"Shi Dun… Mr. Chen…"

He whispered those two names, his fingers rubbing the smooth surface of the jade pendant.

The Northward Aspiration Army.

Those "righteous armies" they had never met, yet had several times sent aid in the snow.

Just what abilities did they possess, to transmit this… almost divine power across a thousand miles?

This far exceeded the realm of ordinary martial arts or strategy.

Yue Fei came from the ranks, believed only in proven results, and always scoffed at talk of monstrous power and divine trickery.

But the jade pendant in his hand, that clear sensation in the daytime, and the Northward Aspiration Army's past astonishing efficiency in aid, all assaulted his understanding.

He recalled the obscure reminders in Shi Dun's sealed letter: "script," "node," "shadow."

At the time he thought it was merely some coded language or a warning.

Now, combining his personal experience, a chill quietly crept up his spine.

Could it be that in this world there truly exists some invisible "trend" or "track" driving everything?

And he himself was merely a relatively conspicuous piece among them?

Might those who wished him down also wield some unconventional power?

He closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and suppressed the tumultuous doubts and chill in his heart.

No matter what, the battle must be fought, the land reclaimed.

This jade pendant is friend, not foe—there is no doubt about that.

He restored it to a place close to his body, feeling the reassuring coolness.

The urgent task is to face tomorrow.

Wanyan Zongbi is certainly no mediocre general; having suffered a setback today, he will surely retaliate tomorrow with even greater fury.

The Yue Family Army suffered heavy casualties; arrows were nearly exhausted, and provisions… were a sword hanging over their heads.

"Report—"

A voice sounded from outside the tent: the attendant soldier.

"Speak."

"Northern scouts report: the Gold Army's main camp is moving frequently, suggesting reinforcements."

"Moreover… word came from rear Yancheng: the Imperial Court… another edict has arrived; the imperial envoy is already in the city awaiting."

Yue Fei's eyes snapped open.

Firelight flashed in his pupils.

Reinforcements.

Edict.

They came one after another in the same night.

Coincidence?

A hint of icy coldness curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Understood. Let the imperial envoy rest properly in the city's relay station, and say our military affairs are urgent; I will receive the edict tomorrow."

"This…" the attendant soldier hesitated a bit.

"Reply as I said."

"Yes!"

The attendant soldier withdrew.

Yue Fei slowly leaned back against the chair, fatigue washing over him like a tide.

But his gaze remained sharp as a blade.

Black Cloud Stronghold.

Chen Wen practiced breath regulation in the quiet room for a full two hours before barely suppressing the weakness from overexerting his energy.

His complexion remained somewhat pale, but his eyes shone astonishingly bright.

Success.

Although it was only an instant, although the effect was minuscule, although the cost was enormous.

But the "limited long-range endowment" path has indeed been opened.

This is not merely a tactical support.

This is also a proof.

Proof that his ability can transcend physical distance to influence a crucial node a thousand li away.

Proof that he is not merely passively waiting for northern "Fortune Momentum" to grow, but can actively and precisely intervene.

This is of great significance for all future plans.

He opened his palm, and the iron-wood token lay still in his palm.

The faint surface glow had faded, restoring its rough, unadorned appearance.

But Chen Wen could feel that the invisible "thread" between him and it had become a bit clearer and more stable.

Through it, he could even faintly sense the "state" of the southern jade pendant—calm, not triggered, but the "channel" was open.

"Your Lordship."

Zhao Lao'nian's voice sounded from outside the door, carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

"Come in."

Zhao Lao'nian pushed the door open, holding a wooden box, his eyes bloodshot yet he was spirited.

"How do you feel? Is the token still stable? Is the transmission of the 'mark' smooth? Any lag or backlash?"

A series of questions were thrown out.

Chen Wen gestured for him to sit and passed the token over.

"Quite smooth. The consumption was greater than expected, but the transmission process……felt natural, like water flowing through a cleared channel. They should have received it at the crucial moment."

Zhao Lao'nian carefully took the token, his fingers brushing its surface, closed his eyes to feel it for a moment, then let out a long sigh.

"It's done……really done. The 'inert shadow-energy crystal' as base indeed better carries and transmits the 'Fortune Momentum mark', with far less decay than expected!"

He opened the wooden box; inside were five or six token blanks of slightly varying material and shape.

"This is a new batch of blanks adjusted from this success. This one has a trace of refined gold for better conductivity; this one uses century-old lightning-struck wood, said to harmonize with vitality; this one……"

Chen Wen listened carefully, already forming a plan in his mind.

"Such long-range endowment consumes too much to be a regular means, but as a 'surprise force' at crucial moments, it can shift local battles—and even……alter the course of a certain 'node'."

He looked at Zhao Lao'nian.

"Can such tokens be produced? Even if just two or three per month."

Zhao Lao'nian pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"Difficult. Refining the core material, the 'inert shadow-energy crystal', is extremely hard; once the remnants from Wang Family Hollow are used up, we must find another source. Moreover, imprinting the 'mark' must be done by you personally, consuming time and spirit. At most……one per month, and only when you are in peak condition."

Chen Wen nodded.

"One is enough. This is a strategic weapon—quality over quantity."

He paused.

"The southern war is urgent; pressure on Yue Fei's side will only grow. I will keep warming this token to keep the channel ready at any time. The making and initial processing of the new blanks will be up to you."

"Furthermore, harassment of the Jin strongholds in the north must continue. Lin Chong and his men have taken two more outposts today, drawing considerable Jin attention—a good thing. We must keep them running ragged, with no spare strength to march south in full force."

Zhao Lao'nian solemnly accepted the order.

"Understood. The workshop is rushing to produce bolts for the 'Demon-Subduing Crossbow'; a new batch can be sent to Instructor Lin in three days. The repulsive force of the light‑curtain channel—I have recently devised a new method that could halve it further……"

"Good."

Chen Wen watched Zhao Lao'nian leave, then turned his gaze back south.

The token in his palm warmed slightly, as if resonating with another jade pendant far away a thousand li.

Facing Peace, Qin Manor.

The charcoal fire in the warm pavilion still burned brightly.

Qin Hui's complexion, however, was somewhat gloomy.

Before him lay a dispatch that had been rushed back from the direction of Yancheng at the utmost speed.

The Yue family army's Iron-Walled Corps clashed head‑on with the Iron Pagoda, suicide squads traded horses for legs, Yue Fei personally led the cavalry charge, and the Jin forces were forced to retreat after suffering a setback……

Each character felt like a needle pricking his eyes.

"Trash!"

He muttered a curse, not knowing whether he was damning Wanyan Zongbi or that seemingly invincible Iron Pagoda.

Wanqi Xie stood to the side with hands lowered, not daring to utter a breath.

"Mr. Zeng, any new news from your side?"

Qin Hui rubbed his brow and asked.

"Mr. Zeng came this afternoon, saying that those 'rebel forces' in the north have stepped up their harassment, destabilizing the Jin rear, which could affect front‑line troop deployments. He also added……"

Wanqi Xie stole a glance at Qin Hui's face.

"What did he say?"

"He said the omen of the 'Wind‑Wave Pavilion' has become increasingly clear lately. My lord……please make preparations."

Qin Hui's finger twitched.

Again, "Wind and Wave Pavilion"!

This word, which had mysteriously appeared in his dreams and been mentioned repeatedly by that Mr. Zeng, was like a talisman, making him feel both uneasy and faintly thrilled at being chosen by heaven's mandate.

"Prepare... we must naturally prepare."

He stared at the characters "Yue Fei personally leads" on the report, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

The better he fights, the more he wins the army's hearts, the more he must die.

Moreover, he must die in disgrace and be abandoned by all.

Has the heavenly envoy reached Yancheng?

Yes, according to schedule, he should have arrived tonight.

"Good." Qin Hui's face showed a hint of a cold smile.

Tell the heavenly envoy that the second and third orders urging the advance can be issued as needed. The excuse will be that the imperial court learned the Jin army had reinforced its troops, fearing its isolated force would go too deep, and to preserve the soldiers, order it to withdraw to the Xiang-Deng defense line as circumstances dictate.

If he obeys the order, it will be an admission that the northern expedition was reckless, and morale will surely collapse.

If he defies the order...

Qin Hui did not continue, but the killing intent in his eyes said everything.

Besides, how is the contact with 'that person' inside the Yue Family Army going?

There has been progress. He resents the unfair distribution of provisions and is dissatisfied with Yue Fei's repeated refusals of the court's 'goodwill,' but he has not yet obtained sufficient weight in the form of a 'letter of allegiance.'

"Step it up." Qin Hui said coldly, "Promise him a promotion of three ranks after the fact and a reward of one thousand taels of silver. If he has family ties… you know what to do."

"Yes."

Wanqi Chan bowed and withdrew.

Inside the warm pavilion, Qin Hui alone faced the flickering candle, softly repeating that word.

"Wind and Wave Pavilion..."

As if savoring some impending, bloody sweetness.

Outside Yancheng, in the wilderness.

A lone wolf howled at the waning moon.

The sound was shrill, piercing the cold night wind, carrying toward the distant endless military camps and the deeper darkness to the south.

The night is still long.

And the pieces dropped by all sides are slowly moving on the board, approaching the destined bloody slaughter point.