Chapter 601: with translation of chapter title

The city walls of Zhenbei Pass, in Chen Zhong's memory, always exuded a silent resilience.

In his youth he once accompanied his father, Emperor Chen Hong, on a northern tour to this place; back then the grass outside the pass grew lush and warblers flew, and though the garrison troops' faces bore heavy signs of frost, their eyes were mostly peaceful.

Now he stands again on the watchtower of this mighty pass; wherever his hand reaches, the cracks between bricks and stones seem to be soaked with the northland's unique, blade-like chill.

Outside the pass, the open plain that should have been illuminated by the winter clear sky is now shrouded in a strange gray haze.

It is not wind and snow, but rising dust.

The dust kicked up by a large number of cavalry forms a slow-moving, sky-connecting, earth-spanning gray-yellow curtain, pressing down from the northern horizon.

Inside the watchtower, the bronze-cast Thousand-Mile Mirror firmly locked onto the leading edge of the dust wall.

The Heavenly Works Institute artisan manipulating the eyepiece had sweat on his brow, his voice tense.

"Confirm a large-scale cavalry gathering! The vanguard numbers about five thousand riders, uniformly equipped, ranks tight!"

"The ensuing dust cloud covers an enormous area; the total number…… is impossible to estimate, absolutely far exceeding the scale of ordinary border raiders!"

"No clear royal banner was seen, yet each unit's marching order is strict; they are certainly not nomadic scattered cavalry!"

"Their scout cavalry move extremely fast; several of our external reconnaissance units have already lost contact!"

"In the mirror's view, parts of the enemy cavalry and their horses occasionally show distorted outlines, resembling the residual image traits of dark-energy radiation… about seventy percent similar!"

Zhenbei Pass commander and Bei Jing Governor-General's Office deputy commander Shi Gandang (nephew of Shi Dun) had a face ashen as iron; he slammed a fist into the battlement.

"They've come! Just as Minister Zhao predicted!"

He suddenly turned about and roared in a hoarse voice.

"'Swift Falcon'! Send it to Xijing! The Privy Council, Ministry of War, and Heavenly Works Institute—directly to the throne!"

"Mark it: 'Bei Jing express, dark-energy related, likely a large force of catalyst enemies'!"

"Received the order!"

The messenger's silhouette vanished around the stairwell corner.

Shi Gandang drew a deep breath of freezing air, forced himself to calm, and fixed his gaze on the dust wall drawing ever nearer.

The muffled thunder of hooves already faintly arrived, striking the earth and also striking the heartstrings of every garrison soldier on the pass walls.

"Pass the order! All units, follow Plan A, first protocol, hold your positions! Ready the crossbow cannons, fire oil, and rolling stones! Activate all dark-energy detection arrays to maximum!"

"Also dispatch a squad of the elite Sleepless Night, issuing the new Spirit-Settling Bells and Demon-Subduing Crossbows; do not engage, just watch from afar—I need to know what this pack of wolf cubs intends, where their main force hides!"

"Yes!"

……

Seven days later, in Xijing, the imperial palace, the Hall of Purple Majesty.

The morning audience had ended, yet the atmosphere in the side hall was even more solemn than in the court.

Emperor Chen Zhong sat upright behind the imperial desk.

He has been on the throne for six years.

Six years ago, his father Emperor Chen Hong—the mature ruler who had reigned nearly twenty years and brought Great Chen's national strength to its peak—

—citing his advancing age and desire to focus on cultivating martial arts for health—abdicated to the Crown Prince, retired to Xingqing Palace as Taishang Huang, and rested quietly.

Chen Zhong was then thirty-five, an age of vigorous ambition and already having accumulated considerable governance experience.

He resembled his grandfather Chen Wen in appearance—square jaw, thick brows—but his temperament leaned more toward his father Chen Hong's serene and restrained nature.

He lacked the founding king's flamboyant outward vigor, but had gained several measures of the steadiness and decorum forged in the deep palace and court.

At this moment he held a report whose edges were sealed with black lacquer and bore the dual stamps of 'Heavenly Works Institute Secret' and 'Bei Jing Governor-General's Office Urgent'.

Below the imperial desk, two persons stood respectfully.

The person on the left appeared to be just over thirty, tall and upright, with eyes calm as a deep ancient well.

Only the profound bearing in his brows, forged by long years and countless storms, revealed his extraordinariness.

He is Zhang Cheng, the foremost of the Five Ministers who have followed the left and right since the era of Taizu Chen Wen.

Now he holds the posts of Privy Councilor and equal to the Secretariat-Chancellery, overseeing all military and political affairs.

The extension of his lifespan keeps his appearance unchanged, yet his wisdom—penetrating the finest detail, leaving no strategy unconsidered—has grown ever richer with the passage of time.

The person on the right likewise appears to be about thirty, with a fair complexion and eyes that constantly hold a focus immersed in the mechanics of objects, tinged with a hint of detachment.

He is Minister of Works Zhao Lao Nian, a prodigy of the Works Ministry since the Taizu era.

Because his lifespan was likewise extended in that past upheaval, his appearance has remained unchanged.

Today he has become the most unique and awe-inspiring technological titan in the court.

Chen Zhong slowly set down the report, his fingertip lightly tapping the smooth desktop.

"Minister Zhao, the urgent report states, 'The dark-energy reaction characteristics closely match the Iron Crow Army's catalytic products'."

"'Its combat power far exceeds that of any known steppe tribe.' These two points—does the Works Ministry have a final verdict?"

Zhao Lao Nian bowed slightly, his voice flat and unchanging, yet each word crystal clear, piercing the silence of the hall:

"Your Majesty, a conclusion can be reached."

"The Bei Jing monitoring network, since late last autumn, has captured a persistent and steadily intensifying dark-energy radiation source deep in the northern desert."

"Its spectral characteristics resemble those recorded in the old files of the Iron Crow Army's 'catalytic ritual' ripples, with over eighty percent similarity."

"As for its military strength…"

He took from his sleeve a flat metal box, opened it, and inside lay several dark‑colored, irregular fragments and a few sealed samples.

"These are fragments of enemy scout cavalry armor and contaminated horse matter, obtained three days ago by General Shi Gandang's daredevil squad."

Zhao Lao Nian picked up a piece of armor with blackened edges and a slight twist.

"The armor is neither leather nor iron, mixed with a trace of 'iron‑repelling stone' powder and unknown horny substance, unusually light and flexible, greatly increasing protection against blades and arrows, and exhibiting adsorption of low‑level dark‑energy fluctuations—clearly an artificial construct."

He then pointed to a small pinch of sealed soil.

"Analysis of the mount's bodily fluids shows that the concentration of a certain dark‑energy‑promoting organism in its blood is ten‑plus times that of ordinary steppe horses."

Estimates of muscle and endurance already exceed what a natural warhorse can achieve.

Strength and endurance estimates already exceed what a natural warhorse can achieve.

He shut the metal box, glanced at Chen Zhong and Zhang Cheng, and delivered a brief, cold verdict.

He closed the metal box, looked up at Chen Zhong and Zhang Cheng, his conclusion concise and ruthless. Use given names: Chen Zhong, Zhang Cheng. So: "He closed the metal box, looked up at Chen Zhong and Zhang Cheng, and his conclusion was concise and ruthless."

Even ordinary cavalry from this foe match the individual combat strength of our veteran border elite.

"This enemy, even ordinary cavalry, its individual combat power is not inferior to our hundred-battle border elite troops." Use "border army". We'll translate: "This enemy—even ordinary cavalry—has individual combat power that matches our hundred-veteran border elite." Keep concise.

Its core may be even more horrifying. This scale and transformation could not be produced by years of ordinary campaigning.

"Its core is likely even more terrifying. Such scale, such qualitative change, cannot be achieved by natural conquest in just a few years." We'll translate: "Its core is likely even more terrifying. Such scale and qualitative shift could not be produced by natural conquest in mere years."

It is the fruit of the Iron Crow Army's forced catalysis and forced growth, achieved at the expense of consuming their fundamental source permission.

It is the result of the Iron Crow Army forcibly catalyzing and pulling up seedlings, at the cost of consuming their fundamental source permission.

Zhang Cheng spoke slowly, his voice low but steady, reflecting his clear grasp of the situation.

"Zhang Cheng spoke slowly, his voice not loud, yet carrying a calm that showed his grasp of the situation." Use Zhang Cheng.

Your Majesty, the northern border reports that while the enemy has no unified standard, their units move in concert, revealing the early form of a large‑scale army tactic.

"Your Majesty, Bei Jing reports that although the enemy lacks a unified banner, their units advance and retreat in coordination, faintly showing the rudiments of a large-army tactic." Use Bei Jing.

Their goal is not looting; they probably mean to pour all their strength into a southern thrust that would shake the very foundation of our Northern Border in one blow.

Their aim is not plunder; they likely intend to pour all strength into a southern invasion, in one strike shaking the foundation of our Northern Border.

The Iron Crow Army's ambitions this time are vast, perhaps tied to the dramatic upheaval in the false Song world beyond the light curtain, seeking to strike from east and west so we cannot defend both fronts.

"This Iron Crow Army move aims great, possibly linked to the dramatic changes in the False Song world beyond the light curtain, intending a pincer attack from east and west, leaving us unable to attend to both ends." Use Iron Crow Army, False Song, light curtain. We'll translate: "The Iron Crow Army's move this time is ambitious, possibly linked to the dramatic upheaval in the False Song world beyond the light curtain, aiming for an east‑west pincer that would leave us unable to defend both ends."

Chen Zhong paused, his gaze returning to the alarming notation on the report: 'Advance force of 30,000, subsequent details unknown.'

"Chen Zhong fell silent for a moment, his gaze returning to the shocking words on the memorial: 'Vanguard 30,000, follow‑up unknown.'" Use Chen Zhong.

The grasslands stretch far and wide, the tribes scattered across them.

"The vast grasslands, the tribes scattered." We'll translate: "The grasslands are vast, the tribes scattered."

Even under a capable leader, assembling elite cavalry of this magnitude and strange equipment would take ten to several decades of buildup.

"Even with a wise lord, gathering such a scale of elite cavalry with such strange equipment would require ten to several decades of cultivation." We'll translate: "Even with a capable lord, assembling elite cavalry of this scale and with such bizarre equipment would take ten to several decades of buildup."

Yet the border was still deemed peaceful last year; this year it has suddenly erupted into such a raging torrent...

"Yet last year the border was still called peaceful; this year such a torrent has suddenly erupted." We'll translate: "Yet the border was still peaceful last year; this year such a torrent has suddenly erupted."

He turned to Zhao Lao Nian: 'Minister Zhao, can the Iron Crow Army's catalysis really produce this effect in the short term?'

He looked at Zhao Lao Nian: 'Minister Zhao, can the Iron Crow Army's catalysis really achieve this effect in the short term?'

Zhao Lao Nian nodded:

"Zhao Lao Nian nodded:" We'll keep as: "Zhao Lao Nian nodded:"

Yes, but it consumes greatly and will inevitably disrupt the stability of their 'script world' historical context.

"Yes. But the consumption is enormous, and it will inevitably disturb the stability of the 'script world's' historical context." We'll translate: "Yes. But the consumption is enormous, and it will inevitably disturb the stability of that script world's historical context."

Their taking such a risk must serve a major purpose they cannot avoid, or to make up for permissions lost elsewhere.

"They undertake this risky move; they must have some great plan they cannot avoid, or to compensate for lost permissions elsewhere." We'll translate: "Their undertaking of this risky move must stem from some great plan they cannot avoid, or from a need to make up for lost permissions elsewhere."

Chen Zhong rose and walked to the massive map of the Northern Border hanging on the hall's side.

"Chen Zhong rose and walked to the huge map of the Northern Border hanging at the side of the hall." Use Northern Border (translate). We'll translate: "Chen Zhong rose and walked to the huge Northern Border map hanging at the side of the hall."

His finger glided over the Yin Mountains, swept across the Hetao plain, and finally pressed firmly on the spot of Zhenbei Pass.

"His finger swept over the Yin Mountains, traced the Hetao Plain, and finally pressed firmly on the position of Zhenbei Pass." We'll translate: "His finger swept over the Yin Mountains, traced the Hetao Plain, and finally pressed firmly on Zhenbei Pass."

My imperial grandfather's admonition still echoes in my ears: the Iron Crow menace is the enemy of civilization's survival, relentless and endless.

"The instruction of my imperial grandfather still rings in my ears: the Iron Crow Army's menace is an enemy of civilization's survival, implacable." We'll translate: "My imperial grandfather's instruction still rings in my ears: the Iron Crow Army's menace is an enemy of civilization's survival, implacable."

During my father's reign, though the northern border saw no major war, the Five Ministers and the Jing'an Bureau never let down their guard.

"During my father's reign, Bei Jing saw no major war, yet the Five Ministers and the Bureau of Peace and Stability never relaxed their vigilance." Use Bei Jing, Bureau of Peace and Stability (translate). We'll translate: "During my father's reign, Bei Jing saw no major war, yet the Five Ministers and the Bureau of Peace and Stability never relaxed their vigilance."

They have lain low for years, but today they have suddenly unleashed such thunderous measures...

"They have lain low for many years; today they suddenly unleash such thunderous measures." We'll translate: "They have lain low for many years; today they suddenly unleash such thunderous measures."

He turned, his eyes free of any doubt, holding only the resolve and tranquil strength befitting an emperor.

"He turned, his eyes devoid of any hesitation, only bearing the resolve and calm strength of an emperor." We'll translate: "He turned, his eyes devoid of any hesitation, only bearing the resolve and calm strength of an emperor."

Issue the order.

"Issue the edict." We'll translate: "Issue the edict."

All northern prefectures and governorates shall immediately go into full war readiness.

"Bei Jing's prefectures and governorates shall immediately enter a full war footing." Use Bei Jing. We'll translate: "Bei Jing's prefectures and governorates shall immediately enter a full war footing."

Strengthen defenses, clear the fields, mobilize the militia, and give priority to all provisions, supplies, and weapons for the northern line.

"Implement scorched‑earth, mobilize militia, prioritize all grain and armaments for the northern front." We'll translate: "Implement scorched‑earth, mobilize the militia, and prioritize all grain and armaments for the northern front."

Grant the Northern Border Governor Shi Dun full authority to command the northern armies, to act decisively as needed; he must hold vital passes, blunt the enemy's edge, and determine the truth and intentions of the enemy's main force.

"Grant Bei Jing's governor Shi Dun full authority to command the Northern Border's forces, to act on the spot, must firmly hold key passes, blunt the enemy's edge, and ascertain the enemy's main strength, its reality, and intentions." Use Bei Jing, Shi Dun, Northern Border. We'll translate: "Grant Bei Jing's governor Shi Dun full authority to command the Northern Border's forces, to act on the spot, must firmly hold key passes, blunt the enemy's edge, and ascertain the enemy's main strength, reality, and intentions."

The Privy Council and the Ministry of War shall immediately devise plans for the staggered mobilization of national troops and supplies, and for rushing reinforcements to the northern border.

"The Privy Council and Ministry of War shall immediately devise plans for nationwide troop and materiel mobilization in echelons and rush aid to Bei Jing." Use Privy Council, Ministry of War, Bei Jing. We'll translate: "The Privy Council and Ministry of War shall immediately devise plans for nationwide troop and materiel mobilization in echelons and rush aid to Bei Jing."

The Ministry of Works...

"The Ministry of Works..." We'll translate: "The Ministry of Works..."

Chen Zhong turned his gaze to Zhao Lao Nian.

"Chen Zhong looked at Zhao Lao Nian." We'll translate: "Chen Zhong looked at Zhao Lao Nian."

Suspend non‑urgent construction, fully devote resources to supplying the northern border's needed armaments, especially the Yin‑energy detection and counter‑measure gear; all units of the Heavenly Craft Institute shall be placed under Minister Zhao's command.

"Suspend non‑urgent construction, fully devote resources to the military equipment needed by Bei Jing, especially yin‑energy detection and counter‑measure gear; all belonging to the Heavenly Works Institute shall be dispatched at Minister Zhao's command." We'll translate: "Suspend non‑urgent construction, fully devote resources to the military equipment needed by Bei Jing, especially yin‑energy detection and counter‑measure gear; all belonging to the Heavenly Works Institute shall be dispatched at Minister Zhao's command."

Furthermore, issue a secret order to the Jing'an Bureau to deploy its highest‑level covert agents, sparing no expense, to infiltrate the grasslands and uncover the source of this force and the Iron Crow Army's movements.

"Also, secretly order the Bureau of Peace and Stability to deploy its highest‑level covert agents, sparing no cost, to penetrate the grasslands and investigate the origin of this army and the movements of the Iron Crow Army." Use Bureau of Peace and Stability, Iron Crow Army. We'll translate: "Also, secretly order the Bureau of Peace and Stability to deploy its highest‑level covert agents, sparing no cost, to penetrate the grasslands and investigate the origin of this army and the movements of the Iron Crow Army."

Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian bowed solemnly; though young in appearance, their movements bore the steadiness and unspoken understanding of those who have weathered many storms: 'Your servants, we receive the order!'

"Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian bowed solemnly; despite their youthful faces, their movements revealed the steadiness and tacit understanding of those who have weathered storms: 'Your servants, we receive the edict!'" We'll translate: "Zhang Cheng and Zhao Lao Nian bowed solemnly; despite their youthful faces, their movements revealed the steadiness and tacit understanding of those who have weathered storms: 'Your servants, we receive the edict!'"

Chen Zhong stepped to the window and opened a narrow slit.

"Chen Zhong walked to the window and pushed open a slit." We'll translate: "Chen Zhong walked to the window and pushed open a slit."

The bitter north wind surged in, bringing a faint, lethal chill and oppression that only those who bear the nation's destiny can feel.

"The bitter northern wind rushed in, carrying a faint, lethal pressure from afar that only those bearing the nation's fate can sense." We'll translate: "The bitter northern wind rushed in, carrying a faint, lethal pressure from afar that only those bearing the nation's fate can sense."

The storm is gathering.

"The mountain rain is about to fall." We'll translate: "The mountain rain is about to fall."

He stared at the unseen dark clouds on the northern horizon, his voice low and clear.

"He gazed at the unseen dark clouds on the northern horizon, his voice low and clear." We'll translate: "He gazed at the unseen dark clouds on the northern horizon, his voice low and clear."

This forcibly bred grassland wolf seeks to rip open my Northern Border with its heightened fangs.

"This grassland wolf, forcibly bred, seeks to tear open my Northern Border with its heightened fangs." Use Northern Border. We'll translate: "This grassland wolf, forcibly bred, seeks to tear open my Northern Border with its heightened fangs."

Then let it come and see.

"Then let it come and try." We'll translate: "Then let it come and try."

Also let the hidden mastermind see clearly——

"Also let the hidden hand behind it see clearly——" We'll translate: "Also let the hidden hand behind it see clearly——"

Our Great Chen's three‑generation foundation stands firm; the nation's strength is like the sun at its peak, and the people's hearts are united as a single iron plate.

"My Great Chen's three‑generation foundation stands firm, the state's vigor like the sun at zenith, the people's hearts united as one." Use Great Chen. We'll translate: "My Great Chen's three‑generation foundation stands firm, the state's vigor like the sun at zenith, the people's hearts united as one."

Even raging storms cannot hope to shake it in the slightest!

"Even amidst raging wind and sudden rain, they cannot hope to shake it in the slightest!" We'll translate: "Even amidst raging wind and sudden rain, they cannot hope to shake it in the slightest!"

Outside the hall, the wind wails, setting the iron horses beneath the eaves in motion, producing a continuous clang of metal on metal.

"Outside the hall, the wind wailed, setting the iron horses beneath the eaves in motion, producing a continuous clang of metal on metal." We'll translate: "Outside the hall, the wind wailed, setting the iron horses beneath the eaves in motion, producing a continuous clang of metal on metal."

Like a tolling alarm bell, it rushes urgently to every corner of the Western Capital.

"Like a tolling alarm bell, it spread urgently to every corner of Xijing." Use Xijing. We'll translate: "Like a tolling alarm bell, it spread urgently to every corner of Xijing."

The beacon fires of the northern border have already risen to the heavens.

"The beacon fires of Bei Jing have already shot up to the heavens." Use Bei Jing. We'll translate: "The beacon fires of Bei Jing have already shot up to the heavens."

A massive storm that began on both sides of the light curtain and is now converging outside the Chen dynasty's gates is revealing, at a speed beyond ordinary comprehension, its terrifying outline that sweeps everything away.

"A great storm, beginning at both sides of the light curtain and ultimately converging outside the gates of the Chen dynasty, is now revealing its all‑devouring outline at a speed beyond mortal comprehension." We'll translate: "A great storm, beginning at both sides of the light curtain and ultimately converging outside the gates of the Chen dynasty, is now revealing its all‑devouring outline at a speed beyond mortal comprehension."

And the young emperor, together with his few trusted ministers whose faces do not age, will be the first to confront this overwhelming, turbid wave that rushes at them.