Chapter 602: Dual-line Crisis

Luoyang's morning, the thin mist had not yet dispersed.

Chen Wen stood on the watchtower from yesterday, his hands pressing the cold railing, his eyes closed.

He had maintained this posture for almost an hour.

Within him, the invisible Fortune Momentum vortex was spinning at an unprecedented scale and frequency.

Extending a strange 'tendril' that far exceeds the five senses.

Toward all directions, especially north and south, extending as far as possible.

This is not a battle, yet it consumes more mental energy than any battle.

Sweat had already soaked his inner garments, turning icy cold in the early winter chill.

His brows furrowed, his teeth clenched involuntarily.

In his current perception, the world appeared as a chaotic, tumultuous scene utterly different from what the naked eye sees.

To the east, beyond that intangible yet towering light curtain, the fortune momentum field of his mother state, the Chen Dynasty, remained massive and imposing.

Like a huge jade bi deeply embedded in the earth, warm and solid.

But at this moment, the northern edge of that jade bi is being eroded by a black, viscous,

carrying a strongly erosive 'turbid flow' that repeatedly scours and strikes.

That 'turbid flow' is not a naturally formed fortune momentum; it is filled with violence and chaos.

and possesses a strange, twisted meaning of sapping and distorting vitality.

What makes Chen Wen's heart race even more is the depths of that 'turbid flow'.

Faintly drifting within are several strands extremely familiar and also intensely cold — 'threads'.

— the unique 'imprint' left by the Iron Crow Army's high-authority intervention.

Each time the turbid flow scours the Chen Dynasty's fortune momentum 'jade bi,' the nearby fortune momentum field experiences a subtle but persistent disturbance.

This is not an impact that could cause substantive damage in a short time; it is like a dull knife slicing flesh.

It gradually consumes the stability and vitality of the fortune momentum.

Especially when his perception focuses on the approximate direction corresponding to Zhenbei Pass.

He can even 'hear' a dull rumble, as if countless iron hooves are trampling the earth.

And a faint transmission arrives, carrying the bloody clang of metal and the dying cries of beasts.

Auditory hallucination?

Or is it a certain resonance with the killing aura of distant large-scale battles, after the enhancement of the Shi Yong ability?

Chen Wen is not certain.

But what he can be certain of is that war has erupted in the Chen Dynasty's northern borders, and its intensity far exceeds ordinary border skirmishes.

The catalyzed steppe evil wolves have begun to gnaw at the northern frontier gates of Great Chen with their fangs, desperately.

Meanwhile, to the south, in the False Song realm, what he perceives is another shocking scene.

The fortune momentum represented by the False Song Imperial Court is like a swamp of sludge constantly sinking, decaying, and bubbling with toxic gas.

Its rate of decay and dissolution is a bit faster than when sensed a month ago.

But what truly makes Chen Wen feel a chill down his spine is the north of this rapidly decaying swamp.

On the vast territory originally belonging to the Gold State's domain, a completely new, extremely dark and violent fortune momentum is rapidly gestating and expanding.

It is neither warm and stable like the Chen Dynasty's fortune momentum, nor chaotic and plunderous like the steppe turbid flow.

It is more…… condensed, more…… orderly, bearing an icy, pure will of destruction that excludes all else.

It resembles a monster born amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, in absolute extreme cold.

Greedily devouring all surrounding fortune momentum that can be consumed.

— the remaining fortune momentum of the Gold State, and the dissipating people's fortune momentum of the False Song's north.

— even the edge portions where the steppe turbid flow has spread.

— to strengthen itself.

In Chen Wen's fragmented perception, occasional flashes of blurry yet unsettling images appear:

like a forest of spears and sabers converging into a steel torrent of heavy armored cavalry,

and a banner, unfurling defiantly in a wind of intertwined blood and black, embroidered with some ferocious beast……

'Yuan'.

This character does not surface through knowledge or memory, but arises naturally when his perception touches the core of that dark 'sprout'.

Naturally, carrying a strong warning, it slams into his consciousness as a 'concept'.

It is not a name, but rather a revelation of essence.

What it represents is a kind of entity that the Iron Crow Army has engendered with greater intensity and mad speed.

Its purpose is to sweep away all 'variables' and crush all dissenting historical violence collectives.

'Huuu…'

Chen Wen snapped his eyes open, staggered back half a step, and steadied himself by gripping the railing.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his vision darkened momentarily, and his temples throbbed.

The burden of simultaneously high-intensity perception of fortune momentum changes in the key regions of both worlds far exceeds any previous instance.

He panted, took a few gulps of icy water from his waterskin, and silently cycled the Cow Horse System several times.

Only then did he barely suppress the intense dizziness and nausea.

'The north side is an ongoing invasion and drain…… the south side (False Song's north) is an imminent eruption of even more terrifying destruction and rebirth……'

He muttered softly, his voice a little hoarse.

'Iron Crow Army…… this is sparing no expense, a two-pronged approach. One side creates real-world pressure in the Chen Dynasty's north, dragging on the fortune momentum;

On one hand, in the False Song world, accelerating the birth of an even stronger 'historical cleansing tool'……

Translation

The Wind Wave Pavilion node was overturned, causing them to suffer backlash, and the authorization was damaged.

So, they intend to use this more radical, broader‑coverage method to try to crush all variables at once.

The line of thought gradually became clear, but his mood grew ever heavier.

A dual‑front crisis erupted almost simultaneously.

On the Chen dynasty side, there are Zhang Cheng, Shi Dun, and Zhao Lao Nian.

They have a complete state apparatus and 180 years of foundation, so they should be able to withstand the first wave and possibly even launch a counterattack.

But the pressure will certainly not be small, especially when facing this catalyzed enemy; conventional warfare experience may not fully apply.

On the False Song side……

He and Yue Fei had just secured their foothold, taken Luoyang, and united the allied forces—exactly the time needed to digest the battle results and consolidate their base.

But the enemy won't give you that time.

The hostility and military pressure of the False Song court are right before our eyes; though the remnants of the Jin state have been wounded, they still retain strength.

And now, a more terrifying monster with an unreasonable growth rate has already bared its fangs in the north.

"Your Lordship."

A clear, cold female voice rang out at the entrance of the watchtower stairs.

Chen Wen looked up and saw Wang Ru climbing the steps.

She still wore that neat outfit, her face retaining the appearance of a twenty‑seven‑ or twenty‑eight‑year‑old, her eyes sharp as a hawk's.

Only a hint of travel‑worn dust and gravity lingered in her brow.

As the official among the Five Ministers responsible for surveillance and internal security.

She has long shuttled secretly between the Chen dynasty and the False Song world, monitoring the Iron Crow Army's movements and dispatching hidden agents.

Her appearance in Luoyang now must be for an important matter.

"Wang Ru? When did you arrive?" Chen Wen felt slightly surprised; he had not received notice of her coming.

"Half an hour ago, I entered the city via the secret passage of the South Wind Chronicle."

Wang Ru spoke concisely, walked up to Chen Wen, and took from her bosom a thin silk sealed letter sealed with a special liquid.

"It was sent by Zhao Lao Nian using the emergency contact channel; it has just been decoded."

"It concerns the latest military intelligence of Bei Jing and the analysis of yu‑energy radiation data; he believes you must know it immediately."

Chen Wen took the letter and quickly skimmed it.

The contents confirmed most of what he had just sensed:

Outside Zhenbei Pass, a large‑scale force appeared, with abnormal equipment, seemingly cavalry of the plains strengthened by catalysis.

Their numbers are huge, and their offensive is fierce.

The Bei Jing monitoring network confirmed that the yu‑energy radiation source is continually increasing, closely matching the activity traits of the Iron Crow Army.

Shi Dun has taken full command, and the Chen dynasty has entered a state of war.

At the end of the letter, Zhao Lao Nian, using their agreed‑upon code, added an extra emphasis:

Based on the abnormal growth curve of yu‑energy radiation and a preliminary analysis of enemy specimens,

he suspects that the total amount of 'authorization' and the degree of 'acceleration' invested by the Iron Crow Army in this catalysis,

far exceeds any previous record, and the intent behind it may be extremely dangerous.

"As expected…" Chen Wen set the letter down and drew a deep breath.

"The pressure in Bei Jing is greater than anticipated. The Iron Crow Army is going all‑in."

Wang Ru nodded and continued her report:

"Before I came, I had already received scattered reports returned from the Bei Jing branch of the Jing'an Office."

"The enemy's vanguard combat power is extremely strong; our forces suffered considerable losses in the initial engagement."

"General Shi Dun is adjusting his strategy, relying on the passes and new equipment to hold the line."

"Moreover, Qian Gui over there has monitored that the frequency of secret envoys between the False Song court and the Jin capital has tripled in the past ten days."

"In Lin'an, the Qin Hui faction also seems to be stepping up its activity, possibly related to the new pressure emerging in the north."

Internal and external troubles are intertwined, danger lurking everywhere.

Chen Wen once again turned his gaze northward (toward the Chen dynasty) and farther south northward (the former Jin lands of the False Song).

The dual dark shadows, like two continually closing giant hands, seek to strangle the flame they have just lit in its cradle.

"Wang Ru, immediately through our channel, send a summary of the confirmed intelligence from Bei Jing to General Yue Fei."

"Remind him that the movements of the False Song court and the Jin may be merely a surface feint; the true lethal threat."

"may come from that newly emerged 'monster' farther north."

"Yes."

Wang Ru agreed, but her feet did not move; she stared at Chen Wen.

"Your Lordship, you…"

"I need a little time."

Chen Wen rubbed his forehead.

"Sort out the clues, think about what the next step should be."

"Fighting on two fronts will scatter troops, resources, and attention—a major taboo in military doctrine."

"But if we only defend one side, the other is likely to be smashed by concentrated enemy force, eventually forming a pincer movement…"

He gazed at the allied troops below Luoyang city beginning a new day's drill, those young faces full of hope.

Tell Yue Fei: this afternoon, the marshal's headquarters will hold a military council. We must quickly devise a countermeasure.

The storm has arrived; there isn't much time left for us to prepare slowly.

Wang Ru bowed solemnly, turned and hurried downstairs, her figure quickly vanishing into the shadow of the watchtower.

Chen Wen remained alone at the height, the cold wind stirring his robes.

He closed his eyes again, not fully extending his perception, but turning his gaze inward.

The System Interface appeared, and the Growth Progress Bar, at the Lv. 5 mark, clearly advanced a little further forward.

Obviously, the all-out 'Fortune Momentum Perception' just now, together with the analysis and response to the crisis, was also judged by the System as effective 'effort'.

Still not fast enough...

He thought silently.

Faced with this twin-line pressure of towering waves, the Lv. 5 (32×) ability still seemed somewhat... thin.

He needs to accumulate faster, needs greater strength.

He needs to break through to the critical point that can trigger a qualitative change—Lv. 6 (64×).

And the way to accumulate...

His gaze turned toward the south, where the False Song Imperial Court holds sway, and toward the north, where the dark sprout lies.

It also turned eastward, beyond the light curtain, to the homeland now fighting desperately in blood.

Battle, resistance, forging a path to life in desperate circumstances.

This in itself is the most effective 'effort'.

Come on.

Chen Wen said softly, not knowing whether he was addressing the invisible enemy or himself.

He turned and walked down from the watchtower.

In the city, the great banner of the Northward Aspiration-Yue allied army fluttered high in the morning light.

Yet beneath the banner, the dark clouds of a two-front war that will decide the fate of countless people in the two worlds gather.

They are now descending with an unprecedented density.