Chapter 610: Whether to Choose

Silence.

A long silence.

The charcoal fire seemed to have dimmed a bit.

Inside the main hall, only the sound of heavy, restrained breathing could be heard.

Everyone was digesting that truth that overturned their cognition.

Digesting the shocking words: 'The world is a mirror,' 'History is a script,' 'I am a variable.'

Yue Fei closed his eyes.

The rise and fall of his chest gradually calmed.

When he opened his eyes again, those eyes, originally bloodshot from fatigue and war, became unusually clear—and even… sharp.

Like a dust-covered sword suddenly polished, it revealed a chilling gleam.

He looked at Chen Wen.

"My lord."

This time, the form of address changed naturally.

It carried a sense of confirmation, of belonging, of identification when facing a higher-level struggle.

"What you said, the Iron Crow Army's dual-line catalysis aims to completely eliminate the variable."

"East of the Light Curtain, the northern border of Great Chen is under fierce attack by the Northern Yuan."

"West of the Light Curtain, the northern shadow of the Yuan in this realm is rapidly expanding."

"Which is more urgent? Which is more important?"

The question cuts straight to the core.

Chen Wen did not evade.

"Both are urgent, both are important."

"But if we speak of fundamental importance, it lies in Great Chen."

He walked to the simple map of the northern border and pointed his finger at the location of Zhenbei Pass.

"If the Northern Yuan breaks the pass and moves south, Great Chen's northern territories will be ravaged, and the foundation of the state will shake."

"Once the foundation is lost, east of the Light Curtain there will be no basis for the variable to stand, no shield for the continuation of civilization."

"By then, not to speak of rescuing this realm, even self-preservation will become a luxury."

"And as for the Yuan of this realm…"

His finger moved to the blank northern area of the False Song world.

"Though its momentum is fierce and its speed swift, its primary goal is to sweep away all obstacles within this realm's 'script'—the False Song Court, the remnants of the Jin Kingdom, and…"

He looked at Yue Fei, then at everyone present.

"And us."

"Before we are completely eradicated or this realm is unified by it, the Iron Crow Army's granting it 'cross‑curtain' permission and the possibility of a direct assault on Great Chen are relatively low."

"In between, there exists a time gap."

"A…… perhaps brief, but crucially important time gap."

Wu Yong had already picked up his feather fan; although his fingers still trembled slightly, his thoughts began to race.

"My lord's intention is to make use of this time gap?"

"First concentrate forces to stabilize the foundation of Great Chen's northern border?"

"After the northern border is secured, then turn back to deal with the Yuan of this realm?"

Chen Wen nodded.

"Not bad."

"This is the only viable strategy."

"If both fronts simultaneously fall into a stalemate, manpower, resources, and energy will be scattered, and in the end we will only be defeated piecemeal."

"We must make a choice, concentrate our strength, and break one of them first!"

Lin Chong said in a low voice: "So, my lord must return to Great Chen and personally take charge of the northern border?"

"Yes." Chen Wen's voice was firm and resolute.

"The enemy in the northern border is a product of the Iron Crow Army's full‑scale catalysis, not ordinary. Though Shi Dun is brave, Zhang Cheng wise, Zhao Lao Nian clever, facing such a trans‑rational foe requires my 'ability' to coordinate centrally to unleash maximum effect, solidify the defense, and even… seek a counterattack."

"Moreover, my system's growth also requires accumulation in higher‑intensity, more perilous warfare."

"Breaking through to the next level is crucial for me, for Great Chen, and for the future of this realm."

He looked at Yue Fei, his tone heavy.

"General Yue, I know that at this moment Luoyang has just been stabilized, strong enemies surround it, exactly the time to employ talent."

"My departure will surely double the pressure here."

Yue Fei raised his hand, stopping Chen Wen's further words.

His gaze swept over the assembled officers in the hall.

Zhang Xian and Wang Gui's eyes were firm, showing no fear.

Yue Yun straightened his chest.

Niu Gao curled his lips and touched the iron flail at his waist.

Lin Chong, Wu Yong, Chao Gai and the others were even more solemn, awaiting orders.

"Pressure?"

Yue Fei slowly rose to his feet.

His bearing remained tall and straight like a pine.

Since breaking out of Yancheng and breaking with the Imperial Court that day, when has the pressure we bear ever been small?

The False Song court regards us as rebels and will surely eliminate us.

The Jin state sees us as a grave threat, waiting for a chance to strike back.

Now it is merely another shadow of the Yuan that has been provoked into existence.

He walked up to Chen Wen.

Their eyes met.

My lord.

Although your words just now were earth-shattering, they have truly let us understand where the enemy lies and why we fight.

All the previous difficulties, constraints, and grievances now seem to be merely the dust kicked up when the hidden hand behind the scenes moves its pieces.

Now that we know the enemy in full, our hearts feel… steadied.

Yue Fei's voice was not loud, yet it carried the force of a thousand jun.

Resisting the Jin invaders is to preserve the attire of Huaxia.

Opposing the Iron Crow Army is to contend for the fate of civilization!

The former is branches and leaves; the latter is the root!

Now the root itself is shaken—how could there be any reason to abandon the root for the sake of branches and leaves?

He stepped back, clasped his fists, and bowed.

Please, my lord, prioritize the greater picture; immediately prepare to return to Great Chen and oversee the grand endeavor of resisting enemies in Bei Jing.

Luoyang...

He straightened up, and his eyes blazed with an unprecedented, scorching and resolute light.

As long as I, Yue Fei, draw breath, and as long as not a single soldier of the Northward Aspiration-Yue Alliance remains—

I will, for my lord, guard the spark on the west side of the light curtain!

I will, for the future, preserve a stepping stone for counterattack!

Even if the Yuan's iron hooves flood the heavens, even if the False Song and Jin join forces—

they dare not even dream of easily trampling this city!

His words fell.

Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, Yue Yun, Niu Gao and the others sprang to their feet.

Lin Chong, Wu Yong, Chao Gai, Ruan Xiaoer and the other commanders of the Northward Aspiration army likewise rose at once.

All present clasped their fists in unison.

Please, my lord, prioritize the greater picture!

We vow to the death to hold Luoyang!

The sound shook the roof tiles.

Their aura was like a rainbow.

Chen Wen looked at the determined faces before him.

He saw in Yue Fei's eyes the fire that had discarded all doubt, leaving only pure fighting spirit.

A surge of heat rose in his heart.

He likewise clasped his fists and gave a deep bow.

Chen Wen, thank you all!

Going eastward is not to avoid battle, but to seek vitality and secure the foundation.

I assure you all——

He lifted his head, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Once Bei Jing is somewhat settled, I will surely seek an opportunity to return to this realm!

Then, whether it be the dim ruler of the False Song, the remnants of the Jin, or that provoked Yuan monster—

All demons and monsters that block our path—

will have to pay the price!

We will settle the scores between the two worlds, item by item!

Good!

Yue Fei gave a low shout.

That is exactly what we needed—your lordship's words!

He turned around to face the officers.

Time is pressing.

The matter of my lord's eastward return must be kept absolutely secret, especially from the False Song court and the Iron Crow Army.

His route and escort arrangements must be carefully planned.

At the same time, we in Luoyang must immediately adjust our deployment to cope with a possible intensification of the siege after my lord's departure.

Mr. Wu.

Here.

I trouble you to immediately confer with Chen… with my lord to draft a concrete plan for his eastward return, which must be covert, safe, and swift.

Understood.

Instructor Lin, Zhang Xian, Wang Gui.

Present!

You three, reexamine the city defenses, adjust troop deployments. In particular, strengthen reconnaissance to the southeast and northwest to prevent the enemy from exploiting gaps to increase their assault.

Yes!

The remaining commanders, each return to your units, stabilize troop morale, heighten vigilance, and stand ready at all times.

Yes, sir!

The commanders, having received the order, dispersed swiftly and decisively.

Inside the hall, only Chen Wen, Yue Fei, and Wu Yong, who remained to discuss the details, were left.

Yue Fei looked at Chen Wen and said in a low voice, "My lord, when will you set out?"

"The sooner the better." Chen Wen said, "At the latest, tomorrow night. I will travel light with only essentials. Wang Ru will accompany me part of the way to help deal with any possible obstacles along the route."

"The Light Curtain Passage..."

"Zhao Lao Nian has developed a new stabilizing device; the repulsive force has weakened considerably. With my current strength, passing through should pose no great obstacle. Even if shadowy assassins intercept, there is nothing to fear."

Yue Fei nodded.

He fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "My lord, after you return east, news of Luoyang and this realm..."

"I will leave a specific, one-way emergency contact channel." Chen Wen said, "But unless absolutely necessary, do not use it. The Iron Crow Army monitors closely; frequent contact poses too great a risk."

"I understand." Yue Fei took a deep breath, "Then I wish you, my lord, smooth sailing and swift victory!"

"And I also hope, General Yue, that you take care."

Chen Wen said solemnly.

"Luoyang can be lost, but people must survive."

"As long as people remain, the flag remains, the belief remains..."

"Where cannot the beacon fires be lit again?"

Yue Fei laughed.

That was the smile of one who had broken free of all shackles, seen the road ahead, and, even if ten thousand people stood against him, would still go forward.

"My lord, rest assured."

"Yue Fei, no need."

"This 'Northward Aspiration' flag..."

"As long as there is still a breath, I will never let it fall!"

Outside the window.

The sky had already grown bright.

Dark clouds hung low.

The cold wind swept past the eaves of the marshal's mansion, letting out a piercing wail.

But inside the main hall.

A spirit of resolute and lofty fighting spirit had already risen.

Returning east and holding fast.

Two heavy burdens, two battlefields.

They are about to unfold simultaneously.