Chapter 639: Passage Restart

The atmosphere in the secret chamber, after clarifying the strategic significance of the 'fire seed,' became more concise and pragmatic.

The target has been determined.

Next, it is how to achieve this nearly impossible task.

Chen Wen's gaze fell on Qian Gui.

"Passing through the light curtain is the first step, and also the most crucial step."

"Lao Nian made preparations for this before he left."

"You oversee the Jing'an Bureau, supervising internal and external intelligence and special material allocation; how much do you know of the related research records and devices he left behind?"

Qian Gui obviously had prepared beforehand; upon hearing this, he immediately took out a thin, wordless beast-skin booklet from his bosom, and a palm-sized flat box that was neither metal nor wood.

"Before Minister Zhao went west, he had handed a copy of the latest research summary on the light‑curtain passage and this item to the Jing'an Bureau's top‑secret vault for storage, saying that if Your Majesty has a need for a 'western inspection,' it may be opened and used."

He gently pushed the booklet and the box toward Chen Wen.

Chen Wen first picked up the booklet and flipped through it quickly.

It bore Lao Nian Zhao's distinctive handwriting—slightly messy yet logically rigorous.

It recorded his observational data on the light‑curtain rules, the results of several trial contacts (mainly launching inanimate probes), and their analysis.

And, based on the theory of yin‑energy and Fortune Momentum conflict, combined with Chen Wen's ability traits, several mathematical models for a 'temporary stable passage' were derived.

The last few pages contain a simple device schematic and its principle explanation.

Chen Wen read it quickly.

He already had a foundation in this theory, and after reaching Lv. 6 the 'Fortune Momentum Insight' gave him a deeper understanding, allowing him to grasp the core quickly.

"Energy resonance positioning……temporary neutralization of repulsion……one‑way unstable passage……"

He murmured a few key words, his brows slightly furrowed.

"The theory is feasible, but the limitations are extreme."

"Yes." Qian Gui replied, pointing at the flat box.

"According to Minister Zhao's calculations and limited experiments, given our current technology and grasp of yin‑energy/Fortune Momentum, combined with Your Majesty's ability traits (especially the Lv. 6 effect after breakthrough), the manufactured 'passage stabilizer' would have effective energy estimated to sustain only an extremely narrow passage for about……"

He paused, then uttered a cruel number.

"One quarter of an hour."

"Moreover, due to fluctuations in the light curtain's own rules, energy tides of the two worlds, and possible surveillance and interference from the Iron Crow Army, the actual duration could be even shorter."

"The passage's stability is also limited; it cannot withstand large‑scale or high‑intensity energy flow."

"At most……" Qian Gui estimated, "possibly only about ten people can pass safely, and they cannot carry too much heavy equipment."

One quarter of an hour.

Ten people.

Chen Wen remained silent.

This means he cannot bring a large army across.

He cannot even bring too many elite troops.

Only a very few people, lightly equipped and simply attired, can go—like undertaking an extremely dangerous infiltration behind enemy lines.

Moreover, the timing is extremely tight.

Within the quarter hour after the passage opens, we must locate Yue Fei and the others, lead them back to the passage mouth, and cross the light curtain.

Any delay could mean being utterly trapped in the False Song world, or the passage collapsing, leaving everyone lost in the light curtain's chaotic rule‑flow.

"What about positioning?" Chen Wen asked the second key question.

"How can we ensure the passage opens near Luoyang? Not in the wilderness, or…… the Yuan army's camp center?"

Qian Gui's face showed a faint bitter smile.

"This is the hardest part."

"Minister Zhao's plan is dual positioning through 'causal traction' and 'energy beacon.'"

"Causal traction relies on the strong 'variable' link already established between Your Majesty and General Yue Fei et al., especially via the Star‑Pattern Token and the imprint left by your own abilities."

"When the passage opens, with you taking the lead, focusing your spirit to sense the 'mark' on the other side can, to a certain extent, 'attract' the passage outlet to shift toward the mark's location."

"But this shift is limited and severely subject to interference, making it imprecise."

"Energy beacon……"

He pointed to the box.

"It requires Minister Wang Ru, on the Luoyang side, to activate a corresponding receiver at the agreed time, place it as high as possible, and emit a weak Fortune Momentum fluctuation of a specific frequency as a guide."

"Only by combining the two can we roughly lock the passage outlet's direction within a few li of Luoyang City."

"Whether it lands inside the city, outside it, within the Yuan encirclement or in a gap……"

Qian Gui shook his head.

"Cannot be guaranteed."

"We can only do our best and leave the rest to fate."

Risk, extremely high.

Uncertainty, extremely great.

Zhang Cheng could not help but interject, his tone heavy:

"Even if everything goes smoothly, the passage opens successfully, and Your Majesty reaches the vicinity of Luoyang safely,"

"how then to break through the Yuan army's heavy siege, make contact inside the city, and bring General Yue and his men out?"

"According to the latest intelligence, Luoyang is already sealed off water‑tight. Although Minister Wang is inside the city, can she, under the Yuan army's strict surveillance, relay news to General Yue and assist them in breaking out to the passage mouth?"

"Moreover, even the slightest disturbance from opening the passage could very likely alert the Iron Crow Army."

"If they detect our intention, they will surely do everything to obstruct us."

By then, Your Majesty, what you will face will not only be the Yuan army's countless troops, but also the Iron Crow Army's directly dispatched shadow elites, and even... more bizarre methods.

Zhang Cheng's worries are all reasonable.

This is almost a deadly situation with interlocking links.

Every link is extremely fragile.

Any mishap could lead to total defeat, dooming both Chen Wen and Yue Fei.

Shi Dun listened, his fists clenched, his breathing heavy.

"Damn it! This... this is too hard! Your Majesty, why don't I lead a squad of death warriors, charge ahead and carve a bloody path..."

"No." Chen Wen firmly rejected.

"The main army cannot pass through the light curtain. Sending a few death warriors into the Yuan army's encirclement would be like a drop in the bucket, only adding casualties."

He closed his eyes.

In his mind, he quickly weighed all information, risks, and possibilities.

The theory in the booklet.

The limitation mentioned by Qian Gui.

The difficulty pointed out by Zhang Cheng.

And, the weighty entrustment and resolve in the Luoyang blood letter.

After a moment.

He opened his eyes.

His eyes now held a calm, water-like determination.

"No matter how difficult, it must be done."

"Because this is the only way."

He looked toward Qian Gui.

"Where is the device now? What is its status?"

"It is in the secret workshop of the Xijing Bureau of Works, jointly guarded and maintained by three master craftsmen appointed by Minister Zhao, and it is in a state ready for activation at any moment," Qian Gui replied.

"Have the energy reserves been confirmed sufficient?"

"They have been filled and sealed to the highest standard, repeatedly checked without error."

"What is the contact method with Wang Ru's side and the final code?"

"There is an extremely covert emergency transmission procedure, but the opportunity occurs only once, and we cannot be certain she will receive and carry it out. The code is..." Qian Gui whispered a few words.

Chen Wen noted it down.

"Notify the Bureau of Works to immediately begin the final inspection and preheating procedure."

"I need the device to be in optimal condition."

"Time..."

He calculated.

"Set it for midnight three days from now."

"At that time, the moon will be dark and stars sparse, the light curtain's rules may have a brief lull, favorable for opening the passage."

"Yes." Qian Gui accepted the order.

"Zhang Cheng."

"Your servant is here."

"After I leave, the Northern Frontier and the court will proceed according to our agreed plan."

"If... if I cannot return, or remain long without news."

Chen Wen's voice was calm and unwavering.

"Then consider me and Yue Fei and the others as having died for the country."

"There is no need to attempt rescue or to open the passage."

"Concentrate all efforts to stabilize the Chen dynasty and resist the Northern Yuan and the Iron Crow Army."

"The future path will rely on you, and also on Zhong'er (Chen Zhong), to walk on your own."

Zhang Cheng's body trembled, his lips moved, and he finally bowed deeply, his voice hoarse:

"Your servant... will keep it in mind. But your servant... firmly believes Your Majesty will surely accomplish the mission and return victorious!"

Chen Wen gave a slight nod, neither confirming nor denying.

Finally, he looked toward Shi Dun.

"After I leave, the Northern Frontier will be entrusted to you."

"Remember, your duty is to guard the pass, not to avenge me."

"Even if you receive bad news about me, without my personal order or an imperial edict, you must not leave the pass to seek trouble."

"Save your anger and strength for the Yuan's offspring."

"Guard Zhenbei Pass for me, making it a true iron wall and copper bulwark."

Shi Dun's tiger eyes brimmed with tears as he clasped his fists tightly, nearly crushing the leather plates.

"I... I have remembered it! Your Majesty, you must come back! I... I and my brothers are waiting for you!"

Chen Wen patted his arm.

He said nothing more.

He put away the leather-bound booklet and that flat box.

"Everyone, go prepare."

"At this moment three days from now..."

His gaze turned westward again, as if piercing the wall, seeing that unattainable light curtain and lone city.

"It is time to act."

The three performed a solemn salute and left the secret chamber one after another.

Each carrying heavy hearts and firm resolve, they went to execute the plan concerning the future.

In the secret chamber.

Only Chen Wen remained.

The lamplight stretched his solitary shadow long upon the wall.

He slowly sat back into the chair.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the cold flat box.

In his mind, he repeatedly rehearsed every detail of the plan.

Every possible mishap that might occur.

And every possible countermeasure.

He knew.

This would be the most perilous journey of his life.

But.

As he had said.

This is the only path.

For those who, even in dire straits, still held aloft the fire of Northward Aspiration.

For the future spark legacy of the Chen Dynasty.

And also for…

Toward the black hand that manipulates fate.

To prove the tenacity of the variable.

He.

He had no choice.

Also.

Righteousness without hesitation.