Chapter 652: Broken Body and the Fire Seed

Midnight.

The bronze bell in the underground secret chamber of the Office of Peace and Stability suddenly rang.

As Chen Wen turned away from the Bei Jing map, Qian Gui had already burst through the door.

"My lord! Minister Zhao has returned!"

Qian Gui's voice was tense.

"Seriously wounded."

Chen Wen's pupils contracted.

"Where is he?"

"In the inner chamber."

The two hurried down the corridor.

In the inner chamber, two blood‑covered scouts were laying a person flat on the cot.

Zhao Lao Nian.

His left arm was severed at the shoulder, the wound wrapped in scorched cloth. He was covered in sword cuts, his right shin bone protruding through flesh. Most horrifying was a penetrating abdominal wound, his intestines faintly visible.

The military doctor was administering emergency treatment.

Chen Wen knelt on one knee beside the cot.

"Lao Nian."

Zhao Lao Nian's eyelids twitched, and he forced them open.

His lips were dry, cracked, and purplish.

"The plains… northeast… three hundred li…"

Every few words he spoke, he gasped for breath.

"Black Stone Valley… underground… mother nest…"

Chen Wen gripped his remaining right hand.

"Don't rush, speak slowly."

"Not… just one…"

Zhao Lao Nian's voice came in broken bursts.

"Three… arranged in a triangle…"

"The middle one… the largest… is the main nest."

"Destroy it… the other two… will be paralyzed."

"How to destroy it?"

"The core… lies thirty zhang underground."

Zhao Lao Nian began to cough, blood spilling out.

"We must dig in… or…"

He turned his head with difficulty.

"My… pack…"

The scout hurried over with a dirt‑stained leather sack.

He opened it.

Inside were several dark‑red crystal shards and a half‑burnt sheepskin map.

"This stone… can disturb the Yin Energy Field."

"Within one li of the mother nest… ignite…"

"It can disable the defense for a quarter hour."

Chen Wen picked up a crystal shard.

It was warm to the touch, with a dark current surging inside.

"How to ignite it?"

"Fire… will do."

Zhao Lao Nian's voice grew weaker and weaker.

"The map… shows the valley's deployment…"

"Yin Shadows… at least fifty…"

"And… transformed beasts…"

He closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently.

"Lao Nian!"

Chen Wen growled low.

Zhao Lao Nian opened his eyes again, his gaze beginning to scatter.

"My lord…"

"The squad… eight people… all wiped out."

"They… covered my retreat…"

"We must bring the intel back…"

He managed a grimace of a smile.

"I… have come back…"

Before his words faded, he lost consciousness.

"Minister!"

The military doctor called out urgently.

Chen Wen placed his hand on Zhao Lao Nian's neck.

The pulse was faint but still beating.

Give full treatment.

He rose, his voice cold and firm.

Use the best medicine; consult the Imperial Medical Bureau.

He must survive.

Yes!

The military doctor's forehead beaded with sweat, his movements quicker.

Chen Wen picked up the parchment map and unfolded it.

Beneath the scorched edge lay a hand‑drawn valley terrain.

Three red circles formed a triangle, marking troop strength, watch posts, and underground entrances.

On the back were hastily written characters:

The main nest is thirty zhang deep, with three entrances, all heavily defended.

Yin Shadow guards the core passageway; ordinary people cannot approach.

After the crystal stone is ignited, the Yin Energy Field falls into chaos for one moment—that is the sole window.

Qian Gui leaned in for a closer look and sucked in a cold breath.

This defense would require at least thirty thousand elite troops to storm.

Then deploy thirty thousand.

Chen Wen rolled up the map.

No, deploy fifty thousand.

He looked at the unconscious Zhao Lao Nian on the cot.

The intelligence bought with Zhao Lao Nian's life must not be wasted.

He turned and walked out of the inner chamber.

Qian Gui followed.

Your Majesty, when will we move the troops?

Wait until Yue Fei and the others reach Zhenbei Pass.

Chen Wen did not pause his steps.

Set out in three days; complete mobilization within ten days.

Launch the general assault within fifteen days.

Won't that be too hasty?

The Northern Yuan are the ones in a hurry.

Chen Wen pushed open the secret chamber door and returned to the map.

Zhao Lao Nian's squad has been discovered; the mother nest's location is exposed; the Iron Crow Army will surely strengthen defenses or relocate the core.

We must strike before they react, destroying the nest in one blow.

His finger pointed to the area north of the Yin Mountains on the map.

The Black Stone Valley is here.

It is four hundred li from Zhenbei Pass.

Cavalry can reach it in three days of forced march.

Supplies and equipment…

Let Zhang Cheng coordinate.

Chen Wen said.

You go personally to the Imperial Secretariat to deliver the order: say that I have decided—advance the Northern Expedition, prepare the entire army for war.

All resources will be directed toward the Northern Border.

Yes!

Qian Gui bowed, intending to retreat.

Wait a moment.

Chen Wen called out to stop him.

As soon as Zhao Lao Nian wakes, report to me immediately.

Furthermore…

He paused.

Clarify the list of the eight fallen squad members.

Give compensation at three times the highest standard.

Bring all their families to Xijing for settlement.

Qian Gui became solemn.

Understood.

After Qian Gui left, Chen Wen stood alone before the map.

He picked up those several pieces of dark red crystal.

They felt warm to the touch, even somewhat hot.

The inner currents surged as if alive.

This is the core carrier of Yin Energy.

What Zhao Lao Nian brought back at the cost of his life was not only information, but also the key to breaking the stalemate.

Chen Wen gripped the crystal tightly.

The System Interface appeared in his mind.

Every major decision, every time he bears the weight of lives, drives growth.

But this time, he would rather go slower.

"Old Nian..."

He muttered softly.

Shout of the field medic and the clatter of instruments came from the inner chamber.

The rescue effort continues.

Chen Wen closed his eyes.

Three days later.

The Northern Expedition was moved up.

This time, we must win.