Chapter 656: Into the Nest (Part 2)

When the explosive roar came from deep underground, the whole valley trembled.

Shi Dun split the darkness before him with a single blade, then lifted his gaze toward the main nest.

Countless cracks spread across the surface of that huge nest-like structure like a spiderweb.

Dark red light burst from the cracks, flickering unpredictably.

"Success!"

He roared loudly.

"All troops, hear my order—press forward with all strength!"

The Chen Dynasty army ranks burst forth with an earth-shaking roar, their assault growing fiercer.

The puppet soldiers began to disintegrate.

Their movements grew sluggish, the dullness in their eyes turning to bewilderment.

Some dropped their weapons, some knelt on the ground.

The collapse of the Yin energy field severed their link to the mother nest.

In the underground cavity.

Yue Fei was blown into the air by the blast's shockwave, slamming heavily against the wall.

A piercing pain shot through his left shoulder—the broken staff still lodged in his flesh.

He gritted his teeth, climbed to his feet, and looked ahead.

The barrier layer had been completely blown apart.

That massive dark-red crystal shattered into countless fragments, scattering across the ground.

The fragments' surface light quickly faded, turning the dull gray-black of ordinary stone.

The central pillar's throbbing ceased entirely.

No more liquid surged from the fissures.

The entire space began to collapse.

The crystal stone walls cracked and peeled away, the organic structures rapidly withering and carbonizing.

"Retreat!"

Yue Fei bellowed.

He turned and rushed toward the exit.

Zhang Xian and the others were waiting at the breach to receive them.

"Marshal Yue!"

"Go!"

Yue Fei grabbed the outstretched hand and was pulled out of the pillar.

The entire underground cavity was collapsing.

Stone fragments, crystal shards, and desiccated organic debris fell like rain.

"Run fast!"

The assault unit charged outward at full speed.

The passage behind them kept collapsing.

As they burst out of the main nest's entrance and flung themselves to the ground—

A continuous rumbling came from behind them.

The entire main nest structure collapsed inward, kicking up clouds of dust.

After the dust settled.

That twenty-zhang-high nest-like structure had become a pile of ruins.

The dark red light was completely extinguished.

In the valley.

All fighting had ceased.

The Northern Yuan puppet soldiers stood frozen in place, then toppled over in rows.

Their bodies quickly withered, as if drained of moisture.

The Darkshadow Unit emitted a final piercing shriek, their bodies dissolving into black smoke that vanished.

Shi Dun gripped his blood-dripping blade, panting heavily.

We won.

He looked toward Chen Wen.

Chen Wen stood where he was, gazing at the ruins of the main nest.

His face was calm, but a flicker of relief flashed in his eyes.

"Clear the battlefield."

Chen Wen spoke.

"Treat the wounded, count the casualties."

"Find Yue Fei and the others."

"Yes!"

Half an hour later.

The assault unit was found.

The broken staff lodged in Yue Fei's left shoulder was carefully removed.

The military medic quickly staunched the bleeding and bandaged the wound.

A penetrating wound, but not to vital organs.

The military doctor said.

A month of rest will heal it.

Yue Fei's face was pale, but his eyes were sharp.

What about the other two nests?

The main nest is destroyed; the other two have ceased operation.

Shi Dun walked over.

The scouts reported: those two nests are structurally intact, but their inner light has gone out, and all guards are incapacitated.

He paused.

Minister Zhao's intel is correct—the main nest is the core.

Then Chen Wen approached.

Everyone saluted.

No need.

Chen Wen looked at Yue Fei.

How's the wound?

No problem.

Yue Fei said.

The mother nest is destroyed; the Northern Yuan's main forces are all here.

He looked at the thousands of puppet soldiers collapsed in the valley.

Next...

He hadn't finished speaking.

Urgent hoofbeats came from afar.

A messenger from the Office of Peace and Stability galloped over and dismounted before Chen Wen.

My lord! Urgent report from the western front!

The envoy produced a sealed bronze tube from his chest and presented it with both hands.

Chen Wen took it, unscrewed the bronze cap, and pulled out the paper.

He unfolded it.

He read it.

His expression did not change.

But the surrounding air seemed to solidify.

Shi Dun sensed something amiss.

My lord?

Chen Wen handed the paper to him.

Shi Dun took it and quickly scanned it.

His face changed abruptly.

This...

Read it.

Chen Wen said.

Shi Dun drew a deep breath, his voice heavy:

False Song worldline, latest intel.

Three days ago, the Yuan army captured Facing Peace.

The Song Emperor Zhao Shi led the officials in surrender.

South of the River's prefectures all submitted at the news.

Yuan Dynasty—already unified North of the River and South of the River, False Song collapsed.

The valley was dead silent.

Only the wind whimpered.

Yue Fei clenched his fists.

His nails dug into his palms.

Although he had expected it.

But hearing it firsthand, he still—

Colonel Liu and them—

Yue Yun whispered.

Did they die in vain?

No.

Chen Wen spoke.

He turned and looked west.

That is the direction of the light curtain.

Their deaths bought the continuation of the spark.

They bought our standing here, destroying the Northern Yuan's mother nest.

They bought—

He paused.

The two Chinas, from now on will walk different paths.

The crowd fell silent.

Chen Wen withdrew his gaze.

"Shi Dun."

"Here."

How much fighting strength remains of the Northern Yuan remnants?

The main nest has been destroyed, and the catalyzed soldiers are all gone.

Shi Dun answered quickly.

The grassland tribes were originally forcibly united by the mother nest; now that the mother nest has fallen, internal conflict is inevitable.

They will lack the strength to invade the south for at least ten years.

That's enough.

Chen Wen said.

Issue orders to the whole army: after clearing the battlefield, withdraw at once.

Redefine the Bei Jing defense line, leave 30,000 troops to garrison, and withdraw the rest to rest and recuperate.

Yes.

Chen Wen looked toward Yue Fei and the others.

Follow me back to Xijing.

Wounds need healing, people need rest.

But more importantly——

His gaze swept over the crowd.

From today onward, you must truly consider how to establish yourselves in the Chen Dynasty, and how to make 'Northward Aspiration' more than just a slogan.

Yue Fei straightened his back.

I will obey your orders respectfully.

Three days later.

Northern Garrison Pass.

The victorious army returned.

The people inside the pass lined the roads to welcome them, their cheers shaking the heavens.

Yue Fei rode on horseback, his left shoulder wrapped in bandages.

He saw the joyful faces lining both sides of the road.

These people were genuinely happy.

Because the threat from Bei Jing has been lifted, their sons, husbands, and fathers can return home.

This is utterly different from the False Song.

In the False Song, after every "great victory," came heavier taxes and stricter conscription.

On the people's faces there was only numbness.

General Yue.

Lin Chong rode his horse closer.

What are you thinking about?

Missing home.

Yue Fei said.

But that home... is gone now.

Lin Chong fell silent for a moment.

Then treat this place as your new home.

Yue Fei did not answer.

He simply looked ahead.

Chen Wen rode on horseback, leading the way.

The people cheered for him, and he occasionally nodded in response.

He did not act aloof.

Nor did he deliberately seek closeness.

It was as if… it were simply natural.

That night, at the Governor's Office of Northern Garrison Pass.

Victory feast.

There were no lavish banquets, just a big pot of mutton, flatbread, and hot soup.

The soldiers sat on the ground, eating large chunks of meat and laughing loudly.

Chen Wen, Shi Dun, Yue Fei, and the others took the seats of honor.

In this battle, 1,327 were killed and over 2,000 were seriously wounded.

Shi Dun reported the battle results.

We annihilated over 5,000 enemies, destroyed one mother nest, and paralyzed two more.

The captured crystals, metals, and various supplies are currently being tallied.

The compensation for fallen soldiers shall be according to the highest standard.

Chen Wen said.

"The severely wounded are being given full treatment by the Bureau of Works and the Imperial Medical Service."

"If funds are insufficient, draw from the inner treasury."

"Yes."

Yue Fei lifted the bowl and took a sip of mutton soup.

Warmth spread through his belly.

"General Yue."

Chen Wen suddenly spoke.

"After returning to Xijing, the Privy Council will formally appoint you as Vice Governor-General of the Bei Jing Governor-General's Office."

"Shi Dun is the Governor-General, you are the Vice."

"From now on, the defense of Bei Jing will be jointly overseen by the two of you."

Yue Fei raised his head.

"I… I've just arrived; I fear I may not be able to win over the troops."

"Military merit wins over the troops."

Chen Wen said.

"In this battle, you led the strike team deep into the enemy's nest, destroyed the core, and earned top merit."

"No one will dare to object."

He paused.

"Moreover, you need a position."

"A position where you can actually get things done, train troops, and prepare for the future."

Yue Fei understood.

Vice Governor-General.

He has real authority and command of troops.

"What about Instructor Lin and the others…"

"The instructors at the Martial Arts Hall, staff officers, and officers of all departments will be appointed according to merit."

Chen Wen said.

"The Chen dynasty does not keep idle men, but it does not shortchange its meritorious officials."

He looked at Yue Fei.

"I only ask one thing—"

"Are you truly willing to fight for the Chen dynasty?"

Yue Fei set down his bowl.

He looked at Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, and Yue Yun.

He looked at Lin Chong, Wu Yong, Chao Gai, and the others.

Everyone was also looking at him.

After a moment.

Yue Fei rose and clasped his fists.

"Yue Fei will fight for Huaxia all his life."

"The Chen dynasty, having inherited the orthodox line of Huaxia, protects the realm and pacifies the people, resisting foreign humiliation—"

He dropped to one knee.

"Yue Fei is willing to give his all unto death!"

The people behind him all knelt together.

"Willing to give our all unto death!"

Chen Wen watched them.

He nodded slowly.

"Rise."

He said.

"Remember what you said today."

"The future—"

He gazed out at the night sky beyond the hall.

"Is still very long."

The banquet continued.

Late at night, Chen Wen alone climbed the gate wall.

The north wind was bitterly cold.

He looked toward the west.

Beyond the light curtain, that world had already been unified under the Yuan Dynasty.

The Iron Crow Army's next target will inevitably be the Chen dynasty.

"Soon…"

He muttered softly to himself.

The System Interface unfolded in his mind.

The Lv. 6 experience bar had reached its end.

Only a thread away.

He could then reach the Lv. 7 threshold.

But Chen Wen did not rush to break through.

He had a premonition—

The next upgrade will trigger some kind of qualitative change.

Some kind…… change that could change everything.

He withdrew his gaze, turned, and went down the wall.

Behind him, the lights of North Guard Pass were brightly lit.

Ahead lay a long road home.