Chapter 657: Triumphant Return

On the seventh day, the ten-li pavilion ten li outside Xijing.

Banners fluttered, drums and music roared.

Emperor Chen Zhong led civil and military officials out of the city to greet.

This was a scale rarely seen in the one hundred eighty years since the founding of the Chen dynasty.

When the Northern Expeditionary Army appeared at the end of the official road, a cheer like mountain cries and sea surges swept across the fields.

"Victory!"

"Ten thousand victories!"

Chen Wen rode on horseback, leading the way.

Behind him were Shi Dun, Yue Fei and others, and further back were the fifty thousand Xuanjia Army.

The ranks were neat, the military bearing solemn.

Chen Zhong stepped down from the imperial carriage and personally went forward to meet.

"Grandfather's triumph, I, the grandson, respectfully welcome you here."

He observed junior etiquette, respectful and natural.

"Your Majesty, you need not do this."

Chen Wen dismounted and supported him.

"The merit of this battle lies in the soldiers' devotion."

Chen Zhong turned to Shi Dun, Yue Fei and the others.

"Generals, you have worked hard."

"The palace has prepared a victory celebration feast."

The troops entered the city.

Xijing's streets were packed with civilians on both sides.

Cheers, applause, and firecracker sounds never ceased.

Children waved small flags, women tossed flower petals and dried fruits, elders leaned on canes with tears in their eyes.

Yue Yun rode on horseback and said softly:

"Dad, they are truly happy."

Yue Fei nodded.

He noticed that the people's smiles came from the heart, their eyes free of fear.

This was utterly different from the False Song.

An old woman shoved a basket of eggs into the hands of a passing soldier.

The soldier declined, but the old woman forced them on him.

"You're risking your lives in the north; what are a few eggs to an old woman!"

The soldier's eyes reddened slightly, and he solemnly accepted them.

This scene fell into Yue Fei's eyes.

He suddenly understood Chen Wen's words:

"Peace is not begged for; it is won by fighting."

Only an army that truly fights for the people will earn genuine support.

The troops arrived before the imperial city.

Chen Wen reined in his horse and said to Shi Dun and Yue Fei:

"You follow His Majesty into the palace for the banquet."

"I will first return to the Bureau of Peace and Stability to handle affairs."

"Grandfather won't attend the victory celebration feast?" Chen Zhong asked.

"Celebrating victory is the business of you young people."

Chen Wen turned his horse's head and entered a side path.

The cheers before the imperial city faded away.

Bureau of Peace and Stability headquarters.

Underground secret room.

Qian Gui had already been waiting.

"My lord."

He handed over several confidential reports.

"Developments among all parties during the Northern Expedition."

Chen Wen took them and browsed through.

First: post‑war affairs in Bei Jing.

The tribes on the plains began internal strife; it is expected they will be unable to form a unified threat within two years.

Second: situation of Zhao Lao Nian.

His condition stabilized, broken bones set; he needs three months of rest. He is conscious and can already give an oral report.

Third: aftermath of the False Song world line.

The Yuan Dynasty unified; the Iron Crow Army took full control. Eighty percent of the Jiangnan clans defected.

Fourth: light curtain observation.

Energy fluctuations on the west side are abnormally active, suggesting the Iron Crow Army may be conducting large‑scale construction or a ritual.

Chen Wen's gaze lingered on the fourth item.

Mark the energy release coordinates.

Qian Gui walked to the map and used a charcoal pencil to mark dozens of locations.

These points are scattered along the western edge of the light curtain, vaguely forming an arc.

"Are they setting up defenses?" Qian Gui speculated.

"They are building a control system."

Chen Wen narrowed his eyes.

"Consolidate their rule over that world."

He recalled the sensation from when the system was at level 6.

The light curtain is a regulatory barrier, but not entirely fixed.

When the two worlds experience major changes, the light curtain's rules also adjust.

The False Song world was unified under the Yuan Dynasty.

The Iron Crow Army's authorization has been restored.

They are likely now reinforcing the western rules.

"How is the contact with our hidden posts on the western side?"

Chen Wen asked.

"About forty percent can still be contacted."

Qian Gui answered.

"But transmitting messages has become difficult."

"The Iron Crow Army has strengthened border control, designating the area within a hundred li of the western light curtain as a military zone."

"Passage requires special permission, and surveillance is tight."

"In other words, obtaining information has become difficult, but not completely cut off."

"Yes."

Qian Gui nodded.

"Our agents can still infiltrate as merchants, refugees, etc., though the risk has greatly increased."

Chen Wen fell into contemplation for a moment.

"Adjust the strategy."

"Since directly obtaining military information is difficult, we will turn to economic and livelihood information."

"How the Yuan Dynasty governs, what the taxes are, and the people's reactions—these are equally important."

"Understood."

Qian Gui noted it down.

"There is one more thing."

"After Minister Zhao woke up, he dictated a mother nest analysis report."

"The Heavenly Craft Institute has compiled it into a volume."

He handed over a thick volume.

Chen Wen took it and browsed through.

The report detailed the mother nest's structure, the characteristics of the dark energy field, and the operating principle of the crystals.

Finally, there was a handwritten note from Old Zhao:

"Dark energy and Fortune Momentum appear to be mutually exclusive energy systems."

"The mother nest uses crystals as a medium to convert dark energy into biological catalytic force."

"If we can base countermeasures on Fortune Momentum and develop opposing devices, we might be able to restrain the application of dark energy."

Chen Wen closed the volume.

"The Heavenly Craft Institute will continue research in this direction."

"All necessary resources will be fully supported."

"Yes."

Chen Wen rose, preparing to leave.

He stopped upon reaching the doorway.

"At the victory celebration, go show your face for me."

"Just say I'm tired and I'll rest first."

"Your Majesty really won't go?"

"I won't go."

Chen Wen pushed open the door.

"The liveliness is theirs."

"I need to think about the next step."

Having left the Peace and Security Bureau, dusk had already fallen.

Lights began to glow in Xijing City.

Faint music and laughter came from the direction of the Huangcheng.

Chen Wen climbed onto the Xijing city wall.

The garrison patrols saw him and stood at attention, saluting.

"Your Majesty."

"Go attend to your duties."

Chen Wen waved his hand, then walked alone to the northwest corner tower.

From here, the light curtain could be seen in the far distance.

In the twilight, the light curtain was like a semi-transparent barrier connecting heaven and earth, emitting a faint glow.

Quiet and mysterious.

He looked at it for a long time.

Until footsteps sounded behind him.

"Grandfather."

It was Chen Zhong.

Having changed into ordinary clothes, he came alone.

"Is the banquet over?"

Chen Wen did not turn back.

"No."

Chen Zhong walked to his side.

"But I am the emperor; I can leave whenever I say."

He paused.

"Grandfather, why aren't you going?"

"This battle was a great victory; you are the foremost contributor."

"Whether it counts as merit or not is unimportant."

Chen Wen said.

"What matters is how long the Chen dynasty can remain peaceful after this battle."

Chen Zhong fell silent for a moment.

"The Jing'an Office sent a secret report, and Qian Gui also forwarded a copy to me."

"The Iron Crow Army is frequently active on the west side of the light curtain."

"Hmm."

"Will they move against us next?"

"Yes."

Chen Wen answered straightforwardly.

"But not now."

"The Yuan Dynasty has just unified; they need time to digest and consolidate."

"At least a year, possibly longer."

He looked at Chen Zhong.

"This year is our final period of development."

"Develop what?"

"A lot."

Chen Wen said.

"Military system reform, equipment updates, and research into Fortune Momentum."

"And—"

He gazed at the lights within the city.

"The cohesion of the people's hearts."

Chen Zhong followed his gaze.

Xijing city was filled with countless lights, peaceful and harmonious.

"The populace now greatly supports the Imperial Court."

"That's because we won."

Chen Wen said.

"If one day we lose, or become stuck in a bitter struggle—"

"Will they still feel that way?"

Chen Zhong stared, stunned.

"So we cannot rely solely on victory."

Chen Wen turned and leaned his back against the city wall.

"We must rely on institutions, on ideals, and on the promise that truly lets them live good lives."

"The 'Northward Aspiration' ideal brought by Yue Fei and his comrades is a good seed."

"But a seed needs soil to sprout."

"We must prepare that soil."

Chen Zhong listened attentively.

"Grandson understands."

He said.

"In the coming year, I will fully promote internal governance reforms."

"Reduce taxes, encourage agriculture and sericulture, and establish official schools."

"Let the people truly feel that this Imperial Court is worth supporting."

"Very good."

Chen Wen nodded.

"But remember—"

"Reform must be steady, cannot be rushed."

"Especially now, just after a great victory, the Imperial Court's prestige is high; it's a good opportunity."

"But we must grasp the proper measure."

"Touching too many people's interests will cause trouble."

"Grandson will keep it in mind."

Chen Wen patted his shoulder.

"Go."

"Return to the banquet."

"The Emperor cannot be away from his seat too long."

Chen Zhong bowed and left.

On the city wall, only Chen Wen remained.

He looked toward the light curtain.

The System Interface appeared in his mind.

Only one opportunity away from a breakthrough.

Chen Wen could feel that the opportunity was not far off.

But he was not in a hurry.

He was waiting.

Waiting for the Iron Crow Army's next move.

Waiting for the two worlds to truly begin colliding.

When that time comes—

He clenched his fists.

That will be the true beginning.

The night grew darker.

The light curtain glowed faintly in the darkness.

Like the eye of a giant beast.

Silently watching this world.

Chen Wen turned and descended the city.

Behind him, Xijing slept in peace.

And he knew—

This peace will not last long.