Chapter 668: Deliberation in the Secret Chamber

At the third watch of Yin hour, in the imperial city's secret chamber.

The stone door slowly closed, shutting out the last thread of daylight.

The energy crystals on the wall lit up one after another, emitting a soft azure glow that illuminated the faces of the seven people inside.

Chen Wen took the seat of honor.

To his left were Zhang Cheng, Qian Gui, and Zhao Lao Nian.

To his right were Shi Dun and Wang Ru.

Yue Fei sat at the lower end, with Lin Chong and Wu Yong standing behind him.

This is the true decision‑making core of the Chen dynasty.

"We summoned you urgently in the dead of night; thank you for your trouble."

Chen Wen spoke, his voice unusually clear in the sealed stone chamber.

"The matter is of great importance; we must discuss it in secret."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"An hour ago, at the Observation Platform, I sensed the western Fortune Momentum."

"The Yuan court's fortune is collapsing at a speed far beyond reason, like a mountain avalanche."

"This is not a natural evolution but the result of deliberate external catalysis."

Zhang Cheng frowned slightly:

"Your Majesty, do you mean… the Iron Crow Army?"

"Yes, them."

Chen Wen nodded.

"They are accelerating."

"Accelerating the Yuan dynasty's collapse, accelerating the full onset of chaotic times."

"Their aim is to reach the historical juncture they desire more quickly."

Shi Dun clenched his fists, his joints making a soft crack:

"What juncture do they want?"

"I don't know."

Chen Wen shook his head.

"But we can be certain they are already setting up their next piece."

"In the direction of Liaodong, yin energy is gathering anomalously, its strength growing day by day."

"On the plains, black‑robed figures are also active, observing the tribes."

He shifted the topic.

"Yet, in their script of accelerated advancement, an anomaly has appeared."

All eyes turned toward him.

"In the Huai Xi region, around Haozhou, a previously unseen 'momentum' has risen tonight."

"Its hue is silver‑white, its quality pure, its rhythm extraordinary—unlike any momentum in this world."

"I call it—'Starfire'."

The chamber fell silent.

Only the crystal light halo drifted faintly.

"Never seen before…" Zhao Lao Nian murmured, repeating, "Even Your Majesty has never seen it?"

"Never."

Chen Wen spoke with certainty.

"General Yue's loyal ferocity, Instructor Lin's restrained explosiveness, Counselor Wu's profound adaptability—each has its source, its root."

"But this Starfire has no root or source, as if it sprang from nothing."

"More crucially—"

He emphasized his tone.

"The Iron Crow Army detected it almost simultaneously."

"And they reacted immediately."

Qian Gui's eyes narrowed:

"Have they moved to act?"

"They have not yet acted directly, but they have mobilized resources and are infiltrating toward Huai Xi."

Chen Wen said in a low voice.

"The speed of their response far exceeds that for ordinary uprisings."

"It seems… this Starfire is, to them, a kind of 'foreign object' that must be eliminated as quickly as possible."

Wang Ru spoke softly:

"A foreign object?"

"It is not in their expectations, not under their control, and may even… interfere with their script of accelerated advancement."

Chen Wen explained.

"Therefore, they must deal with it as soon as possible."

He looked toward Qian Gui.

"The Jing'an Office."

"Your servant is here."

Mobilize all usable forces you have in Huai Xi and surrounding areas.

Spare no expense, lock onto the source of the 'spark'.

I need to know exactly who lit this spark.

Age, appearance, origin, associates, any abnormal conduct.

Give me an answer within five days.

Qian Gui bowed:

As you command!

Chen Wen then looked toward Zhang Cheng.

The Imperial Secretariat coordinates all sides, providing everything needed for the Jing'an Office's operation.

Yes.

Zhao Lao Nian

I am here.

The Star Pattern Token and Temporary Resonance Station are given top priority.

After completion, I must be able to send a clear 'signal' toward Huai Xi when needed.

Understood.

Shi Dun, the Bei Jing defenses must not be relaxed, but thirty of the finest grassland scouts can be drawn to support Qian Gui.

Received the order.

Wang Ru, tighten internal investigations by another third. If the Iron Crow Army finds the spark troublesome, they may cause incidents within our dynasty to distract us.

I understand.

Orders were issued clearly, line by line, with no one questioning.

Finally, Chen Wen looked toward Yue Fei.

General Yue

I am here.

Add a new subject to the Martial Academy's winter training.

Hypothetical enemy: a force with unknown abilities, unknown technology, and unknown organization.

Consider how to respond, how to make contact, how… if possible, to cooperate.

Yue Fei pondered briefly, then clasped his fists:

I will act immediately.

Chen Wen nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone again.

Everyone, though the spark is small, it could start a prairie fire.

The Iron Crow Army's accelerated script is to push history faster toward the ending they desire.

And this unexpectedly appearing spark…

He paused.

It may be a variable, or perhaps a breakthrough opportunity.

We must get ahead of the Iron Crow Army, see it clearly, judge it.

Zhang Cheng spoke slowly:

Your lord, if this spark… is not benevolent?

Then we will check it before it spreads.

Chen Wen's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable resolve.

But we must first see it.

Only by seeing it can we judge.

Only by judging can we act.

The stone chamber fell silent again.

Crystal light flowed, illuminating every solemn face.

Everyone realized that after tonight, the situation would enter a new stage.

No longer just a standoff across the curtain.

But both sides reach out toward that accelerating chaotic wasteland, vying for an unknown variable.

The original 'Consolidate the Foundation' plan proceeds as usual.

Chen Wen finally said:

It must be completed before the year's end.

The spark matter is to be handled by Qian Gui, with all officials cooperating.

Dismissed.

Everyone rose, saluted, and exited the stone chamber in turn.

The stone gate opened again, then slowly closed.

Chen Wen sat alone in the light halo, closing his eyes.

Deep in consciousness, the System Interface hovered silently.

The experience bar's light still brimmed, ready to overflow.

Huai Xi's spark.

The Iron Crow Army's acceleration.

The year-end's Consolidate the Foundation.

Everything was converging toward a certain critical point.

I need to hurry...

He muttered softly.

When he opened his eyes, his pupils were clear and bright.

He rose and pushed open the stone door.

Beyond the door, at the end of the corridor, the sky was already faintly light.

A new day had begun.

Meanwhile, far away in Huai Xi, a young man who had just stepped out of a dilapidated tent was raising his gaze to the unfamiliar sky.

He did not know that he was already being watched by many parties.

He also did not know that this faint spark of his would ignite what kind of era.