Chapter 70: Mission Accomplished, Return to the Town — Dark Clouds Gather

Carrying heavy intelligence and wounded, Chen Wen's squad set out on the return route.

This time, no need for Chen Wen to urge them on.

Everyone's steps were unusually swift.

It was as if an invisible demon were chasing them from behind.

The curiosity for the unknown they had on the way out had been completely replaced by a sense of urgency about known threats on the return.

Chen Wen still maintained the double stamina boost to increase speed.

But the atmosphere was completely different from before—silent and oppressive.

Passing the ruins of Zhang Jia Ao on the way, the squad did not stop, merely silently quickening their pace.

That desolate scorched earth was no longer seen by everyone as an isolated tragedy site.

But merely a tiny footnote under a vast and terrifying plan.

Traveling day and night, they took less time than on the way out.

The outline of Jiao Tu Zhen finally appeared at the horizon.

The militiamen on watch at the lookout tower spotted the dust‑covered, clearly wounded troop from afar.

They immediately sent out a signal.

The town gates swung open; Zhang Cheng, Madame Wang and other core figures had already heard the news and come out to greet them.

"Chief! You've finally come back!"

Seeing the wounded in the squad and everyone's grim expressions, Zhang Cheng felt his heart tighten.

He hurried forward.

"What happened? Did you run into a tough opponent?"

Madame Wang, being more attentive, immediately called for people to come forward and help the wounded:

"Quick! First take the injured brothers to the infirmary!"

"Hot water, clean cloth, and wound medicine are all ready!"

Chen Wen gazed at the familiar, peaceful scene before him.

The children's play, the workshop's hammering, and the fields' shouts wove together.

Forming a stark contrast with the deathly silence and bloodshed of the mountains.

His heart warmed slightly, but more so was a heavy sense of responsibility.

— he must guard this hard‑won peace.

"Let's talk back at the guard headquarters."

Chen Wen nodded at Zhang Cheng and the others.

His voice carried a hint of fatigue, but his eyes remained sharp as ever.

Moments later, the core leadership gathered again inside the guard headquarters.

The atmosphere was even more solemn than before the meeting in the Black Pine Forest.

The wounded had been properly settled, and the bodies of fallen squad members were solemnly brought back and handed to their families.

A solemn atmosphere lingered over the town.

Chen Wen wasted no time, recounting what he had seen and heard on the eastern march.

From the grim state of Zhang Jia Ao, to the lingering killing intent in the mountains.

Then to the skirmish with the Iron Crow Army's scouting party, and the startling information the captive divulged before death.

He told them everything in full detail, holding nothing back.

Upon hearing the phrases "eliminate deviants," "Northern Border Sir's Covenant," and "Plan to Unify Zhongyuan,"

Zhang Cheng slammed his fist on the table, making the wooden table groan in pain:

"Beasts! Treating human lives like grass!"

"Do they want to turn Zhongyuan into a slaughterhouse?!"

Madame Wang's face turned pale; she handles internal affairs and deals only with trivial livelihood matters.

She could thus feel the horror of such carnage:

"All for a so‑called 'plan'!"

"An entire village can be wiped out just like that…"

"This, this is simply inhuman!"

Shi Dun said in a low voice:

"No wonder they're so formidable!"

"Turns out it's the northern barbarians teaming up with some unknown demons!"

"Chief, our armor and weapons still need reinforcement!"

"We need to make more crossbow bolts!"

Qian Gui pondered deeper, twisting his short beard, worried:

"Chief, according to this,"

"the Iron Crow Army and the forces behind it aim for the world!"

"Our Jiao Tu Zhen has just begun to stand out in this region—could it be…"

"that we've already drawn their attention?"

"that we're seen as 'deviants' needing to be 'cleansed'?"

This question is exactly what Chen Wen worries most about.

He nodded heavily:

It's highly possible.

Liu Du Tou's invasion, the resistance and potential we have shown.

Perhaps in their eyes, it has already exceeded the bounds of 'tolerance'.

This eastward journey's encounter may not be a coincidence.

That prisoner's 'warning' before death likely targeted us.

He looked around at everyone, his voice low and firm:

Everyone, our previous enemies.

Whether it's bandits, Liu Du Tou, or the likes of mountain-piercing leopards.

After all, they are just warlords fighting for territory in chaotic times.

But the Iron Crow Army and the forces behind it are completely different.

They are ruthless, efficient, with grand ambitions and no scruples.

To be their enemy will no longer be a simple stronghold skirmish or territorial conflict.

But rather… a 'national war'-level confrontation concerning life and death!

The two words 'national war' made everyone's hearts jolt.

This means the enemy could be a terrifying machine backed by national power.

And Jiao Tu Zhen!

What they may face is an endless stream of elite soldiers and ever more inscrutable plots.

Then… then what should we do?

Zhao Lao Nian asked somewhat anxiously.

He was used to farm work, and felt an instinctive fear of this level of conflict.

What should we do?

Chen Wen stood up, his gaze sweeping over every face.

From Zhang Cheng's anger, Aunt Wang's worry,

Shi Dun's resoluteness, to Qian Gui's depth.

Only by meeting them in battle! No other way!

His tone was decisive:

Show weakness, surrender?

Look at the fate of Zhang Jia Ao!

In their eyes, anyone who does not comply is a 'deviant', and the only fate is to be eliminated.

We have no retreat!

To survive, to preserve the foundation we built with our own hands.

To protect the elders and villagers behind us, we must become stronger than we are now!

Strong enough to crush their plans!

Strong enough that they dare not regard us as expendable 'deviants' to be cleared away!

From today onward, Jiao Tu Zhen enters a state of full wartime readiness!

All resources, prioritize military!

Training, equipment, intelligence, and supplies must all meet the standard to face an enemy of the Iron Crow Army's caliber!

Chen Wen issued a series of orders.

Zhang Cheng, double the militia training intensity, select the finest, I have great use for them!

Shi Dun, have the Construction Bureau produce armaments at full capacity, especially powerful crossbows and armor!

Qian Gui, your Inspection Bureau must sharpen its eyes and extend its ears.

Not only must we keep watch on the mountain-piercing leopards, but also closely monitor any news related to the northern border and abnormal events!

Yes!

Everyone responded in unison, the confusion and fear on their faces replaced by resolve.

Chen Wen's words woke them up; facing such an enemy.

Fear is useless; only a death-defying fight for survival!

After the meeting ended, Chen Wen stood alone in the courtyard.

The 【Growth Progress Bar】 in his mind twitched slightly, rising from 58% to 60%.

This eastward journey not only brought back crucial intelligence.

And let him and the entire core layer face the world's cruelty.

And they gained a subversive understanding of the threats they face.

The pressure and responsibility brought by this understanding turned into motivation for growth.

He raised his head to the sky, that invisible 'Fortune Momentum' vortex.

It also seemed to feel this heavy pressure, its rotation speed increasing slightly.

Its color also seemed to deepen somewhat, like dark clouds gathering a storm.

Dark clouds already covered the sky, but Chen Wen's gaze grew ever more resolute.

Before the storm arrives, he must let this sapling of Jiao Tu Zhen grow strong enough to be resilient.