Chapter 777

Hetu Ala.

We need to output pinyin: "Hetu Ala". Should we keep the period? The Chinese line ends with a period (。). We should preserve punctuation? The instruction: translate faithfully, keep punctuation. So we should output the English sentence with appropriate punctuation. The Chinese line is just the place name plus a full stop. So translation: "Hetu Ala." We'll output 【1】 Hetu Ala.

But we need to keep the period. So "Hetu Ala.".

This once frontier city no longer retains its former appearance.

This once frontier city no longer retains its former appearance.

The walls have been thickened and heightened, their surface covered with a dark, blood‑like crystalline coating.

Translate: "The city walls have been thickened and heightened, their surface covered with a dark, congealed-blood-like crystalline coating." Keep punctuation: period.

That is not brick and stone.

That is not brick and stone.

It is the countless dark‑energy units that died, their bodies and the earth fused under intense radiation into 'living building material'.

It is the countless dark‑energy units that died, their bodies and the earth fused under intense radiation into 'living building material'.

They still slowly wriggle and proliferate, as if alive.

Translate: "They still slowly wriggle and proliferate, as if alive." Period.

At the city's center, where the sweat palace once stood, has been completely leveled.

Translate: "At the city's center, the site of the former Han Palace has been completely leveled." Period.

In its place is a giant pit over a hundred zhang in diameter.

In its place is a giant pit over a hundred zhang in diameter.

Thus: "In its place is a giant pit over a hundred zhang in diameter." Period.

The pit's bottom is unfathomable, emitting a viscous, almost breathing‑like dark blue glow.

Translate: "The pit's bottom is unfathomable, emitting a viscous, almost breathing dark-blue glow." Period.

This is the first 'dark‑energy reaction core'.

Translate: "This is the first 'dark-energy reaction core'." Keep quotes. Period.

Along the pit's edge, hundreds of thick pipes made of crystal bone and transmuted metal are installed.

Translate: "Along the pit's edge, hundreds of thick pipes made of crystal bone and mutated metal have been erected." Period.

The pipes wind like giant serpents, descending into the pit to draw the nearly limitless dark energy below.

Translate: "The pipes wind like giant serpents, delving into the pit to draw the nearly limitless dark energy from below." Period.

It is then diverted and distributed throughout the city.

Translate: "It is then diverted and distributed throughout the city." Period.

The 'barracks nests' have been expanded to twelve.

Translate: "'Soldier nests' have been expanded to twelve." Keep quotes. Period.

Each resembles a massive, dark‑red tumor attached to the inner city wall, pulsing.

Translate: "Each resembles a massive, dark-red tumor attached to the inner city walls, pulsing." Period.

At the entrance, mucus drips as new units are constantly being 'hatched'.

Translate: "At the entrance, mucus drips, and new units are constantly being 'hatched'." Period.

Iron‑bone war slaves, burrowing beasts, poison‑mist sprayers, reconnaissance‑type small‑bodied mutants…

Translate: "Iron Bone War Slaves, Digging Earth Beasts, Poison Mist Sprayers, Reconnaissance Small-body Mutants……" Keep the ellipsis? Chinese uses "……". We'll keep "……". Period? Actually the line ends with "……". We'll keep that as is. So output: "Iron Bone War Slaves, Digging Earth Beasts, Poison Mist Sprayers, Reconnaissance Small-body Mutants……" No period after ellipsis? We'll just keep the ellipsis.

They no longer require lengthy natural growth or training.

Translate: "They no longer require lengthy natural growth or training." Period.

Upon leaving the barracks nest, they are already imbued with basic kill commands and combat instinct.

Translate: "Upon emerging from a soldier nest, they are already imbued with basic kill commands and combat instincts." Period.

Nurhaci stands on the observation platform at the edge of the central pit.

Translate: "Nurhaci stands on the observation platform at the edge of the core pit." Period.

The crystallization on his body is worse than it was a year ago.

Translate: "His crystallization is more severe than it was a year ago." Period.

Beneath the exposed skin of his neck and hands, dark‑blue vessels are clearly visible, like circuitry embedded in flesh.

Translate: "Beneath the exposed skin of his neck and the backs of his hands, dark-blue vessels are clearly visible, like circuitry embedded in flesh." Period.

Each breath is accompanied by a faint sound within his chest, like crystals rubbing together.

Translate: "Each breath is accompanied by a faint sound within his chest, like crystals rubbing together." Period.

But his gaze is sharper and colder than ever before.

Translate: "But his gaze is sharper and colder than ever before." Period.

That is not human emotion.

Translate: "That is not human emotion." Period.

It is more like a highly focused detection device.

Translate: "It is more like a highly focused detection instrument." Period.

"Core output is stable at the 'Class C' limit."

Translate: "'Core output is stable at the upper limit of Grade C.'" Keep quotes. Period.

"It is enough to keep all barracks nests running at full capacity and to expand the seven contamination sites in Liaodong."

Translate: "'It is enough to maintain full operation of all existing soldier nests and to expand the seven contamination zones in Liaodong.'" Keep quotes. Period.

The old shaman (or rather, the current vessel of the Iron Crow army's will) stands at his side, voice dry and flat.

Translate: "Old Manchu (or rather, the current vessel of the Iron Crow Army's will) stands at his side, voice dry and flat." Period.

"According to the agreement, phase two: social reconstruction, can now begin."

Translate: "'According to the agreement, phase two: societal reconstruction can now be initiated.'" Keep quotes. Period.

Social reconstruction.

Translate: "Societal reconstruction." Period.

These four words, in Hetu Ala, mean total alienation.

Translate: "These four words, in Hetu Ala, mean total alienation." Period.

The western 'civilian quarters' of the city.

Translate: "The western 'civilian ward' of the city." Keep quotes. Period.

Here once lived the families of the various Jurchen tribes, artisans, and Han who had submitted.

Translate: "Here once lived the families, artisans, and Han civilians who had submitted to the various Jurchen tribes." Period.

Now the ward walls have been torn down and all houses flattened.

Translate: "Now the ward walls have been demolished and all buildings leveled." Period.

In their place are rows of low, neat 'chambers'.

Translate: "In their place are rows of low, neat 'cabins'." Keep quotes. Period.

They have no windows, only a heavy gate made of a blend of biological keratin and metal.

Translate: "They have no windows, only a heavy gate made of a mixture of some biological keratin and metal." Period.

Each chamber houses a 'production unit'.

Translate: "Each cabin houses a 'production unit'." Keep quotes. Period.

Men, women, elders, and children are, under the pretext of 'optimizing production efficiency' and 'reducing conflict risk', forcibly separated from their families and reassigned by age, strength, and skill (if any remain).

Translate: "Men, women, elders, and children are forcibly separated from their families and reorganized by age, strength, and skill (if any) under the pretext of 'optimizing production efficiency' and 'reducing conflict risk'." Period.

Most able‑bodied men are assigned to the 'reserve auxiliary corps'.

Translate: "Most able-bodied men are assigned to the 'reserve auxiliary battalion'." Keep quotes. Period.

After receiving an initial dark‑energy radiation dose (kept at the threshold of mutation), their strength is heightened, pain dulled, and they are assigned the heaviest, most dangerous labor: hauling crystal ore, clearing barracks‑nest waste, and rough‑processing at the edge of the contamination zone.

Translate: "After receiving an initial dark-energy radiation dose (controlled at the threshold of mutation), their strength is enhanced and pain sensitivity dulled, then they undertake the heaviest, most dangerous labor: hauling crystal ore, cleaning soldier nest waste, and performing rough processing at the edges of contamination zones." Period.

Able‑bodied women maintain the barracks nest's basic metabolic cycle—handling raw materials, conveying mucus, cleaning pipes, and… tending to the defective 'reject' units produced by the nests that need extra care.

Translate: "Able-bodied women maintain the soldier nests' basic metabolic cycle—processing raw materials, conveying mucus, cleaning pipes, and…… tending to the 'defective units' that emerge from the nests with flaws requiring extra care." Keep quotes and ellipsis. Period.

Elders and children perform the simplest tasks of sorting raw materials and weaving.

Translate: "Elders and children perform the simplest tasks of sorting raw materials and weaving." Period.

Their rations are a paste mixed with trace dark‑energy crystal dust.

Translate: "Their rations are a paste-like food mixed with trace amounts of dark-energy crystal dust." Period.

Long‑term consumption gradually builds tolerance to dark‑energy radiation and a slight dependence.

Translate: "Long-term consumption gradually builds tolerance to dark-energy radiation and a weak dependence." Period.

This is not slavery.

Translate: "This is not slavery." Period.

This is a systematic process of turning people into 'resources' and 'parts'.

Translate: "This is a systematic process of transforming people into 'resources' and 'components'." Keep quotes. Period.

"Why do this?"

'Why do this?'

Blue‑bordered banner chief Amin stands in his own similarly remodeled 'banner chief chamber', growling at the flickering dark‑energy communication crystal before him.

Translate: "Bordered Blue Banner Chief Amin stands in his own similarly remodeled 'banner chief's cabin', growling at the shimmering dark-energy communication crystal before him." Period.

Within the crystal appears the blurred, serene face of Hong Taiji.

Translate: "Within the crystal appears the hazy, calm visage of Hong Taiji." Period.

"For power, Amin."

Translate: "'For power, Amin.'" Keep quotes. Period.

"To counter the Ming's…… endless, seemingly boundless power."

Translate: "'To oppose the Ming's…… endless, seemingly boundless power.'" Keep quotes and ellipsis inside. Period.

"Have you seen the footage the scouts sent back? Their machines roar, their railways extend. They can drive steel just by burning stone (coal) and water (steam)."

'Have you seen the footage the scouts sent back? Their machines roar, their railways extend. They can drive steel just by burning stone (coal) and water (steam).'

"What do we have? We have only flesh and blood, and this crystal ore dug from the earth that contaminates everything!"

Translate: "'What do we have? We have only flesh and blood, and only the crystal ore dug from the earth that contaminates everything!'" Keep quotes and exclamation inside. Period after closing quote? The Chinese ends with 」 after the exclamation. So we output: "'What do we have? We have only flesh and blood, and only the crystal ore dug from the earth that contaminates everything!'. " Actually we need a period after the closing quote. So: "'What do we have? We have only flesh and blood, and only the crystal ore dug from the earth that contaminates everything!'. " We'll include period.

Hong Taiji's voice is devoid of ripple.

Translate: "Hong Taiji's voice is utterly calm." Period.

"Flesh and blood tire, fear, and betray."

Translate: "'Flesh and blood tire, feel fear, and betray.'" Keep quotes. Period.

"Crystal ore does not. The 'agreement' bestowed by our lord does not."

Translate: "'Crystal ore does not. The 'agreement' bestowed by the master will not.'" Keep quotes. Note there is a period inside quotes after first sentence. We'll replicate: "'Crystal ore does not. The 'agreement' bestowed by the master will not.'" Period after closing quote? The Chinese ends with 」 after the second sentence, no extra punctuation. So we output: "'Crystal ore does not. The 'agreement' bestowed by the master will not'." Actually we need a period after closing quote? The line ends with 」. So we add a period after the closing quote. So: "'Crystal ore does not. The 'agreement' bestowed by the master will not'." We'll include period.

"Now, our flesh and blood are merging with the power of crystal ore. Everyone contributes to the 'great undertaking' with no waste, no internal friction—this is the most efficient form."

'Now, our flesh and blood are merging with the power of crystal ore. Everyone contributes to the 'great undertaking' with no waste, no internal friction—this is the most efficient form.'

Amin looks at the new wound on his arm, faintly glowing blue.

Translate: "Amin looks at the newly added wound on his arm, faintly glowing blue." Period.

That was a few days ago, during a riot (an attempt to escape) of the reserve auxiliary troops; he, following orders, stayed behind to suppress it.

The riot was quickly quelled by the battle slaves surging out of the Soldier's Nest.

Participants were thrown on the spot into the reaction core pit, turning into energy.

And Amin, for 'decisive handling', received a 'deep binding enhancement' reward—denser dark energy infused into his body, greatly increasing his strength, the price being that crystallization deepened further, and at night his heart would be startled awake by an inexplicable, icy throbbing.

He felt fear.

Not fear of the Ming army.

It was fear of this 'efficiency'.

Fear of the 'thing' he was becoming.

"All banner lords and princes, tomorrow you must undergo deep verification of the 'Loyalty Agreement'."

In the crystal, Hong Taiji continued to convey orders from above.

"The master wants to ensure that at the most critical moment, the command chain is absolutely pure and absolutely efficient."

"Those who refuse will be regarded as unstable factors and eliminated."

Amin closed the crystal.

Eliminate.

He knew what that word meant.

Last month, two company captains who publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the cabin allocation system were taken away.

They were said to be going to participate in a 'new weapon test'.

They never returned.

In the Soldier's Nest, shortly afterward a new model of small reconnaissance unit appeared, their eye structure faintly resembling that of human eyes.

Night had deepened.

Hetu Ala had no true night.

The dark light of the reaction core pit, the dark red pulsing of the Soldier's Nest, and the unextinguished blue flames of the contamination sites cast the sky into an eerie purple-brown hue.

The air was filled with a heavy, strange odor mixed with rust, slime, and ozone.

Nurhachi stood alone on the observation platform.

His consciousness, through the crystal bone interface implanted deep in his brain, was partially linked to the reaction core and to the will torrent of the Iron Crow Army master deeper within.

He could 'see' a vast network.

With Hetu Ala as the core, countless dark energy 'roots' radiated outward.

To the west, it penetrated deep into the Liao East lands, nourishing the contamination sites and eroding the borders of Ming.

To the east and north, it reached into farther mountains and valleys, seeking new crystal veins.

To the south, the thickest and most vigorous of them was stubbornly digging deep underground toward Brocade Prefecture.

Within the network, every node—the Soldier's Nest, the contamination sites, and even important 'cabin zones'—flickered with icy points of light.

Representing control, representing efficiency, representing an absolute order that had purged all 'redundancy' and 'noise'.

He also 'heard' from the depths of that torrent the Iron Crow Army master's tireless, repeating underlying command:

【Maintain script stability. Eliminate variables. Reset offset.】

【Consume enemy resources. Test their defense limits. Seek logic loopholes.】

【Current target: Ming. Core variable: Zhu Yuanzhang. Execution plan: comprehensive stress test until system collapse or variable failure.】

An absolute, non-human will.

Nurhachi had long given up understanding; he could only obey.

And in the process of obeying, he gradually assimilated himself with that will.

He would occasionally recall the days long ago when he hunted in the dense forests of Ever-white Mountain.

That sense of cold, hunger, yet sharing game with his clansmen—the genuine feeling.

Now, that feeling, together with the 'self' that brought it, seemed separated by a thick, icy crystal wall.

Distant and vague.

"Khan."

The old Manchu appeared silently behind him.

"The reconnaissance unit detected a new peak of energy turbulence in the direction of the light curtain."

"According to model projections, the penetration cycle of Weak Point No. 7 may be thirty double-hours ahead of schedule."

"The master inquired: Is the probe infiltration plan against the Chen Dynasty ready?"

Nurhachi slowly turned, his crystallized pupils reflecting the pit's dark blue.

"Tell the master."

"Hetu Ala, ready."

"Liao East, ready."

"Great Qing..."

He paused, his voice merging with the low rumble of the reaction core.

"Ready."

Below the observation platform, the massive entrance of the Soldier's Nest.

Another squad of newly hatched Iron Bone battle slaves marched out.

They did not go to the armory to collect weapons.

Because their arms had, during cultivation, grown together with specialized bone blades.

Dark light flowed along the blade edges.

Silent, orderly, absolutely obedient.

They are the troops of the Great Qing.

They are also the blade of the Iron Crow Army.

Furthermore, they are another cold and resolute step taken by this Nether Energy Empire as it strides toward the predetermined historical script.

The night wind sweeps through Hetu Ala's twisted crystallized spire, emitting a mournful whistle.

As if mourning.

And also like some huge machine's final self-check before activation.