Lin Wan'er never imagined that chasing a colorful butterfly would lead her into such a perilous situation. The butterfly seemed like a fairy from a fairyland, its wings shimmering with a strange and enchanting light, appearing dreamlike and ethereal in the sunlight. Lin Wan'er was deeply attracted to it, her feet involuntarily following its movements.

She jogged through the bustling market. The market was teeming with people, the cries of vendors rising and falling, and a dazzling array of goods lined both sides of the street. There were stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, with mountains of bright red apples and glistening purple grapes; there were stalls selling handicrafts, exquisite wood carvings and vibrant embroidery dazzling the eye; and there were stalls selling steaming hot snacks, their fragrant aromas filling the air. Lin Wan'er, however, had no interest in the lively scene; her gaze was fixed on the butterfly.

The butterflies seemed to be deliberately teasing her, flitting freely through the market, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Lin Wan'er was not discouraged; her pink silk dress billowed as she ran, like a delicate flower blooming in the wind. Her fair face was slightly flushed from running, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but her bright eyes still sparkled with excitement.

Unbeknownst to them, the butterfly flew out of the market and headed towards a secluded grove. Without hesitation, Lin Wan'er followed the butterfly into the woods. The grove was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees; sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled golden light, as if the ground were covered in gold coins. Birds sang merrily in the branches, and squirrels leaped among the twigs; it felt like another world.

However, the butterfly didn't linger in the woods for long; it continued flying forward, and Lin Wan'er could only keep chasing. Suddenly, a high wall appeared ahead, leading to a magnificent mansion—the General's Mansion. The butterfly circled above the wall a few times before gracefully flying inside. Lin Wan'er gazed at the wall, hesitant, but the butterfly seemed to possess a magical allure, making it impossible for her to let go.

She searched along the wall for a long time before finally finding a place to climb. It was a large tree near the wall, its thick branches extending over it. Lin Wan'er gritted her teeth, lifted her skirt, and began to climb the trunk. The trunk was rough, rubbing against her palms and causing a slight pain, but she was focused on the butterfly and didn't give up.

Having finally climbed up the tree branch, Lin Wan'er carefully moved towards the wall. The branch swayed slightly beneath her feet, making her heart race. When she finally stood on the wall, she discovered that the scene inside the General's Mansion was completely beyond her imagination.

The general's mansion had a very spacious courtyard with a wide path paved with bluestone slabs running through the middle. Exquisite stone carvings lined both sides of the path. There were majestic lions with gaping maws, seemingly ready to devour everything; and cranes with outstretched wings, their postures elegant and lifelike. The courtyard was filled with various flowers, trees, and shrubs, their blooming flowers colorful and fragrant.

But Lin Wan'er had no time to appreciate the beautiful scenery; her gaze searched the courtyard for butterflies. Just then, she heard a commotion, like the clash of swords. Startled, she instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.

Not far away, a group of men in black were fiercely fighting a man dressed in black. The man was agile, wielding a long sword that gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Each swing of his sword created a sharp whistling sound, sparks flying as it clashed with the weapons of the men in black. The men in black outnumbered him, surrounding him completely, but the man showed no fear, his swordsmanship sharp and his movements fluid and unpredictable.

Lin Wan'er was stunned by the sudden scene. She forgot her perilous situation and her search for the butterfly. Her gaze was fixed on the fighting man, her heart filled with surprise and curiosity. She didn't know who this man was, nor why these men in black were there, but she could feel the tense atmosphere in the air.

Just as she was lost in thought, a hand suddenly covered her mouth, and another hand tightly embraced her waist. Lin Wan'er stared wide-eyed in terror, trying to struggle, but found herself completely unable to move. She felt the person behind her quietly leading her down the wall and towards a secluded corner.

Lin Wan'er's heart leaped into her throat; she had no idea what she was going to face. She tried to make out the person behind her, but all she could see was that they were dressed in black, similar to the black-clad men who were fighting. Had she been captured by the black-clad men? The thought flashed through her mind, making her even more terrified.

As they reached the corner, the person behind them finally released their grip. Lin Wan'er quickly turned around and saw a cold-faced man in black. His eyes were icy, seemingly devoid of any warmth, staring directly at Lin Wan'er. Lin Wan'er instinctively took a step back, her back hitting the wall.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" the man in black asked coldly.

Lin Wan'er's lips trembled as she tried to speak, but found her throat tightening with nervousness. After a long while, she stammered, "I... I came in chasing butterflies, I didn't mean to."

The man in black clearly didn't believe her. He sneered and said, "Chasing butterflies? Do you think I'd believe such nonsense? Tell me, are you in cahoots with them?" As he spoke, he pointed in the direction where the fighting was taking place.

Lin Wan'er quickly shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. She pleaded, "I really am not. I'm just an ordinary woman. I don't know anything."

The man in black frowned slightly as he looked at Lin Wan'er's pitiful appearance, but the suspicion in his eyes did not lessen. Just as he was about to ask something more, he suddenly heard a cry of alarm coming from the direction of the fighting. He turned his head and saw the leader of the men in black glance in Lin Wan'er's direction before rushing towards them.

Lin Wan'er also witnessed this scene. She covered her mouth in terror, her body trembling uncontrollably. She didn't know why the leader of the men in black was rushing towards her, but she could sense a strong aura of danger.

Just as the leader of the men in black was about to reach them, the man who had been fighting with the men in black broke free from his enemies and rushed towards Lin Wan'er. His eyes were filled with determination, as if he was determined to protect Lin Wan'er from harm.

Lin Wan'er watched the man rushing towards her, a strange sense of security welling up inside her. She didn't know why this man had saved her, but in this dangerous moment, he was like a ray of light shining into her dark world.

As the man drew closer, Lin Wan'er could see his face more clearly. He had sharp, angular features, his face sculpted like a work of art. Beneath his high, straight nose, his lips were slightly pursed, revealing a resolute air. His eyes were deep and sharp, as if they could see right through everything.

The man quickly arrived in front of Lin Wan'er and the men in black. He stood in front of Lin Wan'er, confronting the leader of the men in black. The leader of the men in black looked at the man, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ferocity.

"Xiao Yichen, mind your own business. This woman is very likely one of their accomplices," the leader of the men in black said menacingly.

"Hmph, you bunch of scoundrels, don't you dare slander an innocent person. I think you have ulterior motives and are deliberately causing trouble here," the man called Xiao Yichen coldly replied.

"You will pay the price for your stupidity." After saying this, the leader of the men in black raised his weapon and attacked Xiao Yichen.

Xiao Yichen was not to be outdone. He raised his longsword and charged forward. In an instant, swords clashed, sparks flying. Lin Wan'er watched their fight with bated breath, knowing her fate rested on the outcome of this battle. She silently prayed that Xiao Yichen would defeat the leader of the men in black and allow her to escape danger.

The battle was exceptionally fierce, with both Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black giving it their all. Xiao Yichen's swordsmanship was exquisite, with each move containing immense power, but the leader of the men in black was no pushover either; his attacks were ruthless and cunning, nearly injuring Xiao Yichen several times.

Lin Wan'er watched anxiously, wanting to help but unsure how. Her eyes darted around, searching for anything that could aid Xiao Yichen. Suddenly, she spotted a stone on the ground. An idea struck her, and she quickly ran over, picked it up, and threw it at the leader of the men in black.

The stone flew towards the leader of the men in black, causing him little harm, but it did distract him. Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity, unleashing a sharp sword technique that slashed the leader's arm. The leader, in pain, staggered back a few steps.

"Hmph, you're lucky today. Let's go!" The leader of the men in black glanced at Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, then led the other men in black away from the general's mansion.

As the man in black departed, the General's Mansion gradually returned to calm. Xiao Yichen sheathed his sword and turned to look at Lin Wan'er. Lin Wan'er gazed at Xiao Yichen, her eyes filled with gratitude, and softly said, "Thank you for saving my life, young master."

Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, smiled slightly, and said, "Miss, you don't need to be so polite. But why are you here?"

Lin Wan'er then told Xiao Yichen in detail about her chasing the butterfly. After listening, Xiao Yichen couldn't help but chuckle. He said, "Miss is so innocent and naive. However, this is the General's Mansion. You can't be so reckless in the future."

Lin Wan'er nodded, blushing, and said, "I understand. It was my fault this time, and I caused you trouble, young master."

Looking at Lin Wan'er's adorable appearance, Xiao Yichen felt a surge of inexplicable emotions. He said, "It's alright, it's good that you're alright, Miss. You should forget about today's events as soon as possible, after all, this is not a place to stay for long."

Lin Wan'er nodded and said, "Okay, I'll leave now."

After speaking, Lin Wan'er walked towards the wall. Xiao Yichen watched her retreating figure, feeling a pang of reluctance in his heart. He didn't know what kind of changes this woman, who had suddenly barged into the General's Mansion, would bring to his life, but he knew that this woman had already left a unique mark on his heart.

As Lin Wan'er climbed the wall to leave, she glanced back at Xiao Yichen. Xiao Yichen was standing in the courtyard, looking at her. Their eyes met, and an invisible force seemed to flow between them. Lin Wan'er's heart suddenly raced. She quickly turned away, jumped off the wall, and disappeared from Xiao Yichen's sight.

Xiao Yichen stared in the direction Lin Wan'er had left, lost in thought for a long time. He knew this was just the beginning; the story between him and this woman named Lin Wan'er had only just begun.

After leaving the General's Mansion, Lin Wan'er was in a daze the whole way. Xiao Yichen's heroic figure and deep eyes kept flashing through her mind; every sword-wielding movement seemed etched into her heart. Her cheeks were flushed, and her steps were unsteady, as if she were walking on clouds.

The market was still bustling with activity, but in Lin Wan'er's eyes, everything became blurred. The surrounding noise seemed to be blocked by a thin veil; she walked mechanically, her heart pounding like a deer's. The butterfly that had caused all this trouble was long gone, but she didn't care at all. At this moment, her mind was filled with the thrilling experience in the General's mansion and the man who had suddenly appeared to save her.

Back home, Lin Wan'er's parents noticed something was wrong with her. Her mother took her hand worriedly and asked, "Wan'er, what's wrong? Your face is so flushed, are you sick?" Lin Wan'er then came to her senses and quickly shook her head, saying, "Mother, I'm fine, I just ran around for a while and I'm a little tired." Her mother looked at her incredulously but didn't press further, only telling her to get some rest.

Lin Wan'er returned to her room and sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts drifting back to the General's Mansion. She imagined Xiao Yichen fighting the man in black; every sharp move, every daring dodge, made her heart race. She couldn't understand why she had such strong feelings for a man she had only met once—a feeling she had never experienced before.

Meanwhile, in the General's mansion, Xiao Yichen was also lost in thought. He stood in the courtyard, gazing in the direction Lin Wan'er had left, motionless for a long time. He didn't understand why he had rushed to save Lin Wan'er without hesitation when he saw her in danger. He had witnessed too many life-or-death situations, and thought his heart was as hard as steel, but today, this woman who had suddenly barged in was like a pebble, casting ripples on the calm lake of his heart.

He recalled Lin Wan'er's clear, watery eyes, the fear, gratitude, and innocence within them deeply touching him. During the fight with the man in black, a flicker of worry had crossed his mind—a fear that he might not be able to protect this innocent girl. This kind of worry was foreign to him; he had always prioritized the safety of the General's Mansion and his own mission, never having worried so much about a stranger.

At this moment, his lieutenant, Li Ran, approached and, seeing Xiao Yichen's expression, teased, "General, you seem a bit unusual today. Who exactly was that woman? She could make you so lost in thought." Xiao Yichen glared at him and said, "Don't talk nonsense. I was just thinking about the origins of those men in black." Li Ran smiled and said, "General, don't try to hide it from me. The look in your eyes when you saved that woman didn't seem like it was just out of chivalry." Xiao Yichen ignored him and turned to walk towards his study.

In the study, Xiao Yichen sat at his desk, trying to organize his thoughts. He picked up the intelligence letters on the table, wanting to investigate whether any forces had recently posed a threat to the General's Mansion, but he found himself unable to concentrate. The words danced before his eyes, but his mind was filled with Lin Wan'er's face.

He knew that this attack by the men in black was no accident. Their target seemed to be more than just the General's Mansion; they might also be after him. Lin Wan'er's appearance made things even more complicated. He worried that the men in black might harm Lin Wan'er because of her presence, after all, those people were ruthless.

Meanwhile, Lin Wan'er was restless at home. She decided to go out and inquire about the General's Mansion, hoping to find out some information about Xiao Yichen. She went to the market and found Granny Wang, who often sold vegetables near the General's Mansion.

"Grandma Wang, do you know anything about what happened at the General's Mansion?" Lin Wan'er asked casually.

Granny Wang glanced at her and said, "Young lady, we shouldn't be asking about things at the General's Mansion. However, I heard today that the General's Mansion was robbed, and a group of men in black came."

Lin Wan'er was startled and quickly asked, "Then... how is the general? Is he injured?"

Granny Wang smiled and said, "Young lady, you care so much about the general, could it be that you've fallen for him? I heard the general is alright, and even chased away those men in black."

Lin Wan'er's face flushed instantly, and she quickly said, "Mother-in-law, please don't talk nonsense. I was just asking casually." After saying that, she hurriedly left.

Back home, Lin Wan'er felt even more flustered. She knew her concern for Xiao Yichen had gone beyond normal limits, but she couldn't control her emotions. She lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

At the General's Mansion, after some deliberation, Xiao Yichen decided to strengthen its defenses. He summoned the guards and issued a series of orders. He instructed them to increase patrols and strengthen security at all entrances and exits, ensuring the men in black had no further opportunity.

"This attack by the men in black must have been premeditated. We cannot let our guard down; we must ensure the safety of the General's Mansion," Xiao Yichen said solemnly to the guards.

The guards answered in unison, "Yes, General!"

After arranging the defenses, Xiao Yichen went to the courtyard. Looking at the damaged stone sculptures and plants, a surge of anger welled up within him. These men in black dared to wreak havoc on his territory; he was determined to find out their origins and make them pay the price.

He walked along the path in the courtyard, his mind replaying the details of his battle with the men in black. He realized these men were well-trained; their moves followed a set pattern, unlike ordinary thieves. Moreover, the leader of the men in black seemed to know something about him, which made him even more suspicious that there was a larger conspiracy behind the attack.

Just then, a guard came to report: "General, we found some clues among the items left by the men in black." Xiao Yichen immediately followed the guard to the room where the clues were stored.

On the table were some items left behind by the men in black: a handkerchief with a special mark and a dagger engraved with strange symbols. Xiao Yichen picked up the handkerchief and examined it closely. The handkerchief was of excellent quality, and the mark on it looked like the emblem of a family or organization. He then picked up the dagger. He had never seen the strange symbols before, but he could sense that they must hide some secret.

He ordered his guards to continue investigating the clues and to find out the identity of the man in black as soon as possible. Then, he fell into deep thought. He knew that this matter might involve many parties and could potentially trigger a much larger upheaval.

Meanwhile, at home, Lin Wan'er tossed and turned all night before finally making up her mind. She would go to the General's Mansion again. She wanted to see if Xiao Yichen was alright and also to thank him for what had happened yesterday. She dressed up carefully, wearing her favorite light blue silk dress, styling her hair in an exquisite updo, and even wearing the pearl hairpin her mother had given her.

She quietly slipped out the door and headed towards the general's mansion. Her heart was filled with both nervousness and excitement. When she reached the mansion's walls again, she hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to climb the same tree as before.

However, the defenses of the General's Mansion were noticeably stronger this time. As soon as she climbed the wall, she was spotted by the patrolling guards. They shouted, "Who goes there?" and quickly surrounded Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er looked at the approaching guards in terror and hurriedly said, "I... I came to see General Xiao, I meant no harm." The guards did not believe her. One of them said, "Don't try to deny it. Why would a woman like you secretly climb the wall of the General's mansion? You must have ulterior motives." After saying that, the guards prepared to seize Lin Wan'er.

Just then, Xiao Yichen heard the commotion and rushed over. He was shocked to see Lin Wan'er surrounded by guards and quickly shouted, "Stop!" The guards stopped immediately upon hearing the general's order.

Xiao Yichen walked up to Lin Wan'er and, seeing her somewhat flustered appearance, asked, "Miss, why are you here again?" Lin Wan'er looked at Xiao Yichen, tears welling up in her eyes, and said, "I... I came to see if you were alright, and also to thank you for saving me yesterday." Xiao Yichen felt a warmth in his heart and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss. I'm fine. However, it was dangerous for you to come here so suddenly."

Lin Wan'er wiped away her tears and said, "I know, but I was really worried about you. Besides, I felt I should come and thank you." Xiao Yichen smiled slightly and said, "Miss, there's no need for that. I only did what I should have done yesterday."

At this moment, Li Ran, the deputy general, walked over, looked at Lin Wan'er, and said with a smile, "General, it's truly rare to see such a young lady so concerned about you." Xiao Yichen glared at him and said, "Don't be so talkative." Then, he said to Lin Wan'er, "Miss, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go to the front hall." Lin Wan'er nodded and followed Xiao Yichen towards the front hall.

Upon entering the main hall, Xiao Yichen asked Lin Wan'er to sit down and then instructed the servants to serve tea. Looking at the opulent decorations around her, Lin Wan'er felt a little nervous. She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and tried to calm herself.

Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er and said, "Miss, do you know how risky you are doing today? The situation at the General's Mansion is unclear, and those men in black might come again. If anything happens to you, I... I will be uneasy." Lin Wan'er raised her head, looked at Xiao Yichen, and said, "I'm not afraid. I just wanted to see you. Besides, I feel that our meeting again must be fate." Xiao Yichen was touched by Lin Wan'er's words. Looking into her sincere eyes, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

Just then, a guard rushed in and reported, "General, we've found traces of the men in black!" Xiao Yichen immediately stood up, his expression turning serious. He said to Lin Wan'er, "Miss, wait for me here. I'll be right back." With that, he picked up his weapon and ran in the direction the guard had pointed.

Lin Wan'er watched Xiao Yichen's departing figure, her heart filled with worry. She knew that Xiao Yichen was about to face danger again, and she could only wait here. She silently prayed, hoping that Xiao Yichen would return safely.

Xiao Yichen arrived at the location where the man in black had appeared and found him fighting with the guards. He immediately joined the battle, his swordsmanship becoming even more ferocious, each move filled with fury. He wanted to seek justice for the General's Mansion and protect those he cared about, including Lin Wan'er, who had just entered his heart.

This battle was even fiercer than the last one. The men in black seemed better prepared, and there were more of them. But Xiao Yichen did not back down at all. He led his guards in a desperate fight against the men in black. Blood stained the ground of the general's mansion, and shouts of battle echoed throughout the entire residence.

Lin Wan'er sat anxiously in the front hall, hearing the sounds of fierce fighting outside. She could no longer contain herself; she stood up and ran towards the direction of the battle. She wanted to be with Xiao Yichen and face this crisis together.

When she arrived at the battlefield, she saw blood everywhere and people fighting fiercely. Her gaze immediately fell on Xiao Yichen, who was covered in blood but still fighting bravely. Tears welled up in Lin Wan'er's eyes, and she shouted at Xiao Yichen, "General, be careful!" Hearing Lin Wan'er's voice, Xiao Yichen was startled. He turned to look at Lin Wan'er, and just then, a man in black took the opportunity to attack him.

Lin Wan'er was horrified at the sight. She rushed towards Xiao Yichen, desperate to shield him from the attack. Xiao Yichen, however, regained his composure at the crucial moment, wielding his sword to block the black-clad man's attack and then repelling him.

"Why are you here? It's too dangerous here!" Xiao Yichen shouted at Lin Wan'er.

"I can't let you face danger alone. I want to stay with you," Lin Wan'er said firmly.

Xiao Yichen was deeply moved. He knew that this woman had deeply entered his heart. At this critical moment of life and death, they gazed at each other, as if the whole world had shrunk to just the two of them.

The battle continued, with Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er fighting side by side, their eyes filled with determination and courage. They knew that only by defeating the men in black could they protect the General's Mansion and the budding romance between them.

With their combined efforts, the men in black gradually found themselves at a disadvantage. Finally, they began to retreat, and the General's Mansion returned to peace. Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er; they were exhausted, but their eyes shone with the light of victory and a deeper affection for each other.

"I'm so glad you're alright," Xiao Yichen said softly.

"Yes, as long as you're alright," Lin Wan'er replied with a smile.

The figure in black disappeared into the darkness outside the General's Mansion, which was filled with the stench of battle and exhaustion. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er looked at each other, their eyes filled with the relief of surviving a calamity and their mutual concern. Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er's slightly disheveled hair and blood-stained skirt, and a wave of pity washed over him.

"Wan'er, you shouldn't have come. It was too dangerous just now," Xiao Yichen said softly, but there was no blame in his tone.

Lin Wan'er shook her head slightly, looking at Xiao Yichen with a firm gaze, "How can I be at ease if I don't come? I can't just watch you risk your life alone."

Xiao Yichen gently held Lin Wan'er's hand, feeling her slightly trembling fingertips, the lingering effects of fear and tension. He led Lin Wan'er to a quieter corner and instructed the servants to prepare hot water and clean clothes.

"Go wash up and change your clothes first. You must have been frightened by what happened today," Xiao Yichen said gently.

Lin Wan'er nodded and followed the maid into the inner room. As she washed up, the scene of the battle kept replaying in her mind—the狰狞 faces of the men in black and Xiao Yichen's bloodied figure flashing through her mind. She knew she was deeply involved in the General's Mansion's turmoil, but she didn't regret it. Because in her heart, Xiao Yichen's safety was more important than anything else.

At this moment, Xiao Yichen was discussing with his deputy, Li Ran, the matter of the men in black attacking again.

"General, these men in black clearly came prepared for this attack, and they seem to be deliberately probing our defenses." Li Ran frowned, his face full of worry.

Xiao Yichen's expression was solemn, and he clenched his fists. "Hmph, no matter what their purpose is, they dare to run wild in my General's Mansion, and I will not let them off easily. Judging from the clues they left behind today, we must speed up the investigation."

"General, we've already sent people to investigate the markings on the handkerchief, but there's still no news. The symbols on the dagger are too strange; we need to find someone more knowledgeable to decipher them," Li Ran reported.

"Don't let your guard down; you must find out the truth as soon as possible. Also, strengthen security within the manor, especially protecting the people inside," Xiao Yichen instructed.

Li Ran accepted the order and left, while Xiao Yichen waited outside Lin Wan'er's room. A short while later, Lin Wan'er emerged after washing up. She had changed into a simple, elegant dress, looking fresh and graceful, like a lotus emerging from water. Her face appeared even more fair and beautiful after washing, though a trace of nervousness lingered in her eyes.

"How are you feeling?" Xiao Yichen asked with concern.

"I'm much better, General. How about you? Are you injured?" Lin Wan'er asked worriedly, looking at the bloodstains on Xiao Yichen's body.

"It's nothing, just minor injuries. Wan'er, with the attack by the men in black, the General's Mansion is likely to be in turmoil. You shouldn't be involved in these dangers, but since you're already in the thick of it, I will protect you," Xiao Yichen said solemnly.

Lin Wan'er felt a warmth in her heart. "General, I'm not afraid. As long as I can be with you, I'm not afraid of anything."

Looking into Lin Wan'er's resolute eyes, Xiao Yichen was deeply moved and couldn't help but pull her into his arms. Lin Wan'er leaned against Xiao Yichen, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling an unprecedented sense of security. At this moment, the bond between them deepened even more under the influence of war and danger.

However, in a dark corner outside the general's mansion, the leader of the men in black was reporting to a mysterious person.

"My lord, this operation has failed. That brat Xiao Yichen is too difficult to deal with, and there was also a woman of unknown identity who appeared." The leader of the men in black knelt on one knee, his face full of resentment.

"Hmph, what can a woman do? However, Xiao Yichen is indeed a troublesome fellow. It seems we need to change our strategy." The mysterious figure remained hidden in the darkness, his voice low and hoarse.

"Sir, what should we do next?" the leader of the men in black asked.

"Continue to monitor the General's Mansion and look for opportunities. The woman's appearance might be a variable. Find out her identity and see if we can use her to deal with Xiao Yichen," the mysterious man ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The leader of the men in black accepted the order and disappeared into the darkness.

Back at the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen led Lin Wan'er to the garden. The garden was somewhat dilapidated after the attacks by the men in black, but its former beauty was still evident. Some flowers had withered in the flames of war, but others stubbornly bloomed, just like their love at this moment, blossoming amidst danger.

"Wan'er, once this storm has passed, I'll take you to see all the beautiful sights in the world." Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, his eyes filled with longing.

"Really? General, that must be wonderful." Lin Wan'er's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

They strolled through the garden, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility. Xiao Yichen recounted his past to Lin Wan'er—the battles, the honors, and the pain he had endured. Lin Wan'er listened quietly, her heart aching for everything Xiao Yichen had been through, and her admiration for him growing even stronger.

“General, you are a hero,” Lin Wan’er said softly.

Xiao Yichen smiled slightly, "In my heart, you are also a brave woman. Your appearance is like a ray of light in this darkness."

Just then, a guard rushed over and said, "General, we have found traces of suspicious people outside the mansion."

Xiao Yichen's expression hardened. "Let's go take a look."

He led Lin Wan'er to the vicinity of the mansion gate, where they saw guards surrounding a suspicious-looking person. The person was dressed in tattered clothes, with shifty eyes, and appeared very flustered.

"Who are you? What are you doing lurking around outside the General's Mansion?" Xiao Yichen asked loudly.

"General... I... I've come to deliver a message," the man stammered.

"Report a message? Report what message?" Xiao Yichen frowned.

“I… I know where those men in black came from,” the man said, trembling.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged a glance, and then Xiao Yichen said, "Take him to the front hall and interrogate him properly."

Upon arriving at the front hall, the man knelt on the ground and began to recount everything he knew.

“General, I was just a beggar on the street. A few days ago, I saw a group of men in black discussing something in a dilapidated temple. They mentioned the General’s Mansion and said they were looking for something, which seemed to be a very important document. They said that as long as they got that document, they could bring down the General and obtain a large fortune.”

"Did they mention what the document was?" Xiao Yichen asked anxiously.

"I... I didn't hear clearly. I only heard them say that the document was in a secret place in the general's mansion. General, that's all I know. Please spare me," the beggar pleaded.

Xiao Yichen fell into deep thought. He didn't know what the beggar was talking about, but he knew that the General's Mansion must have something that the enemy coveted.

"You can go down now. If you tell even the slightest lie, I will not forgive you," Xiao Yichen said to the beggar.

The beggar scrambled out of the front hall. Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, "Wan'er, it seems the General's Mansion is hiding a big secret. We must find this so-called document before the men in black."

Lin Wan'er nodded. "General, where should we begin our search?"

Xiao Yichen stood up. "Let's start by checking the study. That's the most likely place to store important documents."

They entered the study and began a thorough search. The bookshelves were filled with various books, and Xiao Yichen flipped through them one by one, hoping to find some clues. Lin Wan'er, on the other hand, searched around the desk, opening drawers and examining the letters and documents inside.

Suddenly, Lin Wan'er found a letter sealed with sealing wax in a hidden drawer. The letter was unsigned. She handed it to Xiao Yichen, "General, look at this."

Xiao Yichen took the letter, opened it, and his expression immediately turned serious. The letter contained only a few words: "Yichen, the secrets of the manor concern the entire world. You must not let them fall into the hands of treacherous people. Remember this."

"Who wrote this? Could it be my father?" Xiao Yichen murmured to himself.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the study. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er stepped out of the study and saw the guards engaged in a fierce battle with a group of men in black. It turned out that the men in black had taken advantage of the chaos to infiltrate the general's mansion.

"Protect Wan'er!" Xiao Yichen shouted, then joined the battle.

Lin Wan'er was frantic with worry. She watched helplessly as Xiao Yichen was once again in danger. She looked around and noticed that the men in black were rushing in one direction, as if something was drawing them there.

"Do they know where the documents are?" Lin Wan'er was startled. Ignoring the danger, she ran in that direction.

Xiao Yichen saw Lin Wan'er run off and tried to stop her but was entangled by the men in black. "Wan'er, don't go!" he shouted anxiously.

Lin Wan'er ran to a secluded courtyard, a place where few people seemed to frequent. The men in black followed and surrounded her.

"Little girl, you can't escape now. Hand over the documents!" the man in black said menacingly.

"I don't know anything about this document, so don't talk nonsense." Lin Wan'er tried to remain calm.

The men in black didn't believe it and began searching the courtyard. Lin Wan'er seized the opportunity to look for a chance to escape. She found a dog hole in the corner of the courtyard wall, gritted her teeth, and crawled towards it.

Just as she was about to crawl out of the dog hole, a man in black spotted her and grabbed her foot. Lin Wan'er struggled desperately and screamed for help.

At this moment, Xiao Yichen broke free from the men in black and rushed towards the courtyard. He saw Lin Wan'er being captured by the men in black and was enraged. He rushed over, stabbed the man in black who was holding Lin Wan'er to death with a single sword strike, and then fled the courtyard with Lin Wan'er.

"Wan'er, are you alright?" Xiao Yichen held Lin Wan'er tightly.

"General, I'm fine. I think what they're looking for might be in that courtyard," Lin Wan'er said breathlessly.

Xiao Yichen nodded. "We'll go check after we deal with these men in black."

They rejoined the guards in the mansion and together they fought against the men in black. After a fierce battle, the men in black were once again driven back. The general's mansion was in ruins, and many guards were killed or wounded.

Xiao Yichen watched all this, his heart filled with anger and self-reproach. He knew it was all because of that mysterious document, and he had to unravel the mystery as soon as possible to protect the General's Mansion and Lin Wan'er's safety.

He led Lin Wan'er to the courtyard and began a thorough search. In a secret room within the courtyard, they discovered a box. The box was covered with strange patterns and looked quite mysterious.

"Could this be the document they're looking for?" Lin Wan'er asked.

Xiao Yichen shook his head. "I don't know, but this box is definitely not simple."

Just as they were about to open the box, they suddenly heard a sinister laugh. They turned around and saw the mysterious figure appear at the entrance of the courtyard, followed by a group of men in black.

"Xiao Yichen, you've finally found it. Hand over the box." The mysterious man sneered.

"Who are you? Why do you want this box?" Xiao Yichen questioned.

"Hmph, once you're dead, you won't need to know anymore. Attack!" The mysterious man waved his hand, and the men in black pounced towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er.

Xiao Yichen shielded Lin Wan'er behind him, picked up his weapon, and prepared for battle. They knew this would be a life-or-death struggle, and the secrets within the box, the fate of the General's Mansion, and their love would all take a new turn in this battle.

This time, they had no way out but to fight to the bitter end. Xiao Yichen's eyes were filled with determination, and Lin Wan'er clenched her fists tightly, ready to face the impending danger together with Xiao Yichen.