Xiao Yichen struggled desperately amidst numerous difficulties, seeing almost no glimmer of hope. A suffocating atmosphere permeated the General's Mansion, everyone feeling the heavy pressure. Xiao Yichen pondered day and night for a way out, but remained clueless, feeling as if he were trapped in a dark abyss, surrounded by endless fog.

That day, Xiao Yichen paced back and forth in his study as usual, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with weariness and worry. Suddenly, a guard rushed in to report that a mysterious person was requesting an audience outside the gate, claiming to have extremely important information to convey to the general. Xiao Yichen's heart skipped a beat. At this sensitive time, any unusual visitor could harbor hidden agendas, but he also knew that he had no other choice; even a sliver of hope was worth trying.

He straightened his clothes, forced himself to be alert, and went to the gate of the mansion. There stood a person dressed in a black robe and wearing a bamboo hat, his face obscured, but a mysterious aura emanated from him. "Who are you? Why do you want to see this general?" Xiao Yichen asked warily.

The mysterious man slightly raised his head, his voice low and hoarse: "General, I know you are currently in dire straits, and I have come to lend you a hand. There are many people around here, so please allow me a moment to speak with you."

Xiao Yichen hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and led the mysterious man to the study. Once inside, the mysterious man slowly removed his bamboo hat, revealing a weathered face with deep, sharp eyes that seemed to see through all the illusions of the world. "General," he said, "I have traveled extensively and inadvertently learned of some of Murong Xuan's secret plans. His alliance with the Shatuo tribe and the Ryukyu Kingdom is not unbreakable; there are many contradictions and entanglements of interests within it."

Xiao Yichen was overjoyed and quickly asked, "Please tell me in detail, sir. If you can help my Xiao Kingdom resolve this crisis, I will be eternally grateful."

The mysterious man sat down and slowly said, "Although the Shatuo tribe has reached a cooperation agreement with Murong Xuan, they are naturally rough and unrestrained, and are quite dissatisfied with some of Murong Xuan's political tactics. Moreover, the material and weapon support promised by Murong Xuan has not yet been fully delivered, which has greatly diminished the Shatuo tribe's trust in him. As far as I know, the Shatuo tribe's leader, Batel, is secretly reconsidering the cooperative relationship with Murong Xuan."

Xiao Yichen nodded slightly, and said thoughtfully, "I see. What about the Ryukyu Kingdom?"

The mysterious man continued, "Although King Sho Tai of the Ryukyu Kingdom coveted the maritime trade interests of the Xiao Kingdom, he was also well aware that Murong Xuan's ambitions were difficult to control. When Murong Xuan was discussing war plans with the Ryukyu Kingdom, he attempted to place the Ryukyu Kingdom's navy under his command, which aroused Sho Tai's strong dissatisfaction. Moreover, the ministers of the Ryukyu Kingdom were also worried about the prospects of this war, fearing that once they were drawn into the war, the Ryukyu Kingdom would suffer huge losses."

Xiao Yichen's eyes gradually brightened; he seemed to see a glimmer of hope. "Sir, how can we use these conflicts to break Murong Xuan's alliance?"

The mysterious man smiled slightly and said, "General, you might as well send someone to the Shatuo tribe to show Batel the position and sincerity of the Xiao Kingdom. The Xiao Kingdom can promise that as long as the Shatuo tribe abandons its cooperation with Murong Xuan, the Xiao Kingdom will sign a peace treaty with them and give them certain preferential treatment and support in trade and resources. At the same time, as for the Ryukyu Kingdom, General, you can secretly send a message to Shang Tai to expose Murong Xuan's ambition and conspiracy, and make him understand that cooperating with Murong Xuan is tantamount to seeking help from a tiger."

Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment and felt the plan was feasible. However, he still had doubts: "Sir, why do you want to help my Xiao Kingdom? What are your purposes?"

The mysterious man stood up, walked to the window, looked at the sky outside, and slowly said, "General, although I am just a wanderer in the martial world, I cannot bear to see the people of the world suffer from the ravages of war because of Murong Xuan's ambition. Under your rule, General, the people of Xiao Kingdom live in peace and prosperity, a breath of fresh air on this continent. I hope to do my part to maintain this hard-won peace."

A warm feeling welled up in Xiao Yichen's heart. He clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Sir, your righteousness is admirable. If we can overcome this difficulty, the entire Xiao Kingdom will never forget your kindness."

The mysterious man waved his hand. "General, there's no need for such formalities. Time is of the essence; please act swiftly." With that, he put on his bamboo hat and turned to leave.

As Xiao Yichen watched the mysterious man's retreating figure, his heart was filled with gratitude and hope. He immediately summoned his generals to discuss sending someone to the Shatuo tribe and communicating with the Ryukyu Kingdom.

“General Li, you are a composed man and skilled in diplomacy. I would like to send you to the Shatuo tribe to have a good talk with Chief Batel. Be sure to show him our sincerity and try to persuade him to change his mind,” Xiao Yichen said to an experienced general.

General Li stood up, clasped his hands in salute, and said, "This humble general obeys orders and will certainly not fail in his mission!"

"General Zhang, you are responsible for selecting some capable and shrewd soldiers to assist General Li in completing this mission. At the same time, you must ensure their safety and prevent any mishaps," Xiao Yichen instructed another general.

After arranging his trip to the Shatuo tribe, Xiao Yichen began to consider how to communicate with the Ryukyu Kingdom. He decided to write a secret letter detailing Murong Xuan's conspiracy and the Xiao Kingdom's position, and then send a trusted subordinate, disguised, to the Ryukyu Kingdom to deliver the letter to King Shangtai.

As General Li and his entourage prepared to depart, Xiao Yichen personally saw them off. "Gentlemen," Xiao Yichen said, his gaze unwavering, "this mission concerns the very survival of the Xiao Kingdom. I urge you to proceed with utmost care. I await your good news at the General's Residence."

General Li and the others shouted in unison, "General, rest assured, we will do our utmost!"

With General Li and his entourage gone, Xiao Yichen anxiously awaited news in the general's mansion. He knew this was a desperate gamble, but also Xiao Kingdom's only chance of survival. While waiting, he didn't remain idle; instead, he continued to strengthen the defenses of the general's mansion and the Xiao Kingdom's border, in case Murong Xuan learned of the situation and launched an attack prematurely.

Meanwhile, in the Mu Kingdom, Murong Xuan was still basking in the joy of his impending alliance plan, completely unaware of the approaching crisis. He was still busily preparing for war, looking forward to joining forces with the Shatuo tribe and the Ryukyu Kingdom to crush the Xiao Kingdom and realize his ambition of domination.

However, the wheels of fate have already begun to turn. Will Xiao Yichen be able to seize this hard-won opportunity, successfully break Murong Xuan's alliance, and resolve the crisis in Xiao Kingdom? Everything is still uncertain, and this thrilling contest is about to enter a new chapter.

Upon hearing of Xiao Yichen's dire straits at the General's Mansion, Lin Wan'er was filled with anxiety. She knew that Xiao Yichen was like a lone boat in a raging storm, on the verge of being swallowed by the surging waves. Her deep affection for Xiao Yichen and her sense of loyalty and mission to the Xiao Kingdom compelled her to step forward without hesitation, determined to personally lead the elite forces of the General's Mansion to his aid.

Lin Wan'er quickly summoned the bravest and most skilled soldiers in the General's Mansion. These soldiers were all elites who had followed Xiao Yichen on many battlefields. Each of them had a resolute look in their eyes and a straight posture. They did not hesitate at all when Lin Wan'er gave orders, because they also respected and loved Xiao Yichen and were willing to go through fire and water for him.

"Our goal in this expedition is to assist the general in overcoming the predicament and protecting the Xiao Kingdom. Everyone must remain highly vigilant, obey orders, and not slack off in the slightest." Lin Wan'er stood in the courtyard, dressed in a smart outfit, looking heroic and spirited. Her voice was clear yet carried an undeniable authority.

The soldiers shouted in unison, "Yes, Miss! We are willing to serve the General and the Xiao Kingdom!"

Lin Wan'er led this elite force on their journey. They traveled day and night, enduring wind and rain, traversing mountains and rivers, rushing towards Xiao Yichen's location. During the march, Lin Wan'er fully demonstrated her leadership skills and unwavering perseverance. She not only planned the marching route but also took care of the soldiers' daily needs, ensuring they maintained good physical and mental condition.

"Everyone, rest here for a while and replenish your rations and water." Lin Wan'er looked at the exhausted soldiers with concern in her heart. She personally bandaged the wounds of the injured soldiers and encouraged them to persevere.

As they approached the area where Xiao Yichen was trapped, Lin Wan'er became even more cautious. She sent scouts ahead to explore the surrounding terrain and the distribution of the enemy. The scouts reported that there was a valley ahead, the only way to reach Xiao Yichen's location, but it seemed that the valley was ambushed by the enemy.

Lin Wan'er pondered for a moment, then said, "We cannot advance rashly; we need to find a way to lure away the enemy's ambush." ​​After discussing with her generals, she decided to send a small squad of soldiers to make noise from one side of the valley to attract the enemy's attention, while the main force would quietly infiltrate from the other side.

The small unit proceeded according to plan, deliberately making a great commotion on one side of the valley, shouting loudly and waving flags. The enemy was indeed fooled, thinking that Xiao Yichen's reinforcements were coming from this side, and they poured out of their ambush point, rushing towards the small unit.

"Now's the time, let's go!" Lin Wan'er gave the order, leading the main force to stealthily cross the valley from the other side. They carefully avoided the enemy's sight and successfully crossed the valley.

However, just as they emerged from the valley, they encountered a main force of Murong Xuan. This main force was numerous and well-equipped, clearly a force Murong Xuan had deliberately placed there to intercept reinforcements.

"Don't be afraid! For the general, for the Xiao Kingdom, we must fight to the end!" Lin Wan'er drew her sword, her eyes revealing unwavering determination. She charged towards the enemy first, and inspired by her, the soldiers shouted and rushed forward as well.

Although Lin Wan'er's swordsmanship wasn't as superb as Xiao Yichen's, it was still quite powerful. Her sword gleamed coldly in the sunlight, each strike aimed at the enemy's vitals. She nimbly weaved through the enemy ranks, like a graceful swallow, leaving enemies to fall wherever she went.

The elite soldiers of the general's mansion fought bravely, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat. The sounds of clashing swords echoed through the valley, and the shouts of battle were deafening. Relying on their superb martial arts and unwavering fighting spirit, the soldiers held their ground against the enemy.

During the battle, Lin Wan'er discovered a commanding general within the enemy formation. She realized that if she could kill this general, the enemy's formation would inevitably fall into chaos. Therefore, she charged towards the general without hesitation.

"Stop her! Don't let her get close to the general!" Enemy soldiers swarmed around, trying to block Lin Wan'er's path. But Lin Wan'er was fearless. She dodged left and right, skillfully avoiding the enemy's attacks, and gradually approached the general.

Just as Lin Wan'er was about to reach the general, suddenly, an enemy general attacked from the side, wielding a long sword and slashing at Lin Wan'er. The blow was fierce, and Lin Wan'er had no time to dodge, about to be struck. At the critical moment, a Xiao soldier stepped forward and used his own body to block the fatal blow.

"How are you?" Lin Wan'er asked anxiously.

The soldier managed a weak smile. "Miss, don't worry about me. Kill the enemy general!" With that, he collapsed into a pool of blood.

Lin Wan'er was filled with grief, but she knew this was not the time for sorrow. Fighting back her tears, she charged towards the enemy general once more. This time, she unleashed her strongest swordsmanship, engaging the enemy general in a desperate battle.

After a fierce exchange, Lin Wan'er finally found the enemy general's weakness. She thrust her sword forward, striking him squarely in the chest. The enemy general stared wide-eyed at Lin Wan'er in disbelief, then slowly collapsed.

With the enemy general falling, the enemy's formation indeed fell into chaos. The soldiers of Xiao seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, driving the enemy into a retreat.

Lin Wan'er led her soldiers forward and finally found Xiao Yichen. At this time, Xiao Yichen was in the midst of a fierce battle, and he was overjoyed to see Lin Wan'er arrive with reinforcements.

"Wan'er, you've come!" Xiao Yichen said excitedly.

Lin Wan'er looked at the exhausted Xiao Yichen, her heart filled with heartache. "Brother Yichen, I'm here to lend you a hand. If we fight side by side, we will surely defeat the enemy."

The two joined forces and plunged back into battle. Their teamwork was seamless; Xiao Yichen charged ahead, while Lin Wan'er provided cover from the flanks, and the soldiers of the General's Mansion followed closely behind, forming a powerful fighting force. Through their combined efforts, they finally managed to repel the enemy, temporarily relieving Xiao Yichen's predicament.

After the battle, Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, who was covered in blood but still looked heroic, and his heart was filled with gratitude and admiration. "Wan'er, I owe you so much this time. If you hadn't come to my aid despite the danger, I really don't know what I would have done."

Lin Wan'er smiled slightly, "Brother Yichen, I said I would always stay by your side and face any difficulties with you. As long as we are together, nothing can defeat us."

On this land ravaged by war, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's feelings for each other deepened. They knew that the road ahead would still be full of challenges, but as long as they stayed together and supported each other, they would surely be able to protect the Xiao Kingdom and face the unknown fate.

After successfully reuniting with Lin Wan'er, Xiao Yichen knew that a thrilling head-on confrontation was imminent. They quickly summoned all the generals to the temporary camp. The atmosphere was heavy and tense, and everyone clearly understood that the upcoming battle would determine the fate of the Xiao Kingdom.

Xiao Yichen stood in the center of the tent, his gaze resolute and profound. He unfolded a military map, which detailed the surrounding mountains, rivers, cities, and the current locations of various forces. "Gentlemen," he said, "we now possess some crucial information about the Murong Xuan Alliance. This is our turning point, but we must not let our guard down. Although Murong Xuan has conflicts with the Shatuo tribe and the Ryukyu Kingdom, they will still be formidable opponents should war break out."

The generals nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed intently on the map, awaiting Xiao Yichen's further instructions.

"General Li, lead a detachment to the valley to the east and set up an ambush there. Intelligence indicates that Murong Xuan's vanguard is very likely to pass through there. You must take advantage of the valley's terrain to launch a surprise attack on them." Xiao Yichen pointed to a valley on the map and gave the order to General Li.

General Li clasped his hands in acceptance of the order: "This humble general will do his utmost to ensure that Murong Xuan's vanguard never returns!"

"General Zhang, lead your archer unit to the hill on the south side and await orders. Once the enemy enters range, unleash a volley of arrows to disrupt their formation. Be sure to coordinate with General Li's troops to form a pincer attack," Xiao Yichen said, turning to General Zhang.

General Zhang replied solemnly, "This humble general obeys your command and will certainly not fail your expectations!"

Lin Wan'er added from the side, "Soldiers, this battle concerns the life and death of the Xiao Kingdom. Behind us are our homes and families. Everyone must stand firm at their posts and fight bravely against the enemy." Her voice was clear yet full of power, inspiring the hearts of every general present.

The generals shouted in unison: "For the Xiao Kingdom, for the general, for our homeland, let us fight to the death!"

After arranging the military deployment, Xiao Yichen emphasized the importance of intelligence transmission. "Our spies planted around Murong Xuan must closely monitor the enemy's movements. Any changes must be reported immediately. At the same time, all units must maintain close communication without any errors."

Meanwhile, Murong Xuan's tent was also a scene of bustling activity. Although he was unaware that Xiao Yichen had learned of the internal conflicts within his alliance, he dared not slacken his vigilance in the slightest.

"That guy Batel from the Shatuo tribe has been dragging his feet lately. We need to send someone to urge him on the supplies," Murong Xuan said to his subordinate with a frown.

"Your Highness, news has also come from the Ryukyu Kingdom. King Shangtai seems to still have some doubts about our battle plan and needs your further communication," another subordinate reported.

Murong Xuan waved his hand impatiently: "These trivial matters shouldn't bother me at this crucial moment. Let's focus on dealing with Xiao Yichen first. Once we defeat him, the Shatuo tribe and Shang Tai will naturally obey."

He walked to the map in the center of the camp, staring at the direction of Xiao Kingdom, secretly calculating his battle strategy. "Xiao Yichen, no matter what methods you have, this time I will completely defeat you and make Xiao Kingdom a stepping stone for me, Murong Xuan, to dominate the continent."

Under the command of General Zhao Lin, Murong Xuan's vanguard was slowly advancing towards Xiao Yichen's camp. Zhao Lin was well aware of the importance of this mission and proceeded cautiously, constantly sending out scouts to explore the area.

"General, no abnormalities have been found ahead so far," the scout reported upon returning.

Zhao Lin nodded slightly: "Continue the investigation, but don't be careless. Xiao Yichen is cunning and might be waiting for us to take the bait."

Meanwhile, on Xiao Yichen's side, the soldiers stood ready at their posts. They took advantage of the time to rest, check their weapons and equipment, and make final preparations for the upcoming battle.

Lin Wan'er moved among the soldiers, tending to the wounded and encouraging them to maintain their morale. "Brothers, you are all heroes of the Xiao Kingdom. Today, we will show Murong Xuan that invading the Xiao Kingdom was the biggest mistake he ever made."

The soldiers looked at Lin Wan'er with eyes full of gratitude and fighting spirit: "Don't worry, Miss, we will stand with the General and you through thick and thin!"

As Murong Xuan's vanguard gradually approached, the tension in the air grew increasingly intense, as if a storm was about to break. Both sides awaited the arrival of that moment; this confrontation, which would determine the fate of both nations, was about to unfold on this war-torn land, and the final outcome remained unpredictable.