Night fell like a massive black curtain, pressing heavily over the general's mansion, seemingly threatening to engulf it. A tense atmosphere hung in the air, ready to erupt at any moment. But when the leader of the men in black gave the order, this tension instantly transformed into a brutal conflict.

The leader of the men in black rode a black horse, his entire body clad in black armor, revealing only a pair of cold, star-like eyes. He raised his long sword high, swung it towards the general's mansion, and shouted, "Attack!" In an instant, the sound of hooves and footsteps thundered, and the men in black surged towards the general's mansion like a black tide.

The general's guards were already on high alert, gripping their weapons tightly atop the city walls and watchtowers. Archers drew their bows, arrowheads gleaming coldly in the moonlight, aiming at the approaching enemy. As the men in black entered range, at a command, a rain of arrows swarmed down upon them like locusts. A scream erupted from the ranks of the men in black; many were struck by arrows and fell to the ground, but those behind did not flinch, stepping over the corpses of their comrades to continue their advance.

Before the general's mansion gates, two squads of soldiers, spears in hand, formed an impregnable defensive line. Their eyes were resolute, showing no fear. Despite the overwhelming number of enemies, they held only one belief: to protect the general's mansion. The men in black surged against the line like a tidal wave, swords clashing, sparks flying. Shouts of battle and the clanging of weapons mingled together, echoing deafeningly in the night sky.

The leader of the men in black charged into the battle, his longsword flashing like a black lightning bolt. Each swing sent sprays of blood flying, and the guards of the general's mansion fell one after another before him. He moved as if he were in an empty field, charging towards the gates of the general's mansion, as if nothing could stop him.

Hearing the shouts of battle outside from inside the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen immediately drew his sword and rushed to the battlefield. His eyes burned with fury; seeing the black-clad leader's ruthlessness, he roared, "Stop your arrogance!" He moved like lightning towards the leader. Their swords clashed with a deafening crash, the powerful impact shaking everyone around them.

Xiao Yichen's swordsmanship was incredibly sharp, each move aimed directly at the black-clad leader's vitals. He knew this man was the core of the black-clad group; defeating him would severely demoralize the enemy. The black-clad leader also sensed Xiao Yichen's power and dared not underestimate him, concentrating his efforts on countering Xiao Yichen's attacks. The two exchanged blows fiercely, and the surrounding soldiers and black-clad men unconsciously made way for them.

On the walls of the general's mansion, the battle intensified. Men in black threw out grappling hooks, attempting to scale the walls. The guards retaliated with spears, stones, and hot oil. Some men in black managed to climb the walls, only to be swiftly killed by the guards. However, the sheer number of men in black was overwhelming; their persistent attempts gradually tore several gaps in the wall.

The soldiers inside the general's mansion immediately organized themselves and rushed to reinforce the breach in the wall. A fierce battle ensued at the breach, blood staining the wall and the ground. In the heat of battle, a young soldier from the general's mansion was slashed in the arm by a man in black; his weapon fell from his hand. But he still used his other hand to pick up stones and hurl them at the enemy, shouting, "Never retreat!" His heroic act inspired his comrades, who fought even more bravely.

In the garden, the men in black launched their attack. What was once a beautiful spot in the General's mansion had now become a bloody battlefield. Delicate flowers were trampled underfoot, and the rockery and pond became battlegrounds. Lin Wan'er assisted in the defense near the garden, using her mind-reading ability to sense the enemy's movements.

"They're going to flank us from behind the artificial hill!" Lin Wan'er shouted. The soldiers of the General's Mansion immediately adjusted their formation and defended towards the artificial hill. Just as the men in black rushed out from behind the artificial hill, the soldiers launched their attack. In an instant, swords flashed among the flowers, and screams echoed everywhere.

Although the men in black outnumbered the enemy, the guards of the General's Mansion, with their familiarity with the terrain and unwavering fighting spirit, effectively repelled the enemy's attack. However, as time passed, casualties at the General's Mansion gradually increased. The defenses began to falter in some areas, and the situation became critical.

Near the general's mansion's warehouse, the men in black discovered that the defenses were relatively weak, so they concentrated their forces to attack. The warehouse contained vital supplies for the general's mansion; if it fell into enemy hands, the consequences would be unimaginable. Although the soldiers guarding the warehouse fought valiantly, the enemy's numbers were increasing, and they were gradually becoming overwhelmed.

Just then, the battle between Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black reached a critical moment. Xiao Yichen seized an opening and thrust his sword towards the leader's throat. The leader reacted swiftly, dodging to the side, but was still grazed on the cheek by the sword. He roared and swung his blade even more fiercely, launching a frenzied counterattack against Xiao Yichen.

Xiao Yichen fought and retreated, leading the leader of the men in black away from the core area of ​​the General's Mansion in an attempt to minimize the damage to the mansion. The two continued their fierce battle in an open area outside the General's Mansion, each move containing the power of life and death.

Inside the general's mansion, the other generals quickly organized the remaining forces to support the various defensive lines. They knew that this was a matter of life and death, and there could be no slackening. One general led a squad of soldiers towards the warehouse, where they engaged in fierce close combat with the enemy and successfully stabilized the warehouse's defenses.

In the garden, Lin Wan'er noticed signs that the enemy was using concealed weapons. She loudly warned the soldiers, "Watch out for concealed weapons!" The soldiers immediately raised their shields, forming a barrier. Just then, the men in black launched a barrage of concealed weapons, including darts and hidden arrows. The weapons rained down on the general's mansion's guards; some soldiers were unfortunately hit, but most managed to deflect them successfully.

As the battle continued, the men in black began to grow impatient. They had initially thought they could quickly breach the General's Mansion and obtain the treasure map, but they hadn't expected the resistance to be so fierce. The leader of the men in black also became increasingly anxious in his battle with Xiao Yichen; although his attacks were fierce, they began to show some openings.

Seizing these openings, Xiao Yichen launched a series of attacks. He deflected the black-clad leader's longsword with his sword, then kicked him in the abdomen. The black-clad leader was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity to rush forward, preparing to deliver a fatal blow. However, the black-clad leader was, after all, a master. He rolled on the ground, dodging Xiao Yichen's attack, then quickly got up and confronted Xiao Yichen again.

Meanwhile, the battle inside the General's Mansion remained fierce. Both sides had paid a heavy price, but neither showed any sign of giving up. The guards of the General's Mansion were fighting for their homes, honor, and loved ones, while the men in black were blinded by the lure of the treasure. Their eyes were only on the treasure map, and they were willing to do anything to break into the General's Mansion.

On this chaotic battlefield, even the moonlight seemed stained crimson with blood. Shouts of battle, screams, and the clashing of weapons intertwined to create a brutal war song. The fate of the General's Mansion teetered on the brink of defeat in this fierce conflict; every moment could determine victory or defeat, and the outcome of this battle would affect the lives of countless people.

As dawn approached, both sides were gradually exhausting themselves, but the flames of battle still burned. This conflict, like a massive storm, swept through the general's mansion, dragging everything into the brutal vortex of war.

Inside the general's mansion, smoke filled the air, and shouts of battle shook the heavens. The guards and the men in black clashed like two ferocious beasts, engaging in a fierce and desperate struggle.

The guards of the General's Mansion stood resolute, fully aware of the weighty responsibility they bore; protecting the General's Mansion was their supreme mission. With unwavering will and fearless courage, they met each charge of the men in black. The front-line soldiers, shields in hand, stood tightly packed together, forming a solid defensive line. The shields were already covered with marks from sword strikes, but their arms remained as steady as rocks, forcefully resisting the onslaught of the men in black. Through the gaps in the shields, spears thrust out like a forest, each strike aimed precisely at the enemy's vitals, preventing the men in black from easily approaching.

The men in black, on the other hand, displayed exceptional combat skills due to their high level of training. Their attacks were perfectly coordinated, their movements swift and ruthless. Some of them excelled in close combat, wielding sharp curved blades. Using the momentum of their charge, they leaped towards the guards of the general's mansion, their blades flashing through the air as they slashed fiercely at the point where shields met their bodies, attempting to break through the defenses. Others were adept at ranged attacks, raining down darts and hidden arrows upon the guards, forcing them to be distracted.

The fighting was particularly fierce at the gates of the General's Mansion. This was the focal point of contention, a veritable meat grinder where blood flowed continuously across the ground. An old soldier from the General's Mansion, his face scarred but his eyes unwavering, shouted, "Brothers, hold this place! Behind us is the General's Mansion, our home!" His cries inspired his comrades, who roared back in unison, their morale soaring. The old soldier wielded his broadsword, though chipped, it still wielded considerable power in his hands. He slashed forward, cleaving a man in black in two from the shoulder; blood splattered all over him, but he paid no heed and continued fighting.

However, the men in black were not to be outdone. One of their experts moved like a ghost among the guards. His twin swords, wielded like serpents, swiftly stabbed towards the guards' throats, chests, and other vital points. In the blink of an eye, several guards fell to his blade. But the general's mansion guards did not panic. They quickly adjusted their formation, surrounding the expert and attempting to subdue him with their numerical advantage.

On the walls of the general's mansion, the battle was equally fierce. Guards and men in black engaged in a fierce struggle on the narrow ramparts. The men in black repeatedly threw out grappling hooks, attempting to climb, while the guards retaliated with stones, hot oil, and spears. A young guard forcefully hurled a large rock at a climbing man in black; the rock whistled as it struck one of them on the head, who screamed and fell from the wall. But at the same moment, another man in black successfully scaled the wall, brandishing a dagger and lunging at the young guard in the back. In that split second, a nearby guard reacted swiftly, using his spear to deflect the man from the wall.

In the garden, the tranquility had been utterly shattered by battle. The once vibrant flowers were trampled beyond recognition, and the pond was stained crimson with blood. The general's guards used the garden's artificial hills and corridors for defense. One guard, hiding behind a hill, seized his opportunity. As a man in black passed by, he suddenly lunged out and plunged his sword into the man's abdomen. The man in black doubled over in agony, but in his dying breath, he swung his blade, striking the guard in the leg. The guard fell to the ground, but still gripped his sword tightly, ready to continue fighting.

Lin Wan'er anxiously watched the battle from a corner of the garden. She was deeply worried as she saw the guards' casualties steadily increasing. She used her mind-reading ability again, trying to obtain information about the enemy to help the guards better respond. "Their main force is moving to the left, preparing to flank!" Lin Wan'er shouted. Hearing her warning, the guards immediately adjusted their defensive direction, concentrating their forces on the left. Sure enough, a large group of men in black rushed in from the left shortly after. Because the guards were prepared, they successfully repelled the attack.

Near the general's mansion's warehouse, the battle had reached a stalemate. This warehouse, storing a large quantity of military supplies, was one of the general's mansion's vital lifelines. The guards knew its importance and fought desperately. The warehouse doors were stained red with blood, and the area in front was piled high with corpses from both sides. A general personally led his soldiers in the defense, wielding a long spear and bearing multiple wounds, yet he remained steadfast at his post. He continuously commanded his soldiers: "Don't let them get close to the warehouse! Shoot the distant enemies with arrows, those of you in melee, protect yourselves!" Under his command, the soldiers methodically countered the attacks of the men in black.

However, as the battle continued, casualties on both sides steadily increased. The guards of the general's mansion began to feel their strength waning, and their movements gradually slowed. But their eyes remained filled with indomitable fighting spirit, and not one of them had a thought of retreating. Although the men in black were well-trained, they also paid a heavy price in the face of such tenacious resistance, and their morale began to waver.

In a corner of the general's mansion, a wounded guard leaned against the wall with difficulty. His abdomen was pierced by enemy swords, and blood gushed from the wound. His face was ashen, but he still gripped his weapon tightly. He looked at his comrades fighting fiercely in the distance, silently praying that they could hold the general's mansion. "I... I can't fall... I must fight alongside my brothers..." He gritted his teeth, trying to stand, but the intense pain caused him to fall to the ground again.

In another direction, a man in black was also severely wounded. His leg was pierced by a spear, rendering him unable to fight. He watched his companions fall one after another, a flicker of fear in his eyes. He began to regret participating in this operation; he had thought he could easily obtain the treasure map, but instead, he had been drawn into such a brutal battle.

The battle between Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black continued. The two had fought their way from the open space outside the General's Mansion into the nearby woods. Xiao Yichen had several abrasions, but his eyes remained sharp. The leader of the men in black was also in bad shape; his stamina was greatly depleted, and his movements were no longer as agile as before. Xiao Yichen seized an opportunity and thrust his sword towards the leader's chest. The leader dodged to the side, the sword grazing his body and tearing through his armor. The leader seized the chance to counterattack, kicking Xiao Yichen's wrist, attempting to disarm him. Xiao Yichen twisted his wrist, avoiding the kick, and then swung his sword back at the leader's head. The two were once again locked in a fierce struggle.

As time passed and the sun gradually rose, the bloody atmosphere of the battlefield did not dissipate with the arrival of sunlight. The guards of the General's Mansion and the men in black were exhausted, but the battle continued. Both sides understood that this was a critical moment of life and death, and neither could back down. This fierce battle was like a cruel nightmare, dragging the General's Mansion into endless bloodshed, and the outcome remained uncertain, like a candle flickering in the darkness, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

On this brutal battlefield, every life fought for its beliefs, and every drop of blood spoke of the cruelty of the battle. The fate of the General's Mansion struggled in this fierce battle, and every participant wrote their own story of heroism and tragedy.

On the edge of the battlefield, some civilians watched the battle from afar, their eyes filled with fear and worry. They knew the outcome of this battle would have a profound impact on the entire region. They prayed silently, hoping the general's mansion would hold out and that peace would arrive soon.

The battle within the General's Mansion has reached a fever pitch, with both sides gritting their teeth and fighting desperately for that glimmer of victory. This fierce battle is destined to become a thrilling legend in the martial world.

Xiao Yichen's gaze swept across the battlefield like a hawk's, leaving no detail unchecked. He knew that the current situation was like walking a tightrope over a cliff; the slightest misstep would plunge the General's Mansion into utter ruin. He had to remain calm, like a seasoned chess player, flexibly adjusting his strategy based on each move the enemy made.

He first arrived at the gate of the General's Mansion, where the fighting was fiercest, with corpses piled high on both sides. Waves of men in black surged against the defensive line formed by the guards, who, though fiercely resisting, were exhausted, and the line showed signs of crumbling. Seeing this, Xiao Yichen immediately ordered, "Move the reserves forward to replace the more seriously wounded! Maintain the integrity of the line; don't let the enemy break through!" The reserve soldiers, full of spirit and with fighting spirit burning in their eyes, rushed towards the gate to relieve their comrades who were still fighting. The wounded soldiers, supported by their comrades, retreated, some still unwilling to give up, struggling to continue fighting.

Looking at these valiant soldiers, Xiao Yichen felt both moved and heartbroken. He knew this was not the time for sentimentality; he had to concentrate on dealing with the enemy. He shouted to the newly deployed soldiers, "Brothers, we are the first line of defense for the General's Mansion! We cannot let the enemy set foot inside! Holding this place is protecting our families!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their morale soaring, and they once again solidified the defenses of the gate.

Next, Xiao Yichen arrived at the wall. The battle on the wall had also reached a stalemate. The men in black continued to climb using grappling hooks, while the guards fought back fiercely. However, due to the sheer number of enemies, some sections of the wall had already been breached by the men in black. Xiao Yichen frowned, and quickly made a decision: "Set up a fire wall at the base of the wall to stop the enemy from climbing any further! At the same time, send squads of soldiers to patrol along the wall and eliminate those who have already breached it!" The soldiers immediately sprang into action. They brought flammable wood and oil, lit them at the base of the wall, and a raging fire instantly erupted, forming a barrier of flames. The men in black climbing were hindered by the fire and retreated, some even suffering burns and falling with screams. Meanwhile, the patrol squads engaged in fierce combat with the breached men in black along the wall. Using flexible tactics, they defeated the enemies one by one, gradually clearing out the men in black inside the wall.

The situation was equally critical in the garden. The men in black used the garden's complex terrain to launch continuous sneak attacks on the guards. Lin Wan'er assisted in command, providing Xiao Yichen with valuable intelligence through her mind-reading ability: "Yichen, some of the enemy are hiding inside the artificial hill, preparing to launch a surprise attack from behind!" Xiao Yichen immediately responded: "Send men to guard all the exits of the artificial hill, don't let them out! The rest of you, follow me, we'll attack from the front and disrupt their plans!" The guards of the General's Mansion quickly split into two teams: one guarded the exits of the artificial hill, while the other, led by Xiao Yichen, charged towards the main force of the men in black in the garden.

Xiao Yichen led the charge, his sword gleaming coldly in the sunlight. He plunged into the enemy ranks, his swordsmanship fierce, each strike accurately hitting the vitals of his enemies. Under his leadership, the guards' morale soared, and they engaged in a fierce battle with the men in black. For a moment, the garden resounded with shouts of battle, and blood stained the flowers and grass. The men in black's original ambush plan was disrupted, and they were put on the defensive, beginning to panic. But they were, after all, well-trained assassins, and quickly regrouped, continuing the fight against the general's mansion's guards.

During the battle, Xiao Yichen discovered that several of the men in black were highly skilled, posing a significant threat to the guards. These experts were not only exceptionally skilled but also worked together seamlessly, often breaking through the guards' defenses at crucial moments. Xiao Yichen decided to deal with these experts first. He said to the elite soldiers beside him, "Follow me, let's concentrate our forces on those experts in black!" They charged towards the direction where the experts in black were located.

As they approached the black-clad experts, Xiao Yichen and his soldiers swiftly launched their attack. Xiao Yichen faced off against the strongest of the group alone; their swords clashed, producing a crisp, resounding sound. Xiao Yichen unleashed his signature technique, his swordsmanship flowing like clouds and water, each strike imbued with immense power. The black-clad expert was equally formidable, his moves unpredictable and varied, attempting to find an opening in Xiao Yichen's defenses. The two exchanged blows fiercely, the surrounding soldiers and black-clad figures instinctively making way for them.

During the battle with the black-clad expert, Xiao Yichen gradually figured out his tactics. He seized an opportunity and deliberately exposed a weakness. The black-clad expert fell for it, thinking he had a chance, and attacked Xiao Yichen with all his might. But at the crucial moment, Xiao Yichen dodged the attack and simultaneously thrust his sword into the black-clad expert's back. The black-clad expert sensed the danger, but it was too late. Xiao Yichen's sword pierced deeply into his back; he screamed and fell dead. The other black-clad experts panicked upon seeing their comrade killed. The elite soldiers of the General's Mansion seized the opportunity to launch an attack, successfully defeating the remaining black-clad experts one by one.

After resolving the crisis in the garden, Xiao Yichen rushed to the warehouse. The warehouse was a crucial supply depot for the General's Mansion; its fall would have unimaginable consequences. When he arrived, he found the battle had reached a fever pitch. Men in black were frantically attacking the warehouse gates. Although the guards fought desperately, the relentless enemy attacks were overwhelming them.

Xiao Yichen immediately commanded, "Set up obstacles around the warehouse to slow down the enemy's attack! Archers, prepare to launch ranged attacks!" The soldiers sprang into action, moving various items to create obstacles around the warehouse. Archers took positions on the warehouse roof and surrounding high ground, drawing their bows and unleashing a hail of arrows. The dense rain of arrows forced the men in black to temporarily halt their attack and seek cover.

After stabilizing the situation at the warehouse, Xiao Yichen began to consider the overall battle. He realized that although the men in black were attacking from all directions, their forces were gradually dispersing. If they could find a weak point in the enemy's defenses and concentrate their forces for a counterattack, they might be able to break the stalemate. He quickly summoned the generals of each defensive line to discuss countermeasures.

"The enemy's offensive appears fierce, but their forces are scattered throughout the General's Mansion. We can break through where their forces are relatively weak, then outflank them to their rear, disrupting their plans," Xiao Yichen analyzed, pointing to the map. The generals nodded in agreement, and they began discussing specific breakthrough points and counterattack routes.

After some discussion, they decided to launch a counterattack from the west side of the General's Mansion. The number of men in black on the west side was relatively small, and the terrain there was advantageous for the General's Mansion's soldiers. Xiao Yichen personally led an elite force, quietly moving westward. Avoiding the enemy's line of sight, they used houses and trees as cover and quickly reached their designated position on the west side.

With everything prepared, Xiao Yichen gave the order, and the counterattack began. The soldiers of the General's Mansion charged towards the men in black like tigers descending a mountain. Their attack was swift and sudden, catching the men in black completely off guard. Xiao Yichen moved through the ranks as if they were empty; wherever his sword struck, enemies fell. Under the powerful offensive of the General's Mansion soldiers, the men in black on the west flank began to crumble.

Xiao Yichen gave the enemy no chance to regroup. He led his soldiers along the western wall, flanking the men in black from behind. Meanwhile, the men in black from other directions continued their attack on the General's Mansion, completely unaware that their rear had been breached. Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity and ordered an attack. The soldiers of the General's Mansion charged into the enemy ranks from the rear, forming a pincer movement with the guards on the front. The men in black were thrown into chaos, scattering in all directions.

In every corner of the General's Mansion, the tide of battle began to turn. Under Xiao Yichen's command, the guards of the General's Mansion gradually gained the upper hand. They pressed their advantage, launching a full-scale counterattack against the men in black. The men in black's original attack plan was completely disrupted, their morale plummeted, and they suffered heavy casualties.

However, Xiao Yichen did not lower his guard. He knew the men in black wouldn't give up easily; they might have other plans. He continued to patrol the battlefield, directing his soldiers to clear the area, strengthen defenses, and prevent further enemy attacks. At the same time, he was also concerned about the casualties among his soldiers, arranging for medical personnel to treat the wounded.

In this fierce battle, Xiao Yichen, relying on his wisdom and courage, successfully withstood wave after wave of attacks from the men in black. His command gave the guards of the General's Mansion hope in their predicament and stabilized the situation. However, the crisis at the General's Mansion was not completely over; the threat of the men in black remained. Xiao Yichen knew that he must remain vigilant at all times and continue fighting for the safety of the General's Mansion.

On the battlefield, the smoke gradually dissipated, but the stench of blood still lingered in the air. The soldiers of the General's Mansion, though exhausted, had eyes filled with the hope of victory. And Xiao Yichen, the guardian of the General's Mansion, remained like a steadfast beacon, guiding everyone in the darkness and protecting the safety of the General's Mansion.