Lin Wan'er slowly raised her head, her gaze, like that of a startled deer, landing somewhat flusteredly on Xiao Yichen. Her eyes still held the lingering fear of death, a deep mark left after hovering on the edge of it. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but the lingering fear choked her throat.

Xiao Yichen looked down at Lin Wan'er, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still as their eyes met. He saw the terror in Lin Wan'er's eyes, an instinctive fear of death, like a helpless child in the dark. His heart clenched, and an unprecedented feeling of pity welled up within him. He secretly vowed that he would never let Lin Wan'er experience such danger again.

Lin Wan'er's eyes, clear as water, were now veiled with a thin layer of mist due to fear. Beneath that mist lay a deep gratitude towards Xiao Yichen. That gratitude shimmered in her eyes like bright stars. She gazed at Xiao Yichen as if he were her savior—no, in their brief time together, he had become more than just a savior to her; he was like a ray of hope suddenly appearing in the darkness.

"General... General..." Lin Wan'er's voice was a little hoarse, with a slight tremor, as light as a breeze.

Xiao Yichen frowned slightly; he could sense Lin Wan'er's fear and unease. He gently grasped Lin Wan'er's shoulders, trying to convey strength and comfort to her in this way, "Wan'er, don't be afraid, it's all over." His voice was deep and gentle, like a soothing whisper from an ancient forest.

Lin Wan'er felt the warmth from Xiao Yichen's hands, a warmth that seeped through her clothes, warming her skin and gradually thawing her heart, which had been chilled by fear. She nodded slightly, the terror in her eyes slowly fading, replaced by a dependence on Xiao Yichen.

In that brief moment of eye contact, the world around them seemed to vanish. The men in black disappeared, the bloodshed and carnage vanished; only the two of them remained, their gazes meeting in this life-or-death moment, forming an invisible bond.

Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, his gaze deep and complex. Before this, he had lived a life filled with war and intrigue, his heart filled with thoughts of his country and the rise and fall of the General's Mansion. But now, this frail woman before him touched the softest corner of his heart. He began to realize that besides those responsibilities and missions, there were things worth protecting: Lin Wan'er's smile and her safety.

Lin Wan'er was also quietly observing Xiao Yichen. Beneath his handsome, sword-like eyebrows were a pair of eyes as deep as the night sky, seemingly holding countless stories. His face was sharply defined, as if carved by a knife, exuding a cold and aloof air. But within this coldness, Lin Wan'er saw his care and tenderness towards her. His lips were slightly pursed, giving him a sense of determination, and it was precisely this determination that had given Lin Wan'er support during the terrifying crisis just now.

"General, thank you... If it weren't for you, I..." Lin Wan'er's voice choked with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes. She tried hard not to let the tears fall, not wanting to appear too vulnerable in front of Xiao Yichen.

Xiao Yichen gently shook his head, wiping away the tears that were about to fall from Lin Wan'er's eyes with his fingers. "Silly girl, there's no need to thank me. I won't let anyone hurt you." His fingers touched Lin Wan'er's cheek, and the delicate touch made his heart tremble slightly.

Lin Wan'er's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head shyly. This intimate gesture left her somewhat flustered, yet a sweet feeling spread through her heart. She had never been so close to a man before, and this man was so brave and extraordinary.

Just then, a gentle breeze blew by, ruffling a strand of hair on Lin Wan'er's forehead. Xiao Yichen subconsciously reached out and gently tucked that strand of hair behind Lin Wan'er's ear. This natural and tender gesture stirred ripples in Lin Wan'er's heart.

Behind them, the general's guards were clearing the battlefield, carrying away the bodies of the men in black, and checking for any wounded comrades. The air was thick with the smell of blood and gunpowder, but in Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's little world, there was only each other's presence.

"General, we must return to the manor. You are injured and need treatment as soon as possible." Lieutenant Li Ran walked over, breaking the warm yet delicate atmosphere.

Xiao Yichen then came to his senses. He nodded and looked at Lin Wan'er, "Let's go, Wan'er, let's go back to the manor." His hand was still on Lin Wan'er's shoulder, as if he was afraid that if he let go, she would be in danger again.

Lin Wan'er followed Xiao Yichen towards the General's Mansion, her mind wandering the entire way. The image of their eye contact and his gentle gestures kept replaying in her mind. She knew her feelings had changed; besides gratitude, she felt a special emotion towards Xiao Yichen.

Back at the General's Mansion, the physician was already waiting. Xiao Yichen sat down and let the physician treat his wounds. Lin Wan'er stood to the side, watching anxiously. When she saw Xiao Yichen's wounds, her brows furrowed, and her eyes were filled with heartache.

"General, does it hurt?" Lin Wan'er asked softly.

Xiao Yichen smiled slightly, "It doesn't hurt, this little injury is nothing." He didn't want Lin Wan'er to worry, so he deliberately spoke lightly.

While the doctor treated the wound, Xiao Yichen kept his eyes fixed on Lin Wan'er. He noticed that Lin Wan'er's gaze never left him, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He knew that this woman genuinely cared about him.

"Wan'er, you've been frightened too. Go back and rest first," Xiao Yichen said.

Lin Wan'er shook her head. "No, I want to stay here with the general." Her tone was firm and left no room for argument.

Touched, Xiao Yichen didn't try to persuade her further. While the doctor treated her wound, he chatted casually with Lin Wan'er, trying to ease her tension.

"Wan'er, why did you come to the General's Mansion today?" Xiao Yichen asked.

Lin Wan'er then recounted her experience of chasing butterflies, and at the end, she smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "I never expected it to cause such a big problem."

Xiao Yichen laughed heartily, "You little rascal, you're so naughty. But it's precisely because of your naughtiness that we met this time." His eyes were full of tenderness and doting affection.

Lin Wan'er also laughed. She found that chatting with Xiao Yichen made her feel very relaxed, and the fear she had just felt had completely disappeared.

After the wounds were treated, Xiao Yichen led Lin Wan'er to the garden. The garden was somewhat messy after being vandalized by the men in black, but its former beauty was still evident. The flowers swayed gently in the breeze, as if telling stories of the past.

“Wan’er, this used to be a very beautiful garden. Once everything is back to normal, I’ll have it tended to again. When you come back then, I’m sure you’ll love it,” Xiao Yichen said.

Lin Wan'er nodded. "Yes, I believe in the General. This place will definitely become more beautiful than before." She looked at the flowers and plants in the garden, her eyes filled with anticipation.

They strolled through the garden, enjoying the rare tranquility. Xiao Yichen told Lin Wan'er about the history of the General's Mansion and anecdotes from his childhood, which Lin Wan'er listened to with great interest. She discovered that Xiao Yichen was not only a hero on the battlefield, but also had a gentle and interesting side.

Unbeknownst to them, the sun gradually set in the west, its afterglow bathing them in a golden cloak. Their shadows stretched long in the garden, like a beautiful painting.

"General, today is truly special," Lin Wan'er said softly.

"Yes, it's very special. Because of you, Wan'er." Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, his eyes filled with love.

In the sunset, their hearts drew closer. They knew that after this life-or-death ordeal, their feelings for each other had taken root and sprouted like a seed. And in the future, no matter what storms they faced, they would stand together and protect this hard-won love.

Unbeknownst to them, lurking in the shadows outside the General's Mansion, a pair of eyes were watching their every move. It was a spy sent by the forces behind the men in black, who reported Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's situation to their mastermind. This foreshadowed a new crisis that was about to unfold.

Lin Wan'er's gaze was fixed on Xiao Yichen. At this moment, he was like a towering mountain, standing firm amidst the storm of attacks. Each time he swung his sword to meet the enemy, his muscles rippled slightly beneath his clothes, displaying a perfect fusion of power and beauty. His figure exuded a reassuring aura, gradually calming Lin Wan'er's initially terrified heart.

Xiao Yichen was dressed in a black, form-fitting outfit that perfectly accentuated his muscular physique. The specks of blood on his clothes didn't make him look disheveled; instead, they added to his battle-hardened aura. His black hair was slightly disheveled from the fight, with a few strands falling across his forehead, but this didn't detract from his heroic bearing; rather, it added a touch of untamed charm.

Bathed in sunlight, the longsword in his hand gleamed with a cold light, its gleam as sharp as his eyes. Each swing of the sword created a whistling sound, as if proclaiming the bravery of its master. The blade traced graceful arcs through the air, precisely deflecting attack after attack from the man in black. Every movement was fluid and natural, as if honed through countless rehearsals, yet carried a ruthlessness forged on the battlefield.

His face was slightly flushed from the tense atmosphere of battle, and fine beads of sweat trickled down his chiseled cheeks, dripping onto the ground. His deep eyes, like the brightest stars in the night sky, shone with unwavering determination, courage, and fearlessness. His gaze was fixed on the enemy, not missing a single subtle movement, as if he could see through the enemy's intentions and prepare countermeasures in advance.

As the men in black surged forward from all directions, Xiao Yichen showed no fear. His feet were slightly apart, as steady as a mountain, his stance as solid as an ancient tree deeply rooted in the earth. His back was straight, displaying an arrogant posture, like a majestic lion facing a pack of wolves. He slightly shifted his body, seemingly effortlessly dealing with the attacks from all directions, his longsword wielded with effortless skill.

He first stepped forward to the left, skillfully dodging the sword thrust from the man in black on his left. At the same time, he swiftly reversed his sword, the hilt striking the face of the man in black on his right, knocking him back several steps. Then, he darted forward, his figure as fast as lightning, instantly appearing between the two men in black directly in front of him. His sword moved like a serpent, weaving rapidly between them, leaving several deep wounds on their arms and chests in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this, the men in black changed tactics. Several of them simultaneously raised their weapons and slashed down at Xiao Yichen from above. Xiao Yichen, however, remained calm. He shouted, pushed off with both feet, and leaped high into the air. In mid-air, he executed a beautiful backflip, easily dodging the men's attack. Upon landing, he swept his sword horizontally, a flash of cold light as he slashed the legs of two men in black, sending them crashing to the ground.

Lin Wan'er watched in stunned silence, never having witnessed such heroic bearing. Every movement of Xiao Yichen was like a beautiful painting, deeply etched into her mind. Her heart was filled with admiration and affection, an emotion that swelled within her chest, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

During a lull in the battle, Xiao Yichen turned his head slightly to look at Lin Wan'er. In that instant, his eyes softened, as if telling her not to be afraid. That single glance was enough to make Lin Wan'er feel boundless care. But this gentle look was fleeting; the next moment, he turned his gaze back to the enemy, his eyes once again sharp as an eagle's.

Seeing his men suffer repeated setbacks, the leader of the men in black became enraged. He personally brandished his broadsword and charged towards Xiao Yichen. The broadsword whistled through his hands, each swing carrying immense power, seemingly intent on cleaving Xiao Yichen in two.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yichen's expression hardened. He knew that the leader of the men in black was highly skilled in martial arts and should not be underestimated. He took a deep breath, concentrated all his energy, and prepared to meet the leader's challenge. When the leader's broadsword came slashing down, he gripped his longsword with both hands, raised it high, and met the attack head-on.

With a loud clang, swords clashed, sparks flying. The powerful impact made Xiao Yichen's arm go numb slightly, but he gritted his teeth, steadied himself, and didn't retreat a single step. His eyes were fixed on the leader of the men in black, his gaze showing no sign of retreat, only an unwavering determination.

The leader of the men in black was secretly surprised; he hadn't expected Xiao Yichen to withstand his full-force attack so easily. He snorted coldly and increased the pressure in his hand, attempting to suppress Xiao Yichen. Xiao Yichen felt the pressure, but he remained fearless. The internal energy within him surged like a mighty river, continuously flowing into his arm, engaging in a breathtaking contest of strength with the leader of the men in black.

The two were locked in a stalemate, the surrounding air seemingly distorted by their immense power. In this tense standoff, Xiao Yichen suddenly exerted his strength, taking a sharp step forward and thrusting his longsword towards the black-clad leader's abdomen. The leader was startled and hastily dodged, but Xiao Yichen's sword still managed to tear his clothes, leaving a shallow gash on his abdomen.

"Hmph, you little brat, you've got some skills after all," the leader of the men in black said through gritted teeth.

"Enough with the nonsense, today is your death day!" Xiao Yichen replied coldly.

With that, he launched another attack on the leader of the men in black. This time, his swordsmanship was even more ferocious, every move carrying a deadly intent. His longsword moved like a dragon emerging from the sea, constantly weaving around the leader of the men in black, leaving him somewhat overwhelmed.

The leader of the men in black began to panic, his attacks becoming chaotic and disorganized. Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity, stepping forward and thrusting his longsword towards the leader's throat as he made a mistake. The leader's eyes widened in terror; he tried to dodge, but it was too late.

At this critical moment, a man in black suddenly rushed out from the side and threw a hidden weapon at Xiao Yichen. Sensing the danger, Xiao Yichen had to abandon his attack on the leader of the men in black and dodge the weapon. The weapon grazed his cheek, leaving a small wound on his face.

"Damn it!" Xiao Yichen roared. A flash of anger appeared in his eyes; he hadn't expected the man in black to resort to such despicable means.

The leader of the men in black seized the opportunity to catch his breath; he knew he'd met his match. He shouted to the men in black around him, "Everyone, attack together! Kill him!"

Immediately, the remaining men in black surged towards Xiao Yichen like a tidal wave. Xiao Yichen looked at his enemies without the slightest fear. He gripped his longsword tightly, preparing for a new round of battle.

"General, be careful!" Lin Wan'er shouted anxiously from the side. Her heart was in her throat; she was afraid that Xiao Yichen would be injured in this round of attacks.

Xiao Yichen nodded to Lin Wan'er, signaling her not to worry. Then, like a tiger charging into a flock of sheep, he charged towards the men in black. His swordsmanship became even more ferocious, and with each swing, a man in black fell. He moved freely through the crowd, as if these men in black were merely insignificant obstacles to him.

In the fierce battle, Xiao Yichen sustained several more wounds, but he did not stop. His eyes burned with a furious rage, a flame that grew ever stronger, making his attacks even more ferocious. He was like a tireless war god, unleashing his power with abandon on the battlefield.

Lin Wan'er looked at Xiao Yichen's wounds, tears welling up in her eyes. She felt sorry for him, but she also knew she couldn't become a burden to him. She searched around for anything that could help him, and suddenly, she saw a long branch on the ground. She quickly ran over, picked it up, and rushed towards the man in black.

"You villains, you're not allowed to hurt the general!" Lin Wan'er shouted. She wildly swung a tree branch at the men in black. Although her attacks weren't very lethal, they still made them somewhat flustered.

Xiao Yichen was startled when he saw Lin Wan'er running towards him. "Wan'er, go back quickly! It's dangerous here!" he shouted.

"No, I want to fight alongside you!" Lin Wan'er said firmly.

Xiao Yichen was deeply moved, knowing that Lin Wan'er had risked her life for him. He quickened his pace, wanting to eliminate the men in black as soon as possible and protect Lin Wan'er.

With the combined efforts of Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, the men in black gradually lost their grip. They began to scatter and flee, no longer willing to fight. Xiao Yichen did not pursue them; instead, he walked to Lin Wan'er's side, looking at her with eyes full of tenderness and concern.

"Wan'er, are you alright? Are you hurt?" he asked.

Lin Wan'er shook her head. "General, I'm fine, but you're injured." She looked at Xiao Yichen's wounds, her eyes filled with heartache.

Xiao Yichen smiled slightly, "This little injury is nothing, as long as you are safe." He gently stroked Lin Wan'er's hair, his heart filled with the relief of surviving a disaster.

At this moment, the guards of the general's mansion heard the commotion and rushed over. They were relieved to see that the general and Lin Wan'er were safe and sound.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Xiao Yichen's heroic and extraordinary figure appeared even more dazzling. He and Lin Wan'er stood together, like a beautiful and powerful painting.

The leader of the men in black had a burning rage in his eyes, a rage that threatened to consume his reason. He never imagined that his meticulously planned operation would be repeatedly thwarted by Xiao Yichen, and that this arrogant fool would dare to stand in his way, protecting the woman who was supposed to be their pawn. He felt like a giant being provoked by an ant, his anger surging like a volcanic eruption.

"Xiao Yichen, you're courting death!" the leader of the men in black roared, his voice echoing like thunder, rustling the leaves around him. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with boundless hatred. His already ferocious face became even more terrifying under the twisting rage, veins bulging on his forehead like writhing venomous snakes.

He held the long sword high in his hand, its cold light gleaming in the sunlight, the gleam seemingly infected by his rage, becoming even sharper. Originally, he only intended to finish the battle quickly, capturing Lin Wan'er as a hostage to blackmail Xiao Yichen and extract the General's Mansion's secrets. But now, he changed his mind; he wanted to tear Xiao Yichen to pieces first to vent his hatred.

With a roar, the leader of the men in black charged towards Xiao Yichen. His steps were heavy and powerful, each step leaving a deep footprint in the ground, as if the earth itself was bearing his wrath. He was incredibly fast, arriving in front of Xiao Yichen in the blink of an eye. The long sword in his hand whistled through the air as it slashed down at Xiao Yichen with the force of a mountain crashing down.

This strike was more powerful than any previous attack, its overwhelming force even causing ripples in the surrounding air. The longsword sliced ​​through the air with a sharp whistling sound, like the call of death itself.

Xiao Yichen sensed the power of the black-clad leader's attack and dared not be careless in the slightest. He firmly planted his feet on the ground, crouched slightly, and prepared to meet the attack. His gaze became even more serious as he stared intently at the longsword in the black-clad leader's hand, as if he were staring at a ferocious beast. Just as the longsword was about to strike him, he gripped his sword with both hands and swung it upwards sharply to meet the unstoppable attack.

With a deafening clang, swords clashed, sending sparks flying. The sparks, like fireworks bursting in the night sky, instantly illuminated the space around them. The powerful impact spread outwards like surging waves. Xiao Yichen felt a tremendous force surge through his arm, making it numb, and his body involuntarily slid backward a short distance.

But the leader of the men in black did not stop there; his rage drove him into a frenzied state. He swiftly withdrew his longsword, followed by a series of ferocious attacks. The longsword transformed into streaks of light in the air, sweeping towards Xiao Yichen from all directions, each streak containing deadly power.

Under this relentless barrage of attacks, Xiao Yichen could only defend. His swordsmanship became more precise, each move perfectly blocking the black-clad leader's attacks. His body swayed as nimbly as a willow branch in the wind, skillfully dodging one deadly attack after another. However, the black-clad leader's attacks were simply too fierce, and he gradually became overwhelmed.

During a fierce exchange, the leader of the men in black's longsword grazed Xiao Yichen's shoulder, tearing his clothes and leaving a deep wound. Blood instantly seeped out, staining his clothes red.

"General!" Lin Wan'er exclaimed in shock upon witnessing this scene. Her eyes were filled with fear and worry. She wanted to rush over to help Xiao Yichen, but she knew that doing so would only become a burden to him. Her hands clenched tightly together, her nails digging deeply into her palms, and her eyes brimming with anxious tears.

Xiao Yichen showed no sign of backing down. He gritted his teeth, enduring the sharp pain in his shoulder. He knew he couldn't show any weakness now, otherwise not only would his own life be in danger, but Lin Wan'er would also be put in peril. He took a deep breath, adjusted his state, and focused his attention once again on dealing with the attack from the leader of the men in black.

Seeing Xiao Yichen injured, the leader of the men in black revealed a sinister smile. "Hmph, Xiao Yichen, you're nothing special. Today is your death day!" His words were full of sarcasm and smugness, and he increased the speed of his attacks with his long sword.

Xiao Yichen coldly stared at the leader of the men in black. "You're not qualified to take my life!" His voice, though hoarse from the pain, was still filled with determination and fearlessness. His eyes gleamed with an indomitable light, a light like a beacon in the darkness, illuminating his path in this life-or-death moment.

He began searching for weaknesses in the leader of the men in black's attacks. He knew that under such intense pressure, the leader couldn't maintain such perfect form indefinitely. He defended while observing the leader's movements, looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

Finally, after the leader of the men in black launched an overly forceful attack, Xiao Yichen discovered his weakness. The leader of the men in black exposed an opening on his right side after swinging his knife. Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity, suddenly sidestepped, and avoided the leader of the men in black's attack, while simultaneously thrusting his longsword towards his right side.

The leader of the men in black sensed the danger, but his attack was already exhausted, and he couldn't defend in time. He could only watch helplessly as Xiao Yichen's longsword thrust towards him, a flicker of fear in his eyes.

Just as Xiao Yichen's longsword was about to pierce the leader of the men in black, the leader suddenly twisted his body forcefully, avoiding a fatal blow in an extremely awkward posture. However, Xiao Yichen's longsword still managed to cut a long gash in his ribs, and blood gushed out immediately.

"Ah!" The leader of the men in black screamed, his eyes growing even more ferocious. Ignoring his injuries, he lunged at Xiao Yichen again. His attacks became even more frenzied, completely disregarding his own safety, like a wounded wild beast that only wanted to perish together with its enemy.

Xiao Yichen hadn't expected the leader of the men in black to be so reckless. He quickly retreated, trying to create distance between himself and the leader. But the leader relentlessly pursued him, his long sword slashing repeatedly at Xiao Yichen, each strike carrying a death wish.

Encouraged by their leader's madness, the surrounding men in black shouted and swarmed towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. The situation instantly became even more critical.

The general's guards arrived at the battlefield and, seeing their general in trouble, joined the fight without hesitation. "Protect the general!" the guards shouted, rushing towards the man in black.

The two sides were once again engulfed in a chaotic battle, with shouts of battle and the clash of weapons echoing throughout the general's mansion. Blood flowed on the ground, staining patch after patch of land red.

On this chaotic battlefield, Xiao Yichen remained the leader of the men in black as his primary target. His eyes were only on Xiao Yichen; he wanted to kill this man who had thwarted his plans. His attacks grew increasingly fierce, each swing of his blade imbued with boundless rage and hatred.

With the support of his guards, Xiao Yichen felt some relief from the pressure. But he knew that the battle wouldn't end until the leader of the men in black was eliminated. He adjusted his breathing and charged at the leader of the men in black again. His eyes were filled with determination; he was determined to settle things with the leader of the men in black.

The two clashed again, their swords clashing and sparks flying. They moved through the crowd, and people around them unconsciously made way for them, as if they were the core of the battle, the key to determining victory or defeat.

In the fierce battle, both Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black suffered serious injuries. Their bodies were covered in wounds, and blood flowed continuously, but they did not give up. Their eyes burned with a resolute flame, a persistent pursuit of victory, and a fearlessness in the face of life and death.

This battle is no longer just a simple fight; it's a contest of wills. Xiao Yichen is fighting to protect the General's Mansion and Lin Wan'er, while the leader of the men in black is driven by ambition and hatred. The final outcome remains undecided, awaiting fate's judgment on this blood-soaked and smoke-filled battlefield.

The leader of the men in black showed no intention of leaving.