Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black charged at each other again, like two shooting stars heading in opposite directions, carrying an unstoppable momentum. Their eyes met, and the anger, determination, and killing intent contained within them seemed to freeze the surrounding air. With each step, dust billowed up, and their figures formed a breathtaking scene in the sunlight.

The longsword in Xiao Yichen's hand hummed, as if responding to its master's fighting spirit. His wounds still throbbed, but he had already cast the pain aside. Every muscle tensed, preparing for the fierce clash to come. His movements were agile yet steady, like a cheetah poised to pounce. The light in his eyes shone like the brightest star in the night sky, locked onto the leader of the men in black, not missing a single, subtle movement.

The leader of the men in black resembled a demon crawled out of the abyss of hell. His longsword was still stained with his own blood, but this did nothing to hinder his attacks. His狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) face was twisted even more with rage, and he continuously emitted low roars. Each breath he took carried a strong stench of blood, and his eyes, besides filled with hatred for Xiao Yichen, also held a fanatical obsession. He vowed to kill Xiao Yichen to avenge his humiliation.

The two clashed instantly, their swords exploding with a crisp sound like thunder on the battlefield. Sparks flew, like dazzling fireworks bursting between them. Each collision contained immense power, numbing their arms, yet neither showed any sign of backing down.

The leader of the men in black launched the first fierce attack, his longsword transforming into streaks of sharp, cold light, slashing towards Xiao Yichen from all angles. The speed was astonishing; almost all that could be seen was a blur of blade light enveloping Xiao Yichen. Each strike was accompanied by a whistling sound, as if it were tearing the air apart.

Xiao Yichen, however, remained calm and composed, his swordsmanship flowing smoothly and exquisitely. His body moved with lightness, as if dancing on the tip of a blade. Sometimes he would sidestep the sharpness of the longsword, sometimes he would parry with his own sword, each movement perfectly timed. His eyes were calm and profound, searching for an opportunity to counterattack amidst the flashing blades.

In a fierce exchange, the leader of the men in black swung his longsword diagonally down at Xiao Yichen's head, a powerful and heavy blow. Xiao Yichen, however, remained calm. He pushed off the ground with both feet, sliding backward a short distance, while simultaneously flicking his longsword upward, accurately striking the side of the blade. The powerful impact caused the leader of the men in black's arm to tremble slightly, and his attack to pause briefly.

Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yichen immediately launched a counterattack. His longsword, swift as a snake emerging from its hole, thrust towards the throat of the black-clad leader. The strike was both fast and precise, the tip gleaming with a deadly cold light in the sunlight. The black-clad leader was startled; he quickly tilted his head back and simultaneously tried to parry with his longsword. But Xiao Yichen's swordsmanship was unpredictable; with a flick of his wrist, he changed the direction of his longsword, slashing towards the black-clad leader's wrist.

The leader of the men in black couldn't dodge in time, and Xiao Yichen's longsword slashed a deep wound on his wrist. The sword nearly slipped from his grasp, and he roared, his anger intensifying. He suddenly kicked at Xiao Yichen, who dodged to the side, but the leader of the men in black used the opportunity to create distance.

Both men were slightly out of breath, their gazes fixed on each other like two predatory beasts poised to pounce. The battle raged fiercely around them; the general's guards clashed with the men in black, the shouts and screams a cacophony of cries. But Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black seemed to be in another world, their eyes fixed solely on each other.

"Xiao Yichen, you won't get away with this!" the leader of the men in black said through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with anger.

"Hmph, come on if you dare!" Xiao Yichen replied coldly, his eyes full of provocation.

The leader of the men in black charged at Xiao Yichen again, this time changing his tactics. He no longer attacked relentlessly, but began to employ some subtle variations. His longsword would sometimes feint, sometimes suddenly unleash its power, attempting to confuse Xiao Yichen.

Xiao Yichen also noticed the change in the leader of the men in black, and he became even more cautious. He moved more nimbly, and his swordsmanship became more restrained, not easily revealing any flaws. He knew that the fact that the leader of the men in black could make such adjustments even in his anger meant that he was a very dangerous opponent.

As the two men were locked in a struggle, the leader of the men in black suddenly turned and rushed towards Lin Wan'er. A cunning glint flashed in his eyes. He knew that Xiao Yichen cared most about Lin Wan'er, and he wanted to use this to lure Xiao Yichen into a trap.

Xiao Yichen fell for the trap as expected. His expression changed, and he hurriedly chased after Lin Wan'er. "How dare you!" he roared.

The leader of the men in black revealed a smug smile. Seeing Xiao Yichen chasing after him, he suddenly stopped and turned to attack Xiao Yichen. His move was unexpected; his long sword was aimed at Xiao Yichen's abdomen.

Xiao Yichen was startled, but he managed to steady himself at the critical moment. He sidestepped, using all his strength to avoid a fatal blow, but the long sword still managed to cut a gash in his abdomen, and blood immediately flowed out.

"General!" Lin Wan'er exclaimed, her eyes filled with fear and worry.

"I'm fine," Xiao Yichen said through gritted teeth, his eyes still resolute. He knew he couldn't afford to collapse at this moment.

The leader of the men in black was overjoyed to see Xiao Yichen injured. He pressed his advantage and launched another attack on Xiao Yichen. His longsword rained down on Xiao Yichen like raindrops, each strike carrying a deadly intent.

Despite the pain in his abdomen, Xiao Yichen engaged the leader of the men in black in another fierce battle. Although his swordsmanship was somewhat slowed by the pain, it was still incredibly sharp. He knew that if he retreated, not only would his own life be in danger, but Lin Wan'er would also be trapped in a desperate situation.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Xiao Yichen suddenly spotted an opening in the black-clad leader's defenses. After an attack, the leader leaned forward slightly, exposing the back of his neck. Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yichen, ignoring the pain in his wound, took a step forward and thrust his longsword towards the back of the leader's neck.

The leader of the men in black sensed the danger, but it was too late for him to dodge. Just as Xiao Yichen's longsword was about to pierce him, a man in black suddenly rushed from the side, using his own body to block the fatal blow. The longsword pierced the man in black's body, and he screamed in agony before collapsing to the ground.

"Damn it!" Xiao Yichen cursed angrily, his plan ruined once again.

The leader of the men in black caught his breath, a flicker of relief in his eyes. He knew he had truly been on the verge of death today. He readjusted his stance and attacked Xiao Yichen once more.

This time, their battle reached a fever pitch. Both were severely wounded, yet neither had the thought of giving up. Every move they made was imbued with a thirst for victory and a fearlessness in the face of death.

The guards and men in black around them were also in a frenzy of fighting, and the battlefield was a bloody mess. The ground of the general's mansion was stained red with blood, and corpses and wounded were everywhere. But the battle continued, and no one knew when this brutal slaughter would end.

In a fierce clash, Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black fell to the ground simultaneously. They both struggled to their feet, trying to continue fighting. Their eyes were filled with resentment and determination, as if this battle was the sole meaning of their lives.

Lin Wan'er was extremely anxious. Seeing Xiao Yichen in such pain, she felt helpless. Tears streamed down her face as she silently prayed that Xiao Yichen would be safe and sound.

Just then, a turning point appeared on the battlefield. Reinforcements from the General's Mansion arrived; they were local troops who had come to his aid upon hearing of the General's Mansion's plight. Their arrival instantly changed the course of the battle.

Seeing the situation turning against them, the men in black began to panic. Their attacks lost their previous order, and some even considered fleeing. The leader of the men in black, enraged, roared, "Don't retreat! Attack!" but his voice was no longer enough to stop their rout.

Seeing the reinforcements arrive, Xiao Yichen breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that the battle had finally taken a turn for the better. He struggled to his feet, his longsword once again pointing at the leader of the men in black. "Today is your end!" he shouted.

Although the leader of the men in black knew the situation was hopeless, he still refused to surrender. He raised his long sword again and charged towards Xiao Yichen. His eyes were filled with despair and madness; he was determined to fight Xiao Yichen to the death.

Xiao Yichen charged towards the leader of the men in black, this time filled with unwavering determination. His swordsmanship was even more ferocious, each move imbued with a thirst for victory. With the assistance of reinforcements, he gradually gained the upper hand.

Finally, in a fierce exchange, Xiao Yichen successfully dodged the attack of the leader of the men in black, then swung his sword backhand, stabbing the leader in the chest. The leader of the men in black's eyes widened, the long sword in his hand fell to the ground, and he slowly collapsed, his eyes filled with resentment and regret.

With the fall of their leader, the men in black suffered a complete rout. They scattered and fled, pursued by the general's guards and reinforcements. The battle cries gradually subsided, replaced by the groans of the wounded and the cheers of the crowd.

Xiao Yichen watched the black-clad man flee but didn't give chase. He walked to Lin Wan'er's side, looking at her with tenderness and exhaustion in his eyes. "Wan'er, it's alright now," he whispered, then everything went black, and he fainted.

Lin Wan'er hurriedly helped Xiao Yichen up, her eyes filled with terror. "General, wake up! Someone come quick!" she shouted, and people around her rushed over.

After this fierce battle, the General's Mansion enjoyed a brief period of calm. But everyone knew that this was only temporary; the forces behind the men in black still existed, and more challenges awaited them in the future.

Lin Wan'er's gaze was fixed on Xiao Yichen, her heart gripped by an invisible hand, each beat filled with deep worry. Xiao Yichen's dashing figure moved swiftly through the fierce battle with the men in black; every sword strike and every dodge made Lin Wan'er's breath catch in her throat.

She watched helplessly as Xiao Yichen, to protect her, charged headlong towards the leader of the men in black. His resolute back seemed like a solid barrier, separating her from the danger, but simultaneously placing himself in an even more perilous situation. Lin Wan'er's lips trembled slightly. She wanted to shout, to tell Xiao Yichen not to take such a risk, but her throat felt like it was choked by something, and she could only manage weak breaths.

The shouts of battle and the clanging of weapons around her seemed to fade into the distance in Lin Wan'er's ears. Her world consisted only of Xiao Yichen and the men in black surrounding him. She saw that Xiao Yichen had multiple wounds on his body, and blood stained his clothes. The glaring red was particularly dazzling in the sunlight, and every drop of blood that seeped out was like a sharp blade, piercing Lin Wan'er's heart with pain.

"General..." Lin Wan'er called out silently in her heart, her eyes brimming with tears that blurred her vision. She dared not blink, afraid of missing a single moment of Xiao Yichen. Her hands were clenched tightly together, her nails digging deep into her palms, but the pain was nothing compared to the worry she felt for Xiao Yichen.

When the leader of the men in black swung his longsword fiercely at Xiao Yichen, Lin Wan'er's heart nearly leaped out of her throat. She saw Xiao Yichen raise his sword to parry, and in that instant, she seemed to feel the immense impact of the clash. Xiao Yichen swayed slightly, and Lin Wan'er's heart trembled along with him. She knew that Xiao Yichen was utterly exhausted; each defense was draining his strength and energy, while the leader of the men in black seemed determined not to let him off the hook, his attacks growing increasingly fierce.

"No..." Lin Wan'er finally couldn't help but let out a weak cry. Her voice was drowned out by the noise of the battlefield, but she still took a step towards Xiao Yichen regardless of everything. She knew she was weak, and her strength was insignificant in front of these people with high martial arts skills, but she couldn't bear to watch Xiao Yichen suffer all of this alone.

Just then, a man in black noticed Lin Wan'er's movements and lunged at her, his short sword gleaming coldly. Lin Wan'er's eyes widened in terror. She stopped and instinctively retreated. But behind her was a wall; there was no way out. A sinister smile appeared on the man in black's face. He quickened his pace and thrust at Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er closed her eyes in despair, thinking she was truly going to die this time. But just as the short sword was about to pierce her, a guard from the general's mansion rushed over and stood in front of her. The short sword pierced the guard's body, and the guard groaned, but he still stubbornly grabbed the man in black and wrestled with him.

"Hurry, young lady!" the guard shouted.

Lin Wan'er snapped out of her daze, her eyes filled with gratitude and guilt. "Thank you..." she choked out, then took advantage of the moment when the guards were entangled with the man in black to run towards Xiao Yichen.

At this moment, Xiao Yichen was locked in a fierce battle with the leader of the men in black. The leader's attacks were like a storm, and although Xiao Yichen was doing his best to defend, he still suffered several new wounds. His face grew paler, but his eyes remained resolute, filled with an unwavering belief in never giving up.

Lin Wan'er stopped a short distance from Xiao Yichen, not daring to get too close for fear of becoming a burden. She anxiously watched from the sidelines, searching for an opportunity to help him. Her gaze swept across the battlefield, hoping to find a weapon or discover a weakness in the enemy.

Suddenly, she saw a stone on the ground and quickly ran over to pick it up. Gripping it tightly, she threw it at the leader of the men in black who was attacking Xiao Yichen. The stone arced through the air, flying towards the leader's head.

The leader of the men in black was focused on attacking Xiao Yichen and didn't notice the flying stone. The stone struck him squarely on the shoulder, causing a slight pause in his attack, though it didn't inflict much damage.

Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yichen launched a counterattack. His longsword, like a dragon emerging from the sea, thrust towards the leader of the men in black. The leader of the men in black hurriedly dodged, but was still grazed on the arm by Xiao Yichen's longsword.

"You wretched little brat!" the leader of the men in black roared, his gaze fixed menacingly on Lin Wan'er. He wanted to deal with Lin Wan'er first, but Xiao Yichen stood in his way, preventing him from getting close.

"Your opponent is me!" Xiao Yichen said coldly, his eyes filled with warning. He knew the leader of the men in black's intentions, and he would absolutely not allow Lin Wan'er to be harmed.

The leader of the men in black glared at Xiao Yichen. "Hmph, you can't even protect yourself, yet you want to protect her? You'll all die today!" He raised his long sword again and attacked Xiao Yichen.

The two engaged in another fierce battle, while Lin Wan'er watched anxiously. She saw that Xiao Yichen's wounds were still bleeding, and his movements were becoming increasingly sluggish. She knew that if this continued, Xiao Yichen's life would be in danger. Tears streamed down her face as she prayed incessantly, hoping for a miracle.

Just then, reinforcements from the General's Mansion arrived. Their arrival changed the course of the battle, and the men in black began to panic. Seeing the reinforcements, Lin Wan'er felt a glimmer of hope. She shouted towards them, "Come quickly and save the General!"

Upon hearing the shouts, reinforcements immediately rushed towards Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black. They joined the battle, fighting alongside Xiao Yichen against the leader. With the help of the reinforcements, the pressure on Xiao Yichen was somewhat relieved.

But the leader of the men in black remained incredibly powerful, putting up a fierce resistance against the encirclement. He wielded his longsword with incredible speed and power, each attack wounding one of his men.

Seeing this situation, Lin Wan'er knew she couldn't rely solely on reinforcements. She searched the battlefield again for anything that could help, and spotted a bucket of water in the distance. She ran over and forcefully pushed the bucket towards the leader of the men in black. The bucket rolled on the ground, crashing into the leader.

Seeing the bucket rolling towards him, the leader of the men in black kicked it away. But this moment distracted him, and Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity, thrusting his sword towards the leader's leg. The leader couldn't dodge in time and was wounded in the leg by Xiao Yichen's sword. He staggered, but managed to regain his balance.

"You won't defeat me!" the leader of the men in black roared, his eyes filled with madness. Ignoring his leg injury, he continued to fight Xiao Yichen and the others.

Seeing the black-clad leader's tenacity, Lin Wan'er was filled with despair. She knew that if they couldn't defeat him quickly, Xiao Yichen and the reinforcements would be in danger. Her gaze searched the battlefield, and suddenly, she spotted an opening behind the black-clad leader. It turned out that the leader, in his fight with the others, hadn't noticed a large crater behind him.

"General, attack his rear!" Lin Wan'er shouted.

Hearing Lin Wan'er's shout, Xiao Yichen looked behind the leader of the men in black and spotted the large pit. A thought struck him, and he exchanged a glance with his reinforcements. They then deliberately led the leader of the men in black towards the pit.

The leader of the men in black, unaware of their intentions, continued his frenzied attack. Guided by the others, he moved step by step closer to the large pit.

Finally, after a fierce exchange, the leader of the men in black retreated to the edge of the pit. Before he could react, Xiao Yichen and the reinforcements worked together to push him into the pit. The leader of the men in black fell into the pit, and he tried to climb out, but the pit walls were slippery, and he couldn't get out no matter what he did.

"Hmph, let's see how arrogant you can be now." Xiao Yichen said, panting heavily, his body swaying precariously.

Lin Wan'er rushed to Xiao Yichen's side and supported him. "General, how are you? Your injuries are too severe." Her eyes were full of worry and heartache.

Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er and smiled slightly, "I'm fine, Wan'er, it's good that you're not hurt." His voice was weak, but his eyes were full of tenderness.

Lin Wan'er's tears flowed again. "General, you always disregard your own safety. Do you know how worried I am about you?"

Xiao Yichen gently wiped away Lin Wan'er's tears. "Silly girl, I won't let you get hurt."

By this time, the men in black on the battlefield had been driven away in all directions by the guards and reinforcements of the General's Mansion. The crisis at the General's Mansion was temporarily averted, but Xiao Yichen's injuries were very serious. Lin Wan'er and the others carried Xiao Yichen back to the General's Mansion. Her heart was filled with worry for Xiao Yichen, and she held his hand tightly the whole way, as if doing so could alleviate his injuries.

Back at the General's Mansion, the physician immediately began treating Xiao Yichen's wounds. Lin Wan'er stood by his side, watching the physician's every move intently. She silently prayed for Xiao Yichen's speedy recovery. During the treatment, Xiao Yichen alternated between unconsciousness and lucidity, and Lin Wan'er's heart rose and fell with his condition. She knew that Xiao Yichen had suffered such a serious injury because of her, and she secretly vowed to protect him as he had protected her.

As it grew darker, a sense of fear crept in, creating a feeling of terror.

The man in black hadn't left; in fact, he had gathered even more people. Ignoring his injuries, Xiao Yichen got up again to prepare for battle.

As the leader of the men in black engaged in a fierce battle with Xiao Yichen, the other men in black, like wolves smelling blood, their eyes flashing with malice, swarmed towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. In an instant, the situation within the General's Mansion became increasingly critical, as if a dark net was relentlessly tightening around them.

These men in black moved swiftly and nimbly, their black robes fluttering in the wind like the cloaks of death. They wielded various weapons: sharp longswords, pointed short swords, and gleaming chains. The weapons clashed, producing chilling sounds that intertwined in the air, creating a symphony of death.

Although the guards of the General's Mansion fought valiantly, they were outnumbered by the sheer number of men in black and gradually became overwhelmed. Blood flowed on the stone floor, pooling into shocking red stains—the price the guards paid to protect the General and the Mansion. Each fallen guard was like a beacon extinguished in the darkness, casting an even darker shadow over the entire situation.

Lin Wan'er clung tightly to Xiao Yichen's back, her body trembling slightly, her eyes filled with terror. But she knew this was not the time to be afraid; she had to be strong and not become a burden to Xiao Yichen. She looked around, trying to find a glimmer of hope, but all she could see were the approaching men in black, their murderous faces making her heart pound.

Xiao Yichen sensed Lin Wan'er's fear behind him. He turned his head slightly and whispered, "Wan'er, don't be afraid, I'm here." His voice was steady and firm, like a rock that stood firm in the midst of a stormy crisis. Although he was wounded in many places and blood was seeping from his wounds, his eyes remained sharp as an eagle's, fixed on the approaching enemy.

At this moment, the men in black had formed an encirclement, trapping Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er within. They did not launch an attack immediately, seemingly waiting for something—perhaps waiting for Xiao Yichen to reveal a weakness, or perhaps enjoying the thrill of cornering their prey.

Xiao Yichen gripped his longsword tightly, the blade still stained with the enemy's blood, the bloodstains taking on an eerie dark red hue in the sunlight. He took a deep breath, adjusting his breathing, preparing for the even fiercer battle to come. He knew he had to protect Lin Wan'er, even at the cost of his life.

Suddenly, a man in black leaped out of the encirclement, wielding a long sword and charging towards Xiao Yichen. He was incredibly fast; the sword traced a silver arc through the air, aiming for Xiao Yichen's head. Xiao Yichen was prepared; he took a step forward and dodged the fierce attack. Simultaneously, his own longsword shot out like a serpent, thrusting towards the man in black's abdomen. The man in black hadn't expected Xiao Yichen's reaction to be so swift. He tried to dodge, but it was too late; the sword pierced his abdomen, and blood gushed out.

The man in black screamed and collapsed to the ground. But his death did not deter the other men in black; instead, it fueled their anger. They roared and surged towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er like a raging tide.

Xiao Yichen showed no fear. He brandished his longsword and engaged in a fierce battle with the man in black. His swordsmanship was exquisite, every move brimming with power and skill. He would sometimes parry the man in black's attacks, and sometimes seize the opportunity to counterattack. Each swing of his sword was accompanied by the crisp sound of clashing weapons and the screams of the man in black as he was wounded.

During the battle, Xiao Yichen noticed that the men in black seemed to have a tacit understanding of teamwork. Some were responsible for frontal attacks, while others attacked from the sides and rear, attempting to disrupt Xiao Yichen's defenses. Xiao Yichen knew he couldn't be fooled by their tactics; he had to remain calm and find a way to break through the encirclement.

Lin Wan'er watched Xiao Yichen fight nervously, her heart pounding with every move he made. She saw him gradually struggling under the relentless attacks of the men in black, and her anxiety grew. She looked around, hoping to find something to help him. Suddenly, she spotted a wooden stick in the distance. She quickly ran over, picked it up, and struck one of the men in black attacking Xiao Yichen in the back.

The man in black staggered from Lin Wan'er's attack. He turned around and glared at her fiercely. "Little brat, you dare to cause trouble!" With that, he abandoned his attack on Xiao Yichen and lunged at Lin Wan'er.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yichen was greatly alarmed. "Wan'er, be careful!" he shouted, trying to break free from the men in black beside him to protect Lin Wan'er. But the men in black held him tightly, making it impossible for him to escape for the time being.

Lin Wan'er watched as the man in black lunged at her. She raised her wooden stick to try and defend herself. But the man in black easily knocked the stick away, then grabbed Lin Wan'er's arm, pulled her to his side, and held a knife to her neck.

"Stop it, all of you! Or I'll kill her!" the man in black shouted.

Xiao Yichen's heart tightened when he saw Lin Wan'er being held hostage. He stopped what he was doing, a flicker of panic in his eyes. "Let her go!" he roared.

The man in black sneered, "Xiao Yichen, put down your weapon, or this little girl will be dead."

Xiao Yichen was caught in a dilemma. He knew that if they laid down their weapons, they would all die without a burial place, but if they didn't, Lin Wan'er's life would be in danger. His eyes were fixed on the man in black, his mind racing, trying to find a way to achieve the best of both worlds.

Just then, Li Ran, the deputy general of the general's mansion, arrived with a team of guards. Li Ran frowned upon seeing the scene before him. He knew the situation was critical and he had to find a way to rescue Lin Wan'er as soon as possible.

"Who are you people? How dare you cause trouble in the General's Mansion!" Li Ran shouted, trying to distract the men in black.

The man in black glanced at Li Ran and said, "Hmph, enough nonsense. If you don't want this little girl to die, tell Xiao Yichen to put down his weapon."

Li Ran looked at Xiao Yichen, her eyes filled with worry. Xiao Yichen shook his head slightly, signaling Li Ran not to act rashly. He knew that he couldn't act impulsively now, otherwise it would only put Lin Wan'er in a more dangerous situation.

Xiao Yichen took a deep breath and said to the man in black, "Release her, and I'll go with you."

The man in black laughed. "Xiao Yichen, do you think I'm a fool? Put down your weapon and surrender, and maybe I'll consider sparing her life."

Xiao Yichen clenched his fists, his heart filled with anger and helplessness. He was thinking about how to break the deadlock and how to get out of this predicament without harming Lin Wan'er.

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, several arrows suddenly shot down from the roof of the general's mansion. The arrows flew like meteors towards the man in black, who, caught off guard, quickly dodged. One of the arrows struck the arm of the man in black who was holding Lin Wan'er hostage; in pain, he released Lin Wan'er.

Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yichen charged towards the man in black. With a swift stroke of his sword, he killed him. Then, he quickly ran to Lin Wan'er's side, shielding her behind him.

"Wan'er, are you alright?" Xiao Yichen asked with concern.

Lin Wan'er shook her head. "General, I'm fine. It's all thanks to those arrows."

Xiao Yichen looked up at the roof and saw a group of archers dressed in the general's mansion uniforms. It turned out that they were sentries that Li Ran had arranged on the roof beforehand, and they played a crucial role at the critical moment.

Seeing the unfavorable situation, the men in black began to panic. However, they did not retreat but readjusted their tactics and continued their attack on Xiao Yichen and his group.

Under Li Ran's command, the guards of the General's Mansion engaged in an even fiercer battle with the men in black. Archers on the rooftops continuously fired arrows, providing support for the guards below. For a time, arrows rained down on the battlefield, and the shouts of battle shook the heavens.

Xiao Yichen, with Lin Wan'er by his side, fought alongside the guards. His injuries worsened due to the fierce battle, but he still endured the pain and fought bravely. He knew that there was no room for retreat now; he had to defeat all these men in black to protect the General's Mansion and Lin Wan'er's safety.

During the battle, Xiao Yichen noticed that the men in black seemed to be retreating in one direction. A thought struck him, realizing they might be plotting something. He quickly shouted to Li Ran, "Li Ran, be careful! They might be setting a trap!"

Li Ran nodded; he had also noticed the anomaly. He instructed his guards not to pursue too deeply and to remain vigilant.

Sure enough, when the men in black retreated into a courtyard, they suddenly pushed out several huge wooden barrels. The barrels rolled towards the guards, who quickly dodged. Upon hitting the walls and the ground, the barrels shattered, revealing that they contained fuel oil.

Immediately, the man in black took out a tinderbox and threw it at the burning oil. Instantly, flames shot into the sky, engulfing the entire courtyard in a sea of ​​fire. The fire spread rapidly, burning towards the direction where Xiao Yichen and the others were.

"Oh no, it's a fire attack!" Xiao Yichen shouted. Looking at the raging flames, a bad premonition welled up inside him. This fire would not only cause enormous damage to the General's Mansion, but it might also plunge them into a desperate situation.

The situation at the General's Mansion became even more critical. They had to find a way to escape before the fire engulfed everything, while also dealing with the attacks from the men in black. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er also faced unprecedented challenges in this life-or-death ordeal.