On the battlefield, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were in dire straits. Blood seeped from Xiao Yichen's wounds, his movements grew increasingly sluggish, but his gaze remained unwavering, his longsword steadily pointing at the enemy. Lin Wan'er stood beside him, clutching the makeshift weapon she had been using. Her face was pale with tension and exhaustion, but her eyes showed no sign of retreat.

The men in black, like a pack of hungry wolves, surrounded them, their eyes gleaming with cruelty, as if they had driven their prey into a corner. Their attacks came wave after wave, each swing of their swords carrying a chilling killing intent, attempting to break through Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's crumbling defenses.

Just at this critical moment, a series of rapid and powerful footsteps came from afar, echoing in the air like thunder. The general's guards arrived to provide support like heavenly soldiers. They were dressed in neat armor, their weapons gleaming coldly in the sunlight. Their orderly steps and imposing aura eased the previously extremely tense atmosphere.

"Protect the General!" the guards shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the sky like a battle horn. They charged towards the man in black at lightning speed, instantly engaging the enemy in fierce combat.

The arrival of the guards was like a shot in the arm for Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. A relieved smile appeared on Xiao Yichen's previously tense face; he knew that a turning point had arrived. He gripped his longsword tightly and launched a new attack on the men in black beside him. This time, his swordsmanship was even more ferocious, each move carrying an unwavering determination to win.

Encouraged, Lin Wan'er brandished her weapon and engaged a man in black in battle. She skillfully dodged his thrusting sword, then slammed her weapon into his arm. The man in black winced in pain, nearly dropping his weapon. Lin Wan'er seized the opportunity to attack again, forcing the man in black to retreat repeatedly.

The general's guards were highly trained; they quickly formed a battle formation and engaged the men in black in a fierce fight. Swords clashed, sparks flew, and shouts of battle were deafening. The guards coordinated their attacks, some launching frontal assaults while others ambushed the men in black from the flanks and rear, disrupting their formation.

A captain of the guards led the charge, his spear wielding like a dragon emerging from the sea, each thrust hitting its mark precisely. He led his squad of guards, charging towards the densest concentration of men in black, like a sharp spear piercing straight into the enemy ranks. Under his leadership, the guards were like tigers with wings, and wherever they went, men in black fell.

The men in black hadn't expected the general's guards to arrive at this time, and they began to panic. The previously tight encirclement developed gaps, and their attacks were no longer as organized as before. Some men in black hesitated, unsure whether to continue attacking Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, or to deal with the surging tide of guards before them.

Seeing this opportunity, Xiao Yichen shouted to Lin Wan'er, "Wan'er, let's break out!" Lin Wan'er nodded, and the two of them rushed towards a weak point in the encirclement of the men in black.

During the charge, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er worked in coordination with their guards. The guards shielded them from attacks from the flanks and rear, allowing them to focus on breaking through. Xiao Yichen's longsword danced like a serpent, carving a bloody path through them. Each of his strikes carried immense power, repelling the black-clad men who stood in his way.

Lin Wan'er followed closely behind Xiao Yichen, providing support with her weapon. Whenever a man in black attempted to attack Xiao Yichen from the side, she always managed to spot it in time and retaliate. Her bravery and resourcefulness impressed the guards.

With everyone's combined efforts, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er successfully broke through the encirclement of the men in black. They arrived at a relatively safe place and were temporarily out of danger.

"General, are you alright?" The captain of the guards came to Xiao Yichen's side and asked with concern. He was very worried when he saw that Xiao Yichen had multiple injuries.

Xiao Yichen shook his head. "I'm fine. It's all thanks to you guys arriving in time." His voice was a little weak, but his eyes were full of gratitude.

"General, please rest for a bit. We'll take care of things here," the captain of the guard said.

“No, we cannot let our guard down. We must completely defeat these men in black,” Xiao Yichen said, his eyes hardening.

Lin Wan'er also said, "Yes, we must fight together and not let them have another chance to harm the General's Mansion."

The guards were greatly encouraged by Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's words. They readjusted their formation, preparing to launch a final attack on the men in black.

Meanwhile, the men in black were also regrouping. Their leader, seeing Xiao Yichen and the others break through the encirclement, was furious. "Get yourselves together! We can't let them get away!" he roared, trying to bolster the men's morale.

The leader of the men in black brandished his long sword and charged towards Xiao Yichen and his group. Behind him, a group of men in black followed, shouting as they charged. Their eyes were filled with madness and hatred, determined to fight the people of the General's Mansion to the death.

Seeing the leader of the men in black charging towards him, Xiao Yichen took a deep breath, preparing to meet the challenge. He knew that as long as he defeated the leader, the men in black would collapse without a fight. He gripped his longsword and walked towards the leader.

Lin Wan'er wanted to follow, but Xiao Yichen stopped her. "Wan'er, wait for me here. This enemy is too dangerous," Xiao Yichen said.

“No, General, I want to go with you. I won’t let you face the danger alone,” Lin Wan’er said firmly.

Xiao Yichen knew Lin Wan'er's temper, so he nodded, "Alright, but you must stay behind me and protect yourself."

The two walked towards the leader of the men in black, while their guards followed behind, engaging in fierce combat with the other men in black. The battle had reached a fever pitch; both sides were fighting with all their might, and life and death hung in the balance.

Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black met in the center of the battlefield. They exchanged a glance, both eyes filled with killing intent. Without a word, they instantly clashed. The leader of the men in black wielded his longsword with ferocious power, each strike carrying immense force as he slashed towards Xiao Yichen. Xiao Yichen nimbly dodged the attacks while simultaneously searching for an opportunity to counterattack. His swordsmanship was exquisite, each move perfectly blocking the leader of the men in black's attacks.

Lin Wan'er watched their battle anxiously from the sidelines. She saw Xiao Yichen struggling under the leader of the men in black's fierce attacks and felt extremely worried. She looked around, hoping to find something to help Xiao Yichen. Suddenly, she saw a water vat not far away, filled with water. An idea struck her.

Lin Wan'er ran towards the water vat and struggled to push it, rolling it towards Xiao Yichen and the leader of the men in black who were fighting. The vat rolled on the ground, making a rumbling sound, which attracted the attention of those around.

The leader of the men in black saw a water vat rolling towards him. He was somewhat puzzled, but didn't pay much attention. He assumed it was just an accident on the battlefield and continued his attack on Xiao Yichen.

Xiao Yichen saw Lin Wan'er's actions and understood her intentions. He deliberately created an opening and lunged at the leader of the men in black. The leader of the men in black, seeing Xiao Yichen's opening, was overjoyed. He raised his long sword and slashed at Xiao Yichen.

Just as the leader of the men in black was about to strike Xiao Yichen with his long sword, the water vat that Lin Wan'er had been pushing rolled right up to the leader's feet. Caught off guard, the leader tripped over the vat and fell to the ground. His long sword slipped from his hand and fell to the side.

Xiao Yichen didn't let the opportunity slip by. He lunged forward, his longsword aimed at the throat of the black-clad leader. The leader's eyes widened in terror; he tried to dodge, but it was too late.

Just as Xiao Yichen's longsword was about to pierce the throat of the leader of the men in black, another man in black suddenly rushed out from the side, using his body to block Xiao Yichen's sword. The sword pierced the man in black's body, and he screamed in agony as he collapsed to the ground.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the leader of the men in black scrambled to his feet, picked up his long sword, and attacked Xiao Yichen again. His eyes grew even more crazed; he knew this was his last chance.

Xiao Yichen steadied himself and engaged the leader of the men in black in battle once more. This time, his attacks were even more ferocious; he knew he couldn't give the leader any more chances. His swordplay swept towards the leader like a storm, each move carrying immense power and a determination to kill.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Xiao Yichen discovered an opening in the leader of the men in black. After an attack, the leader leaned forward slightly, exposing the back of his neck. Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yichen swiftly sidestepped the leader's attack, simultaneously thrusting his longsword towards the back of his neck.

The leader of the men in black sensed the danger, but it was too late for him to dodge. Xiao Yichen's longsword pierced the back of his neck with unerring accuracy. The leader's eyes widened, blood gushed from his mouth, and he slowly collapsed to the ground.

With the fall of their leader, the men in black were thrown into chaos. Lacking their leader, they scattered and fled. The general's guards pursued them relentlessly, killing or capturing the men in black one by one.

The fierce battle finally ended, and the General's Mansion emerged victorious. Although the General's Mansion suffered heavy losses in the battle, everyone survived. Xiao Yichen looked at everything before him, his heart filled with emotion. He knew that they were able to escape danger thanks to the bravery of the General's Mansion's guards and Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er walked to Xiao Yichen's side, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. "General, we won," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

Xiao Yichen gently hugged Lin Wan'er. "Yes, Wan'er, we won." His voice trembled slightly, his heart filled with the relief of surviving a disaster.

As their leader fell, the group of men in black instantly crumbled. They stared in horror at their leader's growing corpse, their initial fanaticism and ferocity gradually replaced by fear and panic. The once-orderly encirclement began to crumble; the men in black exchanged glances, each seeing in the other's eyes the desire to escape.

"Retreat!" Someone shouted, and the voice seemed to be an order. The men in black immediately retreated in all directions of the general's mansion like a receding tide. They no longer attacked in an organized manner, but simply fled blindly. Some even dropped their weapons in the panic, wanting only to leave this dangerous place as quickly as possible.

The guards of the General's Mansion wanted to press their advantage, but Xiao Yichen raised his hand to stop them. "Don't pursue a defeated enemy. First, ensure the safety of the General's Mansion and treat the wounded." Although his voice was weak, it still carried an undeniable authority. The guards obeyed and quickly began searching the General's Mansion, checking for any hidden dangers, while carrying their wounded comrades to a safe place for treatment.

Watching the men in black scatter like birds, Lin Wan'er's tense nerves finally relaxed a little. She felt as if she had woken from a nightmare, all the strength draining from her body in an instant, and the weapon in her hand clattered to the ground. She turned to look at Xiao Yichen, her eyes filled with worry and exhaustion. Xiao Yichen's appearance at this moment broke her heart; his body was covered in wounds, his clothes soaked with blood, and his face was as pale as paper, yet he still stood there, like an unyielding monument.

"General, how are you?" Lin Wan'er walked quickly to Xiao Yichen's side and asked in a trembling voice. She reached out to support Xiao Yichen, but was afraid of touching his wound. Her hand hesitated in the air for a moment before gently placing it on his arm.

Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Wan'er, don't worry." His voice was as soft as a breeze, but his gentle gaze made Lin Wan'er feel incredibly at ease.

Supported by Lin Wan'er, Xiao Yichen slowly sat down on a relatively clean rock. He took a deep breath, trying to alleviate the pain in his body. The General's Mansion was now a scene of utter devastation. The ground was littered with blood, corpses, and discarded weapons; the walls bore the marks of swords and knives; and the flowers and plants in the garden were trampled beyond recognition. The once peaceful and serene General's Mansion was now a scene of utter ruin after this sudden attack.

Lin Wan'er looked around at the scene, her eyes brimming with tears. She knew that this battle had brought immense disaster to the General's Mansion, and many guards had lost their lives protecting the mansion and themselves. Her heart was filled with self-blame; if she hadn't carelessly trespassed into the forbidden area of ​​the General's Mansion, perhaps these men in black wouldn't have been attracted, and this tragedy wouldn't have occurred.

"General, it's all my fault. If it weren't for me..." Lin Wan'er said, choking back tears as they streamed down her cheeks.

Xiao Yichen gently shook his head, interrupting her, "Wan'er, this isn't your fault. These men in black planned this all along. Even without you, they would have found another opportunity to attack the General's Mansion." He raised his hand and gently wiped away Lin Wan'er's tears with his sleeve, "Besides, if it weren't for you, we might not have been able to repel these enemies today. You are very brave, Wan'er."

Lin Wan'er felt slightly better after hearing Xiao Yichen's words. She knew that now was not the time for self-blame; the most urgent task was to help the General's Mansion recover. "General, what should we do now?" she asked.

"First, have the guards clear the battlefield and count the casualties. Then, arrange for people to repair the General's Mansion. We also need to strengthen the defenses within the mansion. The forces behind these men in black will not give up easily; they will definitely come back," Xiao Yichen said, his eyes becoming deep and serious as he pondered countermeasures.

Under Xiao Yichen's command, the people of the General's Mansion began to move about in an orderly manner. The guards were divided into several groups: one group was responsible for clearing away the corpses and settling the men in black and their fallen comrades separately; another group patrolled the General's Mansion to check for any missed enemies or dangerous items; and yet another group assisted the people in repairing the damaged buildings and facilities.

Lin Wan'er wasn't idle either; she joined the servants in caring for the wounded. Although she had no medical skills, she helped fetch water, hand out gauze, and did what she could. While caring for the wounded, she saw many familiar faces. These guards were usually very kind to her, but now they were injured while protecting the General's Mansion, which filled her with gratitude and respect.

"You all must get better soon," Lin Wan'er said softly as she wiped the sweat from a guard's brow. The guard looked at Lin Wan'er and smiled weakly, "Miss Lin, don't worry, we'll all get better. We owe it all to the General and you this time; without you, the General's mansion would be finished."

Time flowed slowly amidst the busy activity, and the sun gradually set, casting a golden glow over the General's Mansion. Thanks to everyone's efforts, order was gradually restored. The bloodstains on the battlefield were cleaned up, the corpses were properly disposed of, and repairs began on some of the less damaged buildings and facilities. Although traces of the battle were still visible in the General's Mansion, the tense and dangerous atmosphere had gradually dissipated.

After a doctor's initial treatment, Xiao Yichen's wound had stopped bleeding. He toured the General's Mansion, checking on the progress of various tasks. He felt gratified to see the guards and servants working diligently. He knew that through this ordeal, the people of the General's Mansion had become more united; they were like one big family, jointly protecting their home.

When Xiao Yichen arrived at Lin Wan'er's side, he saw her carefully bandaging a wounded soldier. Her face was covered in sweat, but her eyes were incredibly focused. Xiao Yichen stood quietly to the side, watching Lin Wan'er, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He knew that this once frail woman had become stronger and braver after experiencing this life-or-death ordeal.

"Wan'er, you must be tired too. Take a rest first," Xiao Yichen said softly.

Lin Wan'er looked up and saw it was Xiao Yichen. She smiled slightly, "General, I'm not tired. How are you? Your injuries..."

“I’m much better now. You did a great job today, and I’m very grateful to you,” Xiao Yichen said, his eyes filled with love and gratitude.

Lin Wan'er's face flushed slightly. "General, this is what I should do. We are in this together."

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er smiled at each other. At this moment, they forgot their exhaustion and pain, and they forgot the potential threat posed by the men in black. They only knew that after this fierce battle, they were still alive, still by each other's side, and the General's Mansion still stood strong. This brief peace was like a tranquil harbor after a storm, allowing them to catch their breath, gather their strength, and prepare to face the unknown challenges ahead.

However, they all knew that this was only a temporary calm. The forces behind the men in black hung over their hearts like a dark cloud, ready to unleash another storm at any moment. But no matter how difficult the future might be, they were prepared, for they had each other, and everyone in the General's Mansion, and together they would protect this home that belonged to them.

Xiao Yichen was puzzled. Who had he offended? Why would they attack the General's Mansion and send so many men in black?