Murong Xuan personally led the Mu Kingdom's army towards the Rong Kingdom's border like a surging tide. Wherever they passed, dust flew up, obscuring the sky and the sun, as if a huge dark cloud was covering the earth, foreshadowing an even more violent storm that was about to arrive.
As the army marched, Murong Xuan sat in his magnificent carriage, his eyes gleaming with cunning and ruthlessness. He knew that a direct assault on Rong Kingdom would be no easy task, especially with the troublesome figures of Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er present. He needed to devise another way to break through Rong Kingdom's defenses. Therefore, he summoned his advisors once more, and an even more insidious scheme quietly began to be plotted within the camp.
"Gentlemen, this prince is determined to crush Rong Kingdom this time. However, Xiao Yichen is highly skilled in martial arts, and Lin Wan'er possesses the extraordinary ability to read minds. If we engage in direct combat, our army may suffer considerable casualties. Does anyone have a good plan?" Murong Xuan's gaze swept over the crowd, his tone filled with urgency and anticipation.
The strategist, Eunuch Li, narrowed his eyes slightly and stepped forward, saying, "Your Highness, I believe we can take advantage of some discontented individuals within Rong Kingdom, offering them substantial rewards to create chaos within the kingdom. In this way, Xiao Yichen will be unable to attend to both ends, and our army can seize the opportunity to break through the border defenses."
Upon hearing this, Murong Xuan nodded slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips: "This plan is brilliant. But how do we find these people? And how do we ensure they will act according to my plan?"
Another strategist, Lord Wang, then said, "Your Highness, there are many people in Rong Kingdom who harbor resentment due to unequal distribution of benefits or setbacks in their careers. We can first send spies to secretly investigate and find these people, then lure them with high-ranking positions, generous salaries, and large amounts of gold and silver. At the same time, to prevent them from betraying us, we can secretly control their families and use them to blackmail them."
"Hahaha, good! Let's proceed according to this plan." Murong Xuan laughed loudly, as if he could already see the Rong Kingdom descending into chaos.
Thus, Mu's spies infiltrated Rong like ghosts. They traversed the streets and alleys of Luo'an City, and the hidden corners of the palace and government offices, carefully searching for targets that could be used.
In a secluded alley in Luo'an City lived a minor official named Zhang Yuan. He had entered officialdom full of ambition, but because he refused to compromise his principles, he was constantly suppressed by his superiors and remained frustrated in the officialdom for many years. His family was poor and destitute, and his wife often complained about his incompetence.
That day, Zhang Yuan was sitting at home sighing when suddenly a mysterious man in black appeared in front of him.
"Are you Zhang Yuan?" the man in black asked in a low voice.
Zhang Yuan was startled and looked at the other person warily: "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
The man in black sneered, "Who I am is not important. What's important is that I can give you a chance to change your fate. You've been struggling and suffering humiliation in this officialdom. Don't you want to rise above others?"
Zhang Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but he remained vigilant: "What exactly are you trying to say?"
The man in black slowly said, "The prince of Mu has heard that you are a talented person, but you have been overlooked by the court of Rong. As long as you are willing to serve Mu, you can become a high-ranking official and enjoy wealth and honor once the Mu army invades Rong."
Zhang Yuan's eyes widened, his face filled with shock: "You want me to betray my country? That's absolutely impossible!"
Seeing this, the man in black calmly said, "Don't rush to refuse. Think about it, what future do you have in Rong Kingdom? What kind of miserable life are your family living with you? If you agree, not only will you rise to prominence, but your family will also live a good life. Otherwise..." A threatening glint flashed in the man in black's eyes.
Zhang Yuan fell into deep thought. Although he was extremely opposed to treason, his heart began to waver when he thought about his own experiences and his family's predicament.
Meanwhile, in the Rong Kingdom's palace, the king also sensed the unusual atmosphere within the country. Some officials seemed to be secretly plotting something, and the atmosphere in the court became subtle and tense.
Using her mind-reading abilities, Lin Wan'er sensed a dangerous aura lurking in the shadows. Deciding to investigate further, she disguised herself as an ordinary palace maid and moved about the palace, observing everyone's words and actions.
By chance, she overheard two palace maids talking in hushed tones.
"Have you heard? There seem to be some mysterious people active in the city lately, seemingly trying to win over some officials."
"Oh no! What should we do? Will this be detrimental to His Majesty?"
Lin Wan'er was shocked; she knew the situation was far more serious than she had imagined. She hurriedly found Xiao Yichen and told him what had happened.
Xiao Yichen's expression was grave: "It seems Murong Xuan is up to some trickery again. We must find these people who have been won over as soon as possible and stop their plans."
Therefore, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er began a secret investigation into officials who were behaving abnormally in the court. By analyzing the officials' words, actions, social relationships, and financial situations, they gradually identified several suspects, among whom Zhang Yuan was.
Lin Wan'er decided to test Zhang Yuan herself. She arrived near Zhang Yuan's residence and used her mind-reading ability to sense his inner thoughts. She discovered that Zhang Yuan was currently in a state of extreme contradiction: on one hand, he was gripped by fear of treason and moral condemnation; on the other hand, he yearned to change his fate and was concerned about his family.
Lin Wan'er devised a plan. She sent Zhang Yuan a letter and a sum of money, posing as a mysterious benefactor. The letter read: "Lord Zhang, I know of your experiences in officialdom and understand your inner turmoil. But treason is absolutely unacceptable. If you can repent and tell me about Mu's conspiracy, I will definitely help you regain fair treatment in Rong and allow your family to live a good life."
Upon receiving the letter and the silver, Zhang Yuan was greatly shocked. He hadn't expected anyone to understand his inner thoughts, and he was also moved by the contents of the letter. He began to reflect on his actions, realizing the severe consequences that treason would bring to Rong Kingdom and to himself.
In the end, Zhang Yuan decided to confess everything to Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. He told them about the Mu Kingdom's secret agents' plans and everything he knew.
After learning the details, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er quickly took action, capturing the other officials who had been won over by the Mu Kingdom and completely destroying the Mu Kingdom's spy network within the Rong Kingdom.
Murong Xuan waited in the army for good news from home, but there was no news for a long time. When he learned that his conspiracy had been seen through and thwarted by Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er once again, he was furious.
"These two wretched fellows! Is there really nothing I, the prince, can do about them?" Murong Xuan roared.
But by this time, the army had already approached the border of Rong Kingdom, and the battle was imminent. Murong Xuan could only suppress his anger, readjust the battle plan, and prepare for a direct confrontation with Rong Kingdom. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er also knew that this decisive battle would be the key to determining the fate of Rong Kingdom, and they had to go all out to meet the impending challenge.
With the exposure of the Mu Kingdom's conspiracy within the Rong Kingdom's territory, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er knew that Murong Xuan would not let it go so easily, and an even greater storm was brewing. On the one hand, they strengthened border defenses, and on the other hand, they began to investigate the Mu Kingdom's strategic intentions in depth, trying to find clues from past traces.
Lin Wan'er spent her days in her tent, eyes tightly shut, focusing all her energy on her mind-reading abilities. Her consciousness, like an invisible thread, drifted through the void, attempting to capture any thoughts related to the Mu Kingdom. However, the people of Mu were well aware of the power of Lin Wan'er's mind-reading; their core generals and strategists had undergone special training, enabling them to partially close off their inner worlds, making Lin Wan'er's exploration extremely difficult.
One day, during a deep meditation, Lin Wan'er suddenly sensed a faint connection. It was the thought of an ordinary soldier from the Mu Kingdom, recalling some of his experiences in the military camp before his departure. Lin Wan'er grasped this clue tightly and followed the soldier's memories forward.
She saw Murong Xuan standing on a high platform in the Mu Kingdom's military camp, giving a passionate speech to his soldiers, declaring that the expedition against the Rong Kingdom was to seize more land and resources, making the Mu Kingdom the overlord of this continent. But Lin Wan'er keenly sensed that there seemed to be another secret hidden deep in Murong Xuan's eyes.
Delving deeper, she discovered that Murong Xuan was frequently meeting with a mysterious man in black robes. The man's face was hidden in shadow, making it impossible to discern his features, but Murong Xuan's respectful demeanor suggested that this person was no ordinary individual. Their conversations touched upon an ancient legend and a mysterious ruin, said to contain immense power capable of altering the course of a war.
Lin Wan'er was startled; she realized this might be Murong Xuan's true purpose in attacking Rong Kingdom. To further confirm her suspicions, she decided to risk venturing deep into the vicinity of the Murong army camp to search for more clues.
After learning of Lin Wan'er's plan, Xiao Yichen strongly objected: "Wan'er, it's too dangerous. The Mu Kingdom's military camp is heavily guarded. If you are discovered, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Lin Wan'er looked at him with a firm gaze: "General, I know it's dangerous, but it's the key to understanding the truth. If we can know Murong Xuan's true purpose, we can prepare in advance; otherwise, Rong Kingdom will always be on the defensive."
Knowing he couldn't dissuade him, Xiao Yichen could only say, "Then I'll go with you."
Lin Wan'er shook her head: "General, you are a great general of Rong Kingdom. If you are lost, there will be no one to defend the border of Rong Kingdom. I will act carefully. You wait here for my news."
As night fell, Lin Wan'er, dressed in black, moved like a ghost through the woods, approaching the Mu Kingdom's military camp. She carefully avoided the patrolling soldiers, using her mind-reading ability to sense the movements around her.
As she approached a tent in the Mu Kingdom's military camp, she heard faint conversations coming from inside. Lin Wan'er used her mind-reading ability to try and eavesdrop on the conversation.
"Your Highness, we have roughly determined the location of the ruins, but Rong Kingdom seems to have noticed something. Should we speed up our actions?" a voice said.
Murong Xuan's voice came: "Don't act rashly yet. It's not too late to explore the ruins after we gain the upper hand on the battlefield. The power within those ruins is too great; if we can't control it, it will only backfire."
Lin Wan'er was secretly delighted, finally confirming her guess. But just then, she accidentally triggered a mechanism outside the tent.
"Who is it?" A shout came from inside the tent.
Lin Wan'er was startled and turned to run. The Mu soldiers quickly gave chase, and shouts of battle filled the night sky.
Lin Wan'er fled desperately through the woods, using tree branches and the terrain to confuse her pursuers. But the Mu soldiers were well-trained and kept close behind her.
At the critical moment, Xiao Yichen led a squad of Rong Kingdom soldiers to the scene, and they engaged in a fierce battle with the Mu Kingdom's pursuers. Xiao Yichen descended like a god of war, wielding his sword, and wherever he went, Mu Kingdom soldiers fell one after another.
"Wan'er, hurry!" Xiao Yichen shouted.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lin Wan'er escaped from the vicinity of the Mu Kingdom's military camp and returned to the Rong Kingdom's camp. She told Xiao Yichen the information she had gathered.
"It seems Murong Xuan intends to use the pretext of attacking Rong Kingdom to search for that mysterious ruin. We must not let him succeed," Xiao Yichen said.
Meanwhile, Murong Xuan was furious in the military camp. He never expected that Lin Wan'er would be able to sneak into the vicinity of the military camp again and find out such important information.
"Strengthen the camp's defenses! We must not allow the Rong people to get any closer!" Murong Xuan ordered.
As the truth gradually came to light, Rong Kingdom began to adjust its strategy. On the one hand, Xiao Yichen strengthened surveillance of Mu Kingdom's army, and on the other hand, he sent people within the country to search for information about the mysterious ruins, hoping to find a solution.
Murong Xuan, knowing the urgency of the situation, decided to wait no longer and launched a full-scale attack on the Rong Kingdom's border. The Murong army surged towards the Rong Kingdom's camp like a tidal wave, their battle cries shaking the heavens and the earth.
Xiao Yichen led the Rong Kingdom soldiers in a valiant resistance, standing at the front of the battle line, commanding with composure. Lin Wan'er, meanwhile, used her mind-reading ability to provide Xiao Yichen with information on the enemy's tactical intentions and weaknesses from the rear.
The battle was exceptionally fierce, with heavy casualties on both sides. Thanks to their unwavering will and Xiao Yichen's brilliant command, the Rong Kingdom soldiers temporarily halted the Mu Kingdom's attack. However, Murong Xuan continuously adjusted his tactics and increased troop deployment, gradually putting immense pressure on the Rong Kingdom's defenses.
At this critical moment, Xiao Yichen decided to take a desperate gamble. He selected an elite cavalry unit and personally led it, charging towards the core of the Mu Kingdom's army. Lin Wan'er did her utmost to protect him, disrupting the Mu Kingdom's generals' command.
The cavalry charged into the enemy ranks like a whirlwind, throwing the enemy into chaos wherever they went. Seeing this, Murong Xuan personally led his guards to meet Xiao Yichen in battle.
The two generals met on the battlefield, their eyes meeting as if sparks were flying. Xiao Yichen brandished his sword, unleashing a fierce swordsmanship, while Murong Xuan was not to be outdone, his spear wielding a relentless and impenetrable attack.
The two fought fiercely for dozens of rounds, neither gaining the upper hand. But they both knew that the outcome of this battle would determine the course of the entire war.
Just then, Lin Wan'er noticed an opening in Murong Xuan's defenses and quickly relayed the information to Xiao Yichen. Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity and thrust his sword at Murong Xuan. Murong Xuan was unable to dodge in time and was slashed on the arm by the sword.
Murong Xuan was in pain and furious. He ordered the Mu Kingdom army to launch an even fiercer attack in an attempt to turn the tide.
The Rong Kingdom's army faced unprecedented pressure, but they held their ground and refused to retreat. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er also supported each other on the battlefield, jointly dealing with Murong Xuan's frenzied attacks.
The battle raged all day, leaving both sides exhausted. Finally, as night fell, both sides temporarily ceased hostilities. The battlefield was littered with corpses, a scene of utter devastation, and the outcome of the war remained undecided.
After days of fierce fighting, the border between Rong and Mu seemed to be soaked in blood, the air thick with the stench of blood and gunpowder. The brief truce was crucial for both sides, and on Rong's side, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er knew that every second counted; they had to make the most thorough preparations for the next round of battle.
Xiao Yichen stood atop the camp's watchtower, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his cold gaze fixed on the distant camp of the Mu Kingdom. His armor still bore the marks of battle, blood and dust mingling, but this did not diminish his imposing presence. He silently assessed his own forces' strength, weaponry, and the morale of his soldiers. Despite the valiant resistance of the previous battle, the Rong Kingdom's army had suffered heavy losses and desperately needed reinforcements.
Lin Wan'er bustled about inside the tent, organizing the soldiers' families and volunteer civilians to sort and organize various supplies. Food, arrows, herbs, and other supplies were neatly stacked and their quantities meticulously recorded. She knew that logistical support was a key factor in victory, and no detail could be overlooked.
"General, our current arrow reserves are less than 50,000. If the Mu Kingdom launches another large-scale attack, we may not be able to hold out." The general in charge of military equipment reported to Xiao Yichen with a worried expression.
Xiao Yichen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Immediately arrange for craftsmen to speed up the production of arrows. At the same time, send people to collect all available materials for bows and arrows from the surrounding towns. In addition, select some soldiers with strong arms and accurate archery skills from the army to form a special archery squad for intensive training to improve the accuracy of the arrows and make up for the lack of quantity."
"Yes, General!" The general accepted the order and left.
Upon hearing the news of the arrow shortage, Lin Wan'er also pondered a solution. She remembered seeing a simple arrow-making method in an ancient book. Although it couldn't compare to the fine arrows made by professional craftsmen, it could still be useful in an emergency. She quickly found Xiao Yichen and told him about her idea.
"Wan'er, this method is good, but the power and accuracy of the arrows produced may be greatly reduced," Xiao Yichen said with some concern.
Lin Wan'er nodded and said, "General, I understand. But the situation is urgent, and every extra arrow increases our chances of victory. We can have the soldiers make them using this method in their spare time, and at the same time, strengthen their training to adapt to the characteristics of this type of arrow."
After a moment's consideration, Xiao Yichen agreed to Lin Wan'er's suggestion. As a result, a surge of arrow-making activity swept through the Rong Kingdom's military camp. Soldiers used their rest time to carve arrow shafts, attach arrowheads, and bind fletching, following the methods provided by Lin Wan'er. Although the process was somewhat clumsy, everyone was full of enthusiasm.
While replenishing arrows, Xiao Yichen did not neglect the soldiers' training. He personally formulated a detailed training plan, increasing the intensity of the soldiers' physical training, such as weighted long-distance running and obstacle climbing, to improve their physical fitness and endurance. In terms of combat skills, in addition to regular weapons training, he also focused on training the soldiers' teamwork ability and their ability to react to emergencies.
"On the battlefield, individual bravery is important, but teamwork is the key to victory. You must trust and support each other like brothers in order to hold your ground against the enemy's fierce attacks and deliver a fatal blow." Xiao Yichen stood on the training ground and addressed the soldiers loudly.
The soldiers shouted in unison, "We will follow the general's instructions!"
To improve teamwork, Xiao Yichen divided the soldiers into several squads for simulated combat drills. Each squad had a clear division of labor, including roles such as attack, defense, and support. Through continuous drills, the soldiers became familiar with each other's combat styles and signals, enabling them to cooperate seamlessly on the real battlefield.
Lin Wan'er used her mind-reading ability to observe the soldiers' training. She could sense their inner thoughts and emotional fluctuations, and she would promptly offer encouragement and psychological guidance to those soldiers who showed fear, tension, or lack of confidence during training.
"Don't be afraid. You have a strong physique and skilled combat techniques. As long as you believe in yourself and your teammates, you will definitely be able to demonstrate your strength on the battlefield." Lin Wan'er said to a young soldier. Her voice was gentle yet firm, as if it had a magical power that could dispel the gloom in the soldier's heart.
While preparing for the army's preparations, Lin Wan'er did not forget to gather intelligence. She sent her trusted confidants, disguised, to infiltrate the Mu Kingdom to investigate the latest developments of the Mu army, its troop deployment, and Murong Xuan's next plan.
"Be extremely careful on this trip. If you discover anything suspicious, return immediately and report it. Under no circumstances should you reveal your identity," Lin Wan'er instructed the scouts she had dispatched.
The scouts accepted their orders and disappeared into the vast night.
Meanwhile, within Rong Kingdom, the ruler was actively preparing for the war by gathering necessary supplies and manpower. He ordered the entire nation to enter a state of war, with towns and cities intensifying their collection of grain, money, and supplies, and organizing laborers to transport them to the border. At the same time, new soldiers were recruited domestically, and after brief training, they were sent in batches to border camps to replenish Rong Kingdom's army.
As time went by, the preparations at the Rong Kingdom's border camp gradually came to an end. The soldiers, after intensive training, had significantly improved their combat effectiveness; weapons and equipment such as arrows had also been replenished to some extent; intelligence personnel had brought back some information about the Mu Kingdom, which, although not yet detailed, provided valuable insights for Xiao Yichen's strategic deployment.
Standing in the center of the camp, Xiao Yichen gazed at the neatly arranged soldiers and the mountains of supplies, his heart filled with emotion. He knew the next battle would be even more brutal, and the fate of Rong Kingdom rested on this. But he firmly believed that as long as the people and soldiers of Rong Kingdom were united, with their wisdom and courage, they would surely be able to resist the invasion of Mu Kingdom and defend their homeland.
Lin Wan'er walked to Xiao Yichen's side and said softly, "General, everything is ready. We will definitely defeat the Mu Kingdom."
Xiao Yichen turned to look at her, his eyes filled with determination and gratitude: "Wan'er, it is my good fortune to have you by my side, and it is also the good fortune of Rong Kingdom. In this battle, we will fight side by side until death."
Their hands clasped tightly together, as if at this moment, their fates were inextricably linked to the fate of Rong Kingdom. Meanwhile, inside the Mu Kingdom's camp, Murong Xuan was also busily preparing for the next offensive; an even more intense life-or-death struggle was about to unfold once again on this land on the border of Rong Kingdom.
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