Inside the general's mansion, the clamor of battle crashed against everyone's ears and minds like surging waves. Although Xiao Yichen already knew that Murong Xuan was the mastermind behind it all, the current situation allowed no room for complacency. The enemy continued to surge forward like a tide, and every moment could be a matter of life and death.
The soldiers stood steadfast at their posts, their eyes reflecting weariness, but even more so, unwavering resolve. Before the general's mansion gates, the heavy doors were riddled with sword and arrow marks, like a wounded warrior stubbornly resisting the enemy's onslaught. The guards were divided into several teams, taking turns to conserve their strength. Armed with long spears, they stood closely packed together, forming an ironclad defensive line. Whenever the men in black charged, they roared in unison, their spears thrusting out like a forest, repelling the enemy time and again.
A young soldier, his face splattered with blood, his arm wounded in battle, still gritted his teeth and persevered. Looking at his fallen comrades beside him, his eyes blazed with fury and defiance: "Brothers, we cannot let the General's Mansion fall into our hands! For our families, for our honor, we must hold it!" His shouts echoed through the ranks, igniting a surge of patriotic fervor and rekindling their spirits.
On the wall, archers continuously drew their bows and fired arrows, their fingers worn raw by the bowstrings, blood staining the arrow fletching. But they didn't pause, their eyes fixed on the men in black below. They knew their bows and arrows were key to stopping the enemy from climbing. Whenever a man in black attempted to use a grappling hook to scale the wall, they swiftly aimed and fired, accurately bringing the enemy down.
Behind the General's Mansion, Lin Wan'er was also busy. While assisting in treating the wounded, she remained vigilant, using her mind-reading ability to sense the enemy's movements. Seeing the pained expressions on the wounded soldiers' faces filled her with sorrow, but she knew this was not the time for grief. She approached a seriously wounded soldier and used her healing abilities to try and alleviate his pain. "You must hold on. We will definitely get through this," Lin Wan'er whispered. The soldier slightly opened his eyes, looked at Lin Wan'er, and nodded with difficulty.
In the garden of the mansion, the battle intensified. The terrain was complex, and the men in black used artificial hills and flowerbeds as cover to launch continuous surprise attacks on the guards. The guards of the general's mansion cleverly used the terrain to fight back. They had set up makeshift traps in the flowerbeds, causing the men in black to trip or be injured by the hidden thorns.
A general commanded the battle in the garden, wielding his broadsword and hacking down the charging men in black. "Don't let them gain a foothold in the garden! Drive them out!" he shouted. The soldiers, hearing the order, sprang into action, engaging the men in black in fierce close combat. Swords clashed, blood splattered, and the garden flowers were trampled beyond recognition; the once beautiful scenery was now replaced by bloodshed and carnage.
Near the warehouse, a vital supply depot for the general's mansion, defense was of paramount importance. Soldiers erected numerous obstacles around the warehouse, including sandbags, sharp barricades, and concealed traps. They formed a tight defensive perimeter, denying the men in black any opportunity to advance. Whenever they tried to get close, the soldiers attacked with spears and stones, simultaneously activating the traps to inflict heavy damage on the enemy.
Xiao Yichen moved swiftly between the various defensive lines, his figure like a banner on the battlefield, bringing endless courage and confidence to the soldiers. He constantly encouraged them, adjusting their defensive strategies. "Hold on, everyone! We know the enemy's mastermind. As long as we persevere, we'll find a way out." His voice echoed across the battlefield, filling everyone with hope.
However, the men in black did not give up their attack. Urged on by their leader, they launched wave after wave of frenzied charges. They knew the treasure map was inside the general's mansion, and if they failed to seize it this time, they would never have another chance. The leader of the men in black brandished his long sword and personally charged ahead: "Charge! Anyone who retreats will be severely punished!" His shouts spurred the men in black to rush even more frantically toward the general's mansion.
In the fierce fighting, casualties at the General's Mansion gradually increased. But the soldiers showed no sign of retreat; they defended every inch of the General's Mansion with their lives. An old soldier, with his last ounce of strength, threw his weapon at the enemy before slowly collapsing. His sacrifice inspired his comrades, urging them to fight even more bravely.
As time went on, the battle reached a stalemate. Both sides suffered heavy losses, but neither gained a clear advantage. The soldiers of the general's mansion held their ground with unwavering will and love for their homeland; the men in black, driven by the lure of the treasure, attacked recklessly.
At this critical moment, Xiao Yichen realized that he couldn't just passively defend; he had to take proactive measures to break the stalemate. He summoned several generals to discuss new strategies. "We can send a small team to launch a surprise attack on the enemy from the flank, disrupting their deployment," one general suggested. Xiao Yichen nodded in agreement: "That's a good idea, but the team members must be elite, and we need to choose a suitable time."
After some discussion, they selected a squad composed of their best soldiers. These soldiers were skilled in hand-to-hand combat, stealth, and raids, and were the elite force of the General's Mansion. Xiao Yichen personally assigned them their mission: "You will go around to the west alley, avoid the enemy's main force, and then launch an attack from their flank. Try to create chaos, draw the enemy's attention, and relieve pressure on our frontal defense." The squad members accepted the order and quietly disappeared into the night.
While awaiting the squad's move, the general's mansion's frontal defenses continued their tenacious struggle. Soldiers and men in black continued their fierce battle, their shouts echoing through the night. Lin Wan'er closely monitored the situation from the rear, sensing the anxiety and exhaustion within the men in black through her mind-reading abilities. "They're about to give up. If we just hold on a little longer, we can repel them," Lin Wan'er relayed to those around her, boosting morale.
Finally, the raiding squad reached their designated position. Seizing their opportunity, they darted like a sharp dagger into the flank of the men in black. The squad moved swiftly, their attack sudden and fierce. Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, the men in black were thrown into disarray. They began frantically trying to counter the raiding squad's assault, and gaps appeared in their previously tight formation.
Seeing the enemy in disarray, the soldiers on the front lines of the general's mansion seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack. Shouting slogans, they charged towards the men in black. In an instant, the tide of battle turned, and the general's soldiers gradually gained the upper hand. Caught in a pincer movement, the men in black began to retreat in disarray.
But the leader of the men in black was unwilling to accept defeat. He tried to reorganize his forces and put up a resistance. He brandished his long sword, cutting down several men in black who tried to escape: "Come back! Don't retreat!" His eyes were filled with madness and resentment. However, his efforts did not reverse the trend of the men in black's defeat.
The soldiers of the general's mansion pressed their advantage, driving the men in black out of the mansion's territory. The battle finally came to a temporary end, leaving the general's mansion in ruins, littered with corpses and blood. The soldiers sat wearily on the ground, their faces showing both the joy of victory and the grief for their fallen comrades.
Looking at the scene before him, Xiao Yichen was filled with mixed emotions. He knew that although they had won the battle temporarily, the crisis was far from over. Murong Xuan was still lurking in the shadows, watching them intently. They had to continue to hold their ground and wait for the day they could completely defeat the enemy. He walked towards the soldiers and said loudly, "Brothers, you are all heroes! But we cannot let our guard down. The enemy will come again. We must continue to hold our ground, protect our General's Mansion, and protect our homeland!" The soldiers stood up one after another, shouting in unison, their eyes once again filled with determination and resolve.
On this battlefield filled with blood and tears, the people of the General's Mansion wrote a hymn of perseverance with their lives and will. They knew that the road ahead would still be full of hardships, but as long as they were united, nothing could stop them from protecting their homeland. And this conflict in the martial world, sparked by the treasure map, would finally come to an end thanks to their steadfast commitment.
Outside the general's mansion, smoke billowed, and the battlefield reeked of blood and death. After a long and arduous battle, the guards of the general's mansion had successfully repelled wave after wave of attacks from the men in black, but they were exhausted and had suffered heavy casualties. However, at this seemingly hopeless moment, a glimmer of hope pierced through the dark clouds like a ray of dawn.
Xiao Yichen stood on the observation platform of the General's Mansion, gazing into the distance, his eyes revealing weariness and worry. Although he had just repelled the enemy's attack, he knew that the men in black would not give up easily and could return at any time. The General's Mansion had reached its limit; without new forces joining in, it would be difficult to withstand another attack.
Just then, a cloud of dust rose from the distant horizon, and the thunderous sound of horses' hooves approached. Xiao Yichen's heart skipped a beat; he clenched his fists, and hope ignited in his eyes. It was the reinforcements he had contacted earlier: experts from the Heavenly Sword Sect and other allies in the martial world.
The leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect personally led the group, riding a white steed with agile movements, like a shining star. Behind him was a group of Heavenly Sword Sect disciples dressed in uniform, wielding longswords, their sharp eyes exuding a fierce aura. In addition, there were experts from other martial arts sects, some skilled in hidden weapons, others proficient in hand-to-hand combat, each possessing unique abilities.
The Heavenly Sword Sect Master arrived at the General's Mansion, dismounted, and walked towards Xiao Yichen. "General Xiao, we are late," he said, clasping his hands in greeting. Xiao Yichen quickly stepped forward and grasped his hand: "Not late at all, you have arrived just in time. With your help, we will surely defeat the enemy."
The arrival of reinforcements greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers inside the general's mansion. Their previously weary faces regained their luster, and their eyes were filled with hope and fighting spirit. Lin Wan'er also arrived at the mansion gate. Seeing the reinforcements, a relieved smile appeared on her face. "Great, we're saved," she said softly.
Inside the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen quickly discussed the battle plan with the reinforcement commanders. The Heavenly Sword Sect Master proposed, "We can flank the men in black from both sides, using our mobility and firepower to disrupt their formation. The soldiers from the General's Mansion will then attack from the front, delivering a fatal blow." The other martial arts masters nodded in agreement, expressing their approval of the plan.
After a moment's thought, Xiao Yichen said, "This plan is excellent, but we must also be wary of potential traps set by the enemy. The men in black are cunning and treacherous; we cannot afford to be careless." They then proceeded to refine the plan, determining the attack routes and coordination methods for each team.
Meanwhile, the men in black were resting in a nearby camp. Their leader's face darkened upon learning of the arrival of reinforcements from the General's Mansion. "Hmph, I didn't expect them to have reinforcements. But that doesn't change anything; our target remains the treasure map." He clenched his fist, his eyes flashing with a fierce light.
However, the leader of the men in black also harbored some concerns. He knew that the Heavenly Sword Sect and other martial arts sects were not to be underestimated, and if they were not dealt with properly, this operation could very well fail completely. He began to rearrange the defenses, preparing to meet the combined attack from the General's Mansion and reinforcements.
After preparations were completed at the General's Mansion, the battle resumed. The disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, like a flock of white birds, swiftly charged towards the men in black from both sides. Their swordsmanship was superb; each strike carried a sharp, piercing aura, and wherever they went, the men in black fell. The Heavenly Sword Sect Master led the charge, his longsword wielding like a silver dragon, weaving freely among the men in black, unstoppable.
Other martial arts masters also displayed their unique skills. Those skilled in concealed weapons rained down darts and hidden arrows upon the men in black, accurately hitting their vital points. Masters proficient in hand-to-hand combat charged into the enemy ranks, their moves fierce and powerful, each punch and kick sending the men in black staggering back several steps.
The soldiers of the General's Mansion also launched a fierce attack from the front. Led by Xiao Yichen, they charged towards the men in black, shouting slogans. Now, with the support of reinforcements, their morale was high and their fighting power greatly increased. The weapons in the soldiers' hands gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and their eyes were filled with anger and determination.
The men in black were caught off guard by the sudden attack. They had thought the general's mansion was on its last legs, but the arrival of reinforcements instantly reversed the situation. The men in black began to resist frantically, but their formation had been disrupted, and they were unable to organize a defense effectively.
On the battlefield, shouts of battle and the clashing of weapons mingled together, creating a deafening roar. Blood once again stained the earth red, and corpses from both sides piled up like mountains. But this time, the situation clearly favored the general's mansion and the reinforcements. The men in black were gradually losing ground, and they began to show signs of defeat.
The leader of the men in black was furious as he watched his men retreat in disarray. He personally charged into the battlefield, attempting to turn the tide. His longsword wielded immense power, and for a time, no one could stand against him. He charged towards the Heavenly Sword Sect Master, and the two instantly engaged in a fierce duel.
The Heavenly Sword Sect Master remained unfazed as he watched the leader of the men in black charge towards him. He unleashed the Heavenly Sword Sect's ultimate technique, his swordsmanship flowing like clouds and water, clashing with the leader's longsword and producing a series of crisp, clear sounds. Both men's moves were exquisite, and those around them unconsciously made way for them, watching this duel between masters.
While the two fought fiercely, soldiers from the General's Mansion and other reinforcements continued their attack on the man in black. They gradually tightened the encirclement, cornering the man in black. Lin Wan'er closely monitored the battlefield from the rear, using her mind-reading ability to sense the enemy's movements. "Their morale has collapsed! We must press our advantage!" Lin Wan'er shouted.
At Lin Wan'er's prompting, the General's Mansion and reinforcements intensified their attack. The men in black began to scatter and flee, but they were already surrounded and escape was difficult. Some of the men in black tried to surrender, but the soldiers of the General's Mansion did not accept them easily. They knew that these men in black had committed many evil deeds and could not be let go.
At the crucial moment of the battle, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master found an opening in the black-clad leader's defenses. Seizing the opportunity, he thrust his sword towards the leader's throat. The leader tried to dodge, but it was too late. His throat was pierced by the sword, and terror and resentment flashed in his eyes before he collapsed and died.
The death of their leader in black was the final straw. The remaining men in black completely lost their will to fight and surrendered one after another. The general's mansion and reinforcements achieved a decisive victory in this battle.
Cheers erupted on the battlefield. Soldiers from the general's mansion and reinforcements embraced each other, celebrating their victory. Their faces beamed with joy and pride. Although this victory had not come easily and they had paid a heavy price, they had successfully defended the general's mansion and repelled the enemy.
Looking at the scene before him, Xiao Yichen was filled with emotion. He walked towards the Heavenly Sword Sect Master and the other reinforcement generals, bowing deeply: "Thank you all for your help. Without you, the General's Mansion would likely be unscathed today. I, Xiao Yichen, will forever remember this kindness." The Heavenly Sword Sect Master quickly helped Xiao Yichen up: "General Xiao, you are too kind. Justice in the martial world should be based on mutual support. The victory over the men in black was the result of everyone's joint efforts."
Although they had won the battle, Xiao Yichen knew that things were not over yet. Murong Xuan was still lurking in the shadows, and the secret of the treasure map had not yet been fully revealed. But at least, they had won a precious respite and laid the foundation for future actions. After experiencing this life-or-death test, the General's Mansion was more united, and the forces of justice in the martial world were also more cohesive because of this cooperation. In the days to come, they would continue to face challenges and strive for peace and tranquility in the martial world.
The turmoil sparked by the treasure map has taken a turn for the better, moving in a clearer direction. However, deep within the martial world, countless unknown dangers still await them; everything remains uncertain. The General's Mansion and the righteous heroes of the martial world are prepared to meet the new challenges.
As the smoke of battle gradually dissipated, the General's Mansion appeared as if it had just awakened from a nightmare, revealing a scene of utter devastation. Broken walls, bloodstains, and corpses scattered haphazardly stood as silent testaments to the brutality of the battle that had just taken place.
The soldiers of the general's mansion, exhausted, began to clean up the battlefield. They divided into several teams, some responsible for carrying corpses, some for cleaning up bloodstains and debris, and others for inspecting the damage to defensive structures. Every movement was heavy and slow; the long battle had drained their strength, but they did not complain at all, because they knew that this was the price they had to pay to protect their homeland.
Before the general's mansion gates, soldiers worked together to lift the bodies of their fallen comrades, their movements gentle and solemn, their eyes filled with grief. These brothers who had fought side by side were now gone forever. With each body carried, it felt as if a heavy blow had struck the soldiers' hearts; the pain of losing a comrade was like a sharp blade piercing their souls. They carefully laid the bodies aside, preparing to hold a solemn funeral for them, so that these heroes could rest in peace.
The cleanup was equally arduous. Soldiers used wooden buckets to draw water from the well, washing the bloodstains on the ground again and again. The blood mixed with the mud, forming dark red streams on the ground. Even so, the stench of blood lingered in the air, as if it were the last vestige of attachment to this brutal battle.
The soldiers inspecting the defenses were serious. They carefully examined the damage to the walls, gates, watchtowers, and other structures. Cracks had appeared in some parts of the walls, and several sections had even collapsed, requiring immediate repair. The iron plating on the gates was dented and uneven from sword cuts, and the hinges were loose, necessitating reinforcement. Some crossbows and catapults on the watchtowers had been damaged in the battle and needed to be reinstalled and tested. These defenses were crucial to the general's residence's security and could not be neglected.
Xiao Yichen surveyed the mansion, his gaze heavy and profound, each scene of carnage piercing his heart. He knew that although they had won this battle, it was only a stage in their struggle against Murong Xuan. Murong Xuan lurked in the shadows, undoubtedly harboring further conspiracies, and they had to prepare as soon as possible.
He first summoned his generals to discuss measures to strengthen the defenses of the General's Mansion. "This attack by the men in black has clearly shown us the shortcomings in the General's Mansion's defenses. We need to redesign the defensive layout, add more mechanisms and traps, and strengthen patrols and intelligence gathering." Xiao Yichen's voice was calm and firm, and the generals nodded in agreement.
So they began to formulate a detailed plan. During the wall's repair, in addition to reinforcing the original brick and stone structure, hidden compartments were installed within the wall to store weapons and emergency supplies. Larger, more powerful crossbows were installed above the main gate, capable of effectively striking distant enemies. Meanwhile, concealed mechanisms, such as rotating blades and poison gas spray devices, were added to various passageways and key areas within the general's mansion, allowing for surprise attacks should any enemy intruders break in.
Regarding patrols, Xiao Yichen decided to increase the frequency and number of patrols, and to change the patterns of patrol routes to make them more difficult for the enemy to predict. In addition, he also arranged for some plainclothes soldiers to conduct secret patrols around the general's mansion in order to promptly detect suspicious persons and signs.
Intelligence gathering was also given paramount importance. Xiao Yichen knew that only by understanding the enemy's movements could he gain the upper hand in his confrontation with Murong Xuan. He dispatched more spies deep into various parts of the martial world, especially those places that might have connections to Murong Xuan. These spies were carefully selected and trained, possessing excellent disguise skills and intelligence-gathering techniques.
While preparing to counter Murong Xuan's subsequent conspiracies, Xiao Yichen didn't forget to care for the soldiers' well-being. He ordered the best medical treatment for the wounded and personally visited them. In the temporary medical ward of the General's Mansion, the wounded soldiers lay in bed, some with bandaged wounds, some pale and weak. Xiao Yichen went to each bedside, inquiring about their injuries and recovery, encouraging them to be strong. "Brothers, you are all heroes of the General's Mansion. You have paid a heavy price to protect our homeland, and the General's Mansion will never forget you. Take good care of yourselves; we have many more battles to face together." His words were like a warm current, warming the hearts of every wounded soldier.
After experiencing this fierce battle, Lin Wan'er had new thoughts about her mind-reading ability. While it provided them with many crucial clues during the fight, she also realized its risks and limitations.
She sat in her room, reflecting on every detail of the battle. Each time she used her mind-reading ability, it required intense concentration, which was extremely taxing on her physical and mental strength. Moreover, if she encountered an enemy with exceptionally strong willpower, she might not be able to accurately read their thoughts, and could even suffer a backlash from their mind. During her confrontation with the leader of the men in black, she had felt a powerful resistance that nearly caused her to lose consciousness.
Furthermore, her mind-reading ability also placed her in a moral dilemma. In the process of reading her enemies' thoughts, she inevitably came into contact with their privacy and deepest emotions. Some of this information evoked sympathy, while others gave her a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature. She began to question whether she had the right to pry into the inner world of others, even if they were enemies.
Lin Wan'er decided to use mind-reading more cautiously. She knew it was a double-edged sword; if used incorrectly, it could bring unexpected trouble to herself and the General's Mansion. She began trying to improve her control over mind-reading through various methods, such as strengthening her mental cultivation and learning how to obtain key information without delving into the other person's mind.
At the same time, she also wanted to use mind reading for a more positive purpose. Besides gathering intelligence in battle, she hoped to use it to help alleviate the pain of wounded soldiers. She discovered that by establishing a mental connection with the soldiers, she could feel their pain and try to use her own power to ease it. In several attempts, she achieved some small successes, which showed her new possibilities for mind reading.
In this challenging and transformative post-war period, everyone in the General's Mansion is striving for recovery and reconstruction. While clearing the battlefield, they are also preparing for potential future crises. Xiao Yichen, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting the General's Mansion, actively devises countermeasures; Lin Wan'er, through reflection and exploration, attempts to better utilize her abilities to serve everyone. The entire General's Mansion, tempered by this brutal battle, has become more resilient, like a phoenix reborn from the flames, ready to meet new challenges. They know that Murong Xuan's conspiracy is not yet over, and peace in the martial world has not truly arrived, but they are confident that, through unity and wisdom, they can safeguard their rightful tranquility.
But things aren't that simple...
Murong Xuan is in the shadows, while Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er are in the light!
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