Elsewhere in the capital of Rong Kingdom, at the residence of Prince Murong Xuan of Mu Kingdom, the atmosphere was the complete opposite of the joyful and peaceful atmosphere of the General's Mansion. Candlelight flickered in the room, casting danced shadows on the walls, illuminating Murong Xuan's somber face. He wore magnificent yet somewhat sharp attire, his eyes flashing with resentment and hatred, like a venomous snake poised to strike.
Murong Xuan was originally a beloved prince of the Mu Kingdom, on whom great hopes were placed from a young age. He possessed extraordinary wisdom and ambition, and was determined to establish his own merit on this continent, making the Mu Kingdom the leader of all nations. However, his plans suffered a major setback in several clashes with the Rong Kingdom, especially in his confrontation with Xiao Yichen.
Recalling his battle with Xiao Yichen, Murong Xuan clenched his fists in anger. It was a crucial battle concerning the border dispute between the two countries. Murong Xuan had meticulously planned for months, deploying his troops and generals, believing victory was assured. However, Xiao Yichen was like an insurmountable mountain, using his exceptional military talent and fearless courage to lead the Rong Kingdom army to repeatedly thwart his schemes, not only crushing his attacks but also inflicting heavy losses on the Mu Kingdom army. That defeat was a profound humiliation for Murong Xuan, severely damaging his reputation within the country, and even his former supporters began to question him.
From that moment on, Murong Xuan's resentment towards Xiao Yichen grew like wildfire. He couldn't accept the fact that he had been defeated by a general from the Rong Kingdom, and day and night he plotted how to take revenge on Xiao Yichen, to make him taste the bitterness of defeat and pain. And this Mid-Autumn Festival, he believed, was the perfect opportunity.
Murong Xuan knew that the Mid-Autumn Festival was an extremely important holiday for the people of Rong Kingdom, a time when everyone would gather to celebrate. The General's Mansion would undoubtedly be bustling with activity at this time, and security would be relatively lax. He decided to take this opportunity to deliver a heavy blow to Xiao Yichen, turning his holiday into a nightmare.
Thus, Murong Xuan began meticulously planning his conspiracy. He secretly gathered a group of highly trained men in black, all of whom were experts he had recruited from various places. Some were assassins from the martial arts world, while others were desperate criminals driven by greed for wealth. They were all attracted by Murong Xuan's generous rewards and were willing to serve him.
In the dimly lit basement of the Prince's mansion, a pungent stench of blood and sweat filled the air. A line of men in black stood neatly before Murong Xuan, their faces veiled by black cloth, revealing only pairs of cold, ruthless eyes. Murong Xuan stood before them, his eyes gleaming with excitement, as if he could already see the General's mansion descending into chaos.
"Tonight is our time for revenge." Murong Xuan's voice was deep and seductive. "You must infiltrate the General's Mansion and create as much chaos and destruction as possible. Burn down their buildings, kill their servants, and let Xiao Yichen taste the pain of loss."
The leader of the men in black stepped forward and asked in a hoarse voice, "Your Highness, where is Xiao Yichen? Should we take his life?"
Murong Xuan frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "If you have the chance, kill him. But don't act rashly. Xiao Yichen is highly skilled in martial arts. Your primary task is to disrupt the General's Mansion's celebration and plunge them into fear and chaos."
"Yes, Your Highness." After receiving the order, the leader of the men in black led his men to prepare for action. They inspected their weapons: poisoned daggers, sharp longswords, and ingenious hidden weapons—each exuding an aura of death.
Murong Xuan watched their busy figures, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his lips. He knew that once these men in black took action, the General's Mansion would be plunged into a sea of blood. He could almost see Xiao Yichen's panicked expression, and his heart was filled with the pleasure of revenge.
As night fell and the bright moon hung high, Murong Xuan, accompanied by his men in black, quietly approached a secluded spot near the General's Mansion. The cheerful laughter and melodious music emanating from within the mansion pierced his heart like needles. He clenched his fists and whispered to his men in black, "Move!"
Like ghosts, the men in black stealthily made their way towards the general's mansion under the cover of night. Using the surrounding trees and shadows as cover, they skillfully evaded the patrolling soldiers. The mansion's walls were no match for them; they easily scaled them and entered the jubilant residence.
Inside the General's Mansion, everyone was immersed in the joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival, completely unaware of the impending danger. Servants bustled about the courtyard, serving food and wine to the guests; children played and laughed in the corners, chasing after colorful lanterns; Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er chatted and laughed with the guests, enjoying this rare and heartwarming moment.
The men in black then dispersed and began to act according to Murong Xuan's plan. One group of men made their way to the warehouse where grain and supplies were stored, intending to set it on fire and cause chaos. Another group crept towards the guests in the courtyard, their goal being to create bloodshed and panic, plunging the General's Mansion into chaos.
Near the warehouse, the men in black quietly dealt with the guards and then placed flammable materials in various corners. Their movements were swift and agile, without making a sound. One of the men in black took out a tinderbox, blew on it gently, and a flame ignited. He threw the tinderbox at the flammable materials, and instantly, the fire spread, and the warehouse began to burn.
Meanwhile, the men in black in the courtyard also began to move. They suddenly rushed out of the shadows, brandishing their weapons and slashing at the unsuspecting people. In an instant, screams and shouts filled the general's mansion, completely shattering the previously joyful atmosphere.
The guests scattered in panic, and the children cried out in fear. The soldiers reacted quickly and began to fight the men in black, but the men in black were all highly skilled in martial arts, and the general's mansion was soon engulfed in a fierce battle.
Standing on the high ground outside the General's Mansion, Murong Xuan watched the raging fire and chaotic scene inside, a smug smile on his face. His revenge plan seemed to be progressing smoothly; he could almost see Xiao Yichen suffering in this disaster. However, what he didn't know was that the General's Mansion wouldn't be so easily destroyed. Xiao Yichen and the people of the General's Mansion also had the ability to cope with the crisis. A fierce battle was about to unfold, and the outcome of this conspiracy would be full of variables.
As the fire spread, the situation inside the General's Mansion became increasingly critical. Thick black smoke billowed, obscuring the sky, and people struggled to survive amidst the flames and smoke. But in this moment of crisis, Xiao Yichen demonstrated his exceptional leadership as a general. He quickly organized his soldiers and retainers, stabilizing morale and beginning an organized fight against the men in black. Lin Wan'er, even in the chaos, remained calm. Using her knowledge of danger evasion learned in the palace, she helped women and children escape their pursuers. A thrilling contest unfolded within the General's Mansion, while Murong Xuan, the mastermind behind the conspiracy, awaited his perceived victory.
However, what he didn't know was that his conspiracy would trigger a series of unexpected consequences, not only changing the fate of everyone in the General's Mansion but also profoundly impacting the relationship between Rong and Mu Kingdoms. This disaster on Mid-Autumn Festival night was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that swept everyone into its wake.
Night fell like a vast black curtain, completely enveloping the General's Mansion. The bright moon hung high, casting its cool light, outlining the pavilions and towers within the mansion indistinctly. Laughter and cheerful voices still echoed within the mansion, people immersed in the joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival, unaware that a group of uninvited guests were stealthily sneaking in like ghosts.
These men in black moved swiftly and nimbly, darting through the night like shadows. Using the trees for cover, they easily scaled the walls of the general's mansion. The leader, his gaze cold and ruthless, surveyed the interior before gesturing for his men to disperse.
A group of men in black stealthily made their way towards the banquet courtyard of the general's mansion. They moved silently along the shadowy corridors, their footsteps barely audible. Moonlight occasionally pierced through the clouds, casting a cold glint in their black night clothes, as if foreshadowing impending disaster. As they approached the courtyard, they witnessed a vibrant scene: guests in splendid attire, raising their glasses in laughter; children running and playing among the crowd, their lanterns shimmering with colorful light; servants bustling about, serving exquisite food and fine wine. This peaceful and joyous scene, however, was merely a target for the men in black to wreak havoc.
One of the men in black drew a sharp dagger from his waist, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. A cruel smile played on his lips as he prepared to stab the nearest servant. At that critical moment, another man in black pulled him back, gesturing with his eyes for him to wait for a better opportunity to create greater chaos.
Meanwhile, another group of men in black made their way towards the backyard of the general's mansion. The backyard housed the general's warehouses, storing large quantities of supplies, provisions, and valuable items. Their objective was to set the warehouses ablaze, allowing the fire to spread and plunging the general's mansion into chaos and panic. They crossed the garden, avoiding patrolling soldiers, and successfully reached the vicinity of the warehouses. The warehouse guards were dozing, completely unaware of the approaching danger. The men in black approached like ghosts, their weapons flashing, and the guards fell to the ground in pools of blood before they could even utter a cry.
The leader of the men in black looked at the fallen guards without a trace of pity. He directed his men to begin placing flammable materials around the warehouse. They moved swiftly and methodically, scattering bundles of hay and barrels of fuel, creating a deadly ring around the warehouse. One of the men in black took out a tinderbox, preparing to ignite everything; once the fire started, the consequences would be unimaginable.
On the other side of the general's mansion, some men in black were making their way into the inner courtyard. Their aim was to create more panic, plunging the people inside into chaos and rendering them unable to resist. They quietly slipped into the inner courtyard, hiding behind flower bushes and artificial hills, observing the surrounding activity. Inside the inner courtyard, maids were preparing tea and snacks for the women, who sat in their rooms chatting and admiring the moon, completely unaware of the impending danger.
At this moment, Xiao Yichen was chatting and laughing with several guests in the banquet courtyard. His face was filled with festive joy, completely unaware of the impending danger. Lin Wan'er stood to the side, watching the joyful crowd around her, her heart filled with warmth. However, a strange glint suddenly flashed in her eyes, as if she had sensed the unusual tension in the air. She frowned slightly and began to look around, but found nothing particularly unusual.
Just then, the men in black in the banquet courtyard finally moved. They burst out of the shadows, brandishing their weapons and slashing at the unsuspecting crowd. Screams and shouts filled the courtyard. The joyous atmosphere was instantly shattered, replaced by bloodshed and chaos. Guests fled in panic, some being overtaken by the men in black and falling into pools of blood.
The children cried in terror, their parents desperately trying to protect them, but the scene grew increasingly chaotic under the men in black's frenzied attack. Servants dropped their trays, spilling wine and food everywhere, joining the fleeing crowd. Xiao Yichen reacted instantly, swiftly drawing his sword, his eyes turning cold and sharp. He shouted, "Protect the guests!" and charged towards the men in black.
His swordsmanship was fierce, each move carrying immense power. The men in black charged at him, but he repelled them all. Xiao Yichen's figure stood like a sturdy fortress amidst the chaotic crowd, blocking the men in black's frenzied attacks. As he fought, he shouted for his soldiers to come to his aid.
In the backyard of the general's mansion, the men in black ignited flammable materials around the warehouse. The fire spread instantly, illuminating the night sky. Thick black smoke billowed into the air, and the flames quickly engulfed the warehouse's outer walls. The goods inside began to burn, crackling and popping like a symphony of death. Fueled by the wind, the fire spread towards nearby buildings; if not controlled in time, the entire general's mansion would be engulfed in flames.
Upon hearing the commotion, the soldiers of the general's mansion rushed to the backyard. They grabbed buckets and fire extinguishers, attempting to control the fire. However, the men in black obstructed them, engaging in a fierce battle with the soldiers. The soldiers, juggling the fire and fighting the men in black, were caught in a difficult struggle.
Inside the inner quarters, the men in black began their attack. They burst from their hiding places, charging towards the women and maids. The women screamed in terror, scattering in all directions. The maids shielded the women with their bodies, trying to buy them a chance to escape. But the men in black were ruthless; they wielded their weapons mercilessly, blood splattering in the moonlight.
Hearing the commotion inside the inner courtyard, Lin Wan'er was frantic with worry. Ignoring the danger, she ran towards the inner courtyard. She knew that many innocent lives there needed protection. When she arrived, she witnessed the horrific scene. A flash of anger crossed her eyes, and she quickly picked up a wooden stick from the ground and charged towards the man in black. Although she had no martial arts skills, her courage and determination made her incredibly brave in that moment.
In the ensuing chaos, the General's Mansion resembled a living hell. Men in black, like demons, rampaged through the mansion, their destruction turning what should have been a joyous Mid-Autumn Festival into a nightmare. However, the people of the General's Mansion were not entirely consumed by fear. Led by generals like Xiao Yichen, they began to fight back. A fierce life-or-death struggle unfolded within the General's Mansion, and the outcome would determine its fate.
As time passed, the battle within the General's Mansion intensified. Xiao Yichen engaged in a fierce struggle with the men in black in the banquet courtyard. He already bore several wounds, yet remained incredibly brave. His eyes burned with fury, and he had only one thought in his mind: to protect the General's Mansion and everyone here. Soldiers also fought fiercely with the men in black in various corners, defending the dignity of the General's Mansion with their lives.
Although the men in black were well-trained, they began to suffer casualties under the fierce resistance of the people in the General's Mansion. Their operation was not going as smoothly as expected, and the resistance from the General's Mansion put them under pressure. But they did not give up and continued their frenzied attack, attempting to complete their sabotage mission. The disaster brought by these uninvited guests was pushing the General's Mansion to the brink of life and death, and whether the people of the General's Mansion could survive this crisis remained to be seen.
Amidst the chaos, touching scenes unfolded. Some soldiers shielded guests from attacks by men in black with their own bodies; some maids, after helping the women escape, returned to aid the wounded; everyone in the general's mansion strived for survival and protection. Their unity and courage, in this darkest hour, illuminated the path forward like beams of light, bringing a glimmer of hope to this brutal battle.
However, seeing the situation spiraling out of control, the leader of the men in black decided to change tactics. He blew a special whistle, their signal to assemble. Upon hearing the whistle, the men in black began their retreat towards the agreed-upon location. They fought their way out, attempting to shake off the pursuit of the general's men. But Xiao Yichen was not about to let them off so easily; he led his soldiers in hot pursuit, and a chase was about to begin. The crisis of this Mid-Autumn Festival night was far from over.
The General's Mansion, shrouded in moonlight, was now filled with bloodshed and chaos. Lin Wan'er rushed anxiously towards the inner quarters, her heart pounding in her chest as if it would burst. Every step was filled with urgency and worry, her skirt fluttering in the wind as she ran.
When she rushed into the inner courtyard, the scene before her made her gasp. In the firelight, the screams of the women, the cold faces of the men in black, and the brandishing weapons intertwined, creating a hellish picture. Lin Wan'er suppressed her fear, gripped the wooden stick tightly, and searched the chaotic scene for someone she could help.
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of an unusual dark figure flashing past the flower bushes. The figure moved with extreme stealth, but Lin Wan'er, having grown up in the treacherous environment of the palace, possessed a unique and keen intuition for danger. Her gaze immediately locked onto that direction, and her body tensed, like a wary fawn.
Lin Wan'er cautiously approached the spot where the dark figure had flashed by, trying to make as little noise as possible. Every step was taken with extreme care, her eyes fixed on the area around the flowerbed, not missing a single sound. The shouts and cries around her seemed to fade into the distance; her world consisted only of that suspicious flowerbed and the potential danger lurking within.
As she approached the flowerbed, a faint smell of blood wafted towards her. Her heart tightened; she knew the man in black was likely nearby. Holding her breath, she crouched down and peered through the gaps in the flowers. Sure enough, deep in the shadows, a man in black stood with his back to her, a dagger dripping blood from his hand. Lin Wan'er's heart clenched; she knew this man in black must have just harmed someone from the General's mansion again.
Anger surged within Lin Wan'er. She gripped the wooden stick tightly, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the man in black when he was off guard. However, just as she was about to act, another thought flashed through her mind: Could this man in black have accomplices? If she acted rashly, would she find herself in an even more dangerous situation? Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead as she struggled between hesitation and anger.
In the instant Lin Wan'er hesitated, the man in black seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around. Lin Wan'er's heart leaped into her throat. Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze. A hint of surprise flickered in the man's cold gaze; he clearly hadn't expected to be discovered here. After a brief moment of astonishment, Lin Wan'er reacted quickly, raising her wooden stick and slashing it fiercely at the man in black.
The man in black dodged Lin Wan'er's attack with a swift sidestep. A contemptuous smile curled at the corner of his lips, as if mocking Lin Wan'er's overestimation of her abilities. "Hmph, little girl, you're courting death." The man in black's hoarse voice rang out in the air as he raised his dagger and thrust it towards Lin Wan'er.
Lin Wan'er was startled, but she did not back down. Her years of survival experience in the palace allowed her to remain calm in this critical moment. She nimbly jumped back, avoiding the attack of the man in black. At the same time, she looked around, searching for usable terrain and objects to fight back against the man in black.
Meanwhile, the battle raged fiercely inside the inner quarters. Other men in black continued their frenzied attacks on the women and maids, while soldiers were on their way. Lin Wan'er knew she had to hold off this man in black and wait for reinforcements. Her gaze fell upon a water vat not far away, and an idea formed in her mind.
Lin Wan'er started running towards the water vat, and the man in black immediately gave chase. He assumed Lin Wan'er was fleeing in a panic, unaware that it was a trap she had set. When Lin Wan'er reached the water vat, she suddenly stopped and turned to face the man in black. Caught off guard by her sudden stop, the man in black was momentarily caught off guard.
Just as the man in black approached, Lin Wan'er used all her strength to push the water vat towards him. The vat rolled on the ground, its speed increasing as it hurtled towards the man in black. The man in black quickly jumped aside, trying to avoid the vat. But Lin Wan'er had anticipated his reaction. Taking advantage of the moment he dodged the vat, she raised her wooden stick again and struck him. This time, the stick struck the man in black's arm heavily, and the dagger fell from his hand.
The man in black winced in pain and roared. He glared at Lin Wan'er, his eyes filled with rage and murderous intent. "You bitch, how dare you hurt me!" the man in black said, lunging at Lin Wan'er, preparing to strangle her with both hands.
Lin Wan'er was not intimidated by the man in black's imposing aura; she knew she couldn't back down now. She dodged to the side, avoiding his attack, and then swept her wooden stick towards his leg. The man in black was struck again, staggered, and fell to the ground.
Taking advantage of the moment, Lin Wan'er picked up the dagger from the ground and pointed it at the man in black. Her hand trembled slightly, but her eyes were incredibly determined. "Stop doing evil!" Lin Wan'er shouted. The man in black looked at the dagger in Lin Wan'er's hand, a flicker of fear in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anger. "Do you think you can stop me?" the man in black said, preparing to get up again.
Just then, the soldiers from the General's Mansion finally arrived at the inner courtyard. Seeing Lin Wan'er confronting the man in black, they immediately rushed over and surrounded him. The man in black, realizing the situation was dire, tried to escape, but the soldiers blocked his path. With the combined efforts of the soldiers, the man in black was finally subdued.
Lin Wan'er breathed a sigh of relief, her body trembling slightly as the tension and fear from moments before surged back into her heart. She felt dizzy and almost couldn't stand. But she knew that now was not the time to rest; there were still other men in black wreaking havoc inside the General's Mansion, and many more people needed help.
Lin Wan'er mustered her spirits and said to the soldiers, "Go help out in other places, I'll take care of this." The soldiers hesitated for a moment, but seeing the determination in Lin Wan'er's eyes, they nodded and ran off to other places.
Lin Wan'er began helping the women and maids in the inner quarters. She directed everyone to hide in a safe place and bandaged the wounds of the injured. During this process, her eyes remained vigilantly scanning the surroundings, worried that other men in black might be lurking nearby.
Elsewhere in the General's Mansion, the battle had reached a fever pitch. Xiao Yichen engaged in fierce combat with the men in black in the banquet courtyard. His swordsmanship flowed like clouds and water, each move repelling his enemies. But the men in black were extremely tenacious, relentlessly launching attacks, attempting to break through Xiao Yichen's defenses.
In the backyard of the General's Mansion, the fire continued to spread. Soldiers struggled to extinguish the flames while also battling the men in black. Black smoke filled the entire backyard, making it difficult to breathe. Despite these harsh conditions, the people of the General's Mansion persevered, driven by a single belief: to protect the General's Mansion and their families.
Lin Wan'er was busy in the inner quarters, her heart filled with worry for the General's Mansion. She knew this crisis was unprecedented and needed to be resolved as soon as possible. She silently prayed that the disaster would end soon and the General's Mansion could return to its former peace.
However, just when Lin Wan'er thought she was temporarily safe, she noticed a suspicious movement in a corner of the inner courtyard. Her heart tightened again, and she picked up her weapon and headed in that direction. She knew that the battle with the men in black was far from over, and she had to remain vigilant and continue fighting for the safety of the General's Mansion.
As Lin Wan'er approached, the suspicious noise grew louder. Her heart pounded faster, and she gripped her weapon tighter. When she reached a corner, she found only a frightened kitten. Lin Wan'er breathed a sigh of relief, but she didn't let her guard down, knowing that in this perilous night, any negligence could have irreversible consequences. She comforted the kitten and continued her patrol of the General's Mansion. Her figure stood out resolute in the moonlight and firelight, becoming a protective line of defense within the mansion.
On this tense night, Lin Wan'er's vigilance became a beacon of hope for the General's Mansion. Every discovery and action she took added a layer of security to the mansion. Meanwhile, the other members of the General's Mansion were also fighting against the men in black at their respective posts. Together, they formed a strong fortress to protect their home, waging an indomitable struggle against this sudden disaster.
In the following days, Lin Wan'er, relying on her vigilance and courage, repeatedly discovered traces of the men in black. She promptly notified the soldiers, preventing further casualties and destruction. Her presence acted as a silent alarm, giving the General's Mansion more opportunities to respond amidst the chaos. As time passed, the battle between the General's Mansion and the men in black gradually entered a critical stage, and it remained uncertain which side would ultimately prevail. But Lin Wan'er and the people of the General's Mansion did not give up; they held firm in the darkness, awaiting the dawn.
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