As dawn broke, the soft light bathed the city's streets and alleys, yet failed to dispel the gloom that shrouded people's hearts. Xiao Yichen stood tall and straight in the courtyard of his mansion, his gaze resolute, while Lin Wan'er beside him wore a similarly solemn expression. Today, following the alliance's meticulously planned strategy, they would conduct a comprehensive and in-depth investigation into Murong Xuan's remaining businesses in the city, and gradually implement severe measures to sever his economic ties and weaken his deeply entrenched influence in the city.
"Wan'er, this operation concerns the safety and future of the entire city, and there can be no mistakes." Xiao Yichen's voice was deep and firm, echoing like a great bell in the silent courtyard.
Lin Wan'er nodded slightly, clutching a detailed intelligence file in her hand—the culmination of their days of covert investigation. "General," she said, "I have a complete understanding of the distribution, operations, and personnel composition of Murong Xuan's various businesses. We can start with his cloth shops. These shops not only control most of the city's cloth supply but also secretly provide cover for his other illegal activities."
Xiao Yichen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "The cloth shop has a complex business relationship and is intricately connected with many merchants and ordinary people. When we take action, we must be careful to distinguish between different groups and not disrupt the normal lives of ordinary people. We can first send our shrewd and capable subordinates, disguised as ordinary customers, to infiltrate the cloth shop and investigate its source of goods, inventory, and cash flow channels."
Lin Wan'er responded and then turned to arrange for the men. A short while later, a team of well-trained spies quietly set off, blending into the city's crowds. They were dressed simply, and their mannerisms were no different from ordinary people, but their eyes revealed alertness and keenness.
The spies first arrived at Murongxuan Fabric Shop, located in a bustling area of the city center. Inside, the shop was filled with a dazzling array of silks and satins, and the shop assistants greeted each customer with smiles and enthusiasm. The spies pretended to be selecting fabrics, wandering around the shop while secretly observing everything.
One of the spies deliberately struck up a conversation with the shop assistant: "Young man, your cloth shop is doing really well. The quality of the fabric is excellent, and the price is fair. However, I've heard that the situation in the city has been rather unstable lately. Is your supply of goods keeping up?"
The shop assistant replied with a smile, "Don't worry, sir. Our cloth shop has a big boss backing us up, so the supply of goods is naturally not a problem. Even in these chaotic times, we can guarantee an ample supply."
The spy's heart skipped a beat, and he continued, "Oh? Then your big boss must have extraordinary methods. May I ask where this fabric is transported from?"
The shop assistant paused slightly, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes, but still smiled and said, "Sir, this is a trade secret of our fabric shop, and we cannot disclose it. If you really like this fabric, please feel free to choose."
Seeing that the shop assistant was becoming wary, the spy stopped pressing the matter and cleverly changed the subject. During their casual conversation, he learned that the cloth shop's warehouse was located in a remote valley outside the city, a heavily guarded place that was difficult for ordinary people to approach.
Meanwhile, other spies also discovered clues in various corners of the fabric shop. They found a secret room in the back hall of the shop, guarded by a special person, which seemed to be hiding some important secret.
The spies quickly reported the intelligence they had gathered to Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er. After listening to the report, Xiao Yichen made up his mind.
“Wan’er, it seems there are many secrets behind this cloth shop. Let’s first send people to secretly monitor the area around the shop, find out the patterns of their people coming and going and the routes of their goods. Then, we can formulate a detailed plan to strike,” Xiao Yichen said.
Lin Wan'er nodded in agreement. So, under the cover of night, a group of soldiers quietly infiltrated a hidden location around the cloth shop and began a long and patient surveillance operation.
After several days of observation, they finally obtained crucial information about the cloth shop. It turned out that Murong Xuan's cloth shop not only smuggled contraband high-end fabrics from outside the city, but also used its network to secretly transport weapons and intelligence. The secret room was where important documents and valuables were stored.
Upon learning of this news, Xiao Yichen decided to take immediate action. He personally led a team of elite soldiers and launched a surprise attack on the cloth shop under the cover of night.
Soldiers swiftly surrounded the cloth shop like ghosts, blocking all exits. Xiao Yichen was the first to rush into the shop, engaging in fierce combat with the defending enemies. His swordsmanship was ruthless, each strike carrying deadly power, and enemies fell one after another before him.
Lin Wan'er led another squad of soldiers straight to the secret chamber in the back hall. They cleverly dealt with the guards at the door and opened the door. Inside, the chamber was piled high with gold and silver treasures, important documents, and some smuggled goods. Lin Wan'er quickly directed her soldiers to move these items out, while simultaneously assigning someone to organize and analyze the documents, hoping to find more clues about the remnants of Murong Xuan's faction.
In the battle at the cloth shop, Murong Xuan's remaining forces fought desperately, but ultimately could not withstand the fierce attacks of Xiao Yichen and his men. The cloth shop was successfully destroyed, and a large amount of goods and property were confiscated, dealing a heavy blow to Murong Xuan's cloth business in the city.
However, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were not satisfied with this. They knew that Murong Xuan owned many businesses in the city, and the cloth shop was only one of them. Next, they set their sights on Murong Xuan's winery.
Murong Xuan's winery is located in a secluded spot in the southeast of the city, a place shaded by green trees and with a beautiful environment. But beneath this beautiful exterior, many unknown sins are hidden.
Lin Wan'er learned through intelligence that the winery not only produced and sold fine wines, but also secretly brewed a potent poison used by Murong Xuan's remnants for assassinations and sabotage. Furthermore, the winery colluded with some mountain bandits outside the city, providing them with wine and supplies in exchange for their protection.
Xiao Yichen decided to use a strategy of cunning. He sent one of his men, disguised as a wealthy merchant, to the winery to order a large quantity of fine wine. The winery owner was overjoyed to have such a big customer and immediately went to personally receive him.
"Boss, I've heard that your winery's wines are renowned far and wide, so I've come today to place an order for a batch to be shipped out for sale. I wonder if your winery can meet my needs?" the subordinate said, feigning wealth and power.
The winery owner smiled and said, "Of course, sir. We can provide as much as you need. However, regarding the price..."
The subordinate waved his hand and said, "Price is not a problem, as long as the quality of the wine is good. However, I have a small request: I would like to visit your winery's winemaking process so that I can have a better understanding of it."
The winery owner hesitated for a moment, and although he had some doubts, he eventually agreed to his request after being persuaded by his subordinates.
Led by the winery owner, his men entered the winery's brewing workshop. While pretending to admire the brewing process, he secretly observed the surrounding environment, searching for the location of the poison's brewing and evidence of collusion with the bandits.
During the tour, one of his men spotted a small hut hidden in a corner, heavily guarded at the entrance, which seemed highly suspicious. He feigned curiosity and asked, "Boss, what's that hut used for? Why is it so heavily guarded?"
The winery owner's expression changed, and he quickly said, "Oh, that's where we store some odds and ends, there's nothing to see there. Sir, let's go look at other places instead."
His subordinate became even more certain of the hut's suspiciousness, but he didn't reveal it and continued to tour the winery with the owner.
After the visit, the subordinates returned to the city and reported in detail what they had seen and heard to Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er.
After hearing the report, Xiao Yichen immediately devised a plan to attack the winery. He led his soldiers under cover of night, quietly approaching the winery.
When they arrived near the winery, they found that there were indeed many bandits patrolling the area. Xiao Yichen decided to deal with these bandits first to avoid alerting the others.
He ordered his soldiers to split into small teams and launch a surprise attack on the bandits from different directions. Caught completely off guard, the bandits were caught off guard and fled in all directions.
After dealing with the bandits, Xiao Yichen led his soldiers into the winery. Although the enemies inside put up a fierce resistance, they were eventually defeated by Xiao Yichen and his men's relentless attack.
They found the small hut hidden in the corner, and upon opening the door, they discovered numerous equipment for brewing poison and the poison already prepared. Xiao Yichen ordered all the poison to be destroyed, and at the same time, confiscated all the wine and valuables in the winery, sealing it off.
With the successive crackdowns on the cloth shop and winery, Murong Xuan's businesses in the city suffered enormous losses. His economic resources were drastically reduced, and his influence gradually diminished. However, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er knew their mission was far from over; many more of Murong Xuan's businesses needed their investigation and dismantling. They would continue resolutely along this thorny path, sparing no effort to protect the city's people and restore its peace and prosperity.
Amidst the changing winds, the struggle between the Alliance and Murong Xuan gradually intensified. Murong Xuan, the villain who had once been suppressed by the Alliance, now revealed his true colors like a long-dormant venomous snake, launching a breathtaking counterattack.
Murong Xuan knew that a direct assault on the alliance would be no easy task, so he decided to use his carefully cultivated network of contacts and the mysterious forces he had secretly nurtured to launch a series of surprise attacks and sabotage against the alliance members.
On a dark and stormy night, Murong Xuan's men stealthily infiltrated an important branch of the Alliance. This branch was nestled in a treacherous valley, a strategically important and easily defensible location, normally heavily guarded. However, Murong Xuan's men moved like ghosts, skillfully evading the patrols and sneaking into the branch. They first set fire to the stables; instantly, flames soared into the sky, the horses' neighing shattering the night's tranquility. The disciples within the branch were awakened by this sudden turn of events and rushed to the stables to extinguish the fire. Just as everyone was in a panic, Murong Xuan's experts appeared like phantoms, wielding sharp blades and killing indiscriminately. In an instant, the branch was a scene of carnage, filled with screams and blood. Although the Alliance disciples fought valiantly, the suddenness of the attack and the overwhelming force of the enemy left them in a highly disadvantageous position.
Meanwhile, in another allied town a hundred miles away, Murong Xuan's forces were also secretly plotting. They poisoned the town's water source; the colorless and odorless poison quickly spread through the water. The next morning, when the town's residents went to drink the water as usual, they collapsed, poisoned and groaning in pain. Lin Yu, the alliance's leader in the area, was frantic with worry. He organized people to treat the poisoned people while strengthening the city's defenses to prevent an enemy attack. However, Murong Xuan's goal was not to attack the city; he merely wanted to create chaos and damage the alliance's prestige among the people.
As these attacks and sabotages unfolded, some discontent began to emerge within the alliance. Some members, already harboring doubts about the alliance's leadership, now complained bitterly. They felt the alliance had been too weak in responding to Murong Xuan's counterattack and feared they would become Murong Xuan's next target. Arguments rose and fell throughout the alliance's council chamber.
"We can't just sit here and wait to die! Murong Xuan's offensive is getting fiercer and fiercer, we must take the initiative!" A radical alliance elder slammed his fist on the table and said angrily.
“However, we are still unclear about Murong Xuan’s power distribution. A blind attack will only put us in greater danger,” another elder retorted with a frown and a worried expression.
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er stood aside, watching the argument with great anxiety. They knew that the alliance was facing an unprecedented crisis, and if they couldn't resolve the internal conflicts in time and unite to fight against Murong Xuan, the alliance might completely collapse in this struggle.
Xiao Yichen stepped forward, his gaze sweeping firmly over the crowd. He said, “Elders, now is not the time for arguments. Murong Xuan’s counterattack has indeed caused us considerable trouble, but we cannot afford to lose our composure. Our first priority is to appease the people, treat the poisoned, and strengthen the defenses of our various branch strongholds and towns. Wan’er and I will lead an elite team to investigate Murong Xuan’s power distribution and locate his stronghold. Only in this way can we fundamentally solve the problem.”
After hearing Xiao Yichen's words, everyone gradually quieted down. They knew that Xiao Yichen was always intelligent and brave, and had a high reputation in the alliance. Perhaps he really could lead everyone through this difficult time.
So, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er selected fifty of the most elite disciples in the alliance to form a team and embarked on a journey to find Murong Xuan's lair. Following the trail of Murong Xuan's men, they investigated and overcame numerous dangers, finally arriving at the edge of a remote valley.
The valley was shrouded in mist, its entrance sealed by a massive stone gate covered in mysterious runes, exuding an eerie aura. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er cautiously approached the gate, sensing that Murong Xuan's lair lay within this valley.
"Yichen, this place looks very dangerous. We need to be careful," Lin Wan'er whispered a reminder.
Xiao Yichen nodded, signaling his disciples to spread out and form a defensive formation. He and Lin Wan'er then slowly approached the stone gate. Just as they were about to reach it, suddenly, the runes on the stone gate flashed with a dazzling light, followed by countless arrows shooting out from the hidden holes on both sides of the gate. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er reacted quickly, drawing their swords and deflecting the incoming arrows.
"It seems Murong Xuan was prepared. We can't launch a direct attack," Xiao Yichen said, frowning.
Lin Wan'er looked around and noticed an inconspicuous little hole next to the stone gate, hidden by some weeds. An idea struck her, and she said to Xiao Yichen, "Yichen, look over there. Perhaps we can go in through that hole."
Xiao Yichen looked in the direction Lin Wan'er pointed, nodded, and said, "Okay, let's go take a look first."
So, they led their disciples quietly to the small cave entrance. Xiao Yichen went in first, followed closely by Lin Wan'er and the disciples. The entrance was very narrow, only wide enough for one person to pass through, and the passage was winding and dark. They cautiously made their way forward when suddenly, they heard light footsteps ahead. Xiao Yichen immediately signaled everyone to stop. He held his breath and listened quietly to the direction of the footsteps.
A moment later, a person dressed in black night clothes appeared in their line of sight. Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity, rushed forward, and instantly subdued the person.
"Tell me, where is Murong Xuan?" Xiao Yichen asked in a low voice.
The man in black sneered and said, "Do you think you can find your master? You've already fallen into his trap, and today is your death day!"
After speaking, the man in black suddenly broke free from Xiao Yichen's control. He drew a dagger from his waist and stabbed at Xiao Yichen. Xiao Yichen dodged to the side, easily avoiding the attack, and then swung his sword backhand, knocking the man in black to the ground.
"It seems we need to be careful; there are traps everywhere here," Xiao Yichen said seriously, looking at the man in black on the ground.
They continued along the passage, carefully avoiding various traps. Finally, they emerged from the passage into a spacious hall. The hall was filled with precious treasures, and the walls were adorned with exquisite paintings. However, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er had no time to appreciate these things; they knew that Murong Xuan must be nearby.
Just then, a sinister laugh echoed from the depths of the hall. "Hahahaha, Xiao Yichen, Lin Wan'er, you've finally arrived."
Murong Xuan slowly walked out from the depths of the hall, followed by a group of experts, each with a cold expression and a murderous intent in their eyes.
"Murong Xuan, your evil deeds have aroused public outrage, today is your end!" Xiao Yichen glared at Murong Xuan and shouted.
Murong Xuan smiled dismissively and said, "Doomsday? Do you think you can defeat me? I have set up numerous traps in this valley. You will not be able to escape today!"
After speaking, Murong Xuan waved his hand, and the experts behind him immediately rushed towards Xiao Yichen and the others. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were not afraid at all, and they led their disciples in a fierce battle against Murong Xuan's men.
During the battle, Xiao Yichen unleashed his signature move, the "Gentle Breeze Sword Technique." His sword moved like a gentle breeze, elusive and unpredictable, each strike aimed at the enemy's vital points. Lin Wan'er, on the other hand, employed the "Phantom Blade Technique." Her figure moved like a phantom, weaving freely among the enemies, her blade flashing, and wherever she went, enemies fell.
However, Murong Xuan's men were no ordinary people either. They fought back desperately, and for a time, the two sides were locked in a stalemate.
Just then, Xiao Yichen spotted an opening in Murong Xuan's defenses. Seizing the opportunity, he used a swift, light movement to leap over the crowd and directly attack Murong Xuan. Startled, Murong Xuan quickly retreated. Xiao Yichen pursued relentlessly, his sword flashing like lightning, aiming for Murong Xuan's chest. Left with no other choice, Murong Xuan drew his sword and engaged Xiao Yichen in a one-on-one duel.
Both men were highly skilled swordsmen; their swords flashed and sparks flew. Lin Wan'er tried to help, but was held back by Murong Xuan's men.
In the fierce duel, Xiao Yichen gradually gained the upper hand. His swordsmanship became increasingly fierce, and Murong Xuan was gradually finding it difficult to defend himself. Suddenly, Xiao Yichen shouted and unleashed the final move of the "Clear Wind Sword Technique," "Clear Wind Breaks the Clouds." A dazzling sword light flashed, Murong Xuan's sword was knocked from his hand, and his chest was slashed by Xiao Yichen's sword.
Murong Xuan's face turned pale; he knew he had lost. Just as Xiao Yichen was about to finish him off with a single sword strike, suddenly, a melodious flute tune filled the hall. The flute music, like a mysterious force, made everyone present feel dizzy.
Xiao Yichen was startled; he knew that Murong Xuan's reinforcements must have arrived. He quickly sheathed his sword and retreated with Lin Wan'er and his disciples. Murong Xuan seized the opportunity to hide deep within the hall.
"Let's retreat first, it's too dangerous here!" Xiao Yichen shouted.
So they quickly retreated from Murong Xuan's stronghold along the passage. Although they hadn't completely defeated Murong Xuan this time, they had found his lair and dealt him a heavy blow.
Back in the alliance, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er recounted their experience to everyone. Upon hearing it, everyone expressed their admiration. At the same time, they realized that Murong Xuan's power was far greater than they had imagined, and they needed to unite more closely and train even harder to achieve victory in future battles.
In the days that followed, the alliance began a large-scale reorganization and training. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er personally instructed their disciples in martial arts training. At the same time, they strengthened cooperation with other martial arts forces to jointly fight against Murong Xuan.
Meanwhile, Murong Xuan, though injured in his duel with Xiao Yichen, did not abandon his plan for revenge. While recovering, he continued to plot his next attack on the alliance. He knew that the struggle against the alliance was far from over…
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