The sudden appearance of the mysterious army brought a brief stalemate to the previously intense and chaotic trading scene. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiao Yichen led the remaining guards to quickly move together, forming a defensive formation and vigilantly observing their surroundings.
Although Murong Xuan was alarmed, he maintained his composure. He ordered his soldiers to be on high alert, while keeping his eyes fixed on the leader of the mysterious army. The leader was dressed in black, with a lithe and agile figure, a cold and stern face, and an aura of power emanating from him.
"Who are you? Why are you interfering in my affairs with Xiao Yichen?" Murong Xuan questioned loudly.
The mysterious leader sneered, "Murong Xuan, you harbor ulterior motives, attempting to exploit grain trade for personal gain and territorial expansion. How could we stand idly by?"
Murong Xuan's face darkened: "Hmph, when did it become your business to interfere in my affairs? This is a transaction between the Mu Kingdom and the Rong Kingdom. Don't meddle, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
As the two sides remained deadlocked, Xiao Yichen's mind raced, trying to recall the origins of this mysterious army. Looking at the familiar insignia on the banner, memories flooded back. It turned out this army was formed by his father's former troops. Years ago, Xiao Zhentian had saved a group of lives on the battlefield. Deeply grateful, after Xiao Zhentian's death, they secretly gathered their strength, protecting certain secrets and interests in his name. Now, learning of Xiao Yichen's predicament, they rushed to his aid without hesitation.
A warm feeling welled up in Xiao Yichen's heart, but he also knew that the crisis was not over. Murong Xuan would not let them off easily, and they had to find a way to break through as soon as possible.
"Mr. Chen, what do you think we should do now?" Xiao Yichen asked his strategist Chen Feng in a low voice.
Chen Feng pondered for a moment: "Young Master, although this mysterious army has temporarily relieved our pressure, we still need to be careful. Murong Xuan's power in the capital is enormous, and he must have other plans. I suggest that we join forces with the mysterious army to break through Murong Xuan's encirclement first, and then look for an opportunity to leave the Mu Kingdom."
Xiao Yichen nodded: "That's the only way."
So Xiao Yichen called out to the leader of the mysterious army, "Thank you for your help, General. We are in danger now, please help us break through the encirclement."
The mysterious leader nodded slightly: "Young Master Xiao, rest assured, now that we're here, we won't stand idly by."
Having said that, the mysterious army, in coordination with Xiao Yichen's guards, launched a fierce attack on Murong Xuan's soldiers. Xiao Yichen also wielded his longsword, fighting bravely. His swordsmanship was sharp and fierce, each strike carrying great power and precise angles, making it difficult for the enemy to defend themselves.
Seeing the situation was dire, Murong Xuan was secretly furious. He hadn't expected Xiao Yichen to have reinforcements, and this army was extremely powerful. But he was unwilling to accept defeat, so he personally commanded his soldiers to intensify the attack.
The battle reached its climax, with shouts of battle and screams mingling together, and blood staining the ground of the trading area. Xiao Yichen gradually realized that although Murong Xuan's soldiers were numerous, their fighting spirit was weak. Many soldiers were merely following orders and not truly fighting for Murong Xuan.
"It seems Murong Xuan is unpopular in the Mu Kingdom," Xiao Yichen thought to himself.
So, he devised a plan. While fighting, Xiao Yichen shouted, "Soldiers of the Mu Kingdom, why do you fight for an ambitious man like Murong Xuan? He disregards the lives of the people and only thinks of his own selfish desires. Lay down your weapons, and we will not make things difficult for you!"
Xiao Yichen's shout caused many of the Mu soldiers to waver. They began to hesitate, and their attacks slowed. Seeing this, Murong Xuan shouted, "Who among you dares to disobey my orders? I will not let you off lightly!"
However, his reprimands had little effect. Some soldiers began to secretly lay down their weapons and withdraw from the battle. A gap gradually appeared in Murong Xuan's encirclement.
Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yichen led his guards and the mysterious army toward a gap in the encirclement. Seeing this, Murong Xuan personally led a squad of elite soldiers to intercept them.
"Xiao Yichen, you think you can leave? Not so easy!" Murong Xuan roared.
He brandished his longsword and charged towards Xiao Yichen. Xiao Yichen, undeterred, met him head-on. The two instantly clashed, their swords flashing and their attacks dazzling the eye.
Xiao Yichen's swordsmanship was exquisite, while Murong Xuan's saber technique was fierce and powerful; for a time, the two were evenly matched. However, Xiao Yichen knew in his heart that he could not fight Murong Xuan here for long. He had to get rid of Murong Xuan as soon as possible and lead everyone to break through the encirclement.
So, Xiao Yichen feinted with his sword, then turned and lunged at a Mu soldier beside him. He took the soldier hostage and held his sword to his neck.
"Murong Xuan, tell your men to get out of the way, or I'll kill him!" Xiao Yichen shouted.
Murong Xuan was startled; he hadn't expected Xiao Yichen to resort to such a move. He looked at Xiao Yichen, his eyes filled with anger and helplessness.
"Xiao Yichen, this is a despicable tactic!" Murong Xuan said through gritted teeth.
Xiao Yichen sneered, "Murong Xuan, you framed me first with your schemes and tricks. I was just protecting myself. Tell your men to get out of the way!"
Murong Xuan hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to make way. Xiao Yichen, holding the soldier hostage, slowly retreated. The guards and the mysterious army followed closely behind, vigilantly watching their surroundings.
Once they had retreated to a certain distance, Xiao Yichen released the soldier and led everyone to quickly flee the transaction site. Murong Xuan watched Xiao Yichen's departing figure, his heart filled with anger and resentment.
"Xiao Yichen, I will not let you get away with this!" Murong Xuan roared.
After escaping the transaction site, Xiao Yichen and his group remained vigilant. They knew that Murong Xuan would not let the matter rest and would definitely send people to hunt them down. Therefore, they rushed towards the border of the Murong Kingdom without stopping.
During his escape, Xiao Yichen expressed his gratitude to the leader of the mysterious army.
"General, thanks to your timely rescue today, otherwise I, Xiao Yichen, would probably be in grave danger. I am deeply grateful and will repay your kindness if I have the opportunity in the future," Xiao Yichen said.
The mysterious leader smiled slightly: "Young Master Xiao, you are too kind. We are all former subordinates of General Xiao, and it is our duty to protect you."
After a difficult escape, Xiao Yichen and his companions finally approached the border of the Mu Kingdom. However, just as they were about to cross the border, Murong Xuan's pursuers arrived.
"Xiao Yichen, where do you think you're going!" the leader of the pursuers shouted.
Xiao Yichen's heart tightened; he knew a fierce battle was inevitable. He turned to the guards and the mysterious army and said, "Everyone, prepare for battle! We must hold the border and not let them catch up!"
So everyone dismounted and formed a defensive formation. Seeing this, Murong Xuan's pursuers launched an attack without hesitation. Xiao Yichen and the others fought bravely, and the battle resumed.
This battle was even more intense than before, because both sides knew that this was the final showdown. Xiao Yichen brandished his longsword, weaving through the enemy ranks. He had already sustained multiple injuries, but he continued to fight tenaciously.
The guards and soldiers of the mysterious army were all brave and fearless, protecting Xiao Yichen and everyone else's safety with their lives. During the battle, Xiao Yichen discovered that some of Murong Xuan's pursuers were highly skilled fighters who posed a significant threat to them.
"Everyone, be careful of those experts!" Xiao Yichen shouted a warning.
Upon hearing this, everyone focused their attention on the experts. They cooperated with each other, attempting to subdue them. After a fierce battle, Xiao Yichen and his group finally succeeded in repelling Murong Xuan's pursuers.
"Young Master, let's leave quickly. If we don't leave soon, Murong Xuan might send even more people," Chen Feng said anxiously.
Xiao Yichen nodded, gazing at the land of the Mu Kingdom behind him, his heart filled with emotion. This trip to the Mu Kingdom had made him deeply aware of Murong Xuan's ambition and schemes, and it had also made him realize that in this chaotic world, he must be even more careful and cautious in order to protect himself and those around him.
"Let's go!" Xiao Yichen gave the order, and the group crossed the border and entered Rong Kingdom.
Upon returning to Rong Kingdom, Xiao Yichen did not immediately return to the capital. He led his guards and the mysterious army to a secluded valley for temporary rest. In the valley, Xiao Yichen recuperated while pondering his next course of action.
He knew that although Murong Xuan had been temporarily repelled, he would certainly not give up. He would definitely find a way to retaliate, and the relationship between the Mu and Rong kingdoms had become even more tense because of this incident. Xiao Yichen had to inform the Rong court of the situation as soon as possible so that the court could make preparations.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen was also worried about the fake grain. Although he had successfully escaped, Murong Xuan had already discovered that the grain was counterfeit. He feared that Murong Xuan would use this as an excuse to launch a war against the Rong Kingdom.
"Mr. Chen, do you think Murong Xuan might launch a war against Rong Kingdom because of the fake grain incident?" Xiao Yichen asked.
Chen Feng pondered for a moment: "Young Master, Murong Xuan is a possibility. But he also needs to consider the strength of Rong Kingdom. I think he might take some other measures first, such as creating chaos within Rong Kingdom or uniting with some opposing forces to weaken Rong Kingdom's power."
Xiao Yichen nodded: "Yes, we must take measures as soon as possible to prevent Murong Xuan's retaliation."
While Xiao Yichen was resting in the valley, Murong Xuan was furious in the Mu Kingdom palace. He summoned all the officials and soldiers in charge of grain trade and severely reprimanded them.
"You're all good-for-nothings! You can't even tell if a batch of grain is real or fake, and that brat Xiao Yichen got away! What use are you to me?" Murong Xuan roared.
The officials and soldiers all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound. Murong Xuan looked at them, his anger burning ever brighter.
"I'm giving you three days. You must come up with a way to take revenge on Xiao Yichen and Rong Kingdom. Otherwise, none of you will live!" Murong Xuan said viciously.
The officials and soldiers were terrified upon hearing this. They knew that Murong Xuan was always ruthless and true to his word. They had to come up with a way to save their lives as soon as possible.
In the capital of Rong Kingdom, Lin Wan'er breathed a sigh of relief upon learning that Xiao Yichen had safely returned. However, she also knew that the matter was not yet over. She decided to travel to the valley where Xiao Yichen was to discuss countermeasures with him.
"Young Master Xiao, I'm here," Lin Wan'er said silently to herself, and then embarked on her journey to the valley.
When Lin Wan'er arrived at the valley, Xiao Yichen and the others were very surprised.
“Miss Lin, why are you here? It’s dangerous here, you shouldn’t have come,” Xiao Yichen said.
Lin Wan'er smiled slightly: "Young Master Xiao, I know you are in a dangerous situation right now, how could I not come? Perhaps I can be of some help."
Xiao Yichen felt a surge of emotion: "Miss Lin, I appreciate your kindness. But it's really dangerous here, you should return to the capital as soon as possible."
Lin Wan'er shook her head: "Young Master Xiao, I won't leave. I have mind-reading abilities, and I can help you find out Murong Xuan's plans."
Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, Miss Lin. Since you insist, then stay. But you must be careful."
So Lin Wan'er stayed in the valley to discuss strategies with Xiao Yichen and the others to deal with Murong Xuan's retaliation. They knew that a new crisis was about to break, and they had to unite to overcome it.
During their time in the valley, Xiao Yichen recuperated while discussing countermeasures with Lin Wan'er, Chen Feng, and others. They analyzed the various methods Murong Xuan might use and formulated corresponding preventative measures.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen also sent someone to the Rong Kingdom court to inform the emperor and ministers of the details of his trip to the Mu Kingdom. Upon learning of this, the Rong Kingdom court attached great importance to the matter, immediately strengthened its border defenses, and began investigating whether there were any spies within the country working for Murong Xuan.
After three days of deliberation in the Mu Kingdom, Murong Xuan finally devised a plan to retaliate against Xiao Yichen and the Rong Kingdom. He decided to send an elite team of assassins to infiltrate the Rong Kingdom and assassinate Xiao Yichen and some of its important officials. He believed that once Xiao Yichen and the important officials were dead, the Rong Kingdom would fall into chaos, allowing him to seize the opportunity to launch a war and realize his ambitions.
"You must set off immediately and complete the mission!" Murong Xuan said to the leader of the assassin team.
The leader of the assassin team accepted the order and departed. They stealthily infiltrated the Rong Kingdom, heading towards the valley where Xiao Yichen was located and the Rong Kingdom's capital. A thrilling assassination and counter-assassination operation was about to unfold in the Rong Kingdom. Could Xiao Yichen and his companions once again successfully defend the peace and tranquility of the Rong Kingdom?
Write Chapter 5, 3000 words.
Chapter Five: The Conspiracy Exposed
The assassin team dispatched by Murong Xuan, like ghosts in the night, silently infiltrated the Rong Kingdom. Each member possessed exceptional skills, adept at concealment and assassination, and held fearsome reputations throughout the martial world. The leader, Shadow Assassin, was a ruthless and cold-blooded killer who had never failed in countless assassination missions, his name striking fear into the hearts of both the righteous and the wicked.
Shadow Fiend led his assassin team, speeding towards the valley where Xiao Yichen was under the cover of night. They avoided the patrol routes of the Rong Kingdom's garrison, choosing instead to travel along secluded and treacherous mountain paths to ensure they remained undetected. Along the way, Shadow Fiend continuously assigned mission details to his subordinates, his eyes gleaming with a chilling killing intent, as if Xiao Yichen and his companions were already his for the taking.
In the valley, while Xiao Yichen and his companions were recuperating and discussing countermeasures, they remained vigilant. Xiao Yichen knew that Murong Xuan would not let him off easily and would definitely send assassins to seek revenge. He arranged multiple groups of sentries to closely monitor the area around the valley, ready to sound an alarm at the slightest sign of trouble.
Lin Wan'er was also using her mind-reading ability to try and sense if there was any danger around her. However, because the assassins were specially trained, their killing intent was hidden very deeply. Lin Wan'er could only occasionally sense a faint abnormality, but she could not determine the specific location or the level of danger.
"Young Master Xiao, I have a feeling that something is not right, but I can't quite put my finger on it," Lin Wan'er said, frowning with a hint of worry on her face.
Xiao Yichen frowned slightly, gripping his longsword tightly. "Miss Lin, your feeling might be right. Murong Xuan's revenge is probably already on its way. Everyone, be on high alert and strengthen your defenses."
Upon hearing this, everyone gripped their weapons tightly, ready for battle. The atmosphere in the valley instantly became tense, as if a storm was about to break.
Shadow Fiend led his assassin team closer and closer to the valley. They hid in the woods outside the valley, observing the movements inside. Seeing the heavy guard in the valley, Shadow Fiend sneered inwardly, "Xiao Yichen, no matter how strong your defenses are, you will not escape death today."
He signaled his men to spread out and infiltrate the valley from different directions, forming an encirclement. The assassins moved with lightning speed, quickly slipping into the valley. They skillfully used trees, rocks, and other cover to avoid the sight of the sentries.
Just as an assassin was about to approach the camp in the valley, suddenly, an owl flew overhead, letting out a sharp cry. The cry sounded particularly abrupt in the silent night sky, alerting the sentries.
"Who?" the sentry shouted, firing a signal arrow at the same time.
The whistling arrow pierced the night sky. Upon hearing the alarm, Xiao Yichen and the others immediately stood up and rushed towards the direction of the whistling arrow.
Shadow Fiend was furious that his whereabouts had been exposed, but he remained calm. He knew that the die was cast and he had no choice but to act.
"Kill!" Shadow Fiend shouted and charged towards the camp in the valley.
The assassins leaped from their hiding places and pounced on Xiao Yichen and his companions. Their weapons gleamed coldly, and their moves were ruthless and merciless.
Xiao Yichen led his guards and the mysterious army to quickly meet the enemy. His swordsmanship was as fluid as flowing water, each strike carrying great power and precise angles, engaging in fierce combat with the assassins.
Lin Wan'er stood aside, using her mind-reading ability to sense the assassins' attack intentions and promptly alerting Xiao Yichen and the guards.
"Young Master Xiao, there are two assassins attacking from the left!" Lin Wan'er shouted.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yichen flashed forward, swinging his longsword to the left, which blocked the attacks of the two assassins.
"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Lin!" Xiao Yichen exclaimed, deeply grateful for Lin Wan'er's mind-reading ability.
During the battle, Xiao Yichen discovered that these assassins were highly skilled, far from ordinary killers. Their teamwork was excellent, and their attacks were well-organized, clearly indicating that they were a meticulously trained elite team.
"Murong Xuan really went to great lengths to kill me," Xiao Yichen thought to himself, but there was no fear in his eyes, only a firm determination.
The guards and soldiers of the mysterious army were all brave and fearless, fighting alongside Xiao Yichen and protecting the camp with their lives. Although the assassins came on strong, they temporarily held off their attacks with their tenacious fighting spirit and excellent combat skills.
However, Ying Sha grew anxious when he saw that his men were having difficulty breaking through Xiao Yichen's defenses. He decided to take matters into his own hands and deal with Xiao Yichen.
Shadow Fiend moved like a ghost, instantly weaving through the crowd and appearing before Xiao Yichen. The dagger in his hand, like a venomous snake's tongue, was aimed at Xiao Yichen's throat.
Sensing the powerful killing intent emanating from Ying Sha, Xiao Yichen dared not be careless. He concentrated his energy, unleashing his strongest sword technique, and engaged in a thrilling duel with Ying Sha.
The two figures clashed in the night sky, their swords flashing and daggers gleaming coldly. Those around them were captivated by their battle, stopping what they were doing to watch intently.
Lin Wan'er used her mind-reading ability to try and disrupt Ying Sha's mind. She continuously created various emotions of fear and doubt in Ying Sha's mind, causing his attacks to slow down slightly.
Xiao Yichen seized the opportunity and unleashed a fierce sword technique, finally forcing Ying Sha to retreat.
"You witch, how dare you use your sorcery to interfere with me!" Ying Sha glared angrily at Lin Wan'er, feeling wary of her mind-reading ability.
Lin Wan'er glared back at Ying Sha without fear: "You assassins, aiding and abetting evil, today is your death day!"
Shadow Fiend snorted coldly and lunged at Xiao Yichen again. He knew that if he couldn't kill Xiao Yichen today, Murong Xuan would definitely not let him off easily when he returned.
Just as Xiao Yichen and Ying Sha were locked in fierce combat, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside the valley. It turned out that a patrol of Rong Kingdom's garrison had heard the commotion in the valley and was coming to provide support.
Seeing the reinforcements arrive, Shadow Demon knew that the mission was unlikely to be completed today. He glanced at Xiao Yichen with resentment, then gave the order to retreat.
"Retreat!" Shadow Fiend shouted, leading the assassins to quickly escape from the valley.
Xiao Yichen and the others watched the assassins' departing figures, but they did not lower their guard. They knew that Murong Xuan's revenge would not stop there, and more dangers awaited them in the future.
"Thank you for your timely assistance, General. Otherwise, we would likely be in grave danger today," Xiao Yichen said to the leader of the garrison patrol.
The patrol leader nodded slightly: "Young Master Xiao, you are too kind. It is our duty to protect the safety of Rong Kingdom. You should return to the capital as soon as possible, as it is not safe here."
Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment: "The general is right. Let's pack our things and return to the capital."
On their way back to the capital, Xiao Yichen and his companions remained cautious. They knew that Murong Xuan might ambush them again along the way.
Upon learning of the assassination attempt's failure in the Mu Kingdom, Murong Xuan flew into a rage. He was furious at Ying Sha's incompetence, but also surprised by Xiao Yichen's tenacious resistance.
"A bunch of useless trash! You can't even kill Xiao Yichen, what use are you to me?" Murong Xuan roared.
Ying Sha knelt on the ground, head bowed, not daring to utter a sound. He knew that Murong Xuan's anger would not be easily quelled.
“Your Highness, we failed because Xiao Yichen had that demoness’s mind-reading ability by his side. Please give me another chance, and I will definitely take Xiao Yichen’s life,” Ying Sha said.
Murong Xuan pondered for a moment: "Hmph, I'll give you one more chance. But if you fail again, you won't need to come back."
"Yes, Your Highness." Shadow Demon accepted the order and left.
After returning to the capital, Xiao Yichen and his entourage immediately went to the palace to report to the emperor the details of their trip to the Mu Kingdom and Murong Xuan's retaliatory actions.
After hearing this, the emperor's face darkened: "Murong Xuan has some nerve! He actually dared to assassinate someone openly within the territory of my Rong Kingdom. Xiao Yichen, you did a great job this time and successfully resolved the crisis. But we cannot let our guard down. We must strengthen the defenses of the capital to prevent Murong Xuan from launching another attack."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xiao Yichen said respectfully.
After leaving the palace, Xiao Yichen returned home. His heart was filled with exhaustion and worry. He knew that the struggle against Murong Xuan had only just begun, and the road ahead was long.
Lin Wan'er returned home. Sitting in her room, she reflected on the events of the past few days. She knew she was deeply embroiled in this struggle, and that her fate seemed inextricably linked to Xiao Yichen's.
"Young Master Xiao, how should we face all of this in the future?" Lin Wan'er gazed out the window and asked silently in her heart.
Just then, she suddenly felt a strong sense of unease welling up inside her. She used her mind-reading ability to try and find the source of this unease. A moment later, her face turned ashen.
She discovered a new conspiracy by Murong Xuan—Murong Xuan was colluding with some opposing forces in Rong Kingdom, attempting to create chaos in the capital, overthrow Rong Kingdom's rule, and then take the opportunity to invade Rong Kingdom to realize his ambitions.
Lin Wan'er was extremely anxious. She knew she had to find Xiao Yichen as soon as possible and tell him the news. Otherwise, the Rong Kingdom would be plunged into utter ruin.
Lin Wan'er hurriedly got up and rushed towards Xiao Yichen's residence. Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen was in his study, pondering strategies to deal with Murong Xuan. He knew Murong Xuan wouldn't let it go easily; he needed to devise a more comprehensive plan to protect Rong Kingdom and his family.
Just as Xiao Yichen was deep in thought, the butler entered the study: "Young Master, Miss Lin requests an audience."
Xiao Yichen was slightly taken aback, wondering what Lin Wan'er wanted to do at this time.
"Please invite Miss Lin in quickly," Xiao Yichen said.
A moment later, Lin Wan'er entered the study. Her face showed a hint of anxiety and worry.
"Young Master Xiao, I have something urgent to tell you," Lin Wan'er said anxiously.
Looking at Lin Wan'er's expression, Xiao Yichen felt a sense of foreboding: "Miss Lin, what's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"
Lin Wan'er took a deep breath and then told Xiao Yichen about the new conspiracy that she had noticed from Murong Xuan.
After hearing this, Xiao Yichen's expression turned serious: "Miss Lin, are you sure?"
Lin Wan'er nodded: "I'm sure. What I sensed using my mind-reading ability is definitely correct."
Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment: "If Murong Xuan has really colluded with the opposition forces in Rong Kingdom, then the capital will be in danger. We must inform His Majesty the Emperor as soon as possible and take measures to prevent this from happening."
“Yes, that’s what I think too,” Lin Wan’er said.
Therefore, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er went to the palace again to report Murong Xuan's new conspiracy to the emperor. Upon learning of this, the emperor took it very seriously and immediately ordered the strengthening of security in the capital and an investigation into whether there were any opposing forces within the Rong Kingdom colluding with Murong Xuan.
When Murong Xuan learned in the Kingdom of Mu that Xiao Yichen had discovered his new conspiracy, he was not surprised. He sneered, "Xiao Yichen, so what if you know? My plan has already begun, and the Kingdom of Rong will be mine sooner or later."
Murong Xuan accelerated his alliance with the opposition forces in Rong Kingdom, providing them with a steady stream of funds and weapons to support their efforts to create chaos in the capital. Meanwhile, within Rong Kingdom, some hidden opposition forces, having received Murong Xuan's support, began to stir, and a massive crisis was about to erupt in the capital.
Murong Xuan paced back and forth in the palace of the Mu Kingdom, his eyes flashing with coldness and determination. He knew that the failed grain transaction with Xiao Yichen and the thwarted assassination attempt had already put him at a disadvantage in this game, but his burning ambition would not be extinguished so easily.
"Hmph, Xiao Yichen, do you think this will stop my grand ambitions? I will make you pay a terrible price, and Rong Kingdom will become my stepping stone." Murong Xuan muttered to himself, his fists clenched.
He summoned his trusted advisors and generals once again to a secret chamber to discuss a new revenge plan. The atmosphere in the chamber was oppressive and heavy; everyone could feel the intense anger and resentment emanating from Murong Xuan.
"Your Highness, Xiao Yichen is already on guard, and the Rong Kingdom's court has also strengthened its defenses of the capital. If we act rashly again, I'm afraid we will not succeed." The strategist cautiously advised, afraid of angering Murong Xuan.
Murong Xuan glanced at him coldly: "I am aware of this. But we cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom. Since a direct attack is not feasible, we will approach it from the side and dismantle the Rong Kingdom from within."
After saying this, Murong Xuan walked to a map of Rong Kingdom in the secret room and pointed to the location of the capital: "As far as I know, the Rong Kingdom court is not monolithic; there are some forces within it that are dissatisfied with the emperor. We can increase our support for these opposing forces and let them create even greater chaos in the capital."
The generals nodded in agreement.
“Your Highness is wise. We can secretly provide them with weapons and provisions, and send some experts to help them train their soldiers. Once they stir up internal strife in the capital, Xiao Yichen and the Rong Kingdom’s court will be exhausted from dealing with it. At that time, we can take the opportunity to send troops and take over Rong Kingdom in one fell swoop,” a general said.
Murong Xuan nodded slightly: "This plan is excellent. But we still need to be careful and not let the Rong Kingdom court notice our little tricks. You go and make the arrangements, and make sure to handle this matter discreetly and thoroughly."
"Yes, Your Highness!" The group acknowledged the order and departed.
In the capital of Rong Kingdom, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er assisted the emperor in strengthening the city's defenses and security. They were extremely busy, running around inspecting city defense facilities and investigating suspicious individuals.
“Young Master Xiao, if things continue like this, we can only passively defend. If we cannot take the initiative and find Murong Xuan’s inside man in Rong Kingdom, I’m afraid it will be difficult to completely resolve the crisis,” Lin Wan’er said with a frown.
Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment: "Miss Lin is absolutely right. But finding the mole is no easy task. The capital of Rong Kingdom has a large and diverse population, and Murong Xuan's mole must be very well hidden."
Just as the two were deep in thought, Su Jinran rushed over.
“Yichen, Miss Lin, I’ve received information that some normally low-profile nobles and officials in the capital have been behaving rather strangely lately. They’re frequently in contact with mysterious people, and there are large amounts of supplies moving in and out of their homes, suggesting they’re secretly plotting something,” Su Jinran said.
Xiao Yichen's eyes lit up: "Brother Jinran, is this news reliable?"
Su Jinran nodded: "I sent people to investigate secretly for a long time, and the information should be reliable. I suspect that these people may be Murong Xuan's inside agents in Rong Kingdom."
Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged a glance, both seeing a glimmer of hope in each other's eyes.
“If we can find an inside agent, we can turn the tables and take the initiative. Miss Lin, can you use your mind-reading ability to discern these people’s thoughts and determine if they are inside agents?” Xiao Yichen asked.
Lin Wan'er shook her head slightly: "Although I have the ability to read minds, these people must have undergone special training and have extremely strong inner defenses. I can only try, and I can't guarantee that I will succeed."
“Why not give it a try? Brother Jinran, why don’t you take us to see the residences of these suspicious people?” Xiao Yichen said.
So, Su Jinran led Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er to a luxurious mansion. The owner of this mansion was an official named Lord Wang, who was usually taciturn in court, but recently had been frequently associating with some martial arts figures.
"This is it. From what I've observed, several groups of mysterious people have entered and exited this mansion in the past few days, and each time they've carried a large number of boxes," Su Jinran said, pointing to the mansion.
Xiao Yichen carefully observed the surrounding environment of the mansion, pondering how to find out what was happening inside.
“Miss Lin, please wait here for a moment. Brother Jinran and I will go and probe the area first,” Xiao Yichen said.
Lin Wan'er nodded: "Be careful."
Xiao Yichen and Su Jinran pretended to be passersby, lingering in front of the mansion. Suddenly, Xiao Yichen deliberately pretended to accidentally bump into a servant who came out of the mansion.
"Hey, what's wrong with you? Can't you watch where you're going?" the servant said angrily.
Xiao Yichen quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I had urgent business and accidentally bumped into you, young man. Are you working at Lord Wang's residence? I heard that Lord Wang is preparing for something important recently. Could you tell me a little about it?"
The servant looked at Xiao Yichen warily: "Who are you? Why are you asking about my master's affairs?"
Seeing this, Su Jinran quickly stepped forward and said, "Young man, please don't misunderstand. My friend is just curious. I am Su Jinran from the Su family, and I am acquainted with Lord Wang."
Upon hearing Su Jinran's name, the servant's attitude softened slightly: "So it's Young Master Su. I'm not very clear about my master's affairs. I'm just a servant, only responsible for doing chores. If Young Master Su has anything to discuss with my master, you can go and inform him directly."
Seeing that they could not glean any useful information from the servants, Xiao Yichen and Su Jinran left the mansion.
“It seems we won’t get anything out of the servants. Miss Lin, have you discovered anything?” Xiao Yichen asked as he returned to Lin Wan’er’s side.
Lin Wan'er frowned slightly: "I just tried to use mind reading, but the thoughts of the people in the manor were covered by a powerful force. I could only sense some vague emotions and could not determine whether they were inside agents."
Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment: "Since that's the case, we can only think of another way. Let's go back to the manor first and then discuss it further."
After returning to Xiao Yichen's residence, everyone sat together to discuss how to find Murong Xuan's inside agent in Rong Kingdom.
“Young Master, I think we can start with those martial arts figures who have dealings with Lord Wang. These figures are usually elusive and might be more likely to slip up,” Chen Feng said.
Xiao Yichen nodded: "Mr. Chen is right. Brother Jinran, do you know any martial arts figures?"
Su Jinran shook her head: "I only know that they are mysterious figures with great reputation in the martial arts world, but I don't know their specific identities and origins."
“Then we will send people to investigate the identities and whereabouts of these martial arts figures. At the same time, we will closely monitor the actions of Lord Wang and other suspicious officials,” Xiao Yichen said.
While Xiao Yichen and the others were discussing countermeasures, Murong Xuan's plans in the Mu Kingdom were proceeding quietly. The experts and supplies he sent to the Rong Kingdom were being transported in a steady stream to the opposing forces who were colluding with him through various clandestine channels.
After gaining Murong Xuan's support, these opposition forces began secretly recruiting and training soldiers in the capital's underworld. They planned to launch a surprise attack at an opportune moment to seize control of the capital.
Among them, General Li, the leader of the opposition, harbored ambitions to overthrow the Rong Kingdom's rule and ascend the throne himself. In his residence, he secretly plotted specific action plans with the envoy sent by Murong Xuan.
“My lord, tell His Highness that as long as he continues to support us, we will surely be able to unleash a bloodbath in the capital and plunge the Rong Kingdom’s court into chaos,” General Li said.
The envoy smiled slightly: "General Li, rest assured. His Highness has high hopes for you. As long as you succeed, His Highness will reward you handsomely."
Meanwhile, on the other side of Rong Kingdom, Lin Wan'er never gave up using her mind-reading ability to find clues about the inside agent. Every day, she wandered the streets and alleys of the capital, trying to sense the dangerous aura hidden among the people.
Finally, by chance, Lin Wan'er encountered a suspicious person at the market. This person's eyes were shifty, and he was in a hurry, seemingly hiding some secret. Lin Wan'er approached him and used her mind-reading ability to sense his inner thoughts.
At first, she could only sense a chaotic jumble of thoughts, but as she focused and delved deeper, she finally discovered some clues. The name Murong Xuan and fragments of rebellion plans kept flashing through this person's mind.
Lin Wan'er was overjoyed; she knew she had finally found a clue. She quietly followed the man to a secluded courtyard.
After the man entered the courtyard, Lin Wan'er approached and hid in a corner, using her mind-reading ability to continue investigating the situation inside. She discovered that a large group of people were gathered in the courtyard, discussing how to launch a rebellion in the capital, including Lord Wang and General Li.
Lin Wan'er dared not linger for too long, fearing she would be discovered. She quietly left the courtyard and hurriedly made her way to Xiao Yichen's residence.
"Young Master Xiao, I've found him! I've found Murong Xuan's mole in Rong Kingdom!" Lin Wan'er said excitedly as soon as she entered the mansion.
Xiao Yichen quickly stood up: "Miss Lin, please tell me, who are they?"
Lin Wan'er told Xiao Yichen in detail about her discoveries at the market and the situation in the courtyard.
After listening, Xiao Yichen's expression turned serious: "I see. These people are so well hidden. If it weren't for Miss Lin's mind-reading ability, we probably wouldn't have been able to find them."
"So what should we do now?" Su Jinran asked.
Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment: "We should first inform His Majesty the Emperor about this matter, and then formulate a plan to wipe out these spies in one fell swoop. We must not let their rebellion succeed."
So Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er went to the palace again to report their discovery to the emperor. Upon learning of this, the emperor was furious.
"These traitors dare to collude with foreign enemies and plot a rebellion. Xiao Yichen, do you have any plans?" the emperor asked.
Xiao Yichen respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I suggest that we remain calm and secretly gather our forces to surround the residences and strongholds of these spies. Then, when they are completely unprepared, we can launch a surprise attack and capture them in one fell swoop."
The emperor nodded slightly: "This plan is excellent. I will entrust this matter to you. Make sure that all these traitors are brought to justice."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xiao Yichen accepted the order and left.
Upon returning to his residence, Xiao Yichen immediately summoned his trusted subordinates and the military commanders of Rong Kingdom to discuss the specific action plan. They meticulously formulated the attack route, troop deployment, and contingency plans for various unforeseen circumstances.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Mu, Murong Xuan was still waiting for news of a rebellion launched by his internal accomplice. He believed his plan was flawless and that the Kingdom of Rong was about to descend into chaos, unaware that Xiao Yichen and his associates had already discovered his conspiracy and were preparing to wipe out his inside man.
This struggle over the fate of Rong Kingdom has entered its most crucial moment.
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