Inside the General's Mansion, the atmosphere was as heavy as a bowstring about to snap. Xiao Yichen knew that after the black-clad men's probing action, the General's Mansion was like a lone boat in a storm, ready to be swallowed by the surging waves at any moment. He made a decisive decision to strengthen the defenses of the General's Mansion across the board, determined not to give the enemy any further opportunity.
Xiao Yichen first summoned all the guard captains of the General's Mansion for an emergency meeting in the council hall. The flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn faces of everyone present. Standing before the map, Xiao Yichen's expression was stern, his piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd as he said, "Gentlemen, although the men in black's operation failed this time, it has made us clearly aware of the enemy's treacherous nature. We must act immediately to strengthen our defenses and safeguard the General's Mansion."
The guard captains nodded in agreement, fully aware of the weight of their responsibility. Xiao Yichen began issuing orders: "From now on, double the number of patrols. The patrol routes must be more complex, covering not only the main passages, courtyards, and warehouses within the manor, but also those secluded corners, the crevices of the artificial hills in the gardens, and the alleys behind the stables. The intervals between each patrol team will be shortened to ensure that there are always patrol teams active within the manor, leaving no opening for the enemy to exploit."
A guard captain raised a question: "General, increasing the number of patrolmen so much might lead to soldier fatigue and affect the effectiveness of the defense." Xiao Yichen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said: "I know this will increase the burden on the soldiers, but the current situation is critical, and we have no other choice. We can arrange for the soldiers to take turns resting, but the rest time should be shortened to ensure the intensity of the patrols. At the same time, we should improve the soldiers' treatment and make them understand that this is a matter of life and death for the General's Mansion."
After arranging the patrol, Xiao Yichen began to deploy defensive mechanisms. He led several strategists and craftsmen skilled in mechanical arts to search for suitable locations within the general's mansion.
They arrived at the gate of the General's Mansion, the first line of defense. Xiao Yichen pointed to the open space on both sides of the gate and said, "Set up pits here, insert sharp bamboo sticks into the bottom, and cover them with wooden planks and other debris. If the enemy forces their way in, they will fall into the pits." The craftsmen immediately got to work, measuring the dimensions and digging the pits, carrying out the preparations in an orderly manner.
Inside the watchtower above the gate, Xiao Yichen gave further instructions: "Install large crossbows, capable of carrying multiple bolts. Once a large number of enemies are spotted gathering, they can be fired quickly to strike them from a distance. At the same time, set up some small catapults along the edge of the watchtower to facilitate attacks on enemies approaching the wall." The soldiers and craftsmen worked together to install the crossbows and catapults and then tested them.
Walking along the wall, Xiao Yichen pondered. He noticed several well-hidden corners that the enemy might use to climb. "Install barbed wire in these easily climbable sections to make it difficult for the enemy to approach. Also, install a hidden opening at intervals, containing a small crossbow launcher. When the enemy climbs the wall, the mechanism will be automatically triggered, firing a crossbow bolt." These mechanisms were extremely well-concealed and difficult to detect from the outside.
The garden within the General's Mansion appeared tranquil and beautiful, but it had also become one of the key areas for defense. Xiao Yichen knew that the enemy might use the garden's complex terrain to conceal themselves. He had set up tripwires among the flower bushes along the garden paths. These tripwires were made of strong steel wire and painted in a color similar to the flowers and plants, making them difficult to spot. If an enemy ran past quickly, they would be tripped.
On the artificial hill in the garden, Xiao Yichen instructed craftsmen to carve out some hidden holes, which were filled with lime powder and smoke bombs. "If the enemy hides inside the artificial hill or uses it as cover, we can trigger a mechanism to release lime powder and smoke, blinding them and making it easier for us to attack." At the same time, Xiao Yichen also had underwater spikes and chains set up in the pool around the artificial hill to prevent the enemy from sneaking in by water.
As a place to store important supplies, the warehouse's defense was of paramount importance. Xiao Yichen installed multiple layers of security measures around the warehouse's doors and windows. The doors were fitted with a special lock that required a specific sequence of key turns to open, and if anyone attempted to force its way in, poison needles would be ejected from within. The windows were fitted with iron bars that were electrified; anyone who touched them would be electrocuted. An alarm system was also installed inside the warehouse; in the event of any anomaly, the entire general's mansion would be alerted.
In addition to these fixed mechanisms, Xiao Yichen also prepared some mobile defensive structures. He ordered the creation of large shields that could be joined together to form a temporary barrier. These shields were placed in key passages and courtyards within the mansion, just in case. At the same time, he also made barricades with spikes and placed them at major intersections within the mansion to hinder the enemy's rapid advance.
While strengthening defenses, Xiao Yichen did not neglect the importance of intelligence gathering. He deployed more sentries around the General's Mansion. These sentries were not only tasked with monitoring enemy movements but also with collecting information from the martial arts world. The sentries communicated via special signals, ensuring that any incidents could be quickly relayed back to the General's Mansion.
To ensure everyone in the manor could participate in defense, Xiao Yichen organized some basic defense training, including for the servants and maids. He had the soldiers teach them how to identify enemies, how to sound the alarm, and some basic self-defense methods. The steward was responsible for organizing the servants into groups, each group responsible for the security of a specific area, and to immediately report any abnormalities to the patrol team.
Lin Wan'er also actively participated in the defense work. Using her mind-reading ability, she patrolled the mansion, trying to detect any enemy spies or suspicious individuals. During one patrol, she noticed a new maid acting somewhat unnaturally. Lin Wan'er focused her mind and read her thoughts.
"I can't let them discover my identity... The treasure map... I must complete the mission..." Lin Wan'er was startled, but she calmly informed Xiao Yichen of the situation. Xiao Yichen immediately ordered the maid to be imprisoned and interrogated. Through interrogation, they learned that the maid had been bribed by the men in black to infiltrate the General's Mansion to obtain intelligence on its defenses.
This incident made Xiao Yichen even more aware that the enemy is omnipresent and that defense must be foolproof. He reiterated the need for vigilance among the personnel in the manor, demanding that everyone remain highly alert to strangers and report any suspicious behavior immediately.
As the defenses progressed, the General's Mansion transformed into a formidable fortress. Patrolling soldiers, alert and vigilant, watched their surroundings intently. Defensive mechanisms lurked in every corner, silently awaiting the enemy's arrival, like ferocious beasts hidden in the shadows. However, Xiao Yichen knew this was only temporary security; the enemy wouldn't give up easily and would surely devise new methods to breach the General's Mansion's defenses.
Outside the General's Mansion, the leader of the men in black showed no alarm upon learning of the increased defenses. He sneered and said to his men, "Hmph, do they think this will stop us? Mere child's play. We have plenty of ways to deal with them." He began to re-examine his plan, considering how to break through the General's Mansion's new defenses; a more intense confrontation was brewing.
Amidst this tense situation, everyone in the General's Mansion is preparing for the impending battle. Soldiers, strategists, craftsmen, and ordinary servants alike understand that only by uniting can they protect the General's Mansion and their home. Xiao Yichen, like a resolute helmsman, guides the General's Mansion through this storm, navigating towards an unknown destiny.
Night fell once more, and the General's Mansion, heavily guarded, appeared exceptionally solemn. The lights flickered in the night breeze, illuminating the figures busily working to protect it. At this moment, the General's Mansion was ready to meet any challenge; no matter how powerful the enemy, they would defend this peaceful place that belonged to them to the death.
Inside the general's mansion, the tense atmosphere was like a taut bowstring, ready to snap at any moment. Lin Wan'er knew that her mind-reading ability was one of the key forces in fighting the enemy at this moment, so she never relaxed for a moment, searching for any possible clues throughout the mansion.
That day, Lin Wan'er was patrolling the manor as usual. Dressed in a plain white robe, her steps were light and graceful, her seemingly delicate figure concealing a resolute strength. As she passed a secluded courtyard within the manor, she keenly sensed an unusual atmosphere. This courtyard was rarely visited, serving as a storage area for miscellaneous items, but at this moment, Lin Wan'er felt a subtle yet palpable tension.
She tiptoed closer to the courtyard. The gate was ajar, and faint noises emanated from within. Lin Wan'er focused her mind, trying to sense the thoughts of the person inside. At first, she only caught vague emotions—fear and unease—but as she approached the gate, those thoughts gradually became clearer.
There was a man in the courtyard, dressed in servant's clothes, but his demeanor exuded an unusual aura. Lin Wan'er quietly hid behind a pile of miscellaneous items by the door, closed her eyes, and exerted all her mind-reading abilities. "I can't let the people from the General's Mansion discover my identity... This operation absolutely cannot fail... The leader is still waiting for my news..." The man's thoughts fell into Lin Wan'er's mind like a string of beads.
Lin Wan'er's heart skipped a beat. She knew that this seemingly ordinary servant was likely an inside agent for the men in black. She continued to try and read the man's thoughts, hoping to glean more clues about the leader of the men in black. "The leader said that as long as we get the treasure map, we can dominate the martial arts world... His plan is foolproof... But the general's mansion is too heavily guarded; we must find a weakness..." The man was filled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he had unwavering faith in the leader's plan; on the other hand, he was worried about the defenses of the general's mansion.
Lin Wan'er silently memorized this information, knowing she couldn't act rashly lest she alert the enemy. She cautiously left the courtyard and went straight to find Xiao Yichen. At that moment, Xiao Yichen was in his study discussing further defense strategies with his generals. Seeing Lin Wan'er rushing over, he knew she must have made an important discovery.
"Yichen, I've found a suspicious person in the storage courtyard inside the manor. I used mind-reading to learn that he's an informant for the men in black, and his thoughts mentioned their leader, so there might be clues about him," Lin Wan'er said breathlessly. Xiao Yichen's eyes narrowed, and he immediately stood up: "Let's go, let's go take a look."
Accompanied by several trusted men, they quietly approached the courtyard. Xiao Yichen signaled for everyone to disperse and hide, completely surrounding the courtyard. Then, he and Lin Wan'er cautiously approached the courtyard. Inside, the suspicious man was still pacing nervously, completely unaware that he had been discovered.
Xiao Yichen rushed into the courtyard and subdued the man. The man was terrified and tried to resist, but he was powerless against Xiao Yichen's overwhelming strength. "Who are you? Why are you lurking in the General's Mansion?" Xiao Yichen demanded sharply. The man gritted his teeth, trying to remain silent. Lin Wan'er said from the side, "You don't need to hide it anymore. We already know you're an informant for the men in black. You'd better confess honestly, and perhaps we can spare your life."
A flicker of hesitation crossed the man's eyes, and Lin Wan'er seized the opportunity to read his thoughts. "They already know... The leader won't let me go... But if I don't speak, they'll kill me right now..." Lin Wan'er relayed the man's thoughts to Xiao Yichen, who tightened his grip: "Speak! Where is your leader? What are your plans?"
Faced with a life-or-death decision, the man finally broke down. He stammered, "I... I was just following orders. Our leader... he's very mysterious. All I know is that he has a base in an abandoned mountain village outside the city. Before each operation, he gathers us there to assign tasks." Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged a glance; this was a crucial clue.
"What are your leader's characteristics? What other plans does he have?" Lin Wan'er continued to press. The man replied, "The leader always wears a mask; I've never seen his true face. But he's highly skilled in martial arts and very meticulous. As for his other plans, I only know that he's looking for weaknesses in the General's Mansion's defenses, preparing to launch another attack."
Xiao Yichen frowned, pondering the man's words. This abandoned manor could be a breakthrough point, but it could also be a trap set by the enemy. He decided to send someone to investigate first, while simultaneously strengthening the defenses of the General's Mansion to prevent the enemy from using a feint attack.
"What else do you want to say? If there's even a single lie, don't blame me for being impolite!" Xiao Yichen stared at the man and said. The man hurriedly shook his head: "I... I've already told you everything I know. Please, spare my life!" Xiao Yichen snorted coldly: "I'll spare your life for now, and we'll deal with you after we've verified your words."
Afterwards, Xiao Yichen imprisoned the man in a heavily guarded place and arranged for soldiers to monitor him. Then, he summoned his generals to discuss the reconnaissance operation of the abandoned manor.
"This operation is of paramount importance; we must proceed with extreme caution," Xiao Yichen said to his generals. "We mustn't alert them. We need to first ascertain the situation within the manor and determine if it truly is a stronghold of the men in black." One general suggested, "General, we can send some agile and stealthy spies to observe the area around the manor before seeking an opportunity to infiltrate." Xiao Yichen nodded in agreement: "Good, let's do it that way. Select the best spies and instruct them to be extremely careful."
After arranging the spy's operation, Lin Wan'er remained somewhat worried. She said to Xiao Yichen, "Yichen, I have a feeling this isn't as simple as it seems. We discovered this mole so easily; could it be a deliberate act by the enemy? They might be trying to lure us to the abandoned manor and then set an ambush." Xiao Yichen shared the same concern: "I've thought of that too, Wan'er. That's why we can't rely solely on the spy's intelligence; we need to make other preparations. If this is a trap, we need to let the enemy know that we're not so easy to deal with."
To prepare for potential traps, Xiao Yichen added new defensive measures to the general's mansion. He set up more mechanisms and traps in key locations within the mansion, while also increasing patrols and the deployment of hidden sentries. Furthermore, he had the soldiers conduct numerous drills to handle various emergencies.
Meanwhile, the scouts sent out were quietly making their way towards the abandoned manor outside the city. Dressed in night clothes, they moved swiftly, like ghosts in the darkness. As they approached the manor, they used the surrounding terrain for cover, carefully observing the movements within.
The abandoned manor was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere, overgrown with weeds and its walls crumbling and dilapidated. The manor gates were tightly shut, and the surroundings were deathly silent. The scouts lay in ambush in the woods around the manor and began to observe carefully. They discovered that although the manor seemed deserted, there were occasional subtle movements, as if someone was deliberately concealing their presence.
One of the scouts discovered a hidden basement entrance in the backyard of the manor, with some fresh footprints nearby. He quietly relayed this information to the other scouts. They speculated that the basement might contain important information or the enemy's main force. However, they dared not act rashly, as it could be a carefully laid trap.
After waiting for some time, the spies decided to send one of them to quietly approach the basement entrance and scout the situation. The most agile of the spies cautiously moved towards the basement entrance. He avoided the traps on the ground and any potential sentries, slowly approaching his target. When he reached the basement entrance, he found an iron door with a large lock.
He carefully examined the lock's structure, trying to figure out how to open it. Just then, he suddenly sensed a dangerous aura. He whirled around and found several men in black standing behind him. The men in black held sharp blades, their eyes cold; they were clearly prepared. The scout was startled; he knew he had fallen into the enemy's trap, but he didn't panic. He immediately prepared for battle.
Inside the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er awaited news from their spies. Unaware that the spies had already encountered danger, the atmosphere outside the mansion grew increasingly tense, as if an even greater storm was about to break. What exactly was the black-clad leader's plan? What conspiracy lay hidden behind the trap at the abandoned manor? Everything remained uncertain, and the fate of the General's Mansion hung precariously in the grip of this complex situation.
Lin Wan'er paced back and forth in the mansion, her unease growing stronger. She tried to use her mind-reading ability again to see if she could sense the situation of her spies, but the distance was too great, and she couldn't sense anything. Seeing Lin Wan'er's anxious expression, Xiao Yichen grasped her hand: "Wan'er, don't worry too much. Our spies are well-trained; they will have ways to deal with danger. What we need to do now is guard the General's mansion and wait for their news." Lin Wan'er looked at Xiao Yichen's resolute eyes and nodded slightly, but her brows remained furrowed, filled with worry for the safety of the General's mansion.
A gloomy atmosphere seemed to hang over the General's Mansion, so oppressive it was hard to breathe. The movements of the men in black became increasingly frequent, like dark clouds gathering and churning around the mansion before a storm, foreshadowing a devastating tempest to come.
The patrolling soldiers remained on high alert, their eyes sharp as hawks, not missing a single suspicious sign. Each step was firm and cautious, the weapons in their hands gleaming coldly in the moonlight—symbols of their determination and strength in protecting the General's Mansion. However, with the increasing activity of the men in black, the soldiers could clearly feel the invisible pressure growing ever stronger, as if pairs of eyes hidden in the darkness were constantly watching every corner of the General's Mansion.
Outside the general's mansion walls, men in black moved like ghosts through the shadows. No longer as cautiously concealing their tracks as before, they openly moved about the surrounding area, seemingly provoking a conflict, or perhaps making final preparations for an impending battle. Their numbers had noticeably increased, and they frequently flashed past the walls, keeping the soldiers guarding them on edge.
A group of men in black gathered in the woods not far from the general's mansion gate. They spoke in hushed tones, their voices low but their cold, ruthless tones freezing the air around them. "This time we must succeed. Those people at the general's mansion will never expect us to launch such a large-scale attack." One of the men in black had a greedy and vicious glint in his eyes, the dagger he gripped reflecting a chilling light. "That's right, the leader's plan is flawless. Once we get the treasure map, the entire martial world will be under our control." Another man in black echoed, a confident yet sinister smile on his face.
Inside the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen and his generals also felt an unprecedented tension. In the council hall, candlelight flickered in the wind, illuminating the solemn faces of the assembled men. Xiao Yichen stood in the center, his gaze fixed intently on the map of the General's Mansion on the wall, his mind racing as he considered countermeasures. "The enemy is impatient; they will soon launch a full-scale attack. We must be fully prepared and cannot afford the slightest oversight." Xiao Yichen's voice was steady and firm, yet a hint of worry lingered within it.
A general stepped forward and said, "General, we have strengthened our defenses as you instructed, but the enemy is coming on strong this time. Should we request reinforcements from our allies in the surrounding area?" Xiao Yichen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "We don't yet know the enemy's exact strength. Requesting reinforcements rashly might complicate the situation further. Let's rely on our own strength to deal with it first. If the situation becomes critical, then we can consider asking for help."
At this moment, Lin Wan'er hurriedly entered the council hall. Her face was slightly pale, and her eyes were full of worry. "Yichen, I can sense it. The black-clad men's murderous intent is growing stronger; they're impatient. Moreover, I've noticed that some servants in the manor have become more tense, and their emotions are very unstable. I'm worried..." Before Lin Wan'er could finish speaking, Xiao Yichen understood her meaning. "You're worried that there might be enemy spies within the manor?" Lin Wan'er nodded and said, "That's right. We must conduct another thorough search of the manor's personnel to ensure internal safety."
Therefore, Xiao Yichen immediately ordered a new round of checks on all personnel within the manor. The soldiers divided into small teams and meticulously searched every room and corner. During the search, they indeed discovered some suspicious items. Several servants' rooms contained strange objects, such as tools for transmitting signals and some powder of unknown purpose. These servants attempted to escape after being discovered, but were quickly apprehended by the soldiers.
After interrogation, the servants confessed that they had been bribed by the men in black and had been passing on intelligence from inside the General's Mansion. They also revealed that the men in black had already obtained the locations of some of the mansion's defenses and planned to use this information to breach the defenses. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yichen felt a chill run down his spine. He realized that the enemy knew more about the General's Mansion than he had imagined, and the situation in this major battle would become even more dire.
To address this situation, Xiao Yichen decided to readjust the defensive mechanisms. He personally led the craftsmen to work throughout the mansion, changing the triggering methods and locations of the mechanisms, while also setting up new decoy traps to confuse the enemy. During this busy period, Xiao Yichen didn't forget to boost morale. He addressed the soldiers, "Brothers, we face a tremendous challenge, but we are the guardians of the General's Mansion. We cannot let the enemy succeed. As long as we are united, nothing can breach our defenses!" The soldiers responded with a resounding shout, their morale soaring.
Meanwhile, the actions of the men in black outside the General's Mansion were escalating. They began small-scale probing attacks on the perimeter, attempting to find weaknesses in the defenses. A group of men in black, under the cover of night, rushed towards a section of the mansion's wall. They threw grappling hooks, hooked onto the edge, and quickly climbed up. However, just as they reached the top, they triggered a newly set trap by Xiao Yichen. A hail of arrows erupted from hidden crossbows, catching the men in black off guard, and they were all struck and fell.
But the men in black did not back down; instead, they launched an even more frenzied attack. On another side of the general's mansion, another group of men in black attempted to blast open the gate with explosives. A violent explosion shattered the night's tranquility, and flames shot into the sky. The gate of the general's mansion shook violently from the impact of the blast, but remained standing. The soldiers guarding the gate reacted quickly, hurling stones and burning oil barrels at the men in black. Under the onslaught of fire and stones, the men in black were temporarily forced to retreat.
During the fierce firefight, both sides suffered casualties. Although the soldiers of the General's Mansion fought bravely, the men in black were numerous and well-trained, and their attacks came wave after wave, seemingly without end. The atmosphere inside the General's Mansion grew increasingly tense, with shouts of battle and explosions mingling together, making everyone's heart leap into their throats.
Lin Wan'er paced anxiously within the mansion, repeatedly using her mind-reading ability to try and glean more information about the man in black. During one such attempt, she suddenly "heard" a crucial clue: "Break through the southwest corner garden; the mechanisms there have been destroyed..." Lin Wan'er was startled; she knew this information was vital. She immediately ran to inform Xiao Yichen.
Upon learning of this, Xiao Yichen quickly dispatched soldiers to reinforce the defenses of the garden in the southwest corner. He personally went to the garden and directed the soldiers to reset the mechanisms and traps. Just as they were busy, the men in black indeed launched a fierce attack towards the garden. The men in black surged in like a tide, brandishing their weapons and shouting battle cries as they charged towards the garden.
Under Xiao Yichen's command, the soldiers of the General's Mansion put up a fierce resistance. They formed a defensive line with shields to repel the attacks of the men in black, while simultaneously using newly installed mechanisms to counterattack the enemy. In an instant, the garden descended into chaos. Blood stained the flowers and grass, transforming the once beautiful garden into a brutal battlefield.
At the crucial moment of the battle, Xiao Yichen took the lead, charging into the enemy ranks. His swordsmanship was as swift and powerful as flowing water, each strike repelling several men in black. His figure moved freely among the enemy, like a war god descending, greatly boosting the morale of the general's soldiers. Under his leadership, the soldiers fought with increasing ferocity, gradually stabilizing their formation.
However, the men in black did not give up their attack. Their leader watched the battlefield from the rear, his eyes flashing with a cold light. "Keep attacking, don't stop! They won't last much longer." The leader gave the order, firmly believing that as long as the pressure continued, the general's mansion's defenses would eventually be breached.
As time went on, the battle intensified. The general's mansion's defenses were under immense pressure, and the soldiers were beginning to show signs of fatigue. Yet, they remained steadfast at their posts, willing to sacrifice their lives for the safety of the mansion, for the protection of their families and honor.
At this critical moment, the fate of the General's Mansion hangs by a thread. Every decision, every attack and defense could alter the outcome of this great battle. Xiao Yichen and the people of the General's Mansion fought tenaciously in the darkness, while the men in black charged relentlessly like demons. The outcome of the battle remained highly uncertain, like a flickering candlelight in the darkness, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
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