Murong Xuan galloped wildly through the night, the wind whistling past his ears as if mocking his disheveled state. A sharp pain throbbed from the wound on his arm, inflicted by Xiao Yichen's sword, but at this moment, the resentment in his heart far outweighed the physical pain. He gripped the reins tightly, his eyes revealing a sinister and resolute glint, as if he were silently vowing to make Xiao Yichen pay for his crime in blood.
"Xiao Yichen, I will repay this humiliation tenfold! You wait, I, Murong Xuan, will never let this go!" Murong Xuan gritted his teeth and roared at the night sky. He recalled his meticulously planned operation, which he had thought would allow him to infiltrate the General's Mansion undetected, steal secrets, and weaken Xiao Yichen's power. However, he hadn't expected Xiao Yichen to see through his plan again, resulting in this predicament. This not only caused him to lose face in front of his subordinates, but more importantly, it delayed his plan to dominate the continent.
Inside the General's Mansion, Lin Wan'er anxiously awaited Xiao Yichen's return. Standing in the courtyard, gazing towards the gate, her hands unconsciously clenched together. When she saw Xiao Yichen appear, she immediately went to greet him.
"Brother Yichen, how are you? Are you hurt?" Lin Wan'er's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with concern and worry. She looked Xiao Yichen up and down, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he had no obvious injuries.
Xiao Yichen shook his head slightly, a tired smile on his face. "Wan'er, I'm fine, don't worry. It's just a pity that Murong Xuan escaped." His tone was full of resentment. He had the opportunity to capture Murong Xuan in the woods, but in the end, he still managed to get away, which made him very annoyed.
Lin Wan'er gently held Xiao Yichen's hand and comforted him, "Brother Yichen, you've done very well. Murong Xuan is treacherous and cunning. He escaped this time, but he'll definitely have another scheme. But as long as we're together, we can definitely overcome any difficulty." Her eyes were firm yet gentle, as if they possessed a magical power that could dispel the gloom in Xiao Yichen's heart.
Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He knew that in this complex and ever-changing situation, Lin Wan'er was always his strongest support and his safe haven. "Wan'er, I'm so lucky to have you by my side. But I'm worried that Murong Xuan will become even more ruthless, so we must be more prepared."
Lin Wan'er nodded. "Brother Yichen, I understand. We can start by interrogating Murong Xuan's captured subordinates and see if we can get any useful information from them."
Xiao Yichen gave her an approving look. "Wan'er, you are indeed clever. That's exactly what I was thinking. Let's go to the dungeon and see what they can say."
The two entered the dungeon, where the dim light flickered, illuminating the disheveled figures of Murong Xuan's men inside. Yingfeng and Amu were held in solitary confinement. Upon seeing Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er arrive, their expressions differed. Yingfeng remained defiant and filled with hatred, while Amu appeared somewhat fearful and uneasy.
Xiao Yichen stood in front of the cell, looking at them coldly. "You'd better tell me honestly what Murong Xuan is planning. If you cooperate, I might be able to treat you leniently."
Yingfeng snorted coldly, "Xiao Yichen, don't even think about getting any information from us. You can't stop His Highness's grand ambitions. Even if we die, we will never betray His Highness."
Xiao Yichen frowned. He knew that getting information from a loyal subordinate like Ying Feng would be difficult. He turned to Amu, "And you? Are you also willing to die for Murong Xuan?"
Amu hesitated for a moment, glancing at Yingfeng and then at Xiao Yichen, his heart wavering. He knew that Murong Xuan's defeat would inevitably provoke his anger, and those of them who had been captured would likely become scapegoats. But he also feared that betraying Murong Xuan would result in even harsher punishment.
Lin Wan'er noticed Amu's hesitation and said softly, "Amu, you need to think this through. Murong Xuan is in dire straits himself, and he has no time to care about you. But if you can help us, we can guarantee your safety and even give you a generous reward so you can escape to the faraway lands."
A struggle flashed in Amu's eyes. He lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and finally spoke: "I... I can tell you some things, but you must guarantee my safety."
Upon hearing Amu's words, Yingfeng shouted angrily, "Amu, you traitor! How could you betray His Highness?"
Amu ignored Yingfeng and looked at Xiao Yichen, saying, "After this defeat, Murong Xuan will definitely start anew. He has been searching for allies within the Mu Kingdom, trying to unite other forces to fight against the Xiao Kingdom. Moreover, he is training a group of assassins specifically to target you, General Xiao. His goal is to seize the territory of the Xiao Kingdom and dominate the continent."
Xiao Yichen narrowed his eyes slightly. "What else did he say? Did he reveal anything about his next plan of action?"
Amu shook his head. "That's all I know. He didn't tell us, his men, his specific plans. But I know he won't give up easily."
Xiao Yichen nodded. "Okay, I will keep my promise and ensure your safety. But you must stay here until this is completely over."
Emerging from the dungeon, Xiao Yichen fell into deep thought. He realized that Murong Xuan's ambitions were greater than he had imagined, and the threat he faced was far more serious. He needed to devise a countermeasure as soon as possible, not only strengthening the Xiao Kingdom's military defenses but also seeking more diplomatic allies to jointly confront Murong Xuan.
Seeing Xiao Yichen deep in thought, Lin Wan'er said, "Brother Yichen, I think we can first report this matter to the King, and then summon the court officials to discuss countermeasures. At the same time, we can also strengthen ties with neighboring friendly countries and strive for their support."
Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er with a hint of relief in his eyes, "Wan'er, your idea is right. Let's go see the king now."
On his way to the palace, Xiao Yichen was filled with a myriad of thoughts. He knew that the struggle with Murong Xuan had entered a fierce stage, and he bore the heavy responsibility of protecting the Xiao Kingdom, so he could not afford to be negligent in the slightest. He secretly vowed that no matter the cost, he would protect the people of the Xiao Kingdom and prevent Murong Xuan's conspiracy from succeeding.
After escaping the general's mansion, Murong Xuan returned to the Mu Kingdom without stopping. He went straight to the royal palace to meet King Murong Hong.
"Father, I am guilty. The failure of this operation is entirely due to my poor planning. I beg you to punish me," Murong Xuan said, kneeling on the ground with his head bowed. Although he was unwilling, he had no choice but to appear remorseful before the king.
Murong Hong looked at Murong Xuan kneeling on the ground, his face grim. He had originally placed high hopes on Murong Xuan's actions, but they had failed once again. "Xuan'er, you have disappointed me greatly. You have repeatedly targeted Xiao Yichen, yet you have failed time and again. How can I entrust the future of the Mu Kingdom to you?"
Murong Xuan's heart tightened; he knew his standing in the king's eyes had been severely affected. He hurriedly said, "Father, although I failed this time, I have learned my lesson. I know how formidable Xiao Yichen is, and next time I will be more cautious and devise a more perfect plan. Please give me another chance."
Murong Hong was silent for a moment, then said, "I can give you another chance, but you must produce results as soon as possible. Otherwise, I will have to consider other arrangements."
Murong Xuan nodded quickly, "Thank you, Father. Your son will certainly not disappoint you."
After leaving the palace, Murong Xuan returned to his residence. He summoned his trusted subordinates and began to devise a new plan against Xiao Yichen. He knew that time was of the essence; he had to act quickly to regain his position in the king's eyes and realize his ambitions.
"We cannot afford to fail again this time. We must start from within the Xiao Kingdom, find their weaknesses, and then deliver a fatal blow," Murong Xuan said to his subordinates. His eyes revealed determination and ruthlessness, like a wounded beast waiting for its chance for revenge.
Murong Xuan sat alone in the shadows of his study in the mansion, the only sound the slightly heavy breathing of his own. The candlelight on the desk flickered, casting his indistinct yet oppressive shadow on the wall. His face was stern, his brows furrowed, his eyes a mixture of anger, resentment, and deep frustration. The wound on his arm, though bandaged, still throbbed, a constant reminder of the humiliation he had suffered at the General's mansion in Xiao Kingdom not long ago.
He slowly raised his head, gazing at the map of the continent hanging on the wall, his eyes finally settling on the territory of the Xiao Kingdom. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, like a surging tide, constantly assaulting his reason and pride. "Xiao Yichen, why do you always see through my schemes? Have I truly made a mistake?" Murong Xuan murmured to himself, his voice tinged with an undisguised bitterness and confusion.
Looking back on the operation, from its meticulous planning to its disastrous ending, every detail felt like a sharp blade, piercing his heart. He knew he had underestimated Xiao Yichen's wisdom and the General's Mansion's defenses, arrogantly believing that his elite troops and clever strategy would easily achieve his goal. However, reality delivered a resounding slap in the face, leaving him utterly defeated in this contest.
"Was I too hasty? Or was there a fatal flaw in my plan itself?" Murong Xuan fell into deep self-reflection. He began to carefully review the entire operation, from sending out spies to gather intelligence, to formulating the infiltration plan, and then to every step of the specific implementation process. He analyzed each step in an attempt to find the root cause of the failure.
He realized that while he knew about the Thanksgiving banquet to be held at the General's Mansion, he knew very little about Xiao Yichen's specific defensive measures within the mansion. In particular, his men were completely unaware of the traps and mechanisms around the granary, which allowed Yingfeng and Amu to easily fall into the trap, marking the beginning of the operation's failure. "I should have sent more capable spies deep into the General's Mansion to thoroughly investigate every potential danger, instead of relying solely on superficial information," Murong Xuan lamented, blaming himself.
In formulating the plan, he focused too much on the feint attack on the outside of the General's Mansion and the selection of infiltration routes, neglecting contingency plans in case the operation was thwarted. When the first squad encountered fierce resistance at the gate of the mansion, and Yingfeng and others triggered the mechanisms inside, the entire plan fell into chaos. The lack of effective coordination and contingency mechanisms between the squads prevented them from adjusting their strategies in time, ultimately leading to a complete collapse. "I was utterly foolish! How could a perfect plan be without a backup plan and flexible contingency measures?" Murong Xuan angrily slammed his fist on the table, causing the writing implements on it to bounce.
He also noticed several shortcomings in personnel arrangements. While Zhao Lin was brave, he lacked sufficient strategy and composure. In the battle at the gate, he failed to effectively restrain Xiao Yichen, allowing Xiao Yichen to prematurely perceive the enemy's true intentions and thus giving him the opportunity to return to the camp and granary for defense. Yingfeng and Amu, though skilled in stealth and deciphering mechanisms, lacked adaptability in unexpected situations and were easily trapped by Xiao Yichen's traps. Tieshou and his squad also demonstrated poor tactical coordination in the battle outside the camp, fighting independently and failing to form a powerful offensive force, ultimately being defeated one by one by Xiao Yichen and the patrol. "My men, though possessing unique skills, are far from adequate in terms of overall quality and teamwork. I need to select and train a new group of more outstanding and loyal subordinates to contend with Xiao Yichen," Murong Xuan secretly resolved.
Furthermore, Murong Xuan also realized that his understanding of Xiao Yichen was not deep enough. He only saw Xiao Yichen's outstanding military talent and prestige among the people of Xiao Kingdom, but overlooked his meticulous mind and keen insight. Xiao Yichen's ability to accurately predict the enemy's actions and make thorough preparations in advance was by no means accidental. "I must study Xiao Yichen's personality, preferences, and way of thinking in depth, find his weaknesses, so that I can strike decisively and kill him." A hint of ruthlessness appeared in Murong Xuan's eyes, as if he already regarded Xiao Yichen as his prey, waiting for the best opportunity to launch a fatal blow.
In his reflection, Murong Xuan gradually realized that relying solely on his current strength and methods, it would be difficult to gain the upper hand in his contest with Xiao Yichen. He needed to leverage more external forces to expand his sphere of influence in order to increase his chances of victory. Therefore, he began to re-examine his previous strategy of seeking allies.
He recalled his attempts to form alliances with some neighboring countries and domestic noble families, but due to an overemphasis on the lure of profit and a neglect of mutual trust and the foundation for long-term cooperation, many alliance proposals failed to make substantial progress. "I can't just use profit as bait; I also need to demonstrate my sincerity and strength, making them believe that cooperating with me is profitable and reliable." Murong Xuan had a new plan in mind.
He decided to change his strategy, starting by establishing deep relationships with some influential families within the Mu Kingdom. He would personally visit the heads of these families, speaking frankly with them to discuss the future of the Mu Kingdom and their mutual interests. Through family marriages and power-sharing, he would solidify these alliances, making them a strong backer. Regarding neighboring countries, he would no longer limit himself to simply sending envoys for persuasion and gifts, but planned to personally visit key countries to engage in face-to-face exchanges with their rulers, showcasing the Mu Kingdom's strength and his own strategic brilliance, and seeking comprehensive cooperation in politics, economics, and military affairs.
"Only by establishing a broad and stable alliance network can I have more pieces in this game of vying for continental supremacy, and only then can I deal with Xiao Yichen's Xiao Kingdom and other potential enemies." Murong Xuan's eyes gradually became firm, as if he could already see the magnificent scene of himself leading thousands of troops on the battlefield in the future, sweeping away all enemies.
However, he also knew clearly that all of this required time and patience. He could no longer be as impatient and reckless as before; he had to solidify his foundation step by step and carefully plan each step. "Xiao Yichen, be proud for now. I will silently accumulate strength, and when I return, it will be the day of your destruction." Murong Xuan stood up, slowly walked to the window, looked at the dark night sky outside, and silently made a vow in his heart.
After emerging from the dungeon, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er rushed to the palace to pay their respects to the king. The palace hall was solemn and imposing, its magnificent golden decorations shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight, yet they could not dispel the gloom in Xiao Yichen's heart. The king sat upright on his throne, his face grave. After listening to Xiao Yichen's report on Murong Xuan's sneak attack and the results of the interrogation, he fell into deep thought.
"General Xiao, Murong Xuan's actions are truly audacious and reckless, openly invading the borders of my Xiao Kingdom with the intention of stealing secrets. This must not be tolerated. Do you have any countermeasures?" The king's voice was deep and majestic, echoing in the empty hall.
Xiao Yichen stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that the most urgent task is to strengthen our country’s military defenses. Although Murong Xuan has failed this time, his ambition remains undiminished, and he will surely make a comeback. I suggest that we increase the number of troops on the border, strengthen the city’s fortifications, and at the same time, we should strengthen the training of our soldiers and improve the army’s combat effectiveness.”
The king nodded slightly. "Yes, General, you are quite right. But relying solely on military defense may not be enough to completely solve the problem. Murong Xuan is active all over the country, trying to win over allies. We also need to take action on the diplomatic front."
Xiao Yichen continued, "Your Majesty is wise. After discussing with Miss Wan'er, I believe we can send envoys to friendly neighboring countries to explain Murong Xuan's aggressive ambitions and seek their support and cooperation. Together, we can form an alliance to counter the threat from the Murong Kingdom."
Lin Wan'er also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, in addition, we can also start from the economic aspect. We can strengthen trade relations with other countries, exchange goods and services, and enhance mutual interests. In this way, in order to protect their own economic interests, other countries will be more actively involved in the alliance against Mu."
Upon hearing this, the king gave him an approving look. "You have considered everything very thoroughly. This matter will be entrusted to General Xiao. Make sure to implement all measures as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty." After receiving the order, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er left the palace.
Back at the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen immediately summoned his trusted generals to discuss specific military defense plans. The atmosphere in the council hall was serious and tense. The generals sat around a long table, their eyes fixed intently on Xiao Yichen.
"General Li, lead a detachment to a key border town to reinforce its defenses. Pay special attention to the defensive structures on the city walls, ensuring that catapults, ballistae, and other equipment are functioning properly," Xiao Yichen said, his eyes fixed firmly on an experienced veteran.
General Li stood up, clasped his hands in salute, and said, "This humble general obeys orders and will certainly not fail in his mission!"
"General Zhang, you are in charge of recruiting new soldiers domestically and providing them with rigorous training. The training should not only include martial arts instruction, but also focus on cultivating their discipline and teamwork spirit." Xiao Yichen issued another order to a promising young general.
After General Zhang accepted the order and sat down, Xiao Yichen continued, "The rest of the generals must strengthen patrols and vigilance in their respective jurisdictions, and pay close attention to any suspicious persons and activities. If any abnormalities are discovered, report them immediately."
The generals nodded in agreement.
After arranging the military defenses, Xiao Yichen began investigating whether Murong Xuan had any hidden forces or spies within the Xiao Kingdom. He knew that if these hidden dangers were not eliminated, even the strongest military defenses would inevitably have loopholes.
Xiao Yichen began his investigation from within the General's Mansion, meticulously examining every servant and guard. He personally inquired about their backgrounds, the time they arrived at the mansion, and their daily routines, leaving no detail overlooked. Simultaneously, he arranged for trusted confidants to secretly monitor everyone's every move, preventing anyone from tipping them off.
During the investigation, Xiao Yichen noticed something suspicious about a newly arrived guard. This guard was usually taciturn and rarely interacted with the other guards, but he often went out alone late at night, and his whereabouts were mysterious. Xiao Yichen decided to investigate him more thoroughly.
He ordered his men to secretly follow the guard, and they discovered that he frequented a secluded tavern in the city. Xiao Yichen became suspicious, so he personally led several trusted men, disguised themselves, and sneaked into the tavern to observe him secretly.
The tavern was dimly lit and filled with a pungent smell of alcohol. A diverse group of people drank and chatted, creating a noisy atmosphere. Xiao Yichen and his confidants found a corner to sit down, their eyes fixed on the suspicious guard. The guard was speaking in hushed tones with a mysterious man in black in the corner, his expression tense. Xiao Yichen gestured for his confidants to move closer so they could hear their conversation.
"How's it going? Your Highness can't wait any longer," the man in black said in a low voice.
The guard shook his head slightly, "Xiao Yichen is too vigilant; I haven't found an opportunity yet."
"You must hurry. If you delay His Highness's important matter, you know the consequences." The man in black spoke with a hint of threat.
Xiao Yichen was furious. He hadn't expected that there really was an inside agent for Murong Xuan within his general's mansion. He suppressed his anger and continued listening.
“I understand. Tell His Highness that I will act as soon as possible,” the guard said.
Just then, Xiao Yichen felt the time was right. He stood up and shouted, "Take them down!"
The trusted men acted swiftly, rushing towards the guard and the man in black. The guard and the man in black were terrified and tried to resist, but they were no match for Xiao Yichen and his group. They were quickly subdued.
Xiao Yichen walked up to them, looking at them coldly. "Speak, what other schemes does Murong Xuan have in Xiao Kingdom? How many accomplices do you have in Xiao Kingdom?"
The guards and the man in black remained silent, their faces showing stubbornness. Xiao Yichen snorted coldly, "Fine, don't talk then. Take them back to the General's Mansion and interrogate them properly. I refuse to believe we can't pry their mouths open."
Upon returning to the general's mansion, Xiao Yichen personally interrogated them. He employed various interrogation techniques and finally managed to get the guard to confess.
“General, I… I was forced into this situation. Murong Xuan captured my family and threatened me to work for him. He has also planted spies in other cities in Xiao Kingdom, but I don’t know exactly where they are. I only know that they regularly exchange messages from secret locations in various places,” the guard said with a face full of guilt.
Xiao Yichen frowned. "Then what are your methods of transmitting messages and what are your codes?"
The guard hesitated for a moment, but still told the truth. Based on the clues provided by the guard, Xiao Yichen immediately dispatched people to investigate secret strongholds in various places, striving to wipe out all of Murong Xuan's spies in the Xiao Kingdom.
While investigating Murong Xuan's influence within the Xiao Kingdom, Xiao Yichen also did not forget to strengthen diplomatic ties with neighboring countries. He selected several eloquent and intelligent envoys, carrying generous gifts and his own handwritten letters, to travel to the surrounding countries.
Upon arriving in various countries, the envoys received varying degrees of hospitality. In some countries with close ties to the Xiao Kingdom, the rulers expressed their indignation at Murong Xuan's aggression and indicated their willingness to form an alliance with the Xiao Kingdom to jointly resist the Mu Kingdom. They discussed the specific details of the alliance with the Xiao Kingdom's envoys, including military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and economic assistance.
However, the situation is more complex in some neutral countries. These countries neither want to offend the Mu Kingdom nor get involved in the war. The envoys from the Xiao Kingdom face a tremendous challenge: they need to use their wisdom and diplomatic skills to persuade the rulers of these countries that Murong Xuan's threat is not limited to the Xiao Kingdom. If the Mu Kingdom succeeds, the entire continent will be plunged into war, and no country will be able to remain unscathed.
Through the envoys' tireless efforts, some neutral countries began to waver, indicating they would consider cooperation with Xiao Kingdom, but needed more time to observe the situation. Xiao Yichen, upon learning this news, was not discouraged. He knew that diplomacy required patience and time; as long as he could win over more countries to Xiao Kingdom's side, Murong Xuan's ambitions would be difficult to achieve.
As Xiao Yichen diligently investigated his accomplices and strengthened diplomatic ties, time slipped by unnoticed. He knew that the contest with Murong Xuan had only just begun, and many more challenges lay ahead. But he was fearless. He firmly believed that as long as he held fast to his convictions and united all forces that could be united, he would surely be able to safeguard the peace and tranquility of the Xiao Kingdom.
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