Years turn into wind

The night breeze rustled the bamboo curtains in front of the window, making a faint sound. Cheng Yuwei and Ling Xiaotian locked gazes in the study, an unspoken tension hanging in the air. Both knew that to gain the upper hand in this invisible contest, they had to uncover the traitor lurking within the Grand Marshal's mansion.

"Wei'er, who do you think the traitor is?" Ling Xiaotian asked softly, with a hint of imperceptible fatigue in his eyes.

Cheng Yuwei pursed her lips, recalling the expressions and behaviors of everyone in the mansion. She whispered, "The traitor should be someone familiar with the situation in the mansion, perhaps even one of our most trusted followers."

Just as the two were discussing, there was a sudden knock on the door. Ling Xiaotian said in a deep voice, "Come in."

The door opened, and in walked Ling Xiaotian's trusted aide, Lin Chuan. He looked nervous, clutching a newly delivered secret letter. "Marshal, this letter was just intercepted by a secret sentry. It contains information about tonight's movements."

Ling Xiaotian took the letter and quickly unfolded it. The contents of the letter were brief, but the expressions of the two men changed: "The insider will secretly meet at the warehouse west of the city tonight to hand over the information."

Cheng Yuwei stood up quickly, a cold light in her eyes: "This is our chance."

Late at night, in front of a warehouse in the west of the city, Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei, along with a team of elite soldiers, waited in the dark. The warehouse door slowly opened, and a figure quietly stepped out. Moonlight shone on the man's face, and Cheng Yuwei's pupils suddenly constricted.

"Is it Lin Chuan?" she whispered in disbelief.

Lin Chuan glanced around, confirming no one was following him, and then approached the shadowy figure to the side. It was none other than Liu Meiqiu. The two of them exchanged a quick conversation, and Lin Chuan handed her a scroll. Liu Meiqiu sneered, "Well done! When Ling Xiaotian falls, I'll guarantee you a lifetime of prosperity."

Lin Chuan lowered his head and whispered, "As long as I can protect my family, I am willing to obey your orders."

Cheng Yuwei's heart sank. It turned out that Lin Chuan had betrayed her because his family was threatened. She clenched her fists and could sense Ling Xiaotian beside her, suppressing his anger.

"Attack!" Ling Xiaotian gave the order, and the secret guards appeared one after another, blocking Lin Chuan's retreat. Seeing that the plan was exposed, Liu Meiqiu quickly retreated, but Cheng Yuwei had already blocked her way.

"Liu Meiqiu, you can't escape." Cheng Yuwei's eyes were cold, and her voice was filled with long-suppressed anger.

Liu Meiqiu curled her lips and smiled. "Really? Then you better be careful." She waved her hand, and a black smoke bomb exploded at her feet, and smoke instantly filled the air. When the smoke dissipated, Liu Meiqiu was gone.

Lin Chuan knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face: "Marshal, I'm sorry, I betrayed you, but I had no choice..."

Ling Xiaotian's face was stern. After a moment's silence, he said, "Your family will be protected, but your crimes will not be forgiven."

Lin Chuan was escorted back to the Marshal's residence. Cheng Yuwei and Ling Xiaotian returned to the study, where the atmosphere was heavy and solemn. Candlelight reflected on Ling Xiaotian's resolute face, his eyes revealing a complex emotion. Cheng Yuwei sat nearby, pondering Liu Meiqiu's words and actions.

"Xiaotian, Lin Chuan's family has been threatened. We need to investigate the people involved behind this. Liu Meiqiu definitely did not act alone. The people behind her are the key." Cheng Yuwei frowned, feeling vaguely that a larger conspiracy web was being woven.

Ling Xiaotian nodded, his voice deep, "That's right. Liu Meiqiu has escaped time and again. Her resources and courage are beyond the reach of ordinary people. It seems we must go deep into the enemy camp this time to get to the bottom of this."

There were footsteps outside the door, and the secret sentry captain, Li Mo, hurried in and said, "Marshal, Miss Cheng, we found an unsent secret letter in Lin Chuan's room. The letter mentioned a person named 'Night Owl', who seems to be the mastermind behind this."

"Night Owl?" Cheng Yuwei repeated softly, pondering the name. "It sounds like a code name. This person is the one who actually directs Liu Meiqiu's operations."

A cold light flashed in Ling Xiaotian's eyes: "If this is true, we must find him, no matter what the cost."

That night, Cheng Yuwei returned to her room, but her heart was restless. Sitting by the window, gazing at the night sky outside, she pictured Ling Xiaotian shielding her from the wind and rain, and a faint smile crept into her face. Although the road ahead was filled with uncertainty, she was no longer afraid, for he was by her side.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Cheng Yuwei turned around and saw Ling Xiaotian standing outside, holding a bowl of steaming ginger soup.

"It's late at night, are you still thinking about things?" He walked in and handed her the ginger soup with tenderness in his eyes.

Cheng Yuwei took the soup and felt warm in her heart: "Thank you, Xiaotian. What happened today... may be difficult for you to accept."

Ling Xiaotian sighed and sat across from her, a hint of fatigue in his tone: "Lin Chuan has been my brother for many years. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it. But in these troubled times, there's often only a fine line between betrayal and loyalty."

Cheng Yuwei reached out and gently grasped his hand, feeling the strength and warmth in it. The two looked at each other for a moment, without needing to say anything. The tacit understanding and trust between them spread silently in that instant.

"No matter what happens, we will face it together." Cheng Yuwei said softly with a firm look in her eyes.

Ling Xiaotian smiled slightly, and a hint of warmth finally appeared on his tired face: "With you here, I believe I can get through everything."

However, just as they were enjoying this brief moment of warmth, in a secret mansion within the city, Liu Meiqiu and a man in a black mask were plotting. A dangerous glint shone in the man's eyes, and his voice was like cold steel: "We can proceed with the plan. Let Ling Xiaotian be thrown into complete chaos and learn the meaning of despair."

Liu Meiqiu replied softly, "Yes, Lord Night Owl."

A little suspense: Who is Ye Xiao's true identity? What is his grudge against Ling Xiaotian? Can Cheng Yuwei and Ling Xiaotian maintain their winning streak in this conspiracy-filled battle?