Years turn into wind

Cheng Yuwei stood outside the tent, the sound of soldiers' hurried footsteps and distant horns filling her ears. She was filled with anxiety, her eyes following Ling Xiaotian's figure until he disappeared at the end of the camp.

The atmosphere around them grew increasingly tense. The soldiers lined up neatly, weapons in hand, ready to fight at any moment. Cheng Yuwei took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She knew that the only thing she could do now was to trust Ling Xiaotian, believe in his wisdom and strength.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl. Cheng Yuwei returned to the lab, trying to distract herself, checking the remaining reagents and supplies. She had to be prepared at all times, so she could provide more assistance if the situation worsened. The reagent bottle in her hand shimmered, as if silently awaiting the next test.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted from afar, sending the camp into an uproar. Cheng Yuwei's heart raced, and she quickly ran out of the tent, seeing smoke and flames rising into the sky in the distance. The soldiers quickly assembled and rushed to the source of the explosion.

"What happened?" Cheng Yuwei grabbed a passing soldier and asked.

"Madam, the enemy suddenly detonated gunpowder near their hiding place, and our outpost was attacked!" The soldier answered hastily with anxiety on his face and continued running.

Cheng Yuwei bit her lower lip, her heart filled with worry. She knew how dangerous this battle was, and she also understood the danger Ling Xiaotian and his soldiers were facing.

Just then, a burst of rapid horse hooves echoed from the camp entrance. Ling Xiaotian was atop his warhorse, his coat rustling in the wind, his face stained with smoke and blood. He dismounted, his eyes still sharp, a gleam of triumph in them.

"Yuwei, we succeeded! The enemy has been wiped out, and the remaining deserters are being pursued." His voice was filled with uncontrollable joy and excitement.

Cheng Yuwei rushed forward, tears welling up in her eyes: "I'm glad you're okay."

Ling Xiaotian held her hand and patted it gently: "I'm sorry for making you worry."

The soldiers in the camp cheered, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief at this victory. Cheng Yuwei leaned on Ling Xiaotian's shoulder, feeling his warm body temperature, and the weight of her heart finally fell to the ground.

But in this moment of peace, Ling Xiaotian's eyes suddenly grew deep. He whispered, "This is just the beginning. The enemies hidden in the shadows haven't all been revealed yet. We must be even more prepared."

Cheng Yuwei nodded, a determined light flashing in her eyes: "No matter how dangerous the road ahead is, I will walk with you."

Ling Xiaotian smiled slightly and held her hand tightly. Their shadows intertwined in the moonlight, as if they vowed to never separate.

The aftermath of the battle had not yet fully dissipated, and the camp was still filled with smoke and a solemn atmosphere. Under Ling Xiaotian's orders, the soldiers quickly cleared the battlefield and began interrogating the captured enemy. However, within this temporary calm, undercurrents surged, and the hidden crisis had not completely dissipated.

Cheng Yuwei stayed by Ling Xiaotian's side, closely monitoring every post-war arrangement. She could sense the tension in his shoulders, as if he were waiting for some unforeseen threat to strike. She knew this victory was only the beginning; the true enemy was still lurking in the shadows.

"Xiaotian," Cheng Yuwei said softly, "We need further intelligence. The information these prisoners can provide may be limited, but we must find the person who truly commands them."

Ling Xiaotian pondered for a moment and nodded: "You are right. We must intensify the interrogation tonight and get useful clues as soon as possible."

As night fell, the camp fell silent. The soldiers chatted in low voices, exhausted yet relieved by their victory. Cheng Yuwei returned to her tent and began to organize her records, pondering how she could further identify and analyze potential threats from a chemical perspective.

At this moment, there were soft footsteps outside the tent, as if someone was deliberately slowing down their pace. Cheng Yuwei's heart tightened, and she looked up at the tent entrance. A man who looked like a soldier opened the curtain, a strange smile on his face.

"Ma'am, I have important information that I need you to know." The man's voice was low and his eyes flickered with anxiety.

"What information?" Cheng Yuwei stood up and cautiously kept a certain distance from him.

The man slowly approached, a cold light flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly pulled out a short knife from his sleeve and pointed it at Cheng Yuwei. Cheng Yuwei screamed and stepped back, narrowly avoiding the blade.

"So you are the spy!" She suppressed the fear in her heart and tried to stay calm.

The man sneered, "As smart as you are, it's a pity that you can no longer help Ling Xiaotian today."

At this critical moment, Ling Xiaotian's voice came from outside the tent: "Wei'er, be careful!" He rushed into the tent quickly, and the long sword in his hand flashed with a cold light, blocking the man's way.

The man was shocked and turned his blade, but was knocked down by Ling Xiaotian's sword. With a fierce look in his eyes, he turned and tried to escape, but was surrounded by soldiers who had been ambushed outside.

Ling Xiaotian was panting and turned to look at Cheng Yuwei: "Are you okay?"

Cheng Yuwei suppressed her heartbeat and shook her head: "I'm fine, thank you for arriving in time."

A brief moment of peace returned to the tent, but everyone knew this assassination attempt was only part of a larger undercurrent. Ling Xiaotian frowned and ordered the assassin to be taken away for questioning. He then tightly grasped Cheng Yuwei's hand and said, "Tonight, you will move in with me. No more accidents can happen."

Cheng Yuwei looked at the concern and determination in his eyes, and a trace of warmth welled up in her heart. She softly agreed, "Okay."

The two walked out of the tent side by side. The night wind blew past, as if taking away the murderous intent from not long ago. But Cheng Yuwei knew that this was only a brief respite, and the real storm was brewing.