Years turn into wind

As Ling Xiaotian entered the meeting room of the Marshal's Mansion, he sensed a heavy atmosphere. The deputy generals wore serious expressions, having clearly received orders to heighten their security and were discussing their next steps.

"Reporting to the commander-in-chief, patrols have been strengthened along the border, but there are rumors that a group of unidentified armed forces are gathering and may launch an attack at any time." A deputy general stepped forward to report, his tone tense.

Ling Xiaotian took a deep breath and responded calmly, "Their eagerness to launch an attack proves that we have made them feel threatened. Pass on my order: the entire army must defend, but do not initiate an attack. I want them to not be able to figure out our true strength."

After the meeting, Su Wanting walked up to Ling Xiaotian and frowned slightly. "They're coming with such force this time. The person behind this is likely that long-hidden hostile force. Should we investigate internally to see if there are any spies lurking?"

Ling Xiaotian nodded, his eyes sharp as a blade. "That's exactly what I'm worried about. There must be a traitor in the palace, leading to information leaks." He paused and continued, "Su Wanting, you will be responsible for investigating all officers and soldiers who have come into contact with military secrets, especially those who have behaved abnormally recently."

Cheng Yuwei stood at the door, listening quietly. A sense of unease welled up in her heart, and her thoughts raced. Suddenly, she remembered the mysterious man in the teahouse and the mocking smile on his face. Was there a bigger conspiracy behind this?

While she was lost in thought, Ling Xiaotian walked up to her and gently took her hand. "Weiwei, I'm afraid I won't be able to go back home to rest tonight. This is urgent. You must stay in the mansion and don't let anyone get close."

Cheng Yuwei nodded, with a determined light in her eyes: "You go, I will protect myself."

At night, the atmosphere in the mansion was like a taut bowstring, ready to snap at any moment. Cheng Yuwei was flipping through some chemistry books in her room, trying to distract herself. Suddenly, a slight noise came from outside the window. She raised her head alertly, her eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

"Who's there?" she asked in a low voice, her hand unconsciously tightening around the dagger on the table.

The dark shadow outside the window swayed gently, followed by a low, hoarse laugh: "Miss Cheng is indeed perceptive." Then, a man in black jumped into the room, looking at her with a sneer.

Cheng Yuwei was not at all flustered and said calmly, "Who are you? Sneaking in so late at night, I don't think you have good intentions."

The man in black smiled slightly, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'm just following orders. Unfortunately, you're destined not to leave alive tonight."

The air was filled with murderous intent. Cheng Yuwei secretly gripped her dagger, ready to counterattack at any time.

The man in black said nothing more. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he pounced on Cheng Yuwei like a tiger. She had anticipated this move and quickly dodged, the dagger in her hand slashing in a sharp arc. The two of them instantly engaged in a fierce struggle, the flash of swords and sabers illuminating Cheng Yuwei's calm and resolute eyes.

The man in black clearly hadn't anticipated Cheng Yuwei's skill, and his brief moment of disbelief left him vulnerable. Cheng Yuwei seized the opportunity, launching a flying kick that sent him back a few steps. As the man in black stumbled, she snatched up a candlestick from the table and slammed it hard into his shoulder. The candlestick landed with a resounding thud, and a flash of fire ignited the edge of the man in black's cloak.

"Ah!" The man in black roared and quickly flapped his clothes to try to put out the flames. Taking this opportunity, Cheng Yuwei quickly ran to the door and tried to shout for help. But the moment she opened the door, another hand reached out from behind the door and pulled her back into the room.

"Weiwei!" A familiar voice echoed through the chaos. Ling Xiaotian swooped in like a falcon, his longsword piercing the man in black with lightning speed, forcing him to release Cheng Yuwei. The battle unfolded in the cramped space, each of Ling Xiaotian's strikes carrying the force of thunder. The man in black had no escape route and was cornered.

"Who sent you?!" Ling Xiaotian growled, the tip of his sword pointed directly at the black-clad man's throat. The black-clad man sneered, but instead of answering, he bit the poison sac in his mouth and fell to the ground instantly.

Cheng Yuwei looked at this scene in astonishment, her face pale: "He would rather die than expose the mastermind behind this... Who is this person?"

Ling Xiaotian frowned and kicked the black-clothed man's body aside, his eyes still cold. "It seems we have really touched upon a larger power."

For a moment, the only sound in the room was heavy breathing. Ling Xiaotian turned around and looked at Cheng Yuwei's hair, disheveled from the fight, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes. He took a step forward, pulled her into his arms, and said in a low voice, "Weiwei, I'm sorry for getting you into all this danger."

Cheng Yuwei leaned on his chest, her heart still beating hard, but she still spoke to comfort him: "I know this road is destined to be not peaceful, but I am willing to walk it with you."

Ling Xiaotian held her tightly, remaining silent for a long time. They both understood that this attack was just the beginning, and a bigger conspiracy was quietly approaching.

Ling Xiaotian silently embraced Cheng Yuwei, feeling her slightly cold body temperature gradually warm up. The tranquility at this moment seemed to temporarily isolate the two of them from the war and conspiracy, giving them a moment of respite.

"Ling Xiaotian, the assassin's methods this time are so ruthless. The person behind this must be a ruthless person." Cheng Yuwei looked up at him, a hint of worry in her eyes. "We must be extra careful."

Ling Xiaotian nodded slightly, a look of determination in his eyes. "I've already assigned more men to guard the Marshal's Mansion. We won't let the enemy succeed so easily." He paused, gently brushed her hair away from her forehead, and softened his tone. "However, you need to rest more tonight. I will stay by your side and won't let anyone get close to you again."

Cheng Yuwei felt his concern, her heart warmed, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "With you here, I feel at ease."

At this moment, the moonlight outside the window shone on the two of them, reflecting their resolute and warm faces. The tense atmosphere in the whole room seemed to ease slightly, with only the wind gently blowing the curtains, making a subtle sound.

At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside, followed by the deputy general's report: "General, we have intercepted several suspicious individuals outside the palace. We suspect they are accomplices of the assassin just now."

Ling Xiaotian's eyes suddenly became sharp: "Catch them and interrogate them strictly. Don't give them the chance to commit suicide."

The deputy general left. Cheng Yuwei, observing the stern expression on Ling Xiaotian's face, couldn't help but feel admiration. She knew that in these precarious times, he was the city's protector, and she stood shoulder to shoulder with him. The two stared at each other for a moment, their understanding unspoken.

In a dark alley not far away, a pair of eyes in the shadows watched all this silently, with a hint of viciousness flashing in their eyes.

The eyes hidden in the dark alley narrowed slightly, and a cold smile played at the corners of his mouth. A moment later, he turned and disappeared into the night, as if he had never existed. The figure walked down a winding path until he entered a hidden courtyard. Inside, a few dim lanterns cast a faint light, illuminating faces both familiar and unfamiliar.

"Master, our people have failed." A subordinate in black knelt down to report, his voice cautious.

The man in the main seat slowly turned around, his hawk-like eyes coldly staring at his subordinates below. He listened silently, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, as if he were lost in thought.

"Interesting," he finally spoke, his voice low and sinister. "It seems Ling Xiaotian isn't as easy to deal with as the rumors say. Also, this Cheng Yuwei... is a pleasant surprise."

The men lowered their heads and dared not say a word, only feeling that the coldness in the room seemed to be even worse.

"In that case, there's no need to rush. Take your time, we have plenty of time." The man on the main seat smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes, making him look even colder.

Meanwhile, inside the Marshal's mansion, Ling Xiaotian had already deployed patrols to ensure every corner of the mansion was under control. When he returned to his room, he saw Cheng Yuwei had changed out of her slightly torn clothes and was now wearing a light blue robe. She was sitting by the window, gazing at the moonlight.

"Weiwei, it's a cold night, be careful not to catch a cold." Ling Xiaotian reminded softly, walked forward, and gently put the cloak on her shoulders.

Cheng Yuwei turned her head to look at him, with a bit of tenderness in her eyes: "Aren't you going to rest tonight? You haven't slept for many days since you came back from the battlefield."

Ling Xiaotian smiled and reached out to gently stroke her face: "With you by my side, no matter how tired I am, it's worth it."

The two smiled at each other, their heartbeats seemingly in sync at this moment. Cheng Yuwei couldn't help but reach out and gently hold Ling Xiaotian's hand. The touch of her fingertips was filled with a hint of warmth. She whispered, "No matter how difficult the road ahead is, I will walk with you."

Ling Xiaotian's eyes flickered with emotion, and he leaned over to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. In this moment of tenderness, the wind outside seemed to die down, and the night softened, illuminating their figures.

The moonlight from the window softly fell on the two of them, casting their shadows on the floor of the room, swaying slightly. The tranquility of the moment made Cheng Yuwei feel an unprecedented peace of mind. She leaned gently against Ling Xiaotian's chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat, as if the disputes and turmoil outside had faded away, leaving only the warmth between them.

"Xiaotian," Cheng Yuwei called softly, with a hint of hesitation in her voice.

"Hmm?" Ling Xiaotian looked down at her, tenderness glimmering in his eyes.

"Who do you think sent the assassin tonight?" She couldn't help but ask, even though she was reluctant to break the tranquility at the moment.

Ling Xiaotian's face darkened slightly, and after a moment's contemplation, he replied, "This matter is very strange, and it's not something an ordinary hostile force could pull off. The person behind this is hiding their true power, and they're willing to do anything to get away with it." He gently stroked Cheng Yuwei's hair and said soothingly, "But no matter who they are, they won't succeed. As long as I'm here, you don't have to worry."

Cheng Yuwei nodded, but she remained vigilant. She knew that in these turbulent times, where emotions and reason, hatred and love intertwined, people could be trapped at any moment. She leaned on Ling Xiaotian's shoulder, silently resolving that no matter how difficult the road ahead, she would use her wisdom and strength to face it together with Ling Xiaotian.

As the night deepened, the faint barking of dogs drifted in the distance, as if reminding them that this night was not entirely peaceful. Outside the Grand Marshal's residence, a dark figure moved swiftly and silently in the moonlight. In his hand was a secret letter, written neatly, but its contents chilled the heart: "Next action, target—Cheng Yuwei."

Meanwhile, the captain of the palace's guards had quietly deployed their personnel to secure the perimeter of the residence. Everything proceeded silently in a tense atmosphere, preparing for the next unknown challenge.

Ling Xiaotian gently hugged Cheng Yuwei in his arms, his eyes firm, as if he made a vow to himself in his heart: no matter who comes, he will protect this precious warmth in front of him, and even if the war breaks out again, he will not let her suffer any harm.

In this moment of silence, there was a burst of hurried footsteps outside, followed by the soldier's low voice reporting: "Marshal, something's wrong!"

Ling Xiaotian frowned, protecting Cheng Yuwei behind him, and turned to walk towards the door. When he opened the door, he saw Deputy General Lin Feng standing outside with a serious expression and a hint of anxiety on his face.

"What happened?" Ling Xiaotian asked coldly.

Lin Feng bowed and said, "We just found a suspicious person outside the mansion. He was holding a secret letter. After preliminary interrogation, he would rather die than say anything, but we found important intelligence about the Marshal's Mansion from the letter on him."

Ling Xiaotian frowned as he took the letter and opened it. A flicker of anger flashed in his eyes as he scanned the contents. Cheng Yuwei's name was clearly written on the letter, clearly identifying her as the target for the next move. This was undoubtedly a warning to him, but also a test of his limits.