Years turn into wind

After the enemy's defeat, a brief period of peace returned to the commander's residence. But this calm was merely a sign before the storm. Although Ling Xiaotian masterminded the battlefield, he still harbored lingering fears about the poison gas attack. He dispatched a thorough investigation of the mastermind, only to discover their schemes were unfathomable, leaving virtually no visible traces.

Cheng Yuwei sat in Ling Xiaotian's study, quietly sorting through the chemical residues collected from the battlefield. Her gaze swept over the bottles of labeled samples, but she couldn't relax. She had a vague feeling that this attack was no accident.

"Weiwei, what are these?" Ling Xiaotian pushed the door open and looked at the rows of bottles on the table with a frown.

Cheng Yuwei raised her head, her eyes serious. "These are chemical agents and reaction products left on the battlefield. After analysis, I found that the enemy used a modified chlorine mixture, which is more difficult to deal with than ordinary poison gas. If we hadn't taken precautions tonight, the consequences would have been serious."

Ling Xiaotian was silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, "What is their purpose? Is it just a simple test?"

Cheng Yuwei shook her head and pointed at the sample. "I've discovered a strange phenomenon. The distribution of these poisonous gases is uneven. It seems to be deliberately avoiding certain areas. Perhaps those places are hiding their more important plans."

Ling Xiaotian's eyes grew deeper. "You mean, they're using poison gas to confuse us, but they actually have other plans?"

Cheng Yuwei nodded: "That's right. Therefore, we must re-examine the defenses around the entire Marshal's Mansion, especially the area near the pond. I suggest mobilizing more professional scouts to uncover hidden dangers."

Night Exploration Conspiracy

Ling Xiaotian quickly assembled an elite team and personally led a nighttime reconnaissance mission. Cheng Yuwei insisted on accompanying him, arguing that her knowledge of chemical principles might help uncover clues. Although Ling Xiaotian was reluctant to let her take the risk, he couldn't resist her stubbornness and ultimately agreed.

The night was as dark as ink, a few oil lamps dimly illuminating the path. The team moved silently, each step filled with caution. Cheng Yuwei followed closely behind Ling Xiaotian, holding a specially prepared chemical reagent in her hand.

When they reached the edge of the pond, there was a faint smell of dampness in the air, but Cheng Yuwei keenly sensed something strange: "Wait!" She whispered to the team, squatted down, and fiddled with the grass.

"What did you find?" Ling Xiaotian asked vigilantly.

Cheng Yuwei dripped the reagent onto the grass blades, and a wisp of light yellow smoke immediately emerged. Her face changed slightly: "This is the chemical trace left by the enemy. They may still be ambushing nearby!"

Ling Xiaotian waved his hand to signal the team to disperse quickly, and at the same time whispered, "Weiwei, follow me closely and don't run around."

As he spoke, a soft snapping sound came from the front, breaking the silence of the night. Ling Xiaotian's eyes turned cold, and he immediately raised his gun, signaling the soldiers to prepare for battle.

A moment later, several men in black emerged from the bushes, carrying improvised explosive devices. They were clearly enemy scouts. A quick exchange of fire ensued, the flames flashing briefly in the night.

"Protect Weiwei!" Ling Xiaotian gave the order while accurately killing two enemies.

Cheng Yuwei quickly retreated to a relatively safe place, but her eyes never left the battlefield. From her observation, the enemy did not seem to really want to fight, but was trying to cover something and retreat.

"Ling Xiaotian, there's movement behind us!" Cheng Yuwei pointed to the other side of the pond.

Ling Xiaotian acted decisively and took several soldiers in pursuit. However, when they arrived, the enemy had already disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind only scattered footprints and a map.

The Secret of the Map

After returning to the Marshal's residence, Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei carefully studied the map. It was a hand-drawn map of the terrain surrounding the Marshal's residence, with several key locations circled in red.

"What are these circled areas?" Cheng Yuwei asked.

Ling Xiaotian looked down for a moment and said in a low voice, "These are several supply warehouses in the Marshal's Mansion. Their goal is probably to destroy our supply lines."

Cheng Yuwei frowned: "If they can find the location of these warehouses, it means there may be a mole inside the Marshal's Mansion!"

Ling Xiaotian's face darkened. "This matter is of no small importance. We must investigate it immediately."

Cheng Yuwei looked at his exhausted yet resolute expression and couldn't help but whisper, "Ling Xiaotian, you have to be careful. This time, the enemy isn't just relying on force; they're infiltrating in an organized and planned way. Their ultimate target might not just be you, but the entire city defense."

Ling Xiaotian nodded and gently pulled her into his arms: "I know. You've worked hard this time, and I'll take care of the rest. You just need to promise me that no matter what happens, you must protect yourself."

Cheng Yuwei snuggled in his arms and whispered, "Okay."

The insider is exposed

The next morning, Ling Xiaotian secretly dispatched his trusted confidants to investigate the warehouse's guards and delivery personnel. Sure enough, he discovered suspicious behavior among the warehouse managers. This manager had been transferred only a month prior, but the timing of the warehouse theft matched perfectly.

"Catch him!" Ling Xiaotian ordered.

After the administrator was brought to the Marshal's Mansion, he initially denied everything, but under Ling Xiaotian's pressure, he finally broke down and confessed the mastermind behind the scenes.

"It was...General Liu who ordered me to do that!" The administrator said the name tremblingly.

When Ling Xiaotian heard this, his eyes suddenly became fierce. "General Liu? It seems that this game is more complicated than I thought."

Cheng Yuwei was shocked to hear this. She knew that General Liu was one of Ling Xiaotian's important subordinates, but she didn't expect him to be colluding with the enemy. This meant that Ling Xiaotian not only had to face external enemies, but also had to be wary of internal betrayal.

"Ling Xiaotian, what should we do next?" Cheng Yuwei asked.

Ling Xiaotian sneered, "Let's hold off for now and play the long game. I want to see how many accomplices he has!"