Years turn into wind

Ling Xiaotian had just learned from the front lines that the enemy had breached the first line of defense and was rapidly advancing on the Marshal's residence. The chaos of the banquet had just subsided, but the shadow of war once again loomed over everyone's hearts. Cheng Yuwei rose from her bed. Her wounds hadn't yet healed, but she ignored the pain and looked anxiously at Ling Xiaotian.

"The enemy broke through the defense line so quickly?" Cheng Yuwei was full of confusion and worry. "Didn't we just use false intelligence to make them misjudge our deployment?"

Ling Xiaotian's face was as dark as steel. He quickly walked over to the map and carefully examined the various strongholds along the front. "Indeed, this attack was incredibly swift and precise. They seem to have grasped our new deployment."

Cheng Yuwei frowned when she heard this: "Could it be...our plan has been leaked again?"

Ling Xiaotian didn't answer, but he realized the enemy's intelligence network was far more complex than he'd imagined. This wasn't just a matter of one traitor; perhaps there were more traitors lurking around him. Worse still, Lu Sheng clearly had a handle on their strengths and weaknesses, and was acting even more swiftly than he'd anticipated.

"Immediately order all troops to return and prepare to defend the second line of defense." Ling Xiaotian gave the order decisively, his tone stern. He had to ensure that he could hold his ground before the enemy reached the Marshal's Mansion, otherwise the entire battle would collapse.

That night, the entire Grand Marshal's Mansion was on high alert. Everyone felt the heavy pressure of the approaching war. Guards patrolled constantly, bows and cannons were mounted on the city walls, and soldiers nervously prepared for battle. Cheng Yuwei stood on a high building in the Grand Marshal's Mansion, gazing at the distant sky, where the flames of war were already faintly visible.

"They will be here soon." Ling Xiaotian walked to her side, his tone heavy.

"Xiaotian, do we still have a chance of winning?" Cheng Yuwei asked softly, with worry in her eyes.

Ling Xiaotian looked at her with a firm gaze: "As long as there is still a glimmer of hope, I will not give up."

Cheng Yuwei nodded. Although she knew the situation was extremely dangerous, Ling Xiaotian's determination reassured her. She turned and looked at him. "I want to help you. Whether it's military affairs or anything else, I'm willing to do what I can."

Ling Xiaotian gently held her hand and whispered, "You've done so much for me. I can't let you take risks again, especially in this critical moment."

However, Cheng Yuwei's expression was extremely resolute: "We are already on the same front, I will not back down. Besides, my knowledge of chemistry may be able to help you on the battlefield."

Ling Xiaotian was slightly stunned, then nodded: "Okay, in that case, I will let you join our military meeting. Perhaps you can help us come up with some unexpected strategies."

The next morning, Ling Xiaotian summoned all the senior generals, and Cheng Yuwei was also invited to attend this emergency meeting. She stood beside Ling Xiaotian, listening carefully to the reports and opinions of the generals.

"The enemy's attack route is very clear. It seems they have foreseen our defensive strategy," a general said solemnly. "And their firepower is extremely formidable, especially with some new weapons we've never seen before."

When Cheng Yuwei heard the words "new weapons," she immediately looked up, a question in her mind. She stepped forward and asked, "Can you describe those new weapons in detail?"

The general hesitated for a moment, then replied, "According to the soldiers on the front lines, the enemy has used a type of poisonous smoke that releases a strong odor. Once a soldier inhales it, they will quickly fall to the ground, have difficulty breathing, and even lose their combat effectiveness within a short period of time."

Cheng Yuwei's mind quickly analyzed the situation. She immediately thought that this might be a chemical weapon used by the enemy, and her research on chemistry might be able to find a way to crack it.

"This is a chemical poison gas." Cheng Yuwei said in a deep voice, "If I can get a sample of this poison gas, maybe I can prepare an antidote."

Ling Xiaotian nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "In that case, I will send someone to bring back samples from the front line as soon as possible, and you will be responsible for developing the antidote."

"Time is running out," Cheng Yuwei said anxiously, "We must find a way to deal with the enemy before they launch a large-scale attack, otherwise it will be difficult to hold the entire defense line."

Ling Xiaotian, fully aware of the dire situation, immediately dispatched his trusted confidants to the front lines to retrieve a sample of the poison gas. At the same time, he also urgently deployed additional defensive measures to counter the impending enemy offensive.

A few days later, Cheng Yuwei finally obtained a sample of the poison gas used by the enemy. She immediately went to the laboratory and began intensive research. Time was very short, and the enemy attack could come at any time. She had to find a solution to the poison as quickly as possible.

In the lab, Cheng Yuwei worked tirelessly, mixing chemicals and analyzing the composition of poison gas. Her fingers moved back and forth between flasks and test tubes, sweat dripping from her forehead, but her expression was remarkably focused. She knew that she held on her shoulders not only Ling Xiaotian's trust, but also the lives of countless soldiers.

After several days of hard work, Cheng Yuwei finally succeeded in concocting a potion that could neutralize the poison gas. She quickly handed the potion to Ling Xiaotian and explained in detail how to use it.

Ling Xiaotian looked at the potion in his hand, a hint of appreciation and gratitude flashing in his eyes: "Yuwei, you have bought us precious time."

Cheng Yuwei smiled tiredly: "I hope this will come in handy."

Ling Xiaotian distributed the potion to the various frontline troops and arranged for the soldiers to use it at any time during the battle. As the threat of poison gas was lifted, the morale of the frontline gradually improved, and they rekindled their hope of fighting.

However, just when Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei thought the situation was improving, an uninvited guest suddenly came to the Marshal's Mansion.

This man was tall, his gaze cold, and carried an indescribable sense of oppression. He claimed to be Lu Sheng's special envoy and brought a handwritten letter from Lu Sheng. It read, "Ling Xiaotian, I have all your movements under my control. No matter how hard you struggle, the outcome will remain unchanged. Your defeat is inevitable. It is best to surrender quickly to avoid further suffering."

Ling Xiaotian sneered and clenched the letter in his hand: "Lu Sheng, you want me to surrender? He is not worthy yet."

Cheng Yuwei watched Ling Xiaotian's back, her heart sweating for him. She knew that Lu Sheng's threat was not groundless, and that there might be a bigger conspiracy behind the enemy's swift attack.

Just as Ling Xiaotian was about to counterattack, a soldier suddenly came to report: "Marshal, this is bad! We've found several suspicious individuals in the barracks. They're trying to sabotage the armaments. They might be enemy spies!"

Ling Xiaotian suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with murderous intent: "Catch him and interrogate him strictly!"

Cheng Yuwei stood aside, feeling a sense of foreboding. She knew this battle wasn't just on the battlefield, but also involved an invisible game of strategy behind the scenes. Their enemy was far more powerful and cunning than they had imagined.

At this moment, the flames of war rose again in the distance, and the sound of enemy artillery gradually approached. Lu Sheng's army was ready for the final attack, while Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei were nervously preparing for this ultimate battle.

However, no one expected that this battle would completely change their fate.