Years turn into wind

As Lu Sheng's spies gradually infiltrate the Grand Marshal's Mansion, tensions grow. Despite his cautious approach, Ling Xiaotian is unable to fully pursue his lurking enemy. He understands Lu Sheng's intentions, and now he's targeting Cheng Yuwei.

For several days, Ling Xiaotian deliberately reduced Cheng Yuwei's outings and arranged for his personal guards to constantly guard her. But Cheng Yuwei knew full well that Lu Sheng's hidden plot would not stop. She smiled gently at Ling Xiaotian and whispered, "Xiaotian, I don't want to be a burden to you. If I restrict you, it will only play into Lu Sheng's hands."

Ling Xiaotian held her hand tightly, his tone firm: "I won't let anything happen to you. If Lu Sheng uses you as a threat, then I will do everything I can to keep you safe."

The two smiled at each other, as if they had reached a silent understanding in that moment. They knew in their hearts that facing Lu Sheng's relentless pressure, the best response was to fight back together.

At this moment, Ling Xiaotian receives a tip-off that Lu Sheng's men have planned a Jianghu banquet, inviting all the city's forces to gather. Ostensibly for the purpose of building harmony, it's likely a plot to stage an assassination. Ling Xiaotian decides to attend in person, and upon hearing this, Cheng Yuwei volunteers to accompany him.

"This banquet is strange and unpredictable, and it is a time to test people's hearts. If Lu Sheng is really here, perhaps we can use this opportunity to find out the truth." Cheng Yuwei said.

Ling Xiaotian smiled slightly: "In that case, let's go together. However, the banquet is full of dangers, so we need to be careful."

As night fell, a Jianghu banquet was held in an ancient teahouse. Figures swayed around, and the atmosphere was unpredictable. Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei arrived hand in hand and entered the teahouse lobby. As soon as they sat down, they felt several cold gazes sweeping over them, one of which was particularly sharp. Cheng Yuwei turned around and saw Lu Sheng also sitting there, looking confident.

The atmosphere at the banquet was lively on the surface, but undercurrents were stirring. Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei observed Lu Sheng silently, their own thoughts in mind. Lu Sheng, however, seemed to ignore them. As he raised his glass to toast, a sneer crossed his face. "It is truly a great honor for us all to be gathered here today, Marshal Ling and Miss Cheng, to have you here."

Ling Xiaotian raised his glass and smiled, "Brother Lu has arranged everything so well, how could I not come and show my support?"

Lu Sheng's smile remained unchanged, but his tone was now more provocative: "Marshal Ling knew the road ahead would be difficult and dangerous, so why did he bring Miss Cheng into danger?"

Cheng Yuwei's heart tightened slightly. She knew that Lu Sheng's words were full of hidden meanings. But Ling Xiaotian remained calm and replied calmly, "Yuwei and I are in this together. You can't drive a wedge between us."

Hearing this, Lu Sheng's smile grew even colder, his eyes gleaming with a sinister glint. He waved his hand, summoning a man in black, and said slowly, "Since Marshal Ling is so deeply moved, why not listen to the little surprise I have prepared?"

The man in black handed Ling Xiaotian a letter. Ling Xiaotian frowned, then opened it, his expression changing slightly. The letter detailed the security deployment at the Marshal's residence and even listed Cheng Yuwei's daily schedule in detail, like a meticulously planned assassination plot. Clearly, someone within the residence had leaked these secrets to Lu Sheng.

Cheng Yuwei's heart tightened upon seeing this. Ling Xiaotian's eyes were deep, but he quickly calmed down and folded the letter. "It seems my family was negligent, and you got some information. But Brother Lu, I don't think this can change your imminent failure."

Lu Sheng sneered, his eyes full of provocation: "Ling Xiaotian, you are too confident. Even if I missed your counterattack this time, the inside line in my hand is enough to make your Marshal's Mansion walk on thin ice."

Ling Xiaotian sneered in response: "Even if you have tens of thousands of people, the final outcome will not change."

Lu Sheng's eyes flickered, and he raised his glass and said with a smile, "That's great. Let's wait and see who has the last laugh."

The banquet continued in a tense atmosphere, with both sides fighting openly and secretly, and finally ended with a flurry of fake greetings. Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei both knew that this banquet was just foreplay, and Lu Sheng's true plan was still hidden in the dark.

Upon returning to the mansion, Ling Xiaotian immediately summoned his trusted aides and began a thorough investigation of the personnel within. Cheng Yuwei was personally responsible for secretly tracking down the source of the intelligence leak. After a covert investigation, Cheng Yuwei discovered that the leak was caused by a personal guard within the mansion. This person was once a subordinate of the Marshal, but had been bribed for money and secretly defected to Lu Sheng.

Cheng Yuwei personally interrogated this person and learned a deeper inside story. It turned out that Lu Sheng not only placed spies in the mansion, but also prepared a conspiracy against Cheng Yuwei, trying to use her whereabouts to cause civil unrest and gradually erode the defense line of the Marshal's mansion.

After Cheng Yuwei told Ling Xiaotian about this, his expression darkened. He said coldly, "Lu Sheng's intentions are truly vicious. He's trying to use Yuwei to sow discord among our troops. It seems he hasn't taken his eyes off us."

Cheng Yuwei smiled calmly and soothed him, "Xiaotian, no matter how cunning Lu Sheng is, his scheme will eventually be exposed. I will be doubly cautious and make sure his plan comes to nothing."

Ling Xiaotian stared at her, his eyes filled with mixed emotions. He held her hand and whispered, "Yuwei, if it weren't for you, I might have been targeted by him many times. You are my most important advisor and my only support."

Cheng Yuwei's eyes were slightly red. She leaned lightly on his shoulder and said softly, "No matter what the road ahead holds, you and I will walk hand in hand. I will accompany you to the end."

Ling Xiaotian lowered his head slightly, kissed the ends of her hair, and whispered softly: "Yuwei, you have already surpassed everything in my heart. I will protect you at all costs."

The two embraced each other in the night, their tenderness for each other evident. However, they both knew in their hearts that the storm had not subsided and that the real challenge still awaited them.