bookrebus Chapter 835 Night Owl's Assistance in the Battle, Traitor Receives Execution
Chapter 835 Night Owl's Assistance in the Battle, Traitor Receives Execution
With the "Shadow Assassins" eliminated, a major threat, the situation within the General's Mansion instantly reversed. The forty-two "Night Shadow" members brought by Lin Xue and Lin Xiaoyan were like tigers among sheep, greatly strengthening the garrison. They joined forces with the existing "Night Shadow" members and personal guards within the mansion, and under the unified command of the Lin sisters, launched a fierce counterattack against the remaining rebel forces.
The rebels were already thrown into disarray by the sudden appearance of the main force of "Night Shadows," and the loss of the assistance of "Shadow Assassins" further demoralized them. Faced with the ferocious "Night Shadows" members and the revitalized defenders, they quickly crumbled and began to scatter and flee.
"Don't pursue a desperate enemy!" Lin Xue's clear, cold voice rang out, piercing through the gradually thinning shouts and clashing weapons on the battlefield. She moved like a ghost past a rebel soldier who was trying to resist, her short blade precisely slicing his wrist, disarming him, and then striking him with her elbow, knocking him unconscious. Her movements were clean and swift, without the slightest hesitation.
Lin Xiaoyan was leading a team of "Night Shadows" to wipe out the remaining enemy in the west courtyard when she heard the signal and immediately blew her whistle. The sharp whistle carried far in the night, and the "Night Shadows" members and their personal guards who were in pursuit stopped in their tracks. Some were puzzled, but out of absolute obedience to orders, they quickly regrouped and looked around warily, guarding against a possible counterattack.
"Sister, why not press our advantage and wipe out these rebels in one fell swoop?" Lin Xiaoyan quickly approached Lin Xue, her cheeks slightly flushed and her forehead beaded with sweat, but her eyes gleamed with excitement. The fierce battle just now had her blood boiling, and now that the rebels were defeated, it was the perfect opportunity to eliminate them completely.
Lin Xue stood on a slightly higher step, her sharp gaze sweeping across the entire mansion. The fire still burned, illuminating the broken walls and the devastation scattered everywhere; the air was thick with the stench of blood and gunpowder. She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and said in a low voice, “The rebels are powerful. Today’s attack on the General’s Mansion was merely their elite vanguard, secretly supported by the ‘Shadow Assassins.’ Now the ‘Shadow Assassins’ have been killed, and the vanguard has suffered a setback, but the main force outside the city remains intact. If we rashly divide our forces to pursue them, leaving the mansion vulnerable, and the enemy’s main force takes advantage of the situation, or if other internal collaborators launch an attack, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
She paused, then pointed to the retreating figures of the defeated rebels fleeing in panic toward the gate of the mansion: "These remnants are like frightened birds, nothing to fear. Letting them go will only allow them to spread the news of the 'Shadow Assassins' failure and the General's Mansion's preparedness, thus shaking their morale. More importantly, we need time to tally the casualties, treat the wounded, reinforce our defenses, inventory the food and weapons stored in the mansion, and determine if there are any lurking spies. The most urgent task is to defend the General's Mansion and await Father and the return of reinforcements."
Lin Xiaoyan listened carefully, the excitement on her face gradually fading, replaced by calmness and seriousness. She had to admit that her sister had considered things more thoroughly and comprehensively. The victory just now had come too suddenly, making her a little dizzy. "Sister is right, I was reckless."
"It's alright. On the battlefield, maintaining our edge is good, but caution is even more crucial." Lin Xue patted her shoulder, her tone softening. "Now, let's divide the work. You immediately take your men: First, gather all the 'Night Shadow' team members and available personal guards, redeploy them, and focus on guarding the main gate, the high points of the courtyard wall, and key locations such as Father's study, the storeroom, and the armory. No one is allowed to approach without permission. Second, investigate all servants and attendants in the mansion, verify their identities, and temporarily isolate and guard any suspicious individuals. We must find any hidden moles."
"Yes!" Lin Xiaoyan solemnly accepted the order.
"I will handle the funeral arrangements for the wounded and fallen soldiers, inventory the supplies in the manor, and interrogate the captured rebels, hoping to extract some useful information from them. In addition, send people to closely monitor the movements outside the manor, and report back immediately if any enemy movements are detected." Lin Xue methodically assigned tasks, each instruction clear and specific.
After a brief rest and the relay of orders, the "Night Shadow" team members and their personal guards sprang into action. The earlier chaos and dejection vanished, replaced by an efficient and orderly flurry of activity.
Lin Xue first arrived at the wounded's settlement. It was located in a relatively well-preserved side courtyard within the manor, originally intended as guest rooms. At this moment, the rooms were already crowded with people. The military doctor and several maids with some medical knowledge were busily working, cleaning, bandaging, and applying medicine to the wounded. Groans and suppressed cries of pain filled the air.
Upon seeing Lin Xue enter, the busy people stopped what they were doing, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude. If "Night Shadow" hadn't arrived in time, they would probably be dead already.
"How is the situation?" Lin Xue walked up to an old military doctor and asked in a deep voice.
The old military doctor bowed deeply, his face filled with exhaustion and heartache: "Reporting to Miss, the casualties... the casualties are considerable. 'Night Shadow' team members..." Lin Xue walked up to an old military doctor and asked in a deep voice.
The old medic bowed deeply, his face filled with exhaustion and heartache: "Reporting to Miss, the casualties... the casualties are considerable. The 'Night Shadow' team has lost fifteen members, with eight seriously wounded. Thirty-seven of our personal guards have died, more than twenty are seriously wounded, and countless others are slightly wounded... and some innocent servants have also been affected..."
A series of cold numbers struck Lin Xue's heart like a hammer blow. Fifteen "Night Shadow" sisters—comrades who trained and risked their lives alongside them! Thirty-seven personal guards—loyal protectors trained by her father! Her eyes reddened slightly, but she forced back her tears. Now was not the time for sorrow.
"Do everything you can to save them, at all costs. If there is a shortage of medicine in the manor, write a prescription immediately, and I will find a way." Lin Xue's voice was a little hoarse. "The remains of the fallen soldiers must be properly arranged. After the war is over, they will be given a proper burial. Their families will be properly compensated by our Lin family."
"Yes, Miss." The old military doctor nodded with tears in his eyes.
Lin Xue walked over to a young "Night Shadow" team member lying on a straw mat. An arrow was stuck in her chest, her face was as pale as paper, and her breathing was weak. Lin Xue recognized her; her name was Xiao Cui, only sixteen years old, the youngest in the team. Usually lively and active, she always followed Lin Xue around, calling her "sister." At this moment, her eyes were tightly closed, and tears still clung to her long eyelashes.
Lin Xue reached out and gently stroked her cold cheek, a sharp pain shooting through her heart. She stood up, refusing to look at the horrific scenes of death and injury, lest grief cloud her judgment. She turned and walked towards her father's study.
The study door had been slashed open in the fierce fighting, and there were signs of a struggle inside. Fortunately, the important documents didn't seem to be lost. Lin Xue went behind the desk, where her father usually handled military affairs. She examined it carefully, hoping to find some clues about the current situation or any backup plans her father had left behind.
In a hidden drawer, she found a locked iron box. Lin Xue recognized it as the box where her father kept his most confidential documents. She took an antique-style silver hairpin from her hair; its tip was subtly curved—the key to opening the iron box.
Upon opening the iron box, there weren't many documents inside, only a few maps, a brief description of the troop deployment near the capital, and an unsigned secret letter. Lin Xue unfolded the letter; the handwriting was hasty and hurried, clearly written in a rush.
The letter was short, roughly meaning: the situation in the capital has suddenly changed, treacherous officials are in power and have ulterior motives, which may be detrimental to the Lin family. General Lin is advised to make preparations immediately, to ensure the safety of himself and his family, and to wait for the right opportunity. It was signed with only one word: "Hidden".
Lin Xue's heart sank. "Hidden"?
Lin Xue's heart sank. "Hidden"?
This character was like a boulder thrown into her already turbulent heart, stirring up countless waves. She recognized the handwriting, although it was more hasty than usual, carrying a hint of barely concealed urgency and anxiety, but she would never mistake the unique beginning and ending strokes, especially the force of the last hook in the character "隐".
Could it be him? That "old friend" whom my father only occasionally mentioned, his tone tinged with respect and regret? My father once said that this "Master Yin" was a close friend he had shared life and death with during their early years on the frontier. Later, weary of the infighting in officialdom, he retired to the mountains, detached from worldly affairs, only occasionally passing on scattered news from the martial arts world or the imperial court through extremely secretive means. My father said of him, "He was wise yet appeared foolish, living in seclusion in the city, possessing extraordinary talent, yet willingly serving as a servant of the people."
Even he, who was usually indifferent to worldly affairs, was alarmed and issued a warning in such an urgent tone, saying, "The situation in the capital has suddenly changed. Traitors are in power and have ulterior motives, which may be detrimental to the Lin family." Lin Xue felt a chill run from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, and her hands and feet became icy cold.
The Lin family had been loyal and virtuous for generations, and the father, Lin Xiao, was a renowned general of the court, wielding considerable military power in the capital region. He was upright and incorruptible, hating evil as if it were his enemy, and was always a representative of the virtuous and upright officials in the court, which also offended many powerful figures. However, the father was devoted to the country, never forming cliques or engaging in personal gain, and believed himself to have a clear conscience before heaven and earth, and before the emperor. What kind of "treacherous officials" could possibly have put such a loyal minister as the father in such a precarious situation?
She forced herself to calm down, her hands trembling as she carefully folded the secret letter and placed it back in the iron box. Her gaze fell on the maps and troop deployment instructions. This was the culmination of her father's years of hard work, the core secret of the capital's defense. Could Mr. Yin's warning be related to this? Was someone coveting this military power and trying to frame her father? Or had something truly happened in the capital that could shake the very foundations of the nation?
"You must protect yourself and your family, and wait for the right opportunity..." Mr. Yin's words echoed in her mind. Protect yourself and your family? Did this mean that danger was imminent, and even her father might not be able to fully control the situation? And what kind of opportunity was "waiting for the right opportunity"? Would Mr. Yin send another message, or would her father have other plans?
Lin Xue took a deep breath, trying to calm her wildly beating heart. She couldn't panic. Her father wasn't home; she was the eldest daughter of the Lin family, and she had to support her family. Her mother was in poor health, and her younger brother was still young; she couldn't let them be frightened.
She carefully locked the iron box, put it back in its place, and meticulously covered it with her clothes. She put the silver hairpin back into her hair; its cool touch calmed her turbulent emotions slightly. This hairpin was part of her mother's dowry; her mother only said it was an heirloom, never mentioning that it was also the key to her father's secret iron box. Surely, this was one of the backup plans her father had arranged long ago? Had he foreseen this day would come?
Outside the window, the sun gradually sank in the west, and the sky slowly turned orange-red, as if a beautiful and tranquil painting was unfolding. However, this beautiful scenery could not dispel the heavy clouds in Lin Xue's heart.
The last rays of the setting sun pierced through the wooden lattice of the window, casting dappled shadows on the ground. These mottled lights and shadows resembled patterns casually painted by the hand of fate, evoking a sense of wonder in one's heart.
Lin Xue stood silently by the window, like a statue, her eyes fixed, as if drawn by a magnet, on the towering sycamore tree in the distant courtyard. Its lush branches swayed gently in the breeze, as if nature itself had bestowed life and vitality upon them; the soft rustling of the leaves against each other was like a melodious tune, subtly enigmatic, quietly playing between heaven and earth. Yet, at this moment, this exquisite scene and melodious sound brought Lin Xue no comfort or peace. Instead, they were like a sharp blade, mercilessly piercing her already wounded heart—for to her, these sounds were no longer simple natural sounds, but rather a malicious and aggressive mockery and ridicule! This feeling was ever-present, refusing to dissipate, filling Lin Xue with vexation and making her increasingly restless and agitated…
She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, trying to control the surging emotions within her. But no matter how hard she tried, that inexplicable unease and doubt remained, haunting her like a shadow.
Father, where are you now? Are you alright? Are you aware of the worries at home, and of Mr. Yin's warning?
She knew that from the moment she opened that iron box and saw that secret letter, her peaceful life had ended. A huge storm was quietly approaching the Lin family. And she, Lin Xue, had to protect her home in this storm, wait for her father's return, and wait for that unknown "opportunity."
As night deepened, the lights of the Lin residence gradually illuminated the night, yet the atmosphere seemed even more subdued than usual. Lin Xue stood by the window, her figure slender, but her eyes hardened with determination. No matter how many thorns lay ahead, she would persevere. For her father, for her family, and for that weighty sense of loyalty and righteousness.
She gently stroked the silver hairpin in her hair, as if drawing strength from it. "Mr. Yin... I hope you can bring more news, and I hope Father is safe and sound." How should the Lin family navigate the undercurrents in the capital? She didn't know the answer, but she knew she had to prepare herself for what was to come.