Comprehensive Martial Arts: My Master Is Huang Rong

Chapter 10: "Little Zhuge"

In the early morning, the first rays of sunlight struggled to pierce the lingering smell of blood hanging over Xiangyang City, casting their glow upon the broken city walls.

On the battlements, the clamor and slaughter of yesterday had subsided, leaving only the cold wind to rustle the tattered banners.

Yet, beneath this chill, an unprecedented sense of excitement and vitality surged.

In the Mongol encampment, the arrogant vanguard that had attacked the city yesterday was now a scene of utter devastation and chaos.

The strategy Lin Xuan had presented a few days prior, meticulously planned by Guo Jing and Huang Rong, had been perfectly executed last night.

The double-agent stratagem had thrown the Mongol intelligence network into complete disarray.

The "small fish" Lin Xuan had skillfully turned had unwittingly disseminated a wealth of misleading information, a mixture of truth and falsehood.

When the Mongols, believing a section of the northern city wall to be "understaffed and weakly defended," gathered their elite forces to attack, they fell into a trap that had been waiting for them.

The Empty Fort Strategy was employed to its fullest.

Beneath the seemingly abandoned section of the wall, pre-dug tunnels and spread oil became the Mongols' burial ground.

As the Mongol vanguard charged into the empty barbican, attempting to gain a foothold, Xiangyang's elite soldiers, who had been lying in wait in the tunnels, suddenly emerged, attacking from both front and back.

Simultaneously, from the city walls, rolling logs and stones rained down like a storm. Torches were thrown into the oil, instantly igniting a towering blaze that turned the barbican into a living hell.

Lin Xuan's most crucial step was advising Huang Rong to use the art of Qi Men Dun Jia to precisely calculate the position of the Mongol commander-in-chief.

Guo Jing personally led the charge, descending like a divine being. With his peerless martial arts, he struck directly at the heart of the enemy, slaying the unprepared Mongol vanguard general.

The death of their commander caused the morale of the Mongol army, already engulfed in flames, to instantly collapse, plunging them into unprecedented chaos.

They scattered like headless flies, only to be met by the Xiangyang surprise troops emerging from hidden tunnels, as Lin Xuan had predicted.

The underground passages, overlooked by the Mongols, became a crucial weapon for the Xiangyang army's counterattack.

Several elite squads emerged from the tunnels under the cover of darkness, launching surprise attacks on the Mongol supply lines and logistics camps.

The raging bonfires illuminated half the night sky, and screams, the sounds of battle, and the thunderous explosions of granaries echoed throughout the Mongol camp.

The Mongol army suffered heavy losses overnight, their morale shattered.

As dawn broke and the sun's radiance fully enveloped Xiangyang City, cheers of victory resounded from within and without its walls.

The fatigue in the eyes of the defending soldiers on the city walls was completely washed away by overwhelming joy.

The common people emerged from their homes, seeing the devastation in the Mongol camp outside the city and hearing the victorious reports from the front lines. They wept with joy and knelt in gratitude.

The atmosphere in the Guo Mansion's main hall was vastly different from the solemnity of the previous day.

The air was filled with the joy of victory, and Guo Jing's square face was now etched with a smile of exhaustion and pride.

He clapped Lin Xuan heartily on the shoulder, his voice full of praise: "Xuan'er! Your 'Empty Fort Luring the Enemy' and 'Tunnel Ambush' strategies are truly miraculous! If you hadn't warned us, how could we have expected the Mongols to walk right into our trap!"

Huang Rong stood beside Guo Jing, dressed today in an elegant, pale pink silk gown.

The soft, light fabric of the gown, with her movements, gracefully outlined her exquisite curves: her full bosom rose and fell with every slight breath, and her slender, willow-like waist appeared even more captivating.

The gown clung to her delicate form like a gentle mist, outlining breathtakingly graceful lines.

Her hair, as black as ink, was loosely tied back with just a silk ribbon, a few playful strands falling along her fair cheeks, adding a touch of languid charm and an indescribable allure.

It revealed a refined beauty and captivating charm, as if tempered by experience. Her skin glowed with a lustrous jade hue, radiant even without makeup.

At this moment, her usually perceptive, bright autumn-water eyes were softly fixed on Lin Xuan.

The corners of her lips curved upwards, forming an intoxicating arc, filled with undisguised admiration and affection.

"Brother Jing is right," Huang Rong's voice carried a newfound lightness, like a flowing spring or a warbler emerging from a valley. "Xuan'er's brilliant strategies truly turned the tide and saved all the people."

Feeling the warmth in Huang Rong's gaze and Guo Jing's praise, Lin Xuan's heart felt clear. He knew it was time to show his humility and loyalty.

He bowed respectfully, his voice sincere and earnest: "Master's Husband and Master praise me too highly. Your disciple merely offered some rudimentary ideas. It is Master's Husband's fearless bravery and Master's unparalleled strategic planning and brilliant calculations that truly made these plans effective."

"Without Master's Husband's bloody battle and Master's overall command, my paper-soldier strategies would have been mere empty talk."

Lin Xuan's words were flawless, attributing all the credit to Guo Jing and Huang Rong.

Guo Jing was overjoyed, scratching his head and smiling honestly, "You're such a humble child, Xuan'er!"

Huang Rong's lively phoenix eyes sparkled in the candlelight. She looked at Lin Xuan, her gaze filled not only with admiration but also with an indescribable sense of pride, as if looking at a raw gem she had personally nurtured, finally radiating its dazzling brilliance.

She gently raised her slender jade-like fingers, as if to pat Lin Xuan's shoulder, but then paused and lowered her hand.

Such humility only deepened Huang Rong's favorable impression of Lin Xuan.

She knew Lin Xuan was no ordinary person, yet he could attribute the credit to his superiors. This was not just intelligence, but a rare temperament and a broad perspective.

"What Xuan'er says also has merit," Huang Rong's tone was gentle, but her eyes clearly told Lin Xuan that she no longer had any doubt about his capabilities.

In the following days, Xiangyang City was bustling with activity.

Although the Mongol army had been severely hit, they were still a formidable force and could not be easily defeated. Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and Lin Xuan had to press their advantage, consolidate their gains, and plan for the next phase of defense.

Lin Xuan demonstrated his excellent organizational and coordination skills.

Under the guidance of Guo Jing and Huang Rong, he was responsible for coordinating intelligence transmission between the Beggar's Sect and the city defense forces, ensuring seamless information flow.

He personally interrogated captured Mongol scouts, piecing together the Mongol army's organizational structure from their fragmented information, combined with his knowledge from his past life, and even identifying several deeply hidden high-ranking Mongol intelligence agents.

His interrogation methods were not about torture, but psychological warfare. He exploited human weaknesses, guiding his subjects patiently, often extracting crucial intelligence from even the most stubborn scouts.

Under Lin Xuan's guidance, Xiangyang successfully cleared out several hidden Mongol spy networks within the city, effectively preventing potential sabotage.

He also assisted Huang Rong in re-inventorying and distributing the city's supplies, ensuring every bit of grain and every piece of military equipment was utilized most effectively.

Even in the repair of the city walls, Lin Xuan offered novel suggestions that made the work more efficient and the defenses stronger after repairs.

He was always calm and collected, maintaining an extraordinary composure no matter how tricky the problem.

His thoughts were like a finely tuned machine, considering every aspect thoroughly and striving for perfection in every detail.

His attitude towards his subordinates was gentle but his instructions were clear. Towards Guo Jing and Huang Rong, he always maintained an appropriate level of respect and humility.

He never took credit, always attributing victories to Guo Jing's bravery and Huang Rong's wisdom.

During a city defense meeting, an old general sighed with genuine emotion, "Great Hero Guo, with the assistance of Madam Guo, is like a tiger with wings. Now, with the addition of Young Master Lin, Xiangyang is truly blessed by heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Rong's beautiful face bloomed with an indescribable smile, her eyes sparkling with unparalleled grace.

Her gaze towards Lin Xuan was filled with pride. It held not only admiration for a junior but also trust in a confidant, and even a hint of a woman's fascination and affection for male talent.

She felt that Lin Xuan's presence had greatly lightened her burden, providing a harbor for her heart that had been lonely carrying the weight of planning.

Lin Xuan's reputation began to spread rapidly throughout Xiangyang City.

"Did you hear? The great defeat of the Mongol army last time was due to a clever stratagem by Madam Guo's new disciple, Young Master Lin!"

"I thought he was just an ordinary scholar, but I didn't expect him to be so talented! No wonder Great Hero Guo and Madam Guo think so highly of him!"

"That Young Master Lin is truly extraordinary. I worked under him yesterday, and when he assigned tasks, his words were gentle, yet every point hit the mark, making it convincing."

"Now everyone in the city calls him 'Little Zhuge'! I think he's a hundred times better than those useless scholars who only know how to talk theory!"

Similar discussions quietly circulated through the streets and alleys, taverns, and teahouses of Xiangyang City.

Lin Xuan's name, from an unknown beggar, soared to become the "Little Zhuge" in the mouths of soldiers and civilians, a prominent figure in Xiangyang City.

This reputation was the solid foundation he laid for his standing in the Guo Mansion and for his future plans.

Huang Rong once overheard the common people praising Lin Xuan, and a gentle smile would unconsciously appear on her pure and elegant face.

Chapter 11: Guo Fu's Favor

Ever since she was defeated by Lin Xuan, Guo Fu had felt a heavy weight in her heart, a constant gloom.

From childhood, she had been the center of attention. Her father, Guo Jing, cherished her like a precious gem, and her mother, Huang Rong, though strict, doted on her immensely.

She had never imagined that she would lose to a junior brother who had only joined them for a few months, especially under conditions where internal energy was forbidden, and she believed she had every advantage.

What was even harder for her to accept was her mother's unprecedented favor towards Lin Xuan.

She had seen Huang Rong and Lin Xuan talking softly under the plum trees several times, and the admiration and tenderness in her mother's eyes were something she had never found directed at herself.

That unique understanding between confidants was like an invisible knife, leaving scratches on her spoiled yet radiant heart.

She even began to wonder if Lin Xuan had used some kind of sorcery to make her usually shrewd and wise mother look upon him so favorably.

These days, Guo Fu deliberately avoided Lin Xuan, either staying in her room or trying to be out of the house as much as possible.

She tried to cast aside the frustration and humiliation in her heart, but those thoughts clung to her like a shadow.

However, Lin Xuan's calm eyes, his seemingly humble yet unfathomable face, and the "unknown conditions" he left behind, always haunted her sleepless nights when she dreamed.

She hated Lin Xuan – hated his talent, hated his closeness, and even more, hated that he had drawn her mother's attention away from her.

But at the same time, she couldn't deny that Lin Xuan possessed a certain... special charm that others lacked.

One evening.

Guo Fu, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, rode back from patrolling outside the city. She wore a green martial arts outfit that accentuated her slender, graceful figure. Her agile posture was heroic and valiant, complementing her delicate, flower-like face, truly embodying youthful beauty.

The hooves of her horse struck the bluestone path, making a crisp sound. As she passed the training grounds, she hesitated for a moment before finally reining in her horse and dismounting.

On the training grounds, Lin Xuan was practicing basic fist and foot techniques alone in the setting sun.

His movements were not complex, but each stance and move exuded an ancient, powerful beauty.

His robes fluttered with his movements, making a rustling sound, and he seemed to be enveloped in a faint, undeniable magnetism.

This was the unique charm naturally emanating from the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique after it had absorbed Yin essence to nourish itself – masculine yet restrained, full of vitality.

Guo Fu had only intended to watch secretly, but unexpectedly, Lin Xuan seemed to sense something, slowly stopped his movements, and turned around.

The setting sun cast a golden halo around him, his face appearing even more refined in the semi-darkness.

He saw Guo Fu, his eyes showing no surprise. He simply smiled slightly and cupped his hands in a respectful bow, "Senior Sister. You must be tired from patrolling today."

His voice was clear and gentle, without any trace of sarcasm or smugness, nor the fawning of dissolute young men. This perfectly balanced calmness, in fact, left Guo Fu with nowhere to vent her anger.

Guo Fu snorted, casually tossing the reins to a nearby servant, her delicate face full of arrogance. "You seem quite idle, still having the energy to be practicing martial arts here."

Lin Xuan didn't respond to her words, merely letting his gaze linger on her for a moment.

He saw that her green martial arts outfit was slightly damp with sweat, clinging to her skin and outlining her slender waist and full chest, showcasing a healthy and vibrant curve that was incredibly alluring.

Her high ponytail, also slightly messy from the wind and sweat, had a few strands of hair playfully sticking to her smooth forehead. Yet, this did not diminish her lively beauty; instead, it added a touch of wild charm.

But deep within her bright, star-like eyes, there was an undeniable weariness and a hidden worry.

"Senior Sister, why are you feeling uneasy today? Did you encounter any trouble during your patrol?" Lin Xuan asked softly.

His voice possessed a penetrating insight, devoid of any blame, carrying only pure and natural concern.

Guo Fu was taken aback. No one could see through her thoughts.

Her father, Guo Jing, doted on her but was rather careless; her mother, Huang Rong, was intelligent and quick-witted, but shouldered heavy burdens daily, and Guo Fu didn't want to add to her worries.

As for Wu Dunru and Wu Xiuwen, they only knew how to flatter her, how could they possibly discern her troubles?

She instinctively retorted angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about?! I'm not feeling uneasy at all!" But her voice involuntarily lowered, revealing a hint of weakness she herself hadn't noticed.

Lin Xuan remained calm, slowly walking towards her and stopping a few steps away.

His gaze fell upon her dust-covered boots, her tightly clenched palms, and the red marks on her fingers from the reins.

"Senior Sister's breathing is a bit shallow, your palms are injured, and the horse seemed restless. I presume you encountered an unexpected situation today that didn't go as planned," Lin Xuan said slowly, his tone carrying a gentle sigh.

"Everyone calls Senior Sister willful and spoiled, but they don't know that Senior Sister also carries burdens and has unspoken worries in her heart."

His words struck Guo Fu's most vulnerable heartstrings like a blunt object, not too hard, not too soft.

All her pride, all her pretense, crumbled before Lin Xuan's seemingly plain but incisive words. The feeling of being understood was foreign yet powerful.

A flicker of shock crossed Guo Fu's eyes. She looked up at Lin Xuan, whose clear gaze seemed to see through all pretense.

A blush, a mixture of shyness and confusion, quickly bloomed on her pretty cheeks, like peach blossoms just opening on a branch.

"You… you stop spouting nonsense!" she feigned anger, but her voice lacked its earlier conviction.

"I am not spouting nonsense, I am merely concerned about Senior Sister," Lin Xuan replied gently, without any hint of pressure.

He paused slightly, as if contemplating something, before speaking again. "Actually, Senior Sister, when we sparred last time, your moves weren't without merit. It was just that at certain crucial points of force application, there were slight deviations, which prevented you from unleashing your full power."

He suddenly shifted the topic to martial arts, instantly capturing Guo Fu's attention. After all, besides her parents' affection, her martial arts were what she cared about most.

"Don't try to fool me! Do you think I don't know you deliberately set a trap to make me lose so you could show off?" Guo Fu's anger surged again as she recalled their spar.