Chapter Ten: "Little Zhuge" / Chapter Eleven: Guo Fu's Favor

Chapter Ten: "Little Zhuge"

At dawn, the first ray of sunlight struggled through the lingering stench of blood above Xiangyang City and fell upon its battered walls.

The noise and fighting of the day before had died away atop the walls, leaving only the chilly wind to stir the tattered flags into a fierce flutter.

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

In the Mongol Army's camp, the vanguard that had swaggered so arrogantly while attacking the city the day before had now been reduced to utter chaos.

The strategy Lin Xuan had proposed a few days earlier had been carefully arranged by Guo Jing and Huang Rong, then executed to perfection the previous night.

The ruse of sowing discord had thrown the Mongol Army's intelligence network into complete disarray.

The "little fish" Lin Xuan had skillfully turned had unwittingly passed along a great deal of misleading information, some true and some false.

When the Mongol Army gathered its elite troops and launched a fierce assault on a section of the northern wall, believing its defenders had been redeployed and its defenses were weak, a trap that had been laid long in advance awaited them.

The feigned retreat had been carried out to perfection.

Beneath the seemingly abandoned section of the wall, tunnels dug in advance and oil laid out became the Mongol Army's grave.

As the Mongol vanguard rushed into the empty outer fortress, hoping to establish a foothold, elite Xiangyang troops who had been lying in wait in the tunnels suddenly sprang out, attacking from both front and rear.

At the same time, logs and stones rained down from the walls. Torches were hurled into the oil, instantly sending flames soaring into the sky and turning the outer fortress into a living hell.

Lin Xuan's most crucial move had been advising Huang Rong to use Qi Men Dun Jia to calculate the precise location of the Mongol commander overseeing the battle.

Guo Jing had gone into action himself, descending like a heavenly deity. With peerless martial arts, he had struck straight at the heart of the enemy and cut down the Mongol vanguard's general before he could react.

The general's death caused the Mongol Army, already trapped in a sea of fire, to lose heart and descend into unprecedented confusion.

They scattered like headless flies, only to meet the surprise troops Lin Xuan had predicted, emerging from hidden tunnels.

The underground passages the Mongol Army had overlooked had become a powerful weapon for Xiangyang's forces to counterattack.

Several elite squads had slipped out through the tunnels under cover of night and launched surprise attacks on the Mongol Army's supply lines and rear camps.

Blazing bonfires lit up half the night sky. Screams, battle cries, and the thunderous explosions of grain stores rose and fell, echoing throughout the Mongol Army's camp.

In a single night, the Mongol Army suffered heavy losses, and its morale collapsed.

By morning, the sun had completely bathed Xiangyang City in its light, and cheers of victory rang out both inside and beyond its walls.

The exhaustion in the defenders' eyes was swept away by joy.

The townspeople emerged from their homes. Seeing the devastation in the Mongol Army's camp outside the city and hearing the good news from the front, they wept with joy and fell to their knees in gratitude.

The atmosphere in the main hall of Guo Mansion was completely different from the grim mood of the day before.

The air brimmed with the joy of victory, and Guo Jing's square-featured face was now lit with a weary yet proud smile.

He clapped Lin Xuan on the shoulder with his large hand, his voice full of praise. "Xuan'er! Your plans to lure the enemy with an empty fortress and ambush them with troops in the tunnels were truly ingenious! If you hadn't warned us, how could we have guessed the Mongol Army would walk right into our trap?"

Huang Rong stood beside Guo Jing, dressed that day in a simple, pale pink silk blouse.

The soft, light fabric traced her graceful curves as she moved. Her full chest rose and fell with each gentle breath, and her slender waist looked all the more alluring.

The blouse clung to her delicate figure like a soft cloud, outlining curves so lovely they took one's breath away.

Her glossy black hair was loosely tied behind her head with a single ribbon. A few unruly strands fell against her smooth, jade-like cheeks, adding a touch of languid allure and indescribable charm.

She had a clear, captivating beauty that spoke of a woman weathered by hardship. Her skin had the sheen of polished jade, and she looked as lovely as a flower even without makeup.

Now, her bright, limpid eyes, usually so perceptive, rested gently on Lin Xuan.

Her lips curved into a charming smile, filled with unmistakable approval and affection.

"Brother Jing is right," Huang Rong said, her voice lighter than ever before, flowing like a clear spring and sweet as an oriole's song. "Xuan'er's brilliant plan truly turned the tide and saved countless lives."

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

He bowed respectfully, his voice sincere and earnest. "Master's Husband and Master are too kind. This disciple merely offered a few crude ideas. What truly made them work was Master's Husband's courage and Master's strategic brilliance."

"Without Master's Husband fighting through bloodshed and Master coordinating the whole battle, my paper plans would have come to nothing."

Lin Xuan's words were flawless; he gave all the credit to Guo Jing and Huang Rong.

Guo Jing was delighted. Scratching his head, he gave a simple, honest laugh. "Xuan'er, you're always so modest!"

Huang Rong's lively phoenix eyes gleamed in the candlelight. As she looked at Lin Xuan, there was more than admiration in her gaze. There was also an indescribable pride, as if she were watching a piece of jade she had nurtured herself finally shine with dazzling brilliance.

She raised her slender hand, her fingertips white as scallions, as if she meant to pat Lin Xuan on the shoulder. But in the end, she paused and lowered it again.

His modesty only deepened Huang Rong's fondness for Lin Xuan.

She knew he was no ordinary person, yet he still gave the credit to the commander. That was not merely cleverness, but a rare strength of character and a broad perspective.

"Xuan'er has a point," Huang Rong said gently, though her gaze made it clear that she no longer had the slightest doubt about his abilities.

Over the next few days, Xiangyang was a hive of activity.

Though the Mongol Army had suffered a crushing defeat, its strength remained formidable, and it would not be down for good. Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and Lin Xuan had to press their advantage and consolidate their gains while preparing for the next stage of the defense.

Lin Xuan displayed outstanding organizational and coordination skills.

With guidance from Guo Jing and Huang Rong, he coordinated the exchange of intelligence between the Beggar Sect and the city's defenders, ensuring that information flowed smoothly.

He personally interrogated captured Mongol scouts. By piecing together fragments of information from their answers and combining them with knowledge from his past life, he reconstructed the Mongol Army's internal structure and even deduced the identities of several deeply concealed high-ranking spies.

Rather than resorting to torture, he used psychological pressure, exploiting human weakness and patiently drawing the truth out of them. More often than not, he managed to extract crucial intelligence from even the most stubborn scouts.

Under Lin Xuan's guidance, the defenders successfully rooted out several hidden Mongol spies in the city and eliminated potential threats.

He also helped Huang Rong sort through and distribute the city's supplies, ensuring that every ration of food and every piece of military equipment was put to the best possible use.

Even when it came to repairing the city walls, Lin Xuan offered fresh suggestions that made the work more efficient and left the repaired defenses stronger.

He was always calm and collected. No matter how difficult a problem was, he met it with remarkable composure.

His mind worked like a finely tuned machine. He considered every stage thoroughly and strove to perfect every detail.

He treated his subordinates with warmth while giving clear instructions, and remained appropriately respectful and humble toward Guo Jing and Huang Rong.

He never took credit for himself, always attributing their victories to Guo Jing's courage and Huang Rong's wisdom.

At one city-defense meeting, an old general remarked with heartfelt admiration, "Great Hero Guo has grown even stronger with his wife at his side. Now he has Young Master Lin as well. Heaven truly favors Xiangyang!"

When Huang Rong heard this, an indescribable smile bloomed across her lovely face, her eyes sparkling with peerless charm.

She looked at Lin Xuan with pride. Her gaze held not only appreciation for a younger generation, but also the trust she would place in a confidant. It even carried a woman's infatuation and longing for a man's talent.

She felt that Lin Xuan's presence had eased her heavy burden, giving her lonely heart—a heart that had borne the weight of planning alone—a place to rest.

Lin Xuan's reputation began to spread rapidly through Xiangyang.

"Have you heard? The Mongol Army's defeat was all thanks to a brilliant plan by Young Master Lin, the new disciple of Madam Guo!"

"I thought he was just an ordinary scholar, but it turns out he's a real talent! No wonder Great Hero Guo and Madam Guo think so highly of him!"

"That Young Master Lin really is exceptional. I worked under him yesterday. He spoke gently when assigning tasks, but every word hit the mark. You couldn't help but trust him."

"Everyone in town is calling him 'Little Zhuge' now! He's a hundred times better than those rotten scholars who only know how to talk about theories on paper!"

Similar talk quietly spread through the streets and alleys, taverns and teahouses of Xiangyang.

Lin Xuan's name had gone from that of an unknown little beggar to "Little Zhuge," a name on the lips of soldiers and civilians alike. He had become a prominent figure in Xiangyang.

This reputation gave him a firm footing in Guo Mansion and laid a solid foundation for his plans to come.

Huang Rong once overheard the townspeople praising Lin Xuan. A gentle smile would unconsciously appear on her lovely, refined face.

Chapter Eleven: Guo Fu's Favor

Ever since Lin Xuan had defeated her, a heavy weight seemed to press on Guo Fu's heart, leaving her gloomy and miserable.

Ever since she could remember, she had been the center of attention. Her father, Guo Jing, cherished her like a precious jewel, while her mother, Huang Rong, though strict, doted on her as well.

She had never imagined she would lose to a junior disciple who had only been in the sect for a few months, especially when they had forbidden Internal Energy and she had thought her advantage was clear.

Even harder for her to accept was her mother's favor toward Lin Xuan. It had reached heights she had never seen before.

She had seen Huang Rong and Lin Xuan talking quietly beneath the plum trees several times. The admiration and tenderness in her mother's eyes were things she had never seen directed at herself.

That unspoken understanding, unique to confidants, was like an invisible knife, carving deep marks into her proud and radiant heart.

She had even begun to wonder whether Lin Xuan had used some kind of sorcery to make her usually shrewd and wise mother treat him so differently.

These past few days, Guo Fu had deliberately avoided Lin Xuan. She either stayed cooped up in her room or made sure she was out instead of remaining at home.

She tried to put her vexation and humiliation behind her, but those thoughts followed her like a shadow.

Yet Lin Xuan's calm eyes, his seemingly modest but inscrutable face, and the "unknown conditions" he had left her with kept her awake at night.

She hated Lin Xuan—hated his talent and the way he had grown close to her mother, and hated that he had drawn her mother's attention away from her.

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

That evening.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, Guo Fu rode back from patrolling beyond the city. She wore a green outfit suited for martial arts, which outlined her graceful figure. Her athletic bearing was bold and spirited, and paired with her lovely face, she was the very picture of youthful beauty.

Her horse's hooves clattered over the stone-paved street. When she passed the training grounds, she hesitated, but in the end she reined in her horse and dismounted.

On the training grounds, Lin Xuan was practicing basic fists and kicks alone in the glow of the setting sun.

His movements were not complicated, but every strike carried a simple, powerful grace.

His robes rose and fell with his movements, flapping in the breeze. An invisible magnetism seemed to surround him, impossible to ignore.

It was the unique charm naturally radiated by the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique after absorbing and using yin energy to nourish him: masculine yet restrained, brimming with vitality.

Guo Fu had only meant to sneak a glance, but Lin Xuan seemed to sense her presence. He slowly finished his movements and turned around.

The setting sun outlined him in gold, and his face looked all the more refined in the half-light.

When he saw Guo Fu, there was not a trace of surprise in his eyes. He merely smiled and respectfully cupped his hands. "Senior Sister. You must have had a hard day on patrol."

His voice was clear and gentle. There was no hint of mockery or smugness, nor the fawning tone of a spoiled young noble. That measured calm left Guo Fu with nowhere to vent her anger.

Guo Fu snorted and tossed the reins to a nearby servant. Her pretty face was full of arrogance. "You must have plenty of free time, practicing with your fists and feet here."

Lin Xuan didn't take the bait. His gaze merely rested on her for a moment.

He noticed that her green outfit was slightly damp with sweat and clung to her skin, outlining her slim waist and full chest in an enticing display of healthy, vigorous curves.

Her high ponytail was also a little disheveled from the wind and sweat. A few strands playfully clung to her smooth brow, but they did nothing to diminish her bright, lively appearance. If anything, they added a hint of wild beauty.

But deep in her bright, star-like eyes, he saw exhaustion and worry she couldn't hide.

"May I ask why you seem troubled today, Senior Sister? Did something go wrong while you were on patrol?" Lin Xuan asked softly.

His voice held an insight that seemed to see straight through her. There was no reproach in his tone, only sincere, natural concern.

Guo Fu froze. No one could see through what was on her mind.

Her father, Guo Jing, loved her but was rather oblivious; her mother, Huang Rong, was clever and perceptive, but already had enough burdens to bear each day. Guo Fu didn't want to trouble her further.

As for the Wu brothers, Wu Dunru and Wu Xiuwen, all they ever did was flatter her. How could they understand her troubles?

She snapped instinctively, "What nonsense are you talking about?! What do I have to be troubled about?" But her voice had unconsciously grown softer, betraying a weakness she herself hadn't noticed.

Lin Xuan remained calm and walked toward her, stopping a few paces away.

His gaze fell on her dusty boots and tightly clenched hand, where the reins had left red marks from rubbing against her fingers.

"Your breathing is a little uneven, Senior Sister, and your palm is injured. Your horse's mane is also a little disheveled. You must have encountered something unexpected today, and things didn't go as you hoped," Lin Xuan said slowly, his tone touched with a gentle sigh.

"Everyone says you're spoiled and willful, but they don't know that you have burdens too, and worries you keep to yourself."

His words struck the most vulnerable string in Guo Fu's heart like a blunt instrument—not too hard, but with unmistakable force.

All her pride and pretense crumbled in the face of Lin Xuan's seemingly casual words, each of them cutting straight to the truth. The feeling of being understood was strange, yet powerful.

Shock flashed in Guo Fu's eyes. She looked up at Lin Xuan, whose clear eyes seemed able to see through every disguise.

A blush of embarrassment and confusion quickly spread across her pretty cheeks, like peach blossoms just opening on a branch.

"You... stop spouting nonsense!" she said, trying to sound angry, but her voice no longer had its earlier force.

"I'm not spouting nonsense. I'm just concerned about you, Senior Sister," Lin Xuan said gently, without the slightest hint of pressure.

He paused as if considering something, then continued, "Actually, there was nothing wrong with the moves you used when we sparred last time. It was just that a few key points in your force were slightly off, so you couldn't bring out their full power."

He had suddenly turned the conversation to martial arts, and Guo Fu's attention was drawn at once. After all, aside from her parents' affection, what mattered most to her was her own martial prowess.

"Don't give me that! You think I don't know you set a trap on purpose, so you could make me lose and show off?" Remembering their sparring match, Guo Fu's anger surged again.