The Wolf Riders Attack!

Lin Xuan shook his head, a hint of regret on his face. "Senior Sister, you're mistaken. Victory and defeat are meaningless. The path of martial arts has no end. I suggested we avoid competing with Internal Energy out of goodwill."

He walked to the center of the training ground and casually threw a punch. It was plain and unadorned, yet carried an indescribable steadiness and force.

"Senior Sister, that whip kick you just used looked swift and fierce, but you put too much force into it too quickly, scattering its power. You also left yourself no follow-up variations. If you gather strength first, then strike, while keeping a hint of feint and variation hidden, it'll be far more powerful. It's just like..."

As he spoke, Lin Xuan slowly walked back to Guo Fu. He reached out and, seemingly without thinking, lightly took hold of her wrist, with the professional focus of an instructor.

"Just like the way you're using your wrist, Senior Sister. Too much rigidity makes it easy to break. If you subtly adjust how your fingertips and wrist work together at the instant you strike, gathering momentum with soft force before unleashing a fierce blow, you'll combine hardness and softness and become unpredictable."

His fingertips were warm. Through the thin fabric of her sleeve, that warmth reached Guo Fu's delicate, fair wrist. In that instant, a strange tingling sensation spread from her wrist through her whole body.

Guo Fu felt her heart suddenly race. The blush on her cheeks burned brighter, like the glow of sunset, spreading all the way to her ears.

Lin Xuan's voice was low and magnetic. As he instructed her, he leaned a little closer.

At that moment, Lin Xuan gave off an even more potent, sunny, vibrant scent. It was the masculine scent unique to his body, nourished by the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique, mingled with the faint fragrance of soapberry. It was intoxicating.

Guo Fu could even feel his warm breath brush past her ear as he spoke, bringing a tingling sensation that made her heart flutter. It tickled, yet was strangely pleasant.

She instinctively tried to pull away, but Lin Xuan's fingertips seemed gentle while holding a strange pull that made it difficult for her to move away.

"Take a look, Senior Sister..." As he spoke, Lin Xuan lightly pressed his other hand against Guo Fu's shoulder, adjusting her center of gravity slightly.

His palm was broad and strong. Through the fabric of her martial outfit, Guo Fu could clearly feel its warmth.

That warmth seemed to carry an electric current, instantly spreading through one side of her body. Her delicate frame trembled, tingling so intensely that she could barely stand; even her legs began to weaken.

Her shoulder was soft, her slender slope of flesh smooth as jade. Lin Xuan's fingertips seemed to possess some kind of magic, finding certain acupoints deep within her muscles with precision.

The Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique was working in secret. Lin Xuan wasn't actively absorbing her vital yin at that moment; even his presence and touch alone carried the technique's distinctive "magnetism." Guo Fu felt a hidden pleasure awaken deep within her. She was embarrassed and annoyed, yet also felt herself sinking into a strange sense of abandon.

"Senior Sister, when you use your strength this way, does your stance feel steadier and your power more concentrated?" Lin Xuan's voice was almost bewitching as he guided Guo Fu's attention.

Guo Fu tried hard to focus on the sensation and found that Lin Xuan had only adjusted her center of gravity slightly, yet her stance really was steadier than usual, as if she had taken root in the ground.

"What... What's going on?" she asked in surprise, her voice tinged with confusion and incomprehension, along with a hint of trust in Lin Xuan.

"This is a clever application of the body's extraordinary meridians." Lin Xuan let go of her, wearing a perfectly measured smile. "We possess superior martial arts, so we should pay even more attention to combining Internal Energy with our techniques. That way, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

He didn't explain further, leaving just enough mystery and room for imagination.

Guo Fu looked at Lin Xuan with a complicated expression. She had never imagined that this Junior Brother she had always looked down on could so easily point out the subtle flaws in her martial arts and explain their underlying principles in a few words.

And his voice, his presence, his touch—all seemed to possess a magic that made her heart race.

She had never felt anything like it with Wu Dunru or Wu Xiuwen. The strange tremor welling up from deep within her heart was so intense.

From that day on, Lin Xuan seemed to start paying "attention" to Guo Fu, both deliberately and inadvertently.

He no longer went out of his way to avoid her. Instead, he would sometimes appear at the edge of the training ground while she practiced, quietly watching.

Sometimes, Guo Fu would sense his gaze and feel awkward and annoyed. But when she looked back, Lin Xuan had already turned away or was absorbed in an old book, as if it had all been a coincidence.

Yet whenever Guo Fu hit a bottleneck in her practice or felt down, Lin Xuan always appeared at just the right moment.

He never came out and said what was wrong. Instead, in an apparently casual tone, he would offer a few words of guidance or tell a seemingly unrelated story, yet somehow always leave Guo Fu enlightened.

Once, while practicing a dance, Guo Fu had grown frustrated because she couldn't quite connect one of the moves.

Lin Xuan emerged from deep within the bamboo grove, his figure shrouded by dappled shadows, giving him an air of inscrutable mystery.

"Are you troubled because you can't connect this move smoothly, Senior Sister?" Lin Xuan asked softly, his voice soothing.

Guo Fu was taken aback, then glared at him. "How did you know?"

Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "Every time you reach this point, your energy flow falters slightly. I suspect you haven't managed to perfectly combine the 'subtlety' of your palm techniques with the 'continuity' of your Internal Energy."

Rather than offering direct instruction, he took a small booklet from his robes and handed it to Guo Fu. "I once had some free time and organized a few of the martial arts principles Master taught me. I noticed certain patterns. There's a verse in here that might help you: 'Falling flowers make no sound; true qi leaves its trace. Softness overcomes hardness; the unreal draws out the real.'"

Guo Fu took the booklet and saw its neat handwriting, along with analyses and annotations she had never considered. She tried silently reciting the verse, then practiced while circulating her energy. Sure enough, her previously halting palm technique flowed smoothly at once.

She looked sharply at Lin Xuan, her eyes filled with shock and gratitude.

"This... This really..." She stumbled over her words, unable to express herself.

Lin Xuan only smiled gently, his eyes full of warm encouragement. "Everything in the world follows its own way. Martial arts are no different. Senior Sister, you have exceptional talent. One day, you'll surely achieve great things."

His quiet, subtle help began to melt the ice in Guo Fu's heart, bit by bit.

She realized Lin Xuan wasn't some arrogant braggart who flaunted his talent. He had genuine skill, yet remained so humble.

Unlike the men who only knew how to praise her looks, Lin Xuan cared about her martial arts and her troubles. He could even see the grievances and unhappiness buried deep inside her.

The special, impossible-to-ignore charm Lin Xuan possessed was also quietly working its way into Guo Fu's heart with each encounter and each act of "help."

His figure was no longer that "intruder" she had hated with all her heart. It was becoming clearer and more imposing, even stirring a faint urge in her to draw closer.

Huang Rong had been growing closer to Lin Xuan. Guo Fu still gave an unconvinced snort now and then, but the jealousy in her heart was no longer pure hatred.

She began to secretly long for Lin Xuan to pay attention to her too, the way he did to her mother.

It was like a barely visible flame, quietly burning deep within Guo Fu's heart, carrying a hint of dangerous temptation.

Whenever Lin Xuan touched her, whether by accident or while "instructing" her, Guo Fu's heart would race.

Her pretty cheeks would redden involuntarily. The tingling sensation would spread from the place Lin Xuan touched, leaving her weak all over, her eyes alluring and languid. She felt ashamed and resistant, yet an indescribable pleasure was also taking root deep inside her.

The Wolf Riders Attack!

Xiangyang City, an ancient city weathered by countless hardships, displayed a remarkable vitality despite the threat of the Mongols' iron hooves.

And Lin Xuan was undoubtedly the one who had breathed the most life into it. He had joined the Xiangyang army only a few months ago, yet his successive victories had earned him the trust and respect of both soldiers and civilians.

His name was now known throughout Xiangyang City. Whether among the defenders on the walls or the common folk in the streets and alleys, people raised their thumbs in admiration whenever they spoke of Lin Xuan.

"Young Master Lin truly sees everything coming. He's practically Zhuge reborn!"

On the northern gate tower, a burly soldier wiped the sweat from his brow and gazed beyond the city, his eyes full of admiration. His rugged face now shone with relief at having survived the ordeal and sincere praise for Lin Xuan.

Several veterans stood beside him, wiping their blades or binding their wounds, their faces wearing the same expression.

"You should've seen it! Last night, those Mongol Soldiers got so bold they tried to raid us under cover of darkness!" A young archer jumped in, still shaken by the danger of the previous night.

He tightened his grip on his bow, his voice trembling slightly. "If Young Master Lin hadn't predicted their scheme three days in advance and set up a chain of traps beyond the city, they would've succeeded last night! Our brothers would've died for nothing!"

"That's not all. Think about the previous times they harassed us outside the city. Young Master Lin saw through them every time!" another veteran chimed in, his eyes shining with fervent admiration for Lin Xuan.

"Sometimes he ambushed them in a ravine, sometimes he laid a trap in the woods. He caught those Mongols completely off guard! We've never suffered a loss while following Young Master Lin!"

"Honestly, I think Young Master Lin is even better at commanding troops than those old generals!" The veteran sighed heavily, his voice full of feeling.

"Although Young Master Lin's martial arts aren't as peerless as Great Hero Guo's, when it comes to formations and tactics, he's the best in all of Xiangyang!"

He paused, then continued. "Great Hero Guo's martial arts are peerless. He can hold back an army of thousands by himself and carve his way through enemy ranks seven times. But a battlefield is a battlefield, not a world of individual duels. Young Master Lin is different. He always knows how to put the strength of ordinary soldiers like us to good use."

"When to attack, when to defend, where the enemy is weak, where we have the advantage—he knows better than anyone!"

"Every time we fight under Young Master Lin's command, our chances of killing the enemy go up by several times, and our own brothers suffer far fewer casualties. In those last few small battles, our losses were less than a third of theirs. We never would've dared hope for that before!"

The veteran thumped his chest and grinned with simple warmth. "When you follow Young Master Lin, you feel at ease! You know you're not being sent to die for nothing, but can actually kill the enemy and earn merit!"

Lin Xuan's reputation wasn't undeserved. He had combined the military theories he'd learned with the realities of ancient battlefields, devising a set of effective new strategies.

He emphasized gathering intelligence. With the Beggar Sect disciples' extensive network, supplemented by his own keen perception through the "Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique," he could often discern the enemy's movements and intentions at the earliest opportunity. He could even predict the Mongols' next move, as if he could see into their generals' minds.

Tactically, he excelled at using the terrain and deploying surprise forces. Whether launching a night raid, cutting off supply routes, or setting an ambush to annihilate the enemy, he carried out every plan flawlessly. The Mongols repeatedly suffered losses at his hands and couldn't figure out what he was doing.

He even held classes for the army, teaching the soldiers basic tactical principles and changes in formation. He taught them how to watch the enemy in the gaps between close-quarters exchanges, how to cover one another, and how to merge their individual strength into the force of the whole.

Under his guidance, many soldiers who had previously known only how to fight to the death gradually learned to think and cooperate, and their combat strength improved dramatically. They were no longer pawns charging blindly, but warriors who knew how to use their wits.

Lin Xuan's arrival had undoubtedly injected new life and spirit into besieged Xiangyang. He had brought not only victories but also hope, showing the soldiers that it was possible to defeat a stronger enemy.

Just as the people of Xiangyang were basking in one of their few victories and confidently strengthening the city's defenses, an even greater crisis was quietly drawing near.

A carrier pigeon came from the north, flying through the rain at astonishing speed before landing directly in the training yard at Guo Mansion. A guard quickly removed the secret message from its tube and hurriedly delivered it to Guo Jing, who was practicing there.

Guo Jing unfolded the letter. It contained only a few brief lines, but they instantly clouded his normally composed expression. Unconcealed worry flickered in his eyes.

He immediately stopped practicing and urgently summoned Huang Rong and Lin Xuan, along with several important elders of the Beggar Sect and Xiangyang's defenders, to the Council Hall.

Inside the Council Hall, candlelight flickered.

Guo Jing handed the thin letter to Huang Rong and said gravely, "Rong'er, Xuan'er, take a look." His voice was lower than usual.

Huang Rong took the letter and quickly scanned it. Deep concern appeared on her bright, beautiful face. Her brows drew together, and a cold glint—and a trace of barely perceptible fatigue—flickered in her eyes. Though her figure was graceful and slender, she could not hide the gravity in her expression.

She sighed softly and handed the letter to Lin Xuan. "This is bad news." Her voice was heavy.

Lin Xuan took the letter and unfolded it. Its concise words were each as weighty as a thousand catties, crashing down on his heart:

The gist was that the Mongol Wolf Riders were advancing on Xiangyang and would arrive in a few months.

Lin Xuan stiffened from head to toe.

The Mongol Wolf Riders. They were Mongolia's pride, elite among the elite—a terrifying force equipped with the finest horses and weapons and trained in the most brutal, ferocious tactics.

Their horsemanship, archery, and coordination in groups all surpassed those of ordinary Mongol Soldiers. Once this force reached Xiangyang, the city would face an unprecedented test of life and death.

Guo Jing clenched his fists with a dull thud. "...We have too little time." His voice held a trace of worry and anger.

Huang Rong reflected for a moment. "The Wolf Riders are renowned throughout the land for their unparalleled charge and their savage, merciless tactics. Three thousand Wolf Riders—that's practically the strongest elite force Mongolia can currently mobilize and assemble."

Her slender, jade-like fingertips tapped lightly on the table, and her bright eyes shone with wisdom. "It seems they're determined to take Xiangyang at any cost." Her tone was calm and resolute, befitting a commander.

A veteran general in his fifties, with years of experience, said anxiously, "Last time, we drove back the Mongol Soldiers, but those were only ordinary troops. Now the Wolf Riders are heading south. If they launch an all-out assault, the force of it will..." He stopped there, but the worry and despair in his words were plain, making the atmosphere in the entire Council Hall even heavier.

"Xuan'er, what do you think?" Huang Rong broke the silence, her clear gaze settling on Lin Xuan, full of expectation.

She trusted that Lin Xuan could come up with a plan both unexpected and practical. Ever since she had taken him as her disciple, he had continually surprised her and never let her down.

Lin Xuan rose and walked over to the map.

"Master's Husband, Master, Generals." Lin Xuan's voice was steady and strong, carrying a reassuring calm. "Your concerns are well founded. The Wolf Riders' strength is known throughout the land. They're no ordinary force."

He paused and glanced around. A shadow hung over everyone's faces.

"Still, we have a chance!" Lin Xuan continued.

He walked to the map and pointed to several strategic passes and the surrounding terrain near Xiangyang. "The Wolf Riders may be formidable, but they aren't invincible. Their greatest weakness is their blind confidence in their own strength and their contempt for the enemy, as well as their unfamiliarity with the martial arts of the Central Plains."

"The Wolf Riders' charge is invincible on a vast plain, but their advantage will be greatly reduced in forests, among steep peaks, and around marshes. The area around Xiangyang isn't all open ground. We have plenty of room to employ ingenious tactics."

He looked at the others and said gravely, "Xiangyang is the hope of the people of the Central Plains and a symbol of justice in the martial world. Now that the nation is in crisis and the common people are suffering, this is the time for heroes throughout the land to rise up and face the crisis together!" His words rang out with startling force, each one striking the hearts of those present like a heavy hammer.

"My proposal is to send a call to the entire Central Plains Martial Arts World!" Lin Xuan declared, laying out his plan with an air of daring confidence.

"We'll make the truth about the Mongol Wolf Riders' advance public and call on the great sects and heroes from all walks of life to come to Xiangyang and fight them together!"

At these words, the dejected mood in the Council Hall lifted, and everyone's spirits rose.

Huang Rong considered this. "Calling on the heroes of the land for help is certainly a bold move. But people in the martial world have always been free-spirited and undisciplined. Will they follow orders? And how can we coordinate them?"

Her lively eyes raised the question. "How can we make sure they work together and put their strengths to the best use? Those are difficult problems." Her words were a warning, but they also showed that she approved of the proposal and was giving it serious thought.

"Your concerns are well founded, Master." Lin Xuan nodded, a confident smile on his face.

"We aren't asking them to fight in formation like a regular army. The martial heroes each have their own strengths. Their skills vary, but many are experts, and their individual combat abilities are enough to match or even surpass the elite Wolf Riders."

He picked up a wooden stick and pointed at the sand table. "We can organize these martial artists into several small, elite raiding units based on the strengths of their respective sects."

"Before the Wolf Riders even reach the walls of Xiangyang, we should make sure they leave their lives on the road here and weaken Mongolia's edge."

Lin Xuan's analysis was clear and orderly. He had perfectly combined the strengths of the martial heroes with the realities of the battlefield, winning the admiration of every general and elder present.

The generals' previously tense expressions eased, and the fire of hope rekindled in their eyes.

Guo Jing's expression was solemn, his eyes shining with heroic spirit. "Xuan'er is right! The fate of the nation is everyone's responsibility! With the country in crisis, how could the heroes of the Central Plains Martial Arts World be cowards afraid to die?" His voice rang out, full of righteous conviction.

Huang Rong also smiled approvingly. Her gaze toward Lin Xuan was filled with trust and esteem. Her beautiful face now shone with pride in her disciple, her bright eyes and lovely smile full of satisfaction.

"This is an excellent plan. It will not only strengthen our forces but also rally the chivalrous spirit of the heroes throughout the land and unite the people of the Central Plains." Her tone was firm, her voice clear and sweet.

"Even if we can't completely defeat the Wolf Riders, we can still make them pay a terrible price!"

Her tone shifted, carrying a weighty charge. "Then I'll leave it to you to draft the call to the heroes of the land and the martial world alliance letter. I'm sure you can move heroes from every walk of life to come willingly to Xiangyang and join us in this great undertaking."

Lin Xuan cupped his hands and accepted the order. "This disciple will do everything in his power and won't let Master's Husband or Master down!" His voice was strong, filled with unwavering resolve.

The other generals and Beggar Sect elders also voiced their approval, and morale surged. The gloom that had filled the Council Hall had completely lifted, replaced by an unprecedented sense of unity and hope. It was as if they could already see the dawn of victory and Xiangyang's salvation.

When Lin Xuan left the Council Hall, the night breeze was cool against his clothes. He looked up at the brilliant stars and let a confident smile cross his face.