Chapter 108: Soul Transmigration to Another World (2)

After admiring the scene for a while, Gu Yun picked up the scabbard and carefully hung the longsword back on the wall. Having tossed and turned all night, the multiple layers of her red dress had left her drenched in sweat. She shed the elaborate outer robe of the rosy-hued cape, leaving only the inner crimson gown. Finally freed, she gently flexed her wrists. Suddenly, she stared at her hands in astonishment, her heartbeat pounding faster and faster. These hands were delicate and fair, with slender, graceful fingers—breathtakingly beautiful—but... they were not hers! Years of wielding a gun had calloused her palms to the point of roughness, yet these hands were unnervingly tender and unnaturally small. Her shrunken stature, waist-length hair, and slender hands—all undeniable proof that this body was not her own.

Heavens! This was madness! A mirror—she needed a mirror! Searching the room, Gu Yun found none. The only reflective surface was the bronze breastplate hanging on the wooden rack; its heart-guard shimmered faintly enough to reveal a vague reflection. Approaching the armor, her heart sank again: the guard's position perfectly aligned with her face. So, she was only about 158 centimeters tall? Glancing down at her figure, tears welled up unbidden. These were not arms but mere twigs! Her waist was so slender that even her former thighs had been thicker. She thought 158 centimeters was a cruel blow to her once statuesque frame, but when her calm and rational self finally beheld the face in the hazy reflection, she let out a low, fierce growl, "SHIT!"

The girl in the mirror had a small, fair, and tender face, with two faint scars on her right cheek. Her delicately arched eyebrows resembled graceful willow leaves, and her petite, rosy lips glistened like ripe cherries. Yet what captivated most were her eyes: long lashes framing crystal-clear, round orbs like innocent little rabbits, shining with pure and unblemished light. Most strikingly, those eyes seemed perpetually brimming with tears, as if ready to weep at any moment. This cuteness almost drove Gu Yun mad.

Known for her composure and reason, Gu Yun could no longer restrain herself and struck the bronze heart-guard with a fist. Of course, the pure copper was impervious. After a slight tremor, the mirror still reflected that delicate face, but now the once innocent eyes blazed with cold fury.

Her tall physique, agile movements, abundant stamina, and formidable strength—all her proud attributes—vanished in an instant. For the first time, Gu Yun felt overwhelmed and helpless. Yet, with Zhuo Qing's fate unknown and her own whereabouts a mystery, panic was a luxury she could not afford.

Resolving to first step outside and assess the situation, she took a few strides, only to find her ankle-length hair a nuisance. Frowning, she approached the ice-forged sword, drew it, and without hesitation severed her raven hair to waist length, a silver flash gleaming as strands fell to the floor. Hanging the sword back, Gu Yun smiled, "Thanks, Iceforge!"

Picking up the slender sash from her skirt, she tied her hair into a ponytail and headed outdoors. She failed to notice that as she bowed her head, the Iceforge sword on the wall emitted a faint glow before vanishing.

At the door, Gu Yun halted abruptly—someone was there! Stepping back two paces, the door suddenly swung open, revealing two tall men clad as ancient soldiers. Gu Yun frowned—was it the body's weakness? Her alertness and stamina seemed markedly diminished, only now barely detecting the disturbance.

As she brooded silently, the two soldiers paused, taken aback by the small, adorable woman before them, dressed in a simple red garment that made her appear tender and fresh. Yet those two scars on her face marred the picture somewhat, leaving them feeling pity.

Gu Yun studied them carefully, holding her tongue. The younger soldier cleared his throat awkwardly, then stepped forward and demanded loudly, "You, come out."

Gu Yun stood firm, replying coldly, "Where to?"

The soldier was caught off guard by her question, retorting impatiently, "This is the General's quarters—not a place for you."

Yesterday, a man had told her this was the General's residence and that the room belonged to him; thus, he must be the General. Given she lay on his bed wearing a red bridal gown without ceremony, the body she now inhabited was likely that of one of his concubines.

To clarify, Gu Yun deliberately responded, "I am his wife. Why shouldn't I stay in his room?"

"Wife?!" The young soldier laughed derisively, "What a delusion. At best, you're merely a gift."

A gift? Gu Yun suppressed her rising suspicion and provoked further, "I am not a gift—I am the General's wife."

"An absolute joke! You? The Qing family's three sisters were offered to our Emperor of Qiong Yue. The Emperor gave you to the General, and if the General displeases, he might give you away again. What else could you be if not a gift?"

Damn it! Clenching her fists, Gu Yun's mind reeled with thoughts of the Emperor, the General, foreign lands, and this repugnant body. Without further analysis, it was clear she had been thrust into an unfamiliar era dominated by monarchic rule. This body's identity was that of a tribute from a small state to a greater power.

And Zhuo Qing? Where was she? Had she also been transported here? Whose body did she inhabit?

Facing the smug young soldier, Gu Yun pressed on, "Were my sisters sent to the palace?"

"They…" The soldier was cut off by an older man beside him, "Enough of this nonsense."

"Leave when told. Don't ask what's not your concern."

The woman appeared innocent and delicate, but those sharp eyes warned that dealing with her required caution.

Gu Yun narrowed her eyes slightly, recognizing the man's alertness. Knowing the adage 'seeing the servant knows the master,' she understood this General's mansion must not be underestimated—especially since she now bore the fragile frame of a youth.

Silently, Gu Yun followed them outside, discreetly observing the guarded environment and waiting for opportunity.

The courtyard was vast, surrounded by a grove of pine trees, the air faintly scented with resin. Looking back, Gu Yun noted the sturdy inscription on the gate: "Ling Yun Pavilion" in bold, dark teal characters.

"Move quickly," the young soldier snapped impatiently.

Gu Yun withdrew her gaze and silently trailed them onward.

Winding through a labyrinthine corridor, they headed northward. Gu Yun mentally traced their path, noticing the mansion's meticulous design: within this relatively short route, three identical layouts created an illusion of disorientation, causing unwary visitors to lose their way.

The guards were formidable; along the way, she saw two patrol squads, their steps steady and disciplined. They glanced at her with surprise but quickly averted their eyes, returning to routine.

The deeper she ventured, the more uneasy Gu Yun felt. With such formidable defenses and complex terrain, she might never have escaped even in her former self. Now, it seemed utterly impossible.

"From today onward, you shall reside here. Without the General's orders, you must not step beyond this courtyard."

Gu Yun pondered silently until the young soldier's cold snort brought her back.

Before her lay a small courtyard and a modest wooden house. Though simple, the lack of an elaborate gate lent it a quiet charm that Gu Yun found agreeable.

Judging by their tone, the General was displeased with her and banished her to this remote corner to fend for herself.

Gu Yun inwardly rejoiced—this gave her time to strengthen her body and plot an escape.

As the two men turned to leave, Gu Yun called out sharply, "Wait. You don't mean the General's mansion lacks clothes, do you? And you won't let me eat my fill either?"

The young soldier sneered dismissively, "Don't worry. One woman won't bring down the General's household."

Gu Yun's eyes gleamed. Excellent! That was exactly what she wanted to hear. If she had once trained herself to become a martial arts champion and a law enforcement elite, she could surely transform this fragile body into a warrior like Lara!

Inside the council hall, a massive square wooden table, larger than nine combined Eight Immortals Tables, dominated the center. Spread atop was a blueprint densely marked with dots and lines. Two tall men stood before it, eyes fixed intently on the map.

Picking up a brush and ink, Su Ren circled a point on the right side of the blueprint, sighing gravely, "After yesterday's attack and defense drill, it's clear your formation leaves the right flank too vulnerable. Once breached, the entire formation collapses."

The Su family army's renown across six nations and the dread it inspired in enemies—even without the eldest brother personally leading troops—owed mainly to the soldiers' robust physiques and fierce prowess, combined with ever-shifting battle formations that baffled foes.

Credit went to the eldest brother, who mandated all battalion commanders to study military texts and innovate formations or training techniques, with biannual battle exercises. Commanders brought their best formations to compete, with the finest adopted army-wide.

This explained the training ground behind the General's mansion.

As the Su family's commanders, the three brothers could not neglect practice. The eldest intended the youngest to face combat soon, but judging by his formation, victory seemed elusive.

Su Yu frowned, frustration etched across his handsome face. "Yes, I noticed too. I spent the night devising a counter-strategy. After training the soldiers, we'll clash again in half a month."

To conceive a plan overnight? Su Ren disagreed silently—Su Yu's impat