The battlefield was still shrouded in smoke, the air heavy with the stench of blood and the aftermath of battle. The ground was stained red, littered with broken banners and the bodies of soldiers. Su Jin stood atop a hill, gazing down at the scene below. Though the battle had been won, her heart felt no lightness. This victory, she knew, came with a heavy cost.
"Your Highness, the enemy forces have been completely routed. Their remaining troops are fleeing to the west." General Gu Tingfeng rode up beside her, his voice carrying the exhaustion of battle, but there was a note of pride in it as well.
Su Jin remained silent, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon as if seeing something far beyond the battlefield. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice quiet but firm. "Send scouts to sweep the field. Ensure no remnants of the enemy escape."
Gu Tingfeng hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing. "Your Highness, we've won a decisive victory today. Why do you still seem so uneasy?"
Su Jin's fingers traced the reins of her horse, her gaze unwavering. "This victory is fleeting. The old regime's roots run deep. What we defeated today was merely one of their forward armies. The true danger lies ahead."
Gu Tingfeng frowned. He knew Su Jin's instincts were rarely wrong, but after such a hard-fought battle, the thought of more fighting was daunting. "Do you really think they'll strike back so soon? Shouldn't we take this opportunity to fortify our defenses, regroup, and strengthen our position?"
Su Jin sighed softly, her eyes filled with an understanding that went beyond the battlefield. "We need time, but the enemy won't grant us that luxury. They will strike when we are most vulnerable. The old regime is deeply entrenched. Today, we only cut off one of their limbs. They will regroup quickly, and when they do, they will be even more dangerous."
Gu Tingfeng considered her words carefully, his mind racing. "But Your Highness, surely this victory has shaken them. Won't they hesitate before attacking again?"
Su Jin shook her head, her voice tinged with cold certainty. "They may fear us, but they won't retreat. They've invested too much in their hidden power structures. They won't abandon their ambitions because of one setback. Besides, today's victory came at a price."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The soldiers, though brave, were worn out from the long battle. Another confrontation would stretch them to their limits. Su Jin's gaze softened momentarily as she looked over the battlefield. "We cannot afford to be complacent. We must act swiftly, clear out any remaining threats, and prepare for the next fight."
Gu Tingfeng nodded, his expression grim. He understood the gravity of the situation. Though the victory was theirs for now, the war was far from over. "What are your next orders, Your Highness?"
"We need to consolidate our forces and prepare for the challenges ahead. But first, we must handle the aftermath of the battle," Su Jin replied decisively. "Send out your men to search the battlefield for any remaining enemy soldiers. I need time to think about our next move."
Gu Tingfeng bowed and quickly departed to relay her orders. As Su Jin watched him go, her thoughts drifted back to the battle. Each detail replayed in her mind—the clash of swords, the cries of her soldiers, the moment Gu Tingfeng's flank attack had turned the tide. It had been a hard-won victory, but she knew better than to let her guard down now.
"Your Highness!" A shout from behind broke her reverie. She turned to see a young soldier running toward her, his face pale with urgency.
"What is it?" Su Jin asked, her voice sharp with concern.
The soldier stopped, gasping for breath. "Your Highness, we've spotted a small group of enemy stragglers trying to flee toward the western forest. They appear to be carrying something—possibly important supplies or documents."
Su Jin's eyes narrowed. This could be the lead she needed. "How many are there? Are they armed?"
The soldier nodded. "About a dozen, Your Highness. They're lightly armed, but they seem to be protecting something."
Su Jin quickly considered her options. If the enemy was carrying valuable intelligence, this could be her chance to learn more about their next moves. "Prepare a small detachment of riders. We'll pursue them."
Within minutes, Su Jin and her light cavalry were galloping toward the western forest. The fading light of the sun cast long shadows over the trees, adding an air of urgency to their pursuit.
At the edge of the forest, the enemy soldiers had slowed, their pace no match for Su Jin's cavalry. Soon, they found themselves cornered near a steep cliff, with nowhere left to run.
"Drop your weapons and surrender now!" Su Jin's voice rang out coldly as she raised her sword, her eyes piercing through the fear-stricken enemy soldiers.
The leader of the enemy group hesitated only a moment before throwing down his weapon and raising his hands. "We surrender, Your Highness! Please, spare us!"
Su Jin eyed them warily, signaling her men to disarm the group. Her gaze then shifted to the crates they were protecting. "What are those?"
The enemy leader's eyes darted nervously to the crates, but he remained silent.
Su Jin gestured to her men, who quickly pried open one of the crates. To her surprise, it was filled not with documents or supplies, but with treasures—gold, jewels, and other luxury items.
"What is the meaning of this?" Su Jin asked, her voice laced with anger.
The enemy soldier stammered, his face pale. "These… these are spoils we took from the camp. We were trying to flee with them."
Su Jin's lips curled into a bitter smile. "You risked your lives for mere gold?"
The man lowered his head, trembling. "We had no choice, Your Highness… we thought we could escape with our lives and something to show for it."
Disappointment flickered across Su Jin's face. These men were not carrying vital intelligence; they were deserters, driven by greed. "Take them back for questioning," she ordered coldly.
As her soldiers rounded up the prisoners, Su Jin stood at the edge of the cliff, her eyes on the horizon as the last rays of sunlight faded. She knew this was only a brief respite. The real battle was yet to come, and she needed to be ready for it.