Night had fully fallen, casting the valley in a shroud of darkness. Both sides understood that this would be a life-or-death battle.
Though Su Jin's forces had successfully ambushed a portion of the enemy troops, it soon became clear that this was only a vanguard. The main enemy force was closing in from all directions, far larger than they had anticipated. Faced with such overwhelming numbers, Su Jin had to make the right decision swiftly.
Her soldiers stood at attention, tense and anxious as the oppressive atmosphere weighed down on the camp. Su Jin stood on a high ridge, surveying the battlefield. Her face was stern, knowing that any wrong decision now could spell disaster for them all.
"Your Highness, the scouts report that the enemy's main force will arrive in about an hour," General Gu Tingfeng said as he approached, his expression grave.
Su Jin nodded slightly, still gazing into the distance. "How many?"
"At least five thousand. Their numbers are nearly triple ours," Gu Tingfeng replied, concern etched in his voice.
Su Jin's brow furrowed, but she remained calm. "They may have the numbers, but they don't know this terrain. We can still use the valley to our advantage, split their forces, and strike from the flanks."
Gu Tingfeng watched Su Jin with admiration. Even in this perilous moment, her calmness and strategic mind were what gave them their best chance of survival.
"Send word to the troops—prepare for immediate battle readiness. Position the heaviest forces on both sides of the valley. We must avoid a direct confrontation and use guerrilla tactics to whittle them down," Su Jin ordered decisively.
Meanwhile, the soldiers were hastily preparing for the impending fight. After several intense battles, their bodies and minds were pushed to the limit, but the fire of determination still burned in their eyes. They knew that their homes and loved ones were counting on their victory. Failure was not an option.
Su Jin walked through the camp, observing her troops closely. She approached a young soldier, who was nervously cleaning his weapon, his hands trembling slightly.
"Relax," Su Jin said gently. "You've done well so far. Now, you just need to trust yourself."
The soldier looked up at her, still nervous but drawing strength from her calm and reassuring gaze. He nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
As Su Jin moved on, every soldier she passed looked at her with a mixture of reverence and trust. Her presence and decisions were what kept them going, and it was this unwavering confidence that allowed them to push through even in the face of overwhelming odds.
An hour later, the enemy arrived, just as expected. In the dead of night, the sound of marching feet and horses' hooves shattered the stillness of the valley. At the valley's entrance, the enemy's torches flickered in the darkness as they cautiously made their way through the unfamiliar terrain.
Su Jin stood high above, her sharp eyes watching their movements. Her hand hovered over the map, already knowing how she would counter this threat.
"Once they're inside the valley, seal the exit," Su Jin instructed Gu Tingfeng. "We'll trap them with no way out."
Gu Tingfeng nodded and quickly passed down her orders. The soldiers moved with silent efficiency, setting up traps and barriers to block any potential escape routes. Once the enemy was inside the valley, there would be no way for them to retreat.
The enemy commander seemed aware of the valley's dangers, but he was overconfident in his superior numbers. Believing he could crush Su Jin's forces with sheer strength, he led his troops into the valley without hesitation. But it wasn't long before he realized the true nature of this terrain.
As soon as the bulk of the enemy forces entered the valley, Su Jin's soldiers unleashed a devastating assault. From the heights of the valley walls, archers rained down arrows like a storm, plunging the enemy into chaos.
"Attack! Leave no survivors!" Su Jin shouted, charging into battle herself. Her sword gleamed in the darkness, every strike precise and lethal as she cut down enemy soldiers.
The enemy, despite their numbers, found themselves trapped in the narrow valley, unable to mount an effective counterattack. Boulders rolled down from the cliffs, blocking their retreat, while Su Jin's forces intercepted any who tried to flee.
The battle raged through the night, but under Su Jin's command, the enemy faltered. Their morale collapsed, and by dawn, they were either dead, captured, or fleeing for their lives.
At sunrise, the battle was finally over. The valley was littered with enemy corpses, the air heavy with the scent of blood. Su Jin's soldiers, though exhausted, remained vigilant, ready for any unexpected developments.
Gu Tingfeng approached Su Jin, his face showing a mix of relief and fatigue. "Your Highness, we did it. The enemy has been completely routed. They'll never threaten us again."
Su Jin nodded, sheathing her sword slowly as she gazed over the battlefield. "This is only a temporary victory. The war is far from over. We need to keep pressing forward until their main forces are crushed."
Her voice was calm, but her unwavering determination was clear to all who heard her. The soldiers felt their spirits lift, knowing that with Su Jin leading them, they could face whatever lay ahead.