The first light of dawn slowly spread over the valley, casting a soft glow over the aftermath of the battle. The ground was littered with the bodies of enemy soldiers, and the air was thick with the smell of smoke and blood. Su Jin's troops, though victorious, wore exhaustion on their faces. They all knew this was only a temporary reprieve—more danger awaited them ahead.
Standing on a ridge, Su Jin gazed out into the distance, her mind calculating their next move. Despite their recent victory, she was certain that this had only been the enemy's vanguard. The real challenge was still to come, and every decision now would be critical. She could not afford to be complacent.
"Your Highness, the troops are resting, but they are weary," General Gu Tingfeng said as he approached her, concern evident in his voice. "Shall we consider taking some time to recuperate?"
Su Jin remained silent for a moment, her brow furrowed as she weighed their options. She understood that the soldiers needed rest, but the enemy was unlikely to give them much time.
"The enemy won't give up so easily. They'll launch a new assault soon," Su Jin said, her voice calm yet firm. "We can't linger here for too long, but we also can't rush deeper into their territory. We need to find a defensible position for a brief respite and plan our next move."
Gu Tingfeng nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I'll have the scouts search for a suitable location immediately."
The soldiers quickly began to mobilize. Despite their weariness, Su Jin's leadership kept their spirits high. After surviving another fierce battle, their trust in her had only grown stronger. She was not just their commander—she was their guiding force.
Soon, the army found a suitable spot to make camp deep within a valley. The terrain was advantageous, allowing them to defend or retreat as needed. The soldiers set up camp, treated the wounded, and prepared provisions while staying alert to any signs of enemy activity.
Su Jin walked through the camp, making sure everything was in order. She could hear the murmurs of the soldiers. While the victory had given them some relief, a sense of unease lingered in the air. They all knew that the enemy's main forces were still looming in the distance.
As night fell, campfires were lit, casting flickering shadows on the soldiers' weary faces. They sat around the fires, speaking in hushed tones. Though their bodies were given a brief rest, their minds were still burdened by the uncertainty of what was to come.
Alone in her tent, Su Jin studied the map in front of her. Her fingers traced the enemy's routes as she thought through every potential scenario. She knew this war was more complicated than the battles they had fought so far. The enemy's movements hinted at something deeper, some strategy that she had yet to fully understand.
"Your Highness," Gu Tingfeng's voice came from outside the tent.
Su Jin looked up as he entered, his face unusually serious.
"I've just received word from our scouts. A sizable enemy force has been spotted to the east, heading toward us," Gu Tingfeng reported in a low voice. "It seems they've been tracking our movements, and they may attempt to surround us."
Su Jin's expression grew more focused. She had expected the enemy wouldn't give up so easily. This approaching force was likely the enemy's main army, and if they weren't careful, they could be caught in a deadly trap.
"How many are there, and how far away?" she asked.
"About three thousand strong, roughly half a day's march from here," Gu Tingfeng replied.
Su Jin considered this information for a moment, then spoke decisively. "We can't allow them to encircle us. We need to strike first and disrupt their plans."
Gu Tingfeng nodded, understanding the urgency. "I'll have the troops ready to march immediately."
Soon, Su Jin's forces were preparing to move out. Though they were fatigued from their recent battle, they knew this was their only chance to avoid a much worse fate. If they didn't act now, the enemy would soon close in on them, leaving no way out.
Mounted on her horse, Su Jin stared out into the distance with unwavering determination. Despite the danger ahead, she knew that only by confronting it head-on could they hope to survive.
"Move out!" she commanded, and the army swiftly advanced, heading toward the enemy's position.
In the dead of night, Su Jin's forces moved like shadows through the valley. After hours of hard marching, they finally approached the enemy's route just before dawn. Su Jin decided that their best option was to launch a surprise attack before the enemy had a chance to react.
The first rays of sunlight began to creep over the horizon as Su Jin's sharp eyes scanned the enemy's formation. She knew this was their only opportunity—they had to strike decisively.
"Prepare for battle," Su Jin ordered quietly. "Wait until they're in the optimal position, and then strike."
Her soldiers readied themselves, archers silently drawing their bows, and infantry gripping their weapons tightly. They waited, poised for the command to unleash their attack.
"Now!" Su Jin shouted, and her troops charged forward with the fury of a storm. Arrows rained down on the enemy vanguard, while the infantry surged forward, cutting deep into the heart of the enemy formation.
The enemy, caught off guard by the sudden assault, fell into chaos. They hadn't expected Su Jin's forces to find them so quickly, let alone launch such a fierce and coordinated attack.