The dawn had yet to break, and the camp remained under the heavy veil of night. Su Jin stood on the high ground, her sharp eyes scanning the battlefield. The fires from the earlier skirmish were dying out, leaving behind only the acrid scent of burnt wood and blood. The enemy had retreated, but Su Jin knew this was far from over.
"Your Highness, the enemy has withdrawn. They suffered heavy losses," one of the generals reported, though his cautious tone suggested the danger was not yet past.
Su Jin nodded, her gaze never leaving the horizon. The enemy had pulled back, but this was no victory—they were merely testing her defenses. The real threat was still looming.
"Let the troops rest, but keep the watch. I want immediate reports of any movement." Su Jin's voice was calm, authoritative, sending a ripple of reassurance through the camp. Even in the face of such overwhelming odds, she remained a pillar of strength.
The general saluted and hurried off to relay her orders. Meanwhile, soldiers began cleaning up the battlefield, counting the casualties, and preparing for whatever came next.
Moments later, a group of scouts rushed into the camp, their expressions grim. Su Jin knew at once that they bore ill news.
"Your Highness," one of the scouts began breathlessly, "we've spotted the enemy's main force approaching from the southeast. They're moving fast, and their numbers are far greater than we anticipated—over twenty thousand strong."
Su Jin's brow furrowed as she studied the map before her. Her eyes scanned the surrounding terrain, quickly identifying potential weak points in their defense.
"Twenty thousand..." she repeated softly, her mind racing. "So they've finally shown their hand."
At that moment, Gu Tingfeng returned to the camp. His elite troops had successfully intercepted the enemy reinforcements, but it had come at a cost. His armor was spattered with blood, evidence of the brutal battle he had just fought.
"Your Highness, we managed to hold off the enemy reinforcements, but they were more numerous than we expected. It was a fierce battle," Gu Tingfeng reported, his voice steady despite the weariness in his eyes.
"You've done well, General." Su Jin's voice was quiet but filled with appreciation. Her gaze remained fixed on the map. "The enemy is far more determined than we expected. They're not just trying to defeat us—they're trying to drive us out completely."
Gu Tingfeng stepped closer, his voice low and cautious. "Your Highness, with the enemy's main force closing in, should we consider a temporary retreat? We're severely outnumbered, and our supplies are running dangerously low."
For a moment, Su Jin remained silent, her expression unreadable. Then, she looked up, her eyes hard. "Retreat is not an option. The enemy is advancing swiftly because they want to break our morale. If we retreat now, we'll be giving them exactly what they want."
Gu Tingfeng nodded, though his concern remained evident. He trusted Su Jin's judgment, but the odds seemed insurmountable. "What's your plan, Your Highness?"
Su Jin pointed to a narrow valley on the map, her voice steady with determination. "We can't face them head-on here. If they want to throw everything at us, we'll lead them into this valley."
"The valley?" Gu Tingfeng's brow furrowed in confusion.
"The terrain is narrow. Their numbers will count for little if we can trap them there. We'll set an ambush and catch them off guard," Su Jin explained, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "But we need time. We'll have to delay their main force long enough to prepare our trap."
Understanding dawned in Gu Tingfeng's eyes. "I see. I'll take a detachment and slow their advance."
Su Jin nodded. "It's our only chance. But it will be dangerous—you'll be fighting against overwhelming odds."
"I know the risks," Gu Tingfeng replied, his voice steady with resolve. "But I trust your plan, Your Highness."
The camp buzzed with activity as Su Jin's orders were swiftly carried out. Soldiers prepared their gear and readied themselves for the upcoming battle. Despite their fatigue, there was no hesitation in their movements. They knew the coming hours would determine not only their survival but the fate of the entire campaign.
Su Jin watched as her troops assembled, her heart heavy with the weight of leadership. This was a gamble, and failure would mean losing everything they had fought for. But she had no choice. To retreat was to surrender, and Su Jin had never been one to surrender.
"General Gu, lead your troops out," Su Jin called from her vantage point as Gu Tingfeng's detachment moved to intercept the enemy. Their task was to draw the enemy's attention and buy the main force time.
As the sun began to sink behind the mountains, Su Jin led the remainder of her forces toward the valley. The night was falling quickly, and the flames of their campfires flickered in the distance as her soldiers disappeared into the darkness.
Gripping the hilt of her sword, Su Jin took one last look at the camp. "This battle... I cannot afford to lose," she whispered to herself as she prepared for what was to come.