The battlefield was a sea of chaos, blood, and smoke, with the sound of clashing steel and battle cries filling the air. Su Jin stood on the ridge, her eyes fixed on the advancing enemy. Her forces had assumed defensive positions, ready to face the elite troops surging toward them. This was the final clash, where the fate of both armies would be decided.
"Your Highness, the enemy's elite troops are only two li away, and they're advancing rapidly. They'll strike at any moment," a messenger reported breathlessly, the tension in his voice unmistakable.
Su Jin nodded slightly, her mind sharper than ever. The battle had reached its most critical point, and any hesitation could lead to disaster.
"Relay to all units: no one retreats. If the enemy breaks through, we are finished," Su Jin's voice was calm yet carried the weight of command. Her soldiers had followed her through countless hardships, and they knew that their survival hinged on this very moment.
She turned her gaze to the valley below, where the enemy's elite forces began to appear—a vast, black tide rolling toward them. The sheer scale of the army was overwhelming, stretching as far as the eye could see. Su Jin inhaled deeply, her expression resolute as she turned to her lieutenant.
"Your Highness, should we strike now?" the lieutenant asked, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.
"Not yet," Su Jin responded, her gaze sharp. "We wait."
She knew that this assault was unlike the previous skirmishes. The enemy was now fully committed to their final push, and they needed to be lured deeper into the valley for her trap to work.
On the front lines, Gu Tingfeng's forces were nearing their breaking point. Every movement was slowing, every soldier pushed to the brink of exhaustion. Gu Tingfeng stood at the forefront, his spear slashing through enemies with each labored breath. His world was a blur of blood and chaos, but he refused to falter.
"Hold the line! Do not let them through!" Gu Tingfeng bellowed, his voice hoarse but unwavering. He knew that this was not just a matter of holding territory—it was about buying time for Su Jin's plan to succeed.
The soldiers around him were exhausted, many already lying dead or dying, but those who remained fought with everything they had. Gu Tingfeng knew that they had no other choice but to hold, no matter the cost.
"General, the enemy is mustering more troops. They're pushing hard on our right flank!" a subordinate shouted, his face pale with fear.
Gu Tingfeng grabbed the man by the shoulder, his voice a low growl of determination. "Tell the men: our mission is not over. As long as I stand, we will not break!"
The subordinate nodded, running to relay the order.
Back in the valley, Su Jin remained calm, her eyes never leaving the battlefield. She watched the enemy's movements carefully, waiting for the moment when they would be fully committed to her trap. Finally, the bulk of the enemy's forces were in the center of the valley. Su Jin's eyes gleamed coldly—the time had come.
"Now!" Su Jin shouted, and the valley erupted in flames. Arrows and rocks rained down from the cliffs as her hidden troops launched a devastating attack on the enemy's core. Explosions lit up the night, and the enemy's ranks were thrown into disarray.
Caught off guard, the enemy's forward units were decimated by the sudden assault, while their rear forces were trapped in the narrow valley, unable to move forward to reinforce their comrades.
"Charge!" Su Jin's voice rang out, and her infantry surged down from the sides, crashing into the enemy's flanks. Her forces struck with the precision and fury of a sword, cutting deep into the heart of the enemy's formation. The surprise attack had left the enemy reeling, and their lines began to crumble.
But just as Su Jin thought the battle was turning in their favor, a messenger arrived in a panic. "Your Highness! The enemy's main forces are regrouping—they've realized our strategy and are flanking us from both sides!"
Su Jin's eyes narrowed as she quickly surveyed the battlefield. The enemy's commanders were sharp—they had already adjusted their tactics and were now moving to encircle her forces.
"So, they finally show their true fangs," Su Jin murmured, a cold gleam in her eyes, though she did not panic.
"Order all units to pull back and tighten our defenses. We must be ready for their counterattack," Su Jin commanded, her forces withdrawing to higher ground as they prepared for the enemy's next move.
Meanwhile, Gu Tingfeng had received word of the enemy's regrouping. His face darkened with worry—he had not expected the enemy to react so quickly.
"General, the enemy is closing in on both flanks. Our lines won't hold for much longer," one of his officers said, anxiety clear in his voice.
"Hold a little longer. We need to give Her Highness more time," Gu Tingfeng said through gritted teeth. No matter what, they had to hold the line long enough for Su Jin to secure victory.
The fighting reached a fever pitch as Su Jin's and Gu Tingfeng's forces clashed with the enemy's relentless assault. Blood soaked the earth, and exhaustion weighed heavily on every soldier's body. Despite their fatigue, Su Jin's forces fought with fierce resolve, knowing that they could not afford to falter now.
Just as the enemy's elite troops prepared for their final push, a loud explosion echoed from the distance. The enemy's rear lines were suddenly thrown into chaos as soldiers scattered in confusion. Su Jin's eyes widened as she realized what had happened—Gu Tingfeng had led his elite troops in a surprise attack from behind the enemy's lines!
"This is our chance!" Su Jin wasted no time, ordering a full-scale attack. Her forces surged forward, pushing the disoriented enemy back. This was the moment they had been waiting for.
With Gu Tingfeng's forces striking from the rear and Su Jin's army pressing the attack from the front, the enemy's formation quickly collapsed. Their soldiers fled in all directions, and victory was finally within reach.
Standing atop the ridge, Su Jin watched as her forces pursued the retreating enemy. Her heart pounded in her chest, but her expression remained composed. The battle was won.