The morning sun broke through the canopy of trees, its rays casting dappled light onto the forest floor. The village was alive with activity as Xiaojun and Kael finalized their plans for the counterstrike against the Jade Serpent Sect's outpost. The alliance between the villagers and the mercenaries had given them the strength and confidence to strike back, but the task ahead was daunting.
Kael leaned over the crude map spread across the table in the village square, her finger tracing the outline of the enemy's base. "The outpost is heavily fortified, but not impenetrable. Their main defenses are concentrated at the front gate and the western watchtower. If we can create a diversion there, a smaller team can slip through the eastern side."
Xiaojun nodded, his eyes scanning the map. "Lin Mei and I will lead the infiltration team. Liu Yan will oversee the archers from the ridge. Kael, your squad handles the diversion. Once inside, we'll disable their communications and take out their commander."
"Bold plan," Kael said with a smirk. "I like it. But are you sure your people are ready for this? We're not dealing with a vanguard anymore. These soldiers are seasoned."
Xiaojun glanced at the villagers, who were sharpening weapons, practicing formations, and readying supplies. They moved with determination, their faces set with resolve. "They're ready. They've already proven they can stand against the Jade Serpent Sect. Now it's time to show them we won't just defend—we'll fight back."
The operation began at dusk. The air was thick with tension as the allied forces moved into position. Xiaojun's team crouched low in the underbrush near the eastern side of the outpost, waiting for the signal. Kael and her squad were stationed near the front gate, hidden in the shadows, while Liu Yan and the archers perched on the ridge overlooking the base.
The sound of Kael's horn shattered the stillness, followed by the thunderous clash of her squad charging the front gate. Shouts and alarms erupted from the outpost as the Jade Serpent Sect's soldiers scrambled to defend their position.
"That's our cue," Xiaojun whispered. He signaled to Lin Mei and the rest of the infiltration team, and they began their approach. The eastern side of the outpost was less guarded, as Kael had predicted, but a handful of sentries patrolled the perimeter.
Lin Mei took point, her movements silent as she climbed a tree overlooking the nearest sentry. With a swift motion, she drew her bow and loosed an arrow, the projectile striking true. The sentry crumpled without a sound. Xiaojun and the others moved quickly to hide the body and press forward.
The team reached the outer wall, where a narrow breach offered their entry point. Xiaojun went first, his Phantom Blade gleaming faintly in the dim light. He scanned the area, his senses heightened by the system's interface, which highlighted nearby enemies and objectives.
[Objective: Neutralize the Commander. Disable Communications. Time to Complete: 1 Hour.]
"Stay close and keep quiet," Xiaojun whispered. "We don't want to alert the whole base."
The team slipped through the breach and into the shadows of the outpost. Soldiers rushed toward the front gate, their attention focused on the diversion. Xiaojun and his team moved swiftly, avoiding detection as they made their way to the central tower where the communications hub was located.
Inside the tower, the team encountered their first real challenge: a pair of guards stationed at the entrance. Lin Mei signaled for the team to hold back as she nocked another arrow. The first guard fell before he even saw her, but the second raised the alarm before Xiaojun closed the distance, silencing him with a single strike from the Phantom Blade.
"We're on borrowed time now," Xiaojun said, his voice tight. "Move!"
The team stormed the tower, encountering resistance at every turn. Xiaojun's blade flashed as he cut through the defenders, while Lin Mei and the others provided cover. They reached the communications room, where a lone operator frantically attempted to send a message.
"Not today," Xiaojun muttered, plunging his blade into the console, sparks flying as the system shorted out.
[Objective Complete: Communications Disabled.]
"Commander's quarters are next," Lin Mei said, reloading her bow. "Let's finish this."
The commander's quarters were heavily guarded, but the chaos outside worked to the team's advantage. They dispatched the remaining guards and burst into the room, where the Jade Serpent Sect's commander stood waiting, a wicked blade in his hand.
"Impressive," the commander said, his voice calm despite the situation. "But you've overplayed your hand. You'll die here, just like the rest of your pathetic village."
Xiaojun stepped forward, his blade at the ready. "Your sect has terrorized these lands long enough. It ends here."
The commander laughed, a cruel sound that echoed through the room. "We'll see about that."
The fight was brutal. The commander was a skilled swordsman, his strikes precise and unrelenting. But Xiaojun's determination, bolstered by the Phantom Blade's power, gave him the edge. Lin Mei and the others provided support, distracting the commander and creating openings for Xiaojun to exploit.
Finally, with a decisive strike, Xiaojun disarmed the commander and drove his blade through the man's chest. The commander staggered, blood staining his ornate armor, before collapsing to the ground.
[Objective Complete: Commander Neutralized.]
"It's done," Xiaojun said, breathing heavily. "Let's get out of here before reinforcements arrive."
The allied forces regrouped outside the outpost as it burned, the flames illuminating the night sky. The operation had been a success, and morale was high despite their losses.
Kael clapped Xiaojun on the back, grinning. "You did good, village leader. That was one hell of a fight."
"We all did," Xiaojun replied. He looked around at the exhausted but triumphant faces of his people and their allies. "But this isn't the end. The Jade Serpent Sect will come back stronger. We need to be ready."
Kael nodded. "Then we keep fighting. Together."