The morning after the battle was both triumphant and somber. The village, once shrouded in fear, now echoed with the sound of rebuilding. The allied forces, though weary, worked side by side to repair the damages sustained during the confrontation. Xiaojun moved among the villagers, offering encouragement where needed and lending his own hands to the effort.
Kael leaned against the remnants of a barricade, her arms crossed as she surveyed the work. "You know," she said, smirking, "you might just have a future as a military commander."
Xiaojun snorted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Let me survive the next battle first."
Her expression sobered. "Speaking of which, we need to talk. My scouts found something you need to see."
Kael led Xiaojun, Lin Mei, and Liu Yan to the forest's edge, where a hidden path wound deeper into the woods. The group moved silently, their senses alert as they ventured into unfamiliar territory. Eventually, they came upon a clearing where Kael's scouts had set up a temporary observation post.
"What are we looking at?" Xiaojun asked, crouching beside Kael as she pointed toward a distant ridge.
"That," she replied grimly, "is the Jade Serpent Sect's main encampment. It's at least three times the size of the outpost we just took down."
Through the spyglass Kael handed him, Xiaojun could see the bustling camp. Soldiers trained in organized formations, weapons glinted in the sunlight, and a large central tent hinted at the presence of a high-ranking commander.
Liu Yan frowned. "If they decide to march on the village with that force, we won't stand a chance."
"Which is why we need to strike first," Kael said. "Cut off their supply lines, weaken their numbers, and make sure they can't launch a coordinated attack."
Xiaojun lowered the spyglass, his jaw tightening. "This isn't just about defense anymore. We have to take the fight to them."
Back in the village, Xiaojun called a meeting of the allied leaders. The villagers, mercenaries, and Lin Mei's scouts gathered in the square, their faces reflecting a mix of determination and apprehension.
"We've confirmed the location of the Jade Serpent Sect's main encampment," Xiaojun began. "It's a formidable force, but it's also vulnerable if we act strategically."
Kael stepped forward, spreading a detailed map across the table. "Their supplies come from two main routes: one to the north and one to the west. If we can disrupt those, we'll force them to stretch their resources thin."
Lin Mei added, "We've identified key choke points along those routes where ambushes would be most effective."
The plan began to take shape: split into smaller units, each tasked with striking a specific target. Xiaojun would lead the main force against the northern supply route, while Kael's mercenaries focused on the western route. Lin Mei and her scouts would serve as the eyes and ears, ensuring no reinforcements could catch them off guard.
As preparations got underway, Xiaojun found himself in the training yard, sparring with Wei Lin. The young man's confidence had grown since the first battle, but Xiaojun could see the cracks in his resolve.
"You're overthinking," Xiaojun said, blocking Wei Lin's strike with ease. "Trust your instincts."
Wei Lin stepped back, panting. "I just... I don't want to let everyone down."
Xiaojun placed a hand on his shoulder. "None of us can do this alone. That's why we fight together. You've already proven your worth, Wei Lin. Now it's time to believe in yourself."
The words seemed to bolster the younger man, and he nodded with renewed determination.
Night fell, and with it came the time to act. The allied forces moved under the cover of darkness, splitting into their designated teams. Xiaojun's group advanced along the northern route, their footsteps muffled by the forest floor. The tension was palpable, each member of the team acutely aware of the stakes.
They reached the first choke point, where a narrow ravine forced the supply convoy to slow. Lin Mei signaled for the group to take their positions, and they waited in silence as the sound of approaching carts and marching soldiers grew louder.
Xiaojun's system interface appeared, highlighting the convoy and marking key targets.
[Objective: Ambush the Supply Convoy. Disable Their Resources.]
As the convoy entered the ravine, Xiaojun raised his hand, signaling the archers to fire. Arrows rained down from above, striking the soldiers before they could react. Chaos erupted as the allied forces descended on the convoy, cutting down the guards and destroying the supplies.
Xiaojun's blade flashed in the moonlight as he fought, each strike precise and deliberate. The battle was swift and decisive, the convoy's defenders no match for the ambush.
"We've secured the supplies," Lin Mei reported, her bow slung over her shoulder. "But we need to move before reinforcements arrive."
Xiaojun nodded. "Burn what we can't carry and fall back."
Meanwhile, Kael's team faced a tougher fight along the western route. The Jade Serpent Sect had stationed a larger force there, anticipating an attack. Kael's mercenaries fought with brutal efficiency, their experience evident in every move. Even so, the battle was hard-fought, and losses were mounting.
Kael herself led the charge, her twin daggers a blur as she took down one enemy after another. Despite the odds, her team managed to disable the convoy, though at a heavy cost.
As the first light of dawn broke, the allied forces regrouped in the forest. The ambushes had been successful, but the toll was evident in their weary faces and the empty spaces where comrades had once stood.
"We've dealt them a significant blow," Xiaojun said, addressing the group. "But this is just the beginning. We need to keep the pressure on if we're going to take down the Jade Serpent Sect for good."
Kael clapped him on the back, her expression both proud and defiant. "Then let's make sure they never forget the day they underestimated us."
The group erupted in a cheer, their spirits lifted despite their losses.