65. Take what is ours

(A week later, in the Army Tent of the Bai Family)

The tension in the war tent was palpable, the air thick with uncertainty. The elders of the Bai Family stood around the map, their once-confident postures now stiff and uncertain. They had been on the verge of victory, but now…

City Lord Bai, his hand still resting on the table, slowly looked up from the map, his gaze narrowing. He looked from one elder to the next, his face hardening with frustration. "What do you mean, the supplies are running low?"

The intelligence officer swallowed, his face pale. "We've sent scouts to intercept the last known transport. But we haven't received confirmation, my lord. The supply lines have gone silent, and our reserves are… nearly gone."

Another elder spoke up, his voice tight with worry. "You're telling us that we've pushed this far into the enemy territory, and now we're running out of food, water, and ammunition? What are we supposed to do when our men can no longer fight?"

The officer looked uncomfortable but pressed on. "There are no communications from our other cities, and those we had stationed along the main roads haven't reported in. We've tried to reach them, but... there's nothing."

"Could it be the mercenaries?" one of the commanders asked, his tone low and suspicious. "That wave of mercenaries we were hearing about, the ones causing chaos in the cities?"

"We've heard nothing official," another elder added. "But it's possible."

City Lord Bai's jaw clenched. His eyes were cold, calculating. "So what, then? We stay here and wait for word from the cities that may never come? What of the Jing family's Ironwood City?"

"They're cut off as well, my lord," the officer replied. "The last message from a spy in Ironwood City indicated they were holding their ground, but they haven't sent an update since."

A deep silence followed. Every person in the room understood the weight of the situation. They had advanced far into enemy territory, taken several cities, and defeated many of their foes. But now, their supply lines had been severed, and they had no idea whether their hold over the cities would last.

"We can't risk staying out here without support," Commander Bai finally said, his voice hard and decisive. "We need to fall back. Regroup."

"Fall back?" one of the elders muttered incredulously. "But we've already decimated the Allied Army. We have the momentum, Lord Bai!"

"And now that momentum has stalled," Commander Bai shot back, his voice cold with command. "I will not risk losing everything just because we're too prideful to admit we've been cut off. Gather the troops. We head back to our stronghold. If we've been left without supplies, then we need to shore up our position."

The elders exchanged reluctant glances, knowing their lord was right, even if they didn't want to admit it. After a moment of hesitation, the nods came. "Understood," one elder muttered, turning to leave and deliver the orders.

Commander Bai rubbed his face, his weariness palpable. "The Bai Family has never retreated… but we've been forced into a position we cannot ignore." He sighed. "Prepare the men for departure. We'll make for White Lotus City. if it's still standing, we can re-establish our base of operations there."

The war council disbanded, and Bai's commanders immediately moved to execute the retreat orders

---

(2 Months later, in front of White Lotus City )

The Bai Family Army trudged toward White Lotus City, their morale low and exhaustion evident on every soldier's face. The once-proud army, known for its discipline and formidable strength, now appeared weary from the endless battle. They had been marching for days, their ranks thinned by skirmishes, their supplies dwindling, and their spirits shattered. Their heavy steps echoed in the still air as they approached the outskirts of the city, the place they once believed to be their secure base of operations.

But as they neared the city, something felt... wrong. The usual bustle and chatter of the city's residents was eerily absent, replaced by an unsettling silence. The once-thriving streets lay quiet, the shops abandoned, and the market square empty. A thin trail of smoke rose into the sky from somewhere deep within the city, a faint hint of charred wood and ruin in the air.

When they reached the city gates, the sight that greeted them only deepened their unease. The iron gates that had once been a symbol of Bai Family control now stood broken and ajar, their hinges twisted and bent. Large chunks of the walls had been torn down, debris scattered across the cobblestone streets. The Bai Family's banners, once proudly displayed along the gates, had been ripped to shreds and replaced by an unfamiliar black and gold flag, a symbol of power that did not belong to them.

The soldiers' eyes widened in disbelief. This was not supposed to happen. White Lotus City was a stronghold they had fought for, a city they had firmly held as their own. And now, it had fallen.

"Impossible," one of the commanders muttered, his voice hoarse from the long march. "The city... it's been taken."

City Lord Bai, who had been silent until now, rode to the front, his gaze cold and calculating. His sharp eyes took in the devastation, the signs of a swift and efficient takeover. The banners, the shattered gates, the silence. It all pointed to mercenaries, but who? And how had they managed this without anyone noticing?

A low murmur rippled through the ranks as the soldiers dismounted, unease spreading like wildfire through their ranks. They had no time to waste. They had to know who was behind this, but more importantly, why had they chosen this moment?

"We don't have the manpower to fight an entrenched force like this," one of the officers spoke, his tone filled with frustration. "If mercenaries have taken this city, there's no telling how many more are lurking in the shadows."

City Lord Bai clenched his fists. His earlier plans had hinged on this city being a strong base. Without it, their entire strategy was at risk. Yet, there was no time for hesitation. They had to reclaim White Lotus City or risk losing their hold on the entire region.

"We don't have enough men to fight back against a full mercenary force," another officer said. "And without proper supplies, our position is even more vulnerable."

Bai looked at his commanders, his voice low and dangerous. "We will find out who did this, and we will make them regret it. For now, pull the men back. Secure what we can, and report back. We will reassess."

…

(a week later, in White Lotus City)

The Bai Family war council convened in the dimly lit strategic chamber of their temporary command post. The mood was grim, thick with the heavy scent of burnt incense and blood, the aftermath of months of constant conflict. The Bai Family had regrouped after their retreat, patching up their forces with what little remained of their soldiers and the meager supplies they had acquired from passing merchants. Yet, the loss of White Lotus City still stung, and the urgency of the situation weighed heavily on their shoulders.

Commander Bai stood at the head of the long wooden table, his usually composed demeanor now replaced by the deep furrows of frustration. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the room as his officers and generals stood silently, awaiting his orders. Around the table sat the remnants of the Bai Family's commanders. Those who had survived the initial chaos of their retreat and returned to give their report.

"We have to take White Lotus City back," Commander Bai's voice broke the silence, his tone steady but tinged with irritation. "It is our stronghold, our base of operations, and without it, we have nothing."

A moment of silence hung in the air as the room's tension tightened. One of the senior generals, his face drawn and weary, finally spoke. "Commander, we've lost far too many soldiers. The city is crawling with mercenaries now. The place has been looted, its defenses weakened. Even if we attack, it won't be easy. We don't have the manpower to fight a protracted battle."

Commander Bai's gaze shifted to the general, a flash of frustration crossing his face. "And yet, the city is still ours by right. If we don't take it back now, our position in the region is irreparably damaged. We can't afford to let it fall completely."

"Agreed," another officer chimed in, his voice calm but filled with concern. "But our forces are spread thin. The mercenaries are well-organized and entrenched, and the governor's forces are still holding out. We've received word that they've made alliances with other mercenary groups. It won't be easy to dislodge them."

A murmur rippled through the room as the officers exchanged uneasy glances. White Lotus City had been a bastion of Bai Family power, and its loss had been a crushing blow. However, reclaiming it wasn't just a matter of pride, it was a matter of survival. The city was strategically located and rich with resources that the Bai Family could no longer afford to lose. Without it, they would be unable to exert any influence over the region, and their grip on the other cities would continue to slip.

Commander Bai stood silent for a moment, contemplating the situation, before speaking again. "The mercenaries are fickle. We'll offer them a deal they can't refuse. I'll send a messenger to their leader—offer them gold, weapons, and influence. If they refuse... we destroy them."

One of the younger officers leaned forward, a look of skepticism on his face. "A deal with mercenaries? After they've taken control of the city from us? You trust them that much?"

Commander Bai's eyes narrowed. "Desperation breeds opportunity, General. Their allegiance is to whoever offers them the most, we'll make them an offer they can't turn down. We'll take the city without wasting any more of our soldiers' lives."

The room was silent again, the officers digesting the plan. The air was thick with doubt, but no one dared speak against it. They all understood the reality: White Lotus City was a prize they couldn't afford to lose.

"We'll send a delegation under the guise of negotiation," Commander Bai continued. "And when the mercenaries lower their guard, we'll strike. We'll reclaim White Lotus, and once it's back in our hands, we'll have the leverage to crush anyone who stands in our way."

"But what if they call for reinforcements from other cities?" another officer asked. "The mercenaries are unpredictable, they might have allies we don't know about."

Commander Bai gave a sharp nod. "That's why we must act quickly. We don't have the luxury of time. Strike before they can react."

The room was filled with murmurs of agreement, though several officers still exchanged uneasy looks. They knew the plan had its risks, but it was the only chance they had to regain their foothold in the region.

"Prepare the forces. We march at dawn," Commander Bai commanded, his voice filled with resolve. "We will take White Lotus City back, and this time, we will not be merciful."

The officers rose, their faces set with grim determination. They knew that this was the beginning of the final push. The battle for White Lotus City would define the fate of the Bai Family. If they failed, it would mark the end of their influence in the region forever.