Chapter 124 – Warm-Up Battle Drill (1)

Thirteenth Day of Training – Dusk.

The sun dipped behind the western mountains, leaving an hour until nightfall. There had been no training the previous night, and tonight, the leader had warned of a critical and grueling exercise. This statement alone sent shivers down everyone's spine—usually, even her so-called "light training" left them half-dead with exhaustion. Now, with her declaring it a severe drill, none dared to imagine the horrors to come.

Gu Yun led the troops to a secluded area behind the mountain, a good five or six li from their usual training grounds. The place was a flat expanse facing the open wilderness, with the mountain rising behind them and nothing to provide cover. While the soldiers stood anxiously awaiting orders, Gu Yun paced the vicinity, seemingly searching for something. Finally, she picked up a branch about the thickness of a finger, pulled a triangular flag from her sleeve, and returned to the troops with a relaxed smile.

"In two days, the night assault battle begins. Tonight marks your final night training. I intend to test the results of your efforts thus far. Tonight's drill—will be a mock night raid."

A mock battle?! The soldiers froze for a beat, dumbstruck by the announcement. Gu Yun ignored their reactions and continued flatly, "Tonight, Ge Jingyun's team will act as the attackers, and Leng Xiao's team will defend. I will not provide any orders or guidance until the simulation ends. Each of you will command 240 soldiers and complete this engagement."

She handed the branch and flag to Leng Xiao and said, "This flag is the commander's standard. Leng Xiao, your team must protect it at all costs. If Ge Jingyun's group seizes it, you lose. If you hold it till the end, victory is yours. This clearing is your main camp, while our usual training ground is the attackers' base. You have one hour to prepare. After that, the drill begins."

None of them had ever tasted the cruelty of true war. As fresh recruits, they exchanged confused and nervous glances, some still stunned into silence.

"Understood?!" Gu Yun's sudden shout jolted them back to awareness.

"Yes, ma'am!" the soldiers snapped to attention.

"Then prepare yourselves." Gu Yun nodded in satisfaction. Without another word, she led the remaining twenty soldiers to a vantage point halfway up the mountain and sat down with a casual air. Tonight, she would observe—and choose who would become her vanguard tomorrow.

The twenty soldiers behind her were bewildered. They watched the two teams busily setting up camp below but couldn't fathom why she had brought them here. Despite their confusion, half a month of training had taught them one thing: never question the commander. Everything she did had purpose, no matter how strange it seemed.

Sure enough, after a quarter-hour, Gu Yun finally turned to them. "Pair up. From the edge of the wild forest to the enemy camp, divide into five paths and observe. Report any unusual activity at once. You are to remain observers—under no circumstances are you to interfere. Understood?"

"Understood!" they replied in unison without hesitation.

Waving them off, Gu Yun leaned against the rock wall, her sharp gaze silently sweeping the terrain below. Outwardly calm, her heart was heavy with concern. These were all fledgling soldiers, untouched by real combat. The enemy they would eventually face—Su Ren and his seasoned warriors—was no mere practice. Defeating Su Yu's raw recruits in a night assault would be easy. But facing Su Ren? That, even she couldn't guarantee.

This mock battle was less about technique and more a test of courage and adaptability. She could only hope they wouldn't disappoint her.

Suddenly, Gu Yun's eyes narrowed—what was Leng Xiao doing? On the clearing below, the two hundred or so soldiers had split into five squads. Except for thirty remaining behind Leng Xiao, the rest dispersed in four directions. Her expression darkened as she clenched her fists, breathing deeply before loosening her grip again. Her gaze locked onto the disorganized figures still lingering and the seemingly smug but expressionless Leng Xiao.

As twilight thickened, it was time for the night raid. Leng Xiao lit two bonfires in the clearing, occasionally glancing toward Gu Yun's direction. She sat shrouded in shadows—he couldn't see her expression, but he could feel those piercing eyes fixed coldly on him.

Once, he would never have believed a woman could possess such keen, commanding eyes or a will so unyielding. But after meeting her, he now believed such a woman truly existed—one he had no choice but to respect. He knew she would be choosing a commander for tomorrow's night assault between him and Ge Jingyun. He would prove he was the superior—more cunning, more capable.

Footsteps approached in haste. A young scout arrived behind Gu Yun and reported, "Ma'am, Ge Jingyun has split his forces into three and is advancing from the east, south, and west."

Gu Yun gave a small nod, saying nothing. After a moment's hesitation, the scout turned and left to resume surveillance.

Another quarter-hour passed. A second scout reported, "Ma'am, Leng Xiao has dispatched four squads in all directions—east, south, west, and north—to dig traps, secure high ground, and lie in ambush with archers."

Gu Yun chuckled and shook her head. The best defense is a strong offense. Leng Xiao had done well in this regard. Knowing Ge Jingyun's earnest nature, it was unlikely he anticipated such an ambush en route.

By the time calculated, Ge Jingyun's troops should have been nearing the camp. Yet under the cold moonlight and beside the roaring fires, all remained still. That could only mean—they'd already encountered the ambush.

"Report! Ge Jingyun's eastern unit fell into a pit trap—captured in full!"

"Report! The western unit was ambushed by arrows near the rear mountain—attack failed!"

The two near-simultaneous reports confirmed Gu Yun's suspicions. But the third report did not come. Her gaze flicked toward the increasingly relaxed Leng Xiao below, and her lips curled into a peculiar smile.

Arrogance leads to defeat. The final act has yet to begin.

"Report!" Another scout rushed back, panting. "Ge Jingyun's southern unit clashed with the enemy entrenched on high ground. They broke through—but…"

Gu Yun's face darkened.

"…suffered heavy casualties."

Her eyes narrowed. Down below, dust billowed, and at the forefront was a filthy, battered Ge Jingyun. Behind him followed just over twenty soldiers, running hard. Their formation was a mess.

Gripping his long saber, Ge Jingyun surged toward Leng Xiao, fury burning in his gaze. Leng Xiao, stunned that he had broken through, grabbed his twin halberds and rushed to meet him.

The saber clashed with the halberds in a violent duel. The two commanders were locked in fierce combat. Leng Xiao, having overestimated himself, had left weaker soldiers behind—no match for Ge Jingyun's enraged charge. Soon, the tide turned.

Eventually, Leng Xiao faltered. Ge Jingyun wrenched the commander's flag from him and waved it toward Gu Yun.

But his face bore no joy. Especially upon seeing Leng Xiao's men escorting his captured soldiers back—his fury deepened.

Those who had been defeated or "killed" moments before now sprang back to life, cheering. The clearing erupted into a cacophony of shouts, groans, and jubilant cries.

Up on the mountainside, the twenty soldiers behind Gu Yun barely dared to breathe.

She had remained silent, her eyes fixed on the scene below. Even from behind, they could feel the storm of fury rising from her.

A quarter-hour passed before the rest finally realized the tension thickening in the air. The drill had ended long ago—now came the reckoning.