The dawn of the fourteenth day broke over the horizon, casting a soft, ethereal glow upon the sprawling camp.

  The knights had marched tirelessly for fourteenth day since their departure from the Sunset Breeze Pass City, their steps swift and sure, even under the weight of their heavy armor. As the sun climbed higher, the air grew crisp, carrying with it the promise of a new day fraught with danger and destiny.

  In the heart of the camp, the air was alive with anticipation. The five Knight Commanders had received their orders from Grand Master Lichen. The army of Blood Wolf Knights had been divided into six battalions, each poised to strike at the very heart of the Jo Empire's defenses.

  Hu Tao and Bi Lan approached Wu Rei, their eyes reflecting the same mix of excitement and anxiety.

  "Wu Rei, are you coming with us to meet master?" Bi Lan asked, hope flickering in his eyes.

  Wu Rei looked at them, his eyes crinkling at the corners of his smile.

  "I regret that I cannot accompany you to meet master," he said, his deep voice a gentle rumble.

  "But my place is with the 3rd battalion combat company. Our target lies on a different path from your destination, and we must move swiftly to maintain the element of surprise."

  Wu Rei's voice was filled with a mix of regret and resolve.

  "Our battalion's target is a well-fortified city, not too far from the Jo Empire's northern frontier," he continued, his gaze fixed on the map.

  "I know I should not tell you about any military secrets, but I can say that the city we aim to liberate is named Frostvikke. If you want to meet me, you could find me there."

  Wu Rei revealed, his voice filled with a steely resolve that belied the warmth of their earlier conversation.

  Bi Lan's eyes narrowed as he took in the information, his mind racing.

  "But why attack the Jo Empire? And why divide your forces into six groups of about 330 soldiers when you guys are outnumbered?" Bi Lan's voice was a mix of confusion and concern.

  Wu Rei leaned back, his eyes reflecting the flickering campfire light.

  "You think with just 300, we couldn't conquere a city?" Wu Rei asked with a hint of challenge in his voice.

  Bi Lan nodded, his curiosity piqued.

  "You guys should have heard about how with only 300 Blood Knights, they managed to slaughter 1500 soldiers and conquered Sunset Breeze Pass City," Wu Rei began, his tone filled with a quiet pride that seemed almost out of place since he was not one of the 300 Blood Knights in the story.

  "They didn't just overpower them with brute force. It was strategy, precision, and our unique capabilities. So don't worry when we are sending 300 deal our enemies." Wu Rei said.

  Bi Lan nodded, understanding dawning on him.

  "I guess this is our parting," Bi Lan murmured as they stood by their horses, the morning light shining on their faces.

  "Wu Rei, we will try to contact you again when father is informed of everything." Hu Tao said, her hand on the reins of her horse, ready to depart.

  Wu Rei nodded, the gleaming metal of his helmet reflecting the early sunlight.

  "We shall meet again when the dust of war settles," he said, his voice carrying a hint of determination.

  With a final nod, the three parted ways—Wu Rei joining his knights company, and Bi Lan and Hu Tao continuing their journey towards Yangfang City. As they watched their friend and ally march away, the weight of their own responsibility grew heavier on their shoulders.

  ---

  On the Governor Building in the Yangfang City, the crown prince of the Su Empire, Su Yao, was in deep discussion with Governor Sun Hui and his son, General Sun Meng.

  They stood around a large table, maps and scrolls scattered before them, their expressions etched with the weight of the city's defense and the urgency of the war against the Jo Empire.

  "Crown prince, the fortress is almost complete, but we lack the resources to bolster its defenses further as we had hoped," General Sun Meng spoke.

  Su Yao's gaze shifted toward him, his expression unreadable.

  "Crown prince, we hope the empire to allocate more resources to the north," General Sun Meng said with urgency.

  "The empire's resources are stretches thin, General Sun Meng," the crown prince said, his eyes never leaving the map.

  "Resources are not as plentiful as we wish, but I will speak to my father regarding your situation. For now, we must make do with what we have."

  Sun Men sigh and said, "the fortress is as complete as we can make it without additional supplies. We need more resources to bolster its defenses, especially with the Jo Empire's persistent attacks," Sun Meng's voice was a mix of frustration and hope.

  But as they were about to delve deeper into the strategy, a guard burst into the room, his armor clanking loudly against the marble floor. His eyes searched the room, finding the crown prince, the governor and the general.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Your Highness, General, the two disciples of the Tri Body Hall have returned," the guard said, his words rushing out.

  The room grew silent, the tension palpable. Su Yao's gaze sharpened, and he nodded curtly.

  "Very well," he said. "Bring them to me at once."

  The guard nodded and disappeared out of the room, his boots echoing in the corridor. The anticipation grew heavier in the room. The sound of his footsteps grew closer until the doors swung open again, revealing the figures of the Tri Body Hall disciples, who had been traveling for weeks.

  "Your Highness, I have brought them," the guard announced, his voice formal as he stepped aside to allow Bi Lan and Hu Tao to enter.

  The prince's eyes moved to the newcomers, his gaze assessing as they approached.

  "You've returned," Su Yao said, his voice cool and even.

  "Would the Sunset Breeze Pass City send soldiers to fight?" Su Yao inquired, his gaze flickering between the two figures before him.

  Hu Tao stepped forward, her dusty garb in stark contrast to the opulent surroundings of the chamber. She spoke with confidence that belied her weary state.

  "Your Highness," she said, "Sunset Breeze Pass City has agreed to send aid. Two thousand soldiers are already en route."

  Su Yao's eyes flickered, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly at the mention of the number. It was clear that Sun Meng, who had been listening intently, found the figure disappointing. He clicked his tongue, his gaze drifting to the map, calculating the odds with a silent sigh.

  "Two thousand soldiers," the prince repeated, his voice measured. "That is... less than ideal."

  "But, Your Highness," Bi Lan interjected, "the forces from the Sunset Breeze Pass City are all elite troops called Blood Knights from the Blood Wolf Knight Order. They've agreed to provide us with their elite forces."

  Su Yao's eyebrows rose slightly, a hint of interest sparking in his gaze.

  "Alright when will they arrive?" Su Yao questioned, as he calculated that the journey from Sunset Breeze Pass City to the northern border would take about a month or so base on the distance and marching speed of 2000 troops.

  "Your Highness," Bi Lan spoke up, "They have already arrived, and have split into six groups heading to the border cities of the Jo Empire."

  He said with a touch of pride in his voice, watching as the surprise spread across the faces of the city officials and the Prince's own knights.

  Su Yao's expression remained impassive, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the information.

  "You're saying that these elite Blood Knights have arrived and are now scattered across our lands, heading for the Jo Empire's border cities?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

  Bi Lan nodded, his heart pounding in his chest.

  "Yes your Highness, they..." Bi Lan's voice was cut as Sun Meng ask how many people are there in each group.

  "About 330 or so," Hu Tao responded, her voice firm.

  Silence descended upon the chamber as the gravity of Bi Lan's revelation took hold. Everyone from the prince, the governor, and the general exchanged glances, their expressions a blend of disbelief and disappointment.

  Sun Meng was the first to break the silence, his voice filled with doubt.

  "This is madness," Sun Meng said loudly, his hand on his chin, shaking his head in disbelief.

  "A pig leading an army of 2000 soldiers to death!"

  The prince also thought similarly, as the number of soldiers seemed too small to make a significant difference in the war effort. But the Governor, Sun Hui, raised his hand to silence the growing murmurs of discontent.

  "Your Highness and my son, let's not forget the legend of the 300," Sun Hui interjected, his voice a calm counterpoint to the rising tide of skepticism.

  "The Blood Knights are said to be fearsome warriors, fighting 1500 troops in open field battle and then fighting a siege battle of 2000 enemies and still won with no loss. This is their reputation, and we should not underestimate their capabilities," Sun Hui reminded them.

  Sun Meng, his voice tight with doubt, leaned forward in his chair.

  "With all due respect, Father," he began, "stories and legends can be embellished. The true strength of the Blood Knights may not match the epic tales we've heard."

  Sun Hui's eyes turned to his son, as Sun Meng continued to talk.

  "Father you should know very well how tales could be exaggerated," Sun Meng said, his voice filled with both respect and skepticism.

  "We cannot base our strategy on hearsay or legends alone. We need solid information and numbers. You should also heard about me," Sun Meng said with a hint of a smile.

  "Some say I have the intellect and strategy of a heavenly general, that is why I am task in leading our defense. But in truth, I was chosen because I am the only son of Sun Hui, and the emperor knew that with my father's influence back me, the north quickly fall under my command and would not falter," Sun Meng's smile grew a little sad, "but that doesn't mean I don't take our defense seriously. We need to be prepared for any eventuality, and I can't help but feel uneasy with such a small force."

  Su Yao's expression remained stoic as he sighs heavily, nodding in agreement with Sun Meng's words.

  "While legends are inspiring, we must consider the reality of our situation. The Jo Empire does not fight by the same rules or honor as we do. They are known for their cunning and ruthlessness," he said, his gaze meeting Sun Meng's with understanding.

  "It seems that the Sunset Breeze Pass City's forces may not be as reliable as we had hoped," Su Yao said, his voice carrying the weight of his doubt.

  Bi Lan opened his mouth to protest, but the look in Sun Meng's eyes silenced him. The general's expression was one of cold calculation, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

  "With all due respect, Your Highness," Sun Meng said, "I have seen firsthand the destruction wrought by the Jo Empire. Their tactics are as brutal as the land from which they come. We must rely on our own strengths and not gamble with the lives of our people on the whims of distant allies."

  "And you two dissmissed," Sun Meng's voice was firm and left no room for argument.

  Bi Lan and Hu Tao glanced at each other, a flicker of confusion in their eyes. They had come to deliver vital information, yet it seemed their words held little sway.

  As they were about to exit the chamber, the heavy doors to the grand hall swung open with surprising speed. A guard, breathless and disheveled, burst in, his eyes wide with urgency.

  "Your Highness, Governor Sun and General Sun!" he called out, his voice strained.

  Everyone in the room turned to the guard, their eyes wide with anticipation.

  "Your Highness, we have received reports from our spies," the guard gasped for air, "Five of Jo Empire's border cities are under attack! And it seems they are about to fall to an unknown force!"

  "What did you say?" Su Yao's voice cut through the air, his eyes sharp as he turned to the guard, who was now visibly trembling.

  "Which force?" Bi Lan ask, half of his body is already outside of the door, ready to leave the chamber.

  Everyone wanted to know which force was attacking, and the guard, after catching his breath, spoke again.

  "They are called the Blood Wolf Knight Order," the guard revealed, his voice shaking with urgency.

  The room fell silent as the words sank in. The Blood Wolf Knight Order, the group they deemed to be a unreliable ally, had struck the first blow. Slapping the face of both the prince and he general figuratively.

  The Prince, the Governor, and the General stared at the opened door where Bi Lan and Hu Tao had exited just moments before, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

  As for Hu Tao and Bi Lan, they had already bolted out from the chamber the moment they heard the guard mention the Blood Wolf Knight Order. They raced through the corridors of the governors' building, the echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the cold stone walls. Their hearts hammered in their chests, from the unexpected news of their ally's offensive.

  They both headed to the Tri Body Hall building, their thoughts racing faster than their feet as they quickly headed to Master Hu Bin's office to report everything.