"Speaking without thought? You are blinded by your desire for victory, deaf to counsel, and obsessed with the offensive. If that is not the mark of one who chases shallow gains, what is it? You deploy all your elite troops for attack and leave your defenses bare—what else could that be but shortsightedness?"
Gu Yun let out a cold laugh as she strolled back to the general from whom she had just drawn her sword. With a mere glance at the position of the scabbard at his waist, she casually flicked her wrist. Her longsword, without the slightest deviation, slipped neatly into the sheath.
Everything had happened so swiftly that the onlookers were still frozen in shock. Only when Gu Yun turned to leave did the general break into a cold sweat, shaken by the realization—had her movement been even slightly off, the sword would not have entered the scabbard, but his flesh.
Facing Gu Yun's rebuke, Su Yu knew in his heart that his command had indeed been flawed. Yet, pride refused to yield to a woman's criticism.
"Even if I've made mistakes, it's not your place to lecture me—a woman!"
The brief clash just now had slightly cooled his rage, but those words stoked it anew. Gu Yun's gaze grew cold as she fixed her eyes on Su Yu's arrogant face. Her lips curled into the faintest of smirks, her voice soft and mild, yet eerily chilling.
"You truly look down on women, don't you?"
Su Yu was taken aback, unable to respond before Gu Yun's voice rang out again, sharper now.
"Then do you dare to wager with a woman? Let us both train our troops. In half a month, we'll see whose soldiers emerge more valiant."
It wasn't just Su Yu she found intolerable—it was all those men on the field who, though silent, wore disdain for women in their eyes. She couldn't stand it.
She wanted to out-train him.
Su Yu burst into mocking laughter. Did she think a few flashy tricks were enough to prove her worth? Not only he, but all those on the field—save for the contemplative Su Ren—scoffed openly.
Waving his hand with disdain, Su Yu sneered, "I won't stoop to wagering military skill with a woman."
Arms crossed, Gu Yun retorted, "A defeated man has no right to speak of valor."
Su Yu's eyes widened with fury. "Who are you calling defeated?!"
Had his second brother not intervened, he'd have made her pay dearly just now.
Gu Yun let out a cold snort. "Have you already forgotten that you lost the last bout? Enough chatter. Be quick about it—do you dare to wager with a woman or not?"
She emphasized the word "woman" with biting clarity, waiting for the bait to be taken. Against someone like Su Yu, provocation was unfailingly effective.
Sure enough, Su Yu slapped his thigh and growled, "Fine! A bet it is! This time, I'll make sure you lose completely and admit defeat!"
Gu Yun smiled inwardly. Oh Su Yu, if only you had learned something from your earlier loss: never presume too much of yourself.
Su Ren, who had thus far remained silent with a mask of neutrality, suddenly chuckled aloud.
"Very well. I shall bear witness. Now, what shall the terms be? A frontal assault? A siege?"
Before he could finish, Gu Yun's eyes lit up with a different thought, and she interrupted with a smile.
"You've likely done those countless times. How about something different this time?"
Su Yu scowled. "What do you propose?"
Her lips curled faintly. "A night raid."
A night raid?
Both Su Ren and Su Yu were momentarily stunned. Su Yu narrowed his eyes at Gu Yun and asked in a low voice, "Are you certain?"
Night raids were among the most difficult, requiring both cunning and discipline—surely she wasn't foolish enough to challenge that?
While she might fall short in marching or formations, Gu Yun was confident—when it came to ambushes and guerrilla warfare, she would yield to no man.
She nodded resolutely. "Yes. The General's Estate has three thousand seasoned soldiers. Let us conduct a mock battle. Each of us will train a unit. We'll see whose troops can break through the elite defenses in a successful night raid."
"Very well." If she feared death so little, he would grant her wish. Pointing to the ranks below, Su Yu said, "These are General Su's finest men. You may choose first."
Gu Yun swept her gaze across the sea of burly, sharp-eyed soldiers. She did not doubt their prowess. But the contempt in their eyes was equally clear. She could tame them—but not in just half a month.
Withdrawing her gaze, Gu Yun declared loudly, "I don't want them."
Her words had barely fallen before countless piercing glares shot toward her. Undaunted, she continued.
"If they are Su's elites, they've already been through countless drills. Using them wouldn't truly measure our skill as trainers. I propose we each select five hundred raw recruits. Only then will the contest be fair."
Her reasoning was sound, and this time Su Yu didn't argue.
"Fine. I accept."
Su Ren silently praised her. A wise move. Those battle-hardened men would never heed her commands. He had no idea yet how skilled she was in training, but in terms of strategy and foresight, she clearly had the edge over his younger brother.
For the first time, Su Ren felt a flicker of anticipation for this bet.
He gestured toward the broad training grounds. "The field is only so large. If you train together, won't you risk the other seeing your methods?"
Su Yu shook his head confidently. "Let her watch if she wants. That way, she won't have any excuses when she fails and wastes my recruits."
Gu Yun squinted at the dense forest beyond the training ground and smiled in satisfaction—that was her true battlefield.
"You keep the training field. I'll take the forest beyond. We begin tomorrow. Half a month."
"Agreed!" Su Yu's booming voice signaled the start of the wager.
As the two departed in opposite directions, Su Ren chuckled to himself—they had forgotten to set the stakes.
At dawn, the sun cast its first golden rays across the vast field. Though summer's heat was already palpable, the one thousand soldiers stood in perfect formation—silent, disciplined, unmoving.
On the raised platform stood two figures, one tall, one slender.
Su Yu wore a navy-blue military uniform, tall and imposing. He cast a sidelong glance at Gu Yun—dressed in black, her long hair tied high, her lean frame clad in fitted battlewear. He had to admit, she possessed a unique allure.
Su Ren stepped between them with ease and addressed the crowd.
"These are the best recruits from the Su family's new enlistment. You may begin choosing."
Su Yu offered graciously, "She may go first."
Gu Yun scanned the tense young faces below. She knew they all hoped not to be chosen by her. In their minds, she and Su Yu were worlds apart.
But soon, she would show them who stood among the clouds and who wallowed in the mud.
With an indifferent smile, she replied, "Since they're all fine recruits, there's no need to choose. Divide them evenly. The left half is yours. The right half, mine."
The previously quiet crowd stirred faintly. Those on the left breathed in relief. Those on the right frowned in dismay.
Both commanders approached their respective squads. Gu Yun raised her hand and pointed toward the woods roughly two kilometers behind the grounds.
"Soldiers on the right—your objective: the forest behind the hill. Time limit: half a quarter-hour. Advance at the double! Move out!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Though many were disheartened, the iron discipline of Su's army prevailed. In moments, three long columns surged toward the distant woods.
Su Ren watched them go, eyes alight with interest. He was truly curious—what kind of army would she forge in just fifteen days?