From cute to empress

The night was falling, the stars twinkling, but it couldn't mask the bloody smell in the air. I took a deep breath, suppressed my inner tension, and gripped the sword tightly.

"Your Majesty, do you really want to go in person? It's too dangerous!" Zhen Youcai beside him lowered his voice with a hint of worry in his tone.

"A man's word is his bond. Moreover, this battle concerns the survival of our army. How can I be afraid of death?" I said firmly, my gaze piercing the dark tents ahead. "Besides, aren't you by my side?"

Zhen Youcai was startled for a moment, then revealed a relieved smile: "I would not hesitate to die fighting alongside Your Majesty!"

We led over a hundred carefully selected soldiers, dressed in night clothes, and under the cover of darkness, we quietly moved towards the enemy's main camp. In order not to alert the enemy, we even abandoned our horses and marched on foot.

The night breeze brought the faint sounds of shouting and fighting in the distance. I knew that it was Lieutenant General Ma, as planned, creating chaos in the enemy's rear to attract their attention.

"Your Majesty, the enemy's main camp is ahead." A soldier reported in a low voice.

I looked up and saw an endless row of tents stretching out ahead, their shadowy forms like monsters crawling in the darkness. There were only a few soldiers patrolling the camp, apparently drawn in by Lieutenant General Ma's actions.

"Everyone, follow me!" I lowered my voice, crouched down, and led the soldiers to sneak towards the enemy's main camp under the cover of night.

Close, closer!

I could even hear snoring from the tents and the soldiers talking in low voices.

"Your Majesty, kerosene and torches are ready." Zhen Youcai leaned close to my ear and whispered.

I nodded, my eyes swept across the defenseless enemy camp in front of me, and a feeling of heroism and ambition rose in my heart.

"Move!" I whispered. Like arrows shot from a bow, the soldiers quickly dispersed, pouring their kerosene onto the tents. The dry canvas greedily absorbed the kerosene, waiting for only a spark to ignite a blazing fire.

"Light the fire!" I gave the order, and the torches that had been prepared long ago were thrown towards the tent.

"boom!"

Balls of flame shot up into the sky, instantly illuminating the pitch-black night sky. The previously silent camp was suddenly thrown into chaos, with deafening shouts, screams, and horse neighs intertwined, like a purgatory on earth.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The panicked enemy soldiers woke up from their sleep, only to find themselves surrounded by raging fire. They fled in all directions, but could not find a way to escape, and could only struggle and wail in the sea of ​​fire.

"Your Majesty, we succeeded!" Zhen Youcai looked at the chaotic scene in front of him with an excited smile on his face.

I nodded, but I didn't dare to relax. Although the enemy had been caught off guard, they were outnumbered. If they could react, our small force would be no match for them.

"Let's go! Let's retreat!"

I made a prompt decision and led the soldiers to retreat in the direction they came from.

"Kill them! Don't let them run away!"

I heard deafening shouts and cries behind me, and I knew that the enemy had reacted and started organizing a counterattack.

"Your Majesty, this way!" Zhen Youcai led the way, waving his sword and cutting a bloody path for me.

"Want to run? It's not that easy!"

A roar came from the front, and a tall figure holding a long sword blocked our way. In the light of the fire, I recognized this man as the enemy commander - General Hu Di.

"Hmph! You've come just in time!" Zhen Youcai sneered and rushed forward with his sword.

"Protect Your Majesty!"

Seeing this, several soldiers immediately stepped forward and surrounded me.

"Kill! Leave no one alive!" General Hu roared, wielding his long sword and slashing at me...

General Hu's long sword came towards me with a strong wind. I closed my eyes instinctively, but the expected pain did not come.

"clang--"

A sharp metallic clang rang out in my ears, and I opened my eyes to see Zhen Youcai already locked in combat with General Hu. Amidst the flashing of swords and sabers, Zhen Youcai's figure was like a ghost, elusive, and General Hu, despite his massive build and superior strength, was gradually losing ground.

"Your Majesty, let's go quickly!" Lieutenant General Ma urged anxiously.

I knew this was not the time to fight, so I turned around decisively and evacuated quickly under the protection of the soldiers.

"Want to leave? Dream on!" General Hu roared and wanted to chase, but was held tightly by Zhen Youcai.

"Your opponent is me!" Zhen Youcai shouted coldly, and the long sword in his hand was like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, going straight for the vital point of the enemy general Hu.

We ran all the way and finally broke out of the enemy's main camp, which was full of flames. Behind us came the deafening shouting and killing, and I knew that it was the remnants of the enemy making a final stand.

"Your Majesty, we have successfully broken through. Should we continue the pursuit?" asked Lieutenant General Ma.

I looked back at the enemy camp where flames were rising into the sky, and a feeling of heroism surged in my heart.

"Don't pursue a desperate enemy! Pass the order, all troops, rest and prepare for the next move!"

"Yes!"

This night was destined to be a sleepless one. The blazing flames illuminated half the sky red and also illuminated the path to victory in my heart.

I know this is just the beginning.