Sunlight bathed the prairie as the outpost gates swung open. Yuna Ji, covered in blood and filth, marched at the front, brandishing her spear. News had already spread through the outpost last night: their side had won a sweeping victory, the enemy utterly routed.
Many found it hard to believe—the enemy had nearly twenty thousand troops, yet collapsed in just one afternoon. Soldiers crowded all around, cheers rang out, and several clan chiefs looked on in disbelief at Yuna Ji, who stood with her spear and a faint smile.
Everyone stared at Yuna Ji. Her entire body was stained dark red, her face nearly covered in blood. Stories about her actions on the battlefield had already spread in a single day.
Inside the room, steam swirled in the air. Lona Long was tending to Yuna Ji, wiping her back. Fresh wounds marked her skin, and the water had already been changed once—the blood and grime washed off had stained the wooden tub red. Yuna Ji lounged contentedly at the edge while Lona massaged her.
"Are you alright, Yuna?"
Lona Long looked anxiously at Yuna Ji's shoulder, where a large patch had turned purple-black and swollen. Yuna Ji shook her head coldly.
"Keep going. It feels good."
Word also spread about Yuna Ji's slaughter of prisoners. The clan chiefs gathered in the large tent at the center of the outpost.
"How could you do such a thing? This will only enrage the enemy. If we ever lose the war, then..."
One of the clan chiefs spoke, but did not finish. Everyone knew that in war, the victors were not supposed to kill prisoners.
Joseph Qiao silently watched everyone in the room. Many clan chiefs were criticizing Yuna Ji's methods, saying such cruel actions would only enrage the enemy, and when defeat came, the enemy would surely take revenge.
"Everyone's here—so lively."
A low, cold voice sounded as Yuna Ji entered. Lucille Xing and Lona Long followed at her sides. Under everyone's gaze, Yuna Ji walked straight to the highest chair in the tent, propped her chin on one hand, and leaned back.
"Apologies, everyone. My wounds still ache, so I can only sit like this."
All eyes turned to Yuna Ji. At that moment, Elder Yu stood up.
"Yuna, what did you mean when you said you wouldn't accept the enemy's surrender?"
Immediately, the clan chiefs in the room began talking over one another.
"Quiet."
Yuna Ji spoke in a low voice, sweeping her gaze around the room. Instantly, the noise stopped.
"Is there a problem with this approach?"
Elder Yu was just about to speak when Yuna Ji suddenly straightened, stood up, and with a clang, drove her spear into the ground.
"How many enemies are there right now? Tell me what you know—be clear. And how many do we have?"
The tent fell silent. Many lowered their heads. Even without Yuna Ji's question, everyone knew—the gap in numbers was far too great.
"Eliminate every enemy you see. Keep killing them—it's the only way. Prisoners, even if brought back, consume food and might revolt when the guards slacken. If you use farmhands instead of soldiers to watch them, what do you think will happen? Isn't that how it is in the south? How many uprisings have happened there? If you don't kill them on the spot, would you rather bring them back, feed them, and give them beds?"
No one refuted Yuna Ji's words. Everyone knew that even if prisoners were brought back, they'd be a huge burden—and letting them go just meant they'd return to the enemy.
"So I'd like everyone here to pass this order: From now on, whenever we encounter the enemy, we do not accept surrender. Kill on sight."
"Doing this will only enrage the enemy. You..."
One clan chief finally couldn't hold back and stood up, but halfway through his words, Yuna Ji's murderous glare forced him to sit down.
"So what if they're enraged? They've already killed so many of our soldiers. Did they show us mercy? All they want is our annihilation—they won't leave us any chance, nor accept our surrender. Isn't this fair? Just kill the enemy. Keep killing until they stop raising blades against us."
For a moment, everyone's scalp tingled. Yuna Ji spoke in a cold, low voice, her face twisted with a strange, evil expression.
"By the way, I forgot to mention—if anyone doesn't want to stay on the front lines, go back to your cozy nests. The front doesn't need cowards who preach morality. I'm just a woman. And you? Aren't you men?"
With a laugh, Yuna Ji strode out of the tent. At the doorway, she stopped and looked back at the room full of grim-faced men.
"This enemy can't be handled with tactics or words. Please understand that. If anyone still objects to my methods..."
Yuna Ji sneered, gave everyone a final look, then left.
The atmosphere inside was bizarre. No one spoke; faces were grave, heads bowed. Elder Yu stood, sighed helplessly.
"We're all old now. Let the young handle the war. I hope all the young people present will follow Princess Yuna's lead. It's the second time—she can lead us to victory."
Gradually, everyone began to leave. Some clan chiefs packed up, planning to retreat from the front and return to their own tribes.
Terry Mao wore a smile, Sebastian Zhao chuckled beside him, and Joseph Qiao's solemn expression finally eased.
"Almost forgot—Yuna is a woman!"
Joseph Qiao said, and Sebastian Zhao nodded.
"I don't want Yuna to ever scold us men like that again—once is enough."
"Women can be terrifying sometimes—almost like monsters!"
Terry Mao remarked quietly.
Back in her room, Yuna Ji lay on the bed, exhausted, eyes closed. Lucille Xing smiled happily beside her.
"I really support your methods, Yuna. I've always thought that war is about who kills the most—whoever does, survives. Isn't that right?"
Yuna Ji smiled, looked at Lucille Xing with joy, and nodded. Lona Long sighed beside them.
"You two must be tired. Get some rest—I'll make something good for you."
Glancing back at the two lying on the bed, Lona Long smiled. She'd watched them grow up, and their bond was unusually close. In many ways, Yuna Ji was a lot like Lucille Xing.
"There's nothing to worry about now, Lady Ji."
Lona Long murmured softly, then closed the door.
"What did you say?"
In the south, Lydia Lien was marching when she heard news of the vanguard's defeat and the enemy's massacre of prisoners. Furious, she clenched her fists.
"Commander Lydia Lien, it looks like the enemy is getting desperate. Let's pick up the pace."
Henry Lien spoke, while Mark Zou behind him felt a chill of fear. The defeat of the Wynn Domain's army was hard for him to grasp. He'd heard that Simon Grant was dead, and King Grant was likely dying too—he didn't expect the Grant Family to strike back.
This time, Mark Zou had brought a hundred thousand troops. Much of his tribe's labor force had gone south to help prepare supplies for winter.
By sunset, Yuna Ji woke from her sleep. Lucille Xing was still sleeping beside her. Smiling, Yuna Ji quietly got up and left the room. The dim sunlight was blinding, and outside, soldiers looked at her with awe.
"Send out my orders—assemble the troops. I want the northwest enemy crushed before they arrive."
Immediately, several soldiers dashed off.
"Yuna, the enemy is right in front of us. If we attack now..."
Phoenix Yu spoke with worry. Yuna Ji glanced at Joseph Qiao.