I'm letting you win over the female lead, not conquering cities and territories!

The night grew darker, and the chill in the deep mountains seemed to pierce one's bones.

Under Qin Hao's leadership, this breakout team of over 300 people moved through the rugged, desolate mountains as if they were on flat ground.

During this time, they once again encountered the second line of covert sentries set up by the city's defense forces.

And this time, Qin Hao once again did not disappoint them.

Relying on the [&% map] in his mind, which was comparable to a holographic radar, Qin Hao accurately detected the blind spots in the field of vision between several red dots of the enemy.

He led his troops through several treacherous paths that were impossible for ordinary people to find, as if strolling in a garden, leaving the second line of defense far behind without firing a shot.

It wasn't until midnight that the team finally reached the deepest part of the desolate mountain forest.

"Huff... huff..."

In the silent mountains and forests, apart from the faint sound of the wind, there was only the heavy, weary breathing of the soldiers.

Just then, the scout who had been exploring ahead rushed back, kneeling on one knee with a solemn expression:

"Report! Centurion, we have spotted the enemy's last outpost at the mouth of a narrow valley three miles ahead!"

"How many people?" Qin Hao asked in a deep voice.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, this outpost is extremely large, with camps set up against the mountains and by the water."

By the moonlight, I roughly counted the enemy troops; there were at least... three hundred men! And they were equipped with a considerable number of repeating crossbows and heavy chevaux-de-frise!

Three hundred people?!

Upon hearing this number, many soldiers present, as well as several platoon leaders and adjutants, felt a sudden sinking feeling in their hearts.

Three hundred against three hundred!

If this were a battle on a plain, the elite troops of the Crimson Flame Army could slaughter these city defense troops like pigs with their eyes closed.

But the situation is completely different now!

The enemy not only had a geographical advantage, but also built defensive fortifications.

If a full-scale attack were to break out, even if their individual soldiers were highly skilled, it would be impossible for them to end the battle in a short period of time.

In this desolate mountain surrounded by enemies, if the battle drags on for too long, the encirclement of 120,000 troops will quickly close in like an iron barrel.

At that time, even if those three hundred people were made of iron, they would be crushed into dust!

"grown ups……"

An adjutant looked at Qin Hao with anticipation.

"Can't we... find a side path and go around like we did the last two times?"

All eyes were fixed on Qin Hao, hoping that this "miraculous" superior could perform another miracle.

However, this time Qin Hao remained silent.

He closed his eyes slightly, his consciousness sinking into the system map in his mind.

The huge red dot group, representing the enemy's garrison, was firmly blocking the only passage between two steep cliffs.

The surrounding area is marked by red cliff terrain signs that indicate that it is insurmountable.

Qin Hao opened his eyes, slowly shook his head, and uttered three words decisively:

There's no way around it.

Upon hearing this, a tense atmosphere instantly filled the group.

"This road is the mouth of a gourd, sandwiched between two cliffs. It is the only way out of this desolate mountain, and it is the legendary place where 'one man can hold the pass against ten thousand.'"

Using the information on the map, Qin Hao accurately described the terrain ahead to everyone.

Seemingly sensing the worry and a hint of despair in the soldiers' eyes, Qin Hao suddenly drew half of his sword from his waist, the cold light reflecting off the blade illuminating his resolute face.

He lowered his voice, but his tone was full of seductive power, and he spoke loudly:

"Brothers! Do not worry too much!"

"Look up and see! The enemy is in the open, and we are in the shadows!"

They thought we were still waiting to die in the center of their encirclement, never imagining that we had already reached the edge of their defensive line!

Qin Hao's blade pointed directly at the valley entrance hidden in the darkness ahead:

"This checkpoint is the last line of defense between us and freedom!"

"Once we break through this valley and escape, we'll be in a vast open world, where birds can fly freely and fish can leap across the boundless sea!"

"We have nowhere left to retreat; only by fighting to the death can we survive!"

These words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly dispelling the gloom in the soldiers' hearts.

Yes!

They had followed Lord Qin through two lines of defense and miraculously made their way here.

We're only one step away from escaping, so why should we go back and become fish on the chopping block?

"Fight our way out! Fight our way to a brighter future!"

A bloodthirsty glint rekindled in the soldiers' eyes.

Seeing that morale was high, an impatient platoon leader immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and volunteered for battle:

"My lord! Since a battle is inevitable sooner or later, why not take advantage of the deep night? It's the perfect opportunity for a surprise attack! I am willing to lead fifty elite soldiers as the vanguard to seize their camp!"

"No."

Qin Hao glanced at the eager squad leader, but decisively shook his head:

"No fighting tonight; we need a day to rest."

"My lord?" Everyone was taken aback.

Qin Hao didn't explain much, but turned around and looked at each soldier present with a pained expression.

In the pitch-black night, it would be difficult to notice without close inspection, but Qin Hao could see it clearly at this moment.

These soldiers who followed him in breaking through the siege overnight, though their eyes were filled with fighting spirit, were all already at their last gasp.

Since the sudden change yesterday evening, they have been marching for more than ten hours!

They trekked and crawled along the outskirts of the mountains, covering dozens of kilometers on foot and traversing countless steep ridges.

Many people's lips were cracked and bleeding, their hands holding knives were trembling slightly involuntarily, and their warhorses were so exhausted that they were foaming at the mouth.

Although night battles do have the advantage of "the enemy is in the light and we are in the dark," it is still a risky situation to send a large, exhausted army to launch a strong attack on an equal number of enemy troops who are well-rested and have built defensive fortifications.

This isn't a surprise attack, this is suicide missions!

If they really go in for a fight, the outcome is entirely uncertain.

"To do a good job, you must first have the right tools. To work yourself to the bone with an exhausted body is irresponsible to yourselves."

Qin Hao said coldly, then brought up the system map in his mind again and scanned it.

Soon, he discovered a huge hollow terrain feature on a hillside about two miles behind the enemy outpost on the map.

"Everyone, follow me."

Qin Hao waved his hand, leading the exhausted team off the main path and climbing towards the mountainside on the side.

Before long, the group parted a dense patch of withered vines, and a hidden and enormous natural cave suddenly appeared before them.

The cave was extremely spacious, enough to easily hide not only the more than three hundred people inside, but also hundreds of horses. Moreover, the cave was dry and sheltered from the wind, making it an excellent hiding place.

The soldiers looked at Qin Hao with a renewed sense of awe.

Not only can adults perfectly avoid enemy troops, but they can even find caves hidden deep in the mountains and forests with uncanny foresight!

"All troops, listen to my command!"

Qin Hao stood at the cave entrance and gave a low, urgent order:

"Take cover and rest immediately! Only dry rations and cold water are permitted; absolutely no open fires are allowed! Anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot!"

We'll rest here for a whole day!

Everyone should hurry to recover their strength, check their weapons and equipment, and feed their warhorses!

Tomorrow night, we'll launch a final assault and completely break out of this damn encirclement!

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing that they could finally rest, the soldiers' tense nerves instantly relaxed.

Many people didn't even bother to eat their dry rations. As soon as they found a flat rock to lean against, they burst into a deep snore and fell fast asleep.

After settling the soldiers in, Qin Hao did not rest.

One of his adjutants tiptoed to his side, handed him a hard, dry flatbread, and whispered a report to his superior:

"My lord, the count is complete. We currently have 342 men who are still breathing, and 153 warhorses."

The adjutant paused, his tone becoming somewhat heavy:

"However, we don't have much food left. Even if we eat sparingly, it will only last for ten days at most."

"Three hundred and forty-two people, one hundred and fifty-three horses, ten days' worth of rations..."

Qin Hao took the pancake, took a big bite, swallowed the rough food, and, by the faint moonlight from the cave entrance, his brain began to work at high speed.

He clearly understood all his current assets.

Ten days' worth of provisions means that once they break out of the encirclement, they must find a foothold or capture a wealthy city within ten days to replenish their supplies.

But you have to eat one bite at a time, and fight one battle at a time.

Qin Hao turned his gaze to the dark night outside the cave, and the image of the three hundred densely packed red dots on the system map reappeared in his mind.

Next, how can we eliminate this last tough nut to crack with minimal casualties?