Murong Xuan gazed at the horrific scene of corpses strewn across the plain, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions. His once proud and formidable army had been utterly decimated by the swarms of poisonous bees. The soldiers' cries of agony still echoed across the plain, like the lamentations of wronged souls, pounding against his eardrums and piercing his heart.

He knew all too well that the defeat in this battle had pushed him to the brink of despair. Staying here to face Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's surging army would be futile, a path to certain death. But if he fled, his hard-earned reputation would be destroyed, and those forces that had once been loyal to him might instantly turn against him, making him a laughingstock and leaving him with no place to stand on this land.

Murong Xuan was torn by inner turmoil, his pride and reason locked in a fierce battle. On one hand, he was unwilling to flee in such a sorry state, and he longed for a miracle to allow him to launch a counterattack and reverse the defeat. On the other hand, the harsh reality made him realize that if he did not retreat decisively at this moment, he might not even be able to save his life.

His gaze swept across the battlefield, searching for any possible turning point. However, all he saw were the figures of his own soldiers struggling in agony and Xiao Yichen's well-prepared army. Those faces, brimming with fighting spirit, seemed to Murong Xuan the greatest mockery of him.

A general beside him, his face covered in blood and with multiple wounds, struggled to Murong Xuan's side and said in a weak but urgent voice, "My lord, as long as we're alive, we can always fight again. Let's retreat first and regroup later to settle scores with them."

Murong Xuan gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force. He knew in his heart that the general was absolutely right, but the decision to retreat was so difficult for someone as arrogant as him.

Just as Murong Xuan hesitated, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er seemed to sense his wavering and began to direct the army to advance slowly. Their steps were steady and firm, each step feeling like it was treading on Murong Xuan's heart, making him increasingly flustered.

"Sir, it will be too late if we don't leave now!" the general urged anxiously upon seeing the situation.

Murong Xuan stomped his foot, the last glimmer of hope in his heart finally shattered by cruel reality. He gritted his teeth and said bitterly, "I, Murong Xuan, will remember this grudge! Let's retreat!"

Having said that, he mounted his horse, gripping the reins tightly, his eyes burning with resentment and hatred. The horse seemed to sense its master's anger and sorrow, pawing restlessly.

Murong Xuan led his remaining defeated troops, turned, and fled into the distance. Their silhouettes appeared particularly forlorn in the setting sun, and the dust they kicked up seemed to be the shadow of their defeat, lingering over the battlefield behind them for a long time.

On his escape, Murong Xuan's heart was heavy. He kept replaying every detail of the battle in his mind, trying to find the reason for his defeat. Was it because he had underestimated his opponents and failed to guard against Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's schemes? Or were their strategies too ingenious, leaving him powerless to fight back?

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became, and his resentment towards Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er grew stronger. "I will never let this go so easily," Murong Xuan vowed in his heart. "One day, I will make them pay a heavy price for what they have done today."

However, he also knew that revenge would not be easy. He needed to rebuild his army, find new allies, and devise a more comprehensive plan. All of this required time and effort, and these were precisely the two things he lacked most.

During their retreat, Murong Xuan's army suffered repeated blows as wounded soldiers succumbed to their injuries. Their groans and cries cast a somber atmosphere over the entire ranks. Murong Xuan gazed upon these soldiers who had served him for so many years, his heart filled with remorse.

"It's all my fault," Murong Xuan murmured to himself, filled with self-reproach.

At this moment, he was no longer the spirited and arrogant general, but a down-on-his-luck man struggling in pain and seeking redemption after his defeat.

Seeing Murong Xuan flee in disarray with his remaining troops, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er exchanged a smile. Their smiles contained both the joy of victory and the satisfaction of overcoming hardship.

Xiao Yichen raised his sword high, its blade still stained with the blood of battle, gleaming in the sunlight. He shouted, "We have won!" His voice resounded across the plain like a booming bell, and the soldiers cheered with joy.

Soldiers threw their weapons into the air, embraced each other, and celebrated their hard-won victory. Some soldiers were moved to tears, recalling the tension and anxiety before the battle, the pressure of facing Murong Xuan's army. Now, all of that was in the past; they had successfully defended their homes and loved ones.

Lin Wan'er looked at the cheering soldiers, her heart filled with emotion. She knew deeply the sacrifices and efforts these soldiers had made; it was their courage and perseverance that had brought about today's victory. She rode her horse to the midst of the soldiers and said, "Brothers, you are all outstanding! Today's victory belongs to everyone!"

The soldiers gathered around, looking at Lin Wan'er and Xiao Yichen with reverence. "General, it is thanks to your and Miss Lin's wise leadership that we have achieved victory," one soldier said.

Xiao Yichen waved his hand and said, "No, this is the result of everyone's joint efforts. Facing a powerful enemy, we did not back down or show any fear. We defeated them with our wisdom and courage."

At this moment, the sunlight shone on the plain, as if cheering for their victory. The smoke from the battlefield gradually dissipated, leaving behind only devastation and countless corpses. But in the hearts of Xiao Yichen, Lin Wan'er, and the soldiers, there was only the joy of victory and anticipation for the future.

Lin Wan'er turned to Xiao Yichen and said, "Yichen, although we have won, we cannot let our guard down. Murong Xuan will not give up after this defeat; he will definitely make a comeback."

Xiao Yichen nodded slightly and said, "Wan'er is right. We need to clear the battlefield as soon as possible, treat the wounded, and at the same time strengthen our defenses to prevent Murong Xuan from launching a sneak attack."

So the soldiers began to busy themselves on the battlefield. They carefully carried their wounded to the rear, where medics quickly began treatment. As for the fallen soldiers, they buried them with reverence and erected simple tombstones for them.

During the cleanup of the battlefield, the soldiers discovered many weapons and supplies abandoned by Murong Xuan's army. These would become important resources for their future development and expansion. Xiao Yichen ordered the soldiers to collect these weapons and supplies and keep them safe.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Murong Xuan led his remaining troops on the run. His heart was heavy with despair, the horrific scenes of the battlefield constantly flashing through his mind. He knew that this defeat had cost him far too much. But he hadn't given up on revenge. He secretly vowed to rise again and make Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er pay the price.

Murong Xuan's army encountered numerous difficulties during their escape. They lacked food and water, and many soldiers were injured and unable to move easily. But Murong Xuan maintained his spirits and encouraged his soldiers to continue their march.

"Brothers, we can't be defeated like this. Today's defeat is only temporary. As long as we live, we have a chance for revenge," Murong Xuan said.

Hearing Murong Xuan's words, the soldiers felt a surge of fighting spirit. They knew they had no way out; only by following Murong Xuan could they have a chance of survival.

Back at camp, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er began discussing their next steps. They decided to use this victory to expand their influence and forge more allies. At the same time, they also needed to strengthen their army's training and improve the soldiers' combat effectiveness to prepare for future challenges from Murong Xuan.

That night, Xiao Yichen's camp was brightly lit. Soldiers sat together, sharing the joy of victory. They recounted their heroic deeds in battle, laughter and songs echoing throughout the camp. But in Murong Xuan's camp, all was silent. The soldiers silently endured the pain of defeat, knowing that the days to come would be even more difficult. Yet, they also hoped in their hearts that Murong Xuan could lead them out of their predicament and reclaim their lost glory.

Murong Xuan led his defeated troops away from the battlefield like stray dogs, their figures appearing particularly forlorn and wretched in the afterglow of the setting sun. The dust kicked up by their horses' hooves seemed like the gloom of their defeat, lingering on the road behind them.

The once orderly army was now in complete chaos. Soldiers had abandoned their armor and weapons, their faces filled with fear and exhaustion. Some soldiers were seriously wounded and could only barely cling to their horses, letting them carry them forward; others limped along behind, their steps unsteady, as if they might collapse at any moment.

Despair permeated the ranks; their former morale had vanished. The soldiers were no longer the formidable elite force that charged into battle shouting thunderous slogans, but rather a scattered rabble, their only thought being to escape this land of death as quickly as possible.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er watched Murong Xuan's departing figure without rushing to pursue him. They knew that their own army had suffered considerable casualties and needed to rest and clear the battlefield first. Moreover, although Murong Xuan had been defeated, he might still have set traps, and blindly pursuing him could lead to danger.

"Let them go first, let's focus on our own business," Xiao Yichen said calmly.

Lin Wan'er nodded in agreement: "That's right, Yichen. Let's treat the wounded first, assess the losses, and then make our next plans."

So the soldiers began to busy themselves on the battlefield. They carefully searched every corner, carrying their wounded comrades to safety. The medics quickly set up temporary medical tents, from which came the painful groans of the wounded and the gentle words of comfort from the medics.

On the battlefield, abandoned weapons and tattered flags were everywhere. Xiao Yichen directed his soldiers to collect and sort these supplies. Weapons that were still usable would be redistributed to the soldiers to strengthen the army's equipment; while those that were severely damaged were collected and stored away for future reworking.

During the cleanup of the battlefield, the soldiers witnessed many horrifying scenes. Some comrades, clutching their weapons, had already stopped breathing, their faces still bearing the resolute determination of battle; others had perished alongside the enemy, their bodies intertwined, making them indistinguishable. These images filled the soldiers with grief, but also strengthened their resolve to defend their homeland.

Meanwhile, Murong Xuan's escape was fraught with difficulties. Lacking sufficient rations and water in their haste, the soldiers quickly fell into a state of extreme hunger and thirst. Their lips were cracked, their throats parched, and every step was incredibly difficult.

"Sir, we really can't walk anymore, can we rest for a bit?" a soldier pleaded weakly.

Murong Xuan frowned deeply. Although he was anxious, he knew that the soldiers' bodies had reached their limits. Helpless, he had no choice but to order them to rest on the spot.

The soldiers collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the sky. Their hearts were filled with uncertainty about the future. They had followed Murong Xuan because of his power and prestige, believing they could achieve great things with him. However, this crushing defeat made them question their choice.

Murong Xuan sat to one side, his heart filled with guilt and self-reproach. He knew it was all his fault. His underestimation of his opponent had led to this disaster. He secretly vowed to pull himself together and reclaim everything he had lost.

"Don't be discouraged, everyone. We've only suffered a temporary setback. As long as we return to camp and regroup, we'll definitely be able to make a comeback," Murong Xuan tried to boost morale.

However, the soldiers' response was lukewarm. They had lost their former passion and trust, and simply sat there silently, awaiting their unknown fate.

At Xiao Yichen's camp, after a flurry of activity, the wounded received proper medical treatment, and the battlefield was mostly cleared. Xiao Yichen then convened a meeting of his generals to discuss the next strategic move.

"Murong Xuan suffered a major defeat this time, and there shouldn't be any large-scale operations in the short term. But we cannot let our guard down and must strengthen border patrols and defenses," Xiao Yichen said.

A general stepped forward and said, "General, could we take this opportunity to launch a preemptive strike, attack Murong Xuan's camp, and annihilate him completely?"

Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No. Although we have won, we have also suffered losses. Moreover, we are still unclear about the defenses of Murong Xuan's camp. A blind attack may lead to trouble. We should consolidate our strength first and wait for a better opportunity."

The generals nodded in agreement.

Lin Wan'er continued, "We can also send people to contact the surrounding forces, explain Murong Xuan's ambitions and our victory to them, and win their support and cooperation. In this way, we will have more helpers when facing Murong Xuan's revenge."

"Wan'er is right. I'll leave this matter to you," Xiao Yichen said.

After the meeting, Xiao Yichen's army began to act according to plan. Soldiers increased patrols along the border and built fortifications; Lin Wan'er, meanwhile, set off with envoys to contact neighboring forces.

After a brief rest, Murong Xuan continued leading his soldiers on a difficult march towards the camp. They didn't know what awaited them—whether it was the hope of a resurgence or more hardships and challenges. But in any case, the defeat in this battle had completely changed their fate and made the situation on this land even more complex and delicate.