The first light of dawn crept over the northern pass, casting jagged shadows across ridges and forested valleys. Jeng Minh observed silently from his concealed vantage, his eyes sweeping the positions of the Phoenix forces like a hawk studying its prey. Every soldier, every formation, every subtle adjustment was visible to him—and every decision of their commander was an open book if one knew how to read it.
Bai Ye whispered, tension in his voice, "Commander… they've moved deeper into the corridor. Their supply units are stretched thin, and the forward battalions are isolated."
Jeng Minh's gaze hardened. "Good. The Phoenix believes it is executing a perfect advance. Confidence and overextension—this is what we've been waiting for. Now, the mind behind this army will reveal itself."
From within the tightly packed formation, the Phoenix commander rode along the front lines, scrutinizing the terrain. "Maintain cohesion. Do not allow our forces to be divided. Any hesitation will cost us the northern pass."
Unseen, Jeng Minh began applying subtle influence: small contingents emerged at key ridges, creating minor skirmishes and diversions that were almost imperceptible. The Phoenix troops reacted immediately, following the patterns Jeng Minh anticipated. Every maneuver, every correction, revealed the decision-making process of the commander.
Bai Ye leaned closer. "They're responding exactly as you predicted. Every movement tells a story… every choice reveals them."
Jeng Minh's lips curved in a thin, calculating smile. "Exactly. A commander's mind can never be fully hidden when their army acts. Their perception, priorities, and judgment will now be visible to us, because we have shaped the battlefield to force disclosure."
Hours passed. The Phoenix forces pressed forward, attempting to navigate the narrow passes, unaware that their path had been carefully guided. Supply lines were subtly threatened, forcing the commander to make difficult decisions under pressure. Each choice revealed not just strategy, but temperament: cautious under uncertainty, bold when confident, yet increasingly constrained by the environment Jeng Minh had created.
Finally, as mid-afternoon approached, the Phoenix commander issued a maneuver that exposed their core strategy: they committed their central battalions to secure the eastern ridge, leaving their flanks lightly protected.
Bai Ye's eyes widened. "Commander… that ridge… they've shown us their main force. And the flanks… they're vulnerable."
Jeng Minh's expression was calm, yet fierce with calculation. "Exactly. The Phoenix believes it has gained an advantage, but in reality, they've revealed their strength, their weakness, and their commander's thinking. Now, we decide how to respond—not to crush them outright, but to guide them further, to extract every secret from this confrontation."
He turned slightly, tracing the terrain in the air. "We will apply subtle pressure on the flanks, forcing them to commit reserves and reveal logistics, command structure, and adaptability. This is not a battle yet—it is a masterclass in observation and influence. The Phoenix has shown itself. Now, we watch how it burns under scrutiny."
From the shadows, Jeng Minh's hidden troops took positions, ready to subtly steer skirmishes without direct engagement. Every feint, every diversion, would force the Phoenix to expose more of their mind. The first truly revealing moment of the northern campaign had arrived.
Bai Ye whispered, awe and tension blending in his voice, "You're not just fighting them… you're reading them. Every choice, every move…"
Jeng Minh's gaze was fixed on the distant Phoenix commander, calm and lethal in thought. "Exactly. Victory is not always about the battlefield itself. Sometimes, it is about revealing the mind that controls it. And today… the Phoenix has revealed itself."