Wang Yuan's hand paused as he held the teacup.
"Explain it clearly."
Liu Canglan strode forward, took a thin sheet of neatly folded paper from his robes, unfolded it, and spread it across the stone table.
"News sent back this morning by the scouts I dispatched to monitor the Imperial Court army's movements, delivered by carrier hawk."
"Sect Master Situ retreated into the Cangwu Mountains, only to be pursued all the way by two thousand light cavalry under Chen Xuanli, Xiao Jin's vanguard general. This morning, he was completely surrounded before a cliff within the mountains."
"Chen Xuanli did not immediately launch a fierce assault. Instead, he formed ranks and surrounded them, seemingly intending to force their surrender."
"Fewer than three hundred remnants remain at Sect Master Situ's side. Their armor is incomplete, their blades are ruined, and they have run out of food and water. Breaking out is hopeless, while holding out for reinforcements..."
"But there are no reinforcements anywhere nearby."
Wang Yuan set down his teacup, his gaze falling upon the thin sheet of paper.
Only a few lines were written on it, yet every word was like iron.
"Chen Xuanli... what is his cultivation?"
"Likely Late-Stage Organ Tempering. He excels at hunting through mountainous terrain, and all two thousand light cavalry under his command are elite riders transferred from the Northern Frontier, not some motley rabble cobbled together after the Heng Ridge Battle."
Liu Canglan spoke rapidly. "With the strength of his two thousand men and the advantage of the terrain, even if Sect Master Situ's three hundred remnants hold their ground, they will not last half a day."
"And Chen Xuanli's continued refusal to attack most likely means he intends to wait until Sect Master Situ's forces collapse without a fight from hunger and thirst, or...