binnovel Chapter 176 Significant Results
Chapter 176 Significant Results
The Dawn Army's advance into Dawn City was a four-pronged attack from the east, west, south, and north. The city only had one defense department and one security department, totaling 1500 men, plus a 1200-strong Young Pioneers brigade. The defense department was primarily responsible for the outer defense of the city walls and assisting the Dawn Army in combat while they were away, while the security department, composed of police and criminal investigation personnel, was mainly responsible for maintaining order within Dawn City.
In particular, the City Security Department employs professional police officers trained in peacetime, and with Zhao Xin, the former deputy mayor of Linhai City and director of the Linhai City Public Security Bureau, overseeing the operation, along with the assistance of Liu Dongliang and Lin Ruyi, Shuguang City has not experienced a single serious criminal case for a long time. This is also thanks to the central computer room's Skynet system; currently, cameras are installed in various corners except for certain areas, and the identification cards can provide real-time location updates, which has prevented many crimes from occurring.
For example, if two people carrying ID cards are together and one of them dies, his information will be immediately transmitted through the ID card to the computer in the central computer room that manages the ID cards. This computer will then immediately lock onto the identity information of the person who was with him and report it to the City Security Department.
Some might ask, "What if we don't carry ID cards?" However, in Dawn City, everyone who works there needs to swipe their ID card to enter and exit. Furthermore, to prevent loss, the ID card will trigger an alarm if the person is more than 70 meters away. If an ID card is detected as unaccompanied after one hour, the system will send a notification via the Crystal Network to the Crystal Computer of the person's regional leader.
After the upgrade in Dawn City, the second-generation identity card has more functions, is only four inches in size, and only 5 millimeters thick. It is also very sturdy and not easily damaged. It is worth mentioning that the identity card of the superhuman does not need to be charged, because it automatically charges itself by absorbing some of the superhuman's energy. Ordinary people need to go to a special charging station to charge for free. A charge only takes 10 seconds and can be used for 3 months.
After the soldiers finished preparing, they had a little time to rest. Li Chenglong had already taken out a large amount of food and fruit from his psionic space and distributed some to them. The various makeshift stoves were also already being prepared, and soon the soldiers would be able to eat some hot, convenient food. At 4 p.m., just as the soldiers finished eating, they saw strange beasts and zombie beasts surging towards them like a tide in the distance.
"Grenadier team, prepare!" Li Chenglong ordered. Immediately, over fifty strength-type ability users, each holding a crystal grenade, released its pins. "Throw!" With Li Chenglong's command, over fifty crystal grenades flew at least a kilometer away, raining down on the horde of monsters. The grenadier team threw over a dozen volleys of crystal grenades, killing and wounding swarms of monsters.
After the grenade rain ended, it was time for the ranged attackers and the soldiers wielding Type 20 assault rifles to show off. Countless wind blades, fireballs, and rocks flew towards the charging monsters, causing massive damage. Many monsters, knocked down, were trampled into mincemeat by those behind them before they could even get up. The bullets from the soldiers' rifles turned into tongues of fire; wherever they hit a monster, a small explosion would occur, sending monsters and zombies flying in all directions.
However, while the current rifles are powerful, they can only kill some level three or lower monsters, and even the crystal grenades can only inflict damage on level four monsters. But most of the monsters attacking this time are between level four and five, with some even reaching level six. What comforts Li Chenglong somewhat is that none of them are too high-level, which means the attack won't have a significant impact on the soldiers or result in too many casualties.
Li Chenglong did not participate in this battle. Firstly, there weren't any particularly powerful alien beasts or zombies, and the several squads had seven or eight level 7 ability users, which was enough to ensure there would be no danger. Secondly, the lower-level ability users also needed to level up, and now was a good opportunity to gain combat experience. After reaching level 9, he no longer gained any experience from killing those below level 8, so it was better to share it with them.
Li Chenglong not only did not participate in the battle, but he also did not give any command on the spot. The mission had been clearly assigned on the combat vehicle, and there were no abnormal situations. He gave the commanders at all levels a certain degree of autonomy. As long as there were no major problems and no major changes in the situation on the battlefield, Li Chenglong would not interfere casually.
At 5 p.m., a messenger ran over and reported, "Commander, Zhao Gang, the commander of the 4th Regiment, reported that he has outflanked the beast horde and cut off their retreat. He requests instructions." Li Chenglong glanced at the map and immediately said, "Good, very good. Please tell Commander Zhao to have his troops counterattack. We will launch an immediate assault and strive to wipe out this wave of beasts before 7 p.m."
After the messenger left, Li Chenglong said, "Sound the charge! Notify Regiment Commander Hao that the time for a counterattack has come!" Immediately, more than a dozen buglers sounded the charge in unison. Upon hearing the bugle call, Hao Dahai immediately stood up and said, "Brothers, the Fourth Regiment has successfully circled around to the rear. Let's charge in and wipe out this wave of alien beasts!" Instantly, all the soldiers came out of their fortifications, picked up their super-alloy swords, attached bayonets to their rifles, and prepared to follow their commander in the charge.
During the charge, the reinforced battalion still led the way, targeting and eliminating high-level alien beasts and zombies to prevent excessive casualties. Li Chenglong and the Joint Logistics Support Department followed behind, gathering and treating the wounded, especially those infected with the advanced zombie virus. Several high-level ability users with purification skills provided timely treatment. However, even with these measures, many soldiers, infected with the advanced virus, turned into zombies in a very short time, forcing Li Chenglong to eliminate them.
At 6:40 PM, the last level 7 alien beast was eliminated. Zhao Gang and Hao Dahai's two regiments joined forces, and the soldiers cheered loudly, "We have won! We have won!" After resting for a while, everyone began to clean up the battlefield. Li Chenglong selected some alien beasts that were not contaminated and were edible, and put them into the storage area of the spiritual energy space. These were all high-grade reserve food.
Meanwhile, the logistics troops had already begun cooking, treating the wounded, and distributing supplies. Half an hour later, the commanders and political commissars of both regiments came to Li Chenglong to report on their results. Hao Dahai spoke first: "Commander, our Third Regiment killed a total of 2644 zombies and zombie beasts, of which more than 1200 were level 5 or higher. 105 of our soldiers were killed, and 85 were seriously wounded and never returned to the battlefield." Wu Gang then reported: "Commander, our Fourth Regiment killed a total of 3115 zombies and zombie beasts, of which 1422 were level 5 or higher. 177 of our soldiers were killed, and 80 were seriously wounded."
Li Chenglong nodded: "Your two regiments fought very well in this battle. Our results are remarkable. All the fallen soldiers must be properly buried, and their names must be clearly recorded. No task should be left undone when we get back. Seriously wounded soldiers should be escorted back to Shuguang City immediately for proper treatment. After they recover, they should be properly resettled. The Ministry of Military Affairs should keep a close eye on this matter."
He glanced at his watch and said, "I just contacted the person in charge of Black Gold City. Their battle is almost over, and then we can launch a pincer attack. The decisive battle will take place in Xingtai City, Beihe Province. If we can win this battle, it will be a strategic victory. You all have a good meal and rest for a while. We'll set off at 5 a.m. tomorrow. In March, it's still chilly, so make sure the ordinary soldiers keep warm. I've already had someone boil water for washing up, but I guess you'll only be able to wash your face."
After the others left, Li Chenglong gathered with the special forces members again. Today, the special forces team had gained another level 7 user; Liu Fang had also become a level 7 water-type ability user, bringing the team's total to four level 7 members, making them even stronger. At 10 PM, after they finished discussing the afternoon's battle, Li Chenglong was just about to tell them to get some rest when he received a message from Li Xue on his crystal phone.
"Brother, sister-in-law is about to give birth! Come back quickly!" Li Xue's voice came through the phone, sounding anxious. "What? So early? There are still about ten days until her due date," Li Chenglong said, standing up. Li Xue replied, "Yes, sister-in-law's water broke just now. She's at the First Hospital of Shuguang City now. Miss Erica said the baby is developing very well. Although it's premature, it's developing better than full-term babies."
Li Chenglong shook his head: "No, I can't go back now. We have to set off at 4 o'clock tomorrow to join the Black Gold City troops in the decisive battle against the zombie horde. Opportunities are fleeting, and if we don't fight now, who knows when we'll have another chance like this? Besides, a major battle is about to begin, and the supreme commander is leaving because his wife is about to give birth. What kind of talk is that? With you all here, I'm at ease. After we finish the battle and win, I'll go back and apologize to Yunlan. Please pass on my message."
After Li Chenglong finished speaking, he turned off the crystal phone. The special forces members beside him, all of whom were superhumans and awakened individuals, already knew what had happened. Yang Liu stepped forward and said, "Captain Li, please go back this once. It's Yun Team's first production run; they can't do without you." Han Xiaoling echoed, "Yes, yes, brother." The other special forces members wanted to say something, but Li Chenglong waved them off.
Then he said seriously, "You all heard what I just said. Tomorrow we will have a major battle. The enemy's level and number will be unprecedented. It will be more brutal than the one at Langley Base. There are less than three months until the aliens launch their attack in June, and less than nine months until the full-scale war. We must clear out a clean area for our rear and base now."
Hearing Li Chenglong's words, everyone fell silent and gradually began to rest. Li Chenglong found a secluded spot and called Yunlan: "Lan'er, how are you now? I really can't come back this time. I hope you can understand." Yunlan was at the hospital at the time. She smiled and said, "I'm fine. Director Wang said I'm perfectly normal. I'm just waiting for the baby to be born. It's okay if you don't come back. You must come back with a great victory."
At 4 a.m. the next morning, Li Chenglong led two combat regiments to Xingtai City. Before leaving, he received good news: Yunlan had given birth to a baby boy at 2 a.m. that night, weighing 7.2 pounds, and both mother and child were safe. Li Xue also sent Li Chenglong a photo of the mother and child. Looking at his son in the photo, he shed tears of joy where no one could see. According to Li Xue, Erica said the child was an S-level Qilin Spirit Awakener, with a promising future.