binnovel Chapter 234 Decapitation Operation (Part 1)
Chapter 234 Decapitation Operation (Part 1)
On the afternoon of September 7th, the reconnaissance troops sent out reported that a zombie army was gathering 100 kilometers away. Their numbers were too numerous to count, but a conservative estimate was 300,000 to 400,000. This only included the zombies in front of the Dawn Army's positions. Adding the zombies the troops at the Qingshui and Feiyun bases would face, Li Chenglong estimated that the 120,000 soldiers dispatched by the three bases of the Eastern Theater Command would be facing at least a million zombies.
Upon hearing this news, the people in the command vehicle fell silent. Even Wu Gang, usually known for his bravery in battle, felt uncertain. Li Chenglong said, "Let's play it safe. If we calculate based on 30 zombies, then we and Zheng Aiguo from Yingtan together have less than 3 men. That's a huge 1:10 troop disparity, which is very difficult to overcome. Plus, the zombie army will definitely not be the same as yesterday's vanguard; its fighting strength will be much greater, and its offensive will be even more fierce."
While everyone was still racking their brains for a way to repel the enemy, Li Chenglong said, "The only way now is to go all out and take the enemy's core." Feng Tian said, "You mean to launch a counter-offensive with our troops, switch from defense to offense, combine the troops in Yingtan and here into one force, form an arrowhead that pierces straight into the heart of the zombie army, and then destroy their core command system?"
Li Chenglong laughed and said, "If it were any other time, this do-or-die tactic might have worked, but not now. On one hand, our troop strength is far too inferior, and on the other hand, our individual soldier abilities are no match for those ordinary zombie soldiers who have already been upgraded to level 4 or 5. If we charge in now with our less than 30,000 troops, we will be swallowed up by the zombie army and then wiped out."
Yang Liu, the captain of the special forces team who had followed Li Chenglong in his battles across the country, had already guessed Li Chenglong's thoughts: "Captain Li, no way, that's too dangerous, we can't agree to that." Li Chenglong smiled and walked to the big screen to look at the map, his expression becoming serious: "Yes, that's exactly what I want to do. If we don't do it this way, we definitely won't be able to win this battle."
Then, Li Chenglong pointed to the map and explained his plan. The battle was expected to begin tomorrow. Once the battle started, the front lines had to be held at all costs to draw the enemy's attention. Then, Li Chenglong would flank the enemy alone and strike directly at their command center. Li Chenglong said, "Now that the zombies have intelligence, especially the more advanced ones, the higher their intelligence will be. This actually gives us an opportunity. Before, zombies would only fight to the death, fighting wherever they could. But once they have intelligence, they will think like humans and naturally consider their own escape routes."
Li Chenglong picked up his cup, took a sip of water, and continued, "As long as I can eliminate the enemy's core in a short time, they will be leaderless. Once their command system collapses, it will be much easier for us to fight, and victory will be within our grasp. As long as we inflict a certain degree of damage, I believe they will retreat or even flee."
"But this method also requires everyone's cooperation. I need you to fight more fiercely on the front lines, the more fierce the better, to create the illusion that we are going to fight to the death. As long as we can hold out for an hour, I can complete the mission of annihilating the enemy command post."
Li Chenglong's suggestion was immediately met with opposition from everyone present. Zheng Yong spoke first: "No, this is too dangerous. You're going in alone. That's a super army of 30 zombies. Not to mention the enemy command post, it's definitely heavily guarded and protected at every level. Not to mention that, just the strength of the enemy commander alone, I estimate is at least a level 11 super-powered zombie, and I feel there's more than one."
Feng Tian also said, "Yes, sending the highest-ranking officer alone deep into the enemy camp is something that has never been seen before in the history of our army. If you go, not only will we disagree, but all the soldiers of the Dawn Army and the people of Dawn City will also disagree. Besides, even if you are going, you should take a force composed of high-level ability users with you, which will definitely be able to help you."
Wu Gang, Hao Dahai, and other Level 8 ability users stood up and said in unison, "We are willing to go with the commander to storm the enemy's headquarters and deliver a fatal blow to their command system."
Li Chenglong shook his head: "No, I'll go alone. You all understand that to win this battle, I have to do this. We can't possibly win by just holding our ground. Don't worry, I'm not the same person I used to be. You all saw how I annihilated those 10 Kiel hybrids. And I value my life so much. Let me tell you, last night when I video chatted with Yunlan, my son could speak in consecutive sentences and told me to come back soon. For my little family, for the Dawn City family, and for more Dawn Army soldiers to be able to return alive to see their loved ones, I have to go."
Finally, Li Chenglong addressed all the commanders present, saying, "Tomorrow's battle will determine the course of the entire campaign. I hope everyone will work together to successfully defeat the enemy."
After everyone left, Li Chenglong contacted Zhao Liying, the director of the Central Computer Office: "Zhao Liying, my next mission is classified. Only you and I are authorized to know the details. Even Yun Lan is not allowed to know. Immediately send a γ-type spaceship to a location 1 kilometer behind our defense line. As for personnel, use people from the Central Computer Office. I want to see your training results. Also, you must come. I have a favor to ask of you."
After receiving Li Chenglong's order, Zhao Liying didn't ask a single question and solemnly replied, "Yes, I guarantee to complete the mission!" Then she personally went to the Dawn City Air Force Base and conveyed Li Chenglong's direct transfer order to Yuan Ang and Zou Yang, the highest-ranking officers at the air force base. Afterwards, Zhao Liying, Qin Mengyao, Lü Xin, He Yu, and He Shuangshuang waited until midnight and then, under the pretext of night training, left Dawn City in a γ-type spaceship.
Li Chenglong was making preparations. The reconnaissance unit had just reported again that the zombie army seemed to have fully assembled and could advance at any moment. This afternoon, Yun Qian personally led a convoy carrying various supplies, including large quantities of weapons, ammunition, food, and medical supplies, but most importantly, several hundred doses of Level 4 virus vaccine. Li Chenglong instructed ordinary soldiers to get vaccinated as soon as possible to prevent them from contracting the zombie virus from injuries later.
Yun Qian chatted with Li Chenglong and the others for more than an hour. After the supplies were distributed, she left again. The storage pendant that Li Chenglong gave her played a great role this time. Without the storage pendant to transport these supplies, the efficiency would be much lower if the convoy was used alone.
At 1 a.m., the spaceship had already arrived one kilometer behind the position, where Li Chenglong, Yang Liu, and other special forces members came to greet them. After arriving at the command vehicle, Li Chenglong personally poured a glass of water for each of them: "Thank you for coming so late." He continued, "The zombie army will attack tomorrow. I need to use the Gamma spaceship. Please take us directly to the high altitude of the zombie command post, and then you can retreat."
Lu Xin stood up and said, "Okay, Captain Li, I guarantee I'll complete the mission. Please rest assured." Li Chenglong nodded, "Flying higher is fine too. There are many zombie birds in the zombie army, which might damage the spaceship. Also, in order not to reveal our purpose, we must fly higher." After Li Chenglong finished giving instructions, he asked Yang Liu to take them to rest and prepare for tomorrow's battle, leaving Zhao Liying behind alone.
Li Chenglong said with a smile, "I will be going alone tomorrow, but if I am not there, it will definitely have a negative impact on the morale of the soldiers, and it may also expose our tactical intentions in advance. So I want you to appear in front of everyone in my place. The disguise technique you learned after leveling up to level 8 is basically the same as the real person. As long as you don't use skills, even I can't tell the difference without using the True Dragon Eye. So I will have to trouble you this time."
Zhao Liying stood up and saluted, saying, "Yes, I guarantee I'll complete the mission. But it's too dangerous for you to go alone, Captain Li." Li Chenglong waved his hand to stop Zhao Liying from speaking further, then said, "This matter has been decided, no need to say more. You can rest in the command vehicle today. I've prepared my clothes for you; change into them tomorrow. I'm leaving now." After saying that, Li Chenglong got off the all-terrain combat command vehicle and walked towards his tent.