Free Web NovelChapter 782: Chapter 692: The Battle in Progress (Part 3)
Meanwhile, on the front battlefield.
"Progress on the mountain battlefield has encountered obstruction; our forces have suffered an enemy ambush, requesting heavy firepower support!"
"The mechanized troops are in direct contact with the enemy; the battle is intensely fierce. The enemy has deployed high-threat units, the Thunderstorm Beast, and the assault battalion has suffered heavy casualties!"
"Commander-in-Chief, the Thirteenth Mobile Battalion has penetrated deep into enemy territory, contact has been severed..."
Chichu Yi observed the battlefield on the sand table. From one communication failure after another, although the battle had commenced for just an hour, the situation on the battlefield had already deteriorated drastically. As soon as the frontline troops entered the city, they faced defeat in the cavalry battle with the Insect Race and were forced to retreat in divisions. The support routes of the mobile units were similarly intercepted by the Insect Race. The enemy’s encirclement, akin to trapping dumplings, was already inevitable.
Once the enemy’s encirclement forms, our nearly four thousand frontline troops will be swallowed whole.
Several officers who had experienced a few campaigns frequently sighed, doubting the capabilities of this young officer.
Chichu Qiu fixed his gaze on the resolute man on the screen; he had seen scenarios a hundred times worse than this. He wasn’t worried about the young man’s ability and temperament; the latter had graduated from the Officer Command Academy with exceptionally distinguished results and had orchestrated victories in every battle since joining the army.
The upper echelons of the army were filled with the older generation who had climbed over corpses and licked blood off the knife’s edge, wielding significant influence within the army. As a rising star of the Chichu family, Chichu Qiu had virtually staked everything on him.
He desperately needed the family to have its general, someone capable to step up and share the spotlight and pressure. If this battle succeeds, Chichu Yi will naturally garner recognition from the army and be elected as a leader by the new forces within the military.
What he worried about was,
someone sabotaging from within.
The early phase of this campaign was riddled with suspicions: how had the Insect Race precisely grasped the army’s movements?
Enemy deployments were almost accurate down to each squadron; Chichu Qiu couldn’t convince himself it was a coincidence.
If this battle fails, army morale will be severely damaged, and family officers will face suppression from the Marshal’s faction. With the major counterattack approaching, the consequences of failure could be fatal to him.
So, who would want to see this campaign fail?
Chichu Qiu’s sharp gaze scanned the gathered generals as Heigongji got up and walked to his side.
"What are you worried about?"
"Teacher." Upon seeing the elder, Chichu Qiu’s furrowed brow relaxed, "Don’t you find all this too coincidental?"
Heigongji shook his head.
"I understand your concerns. With the decisive battle imminent, try to avoid revealing such sensitive thoughts as much as possible."
"Teacher, do you also believe..."
Heigongji nodded affirmatively without elaborating.
"I’ve been investigating within the military these days, related to the last major retreat. After this battle concludes, I’ll find time to discuss it with you."
"Understood, Teacher."
Chichu Qiu refocused on the battlefield.
"Third Mobile Battalion, Seventh Mobile Battalion, Twelfth Mobile Battalion, immediately withdraw from the main battlefield and await instructions near Point Six." Chichu Yi calmly issued operational orders.
"All forward battalions cease retreat, establish defensive lines on-site, park armored vehicles and tanks on the roads, and ensure stopping the charge of the Insect Race cavalry!"
"But, there are still enemies behind us..." a major voiced his doubts over the communication channel.
"No buts, execute immediately!" Chichu Yi shouted, interrupting, "Even if it means dying, die right there for me!"
"Understood!"
"Missile unit, team four, immediately proceed to area four, aim toward the port, and eliminate the hatchery nests behind us. Fourteenth Artillery Battalion, you’re permitted to exhaust all your ammunition; no matter what, delay them for ten minutes, don’t let the enemies overrun from behind!"
As each order was issued, the battlefield situation subtly began to change.
In the city center, the massive Thunderstorm Beast roared skyward, electromagnetic pulses swelling and erupting from its electrified horns, instantly disabling electronic devices within a hundred-meter radius.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several missiles launched, splitting into countless warheads, coating the Thunderstorm Beast’s surface, as two Black Vajra fighters soared above, dragging the colossal beast away from the main battlefield.
With detecting needles probing into the Thunderstorm Beast’s body, a series of explosions ensued, engulfing the area in thick blue smoke.
The Thunderstorm Beast’s pheromones were disturbed, provoking it into chasing the two Black Vajra jets, crushing several hatcheries along the way.
A brain bug crawled out from its nest, emitting an enraged shriek, only to be smashed into pulp the next moment.
A task force dashed among tall buildings, their gear markedly superior to ordinary soldiers, clad in the latest combat suits with force field shields as standard. Each possessed their own Divine Gift and mimicry, making them the cream of the elite, specializing in beheading suspected commanders among high-level Insect Races.
"Did you notice those brain bugs?" asked the leader of the task force.
"They seem somewhat... in pain?" noted the female sniper within the team, observing the shrieking brain bugs on the ground.
"They’re traps; the Lady of Suffering connected to their consciousness. She’s hiding underground."
"We need to draw her out. Since the enemies have set traps, let’s turn them to our advantage, actively step into the traps, and lure her out."
"Dissolve!"
The team dispersed after responding, beginning to clear the brain bugs scattered throughout the city.
Meanwhile, on the ground, the frontline battle was extraordinarily tense, with the frenzied executioners once again charging against the defenses.
As a blocking tank was overturned, several Insect Race cavalry mounted the tank top, raising their War Spears and roaring. Countless Insect Race soldiers surged from behind them, rushing toward the panicked soldiers. Bathing in artillery fire and navigating through gunfire and explosions, bronze bullets could only leave dents on their bodies.
Red shadows streaked past, exploding the heads of several Insect Race cavalry. The dark red-haired girl landed, angled the gun barrel downward, and with a ’click,’ two scorched red shells ejected, making crisp sounds as they hit the ground.
A soldier, tackled and bitten by a predator, wailed and extended a hand to Chichu Chun for help.
Chichu Chun shot the predator, then sighed lightly as she ended the suffering of the soldier with blood gushing from his throat.
Beside her, such tragic scenes were unfolding constantly, as a vast number of Insect Races breached the first line of defense, biting, slaughtering, and devouring everything within sight, under the grey sky suffused with the haze of death, screams and cries echoed incessantly.
Every second brought soldier fatalities, the defense line began to crumble, death became the only prevailing theme.
Before the situation became irreversible, Chichu Chun couldn’t casually use her power.
Insect Races swarmed from all directions, soldiers losing their will to fight had nowhere to hide, only able to watch in despair as the tide of death engulfed them, their bodies torn apart and shared among the Insect Races.
The sky was dyed blood red.
