Chapter 552 - 450: Triangle City: All-Out Attack

"I suggest we immediately dispatch reinforcements and press our advantage! The alien races must be demoralized after this major defeat. This is the perfect opportunity for a large-scale offensive!" a councillor immediately proposed.

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

Voices of agreement immediately rang out.

"I object. The Military Department suffered heavy losses this time. Of the two hundred thousand troops stationed in the North District, fewer than eighty thousand remain. Although we won this battle, an immediate pursuit could backfire. I suggest we temporarily focus on rebuilding the new city as our primary objective!" a military officer spoke up.

"I agree with Commander Li’s opinion."

"I agree as well!"

"We should recuperate and rebuild our strength!"

More voices of agreement were heard.

"Is it possible to do both at the same time? For example, have the civilians of the North District rebuild the new city, while we dispatch an army from the Military Department to pursue the various alien races in the North District?" a third voice chimed in.

"The Military Department still has three hundred thousand reserve troops, but if we deploy all of them to the Northern District Battlefield, what happens if a problem arises in the other three districts?"

"That’s right. Although we won in the North District, the aliens’ combat strength in the other regions hasn’t been significantly affected. If we send troops out from the North District and provoke the other three major alien regions into a full-scale siege, wouldn’t the City of Hope be in grave danger?"

"It’s better to focus on defense."

"Only those who are skilled in defense can be skilled in offense. In this battle, both we and the North District Alien Race suffered considerable casualties. Taking a moment to catch our breath might not be a bad thing."

"What’s the use of just defending? If we don’t seize this opportunity to counterattack, when will humanity ever be able to truly stand against the alien races?"

"Exactly! To have an opportunity and not take it is the act of a coward!"

"We must dispatch troops in pursuit immediately! Otherwise, if we let this moment pass, we’ll rarely get another chance like this in the future!" someone else immediately retorted.

The command tent fell into a heated debate.

"Ahem!" Two soft coughs instantly silenced the contentious voices.

Qin Jianfei’s gaze fell on Wu Qingjing. "Speaker Wu, you are the Speaker of the Supreme Council. In your opinion, how should we in the Military Department proceed?"

"Commander Qin, you’re too kind. Matters of war—whether to pursue or defend—are for the Military Department to decide. However, since you’ve asked, I will give my opinion..." Wu Qingjing paused here, his eyes sweeping over the councillors below. "My opinion is to recuperate and prioritize defense!"

"Speaker Wu!"

"But..."

"..."

The councillors looked at Wu Qingjing, wanting to speak but hesitating.

But Wu Qingjing just waved his hand and turned to Qin Jianfei. "What is your opinion, Commander Qin?"

"My opinion is also to defend." Qin Jianfei glanced at Wu Qingjing, then turned to look at Li Tiannan behind him. After receiving a nod from Li Tiannan, his gaze finally settled on Gao Neng. "Councillor Gao, Speaker Wu and I are both in favor of defending the city. I wonder, what is your opinion?"

"Attack." Gao Neng glanced at Qin Jianfei and Wu Qingjing, his expression calm.

"Attack?!"

"..."

The moment Gao Neng spoke, the expressions of the surrounding councillors, the military officers, and even Qin Jianfei changed slightly.

The councillors were genuinely astonished.

Gao Neng had always been close with Speaker Wu and the Military Department, yet this time, he had taken a step in the direction proposed by Liang Qi and his faction.

It was naturally quite a surprise to them.

The military officers, too, found it incredible. After all, Gao Neng had led the North District’s garrison through this major battle; he, of all people, should be the most aware of their casualties.

’Why would he still propose to pursue?’

"Gao Neng, explain your reasoning." Wu Qingjing’s lips moved. He tapped his fingers on the tabletop, then spoke.

"The City of Hope’s resources come from the Underground City. I’ve already mapped out the resources in the Lower City. Before I came here, I made a preliminary calculation. In about two months, resource extraction in the common areas will be mostly complete. What’s left will be the dangerous areas, where the rate of extraction will certainly be affected." Gao Neng nodded and stood up.

"..." The councillors and military officers fell silent.

"To win this war, we need more resources. And from what I know, every one of the alien races’ main cities is built upon a wealth of them," Gao Neng continued.

"Yes, Councillor Gao is right," a councillor finally nodded.

"Therefore, I believe that if we never venture out and rely solely on our current resources, we’ll never be able to truly contend with the alien races," Gao Neng said resolutely.

"Do you have a specific plan?" Upon hearing this, a glint gradually appeared in Qin Jianfei’s eyes, and he subconsciously clenched his fists.

"I do!" Gao Neng nodded, then glanced at Shen Ning’Er.

"This is a map of the North District Alien Race’s main cities." As soon as Gao Neng finished speaking, Shen Ning’Er immediately unrolled a pre-prepared map on the table.

Then, a massive holographic map materialized in mid-air.

"Here, here, and here!" Gao Neng pointed to three spots on the holographic map. Three red circles immediately appeared on it.

"These three main cities belong to the Ice and Snow Race, the Blood Race, and the Earth Cave Race, respectively. The Ice and Snow Race and the Earth Cave Race are both smaller races. Only the Blood Race is one of the three major races of the North District. However, this time, the Blood Race lost a Grand Marshal of the King Realm, and the Ice and Snow Race also lost a King Realm expert."

Gao Neng continued speaking as he drew three diagonal lines connecting the three cities. "Generally speaking, King Realm experts are tasked with guarding the main cities. The fact that two of these three races have lost a King Realm expert presents us with a god-sent opportunity. Furthermore, Ning’Er and I have analyzed this carefully. These three cities form a perfect triangle!"

As he finished speaking, an inverted red triangle appeared on the map.

"This one, Ice City, is the closest city to us. Taking it would be like establishing an outpost outside the Northern District Battlefield. The other two cities would then serve as the ’horns’ of this outpost. With these three cities under our control, we can preemptively defend against alien attacks from any direction." Gao Neng paused after saying this.

"I understand! As long as we can seize this opportunity to take these three cities, our defensive line in the North District will be extended outward!" a military officer exclaimed in a moment of realization.

"Correct. As long as we hold these three cities, the Northern District Battlefield will be secure. And once we take them, our resource territory will expand to include three main cities and an area of five hundred kilometers!" Gao Neng stopped there. He didn’t say any more, just winked at Shen Ning’Er before sitting back down in his chair.

Shen Ning’Er, however, showed no reaction. She simply brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, acting as if she hadn’t seen his glance at all.

"Hahaha, you little rascal! Such a thorough explanation... this offensive plan wasn’t your work, was it?" Just as everyone was waiting for Qin Jianfei and Wu Qingjing to speak again, Li Tiannan, who had been sitting behind them all this time, slowly rose from his chair.

Then, without giving Gao Neng a chance to speak, Li Tiannan walked directly behind Shen Ning’Er. "Deputy Division Commander Shen, this old man is right, isn’t he?"

"..." Shen Ning’Er said nothing.

But the councillors and military officers present already understood.

It’s true what they say about the daughters of great generals.

Shen Ning’Er had only just arrived at the Northern District Battlefield, yet she had already grasped the situation with the North District Alien Race so thoroughly. No wonder she had earned such immense merit in the Eastern District in just one short month.

"Gao Neng! Gao Neng! I saw... I saw..." Just then, a figure rushed into the command tent at top speed, looking extremely flustered.