"But if it’s in the air, what we can do is indeed limited," He Zhen said. "The aerial combat units have no experience in besieging S-class Abnormal Bodies; moreover, as Group Leader Yu just mentioned, missiles are ineffective against it. If the issue isn’t resolved quickly, no one in the city will be able to escape."
He Zhen’s analysis revealed the thoughts plaguing most people’s minds. If they flee with all their effort now, there might still be a slim chance, but if they wait until the city’s assault tomorrow night, whether they can withstand the Monster Tide is still uncertain. Moreover, they must deal with an S-class Abnormal Body equipped with some kind of shield?
The possibility sounds infinitesimal. Should they fail, the entire city could be marked with a Level 5 tag, facing the arrival of Extreme Night and Extreme Cold Vortex, rendering it truly doomed.
"There is a way to bring it down," Lin Xian suddenly said.
"What way?" Zhao Yu looked at him and asked.
"With this." At this moment, Ding Junyi, who had been silent, slapped the cultivation chamber of the Hell Black Chrysanthemum. "Have you ever thought about how an S-class Abnormal Body could fail because of two small Flying Devices?"
Lin Xian said sternly, "This thing can attract A-level Abyss Worms for a short time; it must also be able to attract that monster!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Yuheng immediately stood up. "Right! Right! At that time, it turned entirely red, which definitely wasn’t just because our two Flying Devices attacked it so simply. Looking back, it must have sensed the presence of Disaster Plants on Professor Wei’s Flying Device!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu’s expression kept changing, and He Zhen fell into deep thought.
Lin Xian looked at He Zhen.
"Captain He, if we start now, fully defending the city by using Xilan City’s steel plant, weapons factory, radar station, and轨道 station to set up defensive facilities, and if all convoys aren’t chaotically fleeing but instead setting traps, defensive outposts, and arranging reasonable battle dispositions, turning encounters into defensive or interceptive battles, would the situation be better tonight?"
He Zhen’s eyes sharpened, and he said, "Of course, with thick and high walls, deep and broad trenches, efficient equipment, and well-selected soldiers, last night we were exceedingly rushed and did not consider the factor of the Inner City’s fall. A sturdy city with strong troops would certainly reduce many casualties."
"And there’s one more point, which Professor Ding mentioned earlier."
At this time, Wen Zhuo also spoke, "Xilan City possesses a large number of heavy city defense buildings and base weapons; these things cannot be taken away if we evacuate. If the monster truly wants to drive us away, perhaps there is also fear concerning these aspects."
"Indeed!" Shi Deyuan nodded in agreement upon hearing this. "Vehicle-mounted weapons certainly cannot match the power of base weapons. If we retreat this way, wouldn’t we turn into soft targets? I agree with Brother Lin’s plan!"
"I agree too." Qian Deli crossed his arms. "Defending the city with strong walls and powerful cannons is certainly better than fighting an escape battle in a blizzard. Moreover, if we flee marked with a Level 5 tag, wouldn’t that make the journey the monster’s moving hunting ground?"
Their words made Qin Xueming and others somewhat hesitant; he looked at Han Jun beside him.
"Hey, President Han, what do you think?"
Han Jun wore a solemn expression, "Burning one’s bridges and escaping through wise tactics might not be a bad plan, but..." He finished speaking and looked at Zhao Yu.
"Director Zhao, the Arctic Wind Alliance will follow your lead."
Over on this side, Zhao Yu and He Zhen exchanged glances.
"Lao Zhao." He Zhen observed Zhao Yu’s expression and spoke, "Your talk of good news and bad news earlier referred to this, right?"
Zhao Yu took a deep breath and nodded.
64%, which means there’s actually 30% of people who are unmarked and can survive. If he opts not to retreat, he can’t force these people to stay, implying a third less defenders, burdening the defensive pressure even further.
But if these people choose to stay, they are gambling their entire lives on Zhao Yu.
Once failure occurs, the entire city loses.
He dares not gamble, nor has the right to send those who can survive to their deaths.
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Yu’s gaze swept over everyone.
"From a strategic standpoint, I recognize Captain Lin and Professor Ding’s proposal to reject the city and defend it, aiming to eliminate the mark. Although the difficulty is considerable, it’s indeed more promising than evacuating marked with a Level 5 tag; whether it’s weaponry, walls, or psychologically, we’re more active instead of passive. From a military perspective, He Zhen, you agree as well, right?"
He Zhen nodded upon hearing this, "Correct, turning passive into active, transforming peril into opportunity, is indeed a good strategy."
Zhao Yu firmly declared, "In my capacity as the person in charge of Phoenix Society’s Xilan City, I agree to defend the city by rejecting it!"
"Moreover, I need to first hear the opinions of the other thousand-odd convoys, making the perilous situation clear to everyone, determining which convoys will stay or leave. The remaining ones will immediately execute the defense plan!"
Rustling sounds filled the air.
At Michel Church Square, shadows appeared like torches; over a thousand convoy leaders, chiefs, and some deputies and principal personnel surrounded it, as thousands stood across the square.
The cold wind howled; the overall leader Zhao Yu, standing on a high platform, solemnly synchronized the Dark Mark, the city’s current upheavals, and Phoenix Society’s strategic change in defense plans through the broadcast.
In an instant, the square was filled with endless cries of despair, exuding the scent of hopelessness and suffocation.
"What... Have we all been marked with Level 5? Does that mean certain death?"
"I heard a patrol squad went through the same yesterday, without even a chance to escape..."