Chapter 177 Desperate Gamble

"This is terrible. There are problems with the transportation of our strategic weapons. They haven't been delivered to the designated areas. Now the enemy is launching a general offensive. I originally wanted to take things slowly, but I didn't expect the situation to change so quickly."

Xiao Wen said gravely.

"Don't blame yourself. Who could have predicted this?"

Chen Shan comforted Xiao Wen.

"No, we can't just stand by and watch. We have to do something, no matter what."

Xiao Wen took a deep breath. He deeply regretted not simply holding onto Wushi Fortress City, to buy as much time as possible for the main force.

"Legion Commander Xiao Wen, give your orders. We'll follow you, no matter what you decide."

Qian Chengxue said seriously.

Xiao Wen's expression changed several times. Finally, he clenched his fist and slammed it on the table, saying, "In that case, let's not be cowards. We'll attack Gaoshan Fortress City."

Under normal circumstances, Su Mo and the others would have considered Xiao Wen's words wishful thinking. They had difficulty attacking it at full strength, let alone now when they barely had any weapons left.

But now there was no time to hesitate.

"Then let's do it!"

"We'll gather the troops. Su Mo, you pilot the third-generation mecha to scout ahead."

Xiao Wen was a decisive person. Now that he'd made a decision, there was no point in hesitating.

"No problem."

Su Mo nodded in agreement.

Late at night, Su Mo piloted the third-generation mecha, Blade of Slaughter, out of the forest and disappeared into the night.

He flew in the general direction Xiao Wen had given him, maximizing the radar system's performance as a precaution.

In just over forty minutes, Su Mo arrived near Gaoshan Fortress City.

However, Su Mo didn't dare get too close. The entire radar scanning area was filled with red dots, both inside and outside the city. If the third-generation mecha's anti-radar device wasn't so effective, the enemy would have sounded the alarm long ago.

Su Mo quickly entered a command, switching to long-range optical night vision mode.

He soon captured images of the red dots on the periphery: a massive steel fortress, equipped with cannons, short-range machine guns, and anti-air missile launchers.

The weapons deployment outside the city was also extensive, with Iron Dome interceptor missiles visible everywhere.

In addition, while moving the optical night vision lens, Su Mo keenly detected hundreds of hidden sentries.

The level of alert at Gaoshan Fortress City was far beyond ordinary imagination. Su Mo was puzzled. Was the city's security always this strict, or had the enemy increased security after they crossed the river?

If it was the latter, then they were thinking too highly of them.

Su Mo suppressed his confusion and carefully controlled the mecha to scout around the fortress city, circle after circle.

The snow was falling heavier and heavier, and even a strong wind began to blow.

After a long time, Su Mo piloted the mecha back to the forest. Xiao Wen, Qian Chengxue, and the others immediately surrounded him.

Su Mo opened the cockpit and nimbly jumped down.

Xiao Wen cut straight to the chase and asked, "What's the level of defense at Gaoshan Fortress City?"

"There are hundreds of hidden sentries and outer defense fortresses. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's heavily guarded. To put it bluntly, if we go to attack it, either we're crazy, or we've lost our minds."

Su Mo replied with a hint of self-deprecation. Although the third-generation mecha was incredibly powerful, one person's strength was ultimately limited. It was like killing a flock of sheep placed in front of you; your hands would get tired of killing, let alone when they weren't sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

"Then, should we attack another city?"

Chen Shan hesitantly looked at Xiao Wen.

Xiao Wen naturally wouldn't doubt Su Mo's scouting, but he still made an irrational decision: "It's too late. We're attacking Gaoshan Fortress City, no matter the outcome!"

"Understood."

Chen Shan was silent for a few seconds. He didn't try to dissuade Xiao Wen any further. Since he had said so, it meant he was prepared to fight a losing battle.

"Depart in thirty minutes."

Xiao Wen glanced at his wrist device and finalized the decision.

"Yes!"

Everyone responded with unconditional obedience.

Soon after, the remaining 60,000 troops marched out of the forest towards Gaoshan Fortress City in a mighty formation.

Compared to their fully armed state before, their current lineup seemed very shabby. Apart from the mecha squadron, they only retained a small number of anti-aircraft weapons, and the rest were all individual weapons.

However, as they passed through a snowy field, a camouflaged reconnaissance eye hidden on the side of a rock flashed a red light.

......

In Gaoshan Fortress City, a middle-aged man with a very fat body and almost squinting eyes was leisurely drinking strong liquor and eating delicacies while wearing pajamas.

At this moment, hurried footsteps came from outside the door, followed by a knock.

"General Fizat!"

"Enter."

Lieutenant General Fizat slowly ate his meal, answering unhurriedly.

The door was then pushed open, and a subordinate walked in, saluting him and reporting, "The latest warning information from the monitoring point indicates that the remaining troops of the Tianlong Guild who have infiltrated our area are gathering and marching towards us, presumably to launch an attack on us."

"I see."

Fizat stretched lazily and said, yawning.

"General, should we immediately send out a mobile force to eliminate them?"

"Have you forgotten the mistake Kanris made, underestimating the enemy and being wiped out in one fell swoop? I received notification the moment they crossed the river. The reason I didn't send troops to encircle and suppress them is because I didn't want to give the enemy an opportunity to exploit. We've been operating in Gaoshan Fortress City for so long, this place is impregnable. Who can do anything to us? Why should we risk a head-on confrontation with them? As long as we defend our area well, they won't be able to get in even if they have nuclear bombs. When they fail to break through after a long siege, they'll naturally have to retreat. By then, even without us lifting a finger, this harsh weather will be enough to wipe them out. Besides, from another perspective, as long as we hold out for a little longer, we'll be the winners when the main battlefield is victorious. Why should I create unnecessary complications?"

Fizat was unusually cautious. Of course, his caution wasn't cowardice, but rather because Kanris's failure had shocked him too much.

"Understood!"

The subordinate responded respectfully and then retreated.

Fizat walked to the window alone. He opened it, and the cold wind mixed with snowflakes blew in.

He didn't care about the cold at all, gazing at the dark night in the wind and snow.

After a long time, in the distant black night sky, a bright warning flare rose, bursting into brilliant fireworks that were extremely dazzling.

Then, a rumbling explosion sounded in the distance. The battle had begun!

The corners of Fizat's mouth rose slightly. There was no way his painstakingly built base camp would be so easily breached.

In the wilderness, steel bunkers launched the most intense firepower attacks on Su Mo and his troops. At the same time, patrolling and guarding forces quickly converged, using the fortresses as shields and constantly launching attacks.

Green Shield mechas bravely charged forward, only to be ruthlessly blown apart.