Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 1208: Chapter 22: The Third Life-or-Death Battle (Part 1)

”General!”

In the dim underground command center, Pei Litong turned his head upon hearing the call and saw a staff officer hurriedly approaching him.

”The Combat Department reports, our 13th Armored Division’s 2nd and 3rd Group’s First Battalion have all retreated from their positions and regrouped,” the dust-covered staff officer stood at attention and saluted, ”The 51st Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade, 2nd Brigade, and 3rd Brigade’s 1st Group have also withdrawn and are advancing towards Hot Spring Town. Currently, the vanguard has entered Karo Grand Canyon.”

Pei Litong turned to look at the 51st Division’s division commander Balmer and saw Balmer simultaneously directing his gaze towards him. The two exchanged a glance, sharing a mutual sense of relief and joy.

The troops have finally retreated!

Prior to this, positions on the second defensive line were constantly subjected to relentless attacks from the Jiepeng people, causing the original evacuation plan to be repeatedly postponed. Several times, Pei Litong and Balmer nearly lost faith!

Several times they wanted to issue a forced retreat order, but the command was swallowed back at the last moment.

Pulling back the troops while risking pursuit by the Jiepeng people could lead to an irreparable defeat. At that point, not many would survive to reach Hot Spring Town!

Though both were stationed at the command center, outwardly composed, only they knew how anxious and agonizing their days had been.

During this grueling time, when they were near the brink of collapse, the Jiepeng people, as though bewitched, suddenly ceased their overwhelming attack.

The troops miraculously retreated smoothly and orderly. Not only did they retreat, but they had ample time to set up defensive positions to block the pursuit. Plenty of time to march calmly.

”Are all the rear guard units in place?” Pei Litong asked.

”On the frontline, our troops have completed the defensive contraction. The second defensive line at Hill 294, 415, and 310 can hold for two hours, the third defensive line at Hill 341, 332 can hold for four hours.” The staff officer glanced at the files, ”Preliminary estimates indicate that if the enemy attempts to bypass our defenses, it will take them at least six hours. Direct attacks will require at least three hours!”

”What exactly are the Jiepeng people planning? Did something happen to them?!” Balmer smacked his lips and loosened the collar of his uniform.

Due to severe energy shortages, the command center had shut down all systems except for SkyNet. Although it was winter, the assembled metal room was crowded with people, making it suffocatingly hot.

Balmer, usually impeccably dressed and known for his scholarly demeanor, now had a greasy face.

His collar was wide open, sleeves rolled up high. His unshaven beard resembled uneven wild grass sprouting from the ground. He looked more like a butcher under the scorching sun than a scholarly general.

”No matter! As long as my troops are pulled back, that’s all that matters, we’ll see what’s next!” Pei Litong fiercely slapped the electronic sandbox, gritting his teeth.

Now, the 13th Armored Division’s 1st Group, moving towards Hot Spring Town, is almost there... Within four hours, the follow-up troops must catch up regardless! Once the entire army arrives, the offensive must begin. Whether we can break through or not, we have only one chance.

The only Armored Group leading the way is like a knife stabbing forward. The infantry following it can only use portable artillery, fusion hand grenades, guns, bayonets, and even fists and teeth to cut a path of survival! So, the more people who retreat, the greater the chances of survival when breaking through!

The current situation is as good as it can be. Thinking about it feels like a dream. Who knows which deity suddenly opened their eyes and bestowed such fortune?

”Are the blocking positions all arranged,” Pei Litong asked, ”Where is Marshal Li now, and have that research team prepared?”

”All ready! They can depart at any time!” the staff officer replied.

Balmer extended his hand with a smile, ”It’s time for us to go!”

”Perhaps it’s our last journey!” Pei Litong struck a forceful high-five with Balmer, surveyed the combat staff already standing and ready for orders, and waved his hand, ”Move out!”

As soon as Pei Litong finished speaking, suddenly the SkyNet computer emitted an urgent alert sound.

The screen flickered, text data quickly scrolling, and a document was automatically transmitted over.

”Sir! Look at this!” the staff who received the document had just decrypted and opened it, calling out.

Pei Litong and Balmer, already at the door, turned their heads towards the SkyNet screen in curiosity.

The document opened. It was a video, a battle report. The video was obviously shot by a drone, with an overhead view showing two Chuckna Armored Forces slaughtering each other.

What is going on?

Pei Litong and Balmer quickly walked to SkyNet, while the staff being busy with the evacuation flocked around. Everyone understood that perhaps this was the reason the Jiepeng people suddenly stopped the attack!

The battle on the screen gripped everyone’s heart from the beginning.

Emotions fluctuated with the progress of the battle. Brutal, fierce, both sides were like two scalding streams of lava, erupting into a life-and-death slaughter upon contact. The combat scenes were shocking, constantly affecting everyone’s nerves and senses.

When they saw ten Spirit Cats, like death reapers, rampaging through the ambushed Jiepeng Armored Battalion, everyone was already drenched in sweat, dazzled and mesmerized.

And as the video concluded, when the severely damaged Chuckna Mechanic ran towards the open hatch of the Heavy Mecha to his companion, the entire command center fell silent. Everyone glanced at each other, eyes wide in astonishment.