172: All their savings were wiped out

Yaoguang City, Command Center.

Wan Xingying tossed the terminal in her hand to He Ming and snorted, "The higher-ups want us to immediately go support Blackstone City."

He Ming took the terminal, casually glanced at it, then tossed it back.

"This is clearly the Seventh Knight Legion trying to besiege a point and strike at reinforcements. There's no need to pay attention to it."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the senior military officers present exchanged glances.

Although what he said was not wrong, this was, after all, the highest directive from headquarters. Disobeying it would lead to a court-martial.

Wan Xingying's expression was strange; she naturally knew why He Ming didn't want to go.

Because Chris was in Blackstone City, and the two of them had an irreconcilable blood feud.

Wan Xingying: "The order has come down. We have to go."

He Ming: "What's the hurry? Let's first ask headquarters how the responsibility will be calculated if going to support Blackstone City leads to the fall of Yaoguang City."

"If our fleet is ambushed and completely wiped out because we went to support Blackstone City, who will compensate us for our losses?"

Wan Xingying let out a soft snort.

"You still don't understand the Star Empire. The highest command represents everything; you must obey."

He Ming: "Then send half the forces."

Wan Xingying pondered for a moment and thought it was feasible.

Five days later.

Blackstone City, Space Fortress.

After five consecutive days of siege, Blackstone City's energy barrier was depleted to only 32%.

If the fleet wasn't sent out, it would be completely exhausted in at most two more days.

But in the current situation, no matter how many fleets were sent out, it would be like sending them to their deaths. At most, it would only delay things for a while longer.

Hai Ke: "What did headquarters say?"

"Yaoguang City has dispatched 35 fleets, expected to arrive at the front line in five days."

Hai Ke wanted to curse, but couldn't find a suitable excuse.

Yaoguang City sending nearly half of its forces to support them was already doing its utmost, but this amount of force wouldn't be of much help.

"Go out and fight them!"

Hai Ke looked at Chris, who had been silent, and spoke again, "Chris, send out all your fleets."

Chris nodded with a dark expression.

This was all he had left of his assets.

After this battle, no matter the outcome, he wouldn't be able to keep his governor position.

Seventy fleets sailed out from the rear of Blackstone City, forming battle arrays and flanking from the left and right.

An hour later.

The bombardment on Blackstone City weakened, and the energy barrier's recharge finally caught up with the rate of consumption.

The Sixth and Seventh Knight Legions dispatched 200 fleets, using superior numbers to surround and completely encircle the fleets sent out by Blackstone City.

The battle was exceptionally fierce.

In less than an hour, Blackstone City had already lost two fleets.

Three days later.

Hai Ke looked at the battle report in his hand, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

All 70 fleets were annihilated, while the Radiant Empire only lost 30 fleets.

Although Blackstone City's energy barrier was recharged by 32% as a result, the cost was too heavy.

Four days later.

Yaoguang City's reinforcements arrived but continued to hover outside the main battlefield.

The Seventh Knight Legion dispatched three corps to meet them.

But Yaoguang City's fleet seemed to have eyes in advance; as soon as the Seventh Knight Legion's three corps hadn't pushed forward, they had already retreated to a safe distance, continuously playing cat and mouse.

Blackstone City, Command Center.

Hai Ke looked at the star map of the main battlefield, his expression serious.

"At least it's still somewhat useful, tying down three main corps."

"Governor, at this rate, Blackstone City can only hold out for seven more days."

Hai Ke nodded slightly, took out his terminal, and dialed headquarters.

"Blackstone City can only hold out for five more days."

"Governor Hai Ke, the front-line battle is tight. We can at most send you an additional 50 fleets."

"I need a titan ship."

"The titan ship has already been deployed to the main battlefield and cannot support Blackstone City."

Hai Ke said no more and immediately hung up the communication.

"Damn it, everyone prepare to evacuate Blackstone City and retreat to the next line of defense!"

The Deputy heard this and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"Governor, the order to retreat hasn't been issued yet. If we rashly withdraw from Blackstone City, I'm afraid..."

Hai Ke grabbed the Deputy's neck and lifted him into the air.

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"My assets are almost completely wiped out!"

"Governor, calm down!"

In the command room, a group of senior military officers stepped forward to dissuade him.

Hai Ke released his grip, his gaze turning fierce.

"No more talking. Immediately prepare to evacuate Blackstone City. If the higher-ups blame us, I'll take full responsibility myself."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone, as if relieved of a heavy burden, began to busy themselves.

One day later.

Blackstone City was bombed into ruins amidst a blaze of fire.

Sixth Knight Legion, 'Victory' (Wansheng) Battleship, Bridge.

Sixth Knight Legion Commander Tuo Er: "Leighton, we have taken Blackstone City. Now it's time to turn back and attack Yaoguang City."

Seventh Knight Legion Commander Leighton shook his head, crossed his arms, and wore an exceptionally serious expression.

"Let's just forget it. Yaoguang City has at least two titan ships deployed. Our forces aren't enough to fight them."

Tuo Er: "But if we don't take Yaoguang City, our supply lines will be intercepted by them."

Leighton: "Then change strategy. Go support the adjacent front lines and turn Yaoguang City into an isolated island. They will naturally abandon their garrison then."

Ten days later.

The Sixth and Seventh Knight Legions arrived at the Fifth Knight Legion's front line.

In less than three days, they successfully captured Nu Tao City.

Star Empire, Front-line General Command.

General Commander Jilijiske fell into deep thought, looking at the constantly incoming intelligence.

In his original plan, Yaoguang City would defend for a month, eventually being breached by the Seventh Knight Legion.

The Seventh Knight Legion's forces would be depleted by at least 50%, and after merging with the adjacent Sixth Knight Legion, they would jointly attack Blackstone City.

With additional reinforcements, Blackstone City could hold off two large legions for at least a month.

Once the main army dealt with the Eighth Knight Legion on the western front, they could rush over in time to relieve Blackstone City.

But plans couldn't keep up with changes.

The Seventh Knight Legion abandoned the lightly defended Yaoguang City and used all its forces to support the Sixth Knight Legion, causing Blackstone City to hold out for only a little over ten days before choosing to abandon the city.

Jilijiske: "Why would they abandon Yaoguang City?"

"Indeed, it makes no sense."

"The Sixth and Seventh Knight Legions clearly took Blackstone City, but they chose to ignore Yaoguang City and instead went to support other front lines."

Jilijiske stroked his chin, deep in thought.

"They are afraid of Yaoguang City."

The Deputy Commander asked in confusion, "That's unlikely, isn't it? Yaoguang City's total forces are less than 80 fleets. The combined forces of the Sixth and Seventh Knight Legions are at least 500 fleets. There's no reason for them to abandon Yaoguang City."

"That's what I haven't figured out either, unless..."

"Unless what?"

Jilijiske chuckled, "Unless Wan Xingying hid her strength and built a titan ship."

"That's impossible, isn't it? The financial resources of the Wan Star System are not enough to build a titan ship."