128: Chapter 128 I can afford to lose, but I want to win.

Faced with Director Li Guoan's almost teasing concern, and the strange looks from the group of experts, Chen You's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Did they take him for some kind of aquaphobia patient?

"Reporting to Director Li," Chen You cleared his throat, his expression dead serious, "I really can't get used to some seafood, but I don't feel anything about the rest."

"..."

What kind of answer was that?

Everyone was momentarily speechless.

Director Li Guoan looked at him, and a rare hint of helplessness appeared on his eternally stern face.

This kid still has the mind to joke when things are so critical.

However, this also showed indirectly that his mentality hadn't collapsed.

Pan Yu added at the opportune moment: "No one can be certain that the civilization behind the 'House of the Sea King' is definitely the marine life we understand."

This single sentence pulled everyone back from their Cthulhu-esque fantasies and returned them to reality.

Indeed, the Source Realm was full of strange things, and applying Earth's common sense might not always be correct.

The atmosphere in the command room slightly eased.

Chen You's gaze shifted slightly, and suddenly thinking of something, he proposed: "Shouldn't we... ask the people from Moon Gods Radiance?"

"As one of the Three Great Guilds, their intelligence network spans the entire Source Realm. Their understanding of various civilizations must far exceed ours."

"Perhaps they know the true nature of the 'House of the Sea King'."

This suggestion was reasonable and logical.

The eyes of many experts present lit up slightly.

However, Director Li Guoan slowly shook his head without speaking.

The tactical team leader Zhang Yunhai next to him picked up the conversation, his tone decisive.

"No."

He looked at Chen You and explained, "Comrade Chen You, you need to understand a concept—'favors' are also a valuable resource at the strategic level."

"Arrow of the Moon previously owed us a promise that wasn't explicitly priced and could be redeemed at any time."

"The value of this promise depends on when and for what we use it."

Zhang Yunhai made a sweeping gesture in the air.

"To exchange it for intelligence on a guild that is highly likely to be a bottom-tier one? That's too wasteful."

In other words, no matter what question Chen You asked proactively, the other party could use this as an excuse to refuse if he later tried to cash in the favor from Arrow of the Moon.

"More importantly," Zhang Yunhai emphasized his tone.

"Once we ask, it is equivalent to exposing our first weakness to Moon Gods Radiance—a lack of intelligence."

The control of intelligence could, to some extent, reflect certain information, such as the number of participating members in a civilization.

"In future, higher-level games of strategy, any slight informational disadvantage could be infinitely magnified."

"This favor must be used where it matters most, in a place where it can deliver a decisive blow."

"Not now, for a battle where we incur no losses."

His speech contained a huge amount of information and was logically clear.

The command room fell silent again, but this time it wasn't due to the oppression of the unknown, but rather contemplation of higher-dimensional strategic maneuvering.

Chen You understood immediately.

He only saw the immediate predicament, whereas Director Li Guoan and the others saw the future chessboard involving the entire huaxia civilization.

This was professionalism.

But the problem was, everyone understood the reasoning—so how should the battle be fought?

With everything about the enemy being unknown, tactical deduction was impossible, which was the most troublesome part.

As if seeing through everyone's thoughts, the previously silent Director Li Guoan finally spoke.

His voice was still steady, like bedrock.

"There's nothing to panic about."

He looked around, his gaze finally settling on the massive three-dimensional projection of White Jade Capital.

"Let's return to the root of the problem. What is the matching mechanism of the Source Realm?"

Without waiting for an answer, he answered himself: "It won't let a newly established guild with only one member face a behemoth that ranks in the top one hundred."

Chen You had previously asked Hill about this mechanism.

Although Hill was vague, it could be inferred that this was indeed the case.

"Therefore, I can make a basic judgment—"

"This 'House of the Sea King', among all guilds in the Source Realm, is most likely at the very bottom."

"Its strength is within the scope that we can understand and handle."

His words were like a powerful stimulant, instantly dispelling the gloom in everyone's hearts.

Yes, they had been intimidated by the name 'Abyssal Whisper' but had forgotten the most basic logical rule.

Based on the combat power Chen You had displayed, dealing with a bottom-tier guild shouldn't be difficult, right?

"Moreover, the most important point."

Director Li Guoan turned around, his gaze fixed directly on Chen You, his eyes holding an unquestionable calmness.

"We are a newly established guild, ranked at the bottom."

"According to the rules, even if we lose this battle, we will suffer no losses."

"We... can afford to lose."

"So," he said word by word.

"Comrade Chen You, don't carry any psychological burden; fight with all your might."

"Treat this battle as an opportunity to collect combat data from other civilizations."

"If we win, it's a huge profit. If we lose, it's no loss."

Director Li Guoan's words were resounding, completely defining the nature of this operation.

Although he had previously stressed that they absolutely had to win this battle, that was mainly to prevent Chen You from being lax.

But at this moment, he knew he couldn't put too much pressure on Chen You.

Excessive pressure might instead make Chen You flustered and unable to perform at his basic level.

He was even more afraid that Chen You would get carried away and cause some accident.

His words redefined a battle that might have been about face into a high-value military exercise.

Try to win, but don't fear losing.

"Yes!"

Zhang Yunhai and the others stood at attention simultaneously, their doubts and tension swept away, replaced by soaring fighting spirit.

This wasn't giving up; it was just removing some psychological burdens.

"Understood.", Chen You also nodded heavily.

He understood Director Li Guoan's good intentions and recognized this as the optimal strategic mindset.

Rationally speaking, it was indeed the case.

However, deep within his heart, another voice was roaring.

Can afford to lose?

Yes, from the perspective of national strategy and long-term planning, the huaxia civilization could afford to lose this one time.

But *he*, Chen You, could not afford to lose!

The Immortal Summer guild was established by his own hands.

White Jade Capital was built under his watch, brick by brick.

This was *his* guild, *his* territory!

It was what he had fought for the huaxia civilization!

The Guild Hegemony War occurred only once a month, currently the only known way to stably obtain 'Civilization Destiny' and guild honor.

He didn't want to wait another month.

He wanted to win!

Not just for that small amount of Civilization Destiny, but for a matter of pride!

To fire the first shot establishing a foothold for the huaxia civilization in this Source Realm!

This shot had to be upright and imposing, it had to be earth-shattering!

At this moment, Chen You clearly felt something named 'responsibility' and 'ambition' wildly sprouting in his heart.

He was no longer just an executor following orders.

He was still the leader of 'Immortal Summer'.

He had to be responsible for his own guild.

Chen You raised his head, his gaze passing over everyone to look toward the cloud-shrouded immortal city outside the window.

In the depths of his calm eyes, an unprecedented flame ignited.