206: Chapter 26: 100% Success Rate!

Chen Qingtian's fists clenched and unclenched, his expression shifting uncertainly.

Behind him, several frontline commanders were lost in thought, while others still looked unwilling, but no one immediately voiced any further objections.

Because Lu Yin had pointed out a fact they subconsciously didn't want to dwell on, yet couldn't avoid.

When a base loses its core function and even becomes a burden, stubbornly holding onto it becomes foolish obstinacy.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Western Theater, the hawk-eyed old man.

Now stared intently at Lu Yin and slowly spoke.

His tone held less opposition than before, replaced with a more scrutinizing quality.

"Abandoning the base means conceding our first line of defense and compressing our strategic depth."

"If we fall back to the second pre-established defense line, how much preparation time will we have?"

"Is the new line solid enough to withstand the demon onslaught that will surely follow?"

"More importantly, how do we organize the evacuation itself?"

"Fifty thousand soldiers, a massive amount of equipment and supplies... right under the demons' noses, with the Abyssal Power continuously spreading."

"How do we withdraw them safely and in an orderly manner?"

"That in itself is a high-risk decision."

Every question he asked struck at the heart of the matter and represented the doubts of most generals present.

Abandonment was never as simple as uttering a single sentence.

Lu Yin nodded, showing respect for the Western Commander-in-Chief's questions.

"You are right. The retreat itself is a battle, and one we must fight well."

"But compared to a decisive battle on a battlefield pre-set by the enemy, one extremely disadvantageous to us..."

"In this battle of retreat, at least some of the initiative lies in our own hands."

"We are not short on supplies, nor are we lacking in equipment."

"Everything in this base will be destroyed on the spot, leaving not a single trace behind."

Lu Yin's words once again plunged the conference room into a deathly silence.

"Destroyed on the spot?" Chen Qingtian repeated, his voice somewhat dry.

"Yes, destroyed on the spot."

Lu Yin's tone was resolute, leaving no room for compromise.

"Install self-destruct runes on all core equipment, energy sources, and weapon arrays that cannot be quickly transported."

"Treat all strategic supplies we cannot take with us the same way."

"Leave the Abyssal Demons nothing but scorched earth and ruins that will take time to clear."

"This, in itself, is a form of resistance. It can effectively delay their ability to use the base's wreckage or our supplies to establish forward outposts."

"This is too..." A logistics lieutenant general instinctively wanted to object to this "waste," but the words died on his lips.

When resources are sufficient, prioritizing soldiers' lives is also a principle.

"Cutting off a limb to save the body," Qin Zhan on the main seat slowly uttered the four words, his gaze deep as he looked at Lu Yin.

"And after that, what do you plan to do?"

"Wait."

Lu Yin met Qin Zhan's gaze and calmly gave his answer.

"Wait?"

Hearing Lu Yin's reply, confusion appeared in the eyes of everyone in the conference room.

Abandon the long-held bridgehead, and then... wait?

Wait for what?

"Wait for all the Abyssal Demons to finish assembling."

"Wait for them to finish assembling?"

Chen Qingtian's voice was full of disbelief.

"Lu Yin, do you know what you're saying?"

"Fifty thousand demon vanguards are already immense pressure. If we wait for their full assembly, plus any subsequent demon generals or even demon lords that may appear..."

"How terrifying would their military might and momentum be then?"

"What multiple times greater price would we have to pay if we fight then?"

The Western Commander-in-Chief also frowned deeply, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

"Voluntarily abandoning an advantageous position, allowing the enemy to complete the assembly of their forces and the expansion of their domain..."

"This is tantamount to completely surrendering the initiative in the war, placing us in a position of passive defense, or even being beaten passively."

"Lu Yin, I need a sufficiently convincing reason. Otherwise, this is equivalent to placing our soldiers and defense lines in a desperate situation."

Even Qin Zhan on the main seat, his gaze turned extremely sharp, locked tightly on Lu Yin.

Although the Golden Fighter Asura remained silent, the eyes hidden beneath the golden mask also seemed to turn in Lu Yin's direction.

Facing the almost unanimous doubt and pressure, Lu Yin's expression still showed little change.

"During the previous emergency meeting, I mentioned that I could infiltrate the Abyssal Passage."

"Destroy the nodes of the Abyssal Passage, cutting off their energy supply."

"I recall that Alliance Leader Qin approved that proposal at the time."

Lu Yin's words reminded many of those present who had attended that emergency meeting that Lu Yin had indeed received Qin Zhan's approval.

Infiltrate the Abyssal Passage and destroy the nodes.

Previously, this was understood as a high-risk, high-reward surprise tactic.

A 'scalpel' to be used for a decisive strike when the main battlefield was deadlocked or after gaining some advantage.

No one had expected Lu Yin to want to use this 'scalpel' in the prologue of the war, before it had even formally begun, during their own voluntary retreat from the forward position.

"You mean..." Zhao Qianjun slowly spoke, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"Abandon the base, retreat, allow the demon army to assemble unhindered and swarm out in full force..."

"And then, you seize the chance to infiltrate the passage's interior, pulling the rug out from under them?"

"Correct." Lu Yin nodded, his gaze sweeping over the grave and doubtful faces.

"The Abyssal Demons dare to assemble so blatantly at the passage entrance and expand their domain because they are convinced we humans would never dare to let them complete all this."

"Their preset battlefield is right near the base, within the coverage of their Abyssal domain, where they intend to fight a decisive battle with us."

"All their arrangements, including any ambushes possibly hidden deep within the passage, are for this 'anticipated decisive battle.'"

"If we attack, we'd be playing right into their hands."

"If we defend with all our might, they can continuously reinforce and apply pressure."

"Until our defense line collapses, or we are forced to fight under even more disadvantageous conditions."

"Therefore, we must shatter their 'expectations.'"

"Then how can you guarantee you can complete the destruction of the passage nodes?"

An officer who hadn't truly witnessed Lu Yin's capabilities slowly spoke up at this moment.

That officer's question voiced the doubts in the hearts of many present.

He was a major general from the Eastern War Zone, known for his steadiness and pragmatism, who had been silently listening until now.

Speaking now, though his tone was calm, each word struck at a key point.

"The internal situation of the Abyssal Passage is unknown, the energy chaotic, and it's heavily guarded."

"If you fail, trapped deep within, and we have already abandoned the forward base..."

"With the demon army then having no more constraints, advancing unimpeded... who would bear the consequences?"

"Even with your extraordinary strength, what are the odds of success for a lone infiltration?"

The air in the conference room seemed to grow several degrees heavier.

This was indeed the most fragile and unconvincing part of Lu Yin's plan.

To hinge the outcome of the entire strategy, and even the lives of countless people, on a single person's high-risk operation.

It sounded too insane, even somewhat gambler-like.

Lu Yin fell silent for a moment, then revealed a faint smile.

"What if I said the success rate is 100%?"

Success Rate: 100%!