185: Chapter 185 Target: Smoke Cloud City
Su Lin arrived at the tent where strategy was being discussed and saw General Hou Minghan and the other two as soon as he entered.
"Su Lin, you're here?"
General Hou Minghan greeted him warmly the moment he saw Su Lin walk in.
At this moment, the three generals had rare smiles on their faces; they were still so excited from the recent victory that they hadn't calmed down yet.
Having spent most of the day on it, they had already roughly prepared the offensive strategy against various Demon Race regions for tomorrow.
Now, only Su Lin's team was left without an assigned position and route.
"Su Lin, come take a look. Which side does your team want to attack? We've saved all the good spots for you."
"We can absolutely guarantee that your team's casualty rate will be extremely low, and the chances of victory are very high."
Su Lin walked up to a strategic map in front of the three men. He saw that several routes had already been marked in red for him.
Su Lin nodded as he looked at each route; he had also deduced these positions when he analyzed the map earlier. If Su Lin took these routes, victory would be guaranteed.
However, he spoke directly to the three of them.
"General Hou, I have already decided on my combat objective."
"It's not any of these."
"Oh?"
Hearing Su Lin's words, the three of them raised their eyebrows. Did Su Lin have an even better idea?
They had spent most of the day researching to find these best routes to leave for Su Lin to choose from.
Could it be that Su Lin didn't even think much of these?
Su Lin simply raised his hand and pointed straight at the center of the map, at a location marked with a black circle.
"I want to take back Yanyun City."
"What did you say!?"
The three of them cried out in shock simultaneously.
That was a place they hadn't even dared to think about.
"Yanyun City!? How could you possibly get through there!? Who knows how many tens of thousands of the Demon Army are guarding the outskirts of Yanyun City?"
"Yanyun City! That's a strategic stronghold. It was occupied by the Demon Race several months ago, and they value that place immensely. They will never let us approach easily."
"Moreover, you only have a team of five hundred people. You won't even be able to break through the demons on the outskirts, let alone get close to Yanyun City."
General Hou Minghan, General Xiao Yuqi, and General Gao Wenyuan all opposed Su Lin's idea at the same time.
Meanwhile, Dai Chenfeng, who was standing at the entrance and hadn't left yet, was stunned when he heard Su Lin's idea.
"Officer Su, what kind of thinking is this!? To ignore so many excellent positions and run to Yanyun City, which is as difficult as climbing to heaven!?"
"This goal is too big. We only have five hundred people, not fifty thousand."
"Even if we had fifty thousand people, the probability of retaking Yanyun City wouldn't even be one in ten!"
Faced with everyone's doubts and denials, Su Lin's expression remained unchanged as he continued.
"I have been thinking about Yanyun City for a long time."
"Let me try. I am confident."
Seeing that Su Lin had no intention of changing his mind at all, the others were filled with a myriad of thoughts.
"This young man is still too ambitious and unrealistic. Who doesn't know the importance of Yanyun City? But haste makes waste; thinking he can retake Yanyun City right away is just a pipe dream!"
"Could it be that the Sword Saint gave him too heavy a task? To make him this desperate?"
General Hou Minghan shook his head and continued.
"Su Lin, do you really intend to go to Yanyun City?"
"I'm confirming with you one more time."
Although no one believed Su Lin could do it, he was, after all, sent by the Sword Saint and had just achieved the top merit. They still had to give him due respect.
"Of course. If I say I'm going, then I'm going."
General Hou Minghan sighed softly and then nodded.
"Alright then, you can go to Yanyun City. Actually, there are several routes to get there."
"We didn't originally list Yanyun City as one of the targets for this offensive, but since you want to go, then go."
General Hou Minghan gave a casual wave, and several red routes appeared on the map, all ending at that black circle.
"But let's be clear: we do not approve of your objective this time, so we will not be sending you any reinforcements."
"Even though you want to attack Yanyun City, you will still only have those five hundred people. We will not add any more men for you."
"After all, in our view, going there is just adding unnecessary casualties. The more people who go, the more will die."
Su Lin nodded, his expression not changing in the slightest. He had already known they would react this way.
General Xiao Yuqi and General Gao Wenyuan looked at General Hou Minghan with surprise, seeing that he had actually agreed to Su Lin's idea.
"By the way, take this Sound Transmission Talisman. If things don't look right, use it to call me, and I will come to rescue you immediately."
General Hou Minghan said helplessly, taking out a blue paper talisman and handing it to Su Lin.
Su Lin took the Sound Transmission Talisman and tucked it away.
"Thank you, General Hou."
Since Su Lin had decided on his target early, he left the place after only a few words. The other two immediately spoke to General Hou Minghan.
"Old Hou, why didn't you try harder to persuade him? Letting him go is just sending him to his death!"
"There's no helping it; you can't talk sense into young people. Besides, he was sent by the Sword Saint. If we don't give him face, the Sword Saint will have something to say about it later."
"It's fine. Su Lin only has five hundred people. Even if they are completely wiped out, it won't have a big impact on us. We just need to make sure Su Lin doesn't die when the time comes."
The three of them had already prepared for the worst. They originally felt that the odds of victory for this offensive were very high, but seeing Su Lin's suicidal behavior, their hearts couldn't help but sink.
"I hope that after he sees those terrifying demon armies on the outskirts, he'll know when to retreat and minimize the losses."
"I think this Su Lin is too reckless. He won't come back until it's a life-and-death struggle."
...
Su Lin and Dai Chenfeng walked back toward their tent. Dai Chenfeng held it in all the way until he finally couldn't help but speak.
"Officer Su, we absolutely cannot take Yanyun City. That place is too terrifying. Please, think twice!"
But Su Lin acted as if he hadn't heard, drinking milk tea as he walked.
"Lord Su Lin, are you trying to lead us to our deaths?"
Dai Chenfeng's face was pale and his voice trembled, as if he saw hell waiting for him ahead.
Su Lin gave a light chuckle and said in a relaxed tone.
"Why can't you all just believe in me?"
"Would I really lead you into a trap?"
"This time, there is only success, no failure. If we don't win, I'll write my name backward."
Su Lin spoke with absolute certainty.
Hearing this, Dai Chenfeng was stunned once again. He hadn't expected Su Lin to be so confident, but on what basis?
"Go and notify our team about the departure for Yanyun City tomorrow."
"Everyone should rest early today. We move out first thing tomorrow morning. Be prepared to go into battle immediately!"
Su Lin gave Dai Chenfeng one last instruction and then walked straight into his tent.