Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Chapter 413: Chapter 289: Only Children Make Choices (First Update)

Mu Huahua couldn’t articulate a detailed thought process, so she could only use Qu Jianlei’s actions as an example.

Hongyun understood Blazing Fire’s operation and indeed thought it was quite good.

Even though Blazing Fire’s camp eventually fell, it couldn’t be denied that it was a clever move.

The main reason was that Black Heaven did indeed perform outstandingly, causing chaos in the Star Thieves’ territory, bringing them significant challenges.

However, this wasn’t what Hongyun wanted to hear, ”It does have its merits, but it’s not enough.”

Mu Huahua could only look at Qu Jianlei, ”Black Heaven, you’d better explain.”

Qu Jianlei thought for a moment before responding, ”When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue... Is this enough?”

Hongyun fell into contemplation upon hearing this. With his insight and experience, he could appreciate the ingenuity of these words.

In fact, just by looking at the name of the Engineer Battalion, one could tell there’s a significant connection to the military, and many members are from the army.

The Imperial technology has developed to such an extent that its understanding of warfare, strategy, and tactics wouldn’t be lacking.

Hongyun quickly grasped the meaning within but pointed out the uncertainties because of this understanding.

”It’s a good suggestion, but this tactic requires a lot of strategic depth, or rather... a lot of Indigenous People to provide cover.”

Clearly, given the current situation of the Engineer Battalion, adopting such a mode of combat isn’t particularly suitable.

Qu Jianlei couldn’t help but secretly admire in his heart upon hearing this; as expected of the leader of a Profound-level Team, the assessment was indeed spot on.

The guidelines for guerrilla warfare are definitely correct, but the premise is that you must have a base of operations first.

All successful tactics must have their ingenuity, but they indeed have their applicable scope.

Discussing tactics without considering specific environments and conditions is merely theorizing on paper.

Qu Jianlei felt a bit slapped in the face and, after some thought, tentatively asked, ”Then... are the Star Thieves’ rear defenses weak?”

”Hmm?” Hongyun’s eyes lit up again, exceptionally bright this time, ”And then? Go on!”

”And then... you must have thought of it too,” Qu Jianlei spread his hands with a smile, ”No need for me to elaborate, right?”

He wouldn’t underestimate anyone’s intelligence; if he could think of it in a rush, there’s no reason the others wouldn’t.

”No, continue,” Hongyun straightforwardly stated, ”The Star Thieves’ rear is weak... we know this, what should we do?”

Do I still need to say it? Qu Jianlei reluctantly shrugged, ”There are only two choices.”

”One is to increase the harassment intensity on the Star Thieves’ rear, or... concentrate the elites to launch a strong attack on the control center, is that it?”

Hongyun nodded, ”That’s right, you are very correct. So, which option do you support?”

”Does it matter which I support?” Qu Jianlei spread his hands, ”Master Hongyun, I’m just a mere B-level.”

”I want to hear your perspective,” Hongyun replied earnestly, ”Just speak freely, no need to consider the consequences.”

Qu Jianlei pondered for quite a while before asking, ”Which plan has more support?”

Clearly, since the other party had thought of these things and still wanted his analysis, it meant there was internal disagreement.

Otherwise, how could such a critical choice fall to a small B-level figure like him?

Hongyun shook his head, paused for a moment, and tried to answer in a gentle tone, ”It’s not very convenient to say.”

Sure enough... still not high enough status, Qu Jianlei felt a slight heat on his face and a bit annoyed: then why ask me?

But thinking again, this decision could affect the entire Pioneer Team’s prospects, so being cautious was not unreasonable.

So he put down his slight discontent, ”If we assault the control center, do we forcibly occupy it?”

Hongyun gave him a strange look, then shook his head, ”No, just occupying a signal tower for a while would suffice.”

Mu Huahua finally got a chance to speak, ”As long as we can send a distress signal to the Empire, it will break the stalemate.”

Qu Jianlei had also guessed this, but hearing it confirmed made his heart skip with excitement.

He pondered and responded, ”Could it be a trap?”

Hongyun shook his head, answering helplessly, ”I can’t answer that... This is also why most people hesitate.”

Concentrating elites to attack, if it turns out to be a trap, and another batch of the Pioneer Team’s top experts are killed or wounded, the future would be bleak.

Qu Jianlei remained silent, and after a while, sighed heavily, reasoning, ”However, it’s also a rare opportunity.”

Hongyun sighed in response, ”Ah, who wouldn’t say so?”

This is precisely the dilemma, the Pioneer Team is currently extremely passive, yet here shows an opportunity to counterattack... a potentially decisive blow.

Only children make choices... Qu Jianlei suddenly had an idea, ”Why make a choice? Why not choose everything?”

”What?” Hongyun’s mouth twitched involuntarily, ”Choose everything? How many people would that require?”

”Not many needed,” Qu Jianlei thought aloud, ”We could start by eliminating the peripheral military stations...”

He believed that since it was about harassing the opponent, they could launch attacks widely, even feinting towards the core area.

No matter how much harassment of transport and star thief squads, it can’t compare to the threat of a feigned attack on the core region.

By then, if the star thieves don’t retreat, then turn the feigned attack into a strong assault, and you’ll push right in.

After his explanation, Hongyun fell into contemplation, carefully analyzing the feasibility of this plan.

It was only after a long while that he spoke up, ”If the star thieves don’t retreat, then isn’t it... more likely to be a trap?”

Qu Jianlei dismissively replied, ”You can’t say that, do the star thieves know the characteristics of the A-level warriors of the Pioneer Team?”

Hongyun nodded without hesitation, ”We’ve crossed paths so many times, who doesn’t know who?”

”Then it’s simple,” Qu Jianlei replied without hesitation, ”send two A-levels to harass first and see how they react.”

Mu Huahua nodded upon hearing this, ”That’s right, no matter what’s going on, let’s fight first and see their reaction.”

She’s a bit reckless for Taikoo, with the mindset of an ordinary ultimate warrior, but in this context, it’s not wrong.

Upon hearing this, Hongyun couldn’t help but laugh, ”Indeed, thinking too much is ultimately daydreaming, better to take action and try.”

Then he looked at Qu Jianlei, ”Leader Mu doesn’t know that earth attribute A-level... the one that came out of the spaceship.”

”Do you know why that person is avenging Blazing Fire?”

Qu Jianlei blinked, slowly nodding, ”I’ve met once, but that’s an A-level big shot, anything you need?”

”I heard he’s teamed up with Pan Yifu,” Hongyun said in a deep voice, ”It’s said Pan Yifu played Fat Fox for a fool, is that true?”

Qu Jianlei shook his head straightforwardly, ”I don’t know.”

Hongyun pondered for a moment and spoke, ”We really want to contact them both, could you possibly help us with that?”

Qu Jianlei still didn’t hesitate, ”I can, but no guarantees, those two seem... inclined to keep their distance from the Pioneer Team.”

Hongyun snorted indifferently, clearly not surprised by this answer.

”Hmph, now the Pioneer Team is heavily demonized... but, indeed not as good as before.”

It seems all veterans love to say things are ”not as good as before.”

After a pause, he continued, ”Black Heaven, I treat you sincerely, hoping you can try your best to make contact, we won’t let you waste your effort!”

”That’s not a problem,” Qu Jianlei nodded decisively, ”You hope for them both to cooperate with the Pioneer Team, right?”

Hongyun nodded decisively, ”Yes... the star thieves are also their enemies, don’t they want to return to the Empire soon?”

Qu Jianlei pondered for a moment before asking, ”You’ve never managed to contact them?”

”Contacted Pan Yifu twice,” Hongyun showed a bit of frustration, ”he’s not easy to talk to, the other one couldn’t be reached.”

You couldn’t get in touch even if you wanted to, Qu Jianlei slightly nodded, ”I’ll try, anything else?”

”Well...” Hongyun hesitated before asking, ”Could I take some food with me?”

”Hmm?” Mu Huahua was a bit unhappy upon hearing this, ”Captain Hongyun, this food is for the wounded... what do you think?”

Hongyun replied earnestly, ”Taking some food back is firstly to boost morale, and secondly to avoid suspicion about my whereabouts.”

Mu Huahua couldn’t help but roll her eyes, ”Your storage talisman isn’t small... but is it worth it for food?”

Hongyun smiled as he responded, ”As long as it boosts morale, it’s certainly worth it... I’ll give some to Blazing Fire’s people.”

Blazing Fire really doesn’t lack this bit of food! Mu Huahua knew well that the previous hunt had quite the yield.

However, with resources like food, you can never have enough, she looked at Qu Jianlei, ”What do you say, Black Heaven?”

After all, it was Black Heaven who procured the food, she could use it herself, but if giving it to others, she certainly had to respect its owner.

Qu Jianlei casually waved his hand, ”Doesn’t matter, at worst I’ll rob it from the star thieves again.”

Mu Huahua glanced at Hongyun, ”Captain Hongyun, look at how lavishly bold the B-level is, and you’re an A-level.”

Hongyun had a rather acerbic face, but really was good-tempered.

He replied with a mix of annoyance and amusement, ”You don’t understand, adventure and rewards aren’t proportionate... the engineer battalion only has one A-level, which is me.”

Some things can’t be said explicitly, the star thieves already have a firm mark on him, even if he could snatch food, how much could a storage talisman hold?

Not to mention if he failed, even if they found out he left the engineer battalion, there’s plenty for the star thieves to work with.

Whether intercepting him or seizing the chance to attack the team without an A-level, there would be considerable risks... really not worth it.

At this moment, the handset in Qu Jianlei’s arms vibrated lightly, obviously Pan Yifu was calling.

Qu Jianlei didn’t respond, but Hongyun with his strong perception ability glanced at him in surprise.

Seeing no response from the other, he smiled, ”Alright, I’ll go get the food, the rest is up to you, Black Heaven.”

Qu Jianlei nodded slightly, ”I’ll try my best, I need to go now.”

After speaking, he flickered and disappeared, the direction was not toward the secret camp.