Rebirth of the Prime Dragon Master
Chapter 356 The Final Madness

When Rocky sauntered his way out of the tent, in a flutter of an eye, he vanished into thin air from the place where he stood. Four hours afterward, he went back to the military camp and called for someone to take the topographic map of the Rough Slope. Again he gathered Marin and two Deputy Commanders to draw up a skirmish plan.

"The initial step of our decapitation strike is to make the rival be of the impression that we have cut off all channels of withdrawal and been dead set to fight to the death. So we should burn our military camp first,” Rocky said undauntedly.

"Burn the military camp? That's not a strategy..." Deputy Commander Chen announced as he and the other Deputy Commander looked at Rocky incredulously and thought Rocky was teasing. Without the military camp, they would have no way back.

"After we burn the military camp, the armies of the Timber Deity Empire will surely take some actions. By my reckoning, they will gunge up these important paths at the east and the west side of the Rough Slope in case that we will break through,” Rocky explained, totally giving the cold shoulder to Deputy Commander Chen's question, as he pointed at the topographic map to show them the paths.

"Once the armies of the Timber Deity Empire seal these critical paths, they will waylay us from both sides so that we will be trapped in a predicament. At that time, we can start the second step of our strategy,” Rocky proceeded.

"In this way, won't we be put in a tight spot?" Marin questioned.

"That's right. That's what we want. Thus, the rear of them will show its weak spot. In order to seal the paths at the east and the west side of the Rough Slope, the armies of the Timber Deity Empire had to lay out at least three thousand soldiers on each side. Besides, to inaugurate charges to us, more than tens of thousands of soldiers will be issued here. As a result, no more than four thousand soldiers will be left in the rear of the east side and the west side in total. In other words, each of the Commanders in the rear has only fewer than two thousand soldiers.” Rocky nodded without giving a precise answer to Marin.

"The third step is to review one way and row another. Seemingly, we are under pincer attack, but there will be an army to carry out a rude awakening raid in the rear of the enemy to fulfill the most momentous decapitation strike,” Rocky set forth precisely.

"However, though the decapitation is prosperous, the northeast army is nevertheless under the converging charge and easily to get completely exterminated.” Marin raised an objection.

"That's right. So when the decapitation strike is completed, someone will be assigned to burn the two military camps at east side to give them a fictitious perception that our reinforcements have arrived,” Rocky continued.

"What if the rival doesn't swallow the plan on the hook?" Deputy Commander Chen asked

"Apart from burning the two military camps at the east side, someone must dash into the enemy with the head of the Commander. Capture the ringleader first to arrest all his followers. Realizing that, they will be swayed. Consequently, at least half of the soldiers of the Timber Deity Empire will sway the spirit of the army and have no ambition to continue battling. If they don't withdraw, we can seize the golden opportunity to assault them with our armies inferior in number to fight our way out of the press..." Rocky went on.

"What if the decapitation strike doesn't work out as planned?" Marin inquired, gawking at Rocky.

"I will try my level best to diminish the probability of fizzling out. But if we fail, you can retreat to the dense forest behind the military camp and set fire to it which can burn at least one night. Across it, there is a valley, easy to grip but complicated to charge. If you crumple down on defense, you are feasible to survive till the reinforcements appear,” Rocky replied as he drew an area on the topographic map.

"Since the area is in our best interest to our defense, why don't we retreat there directly? Why bother to take a decapitation strike?" the other Deputy Commander asked higgledy-piggledy.

"If we retreat to this area directly, we will encounter the storm of the twenty thousands of soldiers of the Timber Deity Empire. We can combat them for no more than a day. However, if we take the initiative, we have a golden chance to earn one more day. Even in the horrendous situation, we have to retreat to the valley. At that time, only about tens of thousands of soldiers will assault us. With four thousand soldiers, as long as we can make full use of the geographical advantage of it, it is not back-breaking for us to take up cudgels for it for one day," Rocky said with sharp eyes.

"Though the decapitation strike sounds like a battle chance, it works to buy time for us and disperse the military strength of the Timber Deity Empire...” Marin was suddenly enlightened after hearing Rocky's warfare strategy.

"Do you still perceive that I make light of the lives of thousands of soldiers of the northeast army?" Rocky asked while screwing up his eyes at Marin.

Marin was utterly at a loss of words for a reply. Clearly, she didn't know the absolute purpose of Rocky before. Beyond her expectation, Rocky's strategy would be so meticulous, even with the solution to the worst situation. However, racking her brains of Rocky's arbitrary kiss to her, she was both shy and in high dudgeon.

"I didn’t intend that,” Marin replied beautifully. In fact, her previous words had held Rocky accountable disregarding of the soldiers of the northeast army.

"Now that you all understand, you can go and prepare for it. Deputy Commander Chen, pick up two thousand soldiers to the forest and the valley to establish preparations for the withdrawal and work out the route. Likewise, set some traps and issue the army provisions required from two days to the valley in case of need... Besides, inform all the soldiers to get ready and arm themselves lightly before the noon of tomorrow. Don't let the enemy have the slightest clue about our plan in advance. We will begin the operation tomorrow after dark.” Rocky ordered to the two Deputy Commanders.

After catching a glimpse of Marin, they turned away to prepare.

"Select an elite troop from the northeast army for me, and the decapitation strike should depend on them." Rocky said to Marin.

"For you? Are you going to command the soldiers to inaugurate the decapitation strike yourself?" Marin asked in an open mouth expression.

"Or who else can do that?" Rocky demanded, wriggling his shoulders.

"No, you can't depart from here. If you bid your farewell, who can command the northeast army? Moreover, the mission is too dangerous as the foamy race of ocean surges. I should go instead. The two Commanders of the Timber Deity Empire are all beyond the Heavenly Stage. I'm scared witless you can't rival them..." Marin denied unequivocally.

"Remember, you are the Commander of the northeast army. You're right. The mission is hazardous. This is precisely the reason you shouldn't depart from here. As the Commander of the northeast army, if you die, it will be a hard as a cobble-stone to hit to the morale of the soldiers,” Rocky declared, peering at Marin.

"But..." Marin still had the urge to utter something, but Rocky covered his hand on her mouth. "What you should do now is to have confidence in me," Rocky pointed out word by word, his eyes fixed on Marin.

Marin met Rocky's eyes and acknowledged subconsciously, utterly bewildered.

"Good girl!" Rocky smiled a creepy smile. He then turned away after he touched lightly at Marin's face. His face became serious because he knew clearly that the decapitation strike had little difference from a suicide attack. Thus, he was crystal clear about the outcome if he failed.