Chapter 364: line with translation of chapter title

370. Chapter 370: Charge

Lin Ke did not linger at the Supreme Council.

Even though the sixth‑rank sage of the Rui Wo Si Si Academy's office at the Supreme Council explicitly urged Lin Ke to stay two more days to raise the academy's prestige.

After careful thought, Lin Ke declined, saying his legion had not yet completed its first campaign.

Staying longer would indeed boost both the academy's prestige and his personal fame considerably.

But, too much is as bad as too little.

Rising fame too quickly easily invites envy and resentment.

Although being free of envy is a sign of mediocrity.

But there's no need to make enemies everywhere, especially hostility that arises without cause.

Moreover, the Grand Sage Legion had indeed run into trouble, and Lin Ke needed to return promptly.

He boarded a flying craft, returning from the Central Lands to the West Coast, back to Rui Wo Si Si City.

However, after arriving, Lin Ke suddenly was not in a hurry to return to his legion; instead he applied to the academy, wishing to rest two days in Rui Wo Si Si City.

Since this trip was on the academy's behalf, Lin Ke requested two days' rest in his homeland, and the academy gladly agreed.

"You've finally come back."

Upon meeting, Mo Li gave Lin Ke a big hug, planted a kiss, then sniffed him vigorously.

"Hmm, you're sensible."

After sniffing, she detected no other person's scent, and Mo Li was very pleased.

That crazy woman Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke, one must guard against her.

Mo Li still cannot forget the red lip print that Ai Rui Si left on Lin Ke's face.

Every time she thinks of it, she grits her teeth.

It is truly hateful to the extreme.

Regarding this, Lin Ke could only let Mo Li have her way, daring not to move lest he provoke her.

The two drove from the interworld transfer gate back to the northern district villa.

Upon entering, they saw Christina and her daughter Karolina sitting somewhat awkwardly on a "sofa".

"Thank you, Lin Ke."

Seeing Lin Ke, Christina immediately stood up and sincerely thanked him.

All kinds of things have filled Christina with gratitude toward Lin Ke and Mo Li.

"Don't be polite, have a seat."

Lin Ke waved his hand, indicating Christina need not be so formal.

He could tell that, because he was now a fourth‑rank sage, Christina's behavior was less natural.

Even while at the Supreme Council, contact had not been cut off.

He had to video‑call Mo Li every day, so Lin Ke naturally knew when Christina turned from danger to safety and when she woke up, thus he did not ask about those.

Time being limited, Lin Ke directly asked: "What do you plan to do next? Are you still going back to Shadow City?"

The important message Christina had proclaimed before losing consciousness had already been told to Mo Li after she woke up.

Lin Ke learned from Mo Li of the news of rising unrest in Shadow City, and at that time he informed Dean Frisst, after which he no longer concerned himself with it.

Whether Shadow City is in turmoil or not, and whether the Rui Wo Si Si Academy wants to exploit it for some scheme, are not Lin Ke's concerns.

Not holding the position, one does not meddle in its duties.

Hearing Lin Ke's question, Christina's face showed hesitation; she glanced at her daughter Karolina, sitting properly and playing with her toys, then suddenly made up her mind: "Return!"

Although her daughter lacked her mother's company, with Lin Ke and Mo Li she received a better life and education.

Her future development would also be far better than staying in Shadow City.

As for herself, she still had an unavenged blood feud—how could she lightly give it up?

Thus, Christina chose the harder path of avenging her blood feud over peacefully raising her daughter.

Karolina, who had been sitting there silently, lifted her head, gave her mother Christina an indifferent glance, and walked away without a word.

Karolina's precocious mind could already understand what her mother's choice signified.

"Then, take good care of yourself."

Lin Ke had no intention of advising; he walked toward the underground lab, saying, "I'll upgrade your gear."

Christina rose and followed.

During that time, Mo Li said nothing; after Lin Ke and Christina went to the underground lab, she went to Karolina's room.

Karolina sat on the bed, dazed; seeing Mo Li enter, her mouth twisted and tears began to fall uncontrollably.

The demon serpent bloodline greatly affected Karolina, but had not eradicated her humanity.

Karolina merely became somewhat colder in temperament, her expression and tone of speech a bit icier, but her emotions remained normal.

From today on, she truly was a motherless child.

Underground laboratory.

Lin Ke, expressionless, upgraded Christina's gear.

It remained a holistic, systematic, modular approach.

Christina's strength once again saw a substantial increase.

However, Lin Ke was not optimistic about Christina's situation after this return to Shadow City.

One or two times is fine, but not a third.

Christina sensed the change in Lin Ke's attitude toward her, said nothing, merely donned her clothes silently and left Rui Wo Si Si City.

This departure likely means she will never return.

Lin Ke washed his hands, found Mo Li and Jialuona, seeing Jialuona tightly hugging Mo Li, unwilling to let go, Jialuona remained silent.

A pitiful child.

Not disturbing Jialuona's seeking comfort with Mo Li, Lin Ke set off for a trip to "do whatever you want freely".

After hearing Asande's report, Lin Ke took out the gift he had prepared for Asande and Ruini's unborn child.

A set of jewelry personally refined by Lin Ke.

Beautiful in appearance, powerful in function.

It can slowly absorb ambient magical energy, gently nourish the body; although it cannot instantly and fundamentally boost a mage's aptitude much, it can help children develop better during the formation of their mage aptitude.

Afterwards, Lin Ke inspected the Grand family's industry, centered on the Grand Pharmacy and Grand Tea Shop, under Mo Li's supervision.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Considering the frequent separations, Mo Li was especially clingy these two nights.

If it weren't for her pregnancy, she would likely demand without limit.

Having tasted the marrow, she knows the flavor—exactly so.

Ah!!! Why did I have to get pregnant!!

Afraid to disturb the fetal qi, she couldn't even walk other paths, making Mo Li extremely depressed.

Born into nobility, her knowledge in this regard is no less than Lin Ke's.

However, this is the reality; no matter how depressed Mo Li gets, it's useless.

The time to part has come again.

Lin Ke performed several interworld transfers and returned to his loyal Grand Sage Legion.

"How is the situation?"

Upon entering the command hall of the newly equipped fifth-rank Star-Annihilation Fortress, Lin Ke immediately entered a working state.

The water-attributed fourth-rank demon that had set its sights on this watery world actually launched a counterattack, gathered an even larger legion, and returned with great force.

"Report, Legion Commander: scouting reveals that the abyssal demon army before us consists of two legions, with two fourth-rank demons—one water-attributed, one a force demon. Fourteen small abyssal gates have been built, two medium ones, and no signs yet of large abyssal gates being constructed."

Chief of Staff Dezoran Luo Rui briefly outlined the situation. The abyssal demons' black-hole-like portals are called abyssal gates by mages.

They come in large, medium, and small types.

Large ones are permanent interworld portals, capable of individual or mass teleportation, and are strategic in nature.

Medium ones are semi-permanent interworld portals, also capable of individual or mass teleportation, but the load for mass teleportation is limited, making them suitable only for small-group teleportation.

Small ones are likewise semi-permanent interworld portals, but can only perform individual teleportation.

"Hmm."

Lin Ke gazed at the huge screen before the command hall.

It displayed various information about the Grand Sage Legion, as well as intelligence on the abyssal demon army before them.

During the few days he was away, the Grand Sage Legion, upon detecting the enemy situation, followed protocol, calmly handled it, and had already scouted all available intelligence.

"Report the battle plan."

After gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the situation, Lin Ke issued orders.

"Yes, Legion Commander."

After receiving the order, the Chief of Staff immediately had the staff officers present the several battle plans Lin Ke had devised during his rise to fame in the Supreme Council, one by one.

While presenting them, he also explained.

The staff office synthesized various information and devised three battle plans.

First plan: build strong fortifications, fight a stubborn battle;

A star fleet centered on one fifth-rank Star-Annihilation Fortress and two fourth-rank Star-Annihilation Fortresses can steadily gain the upper hand in space combat;

Launch a strong frontal assault, advance inch by inch, steadily push the front line, continuously inflict casualties, finally seek a suitable opportunity, launch a decisive battle, and settle it with one blow.

Second plan: surprise attack;

Likewise leveraging the star fleet's advantage, while the abyssal demon army hasn't yet taken firm root, launch an all-out overwhelming breach to strike a great annihilation battle.

Third plan: standoff, attrition, tug-of-war, decisive battle.

Fighting this way mainly uses the logistical supply advantage to drag down the abyssal demon army.

After reviewing and listening to the three plans, Lin Ke fell silent in contemplation.

Overall, he was still very satisfied.

The water-attributed demon returned only after Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke's promotion to sage and the completion of the five-person envoy's screening.

Including Lin Ke's two days of rest at home, only three days have passed in total.

Under Lin Ke's delegation of authority, the Grand Sage Legion could independently scout intelligence and devise battle plans, performing quite well.

However, in Lin Ke's view, these three plans are too safe and steady, each one more conservative than the last.

Lin Ke is certainly not a reckless temperament, nor does he look down on the two abyssal demon legions before him.

On the contrary, Lin Ke places great importance on the abyssal demons, after all, the abyssal world civilization is, alongside the wizard world civilization, the gods' world civilization, and the undead world civilization, a top-tier existence in this universe.

That wizards can counter demons does not mean they can casually crush them.

Although examples of overturning are few, they are not nonexistent.

Precisely because he values them, Lin Ke wishes to be more aggressive.

This battle cannot be dragged out; it must be decided in one fight, directly taking down the abyssal demon army before us.

The great upheaval foretold by the Nostradamus Sage, which had not occurred in thousands of years, entered a new stage when the five-person envoy's mission to the parallel universe transmitted the sound "Fu Sheng Wu Liang" into Lin Ke's ears.

It is entirely foreseeable that in the near future, countless waves will arise, and heroes will rise one after another.

Lin Ke does not want his precious time wasted in conflict with the abyssal demons.

So…

Relay my orders: assemble, mobilize, prepare to attack, and execute Plan Zero.

Translation: "Convey my orders: assemble, ready the troops, prepare to attack, execute Plan Zero."

But need to keep meaning exactly: "Pass on my orders, gather, organize the troops, prepare to launch, carry out Plan Zero." Let's produce: "Pass on my orders, assemble, organize the troops, prepare to attack, execute Plan Zero."

We need to keep punctuation? The Chinese uses commas and a period inside quotes? Actually the line includes Chinese quotation marks 「」 and commas. We'll translate to English with commas and maybe a period at end. Keep meaning.

I'll output: "Pass on my orders, assemble, organize the troops, prepare to attack, execute Plan Zero."

Lin Ke made up his mind and issued the order resolutely.

Translation: "Lin Ke made up his mind and issued the order in an unyielding tone."

Lin Ke made up his mind and issued the order resolutely.

Chief of Staff Darozan Luo Rui was momentarily stunned, then quickly regained his composure.

Translation: "Chief of Staff De Luo Zan Luo Rui was slightly stunned, then quickly came to his senses."

He never expected the legion commander to be so aggressive.

Translation: "He really didn't expect the legion commander to be so radical."

It wasn't just him; perhaps the whole legion didn't see this coming.

Translation: "Not only him, possibly the entire legion, nobody had anticipated this."

But as a subordinate, once the legion commander has decided, faithfully executing it is simply one's duty.

Translation: "However, as a subordinate, once the legion commander has made a decision, faithfully carrying it out is one's duty."

The chief of staff promptly passed Lin Ke's order to all ranks of the Grand Sage Legion.

Translation: "The chief of staff immediately conveyed Lin Ke's orders to the entire Grand Sage Legion."

The three main regiments, the guard regiment, logistics, and all functional departments sprang into action.

Translation: "The three main force regiments, the guard regiment, logistics, and all functional departments sprang into action."

In space, the star fleet adjusted its formation.

Translation: "In space, the interstellar fleet adjusted its formation."

This maneuver caused a huge stir.

Translation: "This movement caused a great commotion."

The Abyssal demon army, stationed far from the star fleet, immediately detected the new development.

Translation: "The Abyssal Demon Army, facing off against the interstellar fleet at a distance, immediately noticed the new situation."

"The evil wizard has moved—what is he planning?"

Translation: "\"The wicked wizard has moved—what is he planning? \""

The newly promoted water‑attribute fourth‑rank demon had seen action in many campaigns, though only as a grunt.

Translation: "The newly promoted fourth‑stage water‑attribute demon had participated in battles before, but only as a \"foot soldier\"."

This is also its first time commanding troops in battle.

Translation: "This was also its first time leading troops into battle."

Thus, despite the power demon's low standing in the Abyss, the water‑attribute demon outwardly respects the power demon's wealth of battle experience.

Thus, even though the power demon's status in the Abyss is relatively low, the water‑attribute demon outwardly shows great respect for the power demon's rich combat experience.

But need to keep meaning: "Therefore, even though the power demon's standing in the Abyss is relatively low, the water‑attribute demon superficially holds the experienced power demon in high regard."

Let's produce: "Therefore, even though the power demon's status in the Abyss is relatively low, the water‑attribute demon outwardly respects the power demon's rich combat experience."

"Brace yourselves, the despicable wizard is about to engage us in a decisive battle."

Translation: "\"Get ready, the vile wizard is going to fight us to the death. \""

The power demon made a call based on real‑time reconnaissance.

Translation: "The power demon made a judgment based on real‑time reconnaissance."

"A decisive battle?"

Translation: "\"A showdown? \""

The water demon was astonished: "Is this really a decisive battle? Aren't you going to test the waters first?"

Translation: "The water demon was quite surprised: \"Is it really a showdown? No probing at all? \""

This comment fully reveals the water demon's inexperience.

Translation: "This remark fully exposed the water demon's lack of experience."

If it weren't for needing the water demon, the power demon wouldn't agree to a losing bargain.

Translation: "If it weren't for needing something from the water demon, the power demon would never make a losing deal."

"Just prepare to meet the enemy."

Translation: "\"Just get ready to meet the attack. \""

Sensing something amiss, the power demon gave a warning, left the water demon, and returned to his own legion.

Translation: "Feeling a slight bad premonition, the power demon dutifully gave a warning, left the water demon, and returned to its own legion."

Soon, the power demon's legion moved first, preparing to meet the enemy head‑on and to withdraw from the battlefield in time, fleeing back to the Abyss.

Translation: "Soon, the power demon legion took the lead, preparing to face the enemy head‑on and to withdraw from the battlefield in time, retreating to the Abyss."

Though the power demon's rank is low and often used as cannon fodder by higher demons, this one's wealth of combat experience means he naturally has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Translation: "The power demon's status is low, often used as cannon fodder by higher‑rank demons, but this one has rich combat experience, so naturally he has a few tricks up his sleeve."

Seeing the situation turn against him, he immediately withdrew.

Translation: "Seeing the situation turn bad, he immediately retreated."

This eight‑character saying is the power demon's battle creed.

Translation: "This eight‑character maxim is the power demon's combat heart sutra."

That is, this water demon has just been promoted, doesn't know these things, and so just asked this power demon to assist in battle.

Translation: "That is, this water demon had just been promoted, didn't understand these things, and therefore invited this power demon to assist in battle."

If it were any other veteran fourth‑rank demon, who would choose a power demon that loses battle after battle yet always survives as an ally?

Translation: "If it were any other veteran fourth‑stage demon, who would choose a power demon that constantly loses battles yet always survives as a partner?"

At Lin Ke's command, the Grand Sage Legion was fully battle‑ready in less than two quarters of an hour.

Translation: "Under Lin Ke's command, the Grand Sage Legion entered a full combat state in less than two quarters of an hour."

Plan Zero amounts to charging over and over.

Translation: "The so‑called Plan Zero is simply to charge, charge, and charge again."

In space.

Translation: "In space."

A level‑5 star‑fortress leads, with two level‑4 star‑fortresses on either side, forming an arrowhead.

Translation: "A level‑5 star‑annihilating fortress took the lead, with two level‑4 star‑annihilating fortifications on the left and right, the three forming an arrowhead."

The three main regiments embark on star‑warships, dividing into left, center, and right fleets that trail the arrowhead to form the shaft.

Translation: "The three main force regiments boarded the interstellar warships, splitting into left, center, and right fleets that followed behind the arrowhead, forming the shaft."

A few supply and repair ships stay at the rear, forming the arrow's tail.

Translation: "Several supply and repair ships remained at the rear, forming the tail."

The arrow formation is now complete.

Translation: "The arrowhead formation was complete."

Lin Ke gave the order: "All units, move out!"

Translation: "Lin Ke ordered: \"All forces, advance! \""

This is a genuine full‑scale sortie; the Grand Sage Legion committed everything to a charge against the Abyssal demon army.

Translation: "This time it was a true all‑out assault; the Grand Sage Legion threw everything into the charge against the Abyssal Demon Army."

Under the water and power demons' command, the Abyssal demon army did not pull back but met the attack in echelons.

Translation: "Under the command of the water demon and the power demon, the Abyssal Demon Army did not retreat directly but engaged in echelon formation."

The water demon's legion is up front, the power demon's legion brings up the rear.

Translation: "The water demon regiment led, the power demon regiment followed."

Perhaps something went awry; the connection between them is loose, presenting an opportunity.

Translation: "Perhaps something went wrong; the link between them was not tight, leaving an opening."

Lin Ke spotted this immediately, shifted his form, and teleported out of the star‑fortress.

Translation: "Lin Ke noticed this in time, moved his body, and teleported out of the star‑annihilating fortress."

Plan Zero means going all out—charge, charge, charge!

Translation: "Plan Zero means going all out—charge, charge, charge!"

As the legion commander, Lin Ke will lead the charge!