Following Fang Yu's command, the army he led quickly charged forward alongside the Salted Fish.

Ma Rui already showed a look of despair, like a vicious wolf with no choice but to bare its teeth and yelp softly at the opponent.

He continually attempted to lead his troops in a breakout, but Kong Huaao had already led his army to block him.

As a captain of the South Sea Third Army of the Duorong Federation, the troops led by Kong Huaao matched his personal style and character closely.

Underneath a calm exterior lay sharp hostility.

When Ma Rui tried to break through, attacking like a mad dog, Kong Huaao and his army coolly withstood the onslaught of the Purification Army.

Moreover, the moment the aggressive Purification Army exposed a flaw, he did not hesitate and immediately unleashed a barrage, sinking those warlord ships that hadn't had time to react along the breach.

If Fang Yu could be said to be a young and vigorous swordsman, when encountering an enemy, he would give his all, seizing every opportunity to defeat them.

Then Kong Huaao was an experienced and seasoned hunter.

He remained calm and composed, not letting the advantage sway him into reckless aggression.

He still ordered his troops to steadily and firmly defend with precision at this stage.

And yet...

Kong Huaao's insight was exceptionally keen, not just blindly defending or obstructing; at the sight of an opponent's obvious flaw, he audaciously attacked, using more aggressive tactics than anyone else to critically wound the enemy.

He either didn't strike, or struck decisively with deadly intent.

Fang Yu's troop at the rear pressed forward with relentless momentum.

At the front, Kong Huaao, like a veteran covering for the youth, effortlessly held Ma Rui's Purification Army beyond the front line.

They couldn't advance an inch.

Ma Rui grew more alarmed as he fought, gradually losing morale.

He was like a defeated dog, with his extensive combat experience offering no resilience against despair, only showing him his doom.

He understood that in such circumstances, even breaking out would be a terrible ordeal.

Out of two thousand warships, how many could truly escape and return intact to Ijima under encirclement from both sides?

Five hundred ships?

Or perhaps three hundred...

Ma Rui didn't know, but he was sure that at minimum, over half of the troops would be lost to successfully break through and return to Ijima.

But... does such a breakout have meaning?

Even if all those warships make it back alive to Ijima, they would just be besieged there by the Duorong Federation's forces.

No real assault is necessary; surrounding them for just over a week without food and fresh water would cause the stationed soldiers to collapse from within, unable to hold the island.

The opponent could easily force the garrison on Ijima to surrender without losing a single soldier.

Is this what Ma Rui wanted to see?

Clearly not!

His incredibly rich battlefield experience made Ma Rui aware...

The future path is a dead end unless a miracle occurs; there's no chance of turning the tables.

...

A dead-end?

Ma Rui's eyes were filled with confusion, like a wounded and solitary beast, licking its wounds, attempting a last gasp of survival.

Indeed... power and status are things that could lead one to the abyss.

If he hadn't chased after military ranks and proceeded steadily, he would have never exposed such a flaw.

But... there are no ifs!

As a general and commander, Ma Rui knew this wasn't a time to regret.

He gazed at the smoke and fire from the cannons around him, watching pieces of ships float up in the blue expanse.

In that moment, Ma Rui made the most advantageous and insane decision in dire circumstances.

"Everyone, abandon the breakout, reform the lines, and make a last stand!"

Standing atop the deck, Ma Rui straightened majestically again, reigniting his fighting spirit after making this choice, as if reborn.

He declared loudly, "Whether we break through or not, we have lost this battle."

"But, if we can exchange for the opponent's equal-tonnage ships, this battle won't be lost too miserably."

"For the dream of founding Sea Country, what is life worth? Purification Army, reform the lines!"

"In this war, we will die, but... even in death, we will cripple their fleet!"

Ma Rui's voice, amplified through his Energy Level, echoed out strongly so that not only the Purification Army heard him but even the troops of the Duorong Federation did too.

Everyone was moved at this moment.

Regardless of his decisions and military skills, at least Ma Rui showed enough valor and backbone at this moment.

He stood proudly on the deck, like an undefeated and defiant general, glaring at Fang Yu, Kong Huaao, and the others.

And the soldiers behind Ma Rui, inspired by his spirit, had blood rushing with resolute determination in their eyes.

"Even if we die in battle, we'll sink their ships!!"

"Even if we die in battle, we'll sink their ships!!"

"Even if we die in battle, we'll sink their ships!!"

Shouted loudly from the throats of the Marine Army's soldiers.

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