"Fools!" Shao Qi remarked, then explained, "Knowing their limited mobility, it was foolish to attack with artillery. It would have been wiser to wait for the sled team to arrive. Ground attacks should be primary and aerial support secondary. Aircraft should focus on picking off the escaping mutants. Now, the situation below is chaotic, and defenses are fortified."

Zhou You joked, "What does the military base promotions on? Surely not just on strength? This Major Ding doesn’t seem to have much combat experience."

"Pretty much. Especially those from martial sects, they have support and strength and start with high ranks in the military. Yet, they lack military knowledge and combat experience. It's baffling!"

Zhou You sighed, "Military commands should be left to professional officers. These novices will only cause chaos."

Shao Qi cut off Ding Xuesong's channel, taking over the command post. He ordered the aerial forces, "Cease fire and retreat one kilometer. Reassess our strategy."

Everyone paused upon hearing this unfamiliar voice. "Who's this? Did the ineffective Ding get someone else to lead?"

"It's Engineer Shao, isn't it?" Someone recognized Shao Qi's voice and promptly obeyed the cease-fire order.

There were rumors in the military zone that Engineer Shao was more than just a senior engineer. Not only was he accompanied by experts like Zhou You, but also three senior officers. Some speculated he might be connected to Marshal Shao.

The results of the attack were clear for all to see. Those with discernment realized this round of assault was far from optimal. Ceasing fire was the sensible choice.

Ding Xuesong realized his orders weren't being relayed. With the aircraft ceasing fire and retreating, he initially suspected communication malfunctions. But soon, a pilot gravely informed him, "Major, your command privileges have been overridden."

"What's this joke? Who would dare to do such a thing in the midst of battle? Who? How did they pull this off?" Ding Xuesong was furious.

"It sounded like Engineer Shao. I'm guessing, since all these aircraft are patented by the 6th Military Factory, maybe Engineer Shao inherently has ultimate authority?"

"Why's a technician meddling in command? Is he so special because he's from the central government?" Though Ding Xuesong ranted, he wasn't really angry. Given Engineer Shao's enigmatic status and his own mentor's respect for him, obeying Shao didn't seem too demeaning.

"Follow them closely! I want to see what they plan to do!"

Chapter 080: Every Bed Has Been Slept In.

The aircraft thus retreated a kilometer, hovering low, while Shao Qi activated the scanning system to monitor the ground activity.

Seeing the aircrafts retreat, the beasts hurried back into the forests. Those buried in the snow began to emerge, joining the exodus upon seeing the others flee.

Ding Xuesong was exasperated, "Pursue them! If they're fleeing, what's the point of this mission? Was this all for naught?"

Sadly, only those on his aircraft heard his outcry. It took a while for Shao Qi to issue his next order, "Find a landing spot. Once the ground forces arrive, we'll regroup."

"Major Ding, Engineer Shao has ordered everyone to land," relayed the pilot.

"What? What's he up to? Descend! I'll ask him directly. What is he planning?" While Ding Xuesong was assertive on the plane, he was much more submissive in front of Shao Qi.

With a smirk, he approached, "Ah, Engineer Shao, being from the central military group, you surely know better than us provincial folks. Care to advise how to proceed with this battle?"

Sipping from a thermos, Shao Qi spotted someone approaching on a sled from a distance. He scoffed at Ding Xuesong, "Major Ding, you've been too impatient. Your reckless bombardment scared the beasts away. Just half an hour more and we could've ambushed them. But since we're here, let's venture into the mountains and clear the surroundings."

"Enter the mountains?" Ding Xuesong paled, "Has Shao lost his mind? Taking us into the mountains? With starving mutated beasts lurking, if we encounter a fierce one, we won't even have a chance to flee."

"Look... Mr. Shao, we were only given orders to exterminate the mutated beasts outside the mountains. Venturing inside requires permission from Commander Ren. Moreover, we're not adequately equipped or provisioned for such a journey; it's too risky."

Miao Miao arrived just in time to hear this. She circled Ding Xuesong and rapped his head with her ski pole. "Oh, Lieutenant Ding, haven’t you ever been to the Yunlan Mountains? How did you get promoted to your rank? By leveraging your master's connections?" It was an open secret in the Jiangnan Military District. Not just Ding, many favored disciples of various sects secured high positions due to their sect connections.

Their martial arts might be more potent than the average soldier's, but their capabilities as battle leaders were questionable. Some rarely even took on missions.

"Ma'am, that's unfair to say. I am an honorable Senior Martial Artist. How could you insinuate I rode on my master's coattails?"

"Oh? So how many mutated beasts have you killed? How many times have you ventured into the Yunlan Mountains? If you're so scared, maybe you should go home and drink milk!"

Zhou You nearly laughed, overhearing the fiery exchange. He knew this lady had a hot temper, but he didn't expect her to be this sharp-tongued. If another man had said this to Ding Xuesong, there might have been a sword fight.

More people began arriving. A ten-thousand strong force could easily clear a mountain range. Zhou You couldn't comprehend why the Jiangnan Military District didn't engage in more real combat training. A full battalion was always safer than a lone exploration team.

Perhaps bolstered by the numbers, Ding Xuesong seemed no longer afraid and even proactively ordered everyone to move into the mountains.

Shao Qi gave a signal to Zhuo Hao, who nodded, fired a shot into the air to attract attention, and then loudly introduced himself, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Zhuo Hao, Commander of the 1st Battalion, Central Army's Flame Division. Beside me are Colonel Qin, Commander of the 3rd Battalion, and Lieutenant Colonel Miao Miao, Deputy Commander of the 5th Battalion. We are taking over the mission. Everyone, heed our commands!"