Samuel Carter only realized after hearing Ethan Brooks's words that it seemed the other side really hadn't lost many people; every time they were defeated, they just retreated a little, and anyway, this territory originally belonged to the neutral zone.

“Mr. Ethan, are you saying the other side is retreating on purpose?” Brian Cooper saw through it.

Ethan Brooks nodded and said, “That should be the case. I think the other side wants our army to launch a sneak attack on them, then drive them into the basin.”

Samuel Carter opened his mouth wide. “You mean they want to get themselves killed?”

Jack Brooks sneered coldly, “Get themselves killed? Of course they wouldn't do that. Instead, as soon as our army enters their camp, they'll immediately escape into the basin.”

“In that case, if we release the water, wouldn't they be seeking death?” Brian Cooper was also confused.

But Ethan Brooks shook his head and said, “Retreating into the basin may get them flooded, but it doesn't mean they're seeking death. As for why, I haven't figured it out yet. A hundred thousand troops in the basin getting flooded—could they possibly fly? But I'm sure the other side is prepared, so if we stay here, it's a dead end.”

Samuel Carter frowned and said, “Maybe the other side really hasn't thought of it. If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have thought of it either.”

Ethan Brooks said bitterly, “Is it really that hard to figure out? Anyone with a bit of brains could think of it. I just can't figure out how they plan to withstand the flood in the basin—that's the flaw.” He lowered his head in thought.

But Samuel Carter said, “Even if they can fly away in the water, we won't lose much. At most, a sneak attack would cost us three to five thousand men, maybe even less. So you're overthinking it.”

Ethan Brooks gave a cold laugh. “No loss? As they escape, they'll set fires. Look at where they're camped—if they set fires here, do you think the troops sneaking in can escape?”

“I've been there. It's all bare plains—how could they set a fire?” Brian Cooper interjected.

“It's bare now, but once a fire starts, it won't be bare anymore. I'm sure their camps are densely packed in this narrow area, and there aren't many people in each camp. These camps are all built with flammable materials—just a spark and the whole place will go up in flames. That's how they'd set a fire.” Ethan Brooks pointed to the map of Liujin Nation's camp drawn on the ground.

Samuel Carter and Brian Cooper gaped for a long time before saying, “So ruthless! If they can escape, once they set the fire and wait for us to release the water, then counterattack, our men will be tormented by both fire and water.”

Ethan Brooks nodded, “That's probably it.”

But Brian Cooper said, “So our plan has already been discovered by the other side?”

Ethan Brooks nodded again, “Even this kind of idiotic plan counts as a plan. The most critical thing now is how the other side will prevent the flooding. At least, I haven't figured it out yet. But I think they're definitely preparing something. Otherwise, they wouldn't wait for us to attack before counterattacking—they could just release the water now.”

“It's fine. Even so, we'll only lose a portion of our men. A sneak attack on this camp should only take two or three thousand men.” Samuel Carter sighed, still a bit worried about the fate of their own army.

Ethan Brooks shook his head, “You're too naive. Do you think there's only one breach in the Tongliu River? If we can break the dike, can't the other side do the same?”

“But even if the other side sneaks to the other side of the Tongliu River and breaks the dike, they still can't drown our army. The terrain where we're stationed is high.” Samuel Carter didn't really believe their side would be drowned; in his view, at most they'd lose a few thousand men in the sneak attack.

Ethan Brooks waved his hand, “It's precisely because our army thinks they're on high ground and can't be drowned that they're doomed.”

“How so, Mr. Ethan?” Brian Cooper seemed mystified, completely forgetting his own situation.

“Look, our army is stationed on high ground, right? If the Tongliu River's water wasn't blocked, maybe nothing would happen. But now both sides are definitely blocking the river, so the water level will rise a lot. Once the dike breaks, our army will have only one escape route—toward the rocky shoal. Look here…” As he spoke, Ethan Brooks drew another spot on the ground.

“Ethan Brooks, you mean the other side will ambush heavy troops here?” Samuel Carter wasn't stupid; with Ethan Brooks's explanation, he understood immediately.

“If we don't run and just hide in the camp, since the terrain is high, the water can't reach us.” Brian Cooper's words sounded a bit childish.

But Ethan Brooks said, “Since it's a plan, that must have been taken into account. Even though I don't know what method they'll use, they've definitely thought of it—no doubt.”

Samuel Carter and Brian Cooper stared blankly at Ethan Brooks. Suddenly, Brian Cooper said, “Mr. Ethan, I feel like you've changed a lot these past few days.”

Chapter 006 Leave Immediately

Ethan Brooks stiffened, then quickly said, “We're about to die, of course I'd get clever in a crisis. It's all forced out of me. Now let's think about how to deal with what's coming.”

“So what should we do? Can we tell the squad leader this news before we leave?” Samuel Carter was still a bit worried about the army of Zheyun Nation.