Ch. 15811599. When Did Losing a Battle Start Counting as Merit?
Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- The human army continues to expand, with the New Star Legion reaching 20 million and various Territories organizing Militia teams to assist in combat.
- Dang Zhixian, leading the Advancing Legion, achieves 15 consecutive victories, advancing the battle line to seven kilometers from the Sand Valley.
- The Command Department promotes Dang Zhixian to commander-in-chief of the Advancing Legion, commanding 500,000 troops.
- The Alien Race sets up an ambush in Mingsha Valley, aiming to encircle and kill the Advancing Legion.
- Dang Zhixian leads the legion to destroy four strongholds, advancing the battle line to 16 kilometers, before falling into the Alien Race's ambush.
Character Developments
- Dang Zhixian: Despite his initial success, he is revealed to be working against the humans, aiming to lead them into the Alien Race's trap. He is shocked by the human soldiers' willingness to sacrifice themselves for the War God's cause.
- Feng Long: He demonstrates bravery and selflessness, rallying 30,000 soldiers to act as the Rearguard, buying time for the legion to break through the encirclement.
- Bai Jian: He arrives with the Advancing Legion to meet Dang Zhixian after the ambush, smiling enigmatically, suggesting he knows about Dang Zhixian's true intentions.
Significant Themes
- Sacrifice and selflessness: The human soldiers' willingness to sacrifice themselves for the War God's cause highlights the theme of selflessness and sacrifice in the face of adversity.
- Deception and betrayal: Dang Zhixian's true intentions and the Alien Race's ambush underscore the themes of deception, betrayal, and the consequences of underestimating one's enemies.
- The cost of victory: The ambush and the subsequent battle emphasize the high cost of victory, both in terms of lives and the moral ambiguity of using others as pawns in a grand scheme.
Character Interactions
- Dang Zhixian and Feng Long: Despite their initial camaraderie, Dang Zhixian's true intentions put him at odds with Feng Long, who demonstrates genuine bravery and selflessness.
- Dang Zhixian and Bai Jian: Bai Jian's enigmatic smile suggests he knows about Dang Zhixian's betrayal, hinting at a potential confrontation between them.
- The human soldiers and the War God: The soldiers' willingness to act as the Rearguard for the War God demonstrates their loyalty and faith in their leader, even in the face of certain death.