34: Iron Tide of Night: Infinite City at Greystone Castle

Five days passed in a flash.

The gears of Infinite City operated efficiently and precisely under Su Jin's will.

In the evening.

Inside the Lords Manor's council hall.

Su Jin sat in the main seat, his fingers rhythmically tapping the table, his gaze calmly fixed on the space before him.

Ten blurry black figures appeared silently, as if seeping from the air, and knelt on one knee.

"My Lord," the leading 'Shadow' said in a low voice, "The internal situation of Greystone Keep has been fully investigated. Defensive deployments, troop distribution, command center locations, and the positions of granaries and armories have all been mapped."

As he spoke, he presented a rolled-up beast hide map with both hands.

Su Jin took it, his gaze quickly scanning over it. The map was extremely detailed, even showing the patrol routes of the guard shifts and the locations of hidden sentries.

"Very good." Su Jin nodded slightly, very satisfied with the 'Shadow's' efficiency.

"Furthermore," another 'Shadow' interjected, "we have uncovered an important piece of intelligence. Half a month ago, Goblin King Bashaka personally led a large army to conquer the Elf of Twilight Forest. Currently, both armies are locked in a stalemate on the outskirts of Twilight Forest, and the battle is extremely fierce."

"Oh?" Su Jin's eyebrow twitched. This news was somewhat unexpected, but for Infinite City, it was undoubtedly good news. The Goblin King's main force being tied up meant that Greystone Keep had lost its most crucial reinforcements, and it was even possible that some of its internal forces had been redeployed.

This was simply a godsend opportunity!

"Goblin King... Twilight Forest Elf..." Su Jin's finger gently tapped the location of Greystone Keep on the map. "It seems Bashaka couldn't wait any longer. Did something influence him? Regardless, this is good for us. It seems we can be bolder in our actions..."

Su Jin collected his thoughts and looked back at the ten 'Shadows'.

"Very good, your intelligence is crucial. Now, return to Greystone Keep and, according to the original plan, create chaos internally to support the main force's siege."

"Understood!" The ten black figures responded in unison, then melted back into the shadows and disappeared.

Su Jin stood up and said in a deep voice, "Issue an order to summon the four commanders, Stone Rock, Mu Yang, Zhui Yun, and Huo Jun, to the council hall immediately!"

The order was relayed, and before long, the four commanders arrived in a hurry.

Su Jin's gaze swept over them, and he immediately unfurled the detailed map of Greystone Keep he had just received: "The 'Shadows' have sent back the latest intelligence. The internal situation of Greystone Keep is now fully within our grasp."

He paused, then dropped the bombshell: "More importantly, the Goblin King's main army is currently entangled in Twilight Forest, fighting fiercely with the Elf, unable to spare any attention."

At these words, the four commanders showed various expressions, their excitement evident.

"My Lord, your humble subordinate requests to lead the troops immediately!" Stone Rock eagerly volunteered, his voice as loud as a bell.

Although Mu Yang and the others did not speak, they looked at Su Jin with anticipation, and even Bai Xiao, who was standing by, involuntarily turned his body.

Su Jin placed his hands on the map on the table, leaning slightly forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and his voice reached their ears: "The opportunity has indeed presented itself."

"Greystone Keep must be taken. But this is only the beginning."

He paused, his finger slowly tracing a large area south from the location of Greystone Keep.

"But a single Greystone Keep is not enough."

Everyone's breath hitched.

"After taking Greystone Keep," Su Jin's voice was calm, yet seemed to carry an aura of sweeping all before him.

"We will use it as a pivot point and march south! While the Goblin and Elf are locked in fierce combat, we will clear out all strongholds north of Goblin King City! Not one will be left! This will create the conditions for us to conquer Goblin King City!"

At these words, not only Stone Rock, but even Mu Yang and Huo Jun gasped. This plan was even bolder and more thorough than they had initially imagined!

But thinking about it, wasn't it even more exciting...?

Su Jin looked at the thoroughly ignited fighting spirit of his generals, a slight smile playing on his lips, and a surge of ambition rose within him. He stood up and surveyed everyone: "Deliver my command!"

"All forces assemble! Conduct final preparations! In one hour, march on Greystone Keep!"

"Yes!" Everyone responded with a roar, their fighting spirit boiling.

One hour later.

Outside Infinite City, battle flags fluttered, and a murderous aura soared to the sky.

An elite force, including the recently recruited Sublimations, had assembled and was ready to depart.

Five hundred Elite Strong Bow Soldiers carried longbows, the arrowheads in their quivers glinting with cold light under the fire's glow.

Five hundred Elite Heavy Shield Guards formed an iron phalanx, their massive shields standing like a mountain.

Five hundred Elite Halberd Warriors held long halberds, their blades reflecting the moonlight, radiating a murderous aura.

One thousand Elite Azure Lightning Cavalry Guards sat astride their warhorses, both riders and mounts armored, their long spears pointing diagonally at the sky, poised for action.

Twenty Elite Mithril Heavy Shields, twenty Elite Riftwind Archers, and twenty Elite Zhenyue Halberd Guards stood at the very front of their respective troop types, exuding the powerful aura of Silver-tier units.

Fifty Spirit Pivot Sword Servants guarded Su Jin's side, their longswords sheathed, a sharp sword intent emanating around them.

Su Jin, clad in armor, stood atop the city wall, with Bai Xiao attending behind him.

His gaze swept over the orderly and solemn army below, feeling the soaring fighting spirit and murderous aura, his heart filled with heroic ambition.

"Advance!" Su Jin's arm swung sharply forward.

"Whoosh—" A deep horn blast sounded, piercing the night sky.

The army set off!

Iron hooves thundered, shaking the earth, and the steel torrent surged forward, galloping towards Greystone Keep, shrouded in the night to the south.

...

The night was as dark as ink, without stars or moon.

Greystone Keep, this Goblin city standing on the edge of Nigu Forest, was still immersed in a false tranquility.

Goblin sentries on the city walls yawned, and patrol teams routinely walked their fixed routes, completely unaware that disaster was about to strike.

Inside the fortress, in several hidden corners, shadows writhed like living things.

Ten black figures silently dispersed, like seeds sown by the Grim Reaper, quickly infiltrating various vital areas of the fortress.

Suddenly!

"Boom!" With a loud bang, a huge flame erupted from the direction of Greystone Keep's granary, its light instantly illuminating half the night sky!

"Fire! The granary is on fire!" A piercing cry broke the silence.

Immediately after, explosions and shouts of battle came from the direction of the armory!

"Enemy attack! Enemies have snuck in!"

"Quick, put out the fire!"

"Guard the armory!"

In an instant, the entire Greystone Keep was like a disturbed hornet's nest, completely erupting.

The Goblins panicked, scrambling everywhere, commands, shouts, and screams mixing into a chaotic mess.

The defenders on the city walls were also stunned by this sudden turn of events, craning their necks to look inside the fortress, their attention completely drawn.

Just then, at the heavy city gate of Greystone Keep.

The dozen or so Goblin warriors guarding the city gate hadn't even reacted to what was happening when they saw a blur before their eyes, as several white figures flashed past like ghosts!

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The cold sword light was like the sudden appearance of moonlight, too fast for anyone to discern its trajectory.

Soul Cry Slash!

Accompanied by the sweeping, sharp sword energy, the Goblin warriors guarding the gate fell limply to the ground before they could even let out a scream!

Fifty Spirit Pivot Sword Servants, like efficient killing machines, cleared out the city gate guards in just one encounter.

Several Sword Servants stepped forward, swiftly and skillfully disabling the gate's locking mechanism, then together pushed open the heavy, iron-clad wooden gate.

"Creak—Squeak—"

Amidst the grating friction, the main gate of Greystone Keep slowly opened! It led to the darkness outside the city, and also to death!

Outside the city, Huo Jun, who had long been poised for action, saw the signal from the city wall and sharply pointed his long spear forward!

"Azure Lightning Cavalry Guard! For Infinite City!!"

"Charge!!"

"Rumble rumble rumble—!!!"

One thousand Elite Azure Lightning Cavalry Guards surged like thunder, a torrent of iron hooves, erupting instantly!