39: The Sword Master has fallen! Greystone Castle finally changes hands!

A massive crater, still emitting wisps of smoke and a burnt smell, appeared in the area where the fortress once stood.

The soil at the edges of the pit, under the dual effects of high temperature and powerful energy impact, showed a glazed luster, a truly shocking sight.

Amidst the distorted heatwaves and the lingering energy halo, the figure slowly became clear.

The azure sword-light had dimmed to its extreme, like a flickering candle in the wind, threatening to extinguish at any moment.

Only a few sporadic flashes of electricity remained.

The owner of the figure leaned on his sword, the tip deeply embedded in the scorched ground.

He still stood ramrod straight, his chest rising and falling slightly.

It was Bai Xiao.

Not far in front of him, a broken body lay amidst the rubble.

That was Ugluk.

The Goblin warlord's armor was completely shattered, revealing his scorched and shriveled body.

His right hand, along with the giant black battle-blade, was nowhere to be seen.

The Cutat his right shoulder was smooth as a mirror, with a faint trace of azure lightning lingering.

Ugluk's sole remaining eye struggled to open a slit, his pupil reflecting Bai Xiao's figure, and... the sky behind him, which was beginning to lighten.

"Ho... ho..." A leaky sound came from his throat; he seemed to want to say something, but only bubbles and bloody foam emerged.

Finally, he struggled to pull at the corner of his mouth, as if he was smiling, and as if he was sighing.

"What a pity..."

The faint voice dissipated in the wind, and that single eye completely lost its luster.

The Goblin Kingdom's Northern Military Governor, 'Sword Saint' Ugluk, had fallen.......

Witnessing the end of his opponent, Bai Xiao's taut will also seemed to reach its limit.

His body swayed violently, the arm holding the sword trembled fiercely, his knees buckled, and he was about to fall to his knees.

Just then, a steady and strong hand gently supported him.

Bai Xiao paused, tilted his head slightly, and saw the newcomer.

Su Jin had appeared behind him at some point, his gentle hand steadying his collapsing body.

"It wouldn't be very graceful for our great hero to collapse here," Su Jin's voice carried a hint of relaxed laughter, breaking the dead silence of the place.

Bai Xiao did not speak, but silently and with more effort straightened his back, pulled the sword from the ground, and re-gripped it in his hand.

"Cough..." Bai Xiao coughed softly, a trace of blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth.

He remained impassive, using the back of his hand to casually wipe it away as he sheathed his sword.

Su Jin seemed not to notice and continued, "Your mission was perfectly executed.

Now that Ugluk is dead, the overall situation at Greystone Keep is settled.

Next... it's up to Mu Yang and the others to clean up the aftermath."

"My Lord, I can still fight," Bai Xiao's voice rang out, but it lacked some of its usual sharpness, replaced by a hoarseness.

"I know," Su Jin smiled, his gaze turning to the distance where the sounds of battle were gradually subsiding, indicating it would soon be over.

"But for now, you need to rest.

The future of Infinite City still needs you."

"And, you must trust our comrades."

Bai Xiao was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

He knew that Su Jin was speaking the truth.

His current condition was indeed no longer suitable for battle.

To persist would only make him a burden.

........

A moment later

"My Lord!"

"My Lord!"

Several figures quickly approached; it was Huo Jun, Mu Yang, and the other four commanders who had finished the battle at the west camp.

They had already seen Ugluk's body in the center of the ruins when they arrived, and seeing Bai Xiao's current weak state, their faces showed expressions of surprise and admiration.

The battle at the west camp had already settled.

Under the combined assault of the four elite units, the Goblin garrison's resistance was easily torn apart like paper.

In the later stages of the battle, it almost turned into a chase and slaughter.

The Goblins' numerical advantage seemed meaningless in the face of an absolute disparity in combat power and powerful tactical coordination.

"I told you, Brother Bai Xiao would definitely be fine!" Stone Rock recalled Ugluk in the center of the ruins and said in a booming voice, with obvious admiration, "That guy looked tough, but Brother Bai Xiao still cut him down!"

Zhui Yun put away his longbow and saluted Su Jin: "My Lord, the west side has been cleared.

Approximately one thousand Goblins were captured, most of the rest were annihilated, and a few scattered.

Our army is currently in pursuit." His tone was as aggressive as ever.

Mu Yang, beside him, added, "My unit has begun to clear the battlefield, tallying casualties and spoils of war.

There is still sporadic resistance within the fortress, but arrangements have been made to deal with it."

He always did things meticulously.

Huo Jun, however, looked at Bai Xiao, a hint of worry on his gentle face: "Lord Bai Xiao, are you alright?"

Bai Xiao shook his head slightly: "I'm fine."

Su Jin patted Bai Xiao's shoulder, signaling him to relax a bit, then turned to the four commanders: "Very good.

Mu Yang, take a portion of the Halberd Warriors and Heavy Shield Guards, with Stone Rock assisting, to continue clearing out the remaining enemies within the fortress.

Speed up the process; we must completely control Greystone Keep before dawn."

"Yes!" Mu Yang and Stone Rock responded in unison.

"Huo Jun, have your cavalry control the perimeter, pursuing the fleeing stragglers to prevent them from relaying messages or regrouping for a counterattack."

"Understood!" Huo Jun saluted.

"Zhui Yun, your archers need to occupy the high ground and monitor the entire battlefield to provide support to the clearing units at any time."

"Understood," Zhui Yun nodded.

With the orders given, the four commanders immediately sprang into action.

Mu Yang and Stone Rock led their troops to begin the final sweep of the remaining resistance within Greystone Keep.

The sounds of battle and clashing weapons sporadically resumed, but their scale and intensity were far less than before.

Su Jin, accompanied by Bai Xiao, walked together towards the makeshift command post temporarily set up at the edge of the ruins.

.......

Time slowly passed.

In the eastern sky, a touch of dawn began to appear.

The first ray of morning light pierced through the darkness that enveloped the land, falling upon the recently war-torn Greystone Keep.

Broken walls, scorched earth, scattered weapons, and... the Infinite City flag, planted at the highest point of the ruins, fluttering in the wind.

Inside Greystone Keep, Infinite City soldiers were visible everywhere, cleaning the battlefield and patrolling.

The sporadic sounds of resistance within the fortress had completely subsided.

Mu Yang and Stone Rock came before Su Jin to report; their armor was stained with blood, but their eyes were bright.

"My Lord, all resistance within Greystone Keep has been cleared, and Greystone Keep is now under our control!"

Su Jin nodded, looking towards the rising sun.

The golden sunlight dispelled the last of the gloom and shone upon his face.

The morning sun cast a warm golden hue over the fortress, which had just undergone a baptism of blood and fire.

Su Jin took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart.

After a night of fierce fighting, the formidable enemy had finally been defeated.

This sturdy fortress, which guarded the southern passage of Nigu Forest, was now in the hands of Infinite City.

"Let's go," Su Jin said to everyone, "Let's go see our spoils of war."

He led the way, stepping out.

Bai Xiao and the others silently followed.......

The sunlight completely dispelled the darkness, illuminating the battered yet reborn fortress.

Greystone Keep, this sturdy fortress that once belonged to the Goblins, would from today onward bear the insignia of Infinite City.

A new chapter was slowly unfolding on this blood-stained land.