24: The Mohists break through the barriers and launch a surprise attack on the mine, delivering a great gift (Part 1)

Over the Blackrock Clan valley, war clouds gathered, and despair like a tangible haze shrouded the heart of every Blackrock Clan warrior. Dozens of miles away at Outpost Base No. 1, the atmosphere was as taut as a bowstring, filled with determination and a grim air.

Lin Zhou's oracle of 'Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao' was like a lightning bolt that split the stalemate. Elwin did not hesitate for a moment and immediately began to mobilize his forces. All mobile forces within the base were quickly assembled.

[Surprise Attack Force Composition]: Commander-in-Chief: Hero Elwin (LV 16 Literary Heart Elves)

Main Assault: Elf Rangers * 25 (LV 14 average, [Fierce as Fire] main force); Elf Rangers (Elite) * 8 (LV 16 average, infiltration, sniping, sabotage)

Engineering and Barrier Breaking: Tiangong Dwarf Engineers * 3 (LV 18 average, carrying demolition tools, simple scaling ladders); Lightforged Gnomes Technicians * 2 (LV 19, responsible for energy interference, equipment hacking)

Remote Support and Transport: Mixed Operation Group 5 (responsible for operating [Light Machine Crossbows] 2, needing rapid mobility, only carrying two); Law Murloc Enforcers * 5 (LV 10, responsible for maintaining battlefield discipline, guarding prisoners, and transporting materials)

Total Strength: 48 units. Core Tactics: High-speed mobility, precision strikes, sabotage as the priority, and occupation as secondary.

"Our target is the largest and most productive [Quenched Mine] on the outskirts of Furnace Fortress!" Elwin stood on the commanding platform, his voice cold and firm. The mine location he had marked on the map flashed with a dangerous red light. "According to Ranger reconnaissance, after Baroque took away the main force, the mine garrison is less than one hundred, and most are second-line troops. However, the mine's fortifications are complete, possessing guard towers, perimeter walls, and fixed crossbows."

"The key to this battle lies in being 'fast' and 'ruthless'! Strike once and hit, create maximum chaos and destruction, forcing Baroque to return for reinforcements! Set off!"

Without any extra mobilization, the surprise attack force was like a blade in the shadows, silently sliding out of the base and following the relatively hidden path explored in advance by the Elf Rangers, heading straight for the Quenched Mine.

Lin Zhou's consciousness mostly followed Elwin's surprise attack force, while a small part remained in the Blackrock Clan valley, keeping an eye on the imminent war situation there. He was like a brilliant chess player, simultaneously placing pieces at both ends of the chessboard.

The surprise attack force, under the weak blessing of [Swift as the Wind], moved rapidly through the dim underground passages. The agility of the Elves and the terrain adaptability of the Dwarves and Gnomes were displayed to the fullest at this moment. About three hours later (Divine Domain time), the team arrived at the outskirts of the Quenched Mine.

Hiding behind a huge rock emitting the scent of sulfur, Elwin carefully observed the target.

[Quenched Mine]: Scale: Medium-sized mine, built against the mountain, with a five-meter-high Blackrock perimeter wall on the outside, featuring patrol paths and three wooden guard towers.

Garrison: Gray Dwarves mine guards * 70 (LV 12-14, equipment ordinary, morale average); Gray Dwarves crossbowmen * 20 (LV 13-15, distributed on guard towers and perimeter walls); Gray Dwarves foremen/leaders * 3 (LV 16-18); Fixed large crossbows * 2 (covering main passages).

Inside: Visible busy Gray Dwarves miners and slaves (mainly Underground Gnomes and a few other races), several mine entrances, and smelting sheds emitting thick smoke.

Defense weaknesses: Perimeter walls in disrepair with several not-so-obvious cracks; guard tower vision has blind spots; the garrison is clearly slack and has not entered a state of high alert.

"Sure enough, the main force was taken away, and the defense here is empty." Elwin felt settled in his heart and quickly formulated an attack plan.

"Ranger squad, prioritize clearing the guard tower crossbowmen and fixed crossbow operators! It must be silent!"

"Engineers, survey the most vulnerable parts of the perimeter wall and prepare for demolition!"

"Elf Rangers main force, after the demolition is successful, follow me to charge and suppress the perimeter wall guards immediately!"

"Crossbow group, find a suitable shooting position, cover the charge, and aim at the internal sheds and any possible reinforcements!"

"Law Murloc Enforcers, follow closely, control the miners, and collect loot!"

Orders were clearly issued, and each unit began to operate like precise gears.

Eight Elf Rangers dispersed like ghosts, using rocks and shadows to silently approach the mine. Their [Stealth] skills worked extremely well in the dim environment. Soon, the Gray Dwarves crossbowmen responsible for lookout duties and operating crossbows on the three guard towers were pierced through the throat by precise arrows from behind or the side, unable to even let out a scream.

At the same time, three Tiangong Dwarf Engineers, with the help of Lightforged Gnomes instruments, quickly locked onto an area on the perimeter wall that appeared solid but was actually loose inside due to years of mineral erosion. They skillfully placed the [Simple Demolition Tubes] (made from captured low-quality chaos crystals and black powder) they had brought.

"Ready!" the engineer signaled. Elwin took a deep breath and raised the repeating crossbow in his hand. "Demolish!"

"Boom—!!!" With a muffled roar, that part of the perimeter wall collapsed in the violent explosion, rubble flying and revealing a huge gap large enough for five warriors to pass through side by side! The explosion and the thick smoke and dust instantly shattered the peace of the mine!

"Enemy attack!!" "The wall is broken! Hurry and block the gap!" The garrison inside the mine finally reacted, shouting in panic as they rushed to the gap.

"Elf Rangers! Charge!" Elwin took the lead, like a bolt of white lightning, rushing through the smoke-filled gap first! The [Vast Righteous Qi] Domain unfolded instantly, the pale golden light dispelling part of the smoke and energizing the Elf Rangers behind him!

"Swish swish swish—!" The Elf Rangers followed closely, pouring a rain of arrows at the rushing Gray Dwarves guards while they charged! Under the blessing of [Fierce as Fire], their attacks were extremely swift, and the first wave of contact turned a dozen Gray Dwarves guards attempting to block the gap into hedgehogs!

The two crossbows in the rear also began to roar, thick crossbow bolts crossing the perimeter wall and accurately hitting a smelting shed that was emitting smoke and a group of gathered Gray Dwarves reinforcements, causing secondary explosions and chaos! The battle instantly reached a white-hot stage.