25: The Mohists break through the barriers and launch a surprise attack on the mine, delivering a great gift (Part 2)

The battle at the Quenching Forge Mine was a one-sided affair from the very beginning.

The defenders were already at a disadvantage in terms of both numbers and quality, and they were further dazed by this sudden, precise, and ruthless strike. Led by Elwin, the Elf Rangers were like a hot knife through butter, swiftly tearing through the Gray Dwarves' hastily organized defense line and pushing deep into the mine.

After neutralizing the threat from the watchtowers, the Elf Ranger also joined the battlefield. They occupied the high ground like the eyes of the Grim Reaper, coldly picking off any Gray Dwarf overseers or leaders attempting to organize a resistance.

The Tiangong Dwarf Engineers and Lightforged Gnome Technicians focused on technical sabotage. They used their tools to paralyze the lifting mechanisms at the mine entrance, blew up the main Ore cart tracks, and, under the guidance of the Lightforged Gnomes, attempted to disrupt the mine's core energy supply—a small device that used geothermal energy to drive forge hammers.

The Law Fishmen strictly carried out their duties. They silently followed behind the assault team, using their cold gazes and the bone spears in their hands to force the panicked Gray Dwarf Miners and slaves (mostly Underground Gnomes) to crouch on the ground and surrender. They were highly efficient, quickly rounding up a prisoner area in a corner of the mine.

[Real-time Battlefield Data]:

Time: 8 minutes after engagement.

Enemies Eliminated: 55 Gray Dwarf Guards/Crossbowmen, 2 Overseers/Leaders.

Controlled Areas: Outer perimeter wall, most of the open-pit mining area, one smelting shed.

Enemy Remnants: Approximately 35 Gray Dwarf guards have retreated to the deepest mine entrance, putting up a desperate last stand using the terrain.

Friendly Losses: 3 Elf Rangers slightly wounded, 0 KIA.

Elwin gave the enemy no breathing room. "Move the ballistae forward, cover the mine entrance! Rangers, surround them and suppress with fire! Rangers, find flanking attack angles! Engineers, assess the cost of a direct assault on the mine!"

She knew very well that time was not on her side. She had to cause enough damage as quickly as possible and then withdraw.

Just then, the Lightforged Gnome Technicians discovered an unexpected surprise! While paralyzing the geothermal forge hammer, they found a small, heavily guarded warehouse nearby with a simple energy lock on the door.

"Your Excellency Elwin! There's an abnormal energy reaction here! It might store high-value items!"

"Try to crack it! Engineers, assist!"

The Lightforged Gnomes immediately stepped forward, their hands emitting a faint guiding light as they began to analyze the structure of the energy lock. The Tiangong Dwarves used their tools to forcibly dismantle the physical locks.

A minute later, with a soft "click," the warehouse door opened!

Inside were piles of smelted metal ingots, but the most eye-catching were three fist-sized, dark red Ores on a central stone platform that looked as if magma was flowing inside them!

[Special Resource Discovered]: [molten core ore] *3

Quality: Epic (Material)

Description: A rare Ore containing pure fire elements and the power of the earth, usually born deep within active lava veins. It is a core material for forging high-level fire and earth magic weapons and armor, and can also be used to enhance miracle buildings with related attributes.

Value: Extremely high! Far exceeding those ten carts of dark iron ore!

"Excellent!" Even the calm Elwin couldn't help but show a hint of joy. This item was of great significance to the development of the Divine Domain, especially for the Tiangong Workshop and possible future building upgrades!

"Take it all!" she immediately ordered.

Meanwhile, progress was also made in the siege of the mine entrance where the enemy was holding out. Under the continuous bombardment of the ballistae and the precise shooting of the elves, the defense at the entrance was completely dismantled. The remaining Gray Dwarves were either killed or fled deep into the mine.

Seeing that the main objectives had been achieved—causing massive damage, seizing precious resources, and capturing a large amount of labor, which was enough to deal a heavy blow to the Furnace Fortress and force Barack to return—Elwin decisively ordered:

"Collect all spoils of war, especially those three pieces of molten core ore! Take the slaves who are willing to come with us (mostly Underground Gnomes)! Destroy all facilities and equipment that cannot be taken! In ten minutes, everyone withdraws!"

The troops executed the orders efficiently. The captured metal ingots, some intact tools, and the three precious Ores were quickly packed. Over fifty Underground Gnome slaves followed the team with fear and a hint of hope under the cold "protection" of the Law Fishmen. The engineers and Gnome technicians installed delayed explosive devices on key equipment and blast furnaces.

Ten minutes later, the raiding party quickly withdrew from the now-ruined Quenching Forge Mine with their bountiful spoils and prisoners. Behind them, a series of explosions and soaring flames announced the complete paralysis of this important Furnace Fortress industry.

Meanwhile, in front of the Blackrock Clan valley.

Barack Moltenheart was smugly commanding his army to press forward, prepared to wipe out the "canker" that was the Blackrock Clan in one fell swoop. Riding a giant Lava Lizard, he pointed his flaming warhammer at the valley wall and let out an arrogant laugh: "Brook! You old stubborn fool, today is the end of the Blackrock Clan! Give me..."

His words came to a sudden halt.

A soot-covered, panicked Gray Dwarf messenger scrambled to him, his voice sobbing: "Cap-Captain! It's bad! The Quenching Forge Mine... the Quenching Forge Mine was raided by an unknown force! The defenders were almost completely wiped out! The mine is destroyed, and the stored [molten core ore] has been stolen!!"

"What?!!" The cruel grin on Barack's face instantly froze, turning into unbelievable rage. "Who?! Who dares to touch the property of my Furnace Fortress?! Is it those damn underground rats?!"

"I-I'm not sure... the opponents were very powerful, there were elves and dwarves, and they moved very fast..."

Barack's head buzzed. The Quenching Forge Mine! The molten core ore! Those were the key resources for the Furnace Fortress to build an elite legion in the future! Losing the mine, especially those three core Ores, would have unimaginable consequences! The Great Clan Chief would never forgive him!

The Blackrock Clan before him was certainly hateful, but compared to the Furnace Fortress, which was his Foundation, and the strategic resources, they instantly seemed insignificant.

"Retreat! All troops retreat! Return to reinforce the Furnace Fortress!!" Barack squeezed these words out from between his teeth, his eyes bloodshot and filled with frustration and fury. The cooked duck had flown away, and his home base had been raided; this was simply the greatest humiliation of his military career!

The originally murderous Furnace Fortress army, under the bewildered command of officers at all levels, hastily turned back like a receding tide, abandoning their attack formation and sprinting back the way they came in a pathetic state.

Atop the wall, the Blackrock Clan Warriors, who had been prepared to fight to the death, watched this dramatic scene in stunned silence.

Clan Chief Brook let out a heavy sigh of relief, his body almost collapsing from exhaustion. He looked at Bronzebeard Stonehammer beside him, who was also wearing a shocked expression, and said hoarsely, "This... this is the work of Your Excellency Lin Zhou?"

Bronzebeard Stonehammer snapped out of his initial surprise and then burst into a triumphant laugh: "Hahaha! That's right! That girl Elwin must have succeeded! I told you my God is omnipotent! Now let's see how those bastards from the Furnace Fortress can still act so arrogant!"

He slapped Brook hard on the shoulder: "Old Brook, see that? You can't go wrong cooperating with us!"

Brook looked at the messy but empty battlefield below, then at these allies from the "Hundred Schools Temple." The last trace of doubt in his heart finally vanished, replaced by the relief of surviving a disaster and a flicker of fervent anticipation.

Through Bronzebeard's perspective, Lin Zhou sensed the valley's crisis was resolved, and through Elwin's perspective, he saw the raiding party returning safely to the base with their bountiful spoils.

The plan to kill two birds with one stone was a perfect success!

Not only did it lift the siege of the Blackrock Clan and deal a heavy blow to the Furnace Fortress, but it also gained precious resources and a new population (the Underground Gnome slaves). After this battle, the Alliance with the Blackrock Clan would be even more stable, laying a solid Foundation for completely resolving the threat of the Furnace Fortress in the future.

Next would be to digest the spoils of war, deepen the Alliance, and prepare for the final blow against the Furnace Fortress.