28: With the enemy at the gates, the Mohist stratagems shake the fortified city (Part 1)

Glick carried the [molten core ore] fragments and the Alliance's sincerity, quietly disappearing into the tunnels leading deep underground under the secret escort of a squad of Elf Ranger. Meanwhile, the Blackrock Clan valley and Outpost Base No. 1 were like two high-speed war gears, making intense preparations for the final decisive battle.

[Coalition Preparation Phase (God Realm Time: Five Days)]:

Regarding the Hundred Schools Temple:

Troop Replenishment and Enhancement: Utilizing the captured Ore and metal, the Tiangong Workshop operated at full capacity. The arrows of the Elf Rangers were fully upgraded to [Black Iron Armor-Piercing Arrows], and the shields and armor of the Dwarf Rune Iron Guard were reinforced and their runes recharged. Ten new Lawful Merman Enforcers (LV 10) were equipped, bringing their total number to twenty.

Hero Growth: Elwin (LV 16 → LV 17), her command and strategy further improved. Bronzebeard Stonehammer (LV 24 → LV 25), his strength and defense significantly enhanced, and his use of the Rune Battle-axe became more proficient.

Technical Breakthrough: Lightforged Gnomes collaborated with Tiangong Dwarves to successfully analyze some characteristics of the [molten core ore], using this to improve the energy Systems of two Ballistae, so that the bolts they fired carried a slight [Molten Splash] effect (small-area fire damage).

Mohist Mechanisms: Li Mo (guided by Lin Zhou) provided remote instruction. Tiangong Dwarf Engineers, based on the general structure of Furnace Fortress (provided by the Blackrock Clan), designed and rushed the production of several siege engine components, ready to be assembled on the battlefield.

Regarding the Blackrock Clan:

Force Integration: One hundred and twenty warriors underwent rest and preliminary joint drills (guided by Bronzebeard and Elwin), their morale rebounded, and their equipment received minor supplements.

Intelligence Provision: Clan Chief Brook and several Elders drew a detailed defense map of the Furnace Fortress's outskirts, marking possible weaknesses (such as old sections of the walls, drainage System inlets, etc.).

Regarding the Underground Gnomes:

On the evening of the fifth day, Glick finally brought back news: The leader of the Deep Moss Tribe, after seeing the molten core fragments with his own eyes and learning that Furnace Fortress was frantically capturing his kin, finally agreed to join the Alliance after a heated debate! However, they demanded that the Coalition must promise to prioritize the rescue of Gnome compatriots enslaved by Furnace Fortress, and in the final distribution of spoils, the Underground Gnomes must receive at least a twenty percent share, along with corresponding technology sharing.

The Underground Gnomes will deploy one hundred [Deep Tunnel Stalkers] (LV 11-13, specialized in digging, traps, and stealth attacks) and twenty [Gnome Engineers] (LV 14-16, specialized in demolition and mechanism dismantling), with Glick acting as the liaison officer accompanying the army.

At this point, the Coalition to crusade against Furnace Fortress was officially formed!

[Coalition to Crusade against Furnace Fortress]:

Total Force: Approximately 270 units

Supreme Commander: Elwin (designated by Lin Zhou)

Deputy Commander: Brook Blackrock

Force Composition:

Hundred Schools Temple: 70 (Elf Rangers 25, Rangers 8, Dwarf Rune Iron Guard 10, Engineers 3, Lightforged Gnomes 2, Operators 5, Law Fishmen 20)

Blackrock Clan: 120 (Warriors 80, Crossbowmen 30, Rune Priests 5)

Deep Moss Tribe: 120 (Deep Tunnel Stalkers 100, Gnome Engineers 20)

Coalition Traits:

[United Against a Common Enemy]: +10% damage to Furnace Fortress units.

[Lack of Coordination]: Different races fighting together, Early Stage coordination efficiency -5%.

[Technical Complementarity]: Possessing Elwin ranged attacks, Dwarven defense, Gnome engineering and infiltration, tactical choices are diverse.

On the morning of the sixth day, the Coalition marched grandly out of the Blackrock Clan valley, like an iron flow converging different colors, heading towards Furnace Fortress beneath the main peak of the Blackrock Mountain Range!

Lin Zhou's consciousness hung high above the Coalition, looking down at this force he had personally brought together. This was his first time commanding a Coalition of such scale and mixed races, a major test of his leadership abilities and the practical effects of the Hundred Schools' ideology.

Furnace Fortress, the core stronghold of the Gray Dwarves, appeared more and more clearly in view. It was built against the mountain, with massive black rock walls fifteen meters high, their surfaces shimmering with a metallic luster, clearly incorporated with special alloys. Watchtowers stood thick upon the walls, and huge Ballistae poked out their menacing muzzles. The only city gate was cast from thick black iron, carved with a burning furnace pattern. Above the castle, a faint dark-red energy shield fluctuated, a sign of a large-scale defense array in operation.

[Furnace Fortress Defense Assessment (Preliminary)]:

Wall Defense: Extremely High (Physical/Magic Resistance), difficult to climb or destroy directly.

City Gate: Extremely sturdy, difficult to break through with conventional means.

Defenders: After the defeat at the mine, their forces have contracted, but core area guards remain strict; it is estimated there are still over three hundred elite Gray Dwarf Soldiers, as well as unknown trump cards.

Defense Facilities: Large Ballistae, rolling logs and stones, hot oil, and the [Furnace Barrier] covering the castle (effect unknown, estimated to have the ability to defend against ranged attacks and energy impacts).

Weaknesses: Defense against underground attacks may be relatively weak? Relies on internal energy (geothermal) to maintain the barrier and workshop operations.

The army is at the gates!

The Coalition set up camp on a relatively open stretch of rocky beach one kilometer away from the Furnace Fortress walls. This distance was just at the edge of the effective range of the large Ballistae on the walls.

Elwin, Brook, Bronzebeard, and Glick of the Underground Gnomes gathered inside a temporary command tent.

"Furnace Fortress is indeed easy to defend and hard to attack." Brook's expression was grave. "If this [Furnace Barrier] isn't broken, the effect of our ranged attacks will be greatly reduced. A direct assault on the gate would cost too much."

Glick said shrilly, "We can dig tunnels! Bypass the walls and the barrier from underground! Our Stalkers are best at this!"

Bronzebeard shook his head. "It's not that easy. The foundation of Furnace Fortress must have been reinforced, and they must have means to defend against tunnels, such as pouring in lava!"

Elwin listened quietly, her gaze falling on the model of Furnace Fortress on the sand table, her mind rapidly processing the School of Military's concept of combining 'Zheng' and 'Qi'. "A direct assault is the least desirable, yet it must be used when necessary to engage with the 'Zheng' (Orthodox). The key to breaking the situation lies in 'Qi' (Unorthodox)—Mohist Mechanisms, Gnome stealth, and... interference with the barrier's energy."

She looked at Glick. "Elder Glick, can your Gnome Engineers attempt to interfere with or cut off Furnace Fortress's geothermal energy supply? Even if it only temporarily weakens the barrier?"

Glick's eyes lit up. "We can try! We know the routes of several of their main geothermal pipes! As long as we find the nodes, we can create chaos!"

"Good!" Elwin decided. "Phase one combat objectives: Weaken the barrier, test the defenses, create chaos, and find a Breakthrough point!"

"Specific deployment:

Frontal Feint: Led by Clan Chief Bronzebeard with Blackrock Clan Warriors and some Dwarf Iron Guards, under the cover of Ballistae and Elwin ranged units, launch a feint attack on the city gate to draw the defenders' attention.

Mechanism Obstacle Clearance: Tiangong Dwarf Engineers will collaborate with Gnome Engineers to assemble the [Linchong Lügong Carriage] and [Thunderbolt Catapult] on the frontal battlefield to physically bombard the walls, testing their defensive strength and seeking opportunities to destroy the Ballistae.

Underground Surprise Attack: The main force of Deep Tunnel Stalkers, led by Glick, will seek out geothermal pipe nodes to destroy. Meanwhile, a small detachment will attempt to dig tunnels close to the base of the walls to see if any weak points can be found.

Ranged Suppression and Guarding: Elf Rangers and Rangers will be responsible for suppressing the Crossbowmen and priests on the walls, and guarding the Coalition's flanks and rear to prevent Furnace Fortress from sending surprise troops for a sneak attack.

General Reserve: The remaining Dwarf Iron Guards, Law Fishmen, and Lightforged Gnomes will serve as the reserve, under my direct command, ready to respond to any emergencies."

A multi-layered attack plan combining frontal confrontation, engineering obstacle clearance, underground stealth, and ranged suppression was quickly formed.

"Let's do it!" Bronzebeard rubbed his hands together.

"The warriors of the Blackrock Clan have long been unable to wait!" Battle Intent flared in Brook's eyes.

"For freedom! For new technology!" Glick also excitedly waved his small fists.

The Coalition, this sharp sword personally forged by Lin Zhou, was finally about to strike hard for the first time against the sturdy shield of Furnace Fortress!