Taking the Pass

Gloomy City was only twenty to thirty li away in a straight line.

Though the terrain along the way was rather treacherous, a small elite force on a forced march should be able to reach it in most of a day.

Attacking Gloomy City itself was obviously unrealistic!

Gloomy City likely still had over a thousand troops, along with sturdy city walls and all kinds of defensive fortifications. With Miracle City's current forces, there was absolutely no chance of taking the city immediately.

However.

Before Gloomy City.

There was Black Wind Pass.

It was Gloomy City's gateway.

And its final line of defense.

The pass backed against a canyon, with treacherous terrain that was easy to defend and hard to attack.

As far as Qi Ji knew, Maggot Eye had been the general responsible for guarding Black Wind Canyon. Yet he had suddenly died at Black Bone Camp, and without a lord's vision, the Dark Lord would not be able to react in time, at least not in the short term.

There was an opportunity to exploit.

It was worth taking a gamble.

He would bet that Gloomy City had not yet had time to reinforce Black Wind Pass.

He would bet that the Goblin Lord Bloodthroat would never imagine that the human Dungeon would be so bold and aggressive.

If he won the bet.

Qi Ji would gain the momentum of a Flying Dragon riding right into Gloomy City's face.

The front line of the territorial war would be pushed directly to Gloomy City's doorstep.

Once Bloodthroat was forced into a passive position, he would surely try to retake the pass. Qi Ji could then use the pass's defensive advantage to further wear down Gloomy City's forces before launching a counterattack to take the city and end the campaign!

Even if he lost the bet.

At worst, he would lose some troops.

But the newbie protection period still had a long time remaining.

Qi Ji had plenty of time to rebuild his army.

Compared to the rewards of success, that bit of risk and cost was not worth mentioning!

You have revived Witch Zombie (Bright Moon Reflecting Snow), consuming 30 Mental Strength!

Qi Ji first activated the revival function of the Soldier's House. He revived five fallen Contract Adventurers, including Bright Moon Reflecting Snow, consuming a total of 90 Mental Strength.

"Contract Soldiers really are useful!"

Day-labor Temporary Workers not only required payment to convert, but also consumed Soul Essence every time they died.

Regular Workers were different. Not only could they be converted for free, they did not consume Soul Essence, and could even be revived to rejoin the battlefield. That was why they could become part of a territory's regular army.

A First Order Soldier's House could revive soldiers ten times per day.

Although revival came with some cost, it could quickly restore part of their Combat Power, greatly increasing Miracle City's war potential.

A few minutes later.

The five Contract Soldiers, including Bright Moon Reflecting Snow, returned.

Tank 1 and Tank 2, who had stayed behind at the Monster Camp, also teleported to Black Bone Camp.

Miracle City's forces would be equipped with four Tank Zombies, one Witch Zombie, and one Fire-Spraying Tracker. That was enough to form formidable Combat Power, and it was also what gave Qi Ji the confidence to be so aggressive.

Still not quite enough!

To be safe.

He needed a few more Monster Soldiers!

You are summoning "Boomer Zombie" ×4. This summoning will consume "Mental Strength" ×160, "Soul Crystal" ×80, and "Exploder Soul Essence" ×4. Continue? Yes/No!

Qi Ji added four Boomers.

The adventurers were baffled as they looked at the round, bloated Zombie.

Pig King said, "Lord Qi, even if we're replenishing our forces, why summon this kind of useless troop?"

Cat MeowMeow said, "Yeah, monsters have their good and bad kinds too. Although Boomers are two-star monsters, they're nowhere near as useful as Hunters!"

The other adventurers wholeheartedly agreed.

This thing was fat and slow.

The most infuriating part was how fragile it was. It would self-destruct at the slightest provocation.

The Shockwave and Bile Poison Mist produced by its explosion were quite effective.

The problem was that once it exploded, its life was gone with it. It was completely a one-use consumable.

Thus, while Boomers often caused considerable threat and trouble in secret realms, no adventurer had ever wanted to become a Boomer Zombie, nor had any adventurer ever prepared to contract one. It was simply a thoroughly overlooked troop type.

"You'll find out soon enough!"

Qi Ji checked the time. "There's not much time left. We must end this battle quickly. Move out!"

"Got it!"

"Kill, kill, kill!"

"Miracle City will win!"

"..."

After four hours of forced marching.

Everyone arrived at the battlefield.

"So this is Black Wind Pass?"

"Damn, it's so high and steep. Getting in won't be easy!"

This was a mountain stronghold built against the canyon terrain. The landscape was perilous and the entrance narrow. It looked easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it hard to even get close.

Even a garrison of only one or two hundred troops could form a formidable defense.

It would take at least three or four hundred troops to pose a threat.

The adventurers exchanged glances.

This battle would not be easy!

Qi Ji said, "Although the enemy holds all the terrain advantages, this battle is not without Chances of Winning. To reduce our losses, we cannot launch a frontal assault. We can only outsmart them!"

White Crane Hermit asked curiously, "Then what does my lord intend to do?"

Qi Ji did not explain directly. Instead, he selected four Hunters and three Smokers. "You will look for an opportunity to take out the Goblin archers above."

Black Stone Hammer King said, "No problem!"

Lone Wolf said, "We Hunters can climb up there, but how are we supposed to get close?"

Sleeping in the Wind said, "The enemy has a wide field of vision, and there is no cover around us. The moment we approach, we may be shot down by a hail of arrows."

"Don't worry. We have Airborne Troops. They'll be enough to keep them occupied."

Airborne Troops?

What did that mean?

Where would they get Airborne Troops?

Qi Ji did not elaborate.

He then ordered White Crane Hermit, Irritable Little Chicken, the two Tanks, and five Chargers led by Pig King to serve as the vanguard. Once the battle began, they would directly attack the stronghold gate from the front to draw attention. Their tough hides and thick flesh should let them withstand most attacks.

The Mercenary Temporary Workers were divided into two groups.

One group of one hundred and thirty-five would charge through the main gate.

The other group of thirty was the Airborne Soldiers Qi Ji had specially prepared.

"Everyone, get ready!"

Tank 1 and Tank 2 each lifted a Boomer. Their thick arms held them up like shot puts, then hurled the Boomers toward the walls of Black Wind Pass like catapults.

Hurling heavy objects was a Tank's traditional specialty.

Their accuracy was excellent.

Without any surprise!

Bang! Bang!

The two Boomers burst apart like firecrackers thrown onto the ground. A Shockwave wrapped in green poisonous mist instantly enveloped the pass walls, covering the Dark Goblins within it.

"Keep going!"

Bang! Bang! Two more followed.

These were straight-up Human Grenades!

The thick green Bile Poison Mist spread out, completely blocking visibility.

"So that's how it is!"

White Crane Hermit's eyes lit up.

The lord was using Boomers as Smoke Shells!

"I get it too!"

Black Stone Hammer King was equally excited. "Boomer Zombie bile is a great tonic for Zombies. It can send us into a frenzy, rapidly heal our wounds, and grant us greater strength. But other creatures will have their eyes and airways burned."

The adventurers were stunned.

Then every one of them brightened up.

"Holy shit!"

"Brilliant!"

"Boomers can be used like this? Suddenly, this troop type doesn't seem so useless!"

"..."

Beneath the cover of green poisonous mist.

The Gate Guard Goblins lost their sight and began coughing violently.

Wasn't this the perfect chance to attack?

Not only that, while the Boomers' Bile Poison Mist burned the eye membranes and respiratory tracts of ordinary living beings, it was good stuff for Zombies, providing healing and strengthening effects.

If they attacked now.

The Zombies of Miracle City would enter the green mist and immediately be empowered by it, falling into a berserk state with greatly increased speed and strength. It was equivalent to giving their allies a BUFF that boosted Combat Power!

"Attack!"

Qi Ji gave the order to assault the pass.

The Hunters immediately moved first.

But Qi Ji's outrageous tactics were not over yet.

Tank 1 and Tank 2 did not rest for even a moment. After throwing the Boomer Zombies, they grabbed Temporary Workers one after another from nearby and directly tossed them into the gate tower ahead.

"Airborne Troops?"

"So these are the Airborne Troops the lord was talking about!"

"That's insane!"

"Airborne Troops my ass!"

"They really are Airborne Troops in the literal sense!"

"Lord Qi, I've realized that you're a fucking genius!"

Tanks possessed immense strength.

And were skilled at hurling and throwing.

Combined with the Zombies' rugged, durable nature.

And the healing effect of Boomers.

They could directly throw part of their Combat Power behind enemy lines.

Even if some of these Airborne Soldiers were lost, as long as a small portion retained their Combat Power, they would quickly recover under the boost of the Boomers' Bile Poison Mist, then pose a threat to the defenders.

It was enough to buy time.

And create opportunities for the others to attack.

White Crane Hermit and Sleeping in the Wind thought even more highly of Qi Ji.

This lord not only possessed top-tier secret realm creation abilities, but also seemed to be first-rate at commanding troops in battle. With a lord like this, why would Miracle City worry about failing to rise?

The adventurers were all filled with confidence!

Taking this pass today seemed certain.

Thanks to Passerby Who Only Adds Soy Sauce, Pastelito, and 08a for the rewards!