Surprise Raid

Iron Rock Fortress, Star Luo Stronghold. Commander's Mansion.

Dugu Xiong sat in the Main Seat, listening to the intelligence gathered over the past few days on Lin Jin.

"So, Young Wolf's real name is Lin Jin. He is a fallen noble of the Heaven Dou Empire and is suspected of having offended Heaven Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. After awakening a Mutated Martial Soul at Six Years Old, he was sent to the Vanguard Camp at Iron Blood Pass."

"During his five years at Iron Blood Pass, Lin Jin, not yet twelve, has not only become a Legion Commander but also reached Level 32 as a Soul Elder. He even formed an invincible Blood Blade Army."

"He can even defeat a Soul King while only a Soul Elder!"

"With such terrifying talent and military ability, if This Person is not killed, given enough time, he will surely become another Ge Long. No, he may be even more terrifying than Ge Long!"

Dugu Xiong sucked in a cold breath after hearing this. Such an experience was terrifying beyond measure; calling it heaven-defying would not be an exaggeration.

One had to know that, in peacetime, the usual age for joining the army was sixteen.

Yet Lin Jin had achieved so much at only eleven. How could Dugu Xiong not be afraid?

At the same time, Dugu Xiong realized once more that Lin Jin absolutely could not be allowed to live.

Dugu Xiong immediately ordered, "Inform the Netherworld Squad that when we attack the Iron Blood Pass stronghold, they are to infiltrate Iron Blood Pass. Their target is Lin Jin."

"Dead or alive, I want him found. This Person must not be spared!"

"Yes!" The generals' hearts tightened as they answered in unison.

The Netherworld Assassination Squad had been founded by the Hell Spirit Cat Clan of the Star Luo Empire.

Each squad consisted of five people, led by a Soul Emperor. Every member was at least a Soul King, skilled in infiltration, assassination, and sabotage. They were not deployed lightly.

Dugu Xiong walked to the military Sand Table and stared toward Iron Blood Pass with a sinister gaze.

"Lin Jin, no matter where you came from or what talent you possess, your road ends here. The Northern Border will become your burial ground!"

He could almost see the "Netherworld" squad returning to report with Lin Jin's head.

Yet Dugu Xiong did not know that Lin Jin, whom he regarded as a Great Trouble and desperately wished to eliminate, was not trembling in fear inside Iron Blood Pass.

Instead, he had led a thousand Blood Blades across mountains and ridges, bypassing Iron Rock Fortress and heading straight for their headquarters, Gray Rock City.

After five years of military experience and observation, Lin Jin realized that warfare in Dulo was extremely primitive.

Perhaps because of the extraordinary Soul Master system, not many military treatises had emerged.

As for Lin Jin, he had received nine years of compulsory education. Though he had not studied works such as The Art of War—

He might not have eaten pork, but he had certainly seen pigs run. Having been steeped in five thousand years of history—

He did not remember all Thirty-Six Stratagems, but he still knew such tactics as the Empty Fort Strategy and the Beauty Trap.

"Soldiers are deceit."

"Strike where they are unprepared; attack when they least expect it."

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy by strategy; next is diplomacy, then battle, and last of all is attacking cities."

His choice to launch a surprise raid on Gray Rock City was based precisely on the core ideas of attacking what the enemy must save and cutting the firewood from beneath the cauldron.

Gray Rock City was the logistical heart of the Star Luo Northern Territory Legion. Once it came under attack—especially in what they considered absolutely secure rear territory—the panic and chain reaction would be devastating.

The morale of the frontline army would inevitably collapse. No matter how valiant Star Luo Soldiers were, without supplies, they would be powerless to turn the tide.

"General, Lin Jin has passed through the Iron Rock Fortress Defense Line. At the same time, we have discovered that Dugu Xiong's Troops have regrouped and are poised to strike. I believe they will attack the city early tomorrow morning," Qin Yue's Deputy General reported at High Noon.

"Good. All we need to do is hold back Star Luo's Main Force and wait for good news from Lin Jin. At the same time, secretly guard against the possibility that Dugu Xiong may send an Assassination Squad into Iron Blood Pass," Qin Yue immediately instructed.

"Yes!"

"Lin Jin, whether we can turn defeat into victory depends on you." Qin Yue stared at the Sand Table and thought to himself.

Sure enough.

The next morning, Dugu Xiong first sent thirty thousand troops to attack Rock Fortress, then dispatched another twenty thousand Main Force troops in the afternoon.

By evening, Dugu Xiong launched another assault. Taking advantage of the darkness, the Netherworld Squad silently infiltrated Iron Blood Pass to search for Lin Jin's trail.

Dozens of miles away, Lin Jin, who traveled by night and rested by day, received news of the battle at Iron Blood Pass.

"My lord, Star Luo's Main Force has attacked."

"Very good." Lin Jin nodded, then rose and said to the Blood Blades, "Brothers, the battle at Iron Blood Pass has begun."

"So rest well where you are. Once night falls, we will travel through the night and strive to reach Gray Rock City at the first quarter of midnight, when they are at their most exhausted."

"Yes!"

After resting throughout the afternoon, Lin Jin's invigorated force set out the moment darkness fell.

The journey went smoothly. At around eleven that night, they saw Gray Rock City's outline beneath the moonlight.

Lin Jin looked at the three Centurions. "While we still have some time, I'll assign the teams."

"Team One will deal with the sentries and patrols atop the walls. Second Team will seize the city gate with me. Third Team will prepare Fire Oil and explosives, then take control of the granaries."

"Yes!"

At the first quarter of midnight, the Defending Army at the city gates was at its most exhausted and in the middle of changing shifts.

Lin Jin decisively gave the order. "Move!"

There were no earthshaking war cries, only ghostlike figures and icy blades!

"Enemy attack!" A sentry atop the wall finally noticed something was wrong. The shrill alarm had barely sounded before several precisely fired crossbow bolts pierced his throat.

At the same time, Lin Jin personally led an elite squad, pouncing toward the city gates like lightning in the night!

"Demon Blade Assault!" Lin Jin shouted under his breath as several energy blades struck the gates' heavy bolts and hinges with pinpoint accuracy!

"Crack! Boom!"

The sound was especially piercing in the silent midnight! The twisted city gates burst open with a thunderous crash!

"Kill!" Lin Jin charged into the city first.

Demon Armor instantly covered his body. In the dim light, he looked like a Demon God from hell. Any Star Luo Soldier who tried to stop him was instantly crushed beneath his terrifying attacks.

"Act according to plan!" Lin Jin did not need to give further commands. Like they had trained for this a thousand times, the Blood Blade Warriors swiftly split into several groups and rushed toward their designated targets.

"Damn it, where did the Heaven Dou Army come from?"

"Quick, take back the walls!"

The sudden surprise raid threw Gray Rock City into complete chaos.

The Defending Army had no idea how many enemies there were or where they had come from. They could only run about like headless flies.

Some organized groups of over a hundred men to resist, but their hastily assembled forces could not withstand Lin Jin's charge at the forefront.

"Close the City Gate immediately. Do not let even a fly leave the city!" Lin Jin ordered.

As the last Star Luo garrison soldier fell, Lin Jin gained complete control of the city.

The residents of Gray Rock City stared fearfully at these strangers, unable to understand how Heaven Dou Taxi Soldiers had appeared here.

"My lord, we found a large quantity of Supplies in the warehouses, enough Provisions to feed Fifty Thousand People for half a month," Lin Jin's Assistant, A Tu, reported.

"Troops Not Moved, provisions go first. Dugu Xiong, you have committed a grave taboo."