Chapter 515: Assault Plan

While Tan Mo and Tan Qiu discussed intelligence on the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, another group was also strategizing.

Snow Bird Harbor, slums.

“This is all the intel we have on our target for this operation.” The leader placed a stack of reports before the transcendents.

The transcendents radiated a lean, formidable aura, with most at the iron level. Several leaders were silver level.

The intelligence circulated rapidly among the group.

“The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps...”

"Their strongest is the leader, Long Fu. Though young, his combat prowess is exceptional. His most outstanding achievement was the duel at the Snow Bird Arena. In that battle, he defeated a gold level opponent as a silver level, a feat unseen in a century!

“Footage of that fight spread nationwide and remains wildly popular to this day.”

Naturally, the intelligence included footage of that battle.

The transcendents watched in silence. Most had seen it before; only a few had not.

Those who hadn't watched it were nearly moved to tears afterward.

“Long Fu's victory over Lord Teng Dong Lang was actually quite narrow.”

“But his fighting spirit was incredibly resilient. He was at a disadvantage from the start, yet never gave up.”

"Ultimately, killing Lord Teng Dong Lang involved a significant element of luck. But how to put it? The victor is king!"

“Such fighting spirit... If he weren't an enemy, I'd want to be friends with him.”

The transcendents exchanged a few words.

The leader cleared his throat, his expression grave. "We must admit, Long Fu possesses undeniable personal charisma. He engaged Lord Teng Dong Lang in a heroic duel, one-on-one, overcoming strength with finesse. He earned his victory honorably, leaving nothing to criticize."

“That is precisely why he has become the hottest duelist sensation across the nation recently.”

"Numerous arenas have invited him to duel, but he has declined every offer. Currently, he and his operatives are touring the kingdom's major cities, establishing sales points for potions."

"You may not know this, but the dragon rider potion is the potion the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is aggressively promoting. This potion has already flooded the kingdom's potion market, gaining tremendous momentum and widespread popularity!"

“This alone demonstrates how strategically savvy Long Fu is.”

“He's pursuing far more significant and meaningful endeavors.”

“According to others' analysis, if their business plan continues unchecked, they'll firmly establish themselves in the kingdom's potion market and carve out a substantial niche.”

“Forget their future alchemy products, just sustained sales of this dragon rider potion alone would make them a fortune overnight!”

“This is the greatest significance of our current operation.”

“Destroy the four alchemy workshops in Snow Bird Harbor—they are the production bases for the dragon rider potion!”

The leader pointed to the next section of the intelligence: “Long Fu is currently far from Snow Bird Harbor. We don't need to engage him directly.”

“In this operation, our greatest enemy is him!”

Everyone's gaze fell upon two large characters - Shi Qi.

Zong Ge, posing as Shi Qi, served as the deputy commander of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.

This time, disguised as Long Fu, he set out alongside Zi Di. Simultaneously, he deployed alchemy puppets. Using the Deceptive Disguise spell and Anti-investigation and Prophecy spell, he mimicked Shi Qi's presence, creating the illusion that the commander had departed while the deputy remained in charge of the branch.

The Deceptive Disguise spell possessed a high rank, effortlessly fooling the enemy. Consequently, these forces remained convinced Shi Qi was stationed at the Snow Bird Harbor branch, making him their primary target.

“Long Fu's combat prowess is extraordinary, and Shi Qi's strength should not be underestimated either.”

“He demonstrated outstanding performance in both the Snake Rat Island naval battle and the Two Eyes Island battle.”

“His battle qi now carries a golden glow, proof he stands but a step away from gold level!”

They pored over intelligence, desperately seeking Zong Ge's weaknesses to exploit.

As the group analyzed the situation, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

“Shi Qi has almost no weaknesses!”

“As a fighter, he can withstand heavy damage and has strong recovery abilities. It'll be hard to take him down in one strike.”

"His unarmed combat skills are already formidable. Armed with weapons, he becomes even more powerful. During the battle, we must find a way to deprive him of his weapons!"

The transcendents successively devised three battle plans.

Whichever plan they chose, heavy casualties were inevitable.

There was no way around it. Though they held the advantage of surprise and initiative from their concealed position, since Long Fu departed, Shi Qi had remained anchored at the docks, rarely venturing out, not even taking mercenary contracts.

The docks were routinely guarded by the city guard.

Most crucially, there was a magician tower!

The transcendents preparing to launch a surprise attack in such an environment had all braced themselves for certain death.

Yet the next moment, the leader suddenly received the latest orders relayed from above.

He stepped out briefly, returning with a look of delight on his face: “We needn't worry about how to deal with the Shi Qi, the higher-ups have already dispatched a gold level assassin.”

Upon hearing this news, the transcendents all cheered.

The toughest nut to crack had been taken care of by others. Now, their targets were the scattered alchemy workshops.

One large alchemy workshop lay by the seaside in the southeast corner of Snow Bird Harbor.

Two medium-sized workshops were located at: Mercury Cave and Rose Beach.

One small workshop, situated within the city walls, operated year-round by Bu Quan.

Intelligence on the four workshops included extensive video footage and aerial-view sandbox models.

"The large coastal workshop can be stormed directly, it lacks significant defensive capabilities. In fact, excessive defenses would pose a threat the city government palace wouldn't tolerate."

“We can deploy heavy firepower, save this one for last, and arrange our retreat route along the nearby coastline.”

"The Mercury Cave is easy to defend but hard to attack, and this workshop is guarded by numerous alchemy puppets. Since we've already identified how these puppets are commanded, we can use alchemy devices to target them and temporarily disable them."

"The Rose Beach area is similarly open terrain, suitable for a direct assault. We can also leave a retreat route there and destroy it during withdrawal. However, the large workshop requires setting up artillery for bombardment. In short, both locations can be taken by assault or bombardment."

"Finally, the small workshop within the city poses the greatest challenge for a surprise attack. Its position is already quite close to the city government palace. Those executing the assault may not have time to retreat, be prepared to die in battle!"

“This small workshop houses extremely advanced facilities. It's the absolute priority, our primary target for destruction.”

"Bu Quan is likely inside. Intelligence indicates she's been working long-term in that small workshop! Therefore, we must also confront a silver level magician."

"The only silver lining is that Bu Quan is a dedicated alchemist with weak combat skills. Even so, she remains a magician wielding formidable alchemy power, we cannot afford complacency!"

Someone inquired: “If Bu Quan demonstrates overwhelming combat prowess and shows no mercy, may we execute her?”

The leader fell silent, his expression betraying hesitation.

Others began debating.

“Bu Quan is a member of the Alchemy Guild, one of our own. We should spare her life if possible.”

"No! In my view, since she joined the enemy, she's a traitor, our enemy! Against enemies, we strike to kill."

"Are you brain-dead? Didn't you read the intel? Bu Quan is highly capable. She was merely blinded by emotion when she agreed to join the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps."

"Her joining the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps actually proves she's a person of honor and loyalty. She's just too young. Having focused solely on alchemy for years, she doesn't understand the treacherous ways of the world and fell victim to Long Fu's beauty trap."

"Bu Quan is valuable, but if we spare her life instead of killing her, even if we destroy all four alchemy workshops, it won't achieve much, right? Clearly, Bu Quan is the core alchemist of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps."

The leader pondered and concluded, then spoke: "Capture her alive if possible. If capture proves impossible, retreat, but spare her life."

“She's a rare talent and a native citizen of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom. Time will mature her, helping her discern friends from foes.”

The leader added, "If this operation succeeds, we'll act opportunistically. If an opportunity arises, do your utmost to destroy the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ new flagship."

"As you've long observed, the magic ship they acquired as their flagship is actually one of our nation's regular warships. It was merely retired early during this round of military optimization."

At this point, expressions of fury surged across the faces of the other transcendents.

“Those fat pigs in the Military Supply Department, so corrupt and greedy, they'd even sell warships!”

“These traitors sold out national interests for personal gain. They deserve to be hung!”

“If I survive this battle, I'll hunt down every last one of them and kill them all!”

“Count me in!”

"Damn right. I couldn't stand these bastards when I was serving. Count me in too."

As the transcendents discussed, their identities were revealed.

They had all served in the kingdom's regular army. Even after leaving active duty, they retained their loyalty to the kingdom and formidable combat prowess.

This operation was led by Mei Lin.

She was a commander in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's First Navy, but she could not deploy regular military forces. Previously, she had led a contingent of holy warriors to ambush and destroy a Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps caravan. Yet days passed, and the supply of dragon rider potions in the market showed no sign of diminishing.

Mei Lin immediately realized the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps must be secretly transporting the potions through other channels.

She couldn't trace it back to the Mountain Peak Merchant Alliance in the short term.

But unwilling to delay the opportunity, she swiftly assembled a group of elite veterans and infiltrated Snow Bird Harbor. Their mission: to raid the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' branch office and their alchemy workshops!

The leader gave final instructions: “The operation is set for the day of the culinary duel.”

“By then, most transcendents will be gathered at the Snow Bird Arena, and the Dragon Lion Mercenary Group branch will also send representatives to watch.”

"The defenses at the branch and alchemy workshop will be at their weakest. This is our prime opportunity to strike."

“If any of us are defeated and captured, remember what to do?”

The transcendents responded in unison: "Understood, Commander! We will immediately take our own lives. We will never give the enemy any leverage to attack our nation, nor allow the kingdom to be disgraced!"