Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

The faint aura of evil energy emanating from Cao Cao's camp became increasingly clear and discernible as they drew closer, like an invisible, damp, and cold spiderweb quietly enveloping the land.

"It seems the scout's intelligence was correct."

Gu Rubing lay prone behind a shoal, watching a Cao army patrol that was marching in the distance, which included several "Divine Marchers," and whispered.

"Cao Cao not only gathered up the remnants and technology of Penglai, but also tried to 'militate' them and integrate them into his regular system. These 'divine marching troops' were his test subjects and special guards."

Zhang Fei spat and cursed under his breath.

"That thing that's neither human nor ghost, just looking at it is bad luck!"

Zhao Yun carefully observed the movement patterns of the Divine Marching Army.

"The movements seem more 'standardized' than when I saw them in Guzang, less frenzied and more mechanical. But the chilling, deathly feeling is exactly the same. My lord, we should be close to our goal, but the road ahead will probably be even more difficult."

Gu Rubing nodded, his sharp eyes fixed on the area ahead that appeared particularly gloomy in the dim light, as if shrouded in a faint gray mist.

The five hundred assassins, lurking behind the bushes like stalking cheetahs, held their breath, all their senses heightened. Ahead, the secluded area designated for sorcery gradually became clearer in the increasingly dim light, appearing ever more sinister.

The camp area was quite large, and the trenches dug around it were noticeably deeper and wider than those of ordinary camps, with sharpened wooden stakes visible at the bottom. The fortified walls were nearly two zhang high, constructed entirely of rammed earth mixed with dark-colored gravel, making them appear exceptionally sturdy.

Atop the ramparts, watchtowers stood in rows, almost every few dozen steps, with figures moving about on them, the light of torches flickering in the night wind. Patrols moved back and forth along the ramparts, almost without a break, the clanging of armor and the heavy footsteps carrying far in the silent night.

Through the gaps in the ramparts and the firelight from the watchtowers, one could vaguely see the outlines of several exceptionally tall buildings standing inside the camp.

The buildings were extremely strange in shape, far from ordinary barracks or warehouses. They were more like towers or sheds built from thick, dark metal and some kind of pale material, twisted and contorted, with strange patterns faintly shimmering on their surfaces.

A strange and intense energy fluctuation, far exceeding that of the outside world and unsettling to the mind, emanated from the center of that area like a tangible tide. Even Gu Rubing and the others, who were lurking hundreds of steps away, felt their skin tingle slightly and their breathing become a little labored.

Gu Rubing lay prone in the grass, observing intently. Time passed second by second, and dawn was not far off.

They must launch the attack before dawn and withdraw before Cao Cao's main force can encircle them, or they will be trapped like turtles in a jar.

He carefully observed the pattern of the guards.

The security here is extremely tight, almost impenetrable.

However, perhaps because this place is located deep in the heart of Cao Cao's army camp, with layers of defenses on the outside, the guards are inevitably somewhat "tight inside but relaxed outside".

Gu Rubing keenly noticed that when patrol teams changed shifts at different points along the ramparts, and when guards changed shifts at watchtowers, the entire defense system would experience extremely brief, almost imperceptible lapses in concentration and a shift in focus.

Especially during the major shift change at the turn of midnight and 1-3 AM, because a large number of people are involved, the handover interval will be a little longer, and there will be a momentary blind spot in the line of sight for each post.

"Can't wait any longer."

Gu Rubing lowered his voice and spoke to Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, and Ma Chao, who were standing close to him.

"See? It's three-quarters past midnight, the next major troop rotation is coming. The eastern gate is the most heavily guarded, but it's also under the most pressure, and the chaos will be greatest during the rotation."

In the southwest corner, one section of the fortification is slightly lower due to a slight subsidence in the foundation, and the lines of sight from two nearby watchtowers converge there, creating a blind spot and resulting in longer intervals between patrols.

He quickly drew a simple diagram on the ground with a twig, his voice low and clear.

"Yide!"

"exist!"

Zhang Fei responded in a low voice, his eyes flashing with a fierce light.

"You will lead one hundred of your bravest brothers. As soon as the troop rotation horn sounds, immediately launch a full-scale attack on the east gate of the camp! Do not be afraid to risk your lives. Make the scene as spectacular as possible. Use crossbows, torches, and shouts. Make it as lively as possible!"
Your only task is to lure all the available guards in the camp to the east gate! If you can break through, great; if not, hold them there and turn the place upside down!

Zhang Fei licked his slightly chapped lips and grinned maliciously.

"Don't worry, brother! Watch me, Old Zhang, give him a good beating!"

"Mengqi!"

"The general is here!"

Ma Chao gripped the Tiger Head Golden Spear tightly.

"You lead a hundred cavalrymen and patrol and hide around the area where we are currently lying in ambush."

Once we make our move from within, or if Cao Cao's reinforcements arrive from other directions, you will lead your cavalry to charge out. The goal is not necessarily to annihilate the enemy, but to delay and harass them, making sure to hold off the reinforcements and buy us time! Remember, mobility is paramount; do not linger in battle!

"understand!"

Ma Chao nodded emphatically.

Gu Rubing looked at Zhao Yun one last time, and at the three hundred elite warriors behind him who were silent as iron, their eyes filled with only the will to die.

"Zilong, you and I will lead these three hundred brothers and break in through the gap in the southwest corner. Once Yide makes a move, chaos will surely ensue within the camp, and the guards during shift changes will be distracted. That will be our opportunity! Once inside, disregard everything else and head straight for those most conspicuous sorcery workshops in the center!"
"Destroy any sorcerer in black robes, any seemingly functioning sorcery device, any monster still being nurtured… destroy them all! Use oil if you can, gunpowder if you can. Be quick and ruthless!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Yun and his three hundred elite soldiers responded in unison, their voices soft yet carrying a chilling intensity.

The order was given, and everyone fell silent, beginning a final, quiet check of their equipment. Were the blades sharp? Was the bowstring taut? Were the oil canisters sealed tightly? Was the fuse of the gunpowder pack intact?

Every subtle movement exuded a focused and chilling intensity. A heavy sense of oppression permeated the air, along with a tragic, resolute air of impending doom. Deep within every pair of eyes, a dark flame seemed to burn silently.

Time passed slowly in the oppressive wait. From the direction of Cao Cao's main camp in the distance, the faint sound of clappers echoed, making the night seem even deeper. Finally— "Woo—woo-woo—"

A deep, drawn-out horn sounded from within the sorcery camp, piercing the night and echoing throughout the surrounding area. It was three-quarters past midnight; time for the changing of the guard!

The torches on the ramparts seemed to glow brighter, and figures began to move frequently, with shouts of exchange faintly audible.

At this moment, the security perimeter of the entire camp experienced a planned, extremely brief relaxation and lapse in attention.

It's now!

Gu Rubing's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he let out a low shout.

"Do it!"

"kill--!!!"

Almost simultaneously, from the direction of the east gate, Zhang Fei's roar, like that of a prehistoric beast, erupted! Immediately following was a deafening roar from hundreds of people in unison!

Suddenly, flames blazed, and countless rockets streaked across the night sky like shooting stars, hurtling towards the East Gate camp and watchtower! Dozens of fearless warriors, carrying makeshift ladders and battering rams, surged toward the East Gate like a desperate tide under the cover of their comrades' arrow rain!
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack at the East Gate!"

"It's Gu Jun! And there are quite a few of them!"

"Block it! Fire arrows! Prepare logs and boulders!"

Chaos erupted instantly at the east gate! Alarm bells rang frantically, their piercing sound tearing through the night. The guards on the ramparts hastily engaged in battle, arrows raining down, logs and rocks crashing down with deafening roars. But Zhang Fei and his hundred men had come prepared to die.

Despite the casualties, they managed to push the ladders against the ramparts and began climbing, brandishing their swords and axes! The battle immediately entered its most brutal and intense phase, completely drawing the attention of the defenders at the east gate, as urgent cries and calls for help constantly emanated from there.

Inside the camp, the guards who were changing shifts or waiting for orders were thrown into chaos upon hearing the deafening shouts and alarm bells at the east gate. Many units instinctively looked towards the east gate and shifted their positions, while the guards in the southwest corner also momentarily relaxed their vigilance and shifted their attention.

"go!"

Gu Rubing and Zhao Yun exchanged a glance, and without hesitation, they shot out from behind the bushes like two arrows! Behind them, three hundred elite assassins followed closely like ghosts. Their steps were as light as cats, yet their speed was extremely fast, and they rushed straight towards the slightly lower fortress in the southwest corner!
The distance of several dozen steps was covered in an instant! The few suicide soldiers at the forefront had already prepared their grappling hooks. With a sudden swing of their arms, the iron claws with barbs drew an arc and accurately hooked the wooden stakes at the top of the wall!
They used both hands and feet, climbing upwards with the speed of nimble monkeys. The assassins below knelt on the ground, bows drawn and arrows nocked, watching warily for any patrols that might appear on either side.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Just as the first assassin's hand barely touched the edge of the ramparts, a guard on a nearby watchtower seemed to notice the movement of the dark figure below. He was about to lean out to investigate and raise the alarm—

"Whizzing!"

Two crossbow bolts shot out from the darkness below; one pierced the guard's throat, and the other extinguished the brazier on the watchtower, plunging the area into darkness instantly. It was Zhao Yun himself who had taken action!

"on!"

Gu Rubing shouted in a low voice, and grabbed a hanging rope himself, using it to pull himself up.

Like a silent torrent, more than two hundred of the three hundred elite soldiers successfully scaled the barrier and entered the camp within a mere dozen breaths! The rest remained on the perimeter, tasked with clearing out any scattered guards and creating further chaos to cover their retreat.

Upon entering the camp, the eerie aura instantly intensified several times, almost becoming tangible, pressing heavily on everyone's chest, making it difficult to breathe and even causing slight nausea and dizziness.

The ground was not ordinary soil, but covered with dense, twisting, and writhing dark red runes. These runes seemed to have a life of their own, emitting an extremely faint and ominous light in the darkness. They were connected to each other, forming a huge and evil pattern that enveloped the entire core area.

In the center of the camp, those strange-looking buildings were now clearly visible to everyone.

It was a workshop built from an unknown black metal, pale white boulders, and a large number of awe-inspiring, coarse skeletons that clearly belonged to large creatures.

The workshop was distorted and irregular in shape, with several dark entrances from which one could vaguely hear the gurgling of flowing liquid, the clanging of metal, and some indescribable whispers that sounded like countless tiny sounds.

Through the entrance and some window-like holes in the walls, you can see many strangely shaped glass or metal containers inside, filled with bizarrely colored liquids and indescribable, seemingly still slightly pulsating chunks of flesh or embryos.

Thick, vein-like pipes connect these vessels to several larger, furnace-like devices in the center, where a viscous, green liquid is slowly churning and bubbling.

Some figures, clad in wide black robes that obscured their faces, were busy inside and outside these workshops. Some were adjusting pipe valves, some were making notes, and others were chanting softly around the vessels soaking the monsters, their hands emitting a dim, fel-like glow.

When Gu Rubing and Zhao Yun led three hundred assassins, exuding murderous aura, and suddenly appeared in this "sacred" and "secret" core area of ​​evil magic like divine soldiers descending from the sky, the black-robed sorcerers were clearly completely dumbfounded.

They never dreamed that their heartland, protected by layers of military camps, would be subjected to such a direct and devastating invasion!

After a brief silence, piercing, horrified screams erupted from several people in black robes!
“Enemy…enemy!”

"It's Gu Jun! How did they get in?!"

"Quickly! Activate the guards! Protect the altar! Protect the embryo!"

"Stop them!!!"

"Set it on fire! Destroy everything!"

Gu Rubing's fierce shout was like a thunderclap, instantly shattering the terrified screams of the sorcerers! He gave the enemy no time to react at all. Before his words had even finished, he shot out like an arrow, his long sword flashing with a cold light, stabbing straight at the nearest black-robed sorcerer!

The sorcerer was still frantically trying to find some magical artifact in his robes when the sword light arrived. He didn't even have time to let out a complete scream before the sharp sword energy tore his black robes apart, splattering blood everywhere!

At the same time, three hundred assassins, who had been waiting in ambush, acted like tigers released from their cages! They were divided into groups of three and teams of five, with clear division of labor.

Some people pulled out the leather pouches they carried and frantically splashed the viscous, pungent kerosene inside onto the surrounding workshop walls, the pipes connected to disgusting utensils, the unknown materials piled in the corners, and the strange rune arrays on the ground!
The other group quickly lit the oil-soaked torches they carried, or used tinderboxes to ignite the fuses of specially made gunpowder packs, and hurled them fiercely at the places where oil had been splashed!

"call--!"

"Boom! Crackling!"

The flames ignited upon contact with the oil, instantly bursting forth with intense light and high temperature! The glass containers soaking the monster embryos shattered under the intense heat, scattering green and black viscous liquids everywhere, which ignited upon contact with the oil, producing even more violent explosions! (End of Chapter)