Some heroes hidden in the shadows aimed their magic at the Werewolf Warriors on the walls, who immediately retaliated with rocket launchers. These makeshift rocket launchers, hastily designed and manufactured, did not have a long range, but they were sufficient to deal with the Mages hiding in the residential area. The projectiles, like oversized fireworks, spewed flames from their rears, leaving a long trail of gray smoke as they streaked along a smooth trajectory toward their targets. They detonated with deafening explosions, flashes of fire heralding clouds of superheated gas that propelled embedded steel balls in all directions.

Faced with such an unscrupulous attack, the attacking Mages suddenly became much more cautious. They no longer dared to recklessly cast magic from behind cover. Instead, each Mage first cast whatever Defense magic they knew upon themselves. Only then would they cast an offensive spell before quickly relocating. The Mages, having adopted the cunning habits of mercenaries, found the contiguous residential area ideal for shifting positions, as it provided sufficient cover. However, the rocket launchers used by the Werewolf Warriors couldn't breach the stone-built houses. Just then, the artillery preparations were complete.

The Alchemy Laboratory of the Eternal Domain had produced 100 88mm caliber smoothbore cannons for the Envoy Mansion. Some of these cannons were positioned in the front courtyard and backyard of the Envoy Mansion, while others were placed inside rooms within the main building. The windows of the building were opened, revealing rows of dark cannon muzzles poking out.

Aerial reconnaissance drones relayed target locations to Chui Chui via data link. After performing calculations, Chui Chui transmitted the firing solutions to each artillery position. All the cannons were split into two groups: one firing at distant targets and the other at closer ones. The impact points for each battery were distributed in a fan shape. They would adjust their firing angles incrementally, with both groups of cannons creating a pincer effect toward the center.

Chui Chui requested the order to fire.

Yan Xing replied, "Fire!"

The cannons fired in unison with a deafening roar, and the main building of the Envoy Mansion shuddered from the bombardment. Various ornaments hung on the walls fell, and large pieces of the walls cracked and tumbled down. The building seemed as if it could collapse at any moment.

Yan Xing stood still, observing the results of the artillery barrage.

Two target areas were blanketed by interconnected trails of gray smoke, through which one could vaguely discern figures scrambling in disarray. The Werewolf Warriors immediately used their prepared rocket launchers to saturate the dust-filled areas with fire, capitalizing on the chaos to press their advantage. The breech-loading smoothbore cannons and standardized shells allowed each gun crew to reload with extreme speed. In little more than ten seconds, all cannons were ready to fire again. This time, there was no need to wait for an order; the cannons fired as soon as reloading was complete.

Flames belched, gunsmoke rose, and black shells crashed with unstoppable momentum into the residential area ahead. Walls were pierced, some shells demolished load-bearing walls, and rudimentary houses collapsed outright. The trebuchets that had been hurling stones at the Envoy Mansion fell silent, and the attacking mercenaries were left battered and disheveled by this new form of assault. These combatants, their fighting spirit weak, only endured four artillery volleys before retreating in disarray. Even the Griffons that had swaggered close to the Envoy Mansion hastily wheeled around and fled.

The Envoy Mansion's guards repelled an enemy assault. Attendants, who had been hiding in the main building, immediately rushed to replenish supplies at the defensive positions and carried the injured Werewolf Warriors inside for treatment. The soldiers prepared for the next battle.

Li Jiya gazed at the bombardment zone, still shrouded in smoke and dust, her heart unable to find peace.

This was a method of warfare she had never witnessed. Under the assault of such devastatingly powerful weapons, high rank and level meant nothing; one was merely flesh and blood. She had personally seen a mercenary hero, glowing with multiple layers of Defense magic, take a direct hit from a cannonball. The mercenary hero's body had been torn asunder like a rag doll. For a moment, Li Jiya began to doubt all her years of diligent cultivation. If a hero's life was so cheap, what meaning did their existence hold?

No! Li Jiya forcefully shook the chaotic thoughts from her mind. These Alchemical Weapons must be incredibly expensive... A single small alchemical bomb from a Goblin Alchemy Factory costs a thousand Gold. The high-powered Alchemical Weapons used by the Eternal Domain could only be more so. It was all because Yan Xing was wealthy. It was his money that had won him this battle, but it could only win such small-scale engagements. Yan Xing might be able to arm his personal guard with such expensive Alchemical Weapons, but he could never afford to equip an army of tens of thousands.

Li Jiya tried to reassure herself with these thoughts.

Gale was telling himself much the same thing.

Gale, the former head of the Golden Oak Chamber of Commerce's Nuta City branch, was the commander leading the current attack on Yan Xing's Envoy Mansion. However, in their first assault, his troops had been driven back before even reaching the Envoy Mansion's gates.

The Eternal Commerce Guild is just obscenely wealthy, Gale fumed internally. Tossing Alchemical Weapons about without a care for the cost! Fighting a war like this, even a pig could lead them to victory!

Gale gathered the retreating mercenary leaders and, to boost the flagging morale of his troops, said, "Yan Xing resorting to Alchemical Weapons in battle means we're actually fortunate.

"Think about it. If Yan Xing is using these expensive Alchemical Weapons with such disregard for their cost, imagine the immense wealth he must be protecting!

"Yan Xing is very rich. Once we break into the Envoy Mansion, all his money will be ours!"

Gale's words reignited the mercenaries' spirits.

Yet, some remained apprehensive. One voiced his concern, "The Envoy Mansion's long-range firepower is too strong. Our Mages and Archers simply can't suppress them.

"A forced assault will mean heavy casualties."

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