Chapter 48

Dwarves stood in place, seeing off Feng Yan and Chen Hao as they left.

Only after their silhouettes completely disappeared did they begin to be troubled.

They were once a race under the gods' protection, but overnight Profit State invaded, the tribe's shamans began to speak, and the prophecy has now come true; the dwarves are suffering a catastrophic disaster, the Red-clothed Devil used their bodies to make a strengthening potion suitable for Profit State's consumption, and the dwarves thus became raw material. The elder kept thinking, he was in a dilemma, because the prophecy says that the one who will liberate the dwarves and restore their divine protection is an adventurer, but is that person him?

The clan leader closed his eyes, thinking silently; this is a gamble within the tribe, failure equals the death of the dwarf tribe, he is in a dilemma, the dwarf tribe's people, having witnessed that horrifying scene, have long lost courage in their hearts, he ultimately cannot make a decision, he cannot put the lives of the entire tribe on the line to gamble with two familiar adventurers.

The afterglow of the setting sun fell upon the golden phoenix‑tree forest, specks of light filtering through, looking utterly dreamy yet revealing cruelty; they watched the sunset slowly descend until nightfall, yet they could not make a decision.

"What are you still thinking about at this point?" a voice came from behind; it was undoubtedly a woman's voice.

"Who?" the clan leader looked around and shouted.

"Your race is about to suffer a catastrophic disaster, yet you still want ease? Isn't that a joke? Did you forget the world's laws under the gods' protection? Or are you dwarves not as brave and daring as the legends say?" A figure slowly walked from the phoenix‑tree forest and came before the dwarf clan leader.

The dwarf clan leader widened his eyes, looking at the adventurer before him—it was actually a woman!

Seeing the dwarves' expressions, the girl said somewhat angrily, "What, women can't be adventurers?"

Jin Meng remained standing on high ground; he saw that the girl before him posed no danger, and instead found her extremely cute. So he jumped down to her side and asked, "Since you're an adventurer, you should know Feng Yan and Chen Hao, right?"

The girl laughed and said, "Finally someone who understands; I know them, I'm their friend, my name is Lin Xiyan."

Feng Yan and Chen Hao were quite flustered; as the sky gradually darkened, he didn't know whether Chen Hao's words could rally them to stand and seize their weapons, so he asked Chen Hao, "How confident are you now?"

Chen Hao spread his hands helplessly and said, "I'm also uncertain in my heart; we can only wait for the outcome."

Feng Yan stopped walking; Chen Hao felt something odd, was about to ask something, then heard Feng Yan say, "On the dwarves' side, it's Lin Xiyan."

Chen Hao followed Feng Yan's gaze and smiled, "Then should we think about what comes next? The dwarf tribe's rebellion is merely an undecided plan; if, contrary to the plan, the dwarves do not rebel, we would have to forsake all our money to hire bounty hunters to fight."

Feng Yan nodded and said, "This is a backup plan; of course, after the dwarves join the battle we still need to produce half of our gold to lure bounty hunters to deal with Profit State's army, but Yang Xin's crossbow bolts are a major problem—anyone hit by him loses all ability to resist; although you could block his first shot with that metal, you cannot ward off a second, which is a very thorny issue."

"Ah, this really is a hassle; last time we returned only because of the Adventurers' Tome, but this time we have none—if we really fight, we'll be at a disadvantage, of course, because their soldiers have the support of that strengthening potion." Feng Yan analyzed while sighing.

"Of course!" Chen Hao reminded. "If the king simply produced the treasure, we could just leave, but it's naturally impossible with Yang Xin and the prince, so we would die, and the king would agree to this."

After their exchange, they slowly returned to the Wanggong. Guards stood at the gate; one approached Feng Yan and said, "Both of you, His Majesty the King has already agreed to your request; tomorrow he will receive you in the main hall, together with those two adventurers."

Feng Yan and Chen Hao nodded; the soldier withdrew, seeing the two return, Wang You's uneasy heart finally settled, then he approached Feng Yan and asked concernedly, "Where did you go? Can you bring me along so I can act with you?"

Feng Yan shook his head, rejecting Wang You's request.

Wang You looked at the two with an almost resentful gaze; Chen Hao couldn't bear it, patted Feng Yan's shoulder, indicating he would go out, leaving a man and a woman inside; Feng Yan felt that gaze, turned his head away to avoid it, and said, "This is very dangerous! I'm doing this for your own good; Chen Hao and I are engaged in life‑risking perilous activities, so please don't add trouble for me—this is the greatest help I can give you."

Wang You bit his lip, wanting to say more, but Feng Yan pulled him into an embrace and said in a choked voice, "Please, don't say anything; I don't want anyone to risk themselves for me and Chen Hao, nor do I want to lose anyone; I have already lost the person I love most, and even if this is merely a game world, I truly truly do not want anyone to leave my side."

Faced with Feng Yan's action, Wang You was momentarily dazed, standing there blankly, embraced by Feng Yan; because of Feng Yan and Chen Hao's previous appearance, she had gained something no other dancer had ever possessed, she felt fortunate; in her view, the occurrence of that event was just like yesterday, her head rested on Feng Yan's chest, listening to his heartbeat; she didn't understand the game Feng Yan spoke of, yet she chose to remain silent, not to ask about those things, quietly enjoying the time spent in Feng Yan's embrace.

Feng Yan loosened his grip on the book, set Wang You down, then opened the door and stepped outside; Chen Hao leaned against a pillar, seeing Feng Yan emerge, asked, "Is that it?"

"Yeah, that's it." Feng Yan replied.

Inside the Wanggong, the king had already understood Feng Yan and Chen Hao's intentions, but how could the nation's most precious treasure simply be given away? The king was in a dilemma, yet if he refused, he would recall the terrifying power of that black sword, and cold sweat instantly broke out over his body.

"Is the king worried about the adventurers?" a voice suddenly appeared; the king raised his head and saw the Red‑clothed Devil, who walked over while saying, "Rest easy, after all, no one knows what's inside, right?"

The king understood, she nodded and said, "This is a trial from our ancestors!"