Chapter 12: Gray Dwarf Tribe

Inside the Cold Iron Vein.

Deep in the cave there is a narrow opening, here supported by the Gray Dwarves with rough Cold Iron Bars, forming a sturdy arch. At the entrance are piled several unprocessed Cold Iron Ore, faintly showing a deep‑blue metallic sheen.

Inside the gate is a relatively open space, and on the cavern walls hang tools and weapons made of Cold Iron, each looking heavy, revealing the Gray Dwarves' superb forging skill.

Beds made of Cold Iron Bars and hard wood found in the mine are scattered throughout the cave, appearing especially crude. Only a metal forging furnace in the center of the cave is the sole facility here that shows any care.

It is obvious that these Gray Dwarves have already made a home within this vein.

At this moment the Gray Dwarves, weapons in hand, watch the silent Hyena Werewolves before them tensely, trying to adopt an intimidating posture, but the Hyena Werewolves' sense of smell has already detected the fear emanating from these dwarf stumps in the air.

Gray Dwarf clan chief Kelan Jiating, with a warning, roars: "Damned stupid dogs, you have trespassed on the Copper Beard Clan's territory. We have no food, nor will we give you any. Leave this place!"

It is clear that Kelan Jiating treats these Hyena Werewolves as a monster group seeking food; although Hyena Werewolves are very rare in the Underdark, they are not nonexistent.

In fact, any creature with darkvision can survive here, and Hyena Werewolves, being nocturnal animals, are among them.

Kelan Jiating appears strong, but inside he is wincing with distress, not to mention those Hyena Werewolves that seem motionless, as eerie as puppets; the larger Hyena Werewolf leader at the back and the Ogre that almost fills the passage pose a great threat to him.

Kelan Jiating is a Six-level Warrior and also possesses some simple Psychic Ability, yet almost every member of his own kind behind him lacks any Combat Power.

A Hyena Werewolf suddenly moves; it slowly steps out of the line, its eyes emitting a yellow halo.

It looks at Kelan Jiating and says: "Follow me out, our master is waiting for you."

Then it looks at the Gray Dwarves behind Kelan Jiating and adds: "If you don't want them to die."

The Gray Dwarf falls silent; after half a minute of consideration, he puts down his Cold Iron Axe, a group of unbeatable Monsters, and a master that controls them— the Copper Beard Clan has no ability to resist.

"No! Kelan Jiating! These monsters will eat you, don't go out!" a Gray Dwarf behind him voiced opposition.

"Exactly! Fight them! These long‑haired brats, tonight I'll eat dog meat!"

"Gray Dwarves never become slaves!!"

"Exactly, unless you provide three meals a day!"

One of the shouting Gray Dwarves was glared at fiercely by his peers; he forced a nervous laugh, changed his words: "Gray Dwarves never become slaves!!"

"Exactly!!"

The surrounding Gray Dwarves erupted in approving roars, ready to grab their axes and charge at this pack of wild dogs.

But Kelan Jiating was not swayed by this emotion; he took a deep breath and said.

"Listen to me, my brothers and sisters, trust me, I will not go to a death march, nor will I let you go to a death march."

"Do you remember how we escaped from Aolingduoer? It was courage, but more so caution and wisdom that helped us!"

The Gray Dwarves fell silent; they are not fools, they know clearly the gap between them and these monsters, only a surge of hot blood supports their courage.

One burst of effort, then decline, then exhaustion. Kelan Jiating's words made them once again realize the cold reality. Tie Xiu impatiently licked his lips; he has tolerated these dwarf stumps for a long time, and if not for the Hyena Werewolf evidently conveying the master's will stepping forward, he would have already ordered to tear these Gray Dwarves apart and feast.

"Damned dwarf, stop testing my patience. I swear, if you don't leave again, I'll cut off your legs and carry you out!"

Kelan Jiating gave Tie Xiu a cold glance; dwarves hate having their height mocked, but the situation is stronger than people, so he silently walked toward the cave exit.

Outside the cave, Naimi Xisi finally saw the emerging Gray Dwarf; looking at the dwarf whose skin was the color of cement, he felt somewhat absurd.

So these dwarves broke the High Seal Gate? He then refuted his own thought; unless the Gray Dwarf god Ladug personally descends a miracle, their strength alone could never achieve it.

At this moment Kelan Jiating, upon seeing the white dragon floating in midair, was already sweating cold.

"A Young Dragon? Damn it, what species is this? Could it be a mixed‑blood White Dragon?"

No wonder Kelan Jiating is nervous; if the other truly belongs to the White Dragon of the Five-colored Evil Dragon, the freed Copper Beard Clan may become slaves again!

No, even worse, become a dragon's dessert! Thinking of this absurd future, Kelan Jiating's legs grew weak.

As a Gray Dwarf who despises most races, he now also had to rummage through any knowledge of etiquette in his mind, trembling, he said:

"Great True Dragon, I do not know what the Copper Beard Clan may do for you."

Naimi Xisi did not approach Kelan Jiating; unlike the other, he clearly knows that as a Juan Ce Long, his Physical Strength and that of other True Dragons differ vastly; a Six-level Warrior suddenly raging has a chance to injure himself.

"Gray Dwarves, do you really not know why I am here?"

Under the vertical pupils of the Juan Ce Long, Kelan Jiating felt great pressure; he had a bad suspicion, but he knew this was the most likely purpose of a greedy True Dragon.

"Is it for… our Cold Iron Vein?"

"It is my Cold Iron Vein!!" Naimi Xisi's Dragon Might, with a roar, descended upon Kelan Jiating.

"You have seized my property, and still dare to claim it as your own?!"

Sure enough, Kelan Jiating couldn't help but smile wryly; he had known it was like this.

What he didn't know was that Naimi Xisi's heart was already bleeding with pain.

Gray Dwarves, like most dwarves, are keen on forging; this Gray Dwarf clan does not know how many Cold Iron Ore they have already hoarded.

One must know that Cold Iron Ore is only most valuable when unpolished! "It is indeed your property, that was my slip of the tongue, Great True Dragon, the precious Cold Iron Vein is certainly yours, the Copper Beard Clan guarantees to leave immediately!"

Kelan Jiating found an excuse for his slip.

Naimi Xisi snorted coldly, withdrew his pressure and asked: "Tell me your origins, not a single word missing."

Kelan Jiating was somewhat puzzled by Naimi Xisi's purpose, but he still honestly explained.

"Great True Dragon, we are a group of slaves who escaped from Aolingduoer City; in fact, we have only lived here for a few years."

(End of chapter)