Chapter 69: A Legend in the Making

Dusk chased the withered yellow pine needles and landed on the town filled with cooking smoke; birds with black and shiny feathers lined up on the orange roofs, watching the adventurers returning from the labyrinth and walking toward the market.

As usual, "Pine Song Path" was still full, and the sound of the wind chime at the door hadn't stopped since the sun went down.

And unlike yesterday, there was a rare bard in the tavern today.

That was the tavern owner's idea.

He discovered that when people had stories to listen to while drinking, the sales of beer and roasted sausages would be much higher than usual.

Since the stories told by an illiterate old farmer could heat up the atmosphere like this, wouldn't a professional one be able to sell out the horse urine used for sobering up? For this reason, he specially invited the Tulip Orchestra that had celebrated the birthday of the seventh Grand Duke of the Campbell family.

Those professionals held harps, set up drums, blew light flutes, and sang the legendary story of the seventh Grand Duke of the Campbell family in generous and impassioned voices, even injecting the power of magic into that melodious melody.

However, for some reason.

Although people were also applauding and whistling, the sales of beer just wouldn't go up.

And as the number of guests in the tavern grew, the bards were soon left aside, and only the poor ghosts in the town seemed interested, but the so-called interest was mostly focused on the pretty female flute player.

However, this bunch of local poor ghosts didn't consume at all, and even the pine nuts they were eating were brought by themselves, which was really annoying.

Looking at those hardworking bards, the tavern owner felt sorry for them while feeling sorry for his wallet.

After a song ended, he pulled the leader of the orchestra to the side and opened his mouth with tactful wording.

"Do you have any other stories?"

The bard looked at the tavern owner with dissatisfaction.

"Are you questioning my professional ability?"

He saw the guests' boredom, but he didn't think it was his own reason, but because this bunch of bumpkins couldn't appreciate it!

Honestly, if it weren't for the price this owner gave him that he couldn't refuse, he wouldn't have come to this poor place to perform at all, and he had been here for three days! "No, no, Mr. Yang Yang Andi, I didn't mean that! You are of course the most professional..."

The owner who had already paid couldn't afford to offend this guy, so he could only laugh and coax.

"... It's just, I mean, the people here grew up listening to the stories of Grand Duke Campbell; they already know how great and amazing that Lord is; perhaps you can try stories they haven't heard."

"Fine, then I'll try the story of 'Emperor William defeating the Aiwen cultists'; this story you guys shouldn't have heard since childhood." Venting his anger on this tavern owner, the bard named Yang Yang Andi said fiercely.

"No problem..."

Although it was still the same old stuff, this time it seemed a bit different from usual.

The tavern owner finally breathed a sigh of relief, while hating the guy who suggested he invite some Tulip Orchestra.

It was simply a waste of money!

Abel, sitting in front of the bar, was still waiting for someone to treat him to a drink, but unfortunately, he wasn't the protagonist today, and he didn't wait for those good people from the militia.

At this time, a man carrying a greatsword walked in from outside and went straight to the bar to order a large glass of beer.

Someone noticed this familiar face and whistled, laughing and saying.

"Yo, Barnet, didn't you leave? Why are you back?"

Another adventurer laughed and continued.

"I remember you said yesterday that you had enough of dealing with Lizardmen and were going to the desert in the east to find a labyrinth worth exploring!"

First taking a gulp of mellow beer to suppress his shock, Barnet wiped the beer foam on his mouth, and then said.

"I'm not leaving!"

That adventurer laughed again and said.

"You guy must have been seasick."

"Hahahaha!"

Everyone laughed.

It could be seen that they were bored to death.

Ignoring this bunch of guys, Barnet took another big gulp of beer, slammed his arm on the table, and said with the help of the alcohol.

"You guys don't understand anything at all!"

Another adventurer whistled.

"Then tell us, what made you change your mind?"

"Giant dragon!" Barnet said desperately, "This morning! In the southwest of Yinsong Forest, I saw a giant dragon!"

The tavern was quiet for a while.

Even Yang Andi, who had been singing the model poem, couldn't help but stop that drawn-out, melodic tone and turn his gaze toward the man carrying the greatsword.

However, this peaceful atmosphere didn't last long, and with a light laugh breaking the silence, soon laughter like a tide drowned him out.

"Giant dragon?"

"Hahahaha!"

"Are you serious?!"

"I've lived here for more than ten years, and this is the first time I've heard of giant dragons in Lei Ming County south of Cuiyan Peak."

"Very good, very good, first a lich appeared in the small Yinsong Town, then a giant dragon was discovered; I guess next someone will fight the Demon King."

"At least he didn't lose his greatsword like that shoe-dropper."

Old Abel was stunned.

What does this have to do with him... how could he get shot while eating pine nuts?! Barnet was angry, stood up by patting the table, and stepped on a bar stool with one foot.

"What are you laughing at! Do I look like I'm joking?"

The adventurer with a palm print on his face raised his head and said with a playful smile.

"Then tell us what the situation was at the time."

"Exactly, tell us, I'm quite curious what a giant dragon looks like."

People nearby also followed suit.

Originally having the meaning of showing off, Barnet couldn't stand the urging of the crowd, and half-pushed and half-pulled, told the legendary experience.

"At that time, my partner and I had just come out of the labyrinth, when suddenly a loud noise came from the north, so we found a hill with an open view and climbed up... then guess what I saw? A giant dragon! A real giant dragon!"

"That guy must be twenty or thirty meters high... maybe thirty or forty meters, anyway its head was higher than the pine trees there! The wings were like the windmill blades of a mill! Don't know which unlucky guy angered it, it was spitting fire from its mouth, and its tail was whipping around, several pine trees were blown away!"

Everyone listened intently.

This guy's story seemed to have some meaning, not like it was made up on the spot.

After Barnet finished speaking, an adventurer asked.

"So you were quite far away?"

"Not that far... about five or six hundred meters, a spark almost burned my hair." Taking a gulp of beer, Barnet blushed and didn't have the face to tell a lie, and soon revealed it, "That's not the point! By the way! I also saw a person on its back! That guy is the one I want to talk about!"

Everyone exclaimed.

"Person?!"

"Riding on the dragon's back?!"

"Could it be a Long Qishi?!"

Yang Yang Andi, who was eavesdropping, also opened his mouth wide, not even noticing that his drummer, harpist, and flute players had all stopped playing.

Barnet closed his eyes tightly, frowning, seemingly seriously recalling the situation at the time, and finally said with a certain tone.

"No... not, that guy was riding a very large spider, he seemed to be fighting the giant dragon! Rather than a Long Qishi... it's more like a legendary dragon hunter! He grabbed the giant dragon's neck and wrestled with it for a long time, anyway, they fought until the sky was dark and the earth was yellow, and the world changed color... then later the giant dragon seemed to be subdued by him."

There seemed to be another person at the scene, but he didn't see it very clearly, just a flash, and even his partner didn't have an impression.

But that's not the point.

The point is the guy riding the spider, he definitely saw it, and it seemed to be that legendary man.

Reason?

No reason.

There is no such thing as a wild powerhouse in this world; either it's a noble chosen by the Emperor, or a god-chosen one chosen by Saint Xisi.

Anyway, he didn't believe that there were dragon hunters among the drunks present, and Grand Duke Campbell's mount wasn't a spider in the mountains.

Considering the young appearance and the skill like obtaining God's protection, the only one in the legends around this area who could match it seemed to be that guy called "Yan Wang."

Born in a place where magma erupts, being immune to dragon breath damage is also reasonable.

And the priest of Yinsong Town said it was true, so even if this legend didn't belong to Yan Wang, it could only be placed on his forehead.

Listening to the man's account, everyone was shocked by this legendary experience.

"Subdued the giant dragon..."

"How powerful must that be?!"

"Diamond? No... maybe it's the same as Grand Duke Campbell!" Barnet shook his head with a complex expression, drank a beer ordered by everyone, moistened his throat and continued.

"I don't know, anyway that guy is terrifyingly strong, it seems like he slapped the giant dragon unconscious or something... honestly, seeing a thing like a dragon, my legs went soft, let alone rushing up, I really don't know where he got the courage."

The adventurer sitting next to him said in a low voice.

"Maybe he saw many monsters more terrifying than that in the Ten Thousand Swords Mountain."

"Perhaps, so I think he should be that Yan Wang, no mistake," Barnet paused, and continued with regret, "It's just a pity that the fire there was too big, everywhere was thick smoke, and there were scorched trees... later it rained again, and the mountains and forests were full of mist, that's all I could see."

"Wait until we crossed the river and touched nearby to see what happened, a group of militiamen from the town had already taken over the place. To avoid trouble, we didn't go over. By the way, if you don't believe what I said, just find someone from the security office and ask."

That certain tone made people unable to doubt at all.

Everyone whispered, just feeling surprised at some details.

"How can someone use a spider as a mount?"

"There are many insect monsters in the Ten Thousand Swords Mountain and the labyrinth... maybe it's a guy living in the mountains?"

"There is nothing in this world that cannot be moved by the Holy Light, whether it is a person or a monster."

"..."

Listening to the discussion of the crowd, Barnet couldn't help but feel a little proud in his heart.

Although his story was watered down, it was true that he gave up the idea of leaving this place.

Why did the giant dragon suddenly descend on Yinsong Forest?

Why did the Adventurer's Guild suddenly raise the commission weight level of Yinsong Town?

And some people say... the Demon King is back.

Grand Duke Campbell is unwell, and a new god-chosen one has suddenly emerged in the border of Lei Ming County... his name is Yan Wang.

He had a premonition that something big would happen here soon!

As the saying goes, the bigger the wind and waves, the more expensive the fish; if he didn't join in the fun, he was afraid he would regret it for the rest of his life!

At this time, the bard in the tavern suddenly walked to his side, staring at his eyes with burning eyes.

"Friend, can you tell me the story of that giant dragon... and that Yan Wang?"

Praise Saint Xisi! Didn't expect this unremarkable small town to bring him such a surprise! He was now bursting with creative inspiration, wishing he could immediately dig out the story in this adventurer's mouth and write it into his poem.

He believed! That must be more interesting than Grand Duke Campbell's story! "Wait! That's mine!"

Before Barnet could speak, old Abel, sitting in front of the bar, threw away the pine nuts in his hand and shouted, jumping down from the bar stool.

"Hey! If you want to know the story of Yan Wang, you might as well find me! I am the person who knows that guy best besides Father Ma Te!"

The bard Yang Yang Andi looked at him blankly.

"... Father Ma Te?"

Old Abel smiled proudly and touched the stone cross on his chest.

"It's the priest of the church in town... Old Abel happens to have time now, if you are interested, treat me to a drink, and I can tell you in detail!"

Deep in the first level of the labyrinth, the nest of the Earth Dragon Clan, dozens of corridors converge into a wide long corridor, with dense metal pipes intersecting here.

This is the place of prayer for the Earth Dragon Clan, and also the incubation pool where Lizardman cubs are born.

From here, you can go directly to Sanu's palace, the nest area where the clansmen live, as well as the warehouse where equipment and supplies are stored, and the dungeon where prisoners are held.

In the depths of that dungeon, Mi Ya unexpectedly discovered an acquaintance.

"Youxi?! Ho, ho, how did you become like this?"

Looking at Youxi curled up in the corner, Mi Ya widened her eyes in surprise, hurriedly cast a spell to break the dungeon's fence door, flew in, and hugged Youxi.

That unruly face was bruised and swollen, and her eyes were one big and one small, looking ragged, as if she had been beaten up.

Seeing the familiar face appearing in front of her, Youxi was stunned first, then sobbed in a low voice, and finally wailed loudly.

"Mi... Mi... wa ah ah ah..."

This time, there was no mockery, Mi Ya comforted her by patting her shoulder, and untied the magic-suppressing collar locked on her neck.

"Don't cry, don't cry, be good, it's already fine..."

A few minutes ago, Luo Yan took Arakdo and a group of little brothers, as well as over fifty Black Iron-tier players who came to join the fun, and took over here.

Looking at the broken Dragon Tooth Spear in Lord Demon King's hand, the Lizardmen gave up resistance one after another, prostrating on the ground, praying for forgiveness.

Forgiveness is impossible.

Although Luo Yan had the virtue of loving life, the Demon King's majesty did not allow him to retreat.

Blame themselves for being born in the Netherworld, and not being reincarnated in the Demon Capital.

"You betrayed the labyrinth, and also betrayed the oath to Lord Demon God, in order to fight against this King, you even didn't hesitate to pour the disaster into the labyrinth..."

Looking at the trembling Lizardmen, Luo Yan, sitting on Arakdo's back, continued with a majestic voice.

"According to the laws of the Netherworld, I should have beheaded you on the spot, but considering that the culprit has been executed by me, and you surrendered in a timely manner, I can spare your lives."

"But as punishment, you will be reduced to slaves, using forced labor to repay your sins, until a generation dies."

"... From now on, the Earth Dragon Clan will no longer exist, the Guardian Clan is your new name, I hope you cherish it well."

The elder Lizardman prostrated on the ground, trembling and saying.

"Thank you Lord Demon King for your forgiveness, we will turn over a new leaf and repay the sins we committed..."

No one resisted.

Winners are kings and losers are bandits; not being transformed into undead was already the most merciful outcome for them.

At least the four thousand or so clansmen who survived could avoid death, at least Lord Demon King forgave the children of their children...

The surrender ceremony ended.

Luo Yan personally burned those totems carved with the Dragon God's portrait, and then ordered these Lizardmen to carve a new one according to his own image, as a statue of the conqueror, and also to condense the faith of this group of defeated people.

The loot provided by the Guardian Clan was not much, mainly some adventurers' equipment.

Luo Yan originally wanted to ask where the adventurers' money went, but several Lizardman elders indicated that they didn't take it at all.

"We generally only take away weapons and armor, and leave other things to the dead... after all, human coins, we can't use them either."

"This wasteful habit must be changed, what if it's used someday?" Luo Yan criticized several Lizardman elders, and then said, "From now on, don't eat the adventurers you catch, strip them of their equipment, leave them with clothes, and then throw them into the dungeon."

The Lizardman elder was stunned.

"And then?"

Luo Yan thought for a moment and said.

"Then send them to me when there's a certain number, and I will reward you according to the head count."

Keeping prisoners is indeed useless for Lizardmen, but eating them directly is a pity; it's better to brand them with Lord Demon King's mark, which can at least contribute some faith value.

After explaining these things, Luo Yan used necromancy combined with magic medicine to repair Okdo's body, and transformed him and Zelike from zombie puppets into corpses.

Because the connection with himself was broken, their strength would be greatly weakened, just like Father Ma Te, who was also transformed into a corpse.

However, the soul levels of this pair of brothers were not low, one Gold and one Bronze, and it was only a matter of time before they trained back the lost levels.

And in contrast, they would inherit "memories after becoming zombies," while gaining further heart and self-awareness, as well as higher growth potential.

After all, zombies lacking self-awareness couldn't beat corpses of the same level anyway.

Looking at the two children prostrating before him, Luo Yan slowly opened his mouth in a majestic tone.

"Zelike, from today on you are the High Priest of the Guardian Clan, responsible for preaching and selecting and training Guardian Clan acolytes loyal to me from newborns. Monks serving the Great Graveyard don't have to be slaves, but will have equal status with other citizens of the Great Graveyard; you must carefully select those who are truly loyal to the Great Graveyard."

"In addition, you are also responsible for supervising the chieftain of the Guardian Clan, as well as the daily activities of these former traitors, including urging them to continue farming slimes and other monsters and crops, and ensuring that they can pay tribute to the Great Graveyard five hundred lizard eggs and five hundred tails every month."

"If they have two hearts, tell me in time."

Unlike little devils, lizard eggs and tails are edible, and as a substitute for eggs and chicken, they are very common in the Netherworld.

Even demons in the Netherworld don't just eat them, Lizardmen themselves occasionally satisfy their cravings.

However, Luo Yan didn't want these guys' eggs just to eat, but more to prepare new bodies for the players.

These are materials needed for the ritual.

Zelike nodded in command.

"Obey!"

Luo Yan continued to look at Okdo.

"Okdo, from today on you are the Governor of the first level of the labyrinth, responsible for managing the Shadow-Weaving Nest and the Guardian Clan."

Okdo bowed respectfully.

"Yes! Lord Demon King."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 70 =====

(End of chapter)