Chapter 136: Warrior Tavern

Sinuoli's willingness to spread gossip in the tavern was undoubtedly in keeping with the Dwarf style, and this quickly allowed him to integrate into the discussions of his kin nearby.

"How so? Could it be another arrangement by the Ancestor Goddess?" The bartender stopped his work and looked at Sinuoli with great interest.

As of now, Sinuoli's stories could be considered a "traffic code" in the tavern; even Human bards knew that singing the praises of this Prince with exaggerated flair could earn them thunderous applause and generous tips.

"He, the esteemed Master Sinuoli, is going to Weifengbao to welcome the bride for his eldest brother, Prince Grom!" Sinuoli pondered to himself that after a year, those who should know this news already knew it, and for those who didn't, it wouldn't hurt if they found out now.

"Welcoming a bride? Well then! I suppose that would be Princess Pamila, right?" The bartender's booming voice could be heard by nearly half the patrons in the hall, which was one of the reasons news spread so quickly in the tavern.

"Hm? Yes, yes, that is Princess Pamila. Come to think of it, how did you guess that, brother?" Sinuoli was stunned for a moment before he reacted; he had only heard his father mention the name of his future sister-in-law once back in Karak-Varn.

However, he thought again that Kalake-Zifulin was a long way from Everpeak, so it was only natural that his kin who traveled with him did not know of that Princess.

But Karak-Azgalaz was only four or five days' journey from Weifengbao, so it was reasonable for the kin here to know a bit more about their neighbor.

"Ha! You are a newcomer, so you wouldn't know; last year, it was this same caravan, and Princess Pamila passed through on her way back from Everpeak." The bartender burst into hearty laughter.

"Back then, although I didn't see that beautiful Princess, I heard no fewer than ten versions of what she looked like! Am I right, everyone?" He shouted to the surrounding patrons, which was undoubtedly a way to stir up the atmosphere.

"You're not wrong! The Little Beards were circling the inn where she stayed every single day!" These were the disdainful voices of the Longbeards.

"Hahaha, if our Lord Sawake finds out, he'll be crying into his pillow in secret!"

"Prince Grom? He once escorted a caravan to our side too; he was a warrior worthy of a match!"

The noisy voices of the kin buzzed around, vibrating Sinuoli's skull.

"Hehehe, I heard that back then, Lord Sawake—no, the late King Steady-Walker was still alive then. Prince Sawake didn't shy away from fawning over Princess Pamila!"

Sinuoli gasped upon hearing this; this was something he had not expected. But thinking about it, it made sense; the one close to the water gets the moon first, and the flowers facing the sun bloom early. It was normal for Lord Sawake to have ideas.

"This, phew!" Sinuoli casually echoed a few words and brought the topic back.

"That Lord Granite Hand, besides Princess Pamila, must have other heirs, right? Lord Sawake could just wait a bit!"

"You're right about that; that Lord is about the same age as our late King. He has two other adult heirs: his eldest son, Sitelinge, and a second daughter, though I don't know her name." The bartender provided the bit of information Sinuoli wanted.

"That Prince Sitelinge was also a famous genius in our Grey Mountains. Just last year, at less than a hundred years old, he became a Rune Smith, though he was only half a step behind our Master Sinuoli!" Before Sinuoli could continue to guide the conversation, the bartender took the initiative to go on.

"You have to know, compared to the Chosen of the Goddess who is apprenticed to Master Krag the Grim—a Rune Master of this age who has lived for over a thousand years and whose strength rivals that of the Ancestor Gods—Prince Sitelinge, who studied under Master Haleke, has much poorer conditions."

Hearing this, Sinuoli thought to himself that Master Krag hadn't really given him any special treatment, but then he thought of the legendary boots on his feet, and his complaints couldn't be voiced. He had to push his feet hard under the bar to prevent anyone interested from noticing the extraordinary nature of the Stali Boots.

"Originally, all of Weifengbao was proud of their Prince, believing that he would eventually become an outstanding Rune Lord! When a Rune Master also serves as the Lord of a fortress, he earns the title of Rune Lord."

Sinuoli certainly knew this; a Rune Lord was his goal to begin with. However, he still nodded in agreement.

"I heard that the Prince himself is incredibly arrogant. Well, you are a merchant and well-traveled; I mean, by the standards of us Sons of the Mountains, he's as arrogant as an elf!" Seeming to fear that Sinuoli might misunderstand Sitelinge's temper, the bartender added a specific remark.

Hearing this, Sinuoli's heart skipped a beat. Although Weifengbao currently had no second Rune Master, if there were a young man with both potential and status, then his Doom Anvil might be in danger.

"But, as the news spread across the mountains that Master Sinuoli had received the Mother Goddess's grace and subsequently completed a Master Rune in three days, that Prince Sitelinge was said to be like a knight lord stripped of his fief—even his voice shook when he spoke!"

The bartender seemed to carry a hint of schadenfreude; Prince Sitelinge had likely made many enemies due to his own arrogance.

"I am but a mere businessman; what is the point of worrying about the affairs of Lords? Why don't you tell me what Kalake-Zifulin is lacking now! If I don't make a profit, I'll have to go trade in the lands of our Human friends for the New Year!"

Sinuoli pulled the topic back once more. If he could know in advance what supplies Weifengbao was desperately short of, besides being able to earn a profit to fill his purse, he might be more attractive when making an offer than just using Oath Gold.

"What is it lacking?" The bartender stroked his shiny, slick beard—a beard that even Sinuoli envied; if this were in a game, he would definitely have the "Pure Big Beard" trait.

"If you ask me, it might be easier for me to give you an answer if you asked what it is *not* lacking!" He put on a thoughtful pose and gave Sinuoli this interesting suggestion.

"Then, what is it not lacking?" Sinuoli was also amused. "Gold?" He blurted out the thing a Dwarf stronghold was most commonly not lacking.

"Hahahaha!"

"Not lacking gold! You could grow green mushrooms in Lord Granite Hand's treasury!"

"I couldn't tell you were so fond of telling jokes at your age!"

The kin sitting around Sinuoli also burst into laughter upon hearing this, which made Sinuoli feel a bit awkward.

"How so?" he asked the bartender.

"Hahaha, this is gossip, but it should be true!" The bartender teased. "It is said that Grom the Paunch arranged for the greediest Goblins under his command to loot the treasury of Weifengbao!"

Thanks to Lenin Guiding the Way for the monthly ticket, Night Monkey Momo for the monthly ticket.