Chapter 356: Reaching an Agreement and Setting Sail

"Your Excellency, please listen to my advice: do not indulge in wild fantasies. The Terracotta Sentinels stand over ten zhang tall, and every movement they make possesses boundless power. How could such a thing be achieved by human hands?"

Yin Yin rested her forehead on one slender hand while waving the other repeatedly. Over the past few millennia, the Dragon-Blooded had naturally tried to manufacture these war artifacts themselves, but neither Yuanbo, who had the highest attainment in the Winds of Magic, nor Zhaoming, who was most skilled in ingenious crafts, had succeeded.

"If the Governor is willing to let our clan's technicians study the real thing, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, I can promise to sell you a certain quota of meteorite equipment every year." Sinuoli naturally would not give up.

"Hmph, how do you intend to study it?"

The Longnü sighed; she had heard of the stubbornness of the Dwarfs over the years. Outside of the Terracotta Sentinels, the treasures she could use to move the Dwarf King were limited, and by comparison, their non-tradability was even stronger, so she simply began to discuss it from there.

"Uh, just, take a look, tinker a bit, and do some research."

Speaking of this, Sinuoli scratched his head. He had always been a hands-off manager regarding the technology of the Rune Guardians, let alone the Rune Colossi. Kelage and Master Buluoke had only told him separately that the current technology still had flaws, but he hadn't studied exactly what was missing.

According to his analysis, both Rune Guardians and Rune Colossi were inanimate objects; they were great at handling cannon fodder, but for powerful, extraordinary individuals, he still had to rely on himself swinging his hammer. Therefore, he had invested his limited time into self-improvement.

"Hehe!"

The Jade Sea Mist Dragon covered her mouth and chuckled softly. Sinuoli's heartbeat skipped a beat again. This Longnü did not have a particularly clear perception of her own charm, and in Zhendan, no one dared to harbor the thieving heart of becoming a Dragon Knight.

"Then what harm is there in me granting it!"

Sinuoli's amateur performance made Yin Yin feel contempt. If the Dragon-Blooded could not figure out the technology, how could a mere mortal—even a genius—possibly succeed?

As she understood it, either this Dwarf King overestimated himself too much and knew nothing of the mysteries of the Terracotta Sentinels, or he admired her Imperial Father's great power, and while he called it research, he actually just wanted to get a close look.

"Wonderful, it's a deal!"

Sinuoli also smiled. The Longnü opposite him could never imagine that Rune Colossi were buried deep underground in the core fortresses of the Qunshan. This treasure could be called top-secret among the Dwarf Realms; even his eldest brother, Grom Skull-Cracker, did not know the full truth.

"I suggest that regarding the meteorite equipment, you purchase breastplates along with helmet crests and sword blades; that will be enough. Although your subordinates are a Tiger Leopard army, they cannot bear the weight of full-body meteorite armor."

Sinuoli offered his own advice, which was the experience the Dwarfs had summarized after dealing with Humans for over two thousand years. In the Old World, the only ones who could carry a full set were supermen like the Grail Knights who had drunk the foot-washing water, and the high-ranking priests of the Sigmar Cult only used breastplates.

"Hmm, your words are reasonable. How many sets can your Excellency provide in a year?" Yin Yin chose to listen to the professional's advice at this moment.

"Fifty sets? If the research on the Terracotta Sentinels goes smoothly, I can add more at my discretion."

Sinuoli deliberated before stating the number. As Thorgrim announced the start of the "Age of Reckoning," the demand for military equipment in every fortress had increased, and only a limited number of Master-class smiths knew how to smelt meteorite.

His Southlands and the Keladeluomen of Belegar needed them even more. If it weren't for opening up Tiefengbao and the raw meteorite materials his eldest brother had mined from Mountain Lake Fortress, he wouldn't have been able to squeeze out even these fifty sets.

"Good!"

Yin Yin had no objections. She wanted these good things to arm her non-productive elites, and if the quantity were too large, it would be a burden on her as well.

"Perhaps we can also share some technology regarding gunpowder. Our clan's Artillery is famous throughout the Western Lands." Sinuoli immediately followed up with a suggestion; he was very interested in the rocket launchers he had seen on the deck.

"My brother Yuanbo once passed down an edict to spread the casting techniques of Nangao throughout the Celestial Empire, to prepare for the manufacture of Artillery and ensure the peace of Zhendan." The Longnü blinked her eyes; she did not have any particularly significant interest in this item.

"Stones from other hills can serve to polish the jade of this one. Our two nations' technologies have developed for so many years without any intersection; surely there are flaws and strengths that can be learned from each other." Sinuoli advised again upon hearing this.

"Then let it be as you wish."

Yin Yin leaned back. To a True Dragon, no matter how firearms developed, they could not compare to her own breath and innate yin/yang elemental magic; they were merely inventions used by mortals for self-protection.

"Then I shall take my leave. I will send you ten sets of fine armor and weapons first as a token of my sincerity."

Having achieved his wish, Sinuoli rose to leave. He had to go back to organize the production line to ensure the supply of armor to Zhendan, and at the same time, he had to get a grip on the preparations for his own fleet's departure.

After a short stay of a few days, Yin Yin brought her entourage to visit Gaoyuanbao. Sinuoli played the host, entertained them well, and invited these Zhendan guests to ride the railway to tour the scenery of the Southlands.

The unprecedentedly convenient mode of transportation won Sinuoli much praise and allowed them to intuitively feel the prosperity of the Southlands. However, the moment she saw the Rune Guardians, a trace of an ominous premonition suddenly arose in Yin Yin's heart.

"It's come to this; the rest will depend on improvisation!"

Taking advantage of the week the Cathayans were visiting, Sinuoli made his own preparations for the long journey. The King of the Southlands was fully equipped, packing all his best gear, and prepared to go out to inspect the troops departing with him.

On this trip, in addition to the Anvil Guard and the entire Slayer Brotherhood, plus forty Hammer Guard acting as an honor guard, he also brought a newly formed elite Ranger unit—the Rock Sheep Hunters.

Compared to their average peers, they had developed better agility to capture the Rock Sheep that leaped nimbly on the cliffs, and they had also mastered the skills of setting traps and preparing and using anesthetics.

Going to Zhendan this time meant being a guest in someone else's home base; bringing too few troops would be of no great use. And the Southlands always had places where troops were needed to face threats, so it was impossible for Sinuoli to pull away a large army; thus, he brought the few elite units he had on hand.

"Lads, load the cargo onto the carts, let us go to the East together and take a look!"

Looking at the military bearing of his subordinates, Sinuoli was very satisfied. In addition to Sinuoli's own men, large groups of merchants and wealthy, idle tourists also rushed over from all parts of the Old World.

Ocean voyages required facing various potential risks; being slapped into the sea by a Storm to feed the fish or being captured by Dark Elves and taken to Naggaroth to be worked like beasts of burden were not interesting things. But a fleet with the Storm Hammer Sinuoli and the Jade Sea Mist Dragon Yin Yin sitting in command was enough to deter any evildoers.

"Raise the sails, set sail!"

As personnel and supplies were transported onto the ships, Yin Yin gave the order, and the calm sea began to churn with waves.