Chapter 383: Zhaoming and the Road of the Long Tooth

"Which two people?" Sinuoli raised an eyebrow. Having chatted for so long, he was surely one of them, so who was the other guy Zhaoming considered his equal?

"One is Your Excellency, and the other is Greasus Goldtooth!"

"Greasus Goldtooth? Who is that?"

Sinuoli's brain spun rapidly, but he truly could not find anyone with that nickname or those characteristics among the powerful figures of the Western Lands.

"Greasus Goldtooth, currently an Ogre Tyrant. However, in my view, he has the potential of an Overtyrant." Zhaoming curled his lip, poking at the dish with his chopsticks.

"Potential of an Overtyrant, so that's the guy from the End Times."

Sinuoli's mind turned; Dwarfs still had connections with Ogres, and he had a certain understanding of their situation. He had fought side-by-side with Ogres on his wedding journey, and now these big-bellied fellows could also be found in the Southlands.

A Tyrant was the leader of an Ogre tribe, while an Overtyrant referred to a powerful figure who united all the tribes of the Ogre Kingdoms. Since Dona-Weidai, the position of Ogre Overtyrant had been vacant for a century.

"Able to fight Grimgor Ironhide—the Chosen of Gork empowered by the Beast of Winds—to a narrow defeat; his strength in the End Times was indeed formidable. Stepping beyond the limits of mortals was inevitable; he is certainly qualified to be ranked alongside me!"

Sinuoli muttered to himself. In the original history, after a series of chaotic maneuvers, Teclis had dispelled the Great Vortex, releasing the bound Eight Winds of magic. Those possessed by them would gain immense power; Teclis hoped these incarnations of the Eight Winds could oppose the Everchosen.

Initially, the Dwarfs were allocated two of the Eight Winds: the Metal of Winds—High King Thorgrim and the Wind of Fire—Slayer King Agelimu. However, neither of these two managed to last until the final battle at Middenheim, and the two winds went off to seek new hosts after their sacrifices.

Theoretically, if history hadn't been changed, this would have been the final chance to turn the tide, and Sinuoli had paid extra attention to this after his transmigration. If he could change the allocation of the Eight Winds or secure two more for himself, it wouldn't be impossible to put up a fight.

With the Metal of Winds, Thorgrim had snapped Queek's neck, and Agelimu was strong enough to hold off Archaon for a time; it was clear the strength boost from the Eight Winds was enormous.

"You flatter me." Sinuoli replied indifferently. "Then, Brother Greasus Goldtooth, what extraordinary qualities does he possess that earned your favor?" Seeing that Buluokesen had not yet assembled the troops, he continued the conversation to keep Zhaoming steady.

"Heh, in some respects, he is very similar to you. You are both greedy, even more so than your peers. But you have the courage and the ability to realize it." Zhaoming stared at Sinuoli, a strange smile on his gray-blue face.

"Oh? How did he realize it?"

Sinuoli shook his head. He hadn't expected his promotion of trade to be seen by Zhaoming as an expression of greed, though from the results, it could indeed be considered as such. But as for Greasus, what could he do other than sell his subordinates' lives to Zhaoming for blood money?

"After he took control of the tribe, he invited me to meet at the Tower of Ashshair. We reached a series of cooperation agreements, and furthermore, he promised to ensure the safety of the Changya Zhilu through the Aishang Shanmai section."

"Does that earn more than robbing travelers?" Sinuoli looked slightly puzzled.

"If you drain the pond to catch the fish, you will get them, but there will be no fish next year." Zhaoming looked up at Sinuoli.

"Good fellow, then he is indeed unusual. But how can a single tribe ensure the safety of the Changya Zhilu?"

"The Goldtooth Tribe can be called a hegemon of the entire Ogre Kingdoms, controlling a passage that runs through the Aishang Shanmai," Zhaoming explained.

"I remember now, it's that group of fellows! But the merchants in my clan reported that the previous Goldtooth Tribe Tyrant wasn't named Greasus; he must have taken over recently, right?" Sinuoli faintly heard the dull thud of iron boots marching in unison on the muddy ground; he knew his subordinates had finished assembling.

"Heh, Greasus cooked his father and devoured him. After a full meal, he turned the rest of those who dared to challenge him into a feast on his plate."

"Hahaha, truly worthy of the Western Lands! Not even shying away from cannibalism."

"His father was similar to my father, both difficult to please! But to devour one's father, how could I do such a thing? If I truly did that, wouldn't I become pot-bellied? I fear I would surpass Greasus!" Sinuoli's mocking words were interrupted by Zhaoming before he could finish.

"Cough, cough! You, you, you! Is that something that can be said?" The Dwarf King was stunned on the spot, choking on his wine. Because he couldn't eat it, he wouldn't eat his own father? Yin Yin and Shenzhu were right; this Iron Dragon Zhaoming was truly insane!

"Bang!"

"What are you doing?"

"Protect His Majesty!"

"Tight formation!"

Sinuoli's sudden coughing was taken as a signal by Buluokesen outside the door. He kicked open the broken wooden door of the inn and surged in with the Hammer Guard and the Slayer Brotherhood. The guards already inside instantly formed a circle around Sinuoli.

"You... uh... Dwarfs?... Brutish?... People from the West, it seems so, do you understand my meaning?"

Zhaoming slapped the table and stood up. He cursed a few times in broken Common, and after shouting, he asked Sinuoli if his meaning had been conveyed clearly.

"What exactly is wrong with this guy?"

Rumors about the Iron Dragon Zhaoming among different classes in Zhendan were always complex and contradictory. Some of his behaviors, including drinking the fine wine in the village, were seen as "insane" from the perspective of a True Dragon's noble status, but if one set that aside, perhaps it should be seen as having a sense of humor, being enlightened, and enjoying life with the people.

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous, I am having a pleasant conversation with this gentleman! Buluokesen, where is the wine? Pour it for us."

"It seems your subordinates do not welcome me, so I will speak plainly: are you willing to restart the Changya Zhilu?" After a brief venting, Zhaoming finished the newly poured wine and asked.

"A mutually beneficial matter, but what else can I get?"

"You are a smart man; you truly know not to put all your eggs in one basket." Sinuoli's reply satisfied Zhaoming greatly. Thousands of years of wisdom allowed him to point out in one sentence the important reason that prompted Sinuoli to agree to the cooperation.

"Everything my sister promised, I can also agree to. This is my insight into the Terracotta Sentinel guards!"

"Good! Once I return, I will push forward the restart as soon as possible!" Sinuoli was overjoyed as he watched Zhaoming take a scroll from his sleeve. He was proficient in Alchemy, and his attainments in ingenious techniques were the highest among all the dragons.

"Hmm, perhaps we can meet again in the Tianting within the year. This wine is very mellow; I will take it with me." Having achieved his goal, Zhaoming tucked the wine barrel under his arm and walked straight out the door, ignoring the tense Dwarf elites.

Only a "whoosh" was heard as a gray-white dragon soared into the sky, a small wine barrel tucked under a reverse scale on its chin.

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