Chapter 384: First Exploration of the Cemetery

"Take this, and fix the door yourself. We're leaving!"

As Zhaoming departed, the clouds covering the sky gradually dispersed. Snorri tossed a small piece of gold to the boss, who was slumped on the ground, and rose to leave; there was still quite a distance to the Bingmayong Muyuan from here.

"This thing is all about manufacturing shells. Good grief, I got excited for nothing."

Unfolding Zhaoming's scroll to take a look, Snorri was so angry he tugged at his own beard. He had subconsciously assumed the contents would contain the parts he needed, but unfortunately, that was just his own wishful thinking.

The Terracotta Sentinel guard was a grand project; it could be said that every True Dragon was researching them, both openly and secretly. According to their respective Authority, the techniques they mastered also differed.

"It seems that no matter where one goes, the folk customs of the North are always more rugged."

Walking along the official road of Weibei Liesheng, Snorri summarized what he had seen and heard over the past few days. The climate, the diet, and of course, more importantly, the greater threats they faced, allowed the people here to display stronger combat effectiveness.

Yin Yin's Weidong Province could be said to be second only to the Central Province in terms of Ninghe, with the main threats coming from Nipeng and pirates; the military pressure could not be compared to the Chaos Wastes beyond the Changyuan.

Especially at the current stage, Nipeng was in the midst of a warlord melee and lacked the ability to invade on a large scale, while the vast majority of pirate groups were only capable of harassing the coast. How many behemoths like the God-Blessed Evil Party could there be?

"Look at these training peasants; from their physique to their technique and even their fighting spirit, they are a grade stronger than those in Weidong Province!"

While resting at night, Ailike commented on the peasant pole-spearmen training in formation on the village threshing floor.

"And those women shooting arrows—I don't think they are any worse than the part-time male Hunters of any Empire of Man."

"Zhendan views archery as a noble and practical pastime, and the Storm Dragon particularly encourages women to arm themselves and follow the Moon Empress's style to participate in ranged combat. Her own top general is also a woman."

Snorri was observing as well; if he had to say, the war potential of Weibei Liesheng was extremely powerful. After issuing formal armor and equipment, only a short period of training would be needed to turn the peasants here into qualified Jade Warriors. This kind of situation should only exist in Kislev, where he had not yet been, in the Western Lands.

"Hey! Stop, our King invites the two of you to drink!"

The daily training ended early, and Snorri sent someone to call over the village head and the local security officer who were leading it.

"I see that the two of you have quite a methodical approach to training; I assume you have served in the military before?"

"In reply to the Lord, both of us were once Changyuan Shaowei."

"Not bad. For the common people of Weibei Liesheng, joining the army is the best choice if one wants to secure an official position."

"Good. This King likes warriors best! Could the two of you explain the rules for training these peasants?"

In Snorri's vision, widespread military training was worth promoting, especially since he had plans for large-scale external military operations beyond defending his existing territory. The stronger the combat effectiveness of the mobilized troops, the more professional soldiers he could pull away.

Walking and stopping along the way, the Dwarf team arrived near the Bingmayong Muyuan as planned. Given that it was already late, Snorri decided to enter the city to rest and make further plans the next day.

This small city, known as Dinglingwei, looked like it had gradually developed from a military camp. Thousands of years ago, the site for the Bingmayong Muyuan was chosen in a remote place, but the troops stationed there year-round had various needs and matching consumption power, so many merchants gathered here to form a market.

Later, during several military disasters caused by the Northern Chaos breaking through the Changyuan, the surrounding people discovered that the elite standing troops stationed here could provide a strong sense of security, so they gradually migrated over and formed a town.

"I am the Commander of Dinglingwei, He Qingsong!"

"Just as the intelligence said, a haughty Dragon-blooded!"

Snorri thought to himself as he looked at the general on the city wall, who wore a high cap and wide belt, with dragon patterns embroidered in dark thread on his brocade robe. He had received the news as early as when he landed in Yongchang, but it seemed this person was not prepared to hold any welcoming ceremony, and even lacked the enthusiasm to come down and greet them.

"You all carry sharp weapons; do not wander around after entering the city. If you cause any trouble, hmph hmph, this is Weibei Liesheng, not the territory of the Ming Dragon!"

"Fine. Tomorrow morning, this King intends to visit the cemetery, so please make the arrangements!"

"A lieutenant will naturally lead troops to escort you."

Passing through the city gate, an officer led the Dwarfs to an inn that had been designated in advance.

The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, the lieutenant brought a team of Jade Warriors to accompany Snorri and his party out of the city to the entrance of the Bingmayong Muyuan at the foot of the mountain.

"By the Emperor's decree, military officials must dismount and civil officials must leave their sedans here. Since we are all on foot, it doesn't apply to us."

The lieutenant leading the way was different from the Commander; he showed considerable enthusiasm toward Snorri and told many stories, both true and false, along the way.

"What are these steles?"

"These are the history of the cemetery's construction and subsequent expansions. The main attraction is still ahead."

After passing the memorial archway and walking a short distance, a red wall appeared, with several Jade Warriors guarding the gate. Walking inside, one found a winding sacred path, with stone statues placed at the nodes of each section, creating a solemn atmosphere.

It was not the season for worship, and there was no one else around, so the warriors of both races softened their footsteps to avoid disturbing the slumber of the heroes.

"These stone statues are the powerful enemies that the Emperor and several Princes conquered when they pacified the four directions back then. Now, on our left is the Tiger-man Chieftain who once ruled the Heavenly Mountains; Prince Zhulong also suffered a secret loss under his iron tail."

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"Is this one on the right a Bloodthirster? And a high-ranking one at that!"

"The Emperor once said this demon ranked in the third circle, and held a very high status under the Skull Throne. Look to your front right; there is a demon named Kabanha. It took the combined efforts of four Terracotta Sentinels to bring it down, and even then, it destroyed two and severely damaged one."

"Haotian Longdi does not shy away from the damage caused by these powerful enemies."

Snorri looked at the inscriptions on the bases of these stone statues, where every stroke recorded the enormous sacrifices the Cathay Empire had made to resolve them.

"As long as the enemy has not been completely wiped out, vilifying or belittling them will only make one pay a price. Respecting the enemy is also a form of respect for the living and the martyrs."

The Dwarf King muttered to himself; in the Mountain Kingdom, there were far too many instances where news reaching the Everpeak jumped directly from "drinking and easily repelling stupid Greenskins and cowardly rats" to the fortress falling.

"Buried on both sides of the sacred path are heroes who performed meritorious deeds, and offerings of tripods and vessels are presented during all four seasons. Sigh, tsk, let us continue forward."

The lieutenant had been in the army at Dinglingwei for some years, but this was his first time acting as a tour guide, and being the narrator stirred up his own emotions.

"This stele was erected by the Emperor himself, and that plaque was also inscribed by the Emperor. Inside are the clay-sculpted golden bodies of the Terracotta Sentinels in the cemetery. Would you like to go in and take a closer look?"

The path opened up at the end of the sacred way. Standing before a massive stone stele, the lieutenant turned back to ask.