Chapter 478: The Journey of Ashes

"Hmm."

"Only a Demigod can contend with a Demigod; it is useless for me to summon the Demon Grudge Crucible, as I have yet to unleash the true power of that supreme treasure. I cannot count on the rat-folk either; their leader cannot even match one of Sinuoli's generals!"

"Hmm."

"Zanzi's expedition has lost contact; it is my fault for being too hasty. I sent him out with only fragmented intelligence, wasting a reliable officer for nothing. I have a premonition that he has fallen into the hands of that Demigod. Transcendent power cannot be measured by conventional logic; it is not impossible that he leaked information."

"Hmm."

Accustomed to the taciturn nature of the Undead army leader, Drazhoath continued on his own. With the Demon Grudge Crucible and the Sculpted Scepter in hand, he was confident in trading blows with a peak Mortal World powerhouse who lacked a proper weapon. But a Demigod in their prime? That would be little more than a struggle.

"If that is truly the case, we have been marked by Him. Even a small unit harassing us could invite thunderous wrath, and Gortz will not tolerate us remaining idle. Does he dare to fight a two-front war and move against us?"

"Intelligence, of all kinds."

The Undead army leader replied with extreme brevity.

"Indeed, intelligence. We are isolated on the southern coast, excluded from the information exchange at the Tower of Zharr. The Ironhide Rebellion has further destroyed the already rudimentary communication network. Not to mention the distant ones, I cannot even make sense of the situation regarding the Cold-Blooded on the Dragon Isles."

"Hmm."

"I must make a trip to the west; I cannot rely on anyone else for this. I suspect, or rather, I am certain, that someone below has made contact with the Secret Society. I leave the operation of the fortress to you during this time."

"Hmm."

With Gortz pressing hard, Drazhoath immediately ordered his mount to be brought forward. After feigning a flight to the south to conceal his tracks, he quickly headed west toward Eight Peaks.

"So lively? That makes things convenient."

Lowering his cloud, Drazhoath observed Eight Peaks. The fortress was a scene of prosperity; a continuous stream of people, young and old, arrived from the south, and workers were busily repairing the battered outer walls of the fortress.

"Fellow, you look unfamiliar?"

"Ah, I came from the north, the north. I was in such a rush that I got separated from my original group."

Letting his ash-breath find its own food, the Demon Smith quickly acquired a set of clothes and luggage, covered his fangs with a mask commonly used by miners, and easily blended into the migration group at a camp.

"This fortress is truly as magnificent as the forbidden books described! I wonder how the Colossus in front of the gate compares to the one slumbering in the giant temple, the Destroyer of Kedar."

Before they had even reached the end of the Guowang Dadao, the surrounding Dwarfs began calling out one after another. Drazhoath followed suit, partly to avoid exposure and partly out of genuine sentiment, before squeezing into the crowd to head toward the gate.

He faced no scrutiny while passing the guards and Rune sentinels. The existence of the Chaos Dwarf is the highest secret of Qunshan, mentioned only by the High King when passing on the throne.

In this special period when the world's eyes are focused here, having the build of a standard Dwarf and speaking the Dwarf language with only a slightly strange accent made him one of the least suspicious subjects.

Places where people gather are also where information gathers; he was certain this rule held true even in the Realm of Chaos. After accepting the dormitory arranged by the Angrund Clan, he lost no time following the sound of voices to a banquet hall that had clearly been cleared out temporarily.

"Upon learning the whereabouts of that wicked obstacle, the fury inherited from the great ancestor Kazad-dum filled King Belegar's chest. He leaped onto his Helicopter, rotors spinning, and the eagle of vengeance soared over the Badlands!"

Under Sinuoli's encouragement, the ancient profession of the storyteller had gained even more luster in Qunshan. He arranged for Kafeipu of the Progress Association to organize personnel to edit and revise old legends, and to compile new stories into scripts beyond the epics to provide them for propaganda.

These works, which pooled collective wisdom and were repeatedly polished, were well-received as soon as they were released. This changed the dilemma of traditional storytellers who would ramble on until their stories became increasingly absurd and impossible to conclude; the Common language version also opened up a market among the Humans below the mountains.

"Ho, in the name of the legendary chronicler Thurni, I thank you for your generosity! It is my honor to have such a wealthy listener as you!"

Drazhoath was a meticulous person; after a brief observation, he tossed out a tip that was substantial but not conspicuous. Sure enough, after leaving a "hook"—that is, a cliffhanger—at the end of the performance, the storyteller came to talk to him.

"You tell a good story. Is there any quiet place nearby? I would like to hear a bit more."

"Oh? The direct-sales store of the Bergman Brewery has just opened! Their brewing craft has received the true teachings of the Ancestor Goddess, and that Divine Cup was once kept by them. To celebrate the opening, they have prepared a batch of Seal Diamonds specially supplied for kings!"

The currency used by the Chaos Dwarf was already vastly different in form from that of the Dwarfs, but fortunately, Drazhoath had scavenged a batch of "antiques" and forbidden items to use as funds before setting out.

"What is the matter with you? You won't even take off your mask while enjoying such fine wine!"

"I was struck by the rot-poison of a rat; my face is disfigured, and it is inconvenient to be seen."

"My apologies. I suppose your eyes were also irritated by the toxic gas. It is a pity you did not come at a better time; that day, the Mother Goddess descended upon the Mortal World, bestowing grace in all directions, and the chronic illnesses and stubborn ailments of many clansmen were wiped away."

"Do you have any guidance on this matter?"

"The Mother Goddess bestowed Her Great Goblet upon His Majesty Sinuoli, and his generosity is renowned throughout Qunshan. Even if one is not a relative or friend, as long as one has a reputation for virtue, ability, or merit to Qunshan, one can receive his grace."

"Hmm, and where is he now? At Eight Peaks or elsewhere?"

"That is not exactly a top-secret; I will throw it in for the sake of this glass of wine! He is currently inside Valaya's Gate, listening to the teachings of the Ancestor Goddess."

"Hiss, this place, it must be very secret, right?"

"Very secret? Extremely secret! Those fortunate enough to participate in the exploration are all battle-tested warriors. Afterward, they each took a vow of secrecy under the witness of His Majesty Sinuoli; even King Kazador was no exception!"

"Clink!"

A gorgeous pendant engraved with a Rune was tossed onto the table by Drazhoath. Desire flared in his crimson pupils; the existence of a true god held a fatal attraction for such a young man craving power.

"Are you in such a hurry?"

Being locked onto by Drazhoath made the storyteller feel the pressure; his experience traveling north and south told him that the guy across from him was not a rich kid who was easy to dismiss.

"That holy land is in the southeast; no one knows exactly how to get there, and no one dares to say. The Runes on the lintel make it hard to discover. Some speculate it is easier from the air, because the Helicopters have all been reassigned. Even if you find it, it is useless; at least two elite units are stationed there, and they will make you close your mouth forever before you can speak."

The Runes to block magic had not yet been engraved, so the Demon Smith probed the garrison situation with relative ease. Although the troop strength was not very abundant, there were no obvious flaws to exploit, which meant that an attack would be a grueling battle.

"I should go and see." The Ash had made up his mind.