Chapter 217: Recruiting the Dwarf Artisans. A New Beginning, Reaching Carne Village
Tang Zheng's gaze swept over the skill description, landing on the sentence: 'An unexpected product from the enhancement of "Rune Technology" and "Degraded Body Armament".'
He understood that replicating his situation was nearly impossible.
Unless someone followed his exact path all over again—an act that the people of this world could not accomplish, and neither could the Bone King and his followers.
This was because a conflict existed between this world's "Rune Technology" and the game's "Magic Infusion Technology"!
Nevertheless, this Runic Magic Infusion method, "Bountiful Blessing," still showed Tang Zheng that Rune Technology possessed a potential in no way inferior to the Magic Infusion technology from the game YGGDRASIL.
With a wave of his arm.
He stored the Sun Anglerfish beneath his feet back into his item box.
"Flight!"
Tang Zheng's figure flew out of the magma sea and landed on the ground, walking toward the outskirts of the lava zone.
With a mere thought, the crimson full-body armor covering him dissolved into a blood-colored mist and merged back into his body. He then took a new set of clothing out of his item box and put it on.
Arriving at the outer area.
Seeing the exhausted Dwarf Artisans lying on the ground, Tang Zheng didn't disturb them. Instead, he found a spot to sit down, took out some food and water, and began to eat quietly.
It wasn't until dusk approached.
The group of Dwarf Artisans finally finished resting. They gathered together cautiously and looked over at Tang Zheng, who was leisurely roasting a piece of meat that sizzled as its fat dripped.
No one dared to step forward, but quite a few of the Dwarf Artisans gulped as they smelled the aroma wafting through the air.
The excitement from inscribing the high-tier runes had subsided. Now, all the dwarves looked at Tang Zheng with eyes full of fear.
Putting everything else aside, the fact that this human before them was completely unharmed by the continuous high temperature released by the hot ore was somewhat beyond the comprehension of all the Dwarf Artisans.
"Lord Human, what do you require of us next?" a Dwarf Artisan of the highest position stepped out from the crowd and asked directly.
Faced with such a question.
Tang Zheng looked at the group of Dwarf Artisans with some surprise. He first took a bite of his roast meat, then said unhurriedly, "I thought you would ask me to send you back."
"We did have that thought, but I imagine it's impossible."
"When you brought us here, my lord, you probably never intended to let us go from the very beginning."
The Dwarf Artisan with the highest position scratched his thick beard and spoke nonchalantly, "We rune craftsmen aren't held in high regard within our tribe anyway. Here, we have more than enough fine wine to drink, and we can study runes."
"This old man thinks this is pretty good too, hehehe."
The Dwarf Artisan let out a hearty laugh, but then his tone shifted. "It doesn't matter to an old man like me who has no family, but these youngsters behind me... some of them still have families."
Tang Zheng nodded with a calm expression.
He knew this Dwarf Artisan was negotiating with him. Understanding that Tang Zheng would never let them go, he wanted Tang Zheng to bring their families here as well.
"That's just a small matter for me," Tang Zheng said softly, a smile appearing on his face.
Upon hearing this.
The dwarves all showed expressions of relief.
Apparently, this wasn't just about worrying for their families; they were also likely afraid of being killed after they finished replicating the technology.
"For the time being, you all will live here. Once your families have been transferred and the facility for you to research Rune Technology is ready, I will move everyone over together."
Tang Zheng spoke again, completely putting the Dwarf Artisans at ease.
As for how to settle these Dwarf Artisans, it wasn't a major problem. Even with their families, the total number wouldn't exceed one hundred people.
For Tang Zheng, finding a place to settle such a small number of people wasn't difficult. The key was to allow this group of Dwarf Artisans to research Rune Technology to their heart's content.
This would require a large amount of financial support.
"It seems I'll have to completely take over Eight Fingers. There will likely be more need for money and manpower later on."
The thought flashed through Tang Zheng's mind.
He didn't lack petty cash, but when it came to matters on a national level, for the current Tang Zheng who had no power base, it was difficult to know where to begin.
Although Leinas and Imina were both part of a strategy he had laid out in advance, they wouldn't make any major moves without his instructions.
It seemed there were many things to do next, but they could be summarized into two main points:
First: Laying out a strategy on the national level.
Second: Acquiring a new class.
Middle Earth Month.
Day 29.
On a snow-covered dirt road, the plants on both sides were bare, their branches trembling in the cold wind.
A heavy snow had fallen last night, only gradually stopping at dawn.
*Crunch—*
The sound of several footsteps crunching on the snow came from the distance, and three figures gradually appeared.
A sturdy Evil Spirit Hound, taller than a man, walked at the forefront. Following behind it were two figures.
One was a young man in a holy white cleric's robe; the other was a young girl with emerald-green hair, wrapped in a short magic robe and wearing brown boots.
The three figures advanced along the path. The air was frigid, and the occasional gust of cold wind made the already desolate and open area feel even colder.
These three figures were none other than Tang Zheng, the Evil Spirit Hound, and the Green Leaf Witch, who had transformed into the image of a young girl. The other one, the White Mist Witch, was hidden inside the Green Leaf Witch's body.
The massive Evil Spirit Hound walked in front, forging a path through the snow to make it easier for Tang Zheng to walk.
Of course!
This level of snow had no real effect on Tang Zheng to begin with.
"Lord, why are we walking like this?" The Green Leaf Witch fell a step behind, looking at Tang Zheng who walked steadily on the snow ahead of her. She asked respectfully in a delicate voice.
She remembered her Lord had mastered flight magic, so why choose to walk?
"Do you know why I had you specifically learn about the human way of life?" Tang Zheng asked indifferently without turning his head.
"So that we can more easily disguise ourselves as humans."
The Green Leaf Witch said, a little uncertainly.
"That's both right and wrong."
"In truth, I want you to understand how ordinary humans think."
Tang Zheng's voice remained flat. "Only then can you avoid some unnecessary trouble."
The Green Leaf Witch nodded, only half-understanding.
"Lord, where are we going?" A low, somewhat hoarse voice came from the Green Leaf Witch's chest. It was the voice of the White Mist Witch.
"A small human village."
They continued along the small path.
A small village began to appear in the party's line of sight.
Carne Village!
"This is my third time here," Tang Zheng chuckled to himself as he saw the village in the distance.
It was indeed a strange feeling.
He had come to Carne Village three times, and each time Tang Zheng's circumstances and Strength were different.
Compared to the first time, both his Strength and his inner thoughts had undergone an earth-shattering change.
"As for changes in appearance, yours has been the greatest," Tang Zheng said with a smile, walking forward and patting the Evil Spirit Hound.
Back then, the Evil Spirit Hound was only the size of a puppy, but now it was taller than a man.
"Awooo~"
The Evil Spirit Hound lowered its head, wagged its tail, and nuzzled against Tang Zheng's shoulder.
The Evil Spirit Hound's somewhat intimidating size had long since attracted the attention of the two villagers guarding the fence at the entrance. If not for the presence of Tang Zheng and the Green Leaf Witch, the two villagers would have thought it was a monster that had run out of the forest.
"Long time no see, you two. Is the Village Chief well?"
Tang Zheng greeted the two villagers from afar, asking with a broad smile on his face.
The sound of his greeting made the two villagers shift their gaze from the Evil Spirit Hound to Tang Zheng.
His conspicuous black hair made them both pause for a moment, and they quickly remembered Tang Zheng.
Although several months had passed, for a border village like Carne Village that saw few outsiders, the adventurer, Tang Zheng, was still a topic of frequent discussion.
(end of chapter)