"What happened? Did someone cut off your beards?" Avril finished dressing and walked out of the makeshift room, utterly confused by the scene before her. Dwarves were known for their steadfastness, often described as being as hard as stone, indicating their nature. Yet, what she saw now was stone weeping!
As soon as Avril spoke, the group of dwarves immediately stopped crying and scurried back like startled rabbits. After all, Avril had threatened them into coming just a few days ago. Upon their arrival, she had assigned a level six Mountain Ape to watch over them. Only the gods knew how they had endured the past three days, unable to move, for even a slight twitch would draw the attention of the ape, which was as tall as a mountain, and it would threaten them with fists three or four times their size, scaring them into standing even while sleeping.
Although Li Xi was unaware of the inner workings of the situation, it didn't stop him from trying to comfort the dwarves. "If you have something to say, speak up. As fellow beings sharing this continent, I will not stand idly by."
The dwarves cautiously glanced at Avril, who stood behind Li Xi. They found that her gaze was not on them at all; she was smoothing Li Xi's clothes, as if their lives were less important than a wrinkle on his attire.
"My lord, it's like this. Three hundred years ago, our Copperbeard Dwarf clan lived on the surface. However, we were later captured and brought to the underground world by an adult black dragon. He forces us to mine sulfur for him every day. We originally numbered over a thousand, but now we are less than two hundred. The oldest among us cannot live past sixty. If no one rescues us, within a hundred years, our dwarf tribe will vanish from the world."
"A black dragon? And an adult one?" Li Xi's attention wasn't on the dwarves' plight. Misfortune was a constant occurrence in this world; even deities couldn't manage everything. Without a sound legal system and powerful enforcement, misfortune would be eternal.
Li Xi shifted his focus to the black dragon. A black dragon was a type of dragon that could evolve and enhance Li Xi's dragon bloodline. Most black dragons were evil creatures, their lives accompanied by destruction and slaughter.
Because of their infamous reputation, most black dragons lived in the abyss, rarely seen on the continent. Many were eager to become dragon slayers, and black dragons were the prime targets, as their reputation among dragons was already terrible.
He hadn't expected to encounter one here. What made him happiest was that its strength was only that of an adult, well within Li Xi's capacity to handle. If he could capture it and send it to Demanga to be made into dragon potion, his strength could increase by another notch. This trip to the underground world had not been in vain.
As he spoke, Li Xi embraced Avril and, while everyone else lowered their heads, passionately kissed her on the lips. What kind of woman did men like the most? Beautiful, well-built, elegant, respectful of men, granting men freedom, and most importantly, bringing good fortune.
If Avril hadn't discovered the entrance to the underground world, none of the subsequent events would have unfolded. He wouldn't have gained a beloved wife, wouldn't have killed Nasser, and wouldn't have discovered this black dragon.
Avril embodied all these qualities perfectly, giving Li Xi no reason not to like her.
"You're so improper," Avril's face flushed with shyness. Those who had experienced it knew that lovers were most intimate right after their first time together.
"Roar!"
Sun Erdai, seeing the unabashed affection between the two, let out an excited roar.
Li Xi glared at Sun Erdai, finding him lacking in tact. He then looked at the dwarves, noting their ability to discern the situation, unlike Sun Erdai.
"Disperse."
After only a few minutes of happiness, Sun Erdai was teleported back to the Forget Worry Forest by his heartless master. Such a glaringly obvious "third wheel" was unnecessary. His sworn brother from earlier was now less important than a woman's enchanting gaze.
"How did you know I was here?" Li Xi asked the dwarves. Even though he was extremely excited, he needed to understand the circumstances. Thinking before acting was an eternal truth; there was no shortage of proud and complacent heroes who brought about their own downfall in this world.
"Amandala told us there was a strong energy fluctuation here and sent us to investigate."
"Amandala is that black dragon," the dwarves replied cautiously.
There were very few warriors in this world who dared to openly slay dragons. Today, they had finally encountered someone strong enough. They could not miss this opportunity; the hope of their entire clan lay before them. No matter the cost, they had to seize it. Borikansa's gaze towards Li Xi was like that of someone seeing a life-saving straw, desperate to grasp it.
Li Xi found Borikansa's words plausible; enslaving dwarves to mine for him was something a black dragon would do.
As for sending his subordinates as cannon fodder, the course of action would be decided based on the difficulty of the task. This was standard procedure. How many subordinates died was irrelevant to him; he could always capture another batch.
"Hmph, what a clever plan you have. Why should we risk our lives fighting a black dragon for your less than two hundred dwarves? Do you think we're paladins overflowing with a sense of justice?"
"State your terms openly. Whether we accept or not will be our decision after hearing them."
Avril's expression turned stern, like a stingy female boss haggling fiercely over the cost price with a business partner.
The dwarves, already fearful of her, became even more apprehensive. They poured out their terms without reservation. "If you can rescue our clan, our tribe is willing to pledge allegiance to you as our master for fifty years. During this time, we will be entirely at your command. This is the devotion of one generation."
"Not enough. One hundred years, or you can continue to be tormented by the black dragon until the last member of your tribe perishes."
These words, spoken by the gentle and approachable Avril, were harder than steel and colder than the abyssal ice. To the dwarves, they sounded full of grievance and humiliation. To be served as a master by dwarves was almost impossible on this continent, let alone an entire tribe.
Borikansa's offered fifty years would have been enough for Li Xi to become famous and earn the envious gaze of countless people.
However, the cold glint in Avril's eyes was like a drawn sword, utterly ruthless and chilling.
"You must consider carefully. Few people venture into the underground world, let alone someone capable of defeating a black dragon. If you miss us, you have no other recourse. Moreover, under our command for one hundred years means we are responsible for you for one hundred years. Think of it this way: under our protection, what would you have to fear? You could roam the continent freely. If it weren't for my kind-hearted little man, I would consider it beneath me to even speak to your frail and weak group, lest my eyes be sullied." This was from Sudan Novel Network.
Avril's words were brutal, instantly shattering the dwarves' psychological defense. Their expressions were filled with dejection and despair. One hundred years – was it a case of escaping one wolf's den only to enter a tiger's mouth? Common sense suggested that during this century, they would exhaust every ounce of strength from the Copperbeard Tribe. A hundred years later, perhaps their tribe would leave no mark on this world.
But what if?
What if they weren't so cruel?
What if they treated them kindly and gave them time to multiply and thrive?
The elders of the tribe needed rest, newborns needed time to grow, and young men needed time to marry and have children… there was so much to do.
Avril gently nudged Li Xi from behind, indicating that she had played the "red face" role and it was time for him, the "white face," to step in.
Li Xi understood immediately. He assumed the demeanor of the most devout paladin. "Don't listen to my beloved's nonsense. Since the Creation God created the continent, dwarves and humans have always been good friends. When good friends are in trouble, how can I, a passionate human, stand by idly? Eradicating evil is our solemn duty."
Li Xi's impassioned speech made the dwarves, whose hearts had already sunk into the abyss, regain their hope. With such a righteous and understanding friend, why worry about not defeating the black dragon or avenging their hatred?
"However..."
Li Xi's single "however" sent the dwarves' hearts plummeting back to the deepest layer of the abyss.
Li Xi walked over to Nasser's corpse, which was still drifting but showed no signs of decay. He took a coffin from his spatial ring and placed Nasser's body inside. This act, though ordinary, sent chills down the dwarves' spines.
That was not an ordinary corpse; it was the body of a level eight expert. They instantly remembered that this harmless-looking young man before them was a ruthless individual who had just killed a level eight expert. Was it truly meaningful to haggle with such a person?
Eagles would not befriend sparrows and become brothers. There was an unbridgeable chasm between carnivores and herbivores. If they were polite, it was only because you were inconsequential to them.
"My lord, as long as you help us escape the clutches of the black dragon, we are willing to pledge allegiance to you as our master for 100 years." After speaking these words, Borikansa's entire body seemed to be drained of strength, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
With his objective achieved, Li Xi was overjoyed. Although he didn't yet have a place to settle these dwarves, and aside from making armor for Sun Erdai, he wasn't sure of their use, it was still best to gather good things into his possession first. Their utility could be determined later.
"Good. From this day forward, you are our property. Private property is sacred and inviolable. Today, if a black dragon dares to lay claim to our wealth, we will make him pay a bloody price."
"Little man, let's go uphold justice."
Avril seemed like the embodiment of justice, radiating righteous light. She spoke with passion, like a landlord who had suddenly found her conscience.
Li Xi was equally indignant. If even a single hair of his property was harmed, he would demand a hundredfold or thousandfold compensation from the black dragon.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go! We'll aim to have dragon meat for you to supplement your bodies tonight. Dwarves are said to be capable of digging through the continent; how can you be so scrawny, even thinner than goblins?"
Borikansa stared blankly at his sturdy arms. Although life under the black dragon had been harsh, their food had never been lacking. His physique was such that even a bear goblin would envy it. How could it be equated with those goblins who couldn't even defeat a dog?
However, since the two great experts had agreed, even if he was considered inferior to a newborn, Borikansa accepted it.
"We will lead the way for the lord now."
The black dragon's location was not far from here, otherwise, they wouldn't have arrived so quickly. Given the dwarves' short legs, it would only take fifty hourglasses, which was less than thirteen hours.
This speed was far too slow for Li Xi. He formed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Bang!"
A shadow clone appeared.
Li Xi immediately gave instructions, "You follow the dwarves and notify me when you arrive."
With that, he embraced the blushing Avril and disappeared from the group. Why waste precious time on the journey? Youth was a valuable asset.
The shadow clone cursed internally, 'You're so noble, you go enjoy yourself, and leave me here alone. Listen to me, thank you, because of you, the seasons are warm...'