Chapter 450 - 343: This is Not a Big Deal!

Just now, an avatar of Little Zi’s female demon discovered a pseudo-dwarf. The guy had the appearance of a dwarf, but his soul fluctuation was something that could not be disguised. All dwarfs possess unique soul fluctuations. For humans and dwarves, they can’t perceive it. However, female demons are different as they are primarily soul-based energy creatures and can easily detect every creature’s soul characteristics.

So now, the human soul amongst the dwarves is naturally strikingly conspicuous.

Immediately, Little Zi released all thirteen of her avatars, and they began to wander through the entire Furnace Fortress, seeking any suspicious target.

In the end, including the initial fake dwarf, the female demons found three individuals in total.

They were stationed at different posts, but none of them were directly involved with the battle armor. The female demons left a special mark on them so that no matter where they went, Little Zi could instantly locate them.

Long Yi had been in the Furnace Fortress for two days. Over these two days, the hostile attitude of the Furnace Fortress towards humans had lessened. This was because Long Yi’s appearance made the dwarves consciously restrain themselves; after all, most dwarves respected Long Yi greatly.

However, the three people found by the female demons never missed an opportunity to instigate trouble no matter where they were. Their approach was very straightforward; they insinuated malicious things about humans, sparking discussions among the dwarves and then extricated themselves from the discussion.

However, now this method doesn’t seem to work anymore.

Piers has been hiding amongst the dwarves for three years now, and to become an eligible dwarf, he underwent a series of surgeries. He also learned various dwarf knowledge from the captured dwarves. He did all this for the Black Dragon Empire, and Piers had no regrets. It was not long ago that Piers received directions to instigate chaos between the dwarves and the White Dragon Empire, which is Piers’ area of expertise.

When the chaos broke out, Piers took advantage of it and managed to sneak out many battle armor parts. These were deemed defective and were due for destruction, and because their numbers were small, nobody discovered their absence. However, he’s had no chance to transport them out yet.

Long Yi’s appearance pissed off Piers a little. Having embedded himself amongst the dwarves for three years, he naturally knew what the name "Long Yi" symbolized for the dwarves. As he’s not a real dwarf, he can’t genuinely understand dwarves’ feelings, but he could sense a significant change in the dwarves’ uncontrollable agitation; it was slowly cooling down and even started to settle, merely through the appearance of Long Yi. The influence of Long Yi was astoundingly tremendous.

Piers figured, once Long Yi genuinely steps forth to mediate the conflict between the dwarves and humans, the chaos he meticulously created will disappear momentarily.

What worried Piers even more was the female demon, Little Zi, besides Long Yi. Female demons could be described as natural-born spy killers with psychic magic that could expose all lies.

No, this can’t go on, we must retreat!

Piers found his two deputies, who were also made to look like dwarves through surgery. They were new spies added later when Long Yi had established contact with the dwarves.

The three of them had a secret discussion and came to an agreement that they should retreat. However, were their three years of infiltration in vain if they only stole a few parts? Consequently, they drafted several audacious plans.

They decided to steal a full set of battle armor!

If they could successfully bring the battle armor back to the Black Dragon Empire, the Emperor would certainly reward their bravery and contributions. They just needed to restore their original appearance, and then they could just enjoy life afterward.

Though easier said than done.

The assembly workshop for the battle armor was in an area they had absolutely no authority to enter.

What should they do?

At that moment, news arrived. Long Yi has decided to hold a grand feast and invite all the dwarves involved in the production of the battle armor. Upon hearing this news, all dwarves were thrilled. Their daily lives were monotonous, and drinking was their greatest hobby. Their intensive work wouldn’t permit them to drink without reservation. Normally, there was a limit to the amount of drink. But this time, the invitation was from Long Yi who was also a dwarf elder, so there was naturally no limit. Almost every eligible dwarf was overjoyed.

That is unless they were not dwarves.

As Piers and his two companions on their way to the assembly workshop, considering different plans in their minds, none of the strategies could give them true access to the battle armor.

Just then, Elder Morton unexpectedly came along.

"Hey, you three? Got a minute?"

Startled, Piers quickly approached him: "Yes, we do, Elder Morton."

Morton breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Great, you three quickly go to the assembly workshop and help move a set of battle armor to the makeshift temporary warehouse. Those knaves have all gone to drink! They really screwed up at the critical moment!"

Upon hearing this, the three of them were overjoyed!

It was precisely what they needed!

They hurriedly rushed to the assembly workshop and found a set of battle armor quietly laying in a wooden box.

"Let’s go!"

Piers commanded.

"Which way?"

"Stupid question! Where else could we be going? Of course, outside! Call the hidden Dragon Riders to hurry up and rendezvous with us! This time, we are going to make a big achievement!"

"Can we make it?"

"Yes! Today is Long Yi’s banquet, with the stupid character of those Dwarves, everyone from the blacksmith to the guards must have gone to attend! It’s also the time when everyone’s guard is most relaxed. If we miss this chance, it won’t be so easy next time!"

As it turned out, Piers had predicted accurately. The trio, pushing along the Battle Armor, did not encounter any guards on the way, and even if someone did run into them, they weren’t paid any attention to.

Everything was going too smoothly! At first Piers was worried that he didn’t have any spatial equipment, but now it looked like even if he didn’t, what harm would it be?

They left the Furnace Fortress through a secluded gate and came to the back mountain, which was the agreed rendezvous point.

Naturally, a Dragon Rider from the Black Dragon Empire was to rendezvous here. Why hadn’t he appeared yet even though some time had passed since they had sent the signal?

Time elapsed by the second. The Dragon Rider who was supposed to respond to them was eerily silent, and Piers’ heart began to sink further down.

"Damn it."

Piers cried out.

And at this moment, Dwarves started to surround them from all directions.

"Too late."

Long Yi, who was at the forefront, said with a smile.

"Long Yi..... Elder...." A bitter smile appeared on Piers’ face.

"Don’t call me that, you’re not Dwarves. Are you not afraid the Black Dragon Emperor will chop off your heads if you address me as Elder?" Long Yi said.

"Elder, you must be joking. I don’t understand anything about Black Dragon Emperor....." Piers looked very distraught. However, his sorrow was veiled by his beard, and nobody could see it.

"Whether I’m joking or not isn’t important. What matters is, where were you few planning to go with my stuff?" Long Yi gestured to the wooden box that contained the Battle Armor.

Piers’ mind was racing. He had to come up with an explanation that would minimize damage. Being caught in the act did not necessarily mean he was doomed!

"I...."

"Forget it, hearing your explanation would merely be a waste of time. I’ll do the talking, instead." Long Yi came over and knelt down, then suddenly punched Piers in the head, knocking him out.

"All right, I said enough."

Piers’ two followers were frightened out of their wits. They had heard countless rumors about Long Yi, but in this world of Dwarves, most of those rumors revolved around Long Yi’s contributions towards the Dwarves. They didn’t have a strong impression about Long Yi’s character. Their presumption was completely off-base this time; at the slightest disagreement, they were left sprawling.

"Alright, now it’s your turn. Are you planning to be knocked out cold by me first and then deal with the mental torture of the Female Demon by yourselves, or would you rather honestly confess everything I want to know to me?"

The two had initially wanted to resist a bit, but they looked up and saw the sky covered by a massive shadow. It was Bajie, flying low and holding a dragon in his mouth. Looking at the dragon’s all-black body, it was clear that it was the one meant to rendezvous with them! That dragon was soldered to death by molten iron, and there was a humanoid figure on its back, obviously encased in there by Bajie using his Dragon Breath.

Watching their only hope being shattered, with Little Zi’s faint smile by their side, the two didn’t dare hold anything back and immediately confessed everything.

Through a series of surgeries, the Black Dragon Empire had transformed ordinary humans into Dwarves, their hands and feet bearing scars from bone removal. Thick body hair transplant concealed these wounds, and since Dwarves always dressed heavily, nobody generally noticed!

Looking at the two men’s scars and listening to their descriptions, Elder Morton was livid. He never imagined that the Black Dragon Empire would dare to scheme against him! Although the trio had not been successful in ferreting out significant secrets of the Dwarves, this pervasive behaviour of inserting spies was clearly hostile.

Throughout various wars on the mainland, the Dwarves had always managed to remain neutral. Metal and currency were the things they cherished most. They despised actions which led to unprovoked wars. However, the Black Dragon Empire’s conduct had left the Dwarves extremely revolted this time.

The confessions of these three men were confirmed as trustworthy by Little Zi.

Therefore, now that things had reached this point, Long Yi stepped forward.

"Brothers!" Long Yi shouted out loudly. At once, everyone looked towards him.

"My brothers, I concede, that as of recently, some of the actions of the people sent by the White Dragon Empire may have been inappropriate. They may have upset my brothers, but, my brothers are magnanimous Dwarves, they definitely wouldn’t take these petty matters to heart! The real culprit behind all this noise are these three! They’re the ones who’ve been creating discord amongst us, breaking our precious friendship! These leftover riffraff from the Black Dragon are utterly shameless! But! Their plot will never succeed! Because we, the Dwarves, have wisdom that they can’t fathom! Our will is far more resolute than theirs!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please consider casting a recommendation vote or monthly ticket on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. For mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)