Chapter 230: The Lost Treasure of the Black Iron Clan

Chapter 230: The Lost Treasure of the Black Iron Clan

"What should we do now? Should we follow the challenge task's suggestion and first take down thirty Bloodline Demons, then go to the Black Iron Clan with their heads to make amends?" Lin Ze Yu proposed.

This was the most direct and effective method.

After all, the Bloodline Demons were the greatest enemies of the Black Iron Clan.

The Bloodline Demons had occupied the Blackstone Mine, seized Blackstone Fortress, and left the Dakville Black Iron Dwarves homeless.

To reclaim Blackstone Fortress, these Black Iron Dwarves had been fighting the Bloodline Demons for three years.

Even if the previous batch of summoned Metahumans had offended the Dakville Black Iron Clan, it shouldn't have escalated to the level of mortal enemies.

After all, the summoned human Metahumans were only here for fifteen days. How much trouble could they possibly cause in such a short time?

Compared to the three years of conflict, fifteen days seemed insignificant.

Therefore, using the heads of Bloodline Demons as a peace offering did seem like a promising way to gain the understanding of the Black Iron Dwarves.

However, it was just a possibility.

The challenge task did provide a way to gain the clan's understanding, but it didn't guarantee that killing thirty Bloodline Demons would definitely earn their forgiveness.

The situation was constantly changing.

If the three of them killed the Bloodline Demons to seek the Black Iron Clan's understanding, but other Metahuman teammates killed Black Iron Dwarves, the hatred would only deepen.

Killing demons was easy, but the real uncertainty in this mission was the teams of Charles Watertown and Park Hyun Jin.

Su Mu Yu contemplated and said, "We have such a good relationship with Gru. Is there a chance we can rely on that connection to make amends with the Black Iron Dwarves? I think that's the best strategy."

Killing Bloodline Demons to gain the Black Iron Clan's understanding was indeed a low-level approach.

Lu Heng agreed, "I was thinking the same. But to rely on Gru's relationship to make peace, we can't just talk to any Black Iron Dwarf warrior. We need to find their clan leader."

After discussing, the three decided to seek out the leader of the Dakville Black Iron Clan for a talk.

So, relying on the aerial reconnaissance of the Celestial Phoenix, they avoided the Black Iron Dwarf patrols and approached the current dwelling place of the Dakville Black Iron Clan, the Geothermal Valley.

In the Geothermal Valley stood Forge Fortress, originally a fortress used by the Dakville Black Iron Clan for smelting.

Ever since the fall of Blackstone City, these Black Iron Dwarves had no choice but to flee Blackstone Mine and gather in Forge Fortress.

Upon reaching the fortress, Lu Heng used the Shape-Shifting Orb to transform into a Black Iron Dwarf and boldly strode through the main entrance.

The guarding Black Iron Dwarf warrior waved and greeted him, "Ironcast, didn't you go with the captain to hunt down those damn humans? How did you return so quickly?"

Lu Heng twitched his lips and waved back at the guard, then walked straight inside.

Speaking more might expose his disguise, but the guard thought this Ironcast was just in a bad mood today.

From the guard's conversation, it was clear that the Black Iron Dwarves deeply resented humans.

It was unclear how this hatred had formed.

Theoretically, the mission in the Abyss Battlefield clearly stated that they should help the Dakville Black Iron Clan drive out the Bloodline Demons.

The summoned human Metahumans shouldn't have made enemies of the Black Iron Dwarves.

Even if the previous batch of summoned Metahumans had a different task, it shouldn't have been completely opposite.

As Lu Heng pondered this, he encountered a Black Iron Dwarf child running towards him.

The child held a toy hammer in his hand and asked, "Uncle Ironcast, have you found those nasty humans? When I grow up, I'll smash them into an anvil."

Lu Heng crouched down and asked curiously, "Why do you hate those humans so much?"

The Black Iron Dwarf child replied matter-of-factly, "They took our clan's most precious treasure. When I grow up, I'll definitely take it back..."

Lu Heng wanted to ask more, but a Black Iron Dwarf woman called out from a distance, "Little Mudball, come back quickly!"

The child waved and ran towards the woman, who was likely his mother.

Lu Heng almost asked the reason, but if he chased after them now, it would be easy to expose his disguise.

So, Lu Heng quickly turned and walked in another direction.

The Shape-Shifting Orb's effect was indeed powerful; he had managed to walk around inside Forge Fortress without being discovered.

As he wandered, Lu Heng occasionally overheard Black Iron Dwarves talking about humans, none of it positive.

It seemed that the previous batch of summoned Metahumans had indeed offended the Black Iron Dwarves greatly.

They had left behind a mess for the newcomers to clean up.

Lu Heng sighed and continued forward, searching for the leader of the Dakville clan.

Outside the largest rock hall in the center of Forge Fortress, there were guards in Majestic Armor standing watch.

This type of majestic armor wasn't very suitable for combat; usually, only royal or chieftain guards would wear such armor, emphasizing their authority and appearance.

Therefore, it was highly likely that the leader of the clan resided in this rock hall, or at least a high-ranking member.

Lu Heng approached, and the two guards at the entrance didn't block him with their weapons, but they glared at him.

Lu Heng took a step forward, and the two guards exchanged a glance. One of them turned and walked into the stone hall to report.

After a moment, the guard returned and said, "Go in quickly. The Leader is calling for you."

Lu Heng nodded and stepped into the stone hall.

At that moment, Dakville III, the leader of the Black Iron Clan, was sitting in the stone hall with a worried frown on his face.

For three years, he had led his clan and the Bloodline Demons in an attempt to retake Blackstone City, but the clan's decline was becoming more and more apparent.

Recently, the clan had suffered another heavy blow, losing something very important.

This had left him sighing and lamenting for many days.

When Lu Heng entered the stone hall and saw Dakville III, he said, "Leader, I have important information to report, and I need to close the hall's doors."

Dakville III turned to look at him, recognizing Lu Heng as a former Vanguard Warrior of the clan, and without hesitation, he waved his hand to signal the guards to close the hall's doors.

After the doors were closed, Dakville III asked, "What's the information? Speak."

Instead of answering his question, Lu Heng asked, "Have you heard of Forge Castle?"

Dakville was slightly displeased. He was worried about the future of the clan and had no interest in discussing such legends.

"If you have any information, speak quickly."

"Have you heard of Forge Castle?" Lu Heng asked again.

"Of course," Dakville replied, his displeasure growing. "It was the symbol of the Black Iron Clan's former glory."

Lu Heng waited for his response and then took out the Forge Castle badge, asking, "Have you seen this before?"

Dakville furrowed his brows and stared at the badge in Lu Heng's hand, surprised. "This is the Forge Castle badge. Where did you get it? Did you encounter another branch of the Black Iron Clan?"

In truth, he thought this was unlikely.

After the fall of Blackstone City, he had tried to find other branches of the Black Iron Clan, hoping to gather their strength to retake the city.

He did find some scattered Black Iron Dwarves, but their numbers were small.

Later, these scattered Black Iron Dwarves gathered at Forge Fortress to fight against the Bloodline Demons together.

However, three years had passed, and the Black Iron Clan had suffered heavy casualties. The clan's decline continued, and the hope of retaking Blackstone City seemed increasingly slim.

Lu Heng raised his head and said, "Leader Dakville, I represent the current generation of Forge Castle. I, the Forging Master Gru, have come to establish contact with the scattered Black Iron Clan in the Abyss World."

Dakville's eyebrows furrowed, and he said with caution, "You're not a Black Iron Dwarf!"

"Yes, I am a human," Lu Heng nodded. "Forge Castle is currently in the human world to avoid the Abyss's erosion."

"You're a human! You despicable lot!" Dakville's face turned angry.

Lu Heng quickly said, "Leader, I know that humans have taken your treasures, but I am not one of them. I represent Forge Castle, and I am here to help the Black Iron Clan."

Dakville scoffed, "Do you think I'll believe you? Guards!"

At his call, the Black Iron Clan guards outside immediately pushed open the doors and raised their spears.

Lu Heng sighed and said, "Leader, I truly represent Forge Castle. Don't you want to reunite with your scattered clan?"

Dakville certainly hoped that Forge Castle could return to the Black Iron Clan, as it was once their glory.

Even if he didn't believe Lu Heng's words, there was still a glimmer of hope in his heart.

"How can you prove that you represent Forge Castle?" Dakville demanded.

Lu Heng thought for a moment and said, "This is the Forge Castle badge. If this is not enough, I also have weapons forged by Master Gru. I believe the Leader should be able to distinguish the work of a Black Iron Clan Forging Master."

As he spoke, Lu Heng took out the Aurora Blade and handed it over.

This action was a bit risky.

However, Lu Heng wanted to give it a try.

Dakville had the guards take the Aurora Blade and then received it, holding it in his hands to examine it.

After a few glances, his expression changed dramatically.

As the leader of the Black Iron Clan, he was undoubtedly familiar with their forging techniques.

"This... Are you truly representing Forge Castle?" Dakville's face showed a mix of surprise and joy.

Lu Heng continued, "I have studied the tempering techniques under Master Gru. If the Leader wishes, I can demonstrate."

Upon hearing this, Dakville's face suddenly turned angry, and he shouted, "How dare you mention tempering to me! You despicable humans took our tempering forge!"

Lu Heng's face showed shock upon hearing this.

Putting the pieces together, Lu Heng instantly understood many things.

The treasure that the Black Iron Clan had lost was none other than the tempering forge, and it had been taken by human metahumans not long ago.

Could the second tempering forge on Blue Planet be...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end