231: Ryan's request

Crossing the final mountain ridge, Renn led Kudla and the others into the Red River Valley.

Not long after entering the Red River Valley, Kudla and his companions clearly sensed the difference.

Village after village appeared before Kudla's eyes; the orderly houses and wide stone-paved roads were very pleasing to look at.

In Kudla's mind, Renn's image became even more mysterious; this human territory was completely different from any human land Kudla had known before.

When the group arrived at Red River City, even the well-traveled Kudla was inwardly startled.

After more than two years of continuous construction and improvement, Red River City now had a population of nearly one hundred thousand. The constantly expanding urban area had already crossed the Red River and reached the west bank.

Kudla had seen many prosperous cities, but it was his first time seeing one so orderly, clean, and hygienic, making it extremely comfortable to behold.

There was no trash to be seen on the roadsides, no beggars begging everywhere. Both sides of the wide stone roads were planted with uniform flowers and plants, and beyond them were either shops or neatly arranged residences; the streets were very beautiful and clean.

Even in such cold weather, there were still many people active on the streets. Looking at these crowds full of vitality and happiness, Kudla's curiosity about Renn reached its peak.

The dwarven contingent drew the attention of some vassals, who were very curious about the dwarves. At the same time, upon seeing Renn, they began to cheer for him.

“Lord Renn is truly loved by his vassals!”

“It seems Lord Renn has a strong ability to govern his territory.”

Renn looked at the cheering vassals and the increasingly prosperous Red River City, feeling proud in his heart; this was the crystallization of his hard work.

“I merely let them eat a bit fuller, dress a bit warmer, and live a bit better. What insights could there be?”

Renn's simple words sent Kudla into deep thought.

Kudla and his group were eventually arranged to rest within Red River Fortress. Regarding the corruption power inside these dwarves, Renn also promised to help them cleanse it later.

The dwarves received high-standard reception from Renn, with food, clothing, housing, and transportation all properly arranged.

There was naturally a reason why Renn valued them so much; Renn had no intention of letting these dwarves eat and live here for free. No one had ever been able to get anything for free from Renn.

During their days of recovery in the Red River Territory, Kudla would seek out Renn whenever he was free. As two Legendaries together, besides discussing cultivation insights, they would chat about various anecdotes and curiosities from all over the world.

As a long-lived species, Kudla was already over four hundred years old. Even so, he was not considered old among dwarves, and as a Legendary, he appeared even younger.

His long lifespan gave Kudla rich experience. Having traveled everywhere and seen much, he spoke of the customs and traditions across the Noah Continent with ease, and Renn never tired of listening.

Renn's unique insights also made Kudla's eyes light up; every time they finished their exchange and he returned, he would fall into long periods of contemplation.

The relationship between the two also grew familiar over several days. Kudla hadn't expected that he and Renn would get along so well.

Dwarves are forthright by nature and value friendship extremely highly. A friend is a friend, an enemy is an enemy; their clear distinction between love and hate makes them very direct in their dealings.

Renn, of course, was very fond of making such sincere friends.

“Renn, and Lady Dora, thank you very much. You have saved me and my companions twice. If there is anything I can help with, Renn, just speak up. A sons of the mountains never takes advantage of a friend for nothing.”

As Dora withdrew her staff, the corruption power on the dwarves had been completely cleansed. Without the erosion of the corruption power, the dwarves felt much lighter and more relaxed.

Kudla was also very happy to see his companions recovering.

“It's nothing, Kudla. However, I do indeed have a few problems that need your help.”

Renn took the opportunity to state the few difficulties he had encountered.

“Kudla, the craftsmen under me have been complaining that their forges are always unstable, which prevents them from forging better equipment. After hearing of your arrival, they wanted to ask for your guidance.”

“They all know that dwarves are all Master Smiths, and they all hope to learn some techniques from you masters.”

Facing Renn's request, Kudla agreed readily.

“Such a small matter is absolutely no problem!”

Kudla thumped his chest loudly, declaring he would show Renn the superb skills of the dwarves.

Renn immediately had Holland and Wote organize the craftsmen to get ready.

After the dwarves following Kudla learned of Renn's request, they all vied to repay Renn's kindness. What dwarves disliked most was owing favors to others; now that they had a chance to repay him, they were all enthusiastic.

“What are you all arguing about? Are your skills as high as mine?”

A dwarf with a long crimson beard walked out with his head held high. Seeing him come out, the other dwarves stopped arguing.

Kudla proudly introduced this dwarf to Renn.

“This is Kagaz, a rare Rune Master and Master Smith among dwarves. In all of Eight Peaks Mountain, no one below the Legendary rank can surpass him in rune attainment. Even I only attained rune skills comparable to his after breaking through to Legendary.”

“Then I shall trouble you, Master Kagaz!”

Renn had always been very respectful toward such talent, and he was the same toward Kagaz.

“Rest assured, Lord Renn, I will not let you down. As long as the craftsmen under you have enough talent, I will surely make sure they learn some superb techniques.”

When Renn brought the dwarves to the Forge Workshop, Holland and the others were already prepared.

“Renn, this craftsman workshop of yours is actually quite well-done, looks like the real deal!”

Kudla looked at the craftsman workshop before him; both its scale and quality were much better than he had previously expected.

“It's not worth mentioning compared to your Eight Peaks Mountain.”

“That's true. At most, this is a medium-sized forging area. At Eight Peaks Mountain, there are dozens of such forging areas!”

“Moreover, many pieces of equipment in your Forge Workshop are not up to standard; it doesn't even compare to a medium-sized forging area within Eight Peaks Mountain.”

Kudla didn't save any face for Renn in his words, describing the Red River Territory's forging area as nothing. In Kudla's eyes, the forging area before him truly was nothing special, with nothing worth praising.

“That's why I need you to help me, Kudla!”

“Besides giving lessons to these unskilled craftsmen of mine, I also hope you can perform some upgrades and modifications to this workshop. Especially the forge here; it's completely unsuitable for this workshop now and severely restricts the craftsmen's production.”

Renn pointed to a large forge nearby for Kudla. That was the forge he had done his best to build for Holland and the others. Although it had cost Renn much effort and material, the results were not as desired.

“Don't worry, Renn, leave everything to me. No problem at all!”

“Once I've finished the modifications for you, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!”

In the time that followed, Kudla led several dwarves to upgrade and modify the Forge Workshop for Renn, while Rune Master Kagaz led several dwarves to give lessons to Holland and the others, imparting forging techniques.