Son of the Caravan Steward

"We can queue here in peace only because of the rules Lady Moran set. Anyone who wants to buy clothes must wait their turn properly. Whoever breaks the rules, her shop will refuse to do business with them."

Hu Baifu chatted with Lin Lei while they waited in line.

Suddenly, a large group approached from afar. Judging by their bearing, behavior, and clothing, they seemed to be a merchant caravan. The people within wore all manner of different outfits.

At their head was a mountain Dwarf, with a broad, flat nose, powerful arms, and a height of around one and a half meters. Their voices were so loud that they drew the attention of the human nobles still waiting in line.

Lin Lei stopped talking with Hu Baifu and curiously observed the Dwarves. To be honest, this was his first time seeing a nonhuman race from the side of light. The ones he had seen before were Goblins and Kobolds, naturally violent and bloodthirsty creatures.

"Do you know these guys?"

Lin Lei pointed at the numerous Highland Dwarves beside Hu Baifu.

"Of course. Who doesn't know them? They're Dwarves from Iron Hearth Fortress. Every year, they come here to sell weapons. See that red-bearded one at the front? His name is Huo Er. He's the grandson of this caravan's leader."

Hu Baifu truly lived up to his reputation as a know-it-all. He knew everything about them.

"Grandson? Damn. Why do I feel like this Huo Er is even older than me?"

Lin Lei stared at Huo Er's bearded, weathered face in disbelief.

"Don't let Huo Er's old appearance fool you. All Dwarves look like that. They're different from humans. Ordinary humans can only live a little over a hundred years, while ordinary Dwarves can live more than four hundred. Of course, those with cultivation levels live even longer.

"For their first fifty years, they develop rapidly and pass through childhood. The next three hundred years are all spent in their prime. Only the final fifty years count as old age.

"Huo Er is only seventy or eighty years old now. Though he's much older than you and me, he's still a young man among his people."

"..."

Lin Lei fell silent. If someone had told him this in modern society, he could have sprayed them to death with a mouthful of salty soda. But that was no longer possible. His worldview was already correcting itself, and this was now within the range of things he could accept.

Lin Lei suddenly widened his eyes at the Dwarves. Huo Er, who led them, walked straight toward the tailor shop, passed the waiting crowd—including Lin Lei—and strode inside.

Is he cutting in line? There's no way he doesn't know the rules here.

Lin Lei's face showed confusion as he thought to himself. Hu Baifu beside him was also puzzled. He had just said no one dared break the rules here, only to be slapped in the face immediately. His face hurt.

The Highland Dwarves did not all enter. Only Huo Er and two attendants went in, while the shop clerks at the entrance did nothing to stop them.

While Lin Lei was letting his imagination run wild, Huo Er and his two guards were thrown out by several burly men. As they hit the ground, an exquisite box that appeared to be made of precious wood fell out as well.

Huo Er still looked unwilling to accept it. Based on Lin Lei's judgment, if those burly men truly fought, they would not have been able to handle the three Dwarves. He had no idea why the three of them had not resisted.

Suddenly, mocking laughter came from ahead of Lin Lei. He looked over and saw several noble servants dressed in black tailcoats. One was speaking with a servant from another family, and Lin Lei listened curiously.

"That little Dwarf still hasn't given up? This is already the fourth time. Doesn't he realize that even if he's the grandson of the Iron Hearth Fortress caravan leader, Lady Moran won't like him because of his status?"

"Exactly. A Dwarf wants to marry the greatest beauty in Flower Territory? What a dream. Even Lord Edward wants Lady Moran. Who does he think he is?"

"Shh, keep it down. How dare you discuss the lord's private affairs? You may not care about your head, but I care about my life."

After speaking, the noble steward lowered his gaze and looked around. Only after confirming that no one had noticed did he relax.

Only then did Lin Lei understand. This Dwarf had not come to have clothes made—he had come to court Lady Moran. No wonder the clerks had not stopped them. They were probably already used to seeing them. As for those burly men, they must have been acting on Lady Moran's orders.

"But a short, stocky Dwarf and a delicate, tall human beauty... they simply don't match at all. I wonder how Huo Er managed to cross the racial divide in aesthetic taste."

Lin Lei did not dwell on it. He glanced at the box that had fallen beside him and noticed that Huo Er had not taken it. Without thinking much, he picked it up and shouted at Huo Er.

"Hey, little Dwarf! You forgot your things."

"Little Dwarf... You called me a Dwarf?"

Huo Er, who had been preparing to leave, flew into a rage. His face turned red, and Lin Lei immediately wondered whether he had said something wrong.

Is it taboo for Dwarves to be called Dwarves? But why is Huo Er the only one getting angry while the others don't care?

While Lin Lei was pondering this, Huo Er had already marched over step by step. Looking at Lin Lei, who was more than a head taller than him, the already irritable Huo Er became even more furious.

"Human, you have successfully angered me. Let's have a real man's duel and see whether that tall body of yours is all show and no substance."

What the hell? Why is he picking a fight with me? I was trying to help him! I returned his stuff, and he wants to beat me up? This is ridiculous.

Lin Lei complained wildly in his heart and somewhat regretted stopping Huo Er. Still, since the Dwarf had said it, Lin Lei was not afraid at all.

"Fine. Let's do it here."

"Good."

Huo Er spat out a single word and widened the distance between them. Lin Lei also took his weapon, the Two-Bladed Three-Pointed Spear, from his pack. As his strength increased, the weapon's power had risen noticeably as well.

When Lin Lei drew his weapon, Huo Er's eyes lit up despite his raging anger. Dwarves naturally loved weapons, and the moment he saw Lin Lei's weapon, he knew it was excellent. Its ancient patterns and unusual shape captivated him.

However, this was the moment for Huo Er and Lin Lei to fight. He did not ask Lin Lei about it, and even if he did, Lin Lei might not answer. Better not to ask at all.

As Lin Lei and Huo Er prepared for battle, they cleared out a space more than twenty zhang wide. Azeroth had never been a peaceful continent, so fighting like this was legal in Flower Territory.

Many people came to watch. Numerous young nobles who had been waiting in line also gathered around. Apart from a very small number, nobles generally admired strength. Clothes could be bought anytime, but fights were not always available to watch—especially a duel between humans and Dwarves, which was even rarer.

In no time, the area was packed with people from every social class. The Dwarves, Hu Baifu, and Red Fire all stood nearby, cheering for their respective sides.

Lin Lei had no idea why this conflict had started, so he did not attack immediately. He slowly circled Huo Er, watching him closely. Dwarves preferred to be straightforward, and Huo Er could not stand Lin Lei's hesitant manner any longer. He grabbed the hammer he had forged himself and charged forward.

Dwarven weapons were not as varied as human ones. Most Dwarves used hammers they had personally crafted. After long years of training, they could wield those hammers as easily as their own arms. Every adult Dwarf carved a resonant magic array onto their hammer.

After throwing their hammers at an enemy, they could summon them back into their hands. This technique had been passed down from their ancestor, the Mountain King, who used magic to form the Storm Hammer. They also called this move Storm Hammer.

Huo Er was not very fast. Dwarves were not a race that excelled at speed. They relied more on the muscles forged through years of blacksmithing, muscles capable of smashing every enemy's head apart.

Ever since gaining the Heavenly Eye, Lin Lei's dynamic vision had continuously improved. Facing such a slow charge, he saw Huo Er's weakness at a glance.

Lin Lei tightly gripped the weapon's shaft and swung with all his strength, aiming to slash at Huo Er's arm.

Bang.

Huo Er threw his hammer, and it struck Lin Lei head-on before he could dodge or defend. Lin Lei, who had been advancing with overwhelming momentum, flew away like a pile of scrap metal and crashed heavily onto the ground.

The crowd could not help crying out in alarm as Lin Lei took Huo Er's blow head-on. Fortunately, though Lin Lei's body was not made of iron, he could still withstand another five or six attacks like that.

Lin Lei climbed to his feet somewhat awkwardly. His earlier disdain had turned into caution. Watching Huo Er slowly recall his hammer, he did not act rashly.

With a sudden burst, Lin Lei used his rapid movement ability to rush behind Huo Er. Given the Dwarf's clumsy movements, Lin Lei was confident he could strike his back.

Clang.

Relying on his combat instincts, Huo Er successfully predicted Lin Lei's attack. The Two-Bladed Three-Pointed Spear struck his hammer, producing a thunderous clash and a shower of sparks.

Lin Lei was knocked back repeatedly, a sharp pain shooting through the web between his thumb and forefinger. When he looked at Huo Er, however, the Dwarf seemed completely unaffected as he threw his iron hammer once again.

Lin Lei could only dodge again, avoiding the attack. As Huo Er recalled his weapon once more, Lin Lei decided to meet him head-on and determine the winner through attack speed.

With a sweeping motion, the cold gleam of the blade smashed toward Huo Er's short chest, only to be blocked by the iron hammer again.

This time, Lin Lei ignored the powerful recoil. He lifted his right leg forcefully, and his already powerful leg swung like a massive stone pillar toward Huo Er's legs.

Unlike Lin Lei, Huo Er could not endure the sudden blow. His footing gave way, and he dropped to one knee. The iron hammer he had been gripping tightly lost some of its force, and Lin Lei, who had been pressing his weapon against it, immediately felt Huo Er's strength weaken.

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Lei forcefully lifted his weapon, sending Huo Er's hammer flying backward. His blade then fell with the motion and rested against Huo Er's bronze-colored neck.