The deep and dark passage had no end in sight, the burning torches made crackling sounds, and the sound of shoe soles stepping on the ground could reverberate for a long time before disappearing.

The air is very turbid, mixed with the smell of soil, and sometimes you need to take a big breath to ensure what your body needs.

Stanford and his men are walking in such an environment, they are passing through a mountain tunnel opened by dwarves.

Many people were anxious and trembling uncontrollably. This atmosphere seemed to be walking on the road to hell.

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Many people are afraid that the tunnel will collapse suddenly, and they will be buried under it.

"Humans, let me say it again, if you are afraid, you can go back the same way."

Barash said proudly that the voices of dwarves are very loud, especially Barash. Because of the deep tunnel, the sound is now more like ringing a bell.

Stanford shook his head. go back? joke.

One night two days ago, Barash the dwarf agreed to help them pass the Rocky Mountains. After a night's rest in the dwarves' camp, Barash will personally lead them to the residence of the Hammer clan—Stoveforge.

The mountain crossing that Stanford expected didn't happen, and the dwarf led them to take a shortcut—drilling a tunnel.

The tunnels of the dwarves are essentially mazes, twists and turns, and you can come across a fork after a few steps, and it goes up and down. Some unknown fungi that emit fluorescence only provide a little light, which greatly increases the difficulty of remembering the route.

If there is no guide, just rushing through such a tunnel, the piles of bones passing by from time to time may be the fate of most people.

The tunnels they walk in are not continuous. Although each one is very long, they will eventually come out. The exit is often in a valley, and then they continue to walk through a mountain road before entering another tunnel.

"Here we are!"

Finally, they came to the most open valley since entering the mountain.

Barash once again kindly reminded them to squint as they were about to exit the tunnel.

Stanford half-covered it with his hands, squinting into the distance.

He first saw patches of land that were irregularly distributed, but clearly showed traces of maintenance. It seemed that the dwarves in the mountains also had farming.

Looking further into the distance, a huge and majestic building stands in front of the stone wall of the valley.

It seems to be a castle, but the style is extremely rough.

"Welcome to Forge."

Barash pointed to the huge building on the stone wall.

"Using your human terms, this is the 'King Capital' of our Iron Hammer clan, and you will be able to meet my father soon."

"It's an honor!" Stanford thanked him.

The group continued to walk towards the huge castle.

As the distance got closer, Stanford realized that the main body of the castle was actually carved out of the rock wall, and bricks were used in some places for stacking.

Once again he marveled at the dwarf's ingenuity.

"Are we the first humans to visit here?"

"Haha, Mr. Stanford, it's a pity that you can't get this achievement."

Barash grinned.

"During the long history of the dwarves, many foreign friends have visited here, including orcs and humans. They often have some kind of favor for our people, and they are all loyal and reliable people who keep their promises, but it may take decades. There will be such a lucky one."

Emaar on the side interjected, "There are also wars that took place in ancient times..."

"Shut up, Emaar!" Barash interrupted him, "Stop talking, let's go in."

The dwarf warriors guarding the gate of the castle opened their eyes wide when they saw that the young patriarch had brought a group of humans over.

But they didn't stop them, they just kept casting curious eyes. After all, human beings are also a rare thing for some dwarves who don't go down the mountain very much.

Stanford and his subordinates entered the castle while enduring the uncomfortable feeling of being watched.

Only then did they discover that there was a cave inside the castle. This building was not just a shallow layer carved out of the stone wall, but was very deep, and it was not as cramped as the tunnels they had walked through before. Being in a town—even at human height.

The roads inside the castle are developed in all directions, and the ventilation is also very good, without the dull feeling in the tunnel.

Walking along the way, Stanford saw architectural areas with different functions such as taverns, markets, shops, and residences. Many places were crowded with people, just like the human world.

Yes, the city, this is a city embedded in the mountain.

A broad main road leads directly to the residence of the clan chiefs, and they follow this road to the end.

The place where the patriarch lives is not as grand as a human king or lord, but the gate is larger than other dwarf buildings.

Barash led them straight in without being stopped.

The patriarch of the Hammer clan received Captain Stanford in a large hall.

Barash's father was a dwarf with a beard that could almost reach the ground, but his face was very rosy and full, and his body was extremely strong. He was dressed in linen clothes and a shawl made of unknown animal skins.

It seemed that the Lord Patriarch was no different from his people except for his beard.

"My child, why did you bring a group of humans to Furnace Castle?" The dwarf patriarch looked at the group with stern eyes.

"Father!" Barash stepped forward to explain, "These humans saved Imar from the orc robbers."

"Oh?" The dwarf patriarch glanced at his nephew.

"Tell me about it carefully."

Emaar immediately stood up and "described" the process with embellishments, as always, mixed with outrageous boasting about himself.

But his bragging served as a good cover. The dwarf patriarch knew his nephew's character, but he didn't doubt the premise that "humans saved him".

"So, do you want to get any reward?"

"We want to go back to our homeland in the South through the Rockies."

Stanford asked him and told his story.

"The great king of the dwarves, please accept this unrespectable gift."

He delivered gifts with ease.

"King of the dwarves? Hahaha!"

The patriarch laughed, "Humans, UU Reading www.uukanshu.com you are really good at compliments. Well, I will accept these delicate gadgets from you."

"For the sake of gifts and saving the lives of my people, and for the sake of your courage, I allow you to cross our territory, but you must swear to your gods that you are not allowed to disclose the details of the journey to others. "

"I swear to do what you ask!" I didn't remember anything anyway.

The patriarch looked at his nephew.

"Okay! Emaar, it's a bit late today, you can lead the human guests to rest first. Find someone to guide them to the south tomorrow, and you know what to do."

"Yes, uncle."

Stanford let out a long sigh of relief, the matter was finally coming to an end. He followed Emaar out. Behind him came the voice of the dwarf patriarch talking to his son.

"Barash, tell the elders to come here later, we have to discuss it, some orc cubs are too arrogant, and they actually set their minds on the dwarves."

"Yes, father."