Chapter 121: One Head, One Temple

No wonder Dodoro and Cecil were astonished; Ye Ran’s recent momentum was simply overwhelming. The entire Iboze region knew he had taken down two and a half orcs, slain the fearsome Ivan of the Terror Hand, and triumphed repeatedly against masters from the Elven, Dwarven, and Human clans—without a single defeat.

This young man was already emerging as an undeniable military force within Iboze.

“Human warrior, can you drink?” Cecil raised his cup.

Though proud, the Elven race held a far better attitude toward humans than they did toward dwarves or minotaurs.

The humans had grown so strong that no race dared to ignore them—not even the divine or demonic factions.

Of course, Cecil was not truly the Elven king; he ruled only a solitary castle, a pittance compared to the grand Elven kingdoms of the Troll Forest.

Ye Ran smiled faintly, lifted the cup from the table, gave a slight toast, and drained it in one gulp.

Cecil applauded and sighed as he set down his cup.

Meng Qi and Ye Ran sat in separate corners. Meng Qi smiled wryly, “The king looks troubled, and the chieftain seems downcast—surely some trouble has befallen you.”

Knowing dwarves and elves were less formal, he came straight to the point.

Dodoro said, “You probably already know about the troubles between our two races. Our old rival from the Troll Forest, the blood gnome leader Jim, has returned. The old chieftain was killed, and our dwarves stand alone with no support. Without aid, I fear our people will soon vanish from Iboze.”

Meng Qi and Ye Ran exchanged a glance.

Sure enough, Jim had once again forced the three clans’ leaders to unite.

Meng Qi silently admired Ye Ran—only someone with his strength and restraint could hold back in the face of such fury.

Meng Qi smiled, “I’ve heard, but I think merely a blood gnome leader like Jim isn’t enough cause for worry. Jim was once your subordinate defeated in battle. If the three of you unite, killing Jim should be just a matter of time.”

Dodoro shook his head. “Our human friends, if it were only Jim, we wouldn’t be so alarmed.”

“Then...?”

Dodoro planted his staff in the center and said, “Jim and his blood gnomes are nothing but a pack of lost dogs. The real trouble lies with the one behind him—the one who forges his armor, grants him power and courage.”

Meng Qi asked curiously, “Who do you mean?”

Dodoro shook his head. “We don’t know, but we are certain this person has ties with the Hunter Clan. Even the Hunter’s Pit has had secret contact with him.”

The dwarves’ sages had long investigated, revealing that the blood gnome leader who escaped by jumping into the river was backed by an immense, far-reaching force—one beyond the capabilities of any chieftain or king present.

Cecil said, “Our threats extend beyond Jim. There are also two human scoundrels—one named Andrew, the other Andru.”

“Andru?” Hearing the fat man’s name, Ye Ran’s eyebrows arched.

Cecil said angrily, “Those two deal in flesh trade, bribing the Hunter’s Pit, leading mercenaries through the Troll Forest to capture dwarves, trolls, and elves to sell on the black market.”

“We’ve petitioned the upper echelons of Stormflow City ten days ago, but to no avail. Ye Ran, we will soon have to confront these two bastards. This battle concerns our dignity; we will fight to the death.”

“The tribes within the Troll Forest will surely join. We will never allow our kin to be sold as slaves.”

Dodoro and Bannal nodded gravely.

Once again, the leaders of the three clans united—not for former enemies, but because of Andrew and Andru.

Ye Ran and Meng Qi exchanged a look, both surprised.

Ye Ran’s face darkened. “Are you sure Andru is involved?”

His expression betrayed unease.

Dodoro nodded. “Andrew and Andru hail from the same family in Stormflow City. There’s no mistake.”

“Good, good, good,” Ye Ran muttered three times. His grim smile sent chills even to Bannal.

Ye Ran snorted coldly. “I understand your plight. Whether it’s Jim, Andru, or Andrew, there’s no need for you to wage war. I can settle this alone.”

The three leaders were stunned.

They had thought the situation a tangled web involving Jim, Andrew, and Andru, as well as the Hunter’s Pit, Stormflow’s nobility, and a mysterious power.

Could this youth really handle such a complex matter on his own?

Meng Qi discreetly tugged Ye Ran’s sleeve under the table, cautioning him against rashness.

Dodoro cleared his throat. “Ye Ran, I know you are strong and brave, but you face Jim and his hundreds of blood gnomes, Andrew and Andru’s mercenary bands, and...”

“I know all that. I can handle it,” Ye Ran interrupted.

“I’ll deliver Jim’s head by tomorrow. If necessary, Andrew’s head as well.”

He spoke calmly, but everyone there could feel the deadly aura radiating from him.

Meng Qi sighed quietly; Ye Ran remained as inscrutable as ever. Being with him was like walking on a knife’s edge at every moment.

“I, Ye Ran, only say what I can do and do what I say. But I have a few conditions.”

Before they could settle their thoughts, Ye Ran spoke again.

Bannal said, “Brother Ye, speak freely.”

“My first condition is that after this, I want to build a temple. I hope for your support.”

His first request stunned everyone present.

Was this young man mad? Building a temple required countless workers and materials, not to mention the harsh rules set by the gods—especially here, where the Hunter Clan alone posed enough challenge.

Ye Ran could see their thoughts and said, “Don’t worry. Besides some funds, I only need your nominal support. I’ll handle the rest.”

Bannal was the first to say, “Brother Ye, if you want to build a temple, Bannal fully supports you.”

Dodoro and Cecil considered it and nodded in agreement. They could accept financial and nominal backing.

“Secondly, the dwarves must purchase all iron for weapon forging exclusively from me.”

“That...” Dodoro’s expression shifted slightly. He knew what this meant—buying iron only from Ye Ran gave him the power to set the price.

Ye Ran added, “It’s only iron. Other materials can be purchased freely, and I guarantee prices will remain reasonable.”

Dodoro stroked his staff. “Then we can discuss a fair price later. If it’s reasonable, I agree.”

Meng Qi glanced at Ye Ran with surprise.

Only he understood why Ye Ran made this demand.

He and Ye Ran had originally planned to monopolize the iron mines in the northeastern Iboze but were outmaneuvered by Ronin. This move was clearly to counter Ronin, preventing her iron from being sold directly in Iboze while opening a new revenue stream—killing two birds with one stone.

Shaking his head in admiration, Meng Qi marveled at Ye Ran’s unpredictability.

“My final condition—or rather, a request—the dwarves are skilled smiths. I ask you to forge two weapons for me. With proper arms, even if Andrew commands another mercenary regiment, I will not fear.”

The leaders nodded thoughtfully, sensing the resolve behind the young man’s words.