Magic? My Iron Torrent will sweep it all away!

Chapter 248 Showing the Dwarves the Drinking Culture of Great Xia

The convertible SUV sped across the construction site and soon arrived at the outermost defensive line of the expeditionary force base.

Not long after, a team appeared on the horizon.

It was Thorin and his hundred-plus people.

The closer you get, the clearer you can see the team's sorry state.

Every goat looked like it had been pulled out of the water, soaking wet and panting heavily.

Many of the dwarves bore wounds, their exquisite armor covered in jagged claw marks and dark bloodstains.

His once meticulously groomed beard was now covered in dust and tangled up in a mess.

However, their expressions remained resolute and brave, though their eyes showed a hint of fatigue.

"Lord Lin Mo!"

Thorin called out from afar. Beside him stood a dwarf, even more imposing, with a beard braided into four strands; this must be the leader of the group.

"Let me introduce you. This is Balin Copperhammer, the leader of this mission," Thorin said.

Bahrain rolled over to dismount the sheep, his movements somewhat stiff, clearly indicating he was also injured.

He gave Lin Mo a standard hand-on-chest salute, his voice loud and clear.

"Your Excellency Lin Mo, thank you for your assistance."

"If it weren't for your intervention, we would probably have suffered many more casualties."

He witnessed the "heavenly fire" with his own eyes, and his awe of the Great Xia Dynasty had reached its peak.

"You're too kind, Bahrain leader. We are allies and should help each other."

Lin Mo smiled and stepped forward, patting his arm armor.

"You must have had a tough journey. Seeing that you are all injured, you must have suffered a lot."

He turned to the side and pointed to a newly cleared area deep within the camp.

"That's where the orc brothers lived before. The tents and facilities are still in good condition, and the daily necessities have all been washed. Go there and rest for a while."

As he spoke, Lin Mo pulled Wu Suowei aside, lowered his voice, and gave the order in a tone only the two of them could hear.

"Go and tell the cooks to prepare the dwarves' favorite food to welcome them back."

"Also, prepare plenty of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

"Send some more soldiers from provinces like Nanhe and Dongshan; they must be able to drink and know how to persuade others to drink!"

"Tonight's mission is to get these dwarves stuffed with alcohol until they're bursting!"

Wu Suowei understood and immediately left to make arrangements.

Balin gave Lin Mo a standard hand-to-chest salute.

"Lord Lin Mo, thank you for your arrangements. Our people are exhausted from the long and arduous journey and certainly need a place to rest. We'll leave the rest to you."

"Commander Bahrain, you're too kind. We're allies." Lin Mo smiled and stepped forward, then pointed deeper into the camp.

"We have prepared a banquet to welcome you all and wish you all the best."

Bahrain was taken aback, and quickly waved his hand.

"Lord Lin Mo, you're too kind! We've just been through a battle, we're covered in blood and reek of it, so please don't trouble yourself..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Gang burst into laughter and patted Bahrain's arm guard affectionately.

"Oh, Bahrain's leader, it's alright, how can this be a problem?"

"We are all warriors; blood is the medal of heroes!"

In our Great Xia, there's an old saying: "When friends come, we welcome them with fine wine!"

"You are our allies who risked your lives to deliver these goods to us; we must treat you to this meal!"

Zhao Gang's tone was enthusiastic, yet carried an air of undeniable authority.

"Don't you want to try our fine wine? Don't worry, you'll have a great time!!"

Bahrain and Sorin exchanged a glance, finding it hard to refuse each other's words.

To refuse again would be to disrespect our allies.

"Well... then thank you for your hospitality, Great Xia." Balin had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Half an hour later, the dwarves were led to an empty camp area.

This place has changed dramatically.

A dozen or so marching tables were put together to form a long strip, covered with a disposable tablecloth, instantly making the scene more formal.

The cooks received the "supreme instructions" and were all energized.

The fire blazed brightly, and the large ladle danced in the pot, filling the entire camp with a rich aroma of meat mixed with spices.

Sizzling, juicy roasted lamb chops, glistening braised pork hock in a rich, dark sauce, a mountain of spicy chicken wings, and a huge bowl of stewed beef with potatoes…

Alongside the various hearty dishes, there's also the indispensable fried peanuts, all perfect accompaniments to drinks.

The more than one hundred weary dwarf warriors had just settled down and handed over the goats to the warriors to graze on when they smelled an irresistible aroma.

Bottles of liquor were opened and placed on the table.

With the delicious food as a backdrop, their cravings for alcohol and food were awakened.

The dwarves swallowed hard, letting out a 'gulp' in unison, their eyes wide with astonishment.

Balin and Sorin were invited to the main table to sit with Lin Mo and Zhao Gang.

The snow-white porcelain bowl was filled to the brim, and the crisp aroma of the wine overpowered the fragrance of the food.

"Lord Lin Mo! You people of Great Xia are so hospitable!" Balin Copperhammer looked at the scene before him, his rugged face beaming with smiles.

Sorin was even more direct, pointing to the boxes of liquor piled up beside him, his eyes gleaming.

"Oh, God of Craftsmen! It's that same strong liquor as last time!"

"Bahrain, let me tell you, that's the best wine I've ever tasted!!"

Lin Mo smiled and gestured for them to proceed.

"Guests from afar are welcome; it's only right that we do so."

"Please take your seats, everyone. You've traveled a long way, and all the hardships and sorrows along the way are in the past. Today, just enjoy your food and drinks!"

The dwarves, weary from their journey and constant fighting, were starving and longed for a good rest.

Without any hesitation, they quickly found seats and sat down.

They soon discovered a strange phenomenon.

Each table, which could seat eight dwarves, was assigned a Great Xia soldier.

These soldiers stood ramrod straight and wore friendly smiles.

They warmly invited the dwarves to sit down, brought out stools and poured wine, making the dwarves feel flattered.

Zhao Gang was the first to stand up, raise his wine bowl, and speak in a hearty voice.

"Fellow dwarven brothers! Welcome to the territory of our expeditionary force!"

"I propose we all have a drink to celebrate our friendship!"

Everyone, including the dwarves, stood up and drank their wine in one gulp.

Then, their eyes all lit up.

This liquor is better and stronger than any other liquor they've ever drunk. This is the kind of liquor a real man should drink!

"Good wine!!" the dwarves couldn't help but exclaim.

The atmosphere instantly became lively.

After Balin sat down, he glanced at Sorin, and the two of them picked up their bowls and addressed Lin Mo in loud, clear voices.

"Lord Linmo! We dwarves don't know how to speak sweet words!"

"You saved my people; this kindness is heavier than a mountain! I'll drink this bowl first to express my gratitude!"

After saying that, the two tilted their heads back and downed a bowl of liquor, which was about three ounces in size, without spilling a drop.

Lin Mo smiled, picked up the bowl, and took a sip.

Balin frowned as he looked at the remaining wine in Lin Mo's bowl, about to say something.

Zhao Gang, however, beat him to it, standing up with a hearty laugh and picking up his own bowl.

"Bahrainian leader, that's great!"

"However, in our Great Xia, there's a saying: 'Good things come in pairs, and good wine is served in threes!'"

"You are a distinguished guest; this first drink is to 'welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey'!"

"Our Commander Lin is being very kind; I'll drink with you in his place!"

After Zhao Gang finished speaking, he drank it all in one gulp.

Then he personally filled Balin's and Sorin's bowls, and then picked up the second bowl...