I Transmigrated Into A Fantasy World To Farm And Build Houses!-Chapter 158: A Hint about Gunpowder

The sharp clang of a hammer rang out rhythmically in front of Joseph’s house.

Sparks flew like fireworks every time the large hammer struck the red-hot iron. The sweltering heat from the forge, combined with the exertion of all his strength, made Joseph so hot he had shrugged off his outer animal hide, revealing a sturdy upper body glistening with sweat.

Afraid of disturbing the rhythm of his work, Eric just led Leo to stand at a safe distance, watching quietly. Not until Joseph put the hammer down, finishing a stage, did he step forward.

"Young Eric! You’re back!" Joseph exclaimed, his booming voice unable to hide his clear joy and relief.

As one of the few who knew the true purpose of the trip, he had been worried sick these past days. The road to the sea was too far and fraught with danger; even a small mistake could be costly.

Eric smiled in reply: "Yes, we got back to the tribe last night."

Joseph grabbed the cloth towel draped over his neck to wipe his sweat, then proudly pointed to the giant sickle that was taking shape: "They’re almost all done. I’ve been pushing everyone to work nonstop since I got back. It should only take about two more days to complete the entire order."

Eric looked at the oversized scythe and silently clicked his tongue. With this size, an ordinary human probably couldn’t even lift it. The only person who could use it would have to be a high-level warrior, and what high-level warrior would ever agree to farm?

The Dwarves’ open space, which used to be filled with all kinds of weapons, was now occupied by farm tools. Eric even saw several sets of plows specially made for cultivation.

He could almost imagine the heroic scene of the Ox-Head tribe beastmen transforming into their beast forms, using their strength to pull the heavy iron plows across the fields.

Seeing Eric and Leo arrive, Joseph decided to take a break from work. He quickly wiped his hands and led the two into the house.

"How was it?" As soon as he closed the door to block prying eyes, Joseph immediately lowered his voice, whispering eagerly: "The seawater... can it really be refined into salt?"

Eric’s eyes shone with triumph. He said nothing, just solemnly took out a bamboo tube almost as large as a bucket and handed it to Joseph with both hands.

Joseph’s calloused hands trembled slightly as he took the bamboo tube. He carefully removed the wooden lid, and the sight inside made him gasp in astonishment. The substance inside was unbelievably white, dry, and fine.

"By the great God of Forging!" Joseph exclaimed, completely stunned: "This... this is really refined salt!"

With this, the tribe would not only save a huge expense, but more importantly, they would no longer be subject to the control of other tribes for their salt supply!

Joseph was so excited he paced back and forth in the small room, his hands clenched, trying to suppress a joyous shout, his face flushing red. But then, the extreme excitement quickly gave way to a vague worry.

Possessing a treasure also meant carrying danger.

He took a deep breath to calm down: "Was the journey okay? We are too far from the sea."

"It was fine," Eric replied. "We went around the territories of high-level magical beasts, and they are less active in winter anyway."

"That’s good, that’s good." Joseph clutched the bamboo tube to his chest, looking at the refined salt inside with more affection than he looked at his own wife.

Eric then took out the other gifts he had prepared for him: a small seashell comb and a bag of pearls.

Dwarves also used combs, but mainly wooden ones. Joseph accepted them happily, thinking his wife and daughter would definitely love these shiny things.

Seeing him put the things away, Eric asked hesitantly: "Joseph, on the way back, we met a Dwarf tribe. Do you know Henry and Julia?"

Joseph’s hand, which was putting away the gifts, suddenly froze. His expression changed from surprise to uncertainty: "Julia? Henry? Aren’t they way down south? That’s worlds away from here, how do you know them?"

Eric then recounted the entire story of rescuing the miserable Dwarf tribe by the swamp.

"They... they were forced to migrate all the way there?"

Joseph couldn’t believe his ears. He didn’t wait for Eric’s reply, his eyes already vacant, muttering to himself as if in disbelief: "The environment there is so harsh... And it’s near the magical beast mountain range, far more dangerous than here..."

Joseph’s expression gradually turned sorrowful: "Julia is the toughest woman I’ve ever known, and now fate has forced her to live in that stinking swamp."

Thinking that if Eric and Max hadn’t happened to pass by, the entire tribe might have been torn apart by the Iron-Backed Bear, his heart clenched.

And then, he suddenly realized, this was the second time Eric had saved his people. The first time was Luban, this time was Julia.

Without him, he didn’t know how much more tragic the fate of the Dwarves would be. Gratitude welled up like a fierce wave, nearly bursting from his chest.

His voice choked. Suddenly, he bowed deeply, performing the most formal Dwarven salute in front of Eric.

"Thank you for once again saving my people! As the God of Forging is my witness, the Dwarves will never forget this kindness!"

Eric was startled and flustered, quickly stepping forward to help Joseph up: "Please don’t do that! I didn’t help much. This time, it was mainly thanks to Max killing the magical beast."

Joseph straightened up, but his eyes were still teary: "The kindness of the Snow Wolf tribe... we don’t know how we can ever repay it. It’s just...."

He sighed, his eyes heavy with worry: "Our lives are already too hard. The Hadu tribe is lucky to have your protection now, but Julia and the others..."

"I was just about to talk about this."

Eric continued: "I promised Julia that when the weather warms up next year, I’ll bring craftsmen to help them rebuild their houses. Joseph, do you think... we could share our brick and cement formula with them?"

"That’s a method you invented, so of course, the decision is yours. But are you sure?" Joseph asked, both hopeful and worried. "These things could be exchanged for enormous wealth."

Although he desperately wanted his kinsmen to live better, he still remembered that Eric was the chief of the Hadu tribe; his interests had to come first.

Eric smiled and scratched his head, his smile sincere and warm: "No amount of profit can bring more joy than seeing one’s family live better. If you agree, when the weather warms up, please pick a few skilled craftsmen, and we’ll have the Snow Wolf warriors escort them to Julia’s place to help them rebuild their tribe."

Joseph’s gaze on the young man before him grew even more gentle and profound: "You little cub... you’re truly... magical. I always see in you the shadow of the wise ancient sages of our tribe."

"I didn’t do anything." Praised to the point his cheeks burned, Eric quickly waved his hands.

Leo, beside him, was nodding vigorously, as if to say, "My brother is just that amazing."

To save the atmosphere, he skillfully changed the subject, stating the main purpose of this visit: "Joseph, the reason we Dwarves have such a hard time on this continent is our lack of combat strength. If... we could create a weapon with power rivaling Fire magic, wouldn’t that relieve a lot of the pressure?"

Joseph’s eyes instantly lit up like two coals in the forge. He knew that whenever Eric spoke like this, it meant he had a world-shaking idea in his head.

"What weapon?" he pressed, completely losing his usual composure, looking just like a child about to receive a gift. "Young Eric, don’t be mysterious, hurry up and tell me!"

Seeing that he had successfully captured his attention, Eric smiled smugly and enunciated each word:

"It’s gunpowder. It can be made using sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal."

Sulfur? Saltpeter? The three names he mentioned, Joseph had never heard of them.

He was so anxious he started scratching his head and ears, feeling as if ten thousand ants were crawling in his heart.