Chapter 023: Unqualified

Wang Bo naturally knew what the sword presented by Thorin was—it was a treasure forged by the Elves of the First Age.

In a sense, it was indeed a fine treasure.

But Wang Bo shook his head and said, "This sword is not bad, but it cannot be considered a peerless treasure. Your companions once forged several swords for me that are in no way inferior to this Elven blade."

Thorin couldn't help but look at his companions standing aside; he had no idea when they had become so skilled as to forge such weapons.

The dwarf Sazi stepped forward and said, "Prince Thorin, the King under the Mountain provided some very precious materials, and we used them to forge extraordinary weapons, in no way inferior to this sword."

Thorin was greatly disappointed; he had originally thought that with this weapon, he could reclaim part of the treasure.

It seemed he had thought too simply.

He couldn't help but look up and ask, "What kind of treasure can truly be considered peerless?"

Wang Bo said, "My standard is simple: only treasures on the level of the One Ring can be considered peerless. The treasures you forge must absolutely not be inferior to the One Ring."

Thorin's expression changed drastically.

He certainly knew what level of treasure the One Ring was; such a treasure existed only once in all of Middle-earth. It was impossible to expect dwarves to forge such a thing.

He suddenly felt deceived, as if he had been tricked. "This is unfair. You never said before that we were to forge a treasure on the level of the One Ring."

"No, it is fair," Wang Bo said calmly. "Because the materials I gave you are extremely precious; some of them are not inferior in value to the One Ring itself. If you cannot forge a treasure on the level of the One Ring, I will be very disappointed."

Thorin stared at Wang Bo in disbelief, then looked at his companions.

The dwarf Sazi said, "Yes, Prince Thorin, the King under the Mountain's materials are indeed very precious."

Gandalf, hearing this, couldn't help but step forward and say, "I would like to know what materials could rival the One Ring."

That thing was a treasure forged by the demigod Maia Sauron; calling it a divine artifact was no exaggeration.

Even he himself could not resist the temptation of the Ring.

So Gandalf was curious whether Wang Bo was just boasting.

Wang Bo said, "You can ask my employees about that."

Gandalf nodded, planning to ask the dwarves working here after the meeting to see if he could get some useful information from them.

After hesitating for a moment, Thorin chose to trust his companions. He believed that these dwarves would not deceive him, a prince, in this matter.

So he said to Wang Bo, "We will forge a peerless treasure for you. I hope you will keep your promise, Your Majesty, King under the Mountain."

"Of course." Wang Bo agreed readily, clapped his hands, and said, "You have all traveled far and must be tired. Sazi, you will receive Prince Thorin and Gandalf and take good care of them."

"Yes, my King." Sazi nodded, patted Thorin's shoulder happily, and said, "Welcome back, Thorin."

…

With the return of the former prince of the Durin's Folk, the banquet was naturally lively. Wang Bo did not participate, letting the group make merry in the Lonely Mountain.

The once silent Lonely Mountain became noisy after the arrival of these dwarves. That was not a bad thing.

As for him, along with Xiao Bai and Xiao Qing, he returned to Yako's world through the portal to watch a movie.

After the movie, Wang Bo slept one night in his villa, washed his face the next morning, and returned to the Lonely Mountain through the portal.

As soon as Wang Bo returned to the Lonely Mountain, a dwarf came to report that Gandalf was looking for him.

So Wang Bo summoned Gandalf to the watchtower of the Lonely Mountain.

"Hail to you, Your Majesty." Gandalf, in his gray robes, came to the watchtower and slowly bowed to Wang Bo, who was standing by the wall gazing out over the plains.

Wang Bo turned around, snapped his fingers, and two chairs and a splendid round table appeared on the watchtower.

On the table were two cups of steaming black tea.

"No need to be formal, Gandalf. Please, sit." Wang Bo sat down first.

Gandalf nodded, put down his staff, sat opposite Wang Bo, picked up the black tea, took a sip, and said, "Delicious black tea, Your Majesty."

"My butler brewed it. It's passable," Wang Bo said.

"I believe your butler must be a master of tea art."

Wang Bo smiled, changed the subject, and said, "I heard someone say you were looking for me. Is there something, Gandalf?"

Gandalf nodded and said, "I came to see Your Majesty this time because I indeed have a matter on which I seek your help."

"Me?" Wang Bo was somewhat surprised but did not refuse. "If I can help, I certainly will not decline."

Gandalf was, after all, a Maia, and Wang Bo was willing to owe him a favor.

Having obtained Wang Bo's assurance, Gandalf said, "Does Your Majesty know of Khazad-dûm?"

Wang Bo nodded; he certainly knew of Khazad-dûm. It was once the homeland of the dwarves and had been a vast underground city in northwestern Middle-earth, containing an enormous network of tunnels, chambers, mines, and halls.

It could be considered a very magnificent structure.

But later, after a Balrog took up residence there, the dwarves left.

The Elves gave the place a very ominous name... Moria, meaning the Black Chasm.

Wang Bo wasn't sure why Gandalf brought up Khazad-dûm, but fortunately, Gandalf did not intend to be mysterious and said frankly, "Since Your Majesty knows of Khazad-dûm, you must know of the Balrog inside it."

Wang Bo nodded again; the dwarves of Khazad-dûm had been driven out by the Balrog, so of course he knew.

Moreover, in the future War of the Ring, Gandalf would kill this Balrog.

"But Your Majesty may not know that this Balrog has undergone a mutation."

"Mutation?" Wang Bo was quite surprised.

"Yes, this Balrog has somehow acquired an extremely evil energy—a very powerful, terrifying, and utterly malevolent energy. I have never seen such evil energy; it is so dreadful and fearsome."

Speaking of that evil energy, even Gandalf's aged face showed a trace of fear.

Wang Bo was greatly astonished. Who was Gandalf? He was a Maia, and the Maiar were essentially Ainur.

In other words, it was not inappropriate to regard Gandalf as an angel; in fact, it was a rather apt explanation of his identity.