Chapter 123: Water Battle Legion

After half a month, the hole in Li Meng's chest had healed.

Although the wound had healed, traces of crystal magic power remained at the site.

That lingering power occasionally caused Li Meng pain.

Over time, however, the force was gradually weakening.

Li Meng leaned back and collapsed onto the floor.

The Goblin army, on its return journey, had conveniently brought back the tributes as well.

At this time, the female Lizardmen had all gone to the Iron Cavern.

This left the wooden house empty.

"In a few days, I'll go and take a look at the Black Mountain Marshlands!"

Li Meng had not forgotten the Black Mountain Tribe’s summoning of the Savage God, Akuya.

Once he fully recovered, he had to investigate.

Although, in the future timeline, he failed to stop the Black Mountain Tribe from summoning the Savage God Akuya, in reality, he still had a chance to alter that outcome.

Even if he couldn’t change the future, he needed to gather intelligence at the Black Mountain Marshlands.

At this moment, footsteps echoed outside the door.

They were not the footsteps of a Goblin but those of a Lizardman.

The steps of a Lizardman were distinctly different from those of a Goblin, and their sound was slightly unique.

The footsteps belonged to one person, indicating it wasn’t one of the female Lizardmen from the Throne Cave Dwelling.

As Li Meng wondered which Lizardman had come, a graceful white figure appeared at the doorway.

"Master!"

The entering figure was Bai Ling. She saw the Goblin lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling as though lost in thought.

"What are you here for?"

The familiar scent and voice told Li Meng who the visitor was.

Bai Ling stepped lightly forward and sat beside the Goblin.

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Looking at the Goblin before her, Bai Ling’s expression remained calm.

She stretched out her hands and began kneading Li Meng's legs.

"It has been a while since we last met. Bai Ling is here to serve her master!"

Bai Ling’s words brought a smile to Li Meng's face.

He leisurely enjoyed Bai Ling's massage.

The touch of the Lizardman’s smooth, cold hands was exceptionally pleasant.

With his eyes slightly squinted, Li Meng observed Bai Ling by his side.

"Speak. What do you want?"

Although Bai Ling no longer showed hatred in her eyes, Li Meng knew she had merely hidden her resentment deep within.

"Swamp Lizardmen excel at water battles. If the master treats us well, we are willing to fight for you!"

Bai Ling had no intention of pleading for anything from the Goblin before her.

Only through the purest exchange of interests could she achieve her goal.

By demonstrating the value of the Yue Clan Tribe, Bai Ling hoped the Goblin might agree to her request.

Li Meng grinned, looking at Bai Ling with interest.

"Your numbers mean nothing to me."

The Yue Clan Tribe had a total population of only about three thousand, with adult male Lizardmen making up less than a third.

Even if the Yue Clan Tribe tried its best to reproduce, it would take at least ten years to double its population.

Such slow growth did not interest Li Meng.

Bai Ling raised her head slightly to meet the Goblin’s gaze.

"Master, the Goblin Forest also has the Black Mountain Tribe. Their population far exceeds that of the Yue Clan Tribe—over ten times greater. If you can subdue the Black Mountain Tribe, you could have a water battle legion of more than ten thousand!"

A ten-thousand-strong water battle legion?

Li Meng’s large frame sat upright.

His right hand suddenly shot out, gripping Bai Ling by the neck.

"Interesting idea. But how can I ensure that your so-called ten-thousand-strong water battle legion won't betray me at a critical moment?"

Li Meng sneered viciously at Bai Ling.

The strength of his hand increased.

Bai Ling grabbed at Li Meng’s wrist with both hands, struggling against the choking sensation.

Fear flickered in her eyes as she looked at the Goblin's savage grin.

"Master, we... we all have loved ones—parents, offspring, partners. You can separate them and keep them as tributes under your control. That way, we would never dare betray you, knowing the enormous cost to our kin. If you ensure their safety, we would not risk it!"

Bai Ling’s suggestion brought a flicker of surprise to Li Meng’s eyes.

He hadn’t expected her to be so ruthless.

Although the Throne Tribe already had a group of tributes, these Lizardmen were largely kept as couples to give them some hope.

After all, a year wasn’t long; enduring it was manageable.

This approach avoided many unnecessary troubles.

However, Bai Ling’s plan went straight for the jugular.

Grinning, Li Meng released his grip.

Gasping for air, Bai Ling collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.

After some time, she regained her composure.

She removed her animal-hide skirt and crawled toward her master’s towering frame.

Sitting in the Goblin’s lap, Bai Ling looked up at his grotesque face.

"Master, one day you will become the King of the Goblin Forest. When that day comes, please spare the Swamp Lizardmen of the Black Mountain Tribe. I will ensure their submission to you!"

Looking down at Bai Ling in his arms, Li Meng said nothing.

Did the Black Mountain Tribe even have a future?

The tribe's fate was already sealed.

Regardless of whether Li Meng could stop them from summoning the Savage God Akuya, the Holy Church's paladin regiment was an insurmountable barrier.

Of course, Li Meng had no intention of sharing this information with Bai Ling.

He had little interest in ruling the Black Mountain Tribe.

Three hundred female Lizardmen were sufficient.

Unrestrained growth of the Goblin population was foolish.

If the number of newborn Goblins from a single generation was too high, it would cause severe food supply issues.

Currently, the Throne Tribe welcomed new Goblin infants approximately every 35 days.

Each batch consisted of around a thousand Goblins.

This meant the population could grow by over ten thousand each year.

Without proper control, this number could multiply several times over.

The female Lizardmen’s gestation period was about one month, with each litter producing around ten infants.

Three hundred female Lizardmen could produce about three thousand Goblin infants per cycle.

In one year, these three hundred female Lizardmen alone could increase the Goblin population by tens of thousands.

This was the terrifying nature of Goblins.

The current number of female Lizardmen in the Yue Clan Tribe was more than sufficient.

Of course, Bai Ling’s proposal did tempt Li Meng.

Goblins were indeed poor at water battles.

Having a competent amphibious army would not be a bad idea.

Before long, Bai Ling’s soft murmurs filled the wooden house.

By nightfall, the female Lizardmen who had gone to the Iron Cavern returned.

The chieftain’s presence surprised them.

The night was long, and the wooden house was lively.

It wasn’t until late into the night that the activity in the house finally ceased.

The following morning, a sharp "bang" was heard.

The door to the Throne Cave Dwelling swung open from within.

Li Meng hurriedly stepped out of the wooden house.

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