Chapter 146: Submission

"Lord, the Dark Night Elf Wei Ke Na requests an audience."

Li Bucai was suddenly drowsy, but hearing Yue Ji's voice from outside, his spirit perked up, and he hurriedly invited her in: "Did you have anything to say?"

Yue Ji shook her head: "The servant just came to report, but hasn't had time to say anything yet."

At this moment, only half a day remained before she left; she was in such a hurry to return—could there be a problem with the Moon God Cave? If the Moon God Cave truly had an issue, they would have nowhere to settle.

Li Bucai let out a long yawn, looking very sleepy, and said: "I'm a bit tired, so I'll have you receive them for me." He added especially: "Whatever the matter, you handle it with full authority."

Yue Ji responded and left.

When she walked away, Li Bucai leapt from the bed, pacing anxiously, wondering whether Yue Ji would be as magnanimous as expected.

After more than two hours, Yue Ji's voice came again from outside the door: "Lord, are you asleep? I have an urgent matter to report, may I disturb you?"

Li Bucai, lying lazily on the bed, said: "What matter? Come in."

"Report, Lord, the Moon God Cave was blown up by Tree Elves, and now Wei Ke Na and her group have nowhere to settle. May they be allowed to stay?"

"Sure, it would be wonderful if they could stay. For such a good thing, you can handle it with full authority… Oh, perhaps this is too impolite, too neglectful of them. Fine, I'll go meet them right away."

"That's fine, but… they said they wish to borrow the Life Spring for a month; it's a matter of great importance, they dare not delay, so they woke the Lord."

Li Bucai thought to himself: So my guess was right. He said: "Then, how did you reply to her?"

At this point, Yue Ji lowered her head and whispered: "I… I told them to wait; the Lord will certainly agree."

"Of course I agree, but I was afraid you wouldn't be willing, which is why I let you receive them. So does this mean you also consented?"

Li Bucai asked in surprise: "Isn't the Life Spring a sacred relic exclusive to the Undead?"

"Even so, Lord, in just a few days you've greatly increased your strength. Now we are close to the Daka Kingdom, which may attract its attention, but we currently have fewer than a thousand troops. If Young Marshal leaves again, I'm afraid… Therefore, the Dark Night Elf's archery is precise, they are willing to obey your commands, and they will surely become capable aides by your side in the future."

"What about Yin Ji and her group? What did they say?"

"I've informed most of the clan; the Dark Night Elf doesn't wish to clash with us. Even if they transform the Life Spring into a Moon Well, it won't affect us; it will actually benefit us, so they are willing."

Li Bucai, feeling relieved, said: "Since you all agree, I'm certainly glad to have more help. Let them stay, then."

…

On the narrow valley road leading to He Rui Peak, a troop marched toward this side. Among the crowd, a sturdy Goblin staggered forward while being dragged—it was the Goblin Chieftain that Li Bucai had captured alive earlier. By now his ancient holy armor had long been stripped away; he hadn't had a grain of rice for days, and he was being forced forward by ropes.

The group proceeded straight into Wangyueku, where Li Bucai and the others were seated around the Moon Light Well that the Dark Night Elf had just fashioned, drinking wine while enjoying the pleasant melody emanating from the well.

"Wow, it's so beautiful here," Wu Zhuoyue exclaimed, bowing to Li Bucai: "Report, Lord, Yue'er has now brought the bandit chief, awaiting your decision."

Life Spring was originally a pool of water within a rock; aside from the water quality, it was no different from ordinary springs. After being altered by the Dark Night Elf, it had become a crescent shape, the water turning from a faint green to a moon‑like yellow. At the two tips of the crescent, five slender strands of water formed bow‑string‑like spring strings. Occasionally, minute dark substances, invisible to the naked eye, dripped into the spring like formless raindrops, creating small ripples that, upon reaching the strings, produced pleasant sounds. As each of the five strings was struck, a distinct tone rang out, repeating in succession to form a series of melodious tunes.

Li Bucai, seeing Wu Zhuoyue arrive, smiled broadly and invited her to sit; a servant brought out many delicacies, mostly meats, along with a few wild vegetables and fruits.

The scent of meat filled the air; the Goblin Chieftain, famished and dizzy, drooled like a waterfall at the aroma.

"Give me a bite, just one bite; as long as I get one bite, I'll be willing to listen to anything you say."

Li Bucai laughed loudly, signaling the servant to loosen its bindings.

With the rope loosened, indicating his consent, the Goblin Chieftain, starving and thirsty, lunged forward, snatched a piece of meat and hid in a corner. He had lost all his former majesty, looking like a starving, destitute beggar, shoveling meat into his mouth while glancing at Li Bucai, fearing he might have the hard‑won delicacy taken away again.

Li Bucai gazed calmly at him for a while, then pointed to the empty seat before him, indicating he should sit.

The Goblin Chieftain hesitated for a long time, then, uneasy, slowly sat down, forgetting to continue feeding himself.

Li Bucai finally spoke: "Goblin tribes have always been independent. What benefits did the Tree Elves give you that made you willing to align with them?"

After a long pause, the Goblin Chieftain whispered: "Food… food…"

Li Bucai asked in surprise: "Only food, nothing else?"

The Goblin Chieftain nodded, and after a while, in a soft, weak voice said: "Of course, now that you have prevailed, if you don't kill us and are willing to provide food for us, we will also obey you."

Li Bucai still looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"You need not doubt us; the strongest Goblins in this area are only those of our group, still relying on that set of ancient holy armor we stole from the Undead. Of course, if you wish, we can present this armor to you as a tribute." He paused, then continued: "We only know a few crude tricks, yet we have so many offspring. Relying solely on plunder for food cannot satisfy all Goblins, and each time we lose a few lives. However, if we can find a patron and are given food, we are willing to risk our lives for anyone. From the ancient Undead, to the recent Daka Kingdom, to the Tree Elves, it has always been so. Originally we ate only meat, but in recent years food has become harder to obtain, especially meat, so we have no choice…"

Li Bucai said seriously: "If I provide you and your subordinates with some food each day, I don't need you to risk your lives for me. If you gather stones for me daily, would you agree?"

The Goblin Chieftain replied with some surprise: "Just gathering stones?"

"Of course not just any stones will do."

"I understand. You mean ore? This valley contains Jian Tie Ore, the very valley we originally lived in; a few days ago we were preparing to mine it for the Tree Elves."

Jian Tie Ore is an excellent material for forging armor and weapons; its toughness far surpasses that of refined copper, and even Xuan Tie cannot compare.

Li Bucai nodded: "Besides Xuan Tie Ore, there are other ores that also need your help. The more ore you mine, the more food I will provide; the more you extract, the more food you receive."

"Is that when we start?"

"It's already late today; no need to rush. Tomorrow I will order people to build a fortress in the valley. Starting tomorrow, once the fortress is completed, you may reside there permanently. You remain their leader and may select a few capable ones as your guards."

The Goblin Chieftain's face lit up with joy: "Fine, the sooner the better." He was eager to obtain more food.

"Now, after you have a hearty meal, first go fetch your pups back. Starting tomorrow, for whatever stones you mine, I will give you that amount of food, delivering it all into your hands, and you will distribute it to your pups. Goblins are the most greedy race; they will not starve their young for themselves. To win over Goblins, first you must make the chieftain utterly devoted."

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

Out of town, without the sorrow of lacking a manuscript, I coded a chapter at the internet cafe; when I return, I will definitely double the updates.