Stealthy Development

Back at Blade's Edge Mountain, Leiluo received the ten thousand laborers Ner'zhul had promised a few days later. Just as he had done with the Pebble Clan's laborers, he granted them the status of "new clansmen," took in the laborers' children, and trained them. However, their training now included two additional subjects: Leiluo planted Seeds of Holy Light in them, then had them use Draenei crystals to study the axe techniques he had recorded.

Leiluo also taught the new clansmen how to farm and raise Pigger Beasts, putting them to work before recording the knowledge with recording crystals and organizing others to study it, greatly speeding up its spread.

Using clan construction as an excuse, Leiluo also began assigning work to the existing clansmen, allowing them to grow accustomed to working alongside the new clansmen and forge revolutionary friendships through labor, laying more groundwork for his reform of turning laborers into clansmen.

"Blacksmith Shop activated."

Just as Leiluo was drowning in work arranging for those ten thousand new clansmen, a voice as heavenly as music rang in his ear.

"Damn, there's finally something new!" Leiluo eagerly opened the interface. Another of the dimmed buildings had lit up:

Blacksmith Shop (Activated)

Ballista (10000/Learn): A powerful ballista capable of firing three shots in succession. On the battlefield, it is every soldier's nightmare.

Catapult (10000/Learn): Capable of dealing tons of damage, but don't expect it to hit people. After all, it's just a child—ptui, it's merely a turtle-slow catapult.

Ammunition Wagon (100000/Learn): Yes, you counted right. Five zeroes. Why? Because it's your very own black technology. With it, Mother will never have to worry about me running out of ammunition again. But one wagon can only resupply one squad ^O^.

First-Aid Tent (1000000/Learn): Why is there another zero? My friend, which is more important, life or money? Its name absolutely makes it worth the price. First aid? No, not that—the tent!

Seeing this, Leiluo thought he was looking at fake descriptions. Where had the old, proper descriptions gone? Why had they become so over-the-top? Still, the exaggerated descriptions did let him understand their functions, while the strings of gleaming zeroes behind each item left him in despair. This was all money!

However, with ten thousand people joining the clan, the Chieftain Hall had upgraded, and the tax income had become one thousand gold coins per month. That gave Leiluo's battered heart at least a little comfort.

"Chieftain! Chieftain! Chieftain Leolox is here again!" Just as Leiluo was calculating how many furs he would need to trade for everything in the Blacksmith Shop, a guard rushed in from outside.

Hearing the guard's words gave Leiluo a headache. Ever since returning from the trade convention, Leolox had visited Bandar City, seen the Behemoth there, and learned that Leiluo had yet to defeat it. Now, he made a short trip to Bandar City every three days and a major trip every five. Anyone unaware of the situation would think Leolox was a member of the Pebble Clan.

"Hahaha! Brother Leiluo, your big brother has come to see you! One day apart feels like countless autumns!" Not long after the guard entered, Leolox's rough voice reached Leiluo's ears. In order to win Leolox over and turn Moknasa into part of Pebble as soon as possible, Leiluo had ordered his subordinates to simply announce Leolox's arrival without stopping him. Now, that order was driving Leiluo to despair.

"Heh, Brother Leolox, you're here. I'll go pour us some wine." Leiluo was ready to slip away, but how could Leolox let him escape? He grabbed him and dragged him back.

"Hey, little brother, why drink when we're practically family? Let's go see the Behemoth." Leolox hooked an arm around Leiluo's neck and spoke with a sly grin.

"Brother, why bother? You know how strong the Behemoth is. You can't beat it!" Leiluo said helplessly, his neck caught under Leolox's arm.

"Hey, what kind of talk is that? I just want the Behemoth to visit our Moknasa for a few days. Didn't you let it stay with your Pebble Clan before you beat it? Why can't I?"

As he spoke, Leolox dragged Leiluo toward the Behemoth's lair.

How could Leiluo not understand what Leolox was thinking? He had originally let him see the Behemoth to show off his strength and facilitate the merger with Moknasa. Yet somehow, things had turned out like this.

With no other choice, Leiluo followed Leolox, but he secretly resolved to advance in rank as soon as possible and defeat the Behemoth. That would both end others' coveting of it and allow him to truly show Leolox his strength. Once Pebble had two Heroic Rank fighters, how could Leolox possibly resist clinging to him?

While Leiluo was thinking to himself, the two had already arrived at the Behemoth's lair. Leiluo waved to the orc warriors attending the Behemoth, signaling for Leolox to go in alone, while he went over to chat idly with the warriors.

Leolox would be out soon enough anyway. Leiluo had no intention of provoking the Behemoth's temper.

Sure enough, Leiluo and the orc warriors had barely exchanged a few words when they saw a burly figure fly out, followed by a furious roar from inside the Behemoth's lair.

Leiluo sighed, walked over to Leolox, and poked the exposed butt sticking out of the mud. "Brother, are you okay?"

Then he saw Leolox's legs struggling continuously, forcing Leiluo to pull him out of the mud with all his strength.

"Hehe, little brother." After climbing out of the mud, Leolox dusted off his head and looked at Leiluo with an embarrassed grin.

Rolling his eyes, Leiluo knew exactly what this bastard wanted to say. These past few days, every time Leolox failed his challenge, he would gorge himself on food and drink at Leiluo's place before leaving, only to return a few days later.

"Let's go." Leiluo shot Leolox a disgusted glare and turned to head back, while Leolox followed behind with a wide grin.

"Brother Leiluo, there has to be Pigger Beast!"

Hearing the voice behind him, Leiluo wanted to slap himself. He had been the one to let Leolox taste Pigger Beast in the first place. The bastard had become addicted after one bite and specifically requested it every time he came.

If it weren't for the merger, I'd really strangle you to death! Leiluo thought viciously, though he merely laughed aloud. "Don't worry~"

Just as Leiluo was dealing with Leolox, a guard came panting over. "Ch-Chief—Chieftain, this is bad! A group of Ogres—over a thousand Ogres, probably—are heading toward Bandar City!"

A sharp glint flashed through Leiluo's eyes when he heard the guard. He muttered, "They've finally come. I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Then Leiluo shouted to Leolox behind him, "Go eat first. I'll be right back!"

Without caring about Leolox calling after him, he ran toward Bandar City's gates.