Chapter 142: Black Water Lake

After half a day of discussions, combining the considerations from all parties, Yang Ling felt that building a city near the Taildon Valley was an excellent choice.

This place was around five hundred miles away from both the Aila Mountain Pass and Wissen Town, making it such that they could send reinforcements to either place quickly if necessary. Similarly, if something were to happen here, he would be able to dispatch teams from both places to assist.

There were many aboriginal tribes in the Ladak Mountain Range. Building a city here and positioning an army as an outpost would allow him to subdue the scattered tribes, and he would be able to protect the merchant teams on their way to Wissen Town, building a sturdy foundation for the next step of Wissen Town’s developments.

When Yang Ling announced this plan, everyone was surprised. Goode, the Fox Elder, and the Ox Chief found it hard to believe that Wissen Town, which was still building up its enterprises, had enough manpower, crystal coins, and energy to build a new city.

The Fox Elder mulled over Yang Ling’s plan. It was clear to the Fox Elder that Yang Ling becoming the leader of Wissen Town was no accident. Yang Ling was quick-witted, decisive, and cautious. Though he felt that Yang Ling was a capable leader, the Fox Elder was hesitant to pledge his loyalty to Yang Ling.

Over the thousands of years, the Beastmen had been displaced, lacking a Sage-level fighter or an empire of their own. They had over a hundred races, and their population numbered in the millions. They were scattered over the Tailun Continent like sand. Some lived deep in the mountains, their living conditions exceptionally dangerous; some lived in the human empire as slaves, completely without status or dignity.

After unveiling the map he brought with him everywhere, Yang Ling said with excitement, “All of you please look, this is the Aila Mountain Pass. As long as we defend this area with heavy troops, no one will be able to invade us. This is Wissen Town, with its back facing the Terras Forest, its resources immensely rich; and this, this is where the Taildon Valley is…”

Yang Ling spoke quickly as he pointed to the map, painting the picture of a rosy future to the group. Premium fields, folk houses, gathering spaces, mines… There was a space for everything there. Even Argus felt a surge of passion when he heard Yang Ling’s words, as if he could see the neat streets and plentiful rations, as well as the gathered Beastmen.

“Sir, are you really able to guarantee the fair treatment of the Beastmen and protect our interests?” asked the Medusa leader. She struggled to sit up, supported by one of her tribesmen. Her tribe was low on rations. She and her tribesmen had come at the Fox Elder’s invitation, but also because the Fox Elder had promised to pay them with food. No matter what, survival was the Medusa leader’s primary objective.

If Yang Ling could provide them with a large amount of resources and guarantee the fair treatment of her tribesmen in his territory, then entering the Magical Beast Territory and pledging loyalty to him was not something too embarrassing to do. It was much better than becoming a slave in the human empire.

Furthermore, over the last few days of interaction, she felt that Yang Ling was not an ignorant or incompetent human noble, and instead had powerful abilities. Under his leadership, it was possible that her tribe could even prosper.

“I know that on the Tailun Continent, basically every empire, every territory has slaves!” Looking at the Beastmen listening intently to him, Yang Ling said, “But the Magical Beast Territory is different. We did not have slaves in the past, we do not have slaves now, and there will not be slaves in the future, no matter if they are Gnomes, Orcs, humans, or Beastmen.”

“Balancing the status of a race is mainly done by looking at their current population numbers, economic ability, and power.” Yang Ling paused, and then continued. “In the battle at the divine temple, you Beastmen have shown me your battle abilities and courage. If you enter the Magical Beast Territory, I will give you a fair opportunity to fight for what you want. In fact, as we continue to establish Wissen Town’s growth, I promise you special privileges when it comes to land development, mines, and businesses!”

Even the Ox Chief and Fox Elder felt temptation. So did the Medusa leader. As long as there was development for them, no one was willing to fight for survival in the wilderness of the deep mountains!

“I swear in the name of the God of War to follow you from this day onward!”

After a moment’s discussion, the Beastmen groveled before Yang Ling. Over these days of interacting with Yang Ling, they knew that Yang Ling was not one to go back on his words. At the very least, the tribesmen that had already moved to Wissen Town had been settled in well. They decided to pledge their loyalty to Yang Ling, and thus leave behind the long winters and bandit attacks that went on year after year.

As long as they worked hard, anything was possible!

Yang Ling didn’t outwardly react to the Beastmen groveling before him, but was thrilled in his heart. He had originally planned for the Beastmen’s loyalty taking some time to win, maybe even after he had constructed a new city near Taildon Valley. He did not expect to win their loyalty so quickly.

After the happy news, the group began discussing the next step of their plan.

Building a city near the Taildon Valley was not something that could be accomplished in one day. After leaving behind enough manpower, Yang Ling decided to move the excess Beastmen to Wissen Town and have them expand the merchant route from Wissen Town to the Aila Mountain Pass under the snow.

Goode returned to Wissen Town to take up the helm, at the same time protecting the weak Medusa leader, allowing her to rest quietly inside Wissen Castle.

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The Fox Elder was highly respected. He was tasked to lead a group of warriors and travel through the Ladak Mountain Range, recruiting the Beastmen tribes scattered within and offering amnesty to all who pledged loyalty to Yang Ling. Argus was responsible for leading an army to continue clearing off the aborigines who were unwilling to accept the amnesty.

The Ox Chief was responsible for building the city and excavating the sulfur mine. After returning to Wissen Town, Goode would arrange for the rest of the craftsmen in Wissen Town to make their way over to help, in the hopes of building up a small town by spring the following year.

Everything was prepared, with only one thing lacking!

After the discussions were complete, Yang Ling sent out the Dogmen who were familiar with the area to lead the way, bringing the people to select a suitable area nearby to construct the new city.

“Sir, what do you think about this valley?” Under the instructions of the Fox Elder, an agile Dogman brought Yang Ling and the rest to a valley that was easy to defend.

Yang Ling reviewed the valley, and then shook his head, smiling bitterly. This valley was easy to defend, but there was only a small spring of water here. It was not even enough to sustain a simple fortress, much less a city.

“Sir, are you thinking that there’s not enough water here?” the young Dogman who had led the way asked, having seen Yang Ling’s bitter smile.

“In the future, there will at least be ten thousand people in the city. A piss from everyone would yield more water than this spring! How are they going to survive?” Yang Ling laughed, then asked, “Oh yes, what is your name?”

The Dogman blushed, and answered, “Orlando Longten, sir! You can call me Orlando.”

Yang Ling asked Orlando, who was only fifteen years old, to talk about his family. Orlando shared while they walked. It turned out that when he was five, his father had died in a hunting accident, and Orlando was raised by his mother. Luckily, the Fox Elder had helped their family from time to time, or they would not have survived.

Orlando began helping his mother soon after his father’s death, completing tasks like picking up firewood, gathering wild plants… He did everything. As he got older, he would even enter the forest to set traps and hunt alone behind his mother’s back!

Taking in Orlando’s story and his small, nervous smile, Yang Ling deliberated for a moment, then said, “Orlando, come and be part of my personal guard. I can’t promise you much, but your monthly salary will be enough for you and your mother to live without having to worry about food and shelter!”

Even though Orlando was still so young, and a little shy, he knew that this was a great opportunity. He bowed before Yang Ling, while the envious group looked on. Orlando pledged his loyalty to Yang Ling on the spot.

From this day on, he would be able to hold his own in front of his peers. From this day on, he would no longer be the orphan that got bullied by his peers, but a personal guard to the leader!

After this interaction with Yang Ling, Orlando worked even harder, running all over the place without minding the effort. He brought Yang Ling along to scout several locations. Unfortunately, the places were either not level enough, or too far away from the Taildon Valley… They were unable to find a suitable spot even after walking for some time.

“Sir, what about this place?”

Orlando was panting, almost sprawled over in fatigue showing Yang Ling to a small plain surrounded by mountains. But seeing Yang Ling, who seemed unaffected by the journey, and thinking about his status as a personal guard, he clenched his teeth and persevered.

The plain was not large, and it was covered in ice and snow. It was also not far away from Taildon Valley, with a small river running nearby. The conditions here were considerably more suitable than the other places they had seen, but Yang Ling was still not satisfied.

The plain was surrounded by mountains on three sides, and even though it was easy to defend, it meant that transport would be inconvenient. It was some distance from the merchant route along steep mountain paths, which made the location less tactically advantageous. It would defeat the purpose of building a city in the Ladak Mountain Range.

Orlando scratched his head in frustration. He had run all over the areas around the Taildon Valley. If Yang Ling was still not satisfied, he did not know where he should try next, unless…

After a moment’s hesitation, Orlando said, “Sir, there’s a large lake called the Black Water Lake nearby. There are mountains and water there, and is not far from the Taildon Valley and the merchant route…”

Yang Ling was silent. The place that they would build a city could not be too far away from a large water supply. It would be ideal if there was a good sized natural lake. But seeing Orlando hesitate, he knew that there was something being hidden from him. Otherwise, Orlando would not mention this Black Water Lake only after they had exhausted all of their other options in the vicinity of the Taildon Valley!