Chapter 96: We Are Goblins
Li Meng stood at the doorway, watching the goblin underlings leave.
This expedition to the Pigmen Tribe was considered a form of extended training.
He instructed the goblins to habitually stockpile dry rations for emergencies.
The drawbacks of hunting while traveling were too great to be acceptable.
Thus, over the following half month, the tribe began preparations for the expedition to the Pigmen Tribe.
The area outside the Iron Cavern bustled with activity.
A long line of goblins queued up to receive armor.
Hunting squads returning from foraging started producing large quantities of dried meat.
Li Meng didn't remain idle in the tribe. He went to the eastern outpost of the Northern Marshlands.
---
Morning, Northern Marshlands Eastern Outpost.
"Hmm, not bad!"
Li Meng walked around the outpost, nodding in approval as he surveyed the surroundings.
Indeed, it matched his planned design closely.
The outpost was built near water, covering an area equivalent to five football fields.
Surrounded by seven-meter-high wooden walls, it was well-fortified.
Five watchtowers stood at the four cardinal directions, each equipped with a triple-bow ballista.
The outpost could accommodate around 500 goblins for battle.
It had a west gate, outside which was a simple dock.
Li Meng's praise brought a grin to Gobu Gao's face.
"Boss, boss!"
At that moment, a goblin came running over energetically.
"Boss, the Lizardmen have brought fish!"
Li Meng's eyes lit up with interest.
"Let's go take a look!"
Li Meng and Gobu Gao climbed the watchtower on the left side of the west gate.
From there, Li Meng saw the dock outside.
Built half on land and half over water, the dock stood in a deeper section of the water.
Not far from the dock, a group of Lizardmen approached, accompanied by over ten wooden boats.
The boats varied in size, with the largest being several times bigger than the smallest.
These wooden boats had been made by the goblins for the Lizardmen as transport tools.
The Lizardmen swam while pushing the boats toward the dock.
The boats appeared heavily loaded, their sides nearly level with the water.
Luckily, the water in the marshes was calm.
If they had been on the Goblin River, the boats would have capsized and sunk long ago.
"Boss, the Lizardmen always deliver fish in the afternoon. After transporting it overnight to the tribe, it usually arrives by morning."
As the boats drew closer, Li Meng could see their cargo clearly.
They were filled with water, the surface gently rippling.
Within, large and small fish swam about.
When the Lizardmen arrived at the dock, the outpost became lively.
With the creaking sound of wood, the west gate slowly opened.
Dozens of goblins swarmed out with carts.
Nearly a hundred goblins and Lizardmen worked in tandem, efficiently transferring the fish.
"Boss, why don't we have the Lizardmen make dried fish instead? It would be much more convenient."
Gobu Gao looked at Li Meng in puzzlement.
While dried meat wasn't tasty, it was filling.
Transporting live fish with the Lizardmen seemed unnecessarily troublesome.
It took time, and each transfer required significant effort.
"Dried meat can be used in emergencies but isn't suitable for long-term consumption."
Li Meng's explanation made Gobu Gao nod in half-understanding.
Indeed, even they couldn't endure eating dried meat daily.
After inspecting the outpost, Li Meng didn't linger.
Early the next morning, he departed.
By the time Li Meng returned to the tribe, it was already the afternoon of the following day.
Back at the tribe, Li Meng stayed put and didn't go anywhere.
Time passed day by day.
---
Half a month later, Throne Cave Dwelling.
It was another day, in the morning.
The buffer zone outside the eastern wall was bustling with activity.
Nearly 5,000 goblins filled the barren land.
Their green figures formed a dense, seemingly endless mass.
This sight alone was enough to send shivers down one's spine.
The goblins' noisy chatter echoed through the air.
The collective gathering made them unusually excited.
They looked around, occasionally shouting excitedly.
"Boss, the boss is here!"
At that moment, a commotion rippled through the goblin crowd.
Li Meng's sturdy figure appeared on the watchtower to the left of the east gate.
The sight of their leader sent the goblins into a frenzy.
Standing on the watchtower, Li Meng looked at the sea of goblins with satisfaction.
In less than two years, he had achieved this level of success.
He relished the fervent gazes of thousands of goblins.
Facing their countless gazes, Li Meng spread his arms wide.
This gesture instantly silenced the goblin crowd outside the wall.
"Tell me, what are we?"
Li Meng's voice roared like thunder.
"Goblins! Goblins!"
The goblins outside the wall raised their weapons high, shouting in unison.
The deafening response rolled like waves, one after another.
The overwhelming noise sent birds fleeing from the surrounding forest.
Li Meng grinned, pressing his hands downward.
The thunderous cheers stopped abruptly.
"We are goblins, and we have many enemies. Our battles will never end. Perhaps we are weak now, but we will become stronger. We will show our enemies that the era of goblins has arrived. Goblins will rise!"
Li Meng's voice echoed grandly between heaven and earth.
It was so loud that every goblin heard the ambition in their leader's voice.
Every goblin looked at the figure on the watchtower with fanatical devotion.
Under their leader's guidance, they believed they could overcome any powerful foe.
"Gobumeng! Gobumeng!"
A shout suddenly erupted from the goblin crowd.
It was quickly echoed by the rest.
The goblin army outside the wall became even more frenzied.
Their fervent cries of their leader's name reverberated.
"Gobumeng! Gobumeng!"
The overwhelming volume built wave after wave.
Every goblin raised their weapon, shouting with fervor.
Even the wild boars ridden by the goblin boar riders seemed infected by the atmosphere, snorting and grunting.
Li Meng raised his arm, pointing eastward.
The fervent cheers stopped abruptly.
"Our enemies are to the east. March forward!"
The goblin army on the barren land responded by moving.
Clad in simple armor, they turned and surged into the forest.
The sound of footsteps thundered across the land.
The black tide of the goblin army swept eastward like a wave.
The dense forest seemed like a voracious beast, devouring the goblins.
"Goblin Boar Riders, move out!"
Gobu Qiang, riding a wild boar, roared with excitement.
Nearly a thousand goblin boar riders mobilized and charged into the forest.
The rumble of hooves echoed across the land.
The boar-riding goblins rushed into the dense forest like a dark cloud.
Seeing this, Li Meng grinned.
From atop the watchtower, he suddenly leaped.
His muscular body landed steadily on Benben's shoulder outside the wall.