Chapter 407 - 198: Give a Chance (Part 2)

It is wise to be prepared for danger even in times of peace, a lesson Li Ziyu couldn’t afford to ignore.

The war against the Cancerous Tumor Alliance Army was, in the grand scheme of the entire Otherworld, nothing more than a local conflict. The place he was in now was a remote backwater. If he were to venture into more prosperous lands, his enemies would be stronger. How many Undead would he have to sacrifice to win those battles?

Li Ziyu mulled over this problem, trying to figure out a solution. The answer he arrived at was to have more Natives live within the fortress, allowing them to thrive and multiply there.

The Tabu Minotaurs had already set an example. They could live very well within the Fortress, far better than they had in the Wasteland. Once they had a taste of this good life, they would subconsciously want to protect it. Anyone who tried to destroy their wonderful new life would face their merciless wrath.

During the war with the Cancerous Tumor Alliance Army, Li Ziyu hadn’t ordered the Tabu Minotaurs to join the fight, yet they had volunteered under the rallying cries of Mumu and Tas Tuling. Of course, their small numbers were insignificant on a battlefield of tens of thousands, but this was a turning point. There is a world of difference between being willing to fight and being unwilling, between volunteering to fight and being forced to.

If more Natives, like the Tabu Minotaurs, were to live inside the Fortress, their participation in battle when enemies arrived would constitute a formidable Power in its own right—one not necessarily weaker than the Undead.

Besides helping Li Ziyu attack his enemies, the Natives living in the Fortress would also become providers of the Corpse Remains the Undead needed. In life, they would be sheltered by the Undead and receive a safe and peaceful living environment with their help. After death, they would contribute their bodies to become members of the Undead Race. ’Perfectly reasonable, isn’t it?’

’And reproduction would never cease. When the father dies, there is the son. When the son dies, there is the grandson. Generation after generation, the cycle continues. The more Natives living in the Fortress, the more endless the supply of Corpse Remains, right?’

’This is what you call the path of sustainable development.’

On the construction page, there was even a building specifically for expanding the area of the Bone Plate Platform. At the time, Li Ziyu had wondered if its purpose was simply in case construction space ran out, hence its special inclusion. But now he understood. It was intended for the Natives to live on the Mobile Fortress.

As more and more Natives joined the Fortress, living space would naturally become scarce. Li Ziyu could then expand the Bone Plate Platform, providing more room for the Natives to live.

’It seems the system had already thought of this.’

He wanted the Snake-men to live in the Fortress, but the terms had to be made crystal clear. Gazing down at the prostrate Zaliki, Li Ziyu began to speak slowly. "It is a contract. The Minotaurs signed a contract with me. They cannot betray the Undead Race, nor can they betray me. They must obey my words."

’A vassal race!’

The moment Zaliki heard this, he understood. These Minotaurs before him were Slaves to the Undead, or perhaps a vassal Race. They had no freedom. Unlike ordinary Tribes, they were effectively a part of the Undead.

’So that’s how it is. No wonder they can coexist peacefully with the Undead. The Undead have no reason to kill their own vassals; in fact, they would even consciously protect them.’

To trade freedom for a stable life... this was not a decision he could make alone. Living in the Undead Territory was one thing, but becoming Slaves or a vassal race was another matter entirely. Zaliki turned his head and looked at his people.

"I will give you some time, but not much. I am very busy. If you are unwilling to sign the contract, then leave my territory soon." Li Ziyu knew that a matter concerning an entire clan was not something Zaliki could decide on his own, so he was willing to grant him some time.

With that said, he turned and walked back toward the Undead. Before he left, he glanced over at Tas Tuling, giving him a meaningful look.

’If that look had been directed at Mumu, it would have fried his CPU; he’d never have been able to figure out what it meant. Fortunately, Tas Tuling was a smart bull. He immediately understood Li Ziyu’s intent. He was being told to find a way to handle the Snake-men. It seemed the Lord City Lord had a good impression of these Snake-men and wanted to recruit them.’

’The Snake-men of Senunet are in for some good fortune. Hopefully, they won’t be foolish. Following the Undead means eating well and living well, and in safety, too. It’s so much better than building a Tribe in the Wasteland and living in constant fear.’

’Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Snake-men have several hundred people, more than our Tabu Tribe of Minotaurs. In the Wasteland, they are still among the threatened. Races like the Lizardmen and the Headhunter Race frequently attack them.’

Li Ziyu walked back among the ranks of the Undead. One of them naturally came over and formed a chair for him to rest on.

Zaliki pushed himself up from the ground and let out an imperceptible sigh. He felt it would be very difficult to persuade the clansmen behind him. He wanted to live in the Undead Territory because he had seen how well the Minotaurs lived, but that didn’t mean his people would be able to accept it. They still feared the Undead.

Tas Tuling took two steps forward, coming to Zaliki’s side, and said in a low voice, "Joining the Undead isn’t a bad thing. They aren’t as evil or as terrifying as you think. Don’t forsake this opportunity to better your Tribe because of their appearance."

Zaliki gave Tas Tuling a strange look. He hadn’t expected a Minotaur to approach him and say such things. He simply nodded and walked toward his people.

"Clan Leader, what are you doing? Are you planning to lead us all down a path to ruin?"