13: The spoils are plentiful, and the Murloc tribe has come to surrender! (Part 2)

Over seventy Murlocs lay prostrate by the lakeshore, their slimy scales shimmering under the light of the Divine Domain. The air was thick with water vapor, the scent of blood, and a... faint fishy smell. Their presence seemed somewhat out of place amidst the orderly, civilized environment surrounding them.

The Literary Heart Elves watched these new "neighbors" from a distance with curiosity and caution, while the Tiangong Dwarves frowned, seemingly unimpressed by the Murlocs' odor. Having received Lin Zhou's divine oracle, Elwin and Bronzebeard Stonehammer had already arrived to maintain Order and assess the situation.

Lin Zhou's consciousness swept over the entire Murloc tribe, and more detailed data emerged:

[Wandering Murloc Tribe (Detailed)]:

Total Population: 73

Adult Male Murloc Warriors: 28 (LV 5-8, Status: [Weakened], [Lightly Injured])

Adult Female Murlocs: 25 (LV 4-7, Status: [Weakened], [Fatigued])

Murloc Juveniles: 19 (LV 1-3, Status: [Malnourished], [Fearful])

Elder Murloc Shaman: 1 (LV 12, Status: [Heavily Injured], [Vitality Overdrawn])

Average Attributes: Strength 10-14, Agility 9-12 (Land) / 18-22 (Underwater), Physique 11-15, Intelligence 6-9, Wisdom 8-11, Spirit 7-10, Charisma 5-8.

Racial Traits:

[Aquatic Affinity]: In aquatic environments, all attributes +15%, recovery speed +50%. Away from water for more than 12 hours, all attributes -10%, and continues to decay over time.

[Swarm Instinct]: When near kin, morale increases slightly, work efficiency +5%.

[Order Inclination]: Easily accepts and obeys rule by strong Order; initial loyalty increases rapidly.

[Cowardice]: Morale breaks easily when facing enemies clearly stronger than themselves; increased chance of fleeing.

Existing Skills/Classes:

Warrior: Mastered [Crude Cleave], [Harpoon Throw].

Shaman: Mastered [Weak Water Healing], [Call Water Elemental (Weak)], [Sense Currents].

Carried Items: Almost none. Only the Elder Shaman carries a worn [Old Magic Orb (Damaged)].

"A standard Murloc group in the primitive tribal stage, having suffered much, with... average potential," Lin Zhou assessed calmly. "Their compatibility with the Divine Domain's current environment is very low; converting them directly will be a burden in the Early Stage."

However, they also brought new possibilities. Aquatic power, a new source of faith, and... a testing ground for practicing the thoughts of the Hundred Schools, especially Legalist thought.

"my god," Elwin communicated through prayer, "these Murlocs... their aura doesn't seem to harmonize well with our world. Moreover, they appear very... primitive." Her words carried a hint of worry, mainly concerning whether they could adapt to and integrate into the existing civilized System.

Bronzebeard Stonehammer was more direct: "My Lord, I think they're a bit... weak. And they smell funny." The dwarf's bluntness was fully on display.

Lin Zhou understood their concerns. But he saw more.

"All things have their place, and all things can be enlightened," Lin Zhou's divine oracle rang out calmly and firmly in the hearts of the two heroes. "Confucianism teaches without discrimination, and Legalism ensures No Exemption from Punishment. Though this race is weak and cowardly, their will to survive and their heart for Order can serve as a foundation. Furthermore, my domain has a lake and lacks people skilled in the water."

He made his decision: "Accept them, and convert them into a subordinate vassal race!"

"Consume 500 points of Power Of Faith to perform the Vassal Conversion Ritual!"

"Guide the rules of the Divine Domain to perform limited assimilation!"

"Focus guidance on: Order, Discipline, Loyalty!"

The majestic Power Of Faith transformed into a warm light, enveloping all the Murlocs. The rules of the Divine Domain—especially the Legalist "Net of Law" and the Confucian "Light of Enlightenment"—began to gently permeate their bodies and Souls, soothing their wounds, dispelling their fears, and branding deep within their Souls a basic loyalty and sense of belonging to Lin Zhou and the Order of the "Hundred Schools Temple."

Simultaneously, Lin Zhou used Divine Power to perform a small-scale modification and expansion of the lake at the edge of the Divine Domain, making it more suitable for Murloc survival, and named it "Mirror Lake."

The ritual lasted for about one Divine Domain hour.

When the light dissipated, the Murlocs' state was completely refreshed. Though still weak, the confusion and despair in their eyes had been replaced by a clear sense of awe and belonging. Their injuries stabilized under the Divine Power, and the Elder Shaman's near-death state was lifted; though still heavily injured, his life was no longer in danger.

[System Notification]: Successfully converted [Wandering Murloc Tribe] into a subordinate vassal race!

[System Notification]: New vassal race added—[Murloc]!

[System Notification]: Divine Domain rules fine-tuned, added weak [Aquatic] rule. Habitability of Mirror Lake area (for murlocs) increased to 85%.

[System Notification]: Murloc vassal initial loyalty: 75 (Gratitude + Order Guidance). Current faith output: approximately 50 units daily (will increase as status recovers and enlightenment deepens).

[System Notification]: Detected that the Murloc vassal race naturally possesses high orderliness, with high compatibility with [Legalist] thought!

Supported by his tribesmen, the Elder Shaman struggled to his feet. Using ancient Murloc mixed with the Common Tongue brought by his new faith, he cried out to the sky: "Grateful thanks to the great Lord of Order, the Light of Civilization, for the protection of the Hundred Schools Temple! Your humble servant, Murloc tribe Elder 'Morgl', leads all his tribesmen to offer you eternal loyalty! May your Law walk upon the land as it walks upon the water!"

All the Murlocs echoed in unison; though their voices were uneven, they were filled with sincerity.

"Morgl," Lin Zhou's divine oracle rang directly in the Elder Shaman's heart, "lead your people to build a new home by Mirror Lake. Follow my Law, and learn my knowledge. Elwin and Bronzebeard Stonehammer will give you the necessary assistance."

"I obey the divine oracle!" Morgl responded excitedly.

With the conversion complete, the next step was how to settle and develop this new vassal race. Lin Zhou looked at these Murlocs, especially their [Order Inclination] and [Cowardice] traits, and a clear cultivation direction formed in his mind.

"Cowardice stems from fear of power and a desire for Order. If their behavior can be shaped by absolute Law, their hearts tempered by strict rewards and punishments, and supplemented by their aquatic advantages..." Lin Zhou thought of the Legalist principle of "No Exemption from Punishment, no omission of rewards for good." "Perhaps their natural Cowardice and orderliness can instead become the perfect raw material for creating a cold, efficient, and absolutely obedient [Legalist Enforcer] or [Underwater Law Enforcement Team]!"

He passed this line of thought to Elwin via divine oracle, emphasizing that early management of the Murlocs could involve more experimentation with Legalist practices. Elwin understood immediately; she had already delved into the essence of Legalism and immediately began formulating a preliminary enlightenment and management plan for the Murloc tribe.

Under the coordination of Elwin and Bronzebeard Stonehammer, the Tiangong Dwarves used available wood and stone to build simple but sturdy huts for the Murlocs by Mirror Lake. The Literary Heart Elves brought surplus food and clean drinking water and began selecting suitable, simplified versions of the "Law" for introductory education.

When had the Murlocs ever received such "courtesy"? In their original tribe, and even during their wandering, there was only the Law of the jungle and a precarious existence. The Order, care (albeit under rules), and safety they felt now caused their loyalty to rise steadily and visibly.

Watching the cooking smoke gradually rise by Mirror Lake and seeing the Murlocs begin to busy themselves in their new home—clumsy as they were, yet filled with hope—Lin Zhou nodded in satisfaction. Accepting the Murlocs might be a burden in the short term, but in the long term, it was a strategic investment. They filled the void of aquatic power in the Divine Domain, provided a new source of faith, and more importantly, provided an excellent sample for the deep practice of Legalist thought.

Having handled the Murloc affairs, Lin Zhou's gaze turned once again toward the coordinates representing the "Bone Chewer" Divine Domain. With internal stability established and new forces being integrated, it was time to put the counterattack plan on the official agenda.

"Elwin, Bronzebeard Stonehammer."

"my god!" The two heroes responded immediately.

"Assemble the army and upgrade combat readiness. The target—Rotten Mire! In three days, we shall trample the enemy domain to manifest the might of civilization!"

"I obey the divine oracle!" Soaring Battle Intent rose once again within the Divine Domain.

In a corner of Lin Zhou's perception, the successor of the Moon God Divine Domain named Su Yueyao seemed to sense the successive movements and the sharp, aggressive aura of weaponry from the Hundred Schools Temple's side through some mysterious resonance. In her cool gaze, a hint of hard-to-detect surprise and deeper curiosity flashed.