Wu Liang stood up and walked to the side hall of the deliberation chamber, where a massive Sand Table was displayed.
This Sand Table was constructed by the Artisans under Wu Liang's guidance, using an accurate Scale.
It meticulously recreated the terrain and topography surrounding the Black Rock Tribe for hundreds of miles.
The mountains, rivers, forests, and passes within it were clear at a glance.
There were many Tribes within the Great Desolate Mountain, but only eight were large and established.
They were the Yuequan Tribe, Black Rock Tribe, Bloodfang Tribe, Chuishi Tribe, Zhu Feng Tribe, Ember Tribe, Muge Tribe, and Salt Marsh Tribe.
Without exception, their Leaders were all women.
This was no coincidence; it was a deformed systemic structure resulting from the high-pressure policies of the Roland Empire.
"Come here."
Wu Liang looked at the Scout who had returned with the message.
"Point out the route the roland people took on the Sand Table."
"Yes!"
The Scout walked up to the Sand Table.
Starting from the model of Tiee Fortress, he drew a line along a Mountain Pass, finally stopping at a location representing the Green Vine Tribe.
Wu Liang nodded and said solemnly:
"I understand. Tiee Fortress of the Roland Empire is the last City bordering the Great Desolate Mountain."
"After they moved east and attacked the Green Vine Tribe, their next target should be the Ember Tribe, which is the closest."
"The incident involving the Green Vine Tribe is merely a tactic by the roland people to Kill the Chicken to Warn the Monkey; they want to quickly dismantle the will of resistance among the various Tribes in the Great Desolate Mountain."
"The roland people are currently sweeping through the Tribes one by one, moving from west to east."
"At their current speed, they will reach the Ember Tribe's Sphere of Influence in at most a day and a half. It's only a matter of time before they reach us."
Wu Liang's finger tapped lightly on the Sand Table, his gaze moving back and forth across the positions of the various Tribes.
His mind was calculating rapidly.
The attack on the Green Vine Tribe was just the beginning.
Next, the Roland Empire's Imperial Army will comb through the entire Great Desolate Mountain from west to east, like a plow.
The Black Rock Tribe, located in the easternmost part of the Great Desolate Mountain, was temporarily safe.
But only temporarily.
Waiting passively for death was certainly not his style.
However, launching a rash attack was also ill-advised.
He must first scout the true strength of the Roland Empire's Imperial Army.
Given the current development speed and Scale of the Black Rock Tribe, especially the existence of him—a privately hidden male.
Once discovered by the Roland Empire, it would definitely invite a Thunderous Strike.
"Akomann, issue the orders immediately!"
Wu Liang made a decisive move.
"Order the Scout Battalion to deploy everyone! Monitor the Roland Empire's Imperial Army continuously, day and night, and keep a close eye on the roland people's movements!"
"I want to know the location, headcount, and equipment status of every one of their squads!"
"Also, closely observe the reactions of the other Tribes!"
"And, subtly spread the news that our Black Rock Tribe is now militarily strong and has built ten-meter-high City Walls."
"I want all the Tribes in the Great Desolate Mountain to know that the Black Rock Tribe is now the safest place in the entire Great Desolate Mountain."
"Yes!"
Akomann accepted the order, turned, and strode away.
"Kaila!"
"Present!"
"Lead the Spear and Shield Battalion to immediately garrison the City Walls! The Bow and Crossbow Battalion, get onto the Battlements! All personnel must strengthen patrols and vigilance!"
"Yes!"
Kaila accepted the order and departed.
"Eliza!"
"I'm here, Liang."
"Inventory all the Tribe's War Materials!"
"Weapons, ammunition, food, and medicine—re-tally everything and prepare for war at any moment!"
"Also, notify Chief Steward Wula that the Military Workshop must now focus entirely on producing Crossbow Bolts and Arrows for Composite Bows."
"There's also an item called a Telescope. I will give her the Blueprint immediately. Help me supervise her to craft it quickly; stop production on everything else for now!"
"Furthermore, immediately send people to Black Wind Valley to have the Miners and Garrison Troops there all withdraw to the Tribe. The Garrison Troops will all be incorporated into the Tribe's City Defense Guard!"
"Understood!"
Eliza immediately took action as well.
Order after order was issued methodically by Wu Liang.
Under his command, everyone quickly calmed down and attended to their respective duties.
For a time, the Black Rock Tribe was outwardly tense but inwardly calm, permeated by a chilling aura that suggested a storm was brewing.
After everyone left, Wei Xian looked at Wu Liang's face, which was steady and full of confidence.
The worry in her heart dissipated by more than half without her noticing.
Perhaps no matter how great the crisis, it seemed insignificant before him.
She sat on Wu Liang's lap, pressing her cheek against his warm, broad chest.
Feeling Wu Liang's powerful heartbeat, Wei Xian said softly, "Wu Liang, it's so good to have you here."
"Don't worry, I've got everything covered."
Wu Liang lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
"Take good care of your pregnancy, and give birth to our child safely; that's more important than anything."
"Leave the external matters to me."
Over the next few days, on the Black Rock Tribe's City Walls, there was a guard every three steps and a sentry every five.
Female Warriors holding repeating crossbows watched the distance vigilantly.
Inside the Tribe, all production activities revolved around the war effort.
But bad news arrived one after another.
The Scouts dispatched by Akomann continuously brought back updates on the War Situation in the west.
The roland people were exceptionally brutal this year, slaughtering indiscriminately upon entering a Tribe.
The Ember Tribe was completely breached after holding out for less than half a day. The males secretly hidden for reproduction were killed, and the male infants were stolen.
More than half of the Tribe Members were massacred, and the rest retreated and fled with their Leader.
Next to suffer was the Zhu Feng Tribe.
Although they and the fleeing Ember Tribe organized resistance, it was entirely futile.
Wherever the roland people passed, blood flowed like rivers, and not a blade of grass grew.
Panic spread rapidly across the western Great Desolate Mountain like a plague.
Even the large Tribes couldn't resist. Countless Small Tribes, desperate to survive, frantically migrated eastward, attempting to avoid the roland people's Military Edge.
"It seems the roland people have a different objective this year. Perhaps they think the population of the Great Desolate Mountain has grown too fast, or too large?"
Wu Liang looked thoughtful after hearing the Scout's report.
Three evenings later, the area outside the Black Rock Tribe's City Gates suddenly became exceptionally lively.
Squads arrived one after another from different directions, covered in dust from their journey.
The Black Rock Tribe's Lookout Post sounded an urgent Alarm Sound.
"There are... large numbers of people approaching the Tribe!"
Wu Liang immediately climbed the Battlement and raised the newly manufactured Telescope.
Although the accuracy and range were somewhat lacking, it was barely sufficient.
A long procession appeared on the distant horizon.
That was not the Imperial Army of the roland people.
The people in the procession were ragged and looked panicked, resembling a group of Refugee fleeing disaster.
At the very front of the procession were six women with solemn expressions.
Their clothing differed, but they all carried the aura of Leaders who had long held high positions.
Wu Liang's gaze swept over them one by one.
One was a fiery beauty with a hot figure, long red hair burning like flames, a Mature Woman.
One was petite, curvaceous, yet possessed the delicate charm of a Loli-faced Girl.
Another was an Intellectual Beauty with a gentle, water-like demeanor and a hint of melancholy between her brows... The six women were all unique and exceptionally beautiful.
Wu Liang's gaze swept over the six women one by one, and his lips slowly curved into a smile.
"The fish have taken the bait."
Wu Liang chuckled and issued an order.
"Prepare to open the City Gates. Our guests have arrived!"