Stunned and full of doubts, Eliza led them into the council hall.
Wow! What a beautiful house!
The moment she stepped inside, the loli-faced chieftain of Muge Tribe exclaimed in exaggerated admiration.
I never imagined Black Rock Tribe has advanced this far…
Perhaps we really came to the right place—still, how on earth did they manage it?
That Wu Liang… what exactly did that man do to Wei Xian and the others?
The chieftains of the Six Great Tribes sized up the spacious hall: bright and airy all around, the floor paved with polished stone slabs.
The walls were whitewashed, and several huge glass windows ushered in the winter sun, driving away the chill.
At the center of the hall stood a long wooden table.
A young man in casual black clothes, his hair cropped short, lounged in the main seat.
To his left sat the heavily pregnant Wei Xian; next to her, Akomann in exquisite black leather armor, valiant and heroic.
Wu Liang, the guests have all arrived.
Eliza walked to Wu Liang's side; he slipped an arm around her slender waist and gave her bottom a squeeze.
You've worked hard.
Eliza shot him a reproachful look, then sat in the chair to his right.
Wu Liang picked a bright red apple from the fruit tray on the table and began peeling it slowly with a small knife.
Everyone, please sit.
Wu Liang waved the knife toward the nearby seats, his manner careless.
His offhand attitude stirred displeasure in the hearts of the Six Great Tribes' chieftains.
Suina of Chuishi Tribe and Ignis of Ember Tribe, in particular, were already frowning.
Seems Black Rock Tribe really has changed—now a man calls the shots.
Ignis gave a cold snort, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
Seeing this, the others hesitated, then followed suit.
Black Rock Tribe has indeed changed—but only under Wu Liang's leadership.
Wei Xian stared at Ignis and spoke calmly.
That he's in charge is by my permission. I'm willing, because he is my man.
Eliza stared at Ignis. He's my man as well.
Akomann smiled. He's also my man.
The three women exchanged a smile.
Ignis and the other five female chieftains were stunned; they all looked at Wu Liang.
So… so amazing!
Lolia of Muge Tribe hugged the little lamb in her arms, eyes wide, face full of shock.
Wu Liang merely curled his lips in a smile, saying nothing, and silence settled over the hall.
Only the soft scrape of his knife against the apple could be heard.
Wei Xian and Eliza glanced at Wu Liang, unsure what he intended.
Akomann, however, seeing his performance, wore a proud smile, arms folded, eyes half-closed in repose.
After a long while, Wu Liang finished peeling the apple, cut it into pieces, placed them on a plate, and slid it to the center of the table.
Chieftains, have a taste. This is a newly harvested fruit; I call it an apple—a new variety, quite sweet.
He spoke calmly.
What are you playing at? We didn't come here to eat fruit!
Ignis slammed the table and stood, glaring at Wu Liang in the main seat.
Don't like it? Then you're missing out.
Wu Liang picked up a slice and handed it to Wei Xian, then gave pieces to Eliza and Akomann.
He popped a piece into his own mouth and chewed slowly.
Silence fell again; only the sound of them crunching apples could be heard.
Lord Wu Liang…
In the end, it was the gentlest of them—Alesha, chieftain of Yuequan Tribe—who gathered her courage and spoke first.
We came this time because we want to…
I know why you're here.
Wu Liang cut her off, lifted his head, and swept his gaze across each chieftain's face.
His eyes were calm yet sharp as blades.
Seen up close, these six women were indeed top-quality.
They were the finest women of Great Desolate Mountain, each with her own alluring charm.
Loli type, queen type, nurturing type, girl-next-door type… this time they'd gathered the full set.
What are you looking at!
When Wu Liang's gaze landed on her, Ignis felt her heart leap and instinctively averted her eyes.
Damn that man…
Ignis clenched her fists, suppressing the anger in her heart.
The roland people have arrived, and you can't defeat them.
Some of your Tribes are finished; the rest will be soon.
"Your Tribes are on the verge of collapse, your clansmen's lives and freedom under dire threat, so you've all come to me seeking shelter—am I right?"
Wu Liang's tone carried a faint, mocking edge.
Those blunt words turned the six chieftains' faces rather ugly.
"We are not here for shelter!"
Ignis slammed the table and rose, her striking curves heaving with anger.
"Wu Liang, listen up. The Six Great Tribes came to negotiate with you."
"We will unite every Tribe of the Great Desolate Mountain to resist the roland people!"
"Negotiate?"
"On what grounds do you negotiate with us?"
"Unite?"
"And what qualifies you to join forces with us—your utter weakness?"
Wu Liang smiled, his grin full of disdain.
"Just you lot?"
He pointed at those seated.
"I'm not singling anyone out—everyone here is a rabble still wielding stone weapons. You're all trash."
He raised a finger, gesturing toward Ignis, calling her out directly.
"Ember Tribe is already crippled."
"Next will be your Chuishi Tribe, or maybe her Muge, Salt Marsh, Zhu Feng, Yuequan..."
"Your so-called tribal coalition is nothing but lambs to the slaughter before the iron hooves of the roland people. I, on the other hand, have sturdy walls and elite troops."
He paused, sweeping his gaze across everyone, and spoke each word deliberately:
"Now, I am the one choosing whether to save you—not you, coming to bargain with me."
Arrogant!
That was the first thought every female chieftain of the six Tribes had.
"You—how dare you!"
"Wu Liang, what gives you the right to scorn us like this!"
Sa Lan of Zhu Feng Tribe stared at Wu Liang, her face frosty with rage.
"Your Tribe has indeed opened my eyes, but remember the Eight Great Tribes are equals!"
Suina of Chuishi Tribe stood, her face flushed with fury.
"Well, of course, now it's only seven—Blood Fang has been swallowed by you."
"Wu Liang, first we must clarify: the Six Great Tribes came seeking an alliance against the roland people—not begging for your charity!"
Akomann narrowed her eyes, studying Suina's face.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Wu Liang raised a hand to calm Akomann, then turned to Ignis.
"I hear Ember Tribe resisted the hardest—only to end up fleeing in disgrace from the roland people?"
Ignis wanted to retort, her lips trembling, but no words came.
Wu Liang's words were tearing open her wounds.
"I admit your Black Rock Tribe may be strong now,"
Ignis said coldly, taking a deep breath.
"But the Roland Empire's might is beyond your imagination!"
"They have well-equipped infantry and cavalry in the hundreds and thousands. Only united do we stand a chance!"
"A chance?"
Wu Liang sneered.
"Your so-called union just wants Black Rock warriors to bleed and die as your vanguard."
"Once the roland people are driven off, you'll split apart again and even turn on me, won't you?"
His words made every chieftain freeze, exchanging uneasy looks.
They all knew the Great Desolate Mountain had never been truly united; only the Roland pressure had forced them to sit at one table.
Wu Liang was right—Tribes like Black Rock could never be left unchecked.
The hall sank once more into deathly silence.
The six chieftains' faces shifted between pale and livid.
"Then what exactly do you want?"
Finally, the Salt Marsh chieftain—Florgloria, the caretaker beauty—spoke in a low voice.
Wu Liang's gaze settled on her, a gentle smile appearing.
"Heh, my wish is simple."
"Fine—let's speak plainly and drop the nonsense."
Wu Liang leaned back, fingers interlaced on the table.
He leaned slightly forward, eyes sweeping the six female chieftains.
"If you want Black Rock Tribe to act—fine."
"I have only one condition."