Returning to his residence, Wu Liang summoned a Personal Guard.
"Go, pass down these orders."
"From this day forward, all members of the Yuequan Tribe are to be assigned to the Medical Camp, under the full authority of Alesha."
"The supply of materials for the Medical Camp is to be upgraded to the highest priority."
"Whatever herbs, cloth, or food they need, fulfill their requests first."
"Furthermore, set aside a separate area of the best brick houses for their living quarters, close to the Wounded Soldiers Camp for their convenience."
The Personal Guard immediately acknowledged the order and left.
Wu Liang leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.
Alesha's side was already on the right track; next, it was time for those other five defiant women.
He wanted each of them to see clearly what they could gain by obeying him and proving their worth.
Pointless resistance would gain them nothing but the erosion of their dignity and time.
Before long, Ignis, Suina, Florgloria, Lolia, and Sa Lan were brought before Wu Liang.
After several days of house arrest and the pressure applied at last night's banquet, their arrogance had clearly been suppressed quite a bit.
Especially Ignis; although she still stood tall with her chin raised,
there was less defiance and more complexity in those fiery red eyes.
"What did you call us here for?"
Suina spoke first; she had the most straightforward personality and couldn't hide her thoughts.
Wu Liang smiled, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the five women one by one.
"Good things, of course."
He stood up and walked over to them.
"You should have already heard that Alesha and her Tribe members have established a Medical Camp, responsible for treating the Tribe's wounded."
"They have done very well and have rendered great service to the Tribe."
"Therefore, I have given them the rewards they deserve."
"The best food, the best housing, and the respect of the entire Tribe."
Of course, they knew what Wu Liang was talking about.
All day today, the entire Tribe had been discussing this matter.
They had even heard praises for Alesha from the mouths of the guards watching them.
Wu Liang continued:
"The Black Rock Tribe does not support idlers, and certainly not enemies."
"I brought you and your people here not to let you eat for free."
"Now, I am giving you a chance—a chance to prove your own worth."
He first looked at the hot-tempered Suina, who had a defiant look on her face.
"Leader Suina, I've heard that your Chuishi Tribe members are born with Herculean strength and a special affinity for fire."
Suina gave a huff, which served as a tacit admission.
"Very well."
Wu Liang nodded.
"My Military Workshop has been stepping up the forging of weapons and armor lately, and we are short on hands."
"Starting tomorrow, you and your Chuishi Tribe members will all go to the Military Workshop to help."
"What?"
Suina's eyes widened. "You're sending us to the Military Workshop?"
"Of course, it's to make use of your expertise."
Wu Liang smiled. "You should be very skilled at it and willing to stay in that environment."
"Hmph!"
Suina was left speechless with indignation.
She was a hundred times unwilling to forge weapons for Wu Liang.
However, she truly did want to see what the Black Rock Military Workshop was like.
Wu Liang turned his gaze toward Ignis.
"Leader Ignis, the warriors of the Ember Tribe are famous throughout the Great Desolate Mountain for being valiant and skilled in battle."
Ignis looked at him coldly without saying a word.
"Akomann's Cavalry Battalion is currently expanding and undergoing high-intensity training."
"You have rich combat experience; it's perfect for you to go be her second-in-command and help her train the new recruits."
"You want me to train your army?"
Ignis looked as if she had heard the world's biggest joke.
"Is there a problem?"
Wu Liang countered.
"Wu Liang, don't go too far!"
Ignis's anger was ignited.
To make her train the Black Rock Tribe's soldiers was an absolute humiliation!
"Too far?"
Wu Liang's expression darkened.
"Ignis, be clear about your current status."
His cold words caused the temperature in the room to drop a few degrees.
Ignis's body tensed up, her chest heaving violently, but in the end, she swallowed her retort.
Wu Liang's gaze then fell upon Florgloria and Lolia.
"Leader Florgloria, the Salt Marsh Tribe excels in coordination and management. Leader Lolia, the Muge Tribe excels in animal husbandry."
"The Tribe's logistics and agricultural production are currently managed by the High Priestess, Eliza."
"The two of you will follow her from now on and learn how to manage a large Tribe of several thousand people."
Florgloria and Lolia glanced at each other, not showing much of a refusal.
Florgloria bowed slightly: "Yes, Leader Wu Liang."
She saw the situation more clearly than anyone; any resistance now was futile.
Lolia also gave a timid response, not daring to look Wu Liang in the eye.
Finally, Wu Liang looked at Sa Lan.
"Leader Sa Lan, the people of the Zhu Feng Tribe are natural hunters and scouts."
"My Scout Battalion happens to need talent like yours."
"Starting tomorrow, you and your people will operate with the Scout Battalion, responsible for security and reconnaissance around the Tribe."
Sa Lan bit her lip and eventually nodded.
Compared to mining or doing menial labor, this was indeed a more suitable arrangement for her Tribe.
"Alright, is everyone clear?"
Wu Liang looked around at everyone.
"This is the opportunity I am giving you."
"Do well, and you and your people can earn respect and preferential treatment, just like the Yuequan Tribe."
"If anyone dares to feign compliance while secretly opposing me, or plays any tricks..."
Wu Liang didn't finish his sentence, but the chill in his eyes said everything.
"Take them down and hand them over to their respective supervisors."
Wu Liang waved a hand to the guards.
The five Female Leaders, each with their own complex emotions, were led out of the room.
Ignis's back was filled with anger and resentment.
Suina looked aggrieved, and Florgloria remained calm, though a trace of worry was hidden deep in her eyes.
As for Lolia and Sa Lan, they were mostly dazed and submissive.
Wu Liang watched them leave, his heart calm.
Divide, utilize, and reform.
He would thoroughly digest these six Tribes, along with their expertise and people, turning them into the foundation for his expanding hegemony.
The next day, before dawn.
A commotion broke out in the Chuishi Tribe's camp.
Black Rock Tribe soldiers, holding a list, began to loudly order the Chuishi Tribe members to assemble.
Suina stood at the front of the line with a dark face.
She hadn't slept all night.
The thought of leading her people to work as blacksmiths for Wu Liang today made her chest feel tight with frustration.
It was a humiliation even more intense than being defeated and captured.
"Everyone, look sharp!"
Suina growled at her people.
"Don't let the Black Rock Tribe people look down on our Chuishi Tribe!"
Her people's expressions were all solemn, but a fire of refusal to be outdone burned in their eyes.
They were subjects of the Chuishi Tribe and had their own pride.
Soon, led by the Black Rock soldiers, Suina and her more than one hundred tribespeople arrived at the Military Workshop located on the west side of the Tribe.
Before they even got close, a wave of scorching heat hit them, accompanied by the constant 'clink-clank' of hammering.
When Suina truly saw the full scale of the Military Workshop, she was completely stunned.
This... this is the Military Workshop?