Akomann immediately understood Wu Liang's deeper meaning.
"I understand."
Akomann nodded solemnly.
"I will arrange this immediately."
On the ruins of the Cat-ear Tribe.
During the construction of the rubber Industrial Park, the warriors of the Black Rock Army worked alongside the Cat-eared People.
Using steel axes and saws, they easily felled and processed trees, achieving dozens of times the efficiency of the Cat-ear Tribe.
Precise chalk lines and measuring ropes mapped out neat house foundations, leaving the Cat-eared People, who were used to casual construction, completely dumbfounded.
They even dug mud by the river and built a small brick kiln, starting to fire red bricks.
When the first batch of hard red bricks was fired, Chief Buck held a brick, turning it over and over, his shock immeasurable.
The Cat-eared People were initially reserved and fearful, but the warriors of the Black Rock Army were not as terrifying as they had imagined.
They worked quickly, and during breaks, they shared dried meat and fresh water with the Cat-eared People.
Gradually, the Cat-eared People lowered their guard.
They began actively asking the warriors how to use the novel tools and how to build more stable house structures.
Mia often ran back and forth between the two camps.
In the Mining Park, she would quietly stay by Wu Liang's side, watching him direct the Artisans' work.
When Wu Liang was thirsty, she handed him a waterskin; when he was hungry, she brought him roasted meat.
Returning to the village, she would then tell the Tribe members all the new things she had seen and heard in the Mining Park.
"In Lord Wu Liang's camp, they made an iron contraption that smokes and spins by itself. I heard it's called a steam engine—it's amazing!"
"There is also a shiny glass that lets you see outside, but the wind can't get in!"
"..."
Mia's descriptions made all the Cat-eared People listen very attentively.
The Black Rock Tribe became increasingly mysterious and powerful in their hearts.
In just a few days, the ruins of the village were cleaned up.
Soon, the foundations for brand new wooden houses, far sturdier and neater than before, were completed one by one.
As night fell that day, the atmosphere in the Cat-ear Tribe's new settlement was lively.
A huge bonfire was lit in the open space in the center of the village.
The Cat-eared People sang and danced around the bonfire, celebrating the reconstruction of their home.
The air was filled with the scent of roasted meat and the fruit wine brewed by the Cat-ear Tribe.
Chief Buck specifically sent someone to invite Wu Liang to their celebration.
"Let's go, let's go see our allies."
Wu Liang smiled and said this to Akomann and Ignis, who were beside him.
When Wu Liang and his party appeared, they received a warm welcome.
All the Cat-eared People, regardless of age or gender, spontaneously stopped singing and dancing.
They bowed deeply to Wu Liang, their eyes full of gratitude and reverence.
"Welcome, esteemed Leader Wu Liang!"
Chief Buck personally came forward to greet him. He seemed especially happy today, his wrinkled face beaming with smiles.
"Chief Buck, congratulations on rebuilding your home."
Wu Liang handed the hard liquor he brought to Buck.
"Just a small gift, nothing special."
"You are too kind! The Cat-ear Tribe will never forget everything you have done for us!"
Chief Buck took the transparent bottle from Wu Liang's hand. He shook it curiously, and dense bubbles appeared in the liquid.
"Is this wine?"
He sniffed the opening, and a strange, unfamiliar aroma entered his nostrils, instantly lifting his spirits.
"It's liquor brewed by our Tribe. I hope you like it."
Wu Liang said casually.
Chief Buck immediately became interested.
He was a lover of alcohol himself, and he impatiently fetched two large wooden bowls.
"Hiss—"
An incredibly strong and potent aroma of liquor instantly burst forth from the bottle opening, spreading out almost tangibly.
The surrounding Cat-eared People couldn't help but take deep sniffs of the scent.
"So... so fragrant!"
Chief Buck's eyes, however, lit up as he took a deep breath.
He felt the spicy aroma shoot straight to his crown, causing all the pores on his body to open up.
He impatiently poured two large bowls.
The liquor was clear and transparent, unlike their cloudy fruit wine.
"Leader Wu Liang, please!"
Chief Buck picked up one bowl and handed it to Wu Liang.
"Please."
Wu Liang took it and motioned for him to drink first.
Chief Buck laughed heartily, picked up the wooden bowl, which was the size of a large basin, and tilted his head back to gulp it down.
This was their habit when drinking fruit wine, as it was almost like water, and drinking it slowly wasn't satisfying.
Chief Buck swallowed more than half a bowl of the hard liquor in one breath.
The next second, his movements froze.
His eyes widened abruptly, instantly becoming bloodshot.
His entire face turned crimson at a visible speed.
"Ugh—"
A strange gurgling sound came from his throat, as if someone had grabbed his neck.
A burning line of fire scorched its way from his esophagus down to his stomach, where it exploded, sending a wave of heat throughout his body.
"Pfft—"
A plume of white alcohol vapor, mixed with earth-shattering coughs, erupted simultaneously from his mouth and nose.
"Cough, cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough, cough!"
Chief Buck dropped the wooden bowl, clutched his throat with both hands, and coughed violently, tears and snot streaming down his face.
He felt as if he hadn't swallowed liquor, but a ball of burning fire, a red-hot branding iron!
The surrounding Cat-eared People were terrified and rushed forward.
"Chief! What's wrong?"
"This liquor is poisoned!"
A young Cat-eared Person glared angrily at Wu Liang, ready to draw the bone knife from his waist.
"Stop!"
Just then, Chief Buck forcefully waved his hand, halting his Tribe member's impulse.
He coughed for a long time before finally recovering slightly.
He wiped the tears and snot from his face and slowly exhaled a breath of hot alcohol vapor.
Miraculously, after the initial burning sensation passed, an indescribable feeling of refreshment spread through his limbs and bones.
All fatigue vanished, and he felt light, as if he were about to float away.
"Good... good liquor!!"
Chief Buck, his face flushed, let out an earth-shattering exclamation of praise.
He turned and looked at Wu Liang with the excitement of someone who had found a kindred spirit.
"Leader Wu Liang... no, Brother Wu Liang!"
He grabbed Wu Liang's hand.
"This... this liquor is absolutely fantastic!"
Wu Liang was amused by his exaggerated reaction.
"Chief Buck, this liquor is strong; you should sip it."
"No, no, no, drinking it like this is the only way to enjoy it!"
Chief Buck snatched the remaining half-bowl of liquor. This time, having learned his lesson, he cautiously took a small sip.
The spicy liquid exploded on his tongue, making him shiver involuntarily.
Immediately afterward, a rich grain aroma and a sweet aftertaste filled his entire mouth.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He said "good" three times in a row, and then took another large gulp.
Although he was still coughing and grimacing, the expression on his face was one of immense enjoyment.
Ignis watched from the side, dumbfounded. She leaned close to Akomann's ear and whispered:
"Is this old cat crazy? This liquor is like medicine, yet he's actually addicted to drinking it?"
Akomann chuckled and offered no reply.
The scene that followed became Chief Buck's personal performance.
He dragged Wu Liang, insisting on calling him sworn brother.
After two bowls of hard liquor, the old Chief had completely let loose.
One moment he was hugging Wu Liang, tearfully recounting how miserable the Cat-ear Tribe had been over the years.
"Brother Wu Liang! You just don't know! We've been living a truly wretched life!"
"When the Iron-Armored Rhinoceros comes for a stroll, half our treehouses collapse!"
"When the Fanged Tiger gets hungry, it comes here to snatch a few Tribe members for a snack! And those damned Goblins..."
The next moment, he was pointing at the moon in the sky, boastfully bragging with heroic pride.
"Back in the day, when I was young, I was quite the expert!"
"Just one man with one spear, I dared to challenge a Fanged Tiger!"
Wu Liang simply smiled and listened patiently, occasionally refilling his bowl.
Soon, those few bottles of hard liquor were finished.
Chief Buck was completely drunk.
He couldn't walk steadily, his speech was incoherent, and he wouldn't let go of the liquor bottle, constantly muttering:
"Good liquor... ah, good liquor..."
Finally, he was carried back by several Tribe members.
Before leaving, he grabbed Wu Liang's sleeve and, using his last bit of strength, slurred:
"Wu Liang... Brother! From now on, you're my real older brother!"
"Our Cat-ear Tribe... is your... your... Tribe!"
"Anyone who dares... cross you... I... I'll be the first... to kill them!"
After saying that, his head tilted, and he completely passed out.
Watching Chief Buck being carried away, Wu Liang shook his head helplessly.
Tonight, he had truly gained a massive seniority boost.
Mia had been standing nearby, watching everything.
Seeing how her grandfather, the Chief, had become after a few bottles of liquor, she felt both amused and worried.
"Lord Wu Liang, is my grandfather... alright?"