To be honest, he didn’t get it at first, either. Ling Hong had been the Wolf Leader since he was a pup, with a whole pack of younger wolf cubs always trailing happily behind him.
It was only when he put himself in the shoes of those wolf cubs that he finally recalled the submissive instincts of Wolf Beasts.
In any natural wolf pack, the males possess an absolute instinct for obedience and submission to the strongest Wolf King. But once an old Wolf King is replaced by a new one, the males will transfer that submission flawlessly to the new, more powerful leader.
This was the exact situation Ling Hong now faced.
"Until they meet a Wolf Beast stronger than me, I can guarantee their loyalty. So, do you want to bring them into the fold?" Ling Hong left the final decision entirely up to her.
Her will was his command.
An Jin looked up at the sharp icicles hanging from the eaves. She didn’t rush to a conclusion, mulling it over for a moment before asking, "What’s the situation in Moon Wolf City right now?"
"It’s similar to how Beast Gathering City was after it was devastated. But following this failed sneak attack, they’re in even worse shape. If we don’t make a move to absorb them now, they’ll soon be conquered by other large tribes or cities in the area taking advantage of the situation..."
’The System’s minimum requirement was to build an S-level Royal City. An S Series Royal City required at least five major cities under its command and a total population exceeding one million...’
This was territory and population being handed to her on a silver platter.
"We’ll take it!" It would be a waste not to.
The moment she uttered the words, a System notification chimed in her head. The two cities on her main panel immediately became three.
The newly added city was Moon Wolf City.
[Type: City (Intermediate, Devastated)
Area: 25,589 m²
Population: 6,980 ↓↓ (Females: 459 ↓) (Severely Injured & Starving: 4,258 ↑)
Buildings: Residential (352 ↓), Training Grounds (16), Infirmaries (3), Warehouses (16), Commercial (0), Smelters (0)
Farmland: 0
Livestock: 0
Influence: B (↓)
Combat Power: B (↓)]
’Though devastated, its overall stats were still decent. After all, it had once been a major city comparable to Beast Gathering City.’
"I’m thinking of putting you in charge of this city. How about it?"
Ling Hong looked taken aback. Just as he was about to speak, she placed a finger on his lips to silence him. "You saw it for yourself. Those Wolf Beasts aren’t exactly willing to listen to me. This is the best way..."
Besides, she really did want to develop his leadership abilities.
Ling Hong was too accustomed to obeying orders. Over time, it had caused him to lack his own initiative in major decisions, making him subconsciously defer to her command.
He was growing stronger and stronger, nearing the pinnacle of power in the Beast World. How could he be content just to follow orders like an enforcer?
Through the bond between mates, their hearts and minds connected. Ling Hong nodded solemnly. "I understand!"
"It’s your command. I will do my best to carry it out!"
An Jin couldn’t help but laugh and stroke his face. "Oh, you... You still don’t get it."
Ling Hong blinked, confused. His snow-white wolf ears drooped forlornly amidst his hair. ’Did I misunderstand?’
"Never mind. You’ll understand eventually. It’s not too late, let’s head home."
...
After nearly two months of storage, she calculated that the barley ale she’d left in the warehouse should be done fermenting.
Gu Yin was still asleep, so she had Ling Hong and Xi help her carry the clay jars of ale from the warehouse and set them on the floor inside their home.
"Ah Jin, what’s this? Is it water?" Xi placed the tip of his nose against the ale jar and sniffed delicately, but a Merfolk’s dull sense of smell couldn’t give him the answer.
’But when he was carrying it, hadn’t he heard a SLOSHING sound from inside?’
"It’s not water. Well... I guess it’s a type of water. A flavored water!"
An Jin wasn’t sure how to describe it to Xi. He hadn’t been around when she brewed it, so she could only explain vaguely, "I call it ale. You’ll know the difference once you have a taste."
She opened the stopper, and a rich, potent aroma of ale immediately filled the air. An Jin inhaled deeply, her eyes lighting up.
She poured herself a bowl first and took a small sip. The intense flavor was bitter and sharp, and a fiery warmth instantly spread through her body.
This kind of overly potent ale probably wasn’t a favorite among females—at least, she didn’t care for it—but it was excellent for warming oneself up.
’But the males would probably like this kind of flavor, wouldn’t they?’