The night of the festival finally arrived.
A massive bonfire blazed at the camp's center, its dancing flames illuminating the surroundings as bright as day. Beastmen sat around the fire, faces painted in vivid colors, adorned with feathers and bone ornaments. The air was thick with the aroma of roasting meat and a peculiar, cloying sweetness.
Several elder female beastfolk carried in large basins of murky liquid fermented from wild berries and honey, its scent potent and pungent. The beastfolk erupted in cheers, scooping the brew into rough wooden bowls or low-fired clay cups and drinking it down wildly.This fermented beverage clearly had a potent effect on their moods. Eyes soon glowed brightly, and movements grew increasingly bold and unrestrained.
Gu Liang was led to the ceremony grounds by A Lie, tethered by a leather cord around his wrist like a hunting dog. The white cloak still draped over his shoulders stood out starkly in the firelight, like a badge of shame.
The ceremony commenced with a grand hunting dance. Young males strode with powerful steps, mimicking the leopard's stalking, lurking, and pouncing motions. Every contraction and release of their muscles radiated primal strength. Elder beasts beat stone axes against shields in perfect rhythm, while females sang ancient, melodious chants.
Gu Liang noticed the young males nearing adulthood performing with particular fervor. Their eyes frequently darted toward the crowd, especially the equally adorned young females. When pairs of young beastmen's gazes met in the air, it often sparked a wave of ambiguous chuckles and playful shoves.
A Lie seemed uninterested in the dance, his attention focused more on the shared feast. The finest cuts of game were prioritized for him and other high-ranking beasts like Mo Zong. He tore off a large chunk of perfectly roasted leg meat, shoved it roughly into Gu Liang's hands, then began chewing noisily himself, grease dripping from his chin.
A young female brought two cups of fermented pulp, respectfully offering one to A Lie. He downed it in one gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh. The drink clearly suited his taste, for he immediately asked for another.
As night deepened, the festival's atmosphere grew increasingly frenzied. The beasts, their eyes gleaming from the fermented liquid, moved with greater boldness and abandon.
Several young males began dancing around a particularly beautiful female, flaunting their muscular physiques. She giggled coyly before selecting the strongest among them, allowing him to place a beast-tooth necklace around her neck. Hand in hand, they stepped beyond the firelight and vanished into the darkness, drawing a wave of good-natured laughter.
Gu Liang suddenly grasped the true meaning of this festival—it was the season for the beastmen to court and mate. His stomach clenched.
Just then, A Lie rose to his feet. He had consumed a considerable amount of the fermented pulp, his golden pupils glinting dangerously in the firelight. He tugged at the leather cord binding Gu Liang's wrist, signaling him to follow.
A Lie led Gu Liang around to the other side of the bonfire, where several clearly high-ranking beastmen were watching a wrestling match. When A Lie appeared, all eyes turned to them, especially to that conspicuous white cloak.
Mo Zong was among them, his expression darkening noticeably at the sight of the cloak.
A Lie seemed to revel in the attention. He deliberately halted, lifting Gu Liang's chin with his hand to display his "property" to the other orcs, like a hunter flaunting his most prized trophy.
Gu Liang felt a wave of burning shame, but he forced himself to remain expressionless, his gaze fixed blankly into the distance.
An older beastman, drunk on fermented pulp, staggered to his feet and muttered something to A Lie, his finger pointing maliciously at Gu Liang. Crude laughter erupted from several nearby beasts.
A Lie's expression instantly turned cold. He released Gu Liang and stepped forward, his nose nearly touching the other beastman's. Without shifting form or roaring, an invisible pressure silenced the surrounding laughter abruptly.
The orc seemed to sober up slightly, stumbling back a step and bowing his head in submission.
A Lie swept a cold gaze around the group. Every beastman who met his eyes instinctively looked away. He grabbed the leather leash again and roughly dragged Gu Liang away from the area.
Once they reached a more secluded spot, A Lie's mood visibly soured. The fermented drink made him more volatile than usual. He shoved Gu Liang onto the animal hide rug, looming over him with palpable aggression.
Gu Liang's heart raced, but this time he wasn't entirely passive. As A Lie's hands tore at his clothes, Gu Liang's fingers slipped toward the Swiss Army knife tucked at his waist. He didn't draw it immediately, instead pressing his other hand against A Lie's chest.
This feeble resistance produced an unexpected effect. A Lie paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his golden pupils. Perhaps it was the drink, perhaps the festival atmosphere, but he didn't immediately resort to force. Instead, he easily pinned Gu Liang's wrist with one hand while continuing his actions with the other.
Just then, a louder commotion erupted from the other side of the camp. A group of young orcs had started an impromptu wrestling match, drawing everyone's attention. Even the guards craned their necks to watch, momentarily forgetting their duties.
A Lie was also drawn by the commotion. The instant he looked up, his grip loosened slightly.
In that split second, a resolute gleam flashed in Gu Liang's eyes.
The opportunity had arrived.