Chapter 1185: Famine

You cannot judge a person by appearance.

That's exactly what this vicious little pretty boy is.

Tie Shuguo had always considered himself mentally resilient and had endured much torment, but never had any torment been as "bone-deep and soul-searing" as today's.

In fact, he didn't even know what tricks this vicious little pretty boy had used on him.

Why could a Foundation Establishment cultivator make a Jin Dan cultivator like him scream in agony and faint from pain?

Tie Shuguo was baffled, his lips beginning to tremble.

Mo Hua asked him: "Are you finally being honest?"

Tie Shuguo lowered his head.

Pain forges a person.

Having experienced the taste of "bone-carved arrays," Tie Shuguo no longer believed his bones were hard.

Mo Hua glanced at Tie Shuguo, now much more compliant, and nodded: "I ask, you answer."

Tie Shuguo said: "Yes…"

"Why did the Shuguo tribe raid the Danque tribe?"

Mo Hua's gaze grew solemn: "Was it a sudden impulse, a greed for murder and plunder? Or did your evil… Savage God my lord, grant you a 'revelation' telling you to raid for people and offer them as sacrifices?"

Mo Hua hoped to extract from Tie Shuguo some clues about the "evil god," to inform his next moves.

But unexpectedly, Tie Shuguo shook his head: "Not exactly…"

Mo Hua frowned: "What do you mean?"

Tie Shuguo said: "There's a famine. We're starving. Nothing to eat, so we raided other tribes…"

This answer was unexpectedly plain.

Mo Hua blinked in surprise: "Famine?"

"Yes," Tie Shuguo nodded, his face pale. "A widespread famine is spreading from the northwest. Plants wither, beast spirits starve to death. Many tribes can no longer survive, triggering large-scale uprisings. My Shuguo tribe has been severely affected…"

Mo Hua frowned.

He had no complete map of the Three Thousand Savage Wastes, only rough directional knowledge.

Riding his giant tiger, fleeing war, he traveled from north to south and accidentally entered the Savage Wastes.

The entry point was roughly in the east—near the two minor mountain realms of Wutu and Wulu.

To the west lies the Zhu Que mountain realm—the large third-grade peak realm where Danque and Shuguo reside.

The Zhu Que mountain realm is vast.

Danque tribe is in the east; Shuguo tribe is in the west.

If Tie Shuguo speaks truth, a large-scale famine is spreading west to east—and eventually, Danque tribe will be affected too.

But he didn't know how vast this famine was, or how far it would spread.

Would it merely reach nearby mountain realms, or slowly engulf… the entire Great Wastes?

Mo Hua's expression grew solemn.

After a moment of thought, he looked again at Tie Shuguo and asked: "Does your tribe have a custom of eating people?"

Tie Shuguo shook his head.

"Then who do you eat?" Mo Hua demanded.

Tie Shuguo whispered: "We're starving. Nothing to eat, so we eat people…"

Mo Hua suddenly found no reason to blame them…

When you're nearly dead from hunger, who cares about such things?

Mo Hua frowned again: "Then why do you perform this ritual to please the Savage God? Who taught you this?"

"You should call the Savage God 'my lord'…"

Tie Shuguo tried to correct him, but seeing Mo Hua's cold gaze, he dared not insist.

Not everyone in this world can have faith.

This unknown boy before him dares to impersonate a Lord Wuzhu—clearly a fanatic with no piety, no "faith."

Such a person is inevitably ignorant in matters of belief.

Trying to correct his thinking would be like playing the qin to a cow.

If he angered him, he'd suffer his cruelty again.

Tie Shuguo mumbled a few words, then said:

"No one taught us…"

"At first, the Savage God my lord never sent any divine decree."

"We did it only because the famine grew worse, our tribe grew too large, there was nothing to eat, our stomachs twisted like knives—so desperate we thought to kill other tribes' cultivators and eat them."

"At first, it was unnatural. We felt sick."

"But as we kept eating, we grew used to it. We even came to believe this was how the world should be."

"So the habit spread."

"We killed every small tribe around us."

"One day, our entire tribe, as usual, gathered around the bonfire, eating live provisions. As we ate, we suddenly slipped into a dream—half-real, half-illusory—our spiritual awareness wildly excited, and we seemed to hear the Savage God my lord's murmurs."

"The Savage God my lord clearly approved of our actions."

"We felt his joy. We felt his praise."

"We realized the Savage God my lord liked us doing this."

"We gathered around the bonfire, eating live sacrifices, dancing the fire dance—it pleased the Savage God my lord. It earned his blessings."

"We even felt that because of our 'pleasing,' the Savage God my lord's divine power was slowly growing stronger."

The murmurs we heard have become clearer and clearer…

…

Tie Shufeng recounted all of this

???? in detail.

Mo Hua was at a loss for words.

If before he had been uncertain about the divine causality here, now that Tie Shufeng had spoken, how could he not understand?

This is the classic case of worshippers turning around and betraying their god.

The barbarian god of the Shu Bone tribe may not have been good to begin with, but it likely didn't have overly vile habits.

But due to famine, the Shu Bone tribe was forced to resort to cannibalism.

The worshippers accumulated sin and evil thoughts, causing their faith to "corrupt."

This corrupted faith fed the barbarian god, causing it to be influenced in turn, gradually descending into corruption.

The corrupted barbarian god then twisted the worshippers' minds in return.

The worshippers' minds further decayed, generating more killings to feed the barbarian god.

The barbarian god then "replenished" the worshippers…

Thus, god and worshippers mutually "sustained" each other, spiraling irreversibly down the path of corruption.

Over time, they became "demon gods" and the demon god's minions.

This is one way a demon god arises.

Mo Hua fell silent.

He had originally suspected that the Shu Bone tribe's "demon god" might be connected to the Lord of the Great Wasteland.

Now it seemed his speculation might have been misguided.

Demon gods, by nature, can spontaneously "hatch" from the hearts and evil deeds of their worshippers.

The Shu Bone tribe's barbarian god may well have been precisely such a demon god, born from the corruption of its worshippers' evil deeds.

Mo Hua asked Tie Shufeng again: "Did you all take the rest of the Dan Que tribe's people and offer them to the barbarian god?"

Tie Shufeng nodded: "They are 'offerings,' but also food—living 'rations.'"

"Now there's famine, and no one has anything to eat. So some of the finer 'rations' are hoarded, saved for grand sacrifices when we worship the barbarian god, so we can feast our fill."

"The barbarian god my lord will share this batch of… living rations with us."

They ate the living sacrifices; the barbarian god savored the worshippers' sins and the dying victims' terror, agony, and despair.

Mo Hua silently sighed in his heart.

This, perhaps, was the true Great Wasteland.

Extreme famine breeds a world of cannibalism, and gives rise to all manner of corrupt and fallen gods.

Throughout the history of the Great Wasteland, famine, drought, war, and other natural and man-made disasters were frequent.

Only the Great Wasteland, constantly bearing humanity's sins and hatching them generation after generation, could give birth to a high-tier, high-divine-rank "Great Demon God" like the Lord of the Great Wasteland.

And since this land could birth the Lord of the Great Wasteland—a "Great Demon God"—it was only natural that it could hatch other demon gods as well.

Mo Hua glanced at Tie Shufeng and asked again:

"Where have you stored

the Dan Que tribe's people… and the other 'rations'?"

Tie Shufeng hesitated: "In… in the Shu Bone tribe's secret enclave."

The so-called secret enclave refers to hidden tribal outposts secretly built by some barbarian forces—extremely concealed, never revealed to outsiders.

"Take me there," said Mo Hua.

Tie Shufeng hesitated.

Since it was a "secret enclave," he could not bring outsiders there; otherwise, he would violate tribal law and surely incur the barbarian god's wrath.

But this boy before him had methods so cruel they were horrifying.

After much internal struggle, Tie Shufeng gritted his teeth and said:

"I… dare not. Otherwise, the barbarian god my lord will punish me."

Mo Hua's gaze flickered slightly as he spoke: "The barbarian god my lord may punish you, but he won't kill you—you are his devout believer."

"But if I punish you, you're dead."

"Think: if you die, you can no longer serve the barbarian god my lord—isn't that a grave disrespect to him?"

"Therefore, obey me, take me to the Shu Bone secret enclave, preserve your life, keep your useful body intact, and continue serving your barbarian god my lord—that is true devotion to him."

"So, obeying me is, in fact, your loyalty to your barbarian god my lord…"

Tie Shufeng's mind was nearly tangled into knots.

His forehead throbbed, and he faintly felt as if his brain were about to sprout.

How could this cruel boy even utter such absurd nonsense?

But even more absurd was that, after careful thought, he realized the cruel boy's logic made sense.

If he died, he could no longer offer sacrifices—wasn't that the ultimate disrespect?

Only by staying alive could he possibly continue serving the barbarian god my lord.

Moreover, compared to death, he feared this "demon" boy's tortures far more—tortures that would make him wish he were dead.

Tie Shufeng understood. He looked solemn and said: "Fine. I'll take you."

Mo Hua nodded.

Since Tie Shufeng was obedient, there was no need for Mo Hua to "interrogate" him further.

As for the "Bone Carving" method, he would study it later.

The immediate priority is to resolve the matter of the Danque Tribe.

Mo Hua left the cave and gathered with Seeing Dan Zhu, the barbarian general Chifeng, Elder Bachuan, and Elder Bashan—who had been whipped and bled, and whose mind had grown slightly clearer—to discuss their next plan.

Mo Hua first told everyone the information he had extracted from Tie Shu Gu's mouth.

Especially regarding the "Famine."

Everyone's expressions turned solemn.

Chifeng frowned and said:

"Tie Shu Gu's words may not be trustworthy… within our Danque Tribe's territory, hunting demons and harvesting seeds have been normal, with no trace of 'Famine.'"

Seeing Dan Zhu shook his head. "If the Famine spread from the northwest, it simply hasn't reached our Danque Tribe yet. Affected, it's only a matter of time."

Mo Hua nodded slightly, his gaze solemn:

"If the Danque Tribe truly faces the Famine, the consequences could be severe."

"But if the Danque Tribe is untouched by the Famine, the consequences may… be even worse."

Seeing Dan Zhu and Chifeng froze.

Elder Bashan also didn't understand why being untouched by the Famine would make things worse.

But after a moment's thought, everyone immediately understood, and a deep chill surged in their hearts.

Everyone else suffers—and you don't.

To others, you become "flesh."

The Danque Tribe will become the target of all, surrounded by starving wolves. Every hungry tribe will come to destroy the Danque Tribe to claim a share of its flesh.

Seeing Dan Zhu said: "I'll send a message back to the main tribe, informing my father of all this, so we may prepare early."

Mo Hua nodded.

"What about the other clan members captured by the Shu Gu Tribe?" Seeing Dan Zhu looked at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua said: "Tie Shu Gu also said they're hidden in a secret Shu Gu branch, hoarded like provisions."

"I had him agree to lead us there to rescue the remaining Danque clan members."

Seeing Dan Zhu nodded. "That's best."

But Chifeng slowly said: "Can we trust Tie Shu Gu's words?"

Mo Hua thought for a moment. "He's likely telling the truth."

After all, carving arrays into bones is still painful.

Tie Shu Gu probably doesn't want to experience it again.

Chifeng then said: "Once he leads us there, kill him."

But Mo Hua shook his head. "Not yet."

Chifeng's gaze hardened. "This man is soaked in the blood of our Danque people—he must die."

Mo Hua offered no further explanation, only said: "I still have use for him."

Chifeng's expression grew serious, unsure what Mo Hua was planning, and could only warn in a low voice:

"This man may be treacherous."

Mo Hua nodded. "Yes, I know."

Seeing Mo Hua's resolve, Chifeng's gaze turned cold and he said no more.

Afterwards, Mo Hua had Tie Shu Gu lead the way.

Tie Shu Gu's limbs were ruined, his thighs broken twice; Mo Hua could only have men construct a wooden raft to drag him.

With his limbs severed and surrounded by Danque Tribe enemies and Mo Hua, that ghostly "evil man," he dared not act out again—only obediently led the way ahead.

The group crossed mountains and swamps, traversing countless hidden trails, and after about half a day arrived at the location of the Shu Gu secret branch.

This secret branch was hidden in a narrow pass where dangerous mountains converged—a naturally fortified location.

Without a guide, it was nearly impossible to find.

But the problem was, this "secret branch" didn't seem so secret after all.

At least when Mo Hua and Seeing Dan Zhu arrived, the Shu Gu secret branch was already engulfed in battle, cries of combat chaotic and rampant.

It seemed several other tribes had joined forces to attack the Shu Gu secret branch.

Clearly, this secret branch had been discovered by other tribes.

And generally, without a traitor to guide them, a secret tribe could never be besieged by so many.

Mo Hua looked at Tie Shu Gu and couldn't help saying: "It seems your Shu Gu tribe has more than a few 'iron-boned' men like you."

Tie Shu Gu turned pale, stunned, murmuring: "This… how is this possible?"

Elder Bachuan looked at Seeing Dan Zhu and asked: "Young Master, what do we do now?"

Seeing Dan Zhu hesitated, then said: "We go in first—prioritize rescuing our clan members, and avoid conflict with any tribes except Shu Gu, to prevent being drawn into chaos."

Seeing Dan Zhu finished speaking and glanced at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua nodded. "Agreed."

So Seeing Dan Zhu led, Chifeng at his side.

Elder Bashan and Elder Bachuan guarded on either side.

Mo Hua, the "frail" Lord Wuzhu, could only follow behind Seeing Dan Zhu, protected within the group.

Their party had four Jin Dan cultivators and a hundred barbarian soldiers—strong in strength.

Thus, as they walked toward the Shu Gu secret branch, the other tribes' cultivators nearby did not dare easily provoke them.

Mo Hua glanced around and noticed the attackers were mostly small and medium tribes, their barbarian hides bearing totems he didn't recognize.

Only one large tribe's totem resembled the Danque Tribe's—a bird, but black-blue in color, and far more menacing.

Only one large tribe had a totem similar to the Danque Tribe—a bird, but this bird was bluish-black and looked more ferocious.

Bi Fang.

These are people from the Bi Fang tribe.

The Bi Fang tribe is also a major tribe; in Mo Hua's impression, it seems to have deep ties with the Dan Que tribe.

Yet, the relationship between the two tribes has never been good—ancestors once engaged in a life-or-death feud, a "generational enmity."

Though many generations have passed and this "generational enmity" has faded, the two tribes can never become close.

The barbarian cultivators of the Bi Fang tribe all gaze with suspicion and hostility at those from the Dan Que tribe.

The group continued walking inward.

Though the Shu Gu secret tribe is hidden, its internal structure is not complex: after passing through the gorge and entering the gate, one finds row upon row of tribal tents and a vast square.

The square is now filled with barbarian cultivators from various tribes locked in relentless combat with the Shu Gu tribe, the scene utterly chaotic.

And as Dan Zhu stepped onto the square, a haughty voice suddenly rang out:

"Does the Dan Zhu tribe also come to scavenge the leftovers?"

Before the words had fully faded, a tall youth clad in a black leather robe, with a fierce black bird embroidered on his chest, sneered as he twisted the neck of a Shu Gu barbarian cultivator in his hand, snapping it clean, then strode forward.

Before the words had even faded, a tall youth in a black leather robe with a fierce great black bird embroidered on its chest stepped forward with a cold sneer, having just twisted the neck of the barbaric cultivator from the Art Bone Division clean off.

All cultivators standing before him were slain with a single twist of his hand.

His realm was unmistakably Jin Dan mid-stage.

Dan Zhu's expression darkened.

The black-robed youth walked straight up to the group, then lifted his eyes to Dan Zhu, letting out a surprised, mocking laugh:

"Isn't this… the Dan Que tribe's genius, once in a hundred years… no, once in a thousand years?"

"So, you've finally grown up? Now you've learned to step out and do something? No longer hiding under your father's protection, living the life of a little young master?"

Dan Zhu clenched his teeth, saying nothing.

He was kind-hearted and avoided confrontation, so he never cursed.

The black-robed youth's gaze swept past Dan Zhu, taking in everyone beside him—until he spotted Mo Hua, standing behind Dan Zhu, utterly out of place among the Dan Que tribesmen.

The black-robed youth's gaze swept past Dan Zhu, scanning everyone beside him, and suddenly caught sight of Mo Hua, who stood behind Dan Zhu, out of place among the Dan Sparrow Division's members.

"Who would've thought, Young Master Dan Zhu, you've taken up a pretty boy as a pet?"

Mo Hua silently marked the black-robed youth down in his mind with a thick black line.

Dan Zhu coldly said: "Do not disrespect Mr."

"Mr.?" The black-robed youth glanced at Mo Hua, then back at Dan Zhu, sneering:

"You're a Jin Dan genius, yet you call a Foundation Establishment cultivator 'Mr.'? Are you so degraded by your cultivation that you've lost all sense of self-worth?"

"You're at least a Jin Dan prodigy—why call a Foundation Establishment cultivator 'Mr.'? Are you lowering yourself so much that you've gone mad from cultivation?"