[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-461":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1897235,2531,"Chapter 461: Backbone","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-461",461,"\u003Cp>On the eastern side of the sacrificial platform stood a black stone mountain burning with green ghost flames, named Ghost Mother Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its shape resembled a colossal corpse lying prone; its body was riddled with fissures, like dried-up blood rivers crisscrossing each other. Gray-black clouds of resentment hovered year-round above the summit, and from time to time, piercing infant wails emanated from deep within the mountain's core, causing souls to tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain's surface was covered in a layer of slick, rotting-flesh-like black moss. Any living being outside the ghost race who touched it would immediately fall into illusions—seeing beloved kin slaughtered brutally or hearing their own agonized screams. Those with slightly weaker minds would go mad on the spot and die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost Mother Mountain and the Ghost Infant River constituted the core source of the Nine Nether Ghost Realm; the region jointly covered by them formed the forbidden zone of the ghost domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, deep within the heart of Ghost Mother Mountain, inside an underground prison forged from Nine Nether Cold Iron and resentful bones, over a hundred Zhu Que soldiers and several hundred human cultivators, faces twisted ferociously, stared through the iron bars at the few human cultivators outside who had already changed into ghost race attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, Song Weimin had attempted to ambush the leader of those few individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, he failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin was pinned firmly to the ground under someone's foot, yet he still struggled to lift his head, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at the seated human cultivator not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chu Tianye, do you think that by surrendering to the ghost race and serving as their slaves, you will survive? Let me tell you, in the end, you will only become monsters, neither human nor ghost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crack~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crack~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What greeted Song Weimin was a barrage of whipping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With every strike of the Soul-Whittling Whip, Song Weimin's complexion turned a shade paler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Song Weimin no longer had the strength to lift his head and lay limp and motionless on the ground did the seated human cultivator raise a hand, signaling his subordinates to stop whipping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianye rose, walked over to Song Weimin, squatted down, and looked expressionlessly at the dying man, his eyes churning with endless reluctance and fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think I want this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin lacked the strength to speak; he merely lifted his eyelids slightly, glanced toward the iron cell, and forced a mocking, derisive smile onto his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianye understood his silent message, knowing that Song Weimin was mocking him for having a soft backbone, for not remaining unyielding like those inside the cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mockery undoubtedly struck Chu Tianye deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianye viciously pinched Song Weimin's chin, sneering, \"Originally, considering you once served as a dog for the royal family, I was willing to give you a chance to live. Since you do not cherish it, then next time the sacrificial platform demands people, you can go experience the sensation of having your soul extracted and your blood drained.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after, Song Weimin was thrown into the cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others inside the cell immediately rushed forward to catch him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, when Song Weimin suddenly defected to Chu Tianye, they had found it strange; now they understood that Song Weimin had surrendered only to find an opportunity to assassinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chu Tianye, do not be too arrogant; the human race will not let a traitor like you go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhuyue, the Battalion Commander of the Zhu Que army, gripped the iron bars tightly with both hands, glaring viciously at Chu Tianye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crack~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Chu Tianye's subordinates immediately lashed Fang Zhuyue with the Soul-Whittling Whip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to strike again, Chu Tianye stopped him: \"Enough. The blood and souls of the Zhu Que army are far too precious to waste.\" Speaking thus, he looked mockingly at the Zhu Que soldiers inside the cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have already become a member of the ghost race; why should I fear the human race?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Struck by the Soul-Whittling Whip until his breathing was unstable, Fang Zhuyue panted heavily and continued, \"You do not fear the human race... then do you not fear our Hall Master either?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing these words, Chu Tianye's expression changed abruptly, revealing both fear and resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several of his subordinates also displayed deep apprehension on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the fear in Chu Tianye and the others, Fang Zhuyue burst into loud laughter: \"The Hall Master will avenge us. Chu Tianye, just wait; not one of you will escape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crack~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianye snatched the Soul-Whittling Whip from his subordinate's hand and struck Fang Zhuyue so hard that he collapsed to the ground, unable to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you afraid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you dare kill me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you kill me, your ghost masters will never spare you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Fang Zhuyue could no longer stand, he still lay on his back, loudly mocking Chu Tianye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianye looked at him coldly, as if viewing a dead object: \"Laugh while you still have breath.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ghost race is already growing impatient; you people will soon be sent to the sacrificial platform. Then, what awaits you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Complete destruction of soul and spirit...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk tsk...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his head, Chu Tianye left with several of his subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after they had gone far did a lazy voice sound from the corner of the cell: \"I say, why bother with all this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supported by other Zhu Que soldiers to sit against the wall, Fang Zhuyue looked over: \"Even in death, the Zhu Que army must die with backbone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Xingyan shook his head, looking highly disapproving: \"You cannot rely on seeking beatings to demonstrate your backbone; that is very stupid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhuyue snorted: \"Then I wish you, Senior, a long and enduring survival, cowering in this ghost prison forever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Xingyan detected the mockery in his words and was about to retort when Song Weimin interrupted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Gongshu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Song Weimin sit beside him, Gongshu Xingyan swallowed the words he had been about to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting until the others in the cell were no longer paying attention to them, Song Weimin quietly slipped a black chisel, a foot long, into Gongshu Xingyan's hand: \"The ghost chisel you wanted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of surprise and excitement crossed Gongshu Xingyan's eyes: \"You actually managed to get it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin did not answer, instead asking in return: \"Does Senior truly have a way to break out of this prison?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Xingyan hummed an affirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin's expression brightened with joy: \"I will go tell Battalion Commander Fang immediately; with the help of the Zhu Que army, we can leave this ghostly place sooner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Xingyan grabbed Song Weimin firmly, his expression serious: \"Aside from you and me, this matter must not be told to anyone else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin paused, his expression stiffening: \"What does Senior mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Xingyan replied: \"Whether you and I can escape this ghostly place depends on heaven's will; where would we find the capacity to worry about others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Song Weimin replied without a second thought: \"Impossible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was so loud that it immediately drew the attention of everyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Xingyan shot Song Weimin a speechless glare, then simply closed his eyes and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin remained silent for a long while; once the others' gazes had shifted away, he tugged at Gongshu Xingyan's sleeve. \"Elder, we are all of the Human Race...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Xingyan opened his eyes and looked at Song Weimin with helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think this place is what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Ghost Realm's forbidden ground—Ghost Mother Mountain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is a place even the Ghost Race cannot enter or leave at will, let alone the Human Race.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, the success rate of my escape plan is less than one percent. I was only driven nearly mad by confinement; otherwise, I would never have been willing to take such a risk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the hope in Song Weimin's eyes gradually extinguished, and he spoke no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, Fang Zhuyue arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongshu Xingyan eyed him warily and was just about to close his eyes again when Fang Zhuyue spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know you intend to escape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you mean to flee, do it quickly, while those of us here have not yet been sent to the sacrificial altar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Gongshu Xingyan looked at him in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin also turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhuyue offered a faint smile. \"I know that my soldiers and I are doomed, but... you still have a chance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter what, if even one person can escape, that is something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have but one request: if any of you survive and return to the mortal world, please go to the Lingguang Hall and deliver a message for us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell our Hall Master that the Ghost Fire Well connects to the Nine Nether Ghost Realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Zhu Que Bone must not fall into the hands of the Ghost Race.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1492,"2026-06-12T02:51:24.126Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","6132e19002f912b02cbfe7cca436c48a02fb0a61d2d87e0e0b68c538fa075492","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-462","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-460",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]