Chapter 1215: External Enemy

Chapter 1214: External Enemy

Three months later, Mo Hua’s reforms of the Great Wilderness Tribes had already begun to show results.

Half of the Wusha Mountain Realm, the entire Wutu Mountain Realm, and several scattered small mountain realms nearby were reorganized by Mo Hua into one, unified under the name “Wutu.”

In the barbarian script, Wutu symbolized “fire.”

Mo Hua also intended to use Wutu as the name to establish a great tribe.

This Wutu Great Tribe, under the leadership of Mo Hua, the Shaman, acted in the name of the Divine-Lord.

Dan-Zhu’s Vermilion Sparrow Tribe and the Wutu Tribe became allies.

Everyone served one Divine-Lord and acknowledged only one Shaman—Mo Hua.

Divine authority was unified under Mo Hua.

Power was centralized in Dan-Zhu’s hands, with an elder council established for discussion, mutual supervision, and joint decision-making.

Beyond that, though tribal duties differed in size, all clansmen were equal under the laws of the tribe.

No one was allowed to commit wanton killing, to abuse authority, or to carry out private punishments.

Every child was required to receive Mo Hua’s teachings, to learn a form of inheritance, to become useful, and in the future, to contribute to the tribe and remain loyal to the Divine-Lord.

Mo Hua even tried to propose abolishing the “barbarian slave system,” wishing to grant all barbarian slaves equal status and allow them to live under the sun.

From then on, prisoners of war would no longer be treated as slaves.

But this proposal, apart from Dan-Zhu, was opposed by nearly all tribal chiefs and elders.

The idea was too far ahead of its time.

The very foundation of the Great Wilderness Tribes was built on barbarian slaves.

To abolish that system would be like tearing out the foundation stone—causing all existing tribal structures to collapse completely.

Under the looming threat of the Great Calamity, this was not a wise decision.

Moreover, whether slaves were truly worthy of equal rights was an unpleasant but practical question.

Many barbarian slaves were vile “criminals.”

They had committed heinous, unforgivable crimes, demoted to slavery, devoid of conscience—worse than beasts.

Adulteresses who murdered husbands, sons who killed fathers for wealth, husbands who slew wives for lust, wives who killed children for infidelity…

At times, the human heart was uglier than any beast.

Some people simply did not deserve to be called “human.” Granting them the treatment of humans, showing them tolerance, would only encourage the decay of order and bring endless harm.

Mo Hua recognized this harsh, cold, and ugly reality, and temporarily shelved the idea.

He set only one rule: slaves must not be wantonly killed, privately punished, nor ever used as “live sacrifices.”

This was already the greatest mercy possible, given the reality of the Great Wilderness.

Future reforms would have to proceed step by step.

Through Mo Hua’s exploration and experimentation, the framework of a new great tribe had begun to take shape.

With the continual improvement of internal systems and livelihood guarantees, their external military power—troops, barbarian armor, inheritances, and military structures—was also gradually developing.

But this development soon reached its limit.

For the Wutu Mountain Realm was, after all, still a remote second-grade realm—lacking in resources, armor-forging and array materials scarce, manpower insufficient.

Once development reached a certain point, it naturally hit a bottleneck, difficult to break through.

Just as Mo Hua was seeking a way out, without a clue—an overwhelming external enemy appeared.

And this time, the enemy was an old acquaintance.

The Bi Fang Tribe—Bi Jie.

In these past months, Wutu Mountain Realm had faced several external enemies.

But without exception, all had been blocked outside by Lu Gu.

Some were even “devoured” by the Shugu Tribe.

As Mo Hua had foreseen, the main Shugu Tribe became the shield of Wutu Mountain Realm.

But previous enemies had all been small or mid-sized tribes, scattered here for various reasons, relatively weak.

This time was different.

Bi Jie was the young master of the Bi Fang Tribe—already an adult, battle-hardened from many campaigns, with prestige, and qualified to command a full main tribal force.

Now Bi Jie led his army outside, pressing upon Wutu Mountain Realm, coveting this rare peaceful “pure land” and its rich “fat meat” amid the chaos.

Not to mention—within this pure land resided his enemy and nemesis: Dan-Zhu.

A main Bi Fang Tribe and a main Shugu Tribe.

Both were tigers.

If it were an ordinary small force, Lu Gu would certainly have devoured them.

But the Bi Fang Tribe was strong—so Lu Gu would most likely not fight Bi Jie to the death.

In fact, not only would they not fight to the death, but very likely they would unite—to strike Dan-Zhu together, invading Wutu Mountain Realm.

After breaking through, killing Dan-Zhu, the two sides would then split the “fat meat.”

Mo Hua’s expression grew heavy.

And reality proved him correct.

The Bi Fang and Shugu Tribes clashed only at their first encounter, skirmishing briefly.

But soon after, disputes subsided.

No more fighting followed.

They seemed to reach some “tacit understanding”—perhaps even signing a secret “agreement.”

The Shugu Tribe made room for the Bi Fang Tribe.

Bi Jie led the main Bi Fang force into the Wusha Mountain Realm.

Two main tribal forces now gathered together—like black clouds pressing upon the mountains—causing dread within Wutu Mountain Realm.

Dan-Zhu and the others looked grim.

Mo Hua also frowned.

A single Shugu main tribe was still manageable—even if their commander Lu Gu was at late Golden Core stage, Mo Hua had confidence in suppressing them within a second-grade realm.

With some effort, he could even devour the Shugu main tribe outright.

Of course, Lu Gu could not be killed, but other Golden Cores of Shugu and their barbarian soldiers would suffer devastating losses.

But with a main Bi Fang Tribe added—the situation was entirely different.

Though after several months of rest and growth, Wutu’s heavy armor and forces had increased—facing two main tribes head-on was still extremely difficult.

Even if they won in the end, it would be a “pyrrhic victory,” with countless barbarian soldiers dead.

The army Mo Hua had painstakingly raised would be consumed in one great battle.

Once that foundation was gone, it would be nearly impossible to rebuild.

All the more so when the situation in the Great Wilderness grew worse by the day—Mo Hua no longer had the luxury of time.

What should he do?

Standing atop Wutu Mountain’s peak, Mo Hua gazed toward the Wusha Mountain Realm.

He saw the masses of Shugu and Bi Fang soldiers, his expression solemn.

The Wutu Mountain Realm was his last stronghold—there was no retreat.

Bi Jie was vindictive—he would never let this go.

Lu Gu, after suffering defeat before, would surely want to recover his honor.

Now that the two stood united—the situation was dire.

Mo Hua did not fear for his own life. If he wanted to escape, no one could stop him.

But his “foundation” was here. A monk could flee, but not the temple.

On the mountaintop, Mo Hua focused on the distant scene.

Outside Wu Feng Ridge, on one side were Shugu soldiers with white bone war paint.

On the other, Bi Fang soldiers in dark green-black armor.

The entire ridge was occupied by these two forces—half pale white, half dark black—an intimidating sight.

As Mo Hua watched, his eyes suddenly gleamed.

Instinctively, he recalled the Dao law model he had grasped when studying the Taotie’s power, between life and death.

One life, one death.

One white, one black.

It was strikingly similar to the scene before him.

“Laws… are not merely abstract principles. The Dao encompasses all things, so all things must follow certain frameworks and rules…”

“This framework and model can analyze laws—and also dissect all worldly matters, even war and slaughter.”

“Life and death. Black and white. Perhaps even…”

“Yin and Yang?”

Mo Hua gradually sensed an indescribable enlightenment.

All things in this world—opposites and unity.

The phenomena on the surface of laws were the same.

The Shugu and Bi Fang tribes looked like “allies,” but in essence, they were opposites.

It seemed a mighty alliance.

But if one found the cracks, stirred up the contradictions, and drove a wedge between them—

This so-called alliance would collapse on its own.

By extension—all tribes, all clans, all sects, all powers were the same.

They might appear strong and invincible.

But inside, there were always contradictions and divisions.

Find the rift, exploit it, fan the flames—and even the mightiest force would one day crumble.

Cultivators sought the Dao, and the Dao contained all laws. All laws interconnected with all things, with people and events.

Everything was connected.

Some laws could be used for cultivation, to comprehend formations, to create spells.

They could also be used to resolve worldly matters.

Thinking this way, Mo Hua suddenly felt enlightened.

With awareness of a certain “law,” the enemy before him naturally split into black and white, contradictions exposed.

The whole situation seemed much simpler.

Even Mo Hua himself found it unbelievable.

After pondering, he no longer saw the Shugu and Bi Fang main tribes as two “powerful enemies”—but as two “playthings” he could manipulate, divide, and toy with.

And the method was simple.

Mo Hua summoned Iron Shugu, and asked:

“How do your tribe’s war paints get drawn?”

Iron Shugu did not understand Mo Hua’s purpose, but explained everything honestly, even drawing the patterns.

This bone-white war paint was the symbol of Shugu’s identity and hierarchy.

There was great meaning in which paint was used.

Fearing Mo Hua, Iron Shugu dared not conceal anything.

Mo Hua took the paint patterns and handed them to Little Zha Tu, instructing him carefully.

Afterward, Mo Hua once again began using the “Heaven-Earth-Man” Three Talents’ causality to deduce the battle situation.

Now that the battlefield had grown larger, with even more participants, the calculating power of Mo Hua’s divine sense was limited, and he could no longer deduce too many outcomes.

He only deduced one thing: Bi Jie’s movements.

From there, Mo Hua began arranging troops and formations based on that single piece of information.

Seven days later, Bi Jie finally lost patience and, together with Lu Gu, launched a full-scale assault on the Wutu Mountain Realm.

The battle unfolded in full. The battle situation looked extremely favorable.

For the first time in four months, the Shugu Tribe crossed the Wufeng Ridge and advanced in great force toward the Wutu Mountain Realm.

And Bi Jie also encountered his lifelong nemesis—the young prodigy of the Vermilion Sparrow Tribe, Dan-Zhu.

The two led their armies and clashed in bloody battle.

After fighting for several hundred rounds, Dan-Zhu could not withstand and led his troops in retreat.

Bi Jie laughed loudly and pursued relentlessly.

The chase stretched for over a hundred li, until Dan-Zhu finally received reinforcements.

It was a squad of thirty Vermilion Sparrow warriors clad in Abyssal-Bone Heavy Armor.

For the first time, Bi Jie truly experienced the power of these armored warriors head-on.

But he was not surprised.

Before the battle, he had already spoken with Lu Gu and learned from his mouth that the Vermilion Sparrow Tribe had stolen the ancestral heavy armor of the Shugu Tribe.

Moreover, though this heavy armor was indeed formidable, its numbers were limited.

With the combined forces of the Bi Clan Tribe and the Shugu Tribe, supported by dozens of Golden Core barbarian generals, they would not fall into disadvantage in a direct clash.

Bi Jie had already made preparations for this.

The two sides clashed in chaos.

Golden Cores of the Bi Clan Tribe led their warriors to pin down these armored troops.

The others, together with Bi Jie, focused their efforts on besieging Dan-Zhu.

Within a Second-Grade Mountain Realm, Dan-Zhu was unable to use his magic treasures, putting him at a great disadvantage. After some time, he was defeated once again.

Dan-Zhu fled once more.

Bi Jie continued to chase.

As Dan-Zhu was about to be cornered, a squad of Shugu armored soldiers suddenly charged out from the forest.

This squad had twenty men, all wearing Abyssal-Bone Heavy Armor, with faces painted in the elite bone-warfare markings of the Shugu.

These were elite troops.

The leader was a Golden Core, his face covered with grim bone-patterns, orthodox and unmistakable—a true Shugu Golden Core.

He shouted loudly: “Young Lord Bi Jie, by order of General Lu Gu, I have come to assist you in slaying Dan-Zhu!”

Bi Jie’s heart leapt with joy. “Good! Join me in surrounding Dan-Zhu—today will be the end of this wretch!”

The Shugu armored soldiers closed in, surrounding Dan-Zhu.

The Shugu Golden Core took the chance to stab Dan-Zhu down with his bone spear.

A faint sense of wrongness stirred in Bi Jie’s heart, something didn’t feel right.

But the sight of Dan-Zhu collapsed on the ground, shoulder bleeding, face pale, and expression panicked—was more “enticing” than the most beautiful woman alive.

Bi Jie’s thirst for vengeance flared, burning away his reason. He no longer cared for anything else.

He would kill his enemy with his own hands, making Dan-Zhu suffer humiliation before death.

Bi Jie strode forward, blade in hand, toward Dan-Zhu.

But before he could close in, a bone spear tipped with deadly poison suddenly struck from a blind spot behind him.

Born suspicious and ever cautious, Bi Jie sensed danger at the last moment, activated his movement technique, and narrowly dodged the thrust.

But the poisoned spear still grazed his cheek.

Bi Jie instantly felt an inexplicable wave of hunger rising within him.

Before he could regain his senses, searing heat flared at his side.

The fallen and haggard Dan-Zhu now stood with cold eyes, killing intent brimming, holding a blazing Vermilion Bird Flame Spear that pierced straight toward Bi Jie’s temple.

Bi Jie never expected that the always upright Dan-Zhu would resort to such “underhanded” tactics.

The strike was fierce, burning, its angle cunning, as though precisely calculated—Bi Jie could not completely evade it.

At that moment, a Bi Clan Golden Core rushed forward, blocking the strike for Bi Jie, only to be pierced through the chest.

Bi Jie retreated in haste, finally escaping Dan-Zhu’s killing strike for now.

But before he could catch his breath, the twenty Shugu heavy-armored warriors, faces painted in white bone war paint, suddenly turned their spears against him.

Bi Jie roared in fury: “How dare you?! Shugu Tribe, you dare betray the alliance?”

The armored warriors said nothing, only pressing their attack on him.

Dan-Zhu also charged in with his blazing spear, body like a raging inferno.

Bi Jie, enduring the strange hunger gnawing within him, fought desperately against Dan-Zhu and the twenty armored soldiers—but could only defend himself, unable to counterattack.

His anger boiled, but suspicion quickly gnawed at him:

What was going on?

Had Lu Gu betrayed the alliance?

Or was Dan-Zhu colluding with him, the two of them “acting” together to deceive him?

Could these bone-painted, armored warriors actually be Vermilion Sparrow warriors in disguise?

But reality left him no time to think.

Dan-Zhu and his allies, finding it hard to kill Bi Jie quickly, shifted their slaughter toward the rest of the Bi Clan Tribe.

Within a hundred rounds, one Golden Core was heavily injured, and over twenty Foundation Establishment warriors fell under bone spears.

These “Shugu” armored soldiers, together with Dan-Zhu, were slaughtering Bi Jie’s own followers.

No matter the truth, this was what Bi Jie saw before his very eyes.

His eyes nearly burst with rage.

Suddenly, a chilling thought struck him:

Was the secret of the ancestral heavy armor truly so easy to leak?

And even if leaked, who could possibly recreate such ancient armor?

Could it all have been a deception from the start?

Had Lu Gu already been colluding with Dan-Zhu, even lending him the heavy armor?

Was all of this a trap set to lure him in, to annihilate his Bi Clan Tribe’s main force, and kill him—the heir of the Bi Clan?

Cold sweat drenched Bi Jie as the thought grew ever more convincing.

Otherwise, how could a dignified Shugu Tribe fail to capture even a mere second-grade mountain realm?

Lu Gu was a late-stage Golden Core general—how could he be unable to overcome Dan-Zhu?

Every detail was suspicious.

Previously, Bi Jie had been blinded by the desire to kill Dan-Zhu, to capture him and torment him, and had never thought deeply.

But now, with the sight before him, his suspicion exploded, and all the flaws became glaring.

“Lu Gu and Dan-Zhu, those two wretches—they’ve conspired together! They want to kill me!”

Bi Jie panicked.

The Abyssal-Bone Heavy Armor troops loomed menacingly.

The Vermilion Sparrow armored warriors and the “Shugu” armored warriors merged into one tide, charging straight at him.

“Two tribes wearing the same heavy armor!”

“Damn it all!”

Bi Jie grit his teeth: “Retreat!”

If he didn’t retreat now, once Lu Gu himself appeared, his life would be forfeit.

Bi Jie immediately led his troops in withdrawal.

Halfway through retreat, he discovered that several camps along the way had been breached.

Shugu warriors were looting the supplies of the Bi Clan Tribe.

This too was Mo Hua’s scheme.

During battle, the Vermilion Sparrow warriors were forbidden from touching Bi Clan supplies. Instead, they were to tear open storage bags, smash storage chests, and scatter the resources on the ground—for the Shugu to snatch.

The Shugu would certainly plunder them.

Their discipline was never strict.

If supplies remained sealed in the camps, they might restrain themselves. But once scattered openly, they would never resist temptation.

These were not Mo Hua’s disguised troops, but actual Shugu soldiers looting Bi Clan supplies.

Bi Jie flew into a rage and ordered his men to kill the Shugu warriors who were stealing.

But this slaughter was witnessed by the Golden Core cultivators of the Shugu Tribe.

They pointed at Bi Jie and roared: “Young Lord Bi Jie, killing our Shugu clansmen—what is the meaning of this?”

Bi Jie sneered coldly: “You should ask your General Lu Gu—why did he seek my death?”

The Shugu Golden Cores bellowed: “You villain dare to turn black into white—shameless beyond compare!”

Before Bi Jie could reply.

Suddenly, from the crowd burst forth another group, their faces painted with white-bone war paint, clad in Abyssal-Bone Heavy Armor. Without saying a word, they silently charged toward the Bifang Tribe warriors.

The rest of the Shugu warriors, seeing this, instinctively followed behind this group of Shugu Heavy Armor Soldiers and launched a slaughter against the Bifang Tribe.

They had already been filled with rage. Now, seeing their “ancestral heavy soldiers” striking on their behalf, naturally they showed no restraint.

Bi Jie, witnessing this scene, had his suspicions confirmed and grew even more furious:

“So it’s true—you’re all in it together! Every last one of you deserves to die!”

From within the crowd, no one knew who shouted first:

“Kill!”

“Kill!”

More and more voices echoed, one after another.

The situation spiraled further into chaos.

Without waiting for Bi Jie’s orders, the warriors of the Bifang Tribe and the Shugu Tribe were already slaughtering each other, fighting and snatching by themselves.

They were, after all, different tribes of barbarian cultivators—there was no shred of loyalty between them.

When there were no conflicts, it was barely possible to force them to fight side by side.

But now, once blood was spilled, once possessions were stolen, once grudges were born—it was like a powder keg lit aflame, exploding instantly.

The Bifang Tribe killed Shugu. Shugu struck back.

Shugu seized Bifang’s belongings. Bifang retaliated.

You kill and I steal, you steal and I kill. With a band of “Shugu Heavy Armor Soldiers” leading the charge, the chaos spread in an instant, the conflict rippling outward.

Before they could even breach the Wutu Mountain Realm, the Shugu Tribe and the Bifang Tribe—supposed allies—were already butchering each other.

Inside the Wusha Mountain Realm, smoke of war rose everywhere.

Mo Hua stood high above, watching from afar, silently thinking to himself—indeed.

“Laws and principles like these… they apply everywhere.”

“This tactic works quite well. In the future, I must learn to make more use of contradictions and sow discord…”

“To clearly understand the workings of the world is itself cultivation—not only through arrays can Dao be comprehended, but also through people and concrete events…”

(End of this Chapter)