Chapter 1179: Killing Intent
"Bi Jie, do you truly think that just because you're at mid-stage Golden Core, I would fear you?"
Dan-Zhu's voice was deep.
Over the past few days, Mo Hua had given him many pointers, helping him understand numerous problems that had puzzled him for a long time.
Dan-Zhu held great respect for Mo Hua in his heart.
Now, seeing Mo Hua mocked in such a manner, even with his normally good temper, a shadow of gloom spread over Dan-Zhu's face.
A layer of blazing fire enveloped his body, the Mystic-Flame Feather Robe of the Vermilion Bird subtly rippling.
Seeing Dan-Zhu's murderous appearance, the black-clothed youth from the Bifang Tribe looked slightly surprised, his expression turning a bit darker.
On the other side, Mo Hua was rapidly deducing in his mind, weighing the situation.
This siege on the Shugu Tribe's secret territory was clearly led by the Bifang Tribe.
At present, within the entire valley, the Bifang Tribe had around one hundred and twenty elite barbarian soldiers, another two hundred from allied tribes, and roughly three hundred coerced barbarian slaves.
The Vermilion Sparrow Tribe had only one hundred elite barbarian soldiers. Although their individual strength was superior, they were heavily outnumbered.
Sensing carefully with his divine sense, Mo Hua judged that the Bifang Tribe had about five Golden Core cultivators — two mid-stage and three early-stage. The Vermilion Sparrow Tribe had only four, one of whom — Elder Ba-Shan — was still recovering from the "discipline" Mo Hua had given him.
A head-on battle would be disadvantageous.
Moreover, this black-clothed youth named "Bi Jie" was likely the Bifang Tribe's young master, with mid-stage Golden Core cultivation and a strong aura — clearly troublesome.
Mo Hua was no saint who would let a grudge slide overnight; he very much wanted to kill Bi Jie on the spot.
Unfortunately, the conditions didn't allow for it.
After weighing the pros and cons, Mo Hua looked at Bi Jie, adopting the demeanor of the Lord Shaman, and solemnly said:
"The Divine-Lord has taken note of your offense. Sooner or later, divine punishment will descend upon you, shattering your soul to death."
Mo Hua's voice was calm yet deep.
The air fell silent for a brief moment, many people glancing at each other.
Bi Jie couldn't help but chuckle.
He had been threatened before.
All these years, he had acted wildly, killing wherever he pleased; countless people hated him, cursed him, and wanted him dead.
But never before had a "weakling" at the Foundation Establishment stage dared to openly "provoke" him to his face.
Bi Jie laughed instead of getting angry:
"A mere little Foundation Establishment brat, still wet behind the ears, dares to prattle about 'Divine-Lords'? Spouting nonsense about 'divine punishment'? Cursing me to death? You sound like a damned fool…"
"In that case," Bi Jie's eyes gleamed viciously, his mouth curling into a grin, "I'll kill you first — let's see if your Divine-Lord saves you…"
He drew a dark cyan-black blade engraved with wing patterns, its murderous aura surging.
Black miasma coiled in the air, accompanied by the shrill cries of ferocious birds.
This was Bi Jie's life-bound magic weapon — a savage barbarian blade steeped in slaughter.
With the blessing of his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, the weapon's killing intent was overwhelming, its pressure sweeping the surroundings.
Dan-Zhu's gaze grew heavy under the immense pressure.
He was indeed a genius and possessed the Vermilion Bird Feather Robe.
But Bi Jie was also a genius, and his magic weapon was no ordinary item.
Moreover, Bi Jie was a full generation older than Dan-Zhu, with higher cultivation, years of campaigning for the Bifang Tribe, and countless real-battle experiences that had honed his killing edge.
A genius was like unpolished jade — it still required tempering.
Dan-Zhu's tempering was insufficient.
Bi Jie's edge had already been honed.
As Bi Jie's savage blade was about to swing toward Mo Hua—
Dan-Zhu's eyes turned icy.
Mo Hua's expression didn't change.
At that moment, Chi-Feng's body flared with crimson flame as he stepped in front of Mo Hua and Dan-Zhu, his searing killing intent locking firmly onto Bi Jie.
Chi-Feng was the Vermilion Sparrow Tribe's chieftain's trusted aide, a veteran who had fought countless battles. His aura was steady yet fierce, no weaker than the Bifang Tribe's genius, Bi Jie.
Bi Jie looked down on Dan-Zhu, but he did not dare underestimate Chi-Feng.
Pointing his murderous blade at Mo Hua, Bi Jie said to the barbarian general:
"I'll just take one strike to kill this insolent Foundation brat — I won't touch anyone from your Vermilion Sparrow Tribe. Chi-Feng, no need to stop me, right?"
Chi-Feng shook his head. "No."
Bi Jie's face darkened slightly as he scrutinized Mo Hua and said slowly, "If I'm not mistaken, this kid isn't from your Vermilion Sparrow Tribe, is he?"
Chi-Feng replied, "He is a 'guest' of our Vermilion Sparrow Tribe."
Bi Jie sneered, "You'd make trouble with the Bifang Tribe over some so-called guest?"
A flash of murderous light crossed Bi Jie's eyes. "Hand him over. I'll kill him with one strike and this dispute ends. Otherwise, if our tribes clash, whether your young master leaves in one piece, and how many of your subordinates die… I can't say."
Chi-Feng's gaze was unshakable as a mountain. "A guest of the Vermilion Sparrow Tribe can be regarded as one of our own."
"Yes, your Bifang Tribe may have more people, but if you truly wish to fight us, you'll still lose many lives."
"Even you, Young Master Bi Jie, may not walk away unscathed."
Chi-Feng's voice was neither humble nor arrogant, his Golden Core strength coiled, ready to strike.
Bi Jie cursed inwardly, his face sour.
For no good reason, he certainly couldn't risk his life against Chi-Feng just to vent his anger.
After a pause, Bi Jie suddenly asked, "What business brings your Vermilion Sparrow Tribe here?"
Chi Feng didn't speak, instead turned to look at Dan Zhu.
Dan-Zhu said in a deep voice, "We have come to rescue the clansmen of a small tribe, abducted by the Shugu Tribe."
Bi Jie looked slightly surprised. "Just for that?"
Mo Hua's eyes flickered.
Dan Zhu also felt something was off and countered, "Then what is your Bifang Tribe here for?"
Bi Jie sneered. "What else? Naturally, to seize territory."
Then, without waiting for Dan Zhu to respond, he said coldly:
"Fine. If you're here to save people, then just save your people. As for the rest—stay out of it. Whatever territory our Bifang Tribe captures, don't even think about making a move on it.
That way, we won't bother each other. Otherwise, don't blame my Bifang Tribe for being impolite."
Bi Jie's tone was arrogant.
Ba Shan couldn't hold back anymore and was about to curse, but Dan Zhu stopped him with a shake of his head.
At a time like this, rescuing people came first. If a moment of heated words led to fighting and more casualties, it would be foolish.
Dan Zhu nodded. "Fine." But he wasn't willing to show weakness. His gaze sharpened.
"If your Bifang Tribe keeps its word, we won't act. Otherwise, my Vermilion Sparrow Tribe will not let you off easily."
Bi Jie shook his head with a mocking smile. "Kid, you're still too green to be spouting threats like that."
Dan Zhu pressed his lips together.
Ba Shan and Ba Chuan glared at Bi Jie.
Bi Jie gave a disdainful smile, ignoring them. He turned to his Bifang subordinates.
"We'll do our own thing—kill all the Shugu Tribe members, take their territory. Treat the Vermilion Sparrow Tribe people like they're wooden dummies. No need to pay them any mind."
"Yes!" the Bifang warriors responded, their tone carrying a trace of mockery.
The Vermilion Sparrow warriors all wore angry expressions.
After that, neither side said more. Dan Zhu and Bi Jie simply exchanged a sharp, needlepoint glare before parting ways—Bi Jie leading the Bifang Tribe to continue their bloody assault on the Shugu Tribe, burning, killing, and looting; Dan Zhu leading the Vermilion Sparrow warriors to avoid the conflict and rescue their people.
The two large forces gradually drifted apart.
In a more secluded area, after cutting down several Shugu warriors, the arrogance on Bi Jie's face shifted into something darker and more vicious. He spat and cursed:
"Damn it, what a pity. I was planning to cut down that pretty boy in one strike—then suddenly change my move, catch him off guard, and, relying on my cultivation to suppress him, kill Dan Zhu. Even if I couldn't kill him, I'd at least chop off one of his arms. But I didn't expect that old fox Chi Feng to be so cautious, blocking my strike and leaving me no opening. Otherwise, that little brat Dan Zhu would have been finished today…"
Bi Jie spoke with some regret. Then his face darkened further, and after some thought, he said firmly:
"No. Dan Zhu still has to die!"
He turned to several Bifang golden core cultivators beside him.
"Later, we'll look for a chance—find some excuse to slowly get close to them, then strike without a word, all-out, like thunder—kill Dan Zhu instantly!"
Bi Jie's expression was full of murderous intent.
One mid-stage golden core elder of the Bifang Tribe frowned. "Wouldn't that anger the Vermilion Sparrow Tribe?"
Bi Jie sneered. "So what?"
Several Bifang elders still hesitated a little.
Bi Jie's tone turned grim.
"You know as well as I do how hard it is to form a golden core. But Dan Zhu formed his at twenty—do you realize how terrifying that talent is? Leaving him alive will be a disaster! I've long wanted to kill him by any means possible, but the Vermilion Sparrow Tribe guarded him so tightly I couldn't even touch a hair on his head.
Now, for some unknown reason, the Vermilion Sparrow Tribe has let him out… and we just happened to run into him. Isn't this Heaven itself handing us an opportunity?
I even feel this might be the only chance Heaven will give the Bifang Tribe.
If we hesitate, if we're not ruthless enough to seize this chance and kill him at all costs, then once Dan Zhu grows into a great leader, we'll regret it too late. The survival of a tribe often depends on a single thought—whether to be ruthless or to waver!"
His tone was impassioned, his eyes blazing with ambition.
The surrounding Bifang golden core elders were all moved.
This young master truly was born decisive and fierce, with an extremely keen instinct.
If someone was an enemy, he would kill without hesitation, never missing the slightest chance.
Likewise, his ambition and skill commanded respect.
No wonder even the late-stage golden core great elder of the tribe followed him wholeheartedly.
He was the hope of the Bifang Tribe's rise.
The Bifang elders all wore dark expressions and nodded. "As you command, young master."
"If there's a chance, we will kill Dan Zhu!"
On the other side.
The Vermilion Sparrow warriors gathered together.
Mo Hua, seeing no one else around, said in a low voice, "If there's a chance later, see if we can kill that brat Bi Jie first…"
Dan Zhu and the others were stunned.
Even Chi Feng looked at Mo Hua in surprise.
"This… I don't think we can kill him," Ba Shan said softly.
Ever since being "rescued" by Mo Hua, the great shaman, Ba Shan had indeed become much more obedient, recognizing Mo Hua's authority and no longer arguing at every turn.
This time, he wasn't objecting—just stating an objective concern.
Bi Jie was a mid-stage golden core with great talent and strength, surrounded by other strong golden core warriors of the Bifang Tribe, plus numerous tribal fighters.
Mo Hua nodded. "That's why I said 'if there's a chance.' If there's a chance, kill him. If not, don't force it. But you must never lose the will to kill him."
Ba Chuan frowned. "Shaman, while our Vermilion Sparrow Tribe and the Bifang Tribe don't get along, it's not to the point of secretly killing their young master. That would make us mortal enemies."
Mo Hua said, "Bi Jie is a wolf at heart. Even if you don't kill their young master, they'll still try to kill yours."
Ba Shan and Ba Chuan both hesitated.
"Sir, how do you know Bi Jie definitely wants to kill me?" Dan Zhu asked with a frown.
Mo Hua said, "There's nothing strange about it. If I were Bi Jie, I'd definitely kill you first. If not now, then there won't be another chance later…"
Dan Zhu: "…"
"Of course..." Mo Hua rubbed his fingers, mentally calculating, and finally admitted, "...Killing Bi Jie right now is indeed unlikely. I'm just reminding you so you're prepared."
"Two things: First, prevent Bi Jie from making a move to kill Young Master Dan Zhu."
"Second, keep an eye out for a chance to strike first and kill Bi Jie."
Mo Hua's tone carried a certain gravity.
Dan-Zhu and the others thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
What Mo Hua said was actually correct.
One should never harbor the intent to harm others, but must always guard against others' intent to harm oneself.
Whether or not Bi Jie could be killed, they still had to guard against his schemes and murderous intent.
From then on, Ba-Shan and Ba-Chuan kept close on either side of Dan-Zhu, while Chi-Feng followed right behind, eyes like torches.
Walking side-by-side with Dan-Zhu, Mo Hua also enjoyed "Young Master" level protection.
Of course, everyone's primary goal was still to rescue the captives.
Once the Vermilion Sparrow clansmen were freed, the wisest course would be to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible, avoiding further conflict with the Bifang Tribe.
Otherwise, once a melee broke out, who knew how many lives would be lost.
Mo Hua, in fact, didn't want to see such a scene.
After all, the gifted Dan-Zhu and these hundred barbarian soldiers had already been quietly considered by Mo Hua as "his own" people — living forces for expanding his power and completing his next step of planning.
If they suffered losses, Mo Hua would feel the pain.
Yet even after the Vermilion Sparrow group made a full circuit around the valley within the Shugu Tribe's secret territory, they still didn't find the place where the "living rations" were imprisoned. Nor did they see any trace of their clansmen, or of other barbarian cultivators captured for sacrificial offerings.
Mo Hua asked Iron Shugu about it.
Iron Shugu only wore a frightened expression and claimed he knew nothing.
He was the leader of a "roaming division," spending his days wandering outside, killing and robbing, casually picking mountain caves for temporary bases.
He had only been to the secret territory a few times to deliver "provisions" and, given his status, wasn't qualified to linger here.
Mo Hua gave him a meaningful glance but didn't press further.
The entire Shugu secret territory was vast.
Wind and water flowed between the valleys, and qi easily dispersed.
Mo Hua didn't use his karmic divination ability to avoid alerting the enemy. Instead, together with the Vermilion Sparrow warriors, he relied solely on sight and spiritual sense to search. Even after a full circuit, they found nothing.
In the end, winding here and there, they arrived at the deepest point of the Shugu secret territory — before a massive stone hall.
This hall was built directly into the mountain.
From outside, one could only see two enormous stone doors, almost fused with the cliff face.
On each door was carved an image of an unknown skeletal beast.
The two skeletal beasts faced each other, like a pair of "door gods," guarding the entrance and sealing away all secrets and qi within the stone hall.
At this moment, it wasn't just the Vermilion Sparrow group standing before the stone hall — most of the Bifang Tribe's barbarian soldiers were already stationed here as well.
The various small and medium tribes under the Bifang Tribe's banner also surrounded the area.
In front of the great doors, some Shugu Tribe diehards, their faces painted in bone patterns, were still fighting to defend the stone hall against the Bifang warriors.
But they were no match for the Bifang Tribe.
In less than half an hour, they were slaughtered to the last.
Blood and severed limbs covered the ground.
The one who killed the most was none other than the Bifang Tribe's young master, Bi Jie — mid-stage Golden Core, clad in black, a dark cyan fierce-bird totem on his chest, wielding the Bifang savage blade.
Once the Shugu remnants were dead and the situation under control, Bi Jie finally looked over at Dan-Zhu and the others, a cold yet excited glint on his face:
"You people really are… like a haunting ghost that won't go away…"
(End of this Chapter)