Chapter 59: Father’s Home

Exile Star, Northern District, Tengu Tribe.

The land was cracked and blood-red, with caves and mud-brick houses stacked together to form a dense, medium-sized settlement. Backed by a large hill, the Tengu Tribe had managed to survive in this harsh environment for centuries, becoming a well-known clan among the generations of settled tribes. Scattered around it were several smaller dependent tribes, so overall, this region was quite populous.

At this moment, on the outermost mound of the Tengu Tribe, a skinny little boy sat swinging his short legs, his eyes eagerly fixed on the desolate, ruined wilderness beyond.

“Lu Xiaomao, you’re waiting for your father again, aren’t you?”

Out on the gray, misty plain, a hunting party was dragging back a giant beast, its crimson blood trailing across the ground. Leading the group was a blue-haired, cheerful young man, waving energetically, though his usually clear voice was tinged with hoarseness and fatigue.

The little boy was so thin that his head looked disproportionately large, and his small, gaunt face made his eyes seem even bigger—so big it was almost alarming, yet also heartbreaking.

He jumped down from the mound, waving his tiny hand excitedly at the hunting party, his huge eyes shining as he shouted, “Brother Gemiao! Brother Gemiao! Did you see my father? Is he back to pick me up?”

His dry, childish voice couldn’t hide the longing and hope within.

“Uh…” Gemiao’s smile froze, and his previously lively steps grew heavy. He lowered his head in disappointment. “Not yet. We didn’t see Chief Luke, or Amos either. But Amos is so strong—he’ll be fine, I’m sure.”

“Really?” Lu Xiaomao’s big, wet eyes were full of confusion and stubborn hope as he looked up at him.

But just then, a mocking, mischievous voice shattered his hopes. “He’s lying. He’s tricking you. The magnetic core storm was so fierce, and the berserk beast packs are so brutal—they were probably torn to pieces and swept away by the storm. That’s why you can’t find their bodies. Hahaha! And your mother’s about to marry my father. Lu Xiaomao, you’re just a kid nobody wants!”

Turning to look, another group was approaching, carrying two large crates. They were from the nearby Black Tiger Tribe, led by their chief, Blackbeard—a burly man with a fierce, fleshy face that looked menacing even when he smiled.

The one who’d spoken was a chubby little boy, Shapi, who was holding Blackbeard’s hand. Seeing Lu Xiaomao look over, Shapi pulled down his eyelid and stuck out his tongue, making faces and mocking him.

“You—you’re lying!” Tears streamed down Lu Xiaomao’s face. Eyes red, he glared at Shapi, trying to hold back his fear.

“Hmph! I never lie,” Shapi retorted. “My father’s here to propose to your mother. Women without men always remarry, and my father brought two crates of low-grade nutrient solution as a bride price—way more than your father gave when he married your mother. She’ll definitely agree.”

Blackbeard narrowed his shrewd eyes and laughed in his rough voice, “That’s right, Shapi’s telling the truth. Once your mother marries me, you can come live with us in the Black Tiger Tribe and be my son. I’ll make sure you grow up strong like Shapi—not like your useless father, who let you waste away to skin and bones. Poor kid.”

“I’m not pitiful! I’m not!” Lu Xiaomao choked back his tears, bursting out in anger. “I want my own father! I don’t want a father like you—so mean and ugly, you’re definitely a big bad guy!”

“How dare you insult my father and try to steal him from me! I’ll beat you up!” Shapi’s chubby face puffed up in rage. He broke free from Blackbeard’s grip and charged at Lu Xiaomao like a cannonball, knocking the skinny boy flat on the ground.

“Lu Xiaomao!” Gemiao and his hunting party shouted anxiously, about to rush over to help, but Blackbeard’s men blocked their way.

“No need to worry, Young Chief Gemiao. It’s just kids fighting—no need for adults to interfere. Besides, here in the Northern District, we have to teach our children to be brave and tough from a young age, or they won’t survive. Don’t you agree?” Blackbeard’s thick hand clamped down on Gemiao’s shoulder, the oppressive force and foul body odor making Gemiao’s stomach churn.

He stepped back to put some distance between them, glaring back as he led his clansmen in a tense standoff. But inside, he was worried—wouldn’t that little fatty crush Lu Xiaomao’s skinny bones?

Luckily, Lu Xiaomao was tougher than he looked. Even though he was pinned down by Shapi, and much smaller, he’d inherited the brute strength common to their poor Whale Tribe. His skinny little hands pinched Shapi’s chubby cheeks so hard they sank in, making Shapi yowl in pain.

Not to be outdone, Shapi raised his pudgy fists and started pounding on Lu Xiaomao, shouting angrily, “I’ll beat you! Beat you!”

Lu Xiaomao kicked with his short legs, eyes wide, and pinched Shapi’s thigh, quietly fighting back. So all the onlookers saw was a chubby kid bullying someone, but he was the one bawling with tears and snot, making a scene.

Gemiao’s eyes were red with anger. He rushed forward to stop Shapi, but Blackbeard blocked him again, and the standoff between the two groups threatened to erupt into a full-blown conflict.

But Gemiao’s hunting party, exhausted from their hunt, was no match for Blackbeard’s well-fed crew. They were quickly overpowered, left frustrated and furious.

Meanwhile, the two children’s fight turned as Lu Xiaomao, weakened by hunger, began to lose. Shapi, especially vicious, grabbed Lu Xiaomao’s neck with both hands, squeezing until his little face turned blue and his eyes rolled back.

Still, Shapi didn’t let go. His face flushed with excitement, he squeezed even harder, shouting, “Die! You’re about to die! Die!”

A figure flashed over, and a melodious voice, icy and chilling, sounded in Shapi’s ear: “Such cruelty at your age is not a good thing.”"