217: Chapter 217: Internal Conflicts within the Alliance

Wind and snow slapped against the tin roof of the observation station, making a crackling sound.

Shen Xiaochuan leaned against the wooden table, his left hand wrapped in bandages and his right arm in a sling. Dense data scrolled across the light screen in front of him—a resource statistics table automatically generated by the Faith Mall.

Footsteps came from outside the tent, mixed with the light clinking of metal. Several Believers carried in a piece of greenish Mammoth skin membrane, carefully placing it on the ice pile in the corner. The edges of the membrane shimmered with a faint blue light; it was the core part, worth a considerable amount of faith points.

"Put it there." Shen Xiaochuan didn't even look up, his fingertips sliding across the light screen.

The Believers acknowledged and withdrew. As the curtain was lifted, cold wind wrapped in snowflakes swirled in, making the lamplight flicker. He narrowed his eyes slightly and habitually tucked the copper gear pendant around his neck into his collar.

A moment later, an argument broke out outside.

The voices weren't loud, but the tone was aggressive. An accented voice said, "We sent the most people and suffered the heaviest injuries. Why do we get the least?"

Another lowered voice advised, "Don't cause trouble now. Have you forgotten he just killed the Mammoth King? If you really anger him, no one will leave this snowy field alive."

"What's there to fear? He's not from the God King Alliance; he's just a rogue. If not for good luck, could he have killed that beast?"

Shen Xiaochuan's finger stopped on the light screen, his expression unchanging.

He didn't get up or call for anyone. He simply entered the ID of the newly delivered resources into the System, then pulled up the combat data from three hours ago.

A comparison chart popped up on the screen: [NATO Deity Faction] sent twelve people to participate in the battle, seven of whom retreated midway; their actual combat time was less than twenty minutes; long-range output accounted for only eight percent. However, the spoils they claimed included two complete tusks, one core skin membrane, and three bags of high-purity animal fat—the total value accounting for forty-six percent of the entire harvest.

He tapped the screen lightly.

The System promptly prompted: [Resource distribution anomaly detected. Recommended to verify physical inventory.]

Shen Xiaochuan stood up slowly, the splint rubbing against his arm, making him gasp in pain. He didn't stop, grabbing the halberd leaning against the wall and using it for support as he walked out.

A campfire burned in the center of the camp, with armored plates shielding it from the wind. Seven or eight deities and their representatives sat around it; some were roasting dry rations, others were checking their weapons. As he appeared, the conversation gradually quieted down.

He walked to the fire and scanned the group.

"The items have been tallied," he said. "A total of seven Mammoth carcasses, five skin membranes, nine tusks, eighteen bags of animal fat, and some bones. Except for consumables, the rest have been stored in the ice cellar, and the representatives of each team have signed for them."

No one responded.

Shen Xiaochuan paused and continued, "There are two choices. One is to rest tonight and set out for a cleanup tomorrow morning; the other is to leave now while they haven't scattered yet and settle it once and for all."

A man in a gray cloak spoke up, "The weather is getting worse, and a blizzard could come at any time. We didn't come here to die. Why do we have to listen to you every time?"

Shen Xiaochuan looked at him. This man was named Ryan, the most talkative one in the NATO faction, possessing the "Eye of the Storm" ability and responsible for reconnaissance.

"You think that battle just now was for nothing?" Shen Xiaochuan asked.

"That's not what I mean." Ryan sat up straight. "But we did pay a price. Two Believers were seriously injured, and one machine was scrapped. And the result? You take the largest share, while we didn't even get a single complete tusk."

Someone nearby whispered in agreement.

"That's right. You charging in alone to hack at the Mammoth was impressive, but who helped you from behind? If we hadn't held back the other six, would you have survived?"

"Exactly. You can't take all the credit."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at them, his tone calm. "Two minor injuries, one drone destroyed, and missing one hot meal—is this what you call losses?"

The area around the campfire suddenly fell silent.

Ryan's expression shifted. He opened his mouth and finally said, "...The situation was chaotic then, communications were cut off, and we couldn't react in time."

"Communications cut off?" Shen Xiaochuan sneered. "Then take a look at this."

He pulled up another set of records: [North Latitude 43° Watchman] sent three distress signals with no response; [Hemlock Forest Sentry] requested support twice, but the channel remained silent; when [Auroras Edge] sounded the alarm, the nearest support unit was less than three hundred meters away but never moved.

"Three hundred meters." Shen Xiaochuan stared at Ryan. "Was it because the wind was too strong, or because your legs were too weak?"

Ryan was speechless.

The others lowered their heads and poked at the fire; no one dared to look up.

Shen Xiaochuan put away the terminal, his voice lowering slightly. "I know you're not convinced. For an ordinary person like me, with no background or backing, to suddenly become the commander—anyone would feel uncomfortable. But now isn't the time to argue over who's better; it's about staying alive."

He looked around at everyone. "The Mammoth herd hasn't gone far. They will remember today. If they come back for revenge, the first place they'll charge is here. When that time comes, if you want to run, you'll need to be alive to do it."

Having said that, he turned and left.

No one blocked him.

Back in the tent, he sat down and opened the back end of the Faith Mall, creating a bar chart of the contribution values of all teams. His own team was first, the two neutral teams were second, and NATO was at the bottom.

However, the distribution records showed that the resources they obtained were second only to his own.

Shen Xiaochuan stared at the screen, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the copper gear pendant.

He knew where the problem lay.

These people weren't afraid of fierce beasts or death; they were afraid of unfairness.

But they were even more afraid of the strong.

The footage of him slaying the Mammoth leader had already spread. That kind of power exceeded the understanding of ordinary deities. They complained about unfair distribution, but in reality, they were nervous—they wanted to use his power for profit, yet they were unwilling to be restricted by him.

This kind of sentiment would eventually lead to disaster.

He turned off the screen and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. A throbbing pain came from the broken bone in his left arm, as if something were scraping back and forth inside. He took out a bottle of restoration fluid and drank it down; a metallic taste immediately filled his throat.

The wind outside grew even fiercer.

After an unknown amount of time, the curtain was pulled open a crack.

"Mr. Shen." A young Believer poked his head in. "There seems to be... a problem at the ice cellar."

Shen Xiaochuan opened his eyes. "Explain clearly."

"The NATO people took away a bag of animal fat and half a piece of skin membrane, calling it a 'supplementary compensation.' The brothers guarding the cellar couldn't stop them; they had too many people."

Shen Xiaochuan stood up without a word, grabbed his halberd, and walked out.

He entered the ice cellar. The resources were neatly stacked, but a corner of the shelf in the second compartment was empty.

He walked over and touched the label on the shelf—where "Core Skin Membrane · B3" had originally been posted, only a half-torn adhesive mark remained.

He took out his terminal and pulled up the surveillance footage.

Ten minutes ago, four Believers in NATO armor entered, stayed in the second compartment for three minutes, and carried away two items. One of them made a gesture toward the camera and then kicked the lens askew.

Shen Xiaochuan saved the video and exited the System.

He walked out of the ice cellar and headed straight for the NATO tent.

No one blocked him along the way.

Their main tent was larger than his, with a tattered Stars and Stripes hanging by the entrance. He lifted the curtain and walked straight in.

Inside, five people were gathered around a table dividing the spoils. On the table lay the bag of animal fat, the half piece of skin membrane, and two short tusks. When he entered, everyone froze instantly.

"These things." Shen Xiaochuan pointed at the resources on the table. "Who authorized taking them?"

No one answered.

A burly man in the middle stood up, a spreading eagle tattooed on his chest. "We suffered the greatest losses; it's only right we take a bit more."

"You're right." Shen Xiaochuan looked at him and suddenly smiled.

The man was taken aback.

"You are not my subordinates," Shen Xiaochuan said calmly. "So you can leave right now."

"What did you say?"

"Tomorrow, I will lead the team to clear out the remaining Mammoths," Shen Xiaochuan's tone was as usual. "Those who don't want to go can leave tonight. I won't stop you. But remember, once you leave the Alliance, all future harvests will have nothing to do with you. If you encounter danger one day, don't expect me to come to your rescue."

Having said that, he turned to leave.

Reaching the entrance, he stopped and said with his back to the tent, "By the way. Before those Mammoths left, they kept staring at me. They recognize me. But if you leave now, they might not necessarily know who you are."

The curtain fell.

He walked back to his camp step by step through the wind and snow.

No one chased after him.

Late at night, he sat in his tent and opened his terminal again. faith points were still steadily growing at three points per second. He didn't check the mall but instead repeatedly replayed the recording of the daytime battle.

He was looking for weaknesses.

Not just the Mammoths', but also humans'.

He knew this Alliance wouldn't last long.

Some were greedy, some were fearful, and some were both. They could cooperate temporarily, but as soon as interests were divided, they would immediately turn against each other.

He couldn't rely on them.

So he had to forge his own path.

The next morning, the blizzard stopped.

Shen Xiaochuan gathered his Believers, checked their equipment, and tallied the resources.

He gave each person a portion of cold-resistant rations, two concussion grenades, and a set of spare protective gear.

"We're going to head out first," he said. "To scout ahead. If you find Mammoth tracks, mark the location. Don't engage; wait for the main force."

The Believers nodded; no one asked questions.

He knew they would speculate, but he didn't need to explain.

He only knew one thing: he couldn't wait any longer.

Some things can only be entrusted to people you trust.

He took one last look in the direction of the NATO camp.

The tents were still there, but the snow at the entrance hadn't been cleared, looking cold and deserted.

He put on his goggles and gripped his halberd.

Set off.