Shu Zi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Shu Zi (树子)
Species/Race	Ape-man; later a leader of the Human Race
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Anti-Divine Protection Faction; Human Race
Occupation/Role	Faction leader, first chieftain of the Human Race, later patriarch
Status	Deceased 44
First Appearance	Chapter 28

Background / History

Shu Zi emerged among the ape-men as a leader opposed to Hei Zi’s claims of divine protection. He advocated labor and adherence to the teachings of the Ancestral Deities, gathering followers against Hei Zi’s exploitation of the tribe 28.

When the Earth Realm Base began preparing to reduce the ape population, Shu Zi joined the escape arranged by Dong Yao, Xi Yuan, and Li Huo. He led one of the six teams assigned to destroy the God’s Steles controlling the base’s robots, personally directing the assault on Zone B 30.

Following the escape, Shu Zi used his role in saving the tribe to claim leadership. He proclaimed the three Ancestral Deities the only true gods and became the central figure of the newly independent community 31. He was later established as the first chieftain of the Human Race, organizing settlement, farming, defense, and worship at Fang Mountain under the Ancestral Gods’ guidance 36.

Appearance

Early in his rule, Shu Zi wore ceremonial clothing befitting a chieftain. In old age, years of warfare and illness left him reliant on a scepter for support 36 42.

• Bird feathers set in his hair and colorful face paint during his chieftaincy ceremony 36
• Long robe and a branch-carved scepter set with a raw gemstone 36
• Later carried the God Bow constantly as both a weapon and symbol of authority 42 44
• In his final years, suffered from visible physical decline, including weakness, palpitations, and shortness of breath 42 44

Personality

Shu Zi was disciplined, ambitious, and capable of earning loyalty through action. During the tribe’s flight from the Earth Realm, he gave better resting places to the injured and led by example, reinforcing his followers’ trust in him 31.

His compassion was also evident after Xiao Hua was murdered: although the tribe captured Hei Zi, Shu Zi ordered him released to prevent further bloodshed 31. However, grief, military expansion, and the burdens of rulership later hardened him. As chieftain, he conquered neighboring ape-man tribes through alliance and force, and eventually ordered purges against potential rivals to secure his authority 39 42.

Shu Zi remained deeply attached to Xiao Hua for years after her death, repeatedly praying for her resurrection and refusing to remarry despite pressure from his elders 39. Her eventual choice to become a full-time shaman left him devastated, though he ultimately continued ruling and raising a large family 41 42.

Abilities & Skills

Leadership and State-Building

Shu Zi turned a displaced ape-man population into an organized Human Race centered around Fang Mountain.

• Unified much of the tribe behind the worship of the three Ancestral Deities 31
• Served as the first chieftain of the Human Race 36
• Managed farming, tribal organization, defense, warriors, shamans, and elders under divine instruction 36
• Expanded Human Race territory through conquest, alliances, and absorption of ape-man groups 39 42
• Retained authority into old age through prestige, military strength, and possession of the God Bow 42

Combat Command

Shu Zi was an active military leader rather than solely a political ruler.

• Led an Anti-Divine Protection Faction team against the Zone B God’s Stele during the escape from the Earth Realm 30
• Led more than one hundred elite warriors in an ambush against Hei Zi’s ape-man settlement 38
• Personally wounded Hei Zi with the God Bow, sending him from a cliff 38
• Conducted long-term campaigns against ape-man tribes and fierce beasts threatening Human Race territory 42

God Bow

The God Bow was Shu Zi’s defining weapon and the principal symbol of his political authority.

• Used in the campaign against Hei Zi, where Shu Zi shot him through the abdomen 38
• Remained at Shu Zi’s side for decades and was considered essential to preserving his power 42
• Was described as a divine creation unaffected by time 44
• Became the object of a succession dispute among Shu Zi’s children at his deathbed 44

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Stone knife — Used while still living in the Earth Realm Base; Shu Zi made additional knives for Xiao Hua’s household use 29.
• Stone-tipped wooden spear — Raised while declaring his leadership after the escape 31.
• Ceremonial sword and scepter — Used during his inauguration as chieftain 36.
• God Bow — Divine weapon and symbol of the Human Race’s patriarchal authority 38 44.

Relationships

• Xiao Hua — Wife and mother of his son Ying Zi. Her death at Hei Zi’s hands drove Shu Zi’s pursuit of revenge and years of prayers for resurrection; after her return, she left their household to become a shaman 29 31 39 41.
• Ying Zi — Eldest son and initially intended successor. Shu Zi sought to leave him the God Bow, but the inheritance was challenged by his other sons 40 42 44.
• Hei Zi — Political rival and Xiao Hua’s murderer. Shu Zi first spared him to avoid further bloodshed, then later led the campaign that ended in Hei Zi’s death 31 38 39.
• Dong Yao, Xi Yuan, and Li Huo — The Ancestral Deities Shu Zi worshipped as the Human Race’s true gods. They aided the escape, taught the Human Race survival skills, and conveyed the promise of Xiao Hua’s resurrection 30 31 36 37.
• Huang Si — The hidden creator behind the Ancestral Deities’ interventions. Huang Si regarded Shu Zi as a valuable new-generation leader and arranged Xiao Hua’s resurrection after Shu Zi persisted in prayer 32 39 40.
• Gouwei — Longtime follower killed during Shu Zi’s later purge because Shu Zi considered him ambitious and clever enough to threaten his rule 42.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Escape from the Earth Realm

Shu Zi helped organize the Anti-Divine Protection Faction’s escape from the Cultivation Department. He led his group in attacking a God’s Stele and emerged with enough prestige to become the tribe’s leader 30 31.

Founding of the Human Race

As first chieftain, Shu Zi led the survivors’ settlement at Fang Mountain. With instruction from the Ancestral Deities, he helped establish agriculture, tribal institutions, warriors, shamans, and a temple-centered faith 36.

Conflict with Hei Zi

Xiao Hua died protecting Shu Zi from Hei Zi’s gunshot. Shu Zi initially released Hei Zi after his capture, but later led a military expedition against him and avenged Xiao Hua after Hei Zi’s defeat 31 38 39.

Resurrection and Separation

After six years of prayer, Shu Zi received Xiao Hua back through the Ancestral Gods’ intervention 40. Their reunion did not restore their former life: Xiao Hua eventually chose religious service over family life and became a respected shaman 41.

Expansion and Decline

Shu Zi expanded Human Race territory through conquest, took additional wives, raised many children, and ruled increasingly ruthlessly in old age 42. As his health failed, he relinquished most of his authority; after his death, conflicts over the God Bow contributed to the Human Race splitting into four tribes 44.

Notable Quotes

“Only the true gods could save them. I, Shu Zi, would lead them to honor the Ancestral Deities and survive together in this new land.” 31

“The Ancestral Deities promised it. If it hasn't happened yet, it must be because I am not sincere enough, or I haven't done enough.” 39

Trivia

• Shu Zi’s name is drawn from a simple natural noun, reflecting the limited vocabulary available to the ape-men at the time 29.
• He was described as the youngest and most promising leader of the Ape-man Tribe after the escape 31.
• His insistence on Xiao Hua’s resurrection led Huang Si to act sooner than planned, despite concerns about the consequences 39 40.
• The God Bow changed hands repeatedly after Shu Zi’s death before ending up with his fourth son, Luan Zi 44.