Chapter 158: 157 Da Ji, Why Are You Over on the Human Side? 6K

"Cooperation?"

After listening to Si Tu Yuan's words, Tian Ling thought for a moment, then asked, "Lord, by cooperation you mean helping my Heavenly Python City to search for the Luo family and Da Ji, don't you?"

"Exactly."

Si Tu Yuan nodded.

"Please, Lord Si Tu, elaborate in detail."

Wang Wu is also studying today, mainly learning the geographical knowledge of this world.

Although he already possesses surface‑level strength, allowing him to circle the entire planet in a short time, it is only today that he, under someone else's guidance, undertook a global voyage.

Mainly his geography teacher—uh, a male teacher, not a female one.

"So most of the places here are actually uninhabitable now?"

Flying at tens of thousands of meters altitude, Wang Wu surveyed the twisted demonic domains below, then turned to his companion and asked.

"Yes," the other sighed, "nowadays, on our Tianyuan Star, the vast majority of places have become demonic domains. Neither human nor demon races can reside there for long."

During its peak, the Great Shang Dynasty's territory spanned the entire Solar System; although they had attempted to reclaim the outer star systems, the prohibitive cost forced them to abandon the effort.

However, at a few outpost battles on the edge of the star system, the Yin‑Shang people did make some repairs.

Today on Tianyuan Star, most regions are essentially the same as the Great Xia cities on other planets—now complete lifeless zones.

Tianyuan Star's area is slightly larger than Earth's, though not vastly so; when things were normal, the planet's total land area was about 200 million square kilometers.

Now, however, only 97 million square kilometers remain.

Among the planet's remaining intact regions, the continent where Great Zhou lies is the largest intact area on the planet.

Including the territories of several neighboring great nations, the total area is roughly 89 million square kilometers.

The remaining eight million square kilometers are scattered as "small plots" across the planet; the largest are just over a hundred thousand, the smallest only tens of thousands or even a few thousand.

Some extinct sects hide within these "small plots"; being far from civilization circles, many Yin‑Shang artifacts have been preserved.

Of course, many more extinct sects choose to establish their sects in "hyper‑space".

That hyper‑space is called "Cave Heaven" on Earth; here it is called "Cave Heaven".

Although Tianyuan civilization never highlighted the Ascension tech tree, its development over ten thousand years was not stagnant; "Cave Heaven" was a hyper‑space technology invented during the Yin‑Shang period.

The material world contains many "leaks", and through these leaks people discovered "Cave Heaven". Those places are also suitable for life, but the vast majority lack soil that can support organisms.

Moreover, Cave Heaven contains no sunlight or water; without external supply, long‑term survival there is impossible.

Cultivators' Qiankun Sleeves, the widely used Qiankun Rings among the populace, and the divine art called "Qiankun Cave Residence" all derive their principles from this "Cave Heaven" technology.

Wang Wu's guide and teacher is a demonic cultivator of the Heavenly Communication Realm, a top‑ranked demonic cultivator of the age, named Xuan Youzi, who hails from the Great Zhou's premier sect, Dao Xuan Sect.

Speaking of it, many sects in Great Zhou bear the character "Xuan" in their names; in the Southern Province alone, there are five or six such sects, even though there aren't ten.

There are also cultivators whose dharma names contain "Xuan" by the dozens. The character "Xuan" seems to be a meme here.

Come to think of it, Cave Heaven was actually discovered by True Dao cultivators.

True Dao seekers pursue the "Truth"—the truth of this world. This is somewhat similar to the Xia people's pursuit of the "Principle of Heaven and Earth", yet the direction is entirely different.

"Even if we cleanse all these places, still can't inhabit them?"

The two flew over an island in the ocean—a landmass of 1.2 million square kilometers, bearing an enormous city that occupies almost a quarter of the island.

A city of 300 000 square kilometers—larger than some provinces of Wang Wu's hometown.

"There's no way," Xuan Youzi shook her head. "Demonic qi has already permeated the soil, even if there…"

At that point, he suddenly stopped, turned to Wang Wu, and a hopeful glint appeared in his eyes: "Commissioner Wang, could it be that the Extreme Heaven Palace has found a way to completely eradicate the demonic disaster?"

"I don't know," Wang Wu shrugged. "Maybe there is, maybe not. I don't know, because I never asked."

"When the time comes, I'll go back and ask, but there should be one."

"Then, that's good! That's good!!" Xuan Youzi's expression turned excited, nodding repeatedly.

The two circled the massive planet at Mach 350, making several loops and essentially surveying every region, including the planet's South and North Poles.

Even though its volume is slightly larger than Earth's, at their speed a single circuit takes only a few minutes.

An hour and a bit is enough for them to loop around Tianyuan Star countless times.

"True Dao must also have its own problems and hidden dangers, right?"

The two paused in a city at the planet's South Pole, watching a city shrouded by a massive light ring in the distance; Wang Wu turned his head and asked Xuan Youzi.

"Of course there are," Xuan Youzi whispered. "Although no one deliberately mentions it, in my view the True Dao and my demonic path are essentially the same."

"Don't they all lead to extremely serious consequences? Yet some people pretend it doesn't exist."

The South Pole is an extremely harsh environment, even for Shang and Xia peoples, especially the Xia.

Even though the Xia possess the ability to build cities off‑world, they have invested little in their home planet's South Pole.

As for the Shang, their people wouldn't care about such a place; early on there were some military bases here, but they were later abandoned.

Because it held little value.

Half the year here is daylight, the other half night.

Nevertheless, a city does exist here—the one Wang Wu and Xuan Youzi are currently observing from afar.

The Xia established two cities on this planet's South and North Poles, one called South Border, the other North Border.

Both cities cover the same area—1 000 square kilometers—and a massive shield blankets a larger surrounding region.

The shield isolates external extreme cold, allowing crops to grow; although rainfall is scarce, the Antarctic snow fully resolves the issue.

"Which nation does South Border currently belong to?" Wang Wu asked curiously, looking at the bustling city in the distance.

"Great Zhou has no diplomatic relations with South Border City, so I have no way of knowing," Xuan Youzi said after staring at the city for a while.

"However, the script used in the city still appears to be Shang seal script; perhaps they're remnants of the Yin‑Shang people."

Zhou script descends from Shang script; although it hasn't changed much, the differences between the two are immediately apparent.

"Shall we get a bit closer?" Xuan Youzi suggested.

"Alright." Wang Wu nodded, and the two quickly flew over there.

However, before they could approach, a massive warship appeared over South Frontier City, and Wang Wu instantly recognized its identity.

"Isn't that Wu Ding?" Wang Wu said, looking at the warship. He had been curious where this thing went after the Lishan incident, and didn't expect it to be here.

"Commissioner Wang! Be careful!"

The moment he saw Wu Ding, Xuan Youzi's face turned extremely grim, but Wang Wu beside him remained very relaxed.

"Don't worry, it can't do anything to me." Wang Wu laughed, patting his geography teacher's shoulder, and added, "If it tries to attack, I'll crush it immediately."

"Um, also…" Xuan Youzi scratched his head awkwardly after hearing that. Logically, under normal circumstances he shouldn't have overlooked Wang Wu's strength nor said such a thing.

Yet somehow it was as if an aura surrounded Wang Wu; anyone staying by his side would end up doing the kind of brain‑fuzzy things described above.

However, Xuan Youzi clearly didn't realize this; at this moment his mind was filled only with embarrassment.

After appearing in the sky, Wu Ding didn't fire; instead it slowly moved toward them.

It wasn't exactly slow; its speed was about five thousand plus kilometers per hour.

Even without the alien "Net Path," within the atmosphere a space vessel can still be extremely fast, with a maximum speed of ten thousand kilometers per hour.

It didn't take long; the massive warship arrived beside the two and opened its entrance, seemingly inviting them in.

Upon seeing the opened gate of Wu Ding, Wang Wu and Xuan Youzi exchanged a glance, did not hesitate, and flew straight into the Yin‑Shang warship.

"Commissioner Wang."

After entering the massive warship, the one who came out to greet Wang Wu—accurately a demon—was not surprising to him; it was Da Ji.

Besides Da Ji, a few others were with her; Wang Wu didn't know who they were, but could roughly guess their identities.

"Are you people of the Luo family?"

After the meeting, the first to speak—actually the speaking demon was Wang Wu—first glanced at his own kind, then turned his gaze to the three humans and asked.

"We've met Commissioner Wang."

The three gave Wang Wu a solemn bow.

"Since Commissioner Wang has come, you must be intending to take us back for judgment, right?"

The middle‑aged man who seemed the oldest among the three smiled softly at Wang Wu after the bow.

Though he knew clearly what his possible fate might be, there was no trace of fear on the other's face.

"I haven't received any notice." Wang Wu tilted his head, now shifting his gaze to Da Ji beside him. Da Ji also noticed his look and gave him a faint smile.

Although she was obviously a famed demon—Da Ji, a calamity to the nation—her "nation‑toppling beauty" held no appeal for him as a fellow demon.

Any demon has a nation‑toppling appearance; Da Ji's only distinction is a special aura. In terms of looks… um, they're all fox demons; for Wang Wu personally, she isn't even as pretty as Wu Lian.

It's not that she's less beautiful than Wu Lian; they're on the same level. It's just that Wang Wu prefers Wu Lian's cool style.

As for Da Ji, as described back home, this female demon is very "charming"; just a glance can make one's bones tingle.

Speaking of it, Wu Lian is now also being kept in Tianmang City, and Wang Wu still takes good care of his savior.

Of course, this doesn't mean Wang Wu doesn't like that style; he does like it.

If Da Ji had that notion, he wouldn't mind helping the female demon and, incidentally, experiencing a thousand‑plus‑year‑old… ahem.

Speaking of it, Wang Wu truly hasn't experienced a thousand‑plus‑year‑old demon; the oldest he has encountered is only eight hundred years old, a demon from early Zhou dynasty.

Moreover, Wang Wu hasn't experienced a fox demon yet, because he hasn't met any in Tianmang City except Wu Lian.

Wu Lian would surely be happy to give him whatever, since she has a very high affection for Wu Yun; but Wang Wu has no particular thoughts about her, because the girl is rather pitiful.

"I'm just bringing Commissioner Wang to tour this land; the Great King need not worry."

At that moment, Xuan Youzi also spoke after Wang Wu.

Hearing "Great King" from Xuan Youzi, Wang Wu curiously looked at the three humans, unsure which he meant.

"Um, I'm referring to Da Ji, Commissioner Wang."

Seeing Wang Wu looking around, Xuan Youzi gave a specific explanation.

"Great King?" Wang Wu was startled by the explanation, but quickly caught on.

Indeed, she is a Great King; Da Ji once ascended the throne in the Shang dynasty, so legally she is a Great King.

Moreover, she is the Great King of the strongest regime on this planet.

Xuan Youzi calling Da Ji Great King isn't flattery; it's clearly sarcasm.

A demon with no blood relation to the Yin‑Shang royal family, and who never bore any offspring, somehow became a legitimate ruler of a nation.

One can only say Emperor Xin was absurd enough; otherwise the Shang dynasty might have lasted several more generations.

Since Emperor Xin let a demon ascend as Great King, his other outrageous deeds must have been numerous.

Facing Xuan Youzi's obviously sarcastic words, Da Ji merely gave a light smile, with no further reaction.

This female demon's strength matches Xuan Youzi's; both are top‑level masters, after all she's over a thousand years old.

Yet not every thousand‑year‑old demon reaches this level; in fact most cannot.

"Is this place where your Luo family is staying now?"

Seeing Wang Wu silent, Xuan Youzi exchanged a glance with the other side for a moment, then asked.

The Luo family members did not answer Xuan Youzi; despite Xuan Youzi's clearly superior strength, they still regarded him with a condescending attitude.

The Luo family were once Yin‑Shang nobles, a very prestigious lineage.

Even the Siti family, once honored as Minister of Works, could not surpass the Luo family's prominence.

This is why the Luo family still wishes to remain loyal to Great Shang and constantly yearns to restore its glory.

Mainly because after the Zhou dynasty was established, the original Luo family could no longer become the lord of the southern provinces.

The Siti family, as the first southern noble house to surrender to the Great Zhou, naturally received the greatest support from the Zhou government.

As for the Luo family, although they also surrendered, they have always enjoyed the Shang king's blessings for generations, so they certainly cannot kneel like the Siti family.

No matter how you put it, we had to be urged three times and invited five times by Great Zhou, and only after Great Shang was already powerless to turn the tide did we 'reluctantly' submit to Great Zhou.

And the actual situation was indeed so: the Luo family submitted, and Great Zhou also accumulated a fairly high level of favor for the Luo family.

Then we were trampled by the Situ family.

The Situ family is the emperor of Southern Province, and the second in rank is the Zhou noble Zhao family, who specifically came over to 'cooperate' with the Situ family.

As for the Luo family, because its old foundation remains, taking third or fourth place is not a big problem.

Thus the Luo family began to claim that no one in the world does not miss our Great Shang.

The characteristic of the Luo people is arrogance, especially toward the Zhou people.

As for the respect toward Wang Wu, it is because Wang Wu bears the Heavenly Court's inheritance and has been recognized by the Heavenly Court, and Great Shang is subservient to the Heavenly Court; naturally the Luo family is also very courteous and respectful toward Wang Wu, such an 'angel'.

Xuan Youzi is a Zhou person, and he does not find the Luo family's current attitude strange.

But he is definitely a bit displeased.

"This place is the only remaining territory of our Great Shang; as the Luo family, being nobles, we naturally must return to our homeland."

However, after a brief bout of arrogance, the Luo people finally replied to Xuan Youzi.

"Isn't your homeland Southern Province?" At this moment, Wang Wu also asked.

"And isn't this place a Xia city, not a Yin historic site either?"

Although Wang Wu is an angel, his words still made the expressions on the three Luo people's faces look rather unpleasant.

Afterwards, without caring about the three Luo people's expressions, Wang Wu turned his gaze to Da Ji:

"By the way, you're a monster, right? The demon race is living quite well now; if you are willing to go to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, no one will hold your past against you."

"Commissioner Wang protects my demon race; Da Ji is naturally immensely grateful." Da Ji gave a gentle smile, bowed her head to Wang Wu, and said very respectfully:

"But Da Ji is also a citizen of Great Shang; therefore, Da Ji naturally will not betray her motherland."

"Um." Wang Wu was a bit embarrassed, but there was nothing wrong with her words, and he did not refute her idea.

"The Yin people would not consider you, a demon, to be a citizen of Great Shang."

At this moment, Xuan Youzi also said lightly:

"You are a demon; your ascent to the throne is only because Di Xin is incompetent and overly favors you."

"Even as a monster, you will never become one of my human race."

"I have never thought I am human." Da Ji's face still bore a faint smile:

"But there is a saying: to enjoy the ruler's bounty, to be loyal to the ruler, to bear the ruler's worries."

"The great king values me so much; I will never betray the great king."

"Hehe." Xuan Youzi sneered, "You are indeed sentimental."

Wang Wu, hearing this, glanced at Da Ji and said he saw no emotion in her eyes, only a hidden soft sigh.

"But Great Shang is already dead," Wang Wu said, "It actually perished by itself, not by external forces."

"Its cycle has also reached its end."

"Commissioner Wang, please speak cautiously."

Even though Da Ji's attitude toward Wang Wu was good because he bears the Heavenly Court's inheritance, after hearing Wang Wu's words, her temper rose a bit.

"You have no right to make me speak cautiously," Wang Wu dug at his ear and said casually:

"To ordinary people, it is not worth remembering. And to the demon race, it is equally not worth …"

"Enough!!!"

Da Ji let out a roar, interrupting Wang Wu, and, tilting her head to look at the Da Ji who had interrupted her, Wang Wu continued:

"Even if the Great Shang's princess is indifferent about this matter, you, a demon, still cling to it."

After speaking, Wang Wu waved his hand, then vanished from the spot, but the next second, two figures appeared before Da Ji.

One was Wang Wu, and the other was…

Da Ji's pupils instantly dilated.

Zi Yuan is unknown, but Da Ji recognizes her.

Da Ji personally witnessed that sacrifice and still remembers Zi Yuan as the offering.

Di Yi's third daughter, Di Xin's older sister; the two are over a hundred years apart in age.

However, at that time, Da Ji was already a fairly high‑ranking demon within the Shang dynasty.

The Yin people's attitude toward demons is similar to Great Zhou's; as long as they don't eat too many people, they won't intervene.

Yet in terms of attainable social status, Great Shang is certainly stronger.

After all, Great Shang does have a demon queen.

"King, princess??"

When Zi Yuan appeared, Da Ji's body jolted violently.

"You should call her Great King," Wang Yu corrected the other's address.

"With all other descendants of Di Yi and Di Xin already dead, she is the last spark of the Shang royal house."

"No, impossible!" Da Ji screamed, "She, she's only a human, her strength is barely near the breaking of delusion, how could she possibly still be alive now???"

"It's already over a thousand years!!!"

Watching Da Ji, whose emotions were showing signs of collapse due to Zi Yuan's appearance, speak incoherently and stutter.

At the first sight of Zi Yuan, Da Ji only thought it was a trick of Wang Wu's illusion.

But after a careful investigation, Da Ji discovered that Zi Yuan truly was that Zi Yuan.

That third daughter of Di Yi, offered as a sacrifice a thousand years ago, brought the last flashback of the Great Shang dynasty:

Zi Yuan.

She can sense the bloodline flowing within Zi Yuan's body, which is the true 'royal blood' in the literal sense.

"Wu Lang, what's wrong?"

At this moment, the Zi Yuan, who had been pulled out of his home by Wang Wu, looked curiously at Da Ji, whose emotions had dramatically shifted because of his appearance, and asked his own king husband.

"Great King, this is the last king of the Shang dynasty, your younger brother's queen," Wang Wu said cheerfully to Zi Yuan.

"But it seems she has indeed formally ascended the Shang throne."

(End of chapter)