Chapter 151: with translation of chapter title

One demon emperor, one Yao Marshal, both silent now.

After a long while, Xihuang finally spoke, "Earlier, the Wu Clan's ancestral witches contacted me, expressing a desire to reach a consensus, to first kick Hongjun out of the picture, leaving him powerless to intervene in the Wu-Demon Calamity."

"The fruits of victory will ultimately be divided between us Wu and Demon."

"'Is that so?' Shaoyang raised his eyebrows, looking somewhat surprised, then shook his head and chuckled, 'But...'"

"'At your peak, you indeed have the ability to create a mighty trend, preventing Hongjun from leaving the Purple Dawn Palace.'"

"'But when you are all weakened... even if the Demon Race defeats the Wu Clan, can the remaining forces still cope with Hongjun?'"

"'Moreover, who knows if Hongjun might play tricks, laying groundwork early for his own justified escape.'"

"'If saying the Wu Clan defeats you proves the correctness of their thoughts and can maximally resonate with human dao power, then even a defeated remnant could still fight Hongjun; but your victory is actually Hongjun's victory, and he can easily reap the fruits of your labor.'"

"'Don't... just be a wedding dress for others!'"

Shaoyang was tempting.

"'Considering the previous era, Hongjun Dao Ancestor made outstanding contributions, suppressing the demon calamity... leading this era is naturally justified.' Fuxi remained expressionless, 'You are inciting us to rebel and usurp his authority!'"

"'Don't... you have no desire, no envy?' Shaoyang countered, 'Let the sage Heavenly Dao Hongjun govern effortlessly while Honghuang enjoys great peace, never stepping out of the palace— not even half a step from the Purple Dawn Palace gates— relying on you wise ministers to handle affairs and report all of Honghuang; whatever you say goes... you say the world is at peace, then it is at peace, even if the Great Calamity erupts, it is still at peace.'"

"'This... isn't that good?'"

This, however, left the two demon high-ranking officials speechless.

They had intended to rebuke sternly and righteously.

—Just what kind of beings are they?

They are all innate divine beings, each one, of noble virtue and spotless spirit; how could they engage in such despicable, bubbling deeds?

Usurp Hongjun?

Take the benefits for themselves?

Let Hongjun bear the drawbacks?

Are they such lowly scoundrels?

Impossible!

But...

After the Yao Marshal Báizé and Xihuang exchanged a glance?

The two demon high-ranking officials communicated through glances and expressions.

"'Hongjun Dao Ancestor, with his great toil and merit, how could we seize his authority?'"

"'But... as the saying goes, one person's wisdom is short, many people's wisdom is long.'"

"'Governance of Honghuang is not as simple as siblings playing house... we cannot place the entire future development of Honghuang solely on the shoulders of a single Heavenly Dao leader!'"

"'What if Hongjun Dao Ancestor makes a momentary oversight?'"

"'Then the loss to all of Honghuang would be astronomical!'"

"'For the survival plan of the countless beings in Honghuang's heaven and earth, we must lend our support, displaying utter loyalty and righteousness!'"

"'Yes, yes!'"

The final result of the Yao Marshal and demon emperor's discussion was that they neither affirmed nor denied Shaoyang Emperor Sovereign's provocative words, neither admitting they were moved nor issuing a stern rebuke.

Xihuang was straightforward, he simply skipped this section, setting aside any potential dispute.

"'Let's not talk about seizing power from Hongjun for now.' Fuxi the Great Sage waved his hand, speaking calmly and composedly, 'After all, he is currently our comrade-in-arms, standing beside us and sharing the same view toward the Wu Clan.'"

"'The overall situation is not yet settled; how could we point our weapons at our own people?'"

Xihuang's words showed a broad perspective.

But these words, upon reaching Shaoyang's ears, made this emperor smile.

—The situation is undecided; we cannot aim at our own.

Then... what if the situation is settled?

Of course, although he perceived the subtlety, he also did not expose it.

Seeing through but not speaking it out lets everyone continue the discussion.

"'However... what Shaoyang Dao Friend said earlier does have some merit.' Fuxi's eyes flickered, 'If we let the Wu Clan side patiently cultivate and develop, letting them grow strong... it would be too disadvantageous for our demon race.'"

"'Even if we ultimately win, it would be a pyrrhic victory.'"

"'We need a chance for a quick, decisive battle; we cannot drag it into the late stage, where we would kill a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred ourselves.' Xihuang spoke with a resonant, forceful tone."

Moreover, seemingly afraid Shaoyang might misunderstand, he added an extra sentence, 'This is not for so-called public or private motives to oppose Hongjun, but rather we cannot let the demon populace suffer too great a sacrifice in this war.'"

What kind of broad-mindedness is this?

For Heaven and Earth!

For the myriad beings!

Worry for the clan, worry for the people!

Upon this, Shaoyang gave a thumbs-up, voiced praise, and clapped.

Well said!

Excellently said!

"'This is the virtue that an innate divine being ought to possess... Dao Friend, you need not be so.' Fuxi shook his head, 'Since you have invited us for a discussion, pointing out the Wu-Demon situation, you surely have a good plan to swiftly defeat the Wu Clan in mind?'"

"'Xihuang... I listen respectfully.'"

Fuxi lowered his posture, seeking instruction from Shaoyang.

Shaoyang Emperor Sovereign repeatedly said he dared not.

The interaction between the two great beings had a certain tacit understanding... even Báizé, who wanted to join in the fun from the side, was somewhat unsure how to insert himself appropriately.

"'This... I feel a bit redundant.' Yao Marshal Báizé stroked his chin, 'Could it be that I am merely here to serve as a witness?'"

In the future, when writing books and recording history, summarizing the many major events of this era, will this scene be written down and recorded in the Chronicles of Xihuang?

In the future, when writing books and recording history, summarizing the many major events of this era, will this scene be written down and recorded in the Chronicles of Xihuang?

Báizé loves writing history—this is universally acknowledged in the primordial era.

Translate: "Báizé loves writing history——this is universally acknowledged in Honghuang." Note: em dash. We'll keep as "——". So: "Báizé loves writing history——this is universally acknowledged in Honghuang."

By then, will I still need to beautify and embellish these two guys?

By then, will I still need to beautify and embellish these two guys?

In a casual chat, the Wu Clan is wiped out?

In a casual chat, the Wu Clan is wiped out?

One who honors the worthy and humbles himself before scholars fully displays the bearing of a sovereign?

One who honors the worthy and humbles himself before scholars fully displays the bearing of a sovereign?

I'm merely a yes-man? A background? A pitiful fool used to set off the two protagonists?

I'm merely a yes-man? A background? A pitiful fool used to set off the two protagonists?

That's going too far!

Translate: "That's going too far!" We'll keep quotes.

Báizé is a little unhappy, coldly watching Fuxi and Lesser Yang continue their interaction.

Báizé was a little unhappy, coldly watching Fuxi and Lesser Yang continue their interaction.

……

Translate: "......" Actually the line is just ellipsis. We'll output: "......" but we need to keep as is? We'll output "......". We'll keep the same number of dots? The source has four dots? Actually "……" is two Chinese ellipsis characters, each representing three dots? Usually it's six dots. We'll output "......". We'll keep as is.

"A good strategy? I don't deserve such praise." Lesser Yang Emperor is very humble, saying, "After all, my plan is ultimately somewhat unsuitable to be presented, its conspiratorial tone too strong."

Translate: "A good plan? I don't deserve such praise." Lesser Yang Emperor was very humble: "After all, my schemes are ultimately somewhat indecent to be put on the table, too heavy with the aura of conspiracy." We need to keep quotes. We'll translate: "A good plan? I don't deserve such praise." Lesser Yang Emperor was very humble: "After all, my schemes are ultimately somewhat indecent to be put on the table, too heavy with the aura of conspiracy." We'll output 【70】 that.

"But, although it is a conspiracy, using it here can achieve remarkable success."

Translate: "But, although it is a scheme, used here it can achieve remarkable merit." We'll output: "But, although it is a scheme, used here it can achieve remarkable merit."

The emperor said softly: "The Wu Clan wants to act steadily mainly because they haven't found a good opportunity to strike… but what if?"

Translate: "This emperor said in a low voice: 'The reason the Wu Clan wants to proceed steadily is mainly because they cannot find a good opportunity to strike…… but what if?'" We'll translate: "This emperor said in a low voice: 'The reason the Wu Clan wants to proceed steadily is mainly because they cannot find a good opportunity to strike…… but what if?'" We'll keep the ellipsis.

"Which day will the Demon Race expose a 'fatal' flaw?"

Which day will the Demon Race expose a 'fatal' flaw?

"Give the Wu Clan's ancestral witches an illusion… opportunity must not be lost, lost never comes again!"

Translate: "Give the Wu Clan's various ancestral witches an illusion…… opportunity must not be lost, lost never returns!" We'll translate: "Give the Wu Clan's various ancestral witches an illusion…… opportunity must not be lost, lost never returns!" We'll keep ellipsis.

"Lure them to give their all, hoping to strike while the Demon Race is weak and take their lives!"

Lure them to give their all, hoping to strike while the Demon Race is weak and take their lives!

Lesser Yang stretched out a hand, slowly clenching it into a fist, saying, "However, only after they launch will they realize—this is a trap! A trap of true Absolute Kill!"

Lesser Yang stretched out a hand, slowly clenching it into a fist, and said, "However, only after they launch will they realize——this is a trap! A trap of true Absolute Kill!"

"Bait?" Xihuang frowned, "But… isn't that difficult?"

Translate: "'Bait?' Xihuang frowned, 'But…… is that not easy?'" We'll output.

"Creating such bait is not easy in itself, let alone gaining the trust of the Wu Clan and successfully trapping them."

Translate: "Creating such bait is not easy in itself, let alone gaining the trust of the Wu Clan and successfully trapping them." We'll output.

"Then it depends on whether the two of you are willing to push this, letting the Demon Race invest heavily." Lesser Yang Emperor said meaningfully, "Suppose there is such a tribe that siphons off the middle layer of the Demon Race, shaking its foundations… wouldn't that be a great opportunity for the Wu Clan?"

Translate: "Then it depends on whether the two of you are willing to push this, letting the Demon Race invest heavily." Lesser Yang Emperor said with deep meaning: "Suppose there is such a group that siphons off the middle layer of the Demon Race, shaking its foundation…… would that not be a great opportunity for the Wu Clan?" We'll output.

"…" Xihuang and Báizé exchanged glances, surprise flashing in their eyes.

Translate: "……" Xihuang and Báizé exchanged glances, surprise flashing in their eyes. We'll output: "……" Xihuang and Báizé exchanged glances, surprise flashing in their eyes.

"Indeed."

Translate: "Indeed."

"This is a great opportunity for the Wu Clan."

Translate: "For the Wu Clan, this is a great opportunity."

"But for the Demon Race, it is truly a deadly crisis!"

Translate: "But for the Demon Race, it is truly a deadly crisis!"

"If this bait gets out of control… the Demon Race will instantly fall into a disadvantage, struggling to move!"

Translate: "If this bait gets out of control…… the Demon Race will instantly fall into a disadvantaged position, struggling to move!" We'll output.

"Such bait…… is indeed a huge investment."

Such bait…… is indeed a huge investment.

"One misstep, and the investment is lost, everyone ascends to heaven."

One misstep, and the investment is wasted, everyone ascends to heaven.

Xihuang calmed down and made an evaluation.

Translate: "Xihuang calmed down and gave an evaluation."

"Moreover, to oversee this and create a killing scheme that the Wu Clan cannot see as a trap, the person in charge must be among the very best of the present age in terms of mind, skill, and ability."

Translate: "Moreover, to oversee this and create a killing game that the Wu Clan side cannot see as a trap…… the person in charge, regardless of mind, means, or ability, must be among the very best of the present age." We'll output.

"But… such people mostly already have a backer and have taken a side."

Translate: "But…… such people mostly already have a backing and have settled their allegiance." We'll output.

"This is tough!"

Translate: "This is tough!"

Xihuang frowned.

Translate: "Xihuang frowned."

Lesser Yang, however, chuckled.

Translate: "Lesser Yang chuckled."

"But, that's just mostly the case."

Translate: "But, it's only mostly the case."

"Aren't there still people who remain unaffiliated?"

Aren't there still people who remain unaffiliated?

"Oh?" Xihuang raised his eyebrows.

Translate: "Oh?" Xihuang raised his eyebrows.

"Far in the heavens, near at hand… what do you think of me?" Lesser Yang recommended himself.

Translate: "Far in the heavens, near at hand…… how about me?" Lesser Yang recommended himself. We'll output: "Far in the heavens, near at hand…… how about me?" Lesser Yang recommended himself.

"You?" Xihuang straightened his face, "I also admire your abilities, Dao friend. But you are not currently a core member of the Demon Race, and on the matter of trust…"

Translate: "You?" Xihuang straightened his face, "I also admire your abilities as a fellow cultivator, but you are not now a core of the Demon Race, and on the matter of trust……" We'll output.

"Eh… that's not how to put it." Lesser Yang shook his head repeatedly, "Trust can be built, right?"

Translate: "Eh…… that's not how to speak." Lesser Yang shook his head repeatedly, "Trust can be built!" We'll output.

"Moreover, since I invited the two of you to this discussion… it is precisely because I want to join your side!"

Translate: "Furthermore, since I have invited the two of you to this talk…… it is precisely because I wish to join your side!" We'll output.

"Compared to merely joining the Demon Race by strength alone, if I bring great achievements, my status would be higher, wouldn't it?"

Translate: "Compared to merely relying on strength to join the Demon Race…… if I bring great achievements, my status will be higher, right?" We'll output.

"Moreover…"

Translate: "Furthermore……"

"Moreover, could one also easily gain control of a massive supporting force?" Xihuang smiled half‑heartedly, clapped his hands and sighed, "Lesser Yang Dao friend, you truly have clever schemes and calculations!"

Translate: "Furthermore, could one also easily command a vast supporting force?" Xihuang smiled faintly, clapped his hands and sighed, "Lesser Yang fellow cultivator, you truly have deep scheming and calculation!" We'll output.

"If one lacks a bit of cunning and calculation in heart, how could one achieve today's accomplishments?" Lesser Yang replied with a smile, "Looking back to when the primordial wilderness first opened, there were three thousand innate divinities… when it comes to cultivation talent, aptitude, and comprehension, who is really better than whom?"

Translate: "If one lacks a bit of scheming and calculation in mind, how could one achieve today's accomplishments?" Lesser Yang responded with a smile, "Looking back to when Honghuang first opened, there were three thousand primordial deities…… when it comes to cultivation talent, aptitude, and comprehension, who is superior to whom?" We'll output.

"They all start from the same starting line."

Translate: "We all stand on the same starting line."

"Yet the final achievements differ greatly, even as vastly as heaven and earth… why?"

Translate: "Yet the final achievements are vastly different, even as far apart as heaven and earth…… why?"

"It comes down to this cunning and calculation—being able to gather strength faster than others, overcome obstacles ahead, and get a step ahead… and precisely because everyone's talents are nearly equal, getting that one step ahead means staying ahead forever."

Translate: "It lies in this scheming and calculation—being able to gather strength faster than others, overcome obstacles ahead, get a step ahead…… and precisely because their talents differ little, getting ahead by one step means staying ahead forever." We'll output.

"One step fast, every step fast!"

Translate: "One step fast, every step fast!"

"If not for that, why would everyone be busy building forces and establishing great teachings?" Lesser Yang Emperor sighed, "Wouldn't it be better for idle clouds and wild cranes to retreat into seclusion? Taking on disciples is troublesome, training subordinates is exhausting, and one person would be more at ease."

Translate: "If not so, why would everyone be busy building power, establishing great sects?" Lesser Yang Emperor sighed, "Wouldn't it be better for the idle clouds and wild cranes to go into secluded cultivation? Taking on disciples is troublesome; nurturing followers is exhausting; one person would be more at ease." We'll output.

"It's truly forced by circumstances; we have no choice but to compete!"

Translate: "Indeed, circumstances force us, we have no choice but to compete!"

"But once involved, one must have some cunning and calculation, budget carefully… unless someone can establish an absolute advantage, the rest will be dragged together to be sacrificed to heaven, slaughtered completely."

Translate: "And once involved, one must have some scheming and calculation, budget carefully…… unless someone can establish the greatest absolute advantage, the rest, rushing together, will be forcibly sacrificed to heaven, slaughtered utterly." We'll output.

"Only then can one obtain a bit of peace."

Translate: "Only then can one obtain a bit of tranquility."

Lesser Yang spoke from the heart, and the two great beings listening felt a deep resonance.

Translate: "Lesser Yang spoke these heartfelt words, and the two great beings listening were both filled with sorrow."

Others see them as radiant and glorious in public, wielding great authority over heaven and earth, truly imposing.

Translate: "Others see them as radiant and glorious before the public, wielding great authority over heaven and earth, truly imposing."

But what is the actual situation?

Translate: "But what is the real situation?"

Behind the scenes, no one dares to relax.

Translate: "Behind the scenes, not one dares to relax."

Everyone else is working hard, only you are not… perhaps sooner or later you'll be turned into an innate spiritual treasure?

Translate: "Everyone else is striving; only you are not…… afraid that sooner or later you'll be made into a primordial spirit treasure?" We'll output.

The Great Luo's reversal of cause and effect makes this a competition where only one who attains Pangu‑level achievement can withdraw completely.

Translate: "Great Luo reverses cause and effect; this is a competition from which one can withdraw completely only if one achieves the accomplishment of Pangu." We'll output.

Therefore, every heavenly will is striving to cross over.

Translate: "Therefore, every Heaven's will is striving to cross."

For the weak Great Luo, the main test is their vision—whether they will follow the right path, know how to cling to a strong thigh, and whether the thigh they cling to is the correct one.

Translate: "Weak Great Luo's main test is their vision: whether they will follow the right path, know how to cling to a thigh, and whether the thigh they cling to is the correct one."

And the mighty ones standing at the peak no longer have thighs for them to hug.

They will scheme for themselves and carve out a bright path!

In the present Honghuang, the one who has gone the farthest on this competition road is called—Hongjun!

"So, Daoist friend, you look favorably on my Demon Race and want to hitch a ride on this tailwind?"

After sighing, Xihuang returned to the main topic.

"Exactly!" Shaoyang nodded solemnly.

"For the Demon Race, I can contact the Wu Clan, feign cooperation with them to execute the Immortal Race plan... and wait for the right moment!"

Shaoyang's eyes turned fierce: "I will lure them into an ambush and send them all ascending to heaven!"

"Um... contact the Wu Clan, feign cooperation with them?" Báizé interjected, full of question marks, "Wait... let me think this through."

"First, is your true stance to join my Demon Race?"

"Right... it's best not to make this public, after all there are hidden agents!" Shaoyang nodded.

"Then, you bear a mission and again feign cooperation with the Wu Clan's Ancestral Witches, making them think you're one of them?" Báizé continued.

"Exactly."

"Finally, when the time is ripe, you tell the Ancestral Witches they can move out... once they actually do, entering the ambush circle, you then close the loophole you feigned open?!"

"Exactly, exactly, exactly—that's it!" Shaoyang Sovereign nodded, "The key to this plan is to lure the Wu Clan into a decisive battle before their wings are fully grown, and to do so under the deadly premise of being schemed against unintentionally!"

"Even if the ambush is set, there's still a chance to focus fire and instantly kill one or even multiple Ancestral Witches, splitting and crushing the Wu Clan's top-tier power!"

This is an Absolute Kill strategy!

At this moment, after hearing the rough description, Xihuang and Yao Marshal Báizé's faces shifted unpredictably.

Too ruthless!

It's practically aimed at exterminating the clan and cutting off the lineage!

"This plan... if the Ancestral Witches knew, they'd surely bear an endless grudge against you, Daoist friend!"

Xihuang let out a long sigh.

"I already have some grudges with a few of the Ancestral Witches... it doesn't matter to drag in a bit more hatred." Shaoyang chuckled lightly.

"But... Daoist friend, using yourself and the Immortal Race as bait, you'll then be in the most perilous situation." Xihuang pondered briefly, "The Ancestral Witches will fly into a rage and focus fire; you'll face the danger of losing your life."

"Indeed." Shaoyang did not deny.

If this strategy were truly carried out as he said... how could there be few of the Ancestral Witches and Great Witches shouting the slogan, "The great calamity can be lost, but Shaoyang must die"?

They'd spare no cost to drag him down as a pawn!

"But... if the Demon Race's slaughter speed is fast enough—fast enough that before I'm killed by focused fire, I can encircle and annihilate the Ancestral Witches—wouldn't I then be safe?"

Shaoyang smiled and explained thus.

"But it's still too risky. And if Daoist friend sincerely joins the Wu Clan, making the Immortal Race plan real instead of feigned... then everything would change?" Báizé's eyes were deep, "Not only could you retreat unscathed, but you would truly deal a heavy blow to my Demon Race."

"Exactly." Shaoyang nodded in acknowledgment, "But this is first and foremost a gamble."

"Then... it's still that same sentence—I have some grudges with a few of the Ancestral Witches!"

Shaoyang rarely felt wistful sighing, "Recalling the Dragon-Phoenix Era, I once undertook earth-shattering deeds, so my current achievements far surpass those of ordinary Innate Divine Sages, yet I also thereby offended a group of people... several Ancestral Witches likely still remember it vividly."

Any mighty one who can rise and stand at the pinnacle of heaven and earth—who doesn't have a past? Who doesn't have a dark history?

There's always someone you've offended.

"If they get a chance to settle scores with me, they're probably more excited than anyone."

"So, what's in it for me to help the Wu Clan defeat the Demon Race?"

"When the time comes to divide the spoils of victory, I'll likely have to face the Ancestral Witches' wrath head-on and suffer a brutal ganging up... in that case, I might as well just join you Demon Race."

"Look."

"How simple a principle?"

(End of chapter)