Chapter 160: then translation of chapter title

The Dao Ancestor is advancing.

The highest primordial divine artifact of the Honghuang universe—the Creation Jade Disc—is now rotating, radiating light, and sinking bit by bit toward the Shijian Changhe.

Under that warm, moist radiance, all obscure heavenly secrets and concealed futures will be revealed, laid bare before Hongjun.

【You little rascal.】

The Dao Ancestor's gaze is contemptuous.

【Some people!】

【They think their skill in meddling with heavenly secrets is high enough to casually hack into the Heavenly Dao, hijack the system, and mess around inside.】

【Either they hide some shameful secrets, or they go probe sealed information… meddling with permissions, how mighty they feel.】

【They casually bestow upon themselves a managerial title, acting without restraint.】

【What a pity!】

【Holding the Creation Jade Disc, I am one step above all of you!】

If we say, other mighty beings are in management.

Then Hongjun is the greatest group master of this Great Luo Heavenly Will group!

【If I don't notice, then it's fine.】

【If I get serious, who can escape my palm?】

【All those jumping about will be recorded in my little notebook!】

Hongjun is confident.

Those who just made small moves will surely not escape his discerning eye!

After all, aside from Pangu, in Honghuang his authority is supreme.

Whether they find solid evidence and catch the culprit red-handed, or see nothing at all, as if it were just an illusion… they will still reveal enough information.

「Soon… soon…」

The Dao Ancestor's eyes burn ever brighter.

He feels that he is about to see the truth.

……

Mount Buzhou.

Di Jiang Holy Hall.

A mighty and terrifying deity sits quietly within, enjoying the rare leisure amidst busy work.

Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu

These days, leadership is not easy.

There are too many elites among the Wu Clan.

A little slack, management lacking, and someone may covet the seat beneath one's backside, thinking 'How can kings and marquises be born of noble stock?'

—If you want absolutely loyal subordinates, don't give them a chance to betray.

Besides this, the struggle against the Demon Race and the planning of grand strategy… as one of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, Di Jiang says he has racked his brains.

Even when he finally manages to snag a bit of his own time, he cannot fully relax.

He must still recharge himself, boost his wisdom, and add chips to his future endeavors.

So, Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu chose to read—

《One Hundred Ruthless Tactics》

《Self-Cultivation of the Dead—Advanced Edition》

《Three Thousand Ways to Frame Others That You Cannot Ignore》

《How to Wear Others' Clothes More Perfectly》

……

Book after book filled the desk.

On occasionally opened pages, one can see many reflections and insights written by Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu… showing how deeply he has studied.

Although the books this ancestor reads are not exactly proper.

But such a diligent attitude toward learning is worthy of emulation and admiration by all beings.

Of course, when emulating, to prevent the Honghuang universe's unhealthy trends from growing too wild… some refinement is still needed.

For example, blur this ancestor's recommended reading list.

Otherwise, how could later generations praise the ancient era's 'pure and simple hearts'—to say, 'the world deteriorates, hearts are no longer ancient'?!

Also, there is the issue of the Wu Clan's external publicity.

The eldest brother is so sly; how could the Wu Clan be packaged as 'honest, straightforward, single-minded' so that the demon followers who rely on the Wu Clan feel the eldest brother is reliable?

Who wouldn't like a backer who is sincere and upright, able to be fully entrusted, and who won't sell out your shield when danger strikes?

Although, in this treacherous world, being completely honest and upright… is very hard to see through to the end.

In the mire of the times, they are too precious and also too fragile.

Precisely because of this, many people yearn for it wholeheartedly—after enduring society's beatings, who wouldn't hope to find a warm harbor where they can relax their spirits?

Thus, the Wu Clan intentionally leans into this in their external propaganda, able to fool one is one.

What lacks scheming, doesn't calculate, what is straightforward and sincere in dealing with others…

Although, from time to time an ancestor mutters—this propaganda's resulting image seems to have made the whole clan synonymous with recklessness, brains filled only with muscle, utterly foolish… wouldn't those opponents in the Demon Race laugh themselves crazy and look down on us?

Unfortunately, this dissent never gained traction.

Because at least six ancestors voted to approve the Wu Clan's image propaganda, choosing that path.

They unanimously declared—what's face? Practical benefits come first!

We would love for the Demon Race to look down on us, so that when they scheme, they become careless, letting us have the last laugh.

After we win the Lich Great War, reap the fruits of victory, then wipe everyone's memories and cleanse all stains…… wouldn't that be enough?

If that still isn't enough, we can take the opportunity to add some spice…… add something to everyone's memories, slander the Demon Race's mighty ones, fabricate hundreds of scandalous stories!

Conversely…… if we lose? Same principle.

On the Demon Race's side, they will most likely blacken our reputation to death!

They are all Great Luo, once both enemies and friends.

Who doesn't know what kind of temperament the guy opposite us has?

"History is written by the victors…… Please everyone, remember this principle."

"As for the Wu Clan's image, what it will eventually become doesn't depend on our true nature."

"But rather depends on whether our fists are big enough, whether we can make the ones who write the history of the era follow their hearts' will, spontaneously and consciously edit and embellish, ultimately shaping everyone into the image of 'resourceful and strategic' and 'moral exemplar', then using that as a template to promote outward!"

"So for the sake of the big picture, let's just bear with it for now."

"Just consider it a contribution to War Obfuscation."

……

Because of the War Obfuscation propaganda, the books in Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu's hands are not easy to speak of outside.

Moreover, compared to the enemy.

Some of our current teammates…… are even less suitable for them to know.

Therefore, Di Jiang can only study diligently alone in the quiet hall, seizing every bit of spare time, to enrich his experience in certain aspects.

Until a certain moment, an unexpected incident interrupted this process.

That was Hongjun activating the Jade Disc of Creation, sorting out all aberrant behavior, intending to ruthlessly eradicate all monsters and demons!

As one of the top leaders of the Wu Clan and the Demon Race, relying on the great fortune of his clan behind him, and with hundreds or thousands of Great Luo siding with him…… Di Jiang's perception is very keen.

Especially, he had already been secretly monitoring a certain matter, and had a tacit understanding with a certain expert skilled at lateral leaps.

At the instant Hongjun made a strong move, that expert felt something.

"Trouble…… Shaoyang is in danger!"

Di Jiang let out a light sigh.

Words spoken from his mouth, if spread, would likely stir up a tremendous uproar.

This means he understands Shaoyang Emperor's immortal clan plan.

Furthermore, from the standpoint of an ancestor witch, he sympathizes with the double-faced spies who secretly dig pits, bury demons and bury witches.

It's practically a rhythm meant to scare people to death.

A pitch-black curtain, incredibly deep and dark, faintly veiling this era.

The waters of the Honghuang cosmos are too deep, too deep.

From the Chaos Five Extremes, to Pangu splitting heaven, to the Dragon-Phoenix epoch…… after vast, long ages have passed, the Honghuang world is certainly not simple.

This era is indeed the stage where the Wu Clan and the Demon Race gallop.

But who knows what thoughts those peak experts who have invested in this era hold deep in their hearts?

A certain strongman pretended to be Huangdi, and struck out a supreme sword that made the Yao Marshal Bai Ze tremble with fear……

The reincarnation doubts of Xihuang and the Qing Emperor fell in the Lich Great Tribulation……

Di Jiang harbors suspicions, and his ties to Huangdi are unclear……

The fleeting Yandi, leaving no trace afterward……

All of this intertwines, silently weaving into a net, quietly entwining this era, seeking to drag what into mire and slaughter.

Is it the pursuit of ideals? The mutual attraction of like-minded comrades?

Or is it the pursuit of profit? Several peak experts dissatisfied with the Wu Clan and the Demon Race's operational model, finding too many comrades grabbing a share at the spoils, simply deciding to start their own stove, with kings having kings, victors taking all?

——We are all human kings, but we are still your fathers/ancestors!

The former is fine.

The latter…… is simply full of the utmost malice.

Once exposed, it's straight to being besieged and beaten to death.

This has become grasshoppers on the same rope.

Grasshoppers can die.

But the rope cannot be broken.

"Shaoyang isn't unable to die……"

Di Jiang put down the book in his hands, his eyes clear and bright.

"But we can't just die without exerting any effect…… This is a major blow to our plan."

"At least we should burn a bit."

"It can both attract sufficient firepower and allow the most crucial piece to successfully sneak through……"

"Unfortunately, Hongjun is hard to fool."

"His strength is too strong."

"Dealing with him, trying to completely hide the heavens and cross the sea, the difficulty is too great." Di Jiang rose, muttering lowly, "Our core personnel cannot be exposed, after all, they cannot withstand deeper investigation."

"We need an existence that, on the surface, has nothing to do with our core plan to stir things up…… and moreover, we need Hongjun, after arduous investigation, to somehow find some special clues, to know the 'inside story' and 'hidden truth' of such behavior, little by little diverting his thoughts, and putting the blame on another person……"

"Got it!"

Di Jiang's eyes narrowed.

He thought of a suitable candidate.

And once he made up his mind, the ancestor witch immediately took action.

This is a critical moment.

With a flick of his finger, he set up a small altar, on which he simply placed an incense burner.

Then Di Jiang drew three incense sticks from his sleeve, rubbed his palm over them, and fresh blood seeped out, dyeing them red—an eerie, terrifying atmosphere suddenly arose.

The Ancestral Witch performed this deed expressionlessly; when the divine Dao blood filling the space evenly coated the incense sticks, he rubbed his fingers together to light them and inserted them into the incense burner before him.

The incense smoke was strange, following an unfathomable trajectory, shooting straight into the boundless, lofty spatial layers… as if summoning some existence.

Accompanying the smoke was a low whisper of instruction.

"Hold back Hongjun… in the name of Houtu."

"How to play it… you decide."

…

"Haha… I've blocked you!"

In the the Zixiao Palace, the Dao Ancestor's face showed joy.

"Let me see which fellow is trying to stir up trouble."

Relying on absolute strength, Hongjun truly caught a clue.

The cunning prey dodged east and west, yet still could not escape the encirclement and interception of the seasoned hunter.

Finally.

All those mysteries will finally be revealed.

Hongjun rubbed his palms together, and the the Zixiao Palace seemed to be soaked in his delighted mood.

"Show your true form!"

He thrust out his hand, grasping toward the locked-on hidden variable, about to seize all secrets.

However, at the very critical moment, the instant his hand touched it, that variable gave birth to something strange—

"Hum!"

A surging flood evolved from nothingness, cutting across past, present, and future, submerging the boundless world!

The Dao Ancestor's palm strike fell short, was intercepted and blocked, obstructing the road to the truth.

A mighty expert made a strong move, challenging Hongjun!

At that moment, a fierce light flashed in Hongjun's eyes.

"Is it… you, Yang Mei? He said each word deliberately.

The Dao Ancestor gazed at the vast flood, wherein the infinite sea of space was being enacted, with myriad dimensions constantly creating and destroying, expounding a most splendid and radiant Dao fruition.

This is the Dao of a very ancient powerhouse.

It has come all the way from the Chaos Era, following that era's concept, taking it as the foundation of the Great Dao, and elaborating the Chaos Era's turmoil and changes to an utterly supreme degree.

A hollow-stemmed willow, a top-grade innate spiritual root, existed long before the Honghuang heavens and earth—who knows how many years—and in that ancient Chaos where order did not exist and the Great Dao was undefined, it gained sentience, cultivated supreme divine abilities, and is one of the most outstanding among the myriad Chaos demon gods!

Moreover, during the frantic moment when Pangu brandished his axe to slaughter the Chaos demon gods…

He somehow managed to preserve his life at such a perilous juncture, escaping almost wholly intact!

Such a mighty one is called—

Yang Mei!

This powerhouse is no stranger to Hongjun; they once had ties in the Dragon-Phoenix era—Rahu together with the two of them staged a magnificent, moving drama.

"Naturally, it's me."

The sea of space surged; a vague, hazy figure stepped on the waves, heading toward the source of time and space, entering the unfathomable Chaos, the words faint, transmitted into Hongjun's ears.

"Why have you come here?"

Hongjun asked coldly.

"I heard you, fellow Daoist, have been appointed to oversee the Heavenly Dao, your merit rivals creation; my curiosity piqued, I have come specially to seek your advice."

Yang Mei smiled, his silver hair falling over his shoulders, his aura ethereal and vast, profound and unfathomable… just like the sea of space beneath his feet, ever-changing, immeasurable.

"Seeking advice is a pretense, obstructing me is the truth, right? Hongjun's eyes narrowed gradually. "What are you scheming?"

Yang Mei merely smiled, uttering not a word.

"It seems your lips are sealed." Hongjun said lightly, "I'll need to expend some effort."

"Fellow Daoist, you still have work to do… maintaining the stable operation of Honghuang is of utmost importance." Yang Mei spoke, "Otherwise, be careful of being impeached for dereliction of duty, neglecting public affairs for private gain."

PS: The noble lone wolf fell asleep on Valentine's night… sorry for the late update.

(End of chapter)