Chapter 162: What name do I chant in my heart, O Dao

To Houtu, Fengxi is very loyal.

However, many times, loyalty alone is not enough—aren't there few cases of good intentions leading to bad outcomes? During the Wu Clan's founding and development, ability is what truly ranks first.

To strengthen their forces, they can even align with teammates who are deep in scheming… the demands placed on subordinates can be imagined.

Wait until the day the Wu Clan achieves a glorious victory, then raising the banner of loyalty and conducting an internal purge would not be too late.

Before that, one must gauge the balance, shifting the added value of loyalty slightly back, placing it under the added value of ability.

Remarkable, it is to give a stage of trial to the loyal subordinates who follow wholeheartedly, letting them prove themselves.

If performance is sufficiently outstanding, when the value of ability and loyalty overlap, they will be more favored and entrusted with important responsibilities.

And if performance is too poor……

Then the only option is to remove them from the unsuitable position—as a qualified leader, one must ultimately put the overall situation first, not the personal satisfaction brought by loyalty.

Houtu holds expectations for Fengxi…… This is a good thing for Fengxi, representing a smooth rise in the future, yet also a heavy pressure, to be held to the strictest standards, hoping he can do better.

If not a true confidant, how could one have the mindset of 'hating iron for not becoming steel'? To an outsider, whether you live or die is none of my business; I only take your ability… As for your future development, do I need to worry about it? ……

When Houtu, the ancestral witch, mutters…

In Kunlun Mountain, Fengxi, busy arranging the Sports Games venue and directing everywhere, upon sensing something, raised his head—first turning to look toward the direction of Buzhou Heavenly Pillar, then gazing into the depths of the starry sky, remaining silent for a long while.

"What's wrong?"

Hougang, who was shouting at subordinates while working overtime to handle security inspections and patrols, approached and asked.

"Nothing……" Fengxi shook his head, somewhat puzzled, "I just suddenly felt that the burden on my shoulders had become much heavier."

"It seems…… it seems I am bearing the expectations of too many people? I must accomplish some great undertaking, some great achievement."

"It's almost pressing me to the point I can't breathe."

"……" Hougang looked at Fengxi speechlessly, "I'm telling you, with your small frame, what great achievement could you possibly have?"

"Have you attained the Great Luo? Have you been promoted to management?"

Hougang rolled his eyes, "You have nothing, so stop giving yourself extra drama."

"Uh……" Fengxi's mouth twitched as he looked at Hougang's hate‑inviting face, wondering whether he should tear him apart with his hands.

Hougang, oblivious, continued to chatter on: "In my view, you're suffering from prolonged high‑intensity work without adjusting your mental state to optimal, leading to extreme mental overexcitement and tension, disordered thoughts, and you start to wander off— in short, you've become mentally deviant!"

Fengxi's impulse to tear Hougang apart grew stronger at this moment.

Listen!

Mentally deviant! Is that something a normal teammate should say?!

Fengxi's angry expression flashed briefly…… it's not that he isn't angry.

But he has already begun secretly plotting in his heart—a hundred ways for Hougang to die.

A real man never utters harsh words in a quarrel.

Doing so shows a lowly stature, needlessly lowering the tone…… it easily makes people think this is the lament of a defeated dog.

He records the other's name in his little notebook, waiting for the right moment—when their ability is no longer specially needed—to secretly dig a pit and set an ambush, waiting for them to fall in and make a mistake, then to carry out a tear‑filled execution of a teammate…… how splendid! Afterwards, he can wipe his tears and declare to the public——

"Really!"

"I really don't want to kill him!"

"I originally meant well, entrusting him with an important duty……"

"But I never expected he would neglect his duties, act selfishly, be corrupt, commit grave errors, undermine morale, or harbor rebellious tendencies…… I have no choice but to tearfully enforce the law and execute him!"

"Look!"

"Before military law, no personal feelings can be tolerated…… I can steel myself to deal with a friend who has erred, let alone others?"

In an instant.

A persona of flesh and blood, clear in public vs. private, fair and just, was thus established.

People will only praise his utter selflessness.

This is——after killing someone, still having to dance on his grave as a performance!

Fengxi's mind churned with thoughts that cannot see the light, killing intent brewing.

Hougang shivered unnaturally, looking left and right, suspicious and paranoid, "What's going on? I actually sense a hint of danger lurking."

Fengxi blinked, then immediately spoke, picking up the thread and steering the conversation, lest Hougang react and discern the "true culprit."

"Perhaps it's because you've recently been in charge of security inspections, offending many people."

"The grudges of many have gathered on you, causing you to have this illusion?"

"Liar!" Hougang pursed his lips, showing disbelief, "I, Hougang, have always been kind to others, never deceitful, morally flawless, of high virtue—how could I possibly offend anyone?"

"Impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible." Fengxi said, "Just think about it……"

"To present a good security image at the Sports Games, letting the myriad races participating know that our Wu Clan is responsible, those inspection staff you directed have been busy before and after, recently not closing their eyes, keeping their sensing abilities active all day, conducting 360‑degree blind‑spot detection, has anyone been carrying or dumping dangerous items……"

"Your doing this has yielded huge results in inspection work, but those staff are each exhausted to the point of exasperation…… the baseline flow of tens of billions, and that's just for one day!"

"Under these circumstances, someone secretly cursing you behind your back as a 'dog leader' is completely normal!"

Fengxi spoke with conviction, "Moreover, let's not mention how your thorough inspection work has thwarted many schemers' plots, causing numerous suicide‑style attacks to die in the womb."

"Those who harbor resentment daily but have nowhere to vent will point to this revenge opportunity, and the demonic spirits will resent you; the high‑ranking Demon Race who sent idle pieces to cause trouble, only to be completely wiped out, will keep a little note on you…… this is very reasonable!"

"Even if you, Hougang, have always been kind, morally exalted, and of perfect conduct—so what?"

"In this world, there is a kind of hatred reason called——'you're blocking my way!'"

Fengxi was coaxing.

Hougang deeply believed it.

"Sigh…… speaking like this, I've given too much for the Wu Clan's cause." He sighed, "To draw hatred for the organization to this extent, it's strangely turned toward a direction of being opposed by the whole world."

"Wait…… that's not right!"

Hougang fell into thought, "I remember this work…… it seems I was muddled and you arranged it for me?"

His gaze instantly turned hostile.

"Brother Hougang, you've misunderstood……" Fengxi laughed heartily, "Our Wu Clan's diplomatic team stationed at Kunlun is a team that values collective will above all; there has never been any personal dictatorship or private appointments."

"So you will take on this work entirely because of everyone's trust and recommendation!"

"When you were out promoting, we held a seminar; an unnamed painter who wished to stay anonymous nominated you, saying you're an expert in this area, experts handle expert matters, isn't that normal…… So finally, following the principle of minority submits to majority, we voted, and you passed unanimously."

"As for me?"

"Just a mouthpiece in this process, a pure tool, responsible for relaying the results to you."

Fengxi said, this was not an action he led, and it has nothing to do with him.

"I…… pah!" Hougang, somewhat agitated, "I don't believe a word you say…… unanimous vote?" "You dare say there's no hint from you in there? Going to each of them for private talks?"

"Fengxi, I see you're big‑eyed and thick‑eyebrowed, how can you be so dark‑hearted?!"

Hougang's saliva flew everywhere, his hands restless, swaying left and right, as if he wanted to start a brawl right there.

"You're definitely doing this on purpose!"

"Before the retaliation, I called you 'King of the Great Treasure Sword,' 'Friend of Women'…… so you deliberately picked a time when I wasn't there to hold that so‑called meeting vote!"

Hougang shouted angrily.

He was very angry.

Fengxi was also very angry.

Not that I didn't know.

Now, after being reminded, I think seriously……

Hougang, this guy, how many times have you schemed against him?

Not that behind‑the‑scenes scheming kind.

Face‑to‑face!

Face‑to‑face mockery!

Fengxi realized belatedly.

"Hiss…… little bro!"

"I've discovered…… you're no ordinary drifter!"

"How big a grudge do you hold against me?"

Fengxi's gaze gradually deepened.

"If you don't mention it, I'd have forgotten this whole matter."

Fengxi sized Hougang up and down, his gaze inscrutable, nodding then shaking his head.

This is frightening.

Just at this moment, Hougang felt a chill on his neck.

Exaggerating a bit, it's like an unstoppable axe flashing cold light, swinging back and forth there, possibly about to chop down at any moment.

"Cough cough cough…… what's with that look?"

Hougang gave a dry cough twice.

Fengxi first fell silent, then suddenly burst out laughing, "Just trying to scare you…… you look scared, don't you?"

"What you just said is correct…… I'm merely returning the favor."

Fengxi smiled, narrowing his eyes so no one could see his inner feelings, "Now we're even; let's let these past events drift away with the wind."

"Huh…… I knew it." Hougang exhaled in relief.

"All right." Fengxi continued laughing, shifting the topic, "The sports meet is about to begin; your security work cannot slack in the slightest…… and the further we go, the more careful we must be, allowing no negligence whatsoever."

"All those who come to scout, who have pre‑placed Killer's Trick ambushes, must be rooted out…… despite the Lesser Yang Emperor extending goodwill to Yandi, selling him a favor, a divine edict suppresses this place."

"But we also cannot afford the slightest carelessness; the work that needs to be done must still be done."

"Preparing beforehand is the proper way…… other places don't have the favorable support conditions we have at Kunlun."

"Therefore, we should take advantage of the present chance to trial and error, practicing to develop the most thorough emergency security measures, to become a textbook template."

Fengxi gave the instructions, Hougang nodded repeatedly.

"Chief Feng said it well! Chief Feng said it right! The two of us have an understanding, let's try to forget the little unpleasantness…… we're still good friends!"

"Are those arrested troublemakers still alive?"

After giving the instructions, Fengxi asked.

"Naturally they're still alive…… after all, there are quite a few." Hougang replied, "Killing them all outright isn't impossible, but if a spiteful demon messes with them, it'll end badly."

"Let's drag it out for a while, handle it coldly, then quietly finish them off."

Hougang's decisive ruthlessness made even Fengxi have to glance askance.

However, regarding the specific handling of this matter, he has a slightly different opinion.

"Improper."

"Killing them all would be too wasteful."

"Go find people to screen them."

"Oh?" Hougang wondered, "Screen for what?"

"The dead warriors serving the Demon Race's high‑rank, the cannon‑fodder bought off by interests, the assassins sent by rival clans to ambush each other's heavenly talents, and those purely driven by a sorrowful, desperate resolve to die, smearing their faces with blood they cannot overcome the enemy with—these are to be sorted out separately." Fengxi said, "Then we'll handle each accordingly."

"As for the dead warriors and such, let them seek benevolence and attain it…… remember to leave the corpses and evidence."

"Cannon‑fodder? Throw them into mining, make them laborers."

"As for the remaining two……" Fengxi chuckled, "How to add trouble to the Demon Race? However we can."

"I understand." Hougang sighed, "When an assassin kills a heavenly talent of a clan, we hand him over to that clan; capable people can search his memory to know who ordered it, and on the basis of their existing hatred, further stimulate his nerves, adding fuel to the fire…… but there seems to be a problem here—what if the employer who hired the assassin is anonymous?"

"What does that have to do with us?" Fengxi raised an eyebrow, "We went there with the purpose of fanning the flames, to sow discord among the Demon Race clans... it's not our responsibility to solve the problem."

"The more serious the internal clan problems of the Demon Race, the happier we Wu Clan are—anyway, we suppressed the assassins, so those clans will owe us."

Fengxi spread his hands.

This made Hougang couldn't help but sigh, if this person were shameless... they'd be invincible! "If that's the case, then the Demon Race high-ranking death warriors serve a similar purpose, right?" Hougang asked, "And who are we framing this time?"

"It's an extremist organization of the distant Demon Race." Fengxi didn't even blink, blurted out, "They claim to be the Demon Race clans outside Kunlun Mountain, harboring ambitions, wanting to unify Honghuang, unwilling to see the Demon Race of Kunlun Mountain living well under our leadership, and deliberately sent people to disrupt this grand gathering!"

"They want to create incidents, frame each other, provoke the Kunlun clans into war, and drain themselves internally!"

"Alright... I get what you mean." Hougang rubbed his brow, "After the clan conflict issue, are you now giving the Demon Race high-ups eye drops in terms of territory?"

"Establish a loose alliance of mutual hatred, tsk..."

"How deeply cunning and deceitful!"

"Hey!" Fengxi was dissatisfied, "How am I being sly and deceitful?"

"Have I ever uttered even half a false word here to deceive anyone?"

"The sinister intentions of the Demon Race high-ups aren't they just to destroy the Kunlun Demon Race order we've built?"

"I said they were creating incidents... speaking reasonably, I truly haven't wronged them!"

Thanks to readers' continued support, today I will release a few extra chapters as thanks.

(End of chapter)