Chapter 170: with translation of chapter title

Houtu, unashamed of her wealth, is extremely generous at the slightest move.

It's not just a few big-headed items given; each gift is a whole box!

Yet even a whole box of big-headed items is, to Houtu, still not even a hair of nine oxen.

The insignificant wealth that leaks from between her fingers is enough to keep the holy fire burning forever, even to burn through the entire Honghuang, representing a belief commonly acknowledged by human-kind sentient beings.

Watching Fengxi's elatedly receding back, this ancestor witch shook her head and laughed helplessly.

"The era of the Wu and Yao is still just warming up, and you're already planning such a distant future… little guy, you've got quite the ideas, and you're quite interesting."

"You say, isn't it?"

She tentatively asked a great power sitting not far beside her—Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu.

"Yes, he's very interesting, full of ideas." Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu smiled, "He hasn't even attained Great Luo, yet he's already planning long-term layouts, daring to participate in the Yan-Huang struggle… Of course, equally interesting is your younger sister Houtu."

"Throwing such decisive luck and merit into it… aren't you afraid it'll come to nothing?" He blinked, meaningfully, "The longer-term the investment, the greater the risk."

"Perhaps with just slight fluctuations, this investment would already have failed?"

"So what?" Houtu unconsciously tapped her fingers on the table, "It's just a bit of money, not even enough for pocket money."

"If that's the case, giving it a little push here and there… I think we can do that."

"Success is delightful, failure is no problem."

"Getting back to the point."

"The holy fire matches Yandi… judging solely by attributes, they're actually quite compatible."

"I hope that in the future, I can have a bright idea."

Houtu slightly closed her eyes, ceasing the in-depth discussion of this matter.

After all, to her, this isn't really worth devoting much attention to.

It is originally a super-long-term investment, only bearing fruit after a very long time, belonging to a minor sideline move.

What's truly important now is…

The Demon Race!

After a brief silence in the hall.

Houtu ancestor witch reopened her eyes, and deep in her pupils flashed a vision of iron-blooded weapons and slaughter, then vanished.

"Once Kunlun is settled, we should start dealing with the problem of Hongjun."

"If it weren't for the Heavenly Dao's repeated interference, why would I be in such difficulty? I could have long unified the mountains and rivers, my authority extending over ancient and modern times, and all my thoughts would have been realized."

Although Houtu is a goddess, she now bears the domineering, fierce aura of an emperor, exuding blessings and might.

"The Nüwa Daoist friend of the Demon Race, in the Dragon-Phoenix Era, seized the supreme authority of creation, reversed time to reach the beginning of heaven and earth and the birth of all things, becoming the source that drives the creation of all things and all spirits. Theoretically, her will can easily determine the growth and direction of the Demon Race."

"If she could join forces with me, sign an agreement, and merge the Demon Race into the Wu Clan… what more would this era need to fight for? Everything would be settled."

"Among the great Luo demon gods born after the opening of heaven and who have attained the Dao, with a chance to defy innate fate, which one does not owe her a favor?"

"Back then, if this Nüwa had wanted to block the Dao, at least half of the great Luo beings in this world would have been fewer, for they were, upon attaining the Dao, borrowing the innate karma called 'birth,' turning it into the most dreadful external calamity, cutting off their lives, causing death and disappearance of the Dao. Fortunately, she is kind-hearted and virtuous, graciously letting them off."

Houtu sighed, lavishing praise on Nüwa without reservation.

Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu beside him, his eye twitched momentarily and he curled the corner of his mouth—yet this action was so swift and subtle that Houtu ancestor witch didn't even notice.

"What a fine plan it was to lure Nüwa into my Wu Clan, using her authority to transfer all assets over—wouldn't the Demon Race then be firmly in our grasp?"

"Between us, it could indeed be considered a struggle of the Great Dao… but we, great Luo beings with endless lifespans, what Daoist dispute cannot be settled through negotiation?"

"At worst, I'll preside over one era, she over another, taking turns."

Struggle of the Great Dao?

Deathless and relentless?

Really?

We are all top-tier mighty beings, deathless and indestructible, eternally at ease—don't act like street thugs, going all out just to announce protection fees for this street, from now on to be collected by my 'Axe Gang'!

If there's anything, we can sit down and talk it over slowly.

Even if there are sufficient shared interests, shouldn't we consider reorganization?

Business docking, gathering the weak to become strong, presenting a united front… isn't that far better than weakening each other and letting outsiders reap the benefits, which would be tenfold or a hundredfold worse?

How many mature great divine-ability users would act on anger?

Every single one of them has empty eyelashes.

If there's no irreconcilable conflict and there are huge benefits, would we really fight to the death? How could we not?

Houtu fumed.

——Everything, it should have been very good.

Of course, Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu dared not agree.

His eyes flickered, and he had some words left unsaid.

"Taking turns… this result makes you happy, but what about others? Not a drop of soup left—are we supposed to drink the northwest wind?"

Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu's inner thoughts, unknown to Houtu.

She was still using words to unleash a frenzy upon someone.

"Hateful!"

"Hongjun is meddling, butting in, granting the Demon Race the establishment of the Heavenly Court!" Houtu slammed the table, "Relying on the authority of the Heavenly Dao, using its laws to suppress Nüwa, causing all these plans to stillborn before they could be enacted."

"Yes! Hongjun is too hateful." Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu echoed, "In the order of heaven, earth, ruler, parent, teacher—ruler comes first, then parent. Hongjun makes the ruler's way surpass the parent's way, preventing Nüwa from directly using her creation authority to command the Demon Race."

"Originally we had a chance to ascend in one step, but what's the result?"

Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu shook his head.

Nüwa holds the authority of creation, reverses time and inverts causality, becoming the Creator of the myriad races' source—Nüwa is equivalent to the parents of all beings.

If parents give orders, can children not obey?

From the perspective of human relations, it naturally cannot be violated.

But when laws and regulations are in place, with all their rules pressing down from above, parental authority is instantly dissipated by more than half.

——You do have the right to create and give birth to new life, but after the new life is born, the authority to deter it with injury, punishment, even death, theoretically no longer belongs to you.

At most you can exploit a loophole, using the identity of guardian to play games, holding the right to manage and dispose of property on behalf of another.

But guardianship is not eternal; a limit and standard have been set by Heaven's mandate.

When the time limit is up, or when the wings have hardened, the children can fly solo.

Of course, that kindness of creation will still be remembered and repaid…… but to say unconditional obedience?

A certain Dao Ancestor who refuses to reveal his name brings out a thick volume of heavenly regulations, declaring that all beings are born free, possessing basic human autonomy, and cannot become tools for some people to pursue their own private interests.

That so-and-so…… right!

Nüwa!

It's you!

You want to cause trouble?

Create humanity, to be the protagonists of heaven and earth?

Sure.

As you wish.

But!

You are not allowed to harm the interests of the vast Demon Race, forcibly transfer assets and foundations, right?

Otherwise, I will have to enforce the law impartially, ruling that you sever the mother‑child relationship with the Demon Race and remove your guardianship!

……

Nüwa and Houtu, the hope of a peaceful merger between two top‑tier female powers, were forcibly severed.

In the end, they had no choice but to meet with weapons.

Houtu deeply resents this.

In the little notebook at heart, Dao Ancestor Hongjun ranks second, his name constantly shining, belonging to the kind of target one must deal with even if no chance to create opportunity exists.

"Hongjun this scoundrel must have his edge blunted!" Houtu Ancestor Witch said coldly, "Otherwise, he might still cause us trouble."

"Indeed." Di Jiang rubbed his brow, "That is indeed quite necessary."

"Recently we have visited various mighty beings to establish diplomatic relations, precisely to prepare for this."

"At the next the Zixiao Palace conference, let us speak together, asking the Dao Ancestor to plan for heaven and earth, for all beings, to unite with the Heavenly Dao, to sit in quietude in the Zixiao Palace, stabilizing the cosmos… as for the vast Honghuang, let us wise and holy beings govern it."

"But Hongjun won't so easily surrender." Houtu said coldly, "He will struggle, he will resist."

"Moreover, he has not few pawns. At the first the Zixiao Palace conference, the proposed Saint's position…… this position is said to wield Heavenly Dao authority, to act for Heaven, to shepherd all beings."

"But behind the scenes…… I suspect he doesn't trust the current Demon Race leadership at all, fearing that a mighty being who abandons darkness for light might appear among them."

"For example, Xihuang."

"For example, Di Jun."

"For example, East Emperor Taiyi."

"For example……

"Because of distrust, we need to win over confidants, promote trusted aides, wield the Imperial Sword, to follow his so‑called grand trend, arrange the future chessboard……" Houtu narrowed his eyes, "Let the Demon Race fight the Wu Clan, let the Saint fight the Demon Race…… play imperial tactics, keep each other in check?"

"You think it's literary vs. martial, then eunuch vs. literary?"

"And you're not afraid of trapping yourself in there!"

"We need to add fuel to the fire here……" Houtu smiled faintly, "Di Jiang… do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand."

Di Jiang pondered briefly, then smiled in reply.

"Is Pangu Orthodoxy right or wrong…… who could have more authority to speak than us?"

The two mighty beings exchanged glances, the smiles on their faces growing brighter.

In the Zixiao Palace, a certain Dao Ancestor trembled unnaturally.

……

"Hum!"

Fengxi blew on the big head he was holding, and immediately a soft humming sound arose.

In that humming sound, Fengxi became intoxicated, closed his eyes, and immersed himself in the beautiful melody.

This, I don't even know how many times it's been.

Sitting opposite him, Hougang's eyes were filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

"Unreasonable…… nowadays raising a fire can get special funding?!"

"On what grounds?!"

"Make sense."

"I, who love recording history and can also beautify it, am a publicity talent who promotes the glorious image of the Wu Clan in documents—shouldn't I deserve funding?"

"That guy over there just opens his mouth and spouts nonsense…… could it be that because he's connected to Yandi and Huangdi his value has skyrocketed?"

Hougang seethed with indignation.

"Not exactly on target, but not far off!"

Fengxi, whose harvest was abundant and whose fire was publicly funded, now did not bother with Hougang's sour tone—this is the poise and bearing of a victor, "Yanhuang…… what a high‑end brand!"

"Even if you just scrape a bit of connection, you will reap endless benefits!"

"Is that so?" Hougang said unhappily, "When gods fight, little ghosts suffer…… you dare to throw your small frame into the fray—be careful, lest Huangdi reward you with a sword and make you start over as a person!"

As they were talking, this little witch suddenly shivered.

It was obviously a scorching hot day, yet cold sweat seeped out from Hougang's body…… Very wrong.

Fengxi didn't notice—most of his energy was still on the back big head.

He barely had a bit of attention to spare for his friend, and he spoke nonchalantly, 'Hey... how long from now will that be?'

'"At least we have to wait until the Lich Great Tribulation ends, right?"'

'"How many years will that take?"'

'"By then, no matter what I say, I'll have lived long enough... If the Old Man Huangdi keeps an eye on me, let him do so!"'

'"Besides... I also have a backer!"'

'"Yandi!"'

'"One's stance is already set; fear is useless, dread is useless; doing oneself earnestly is what matters most."'

Fengxi lay on the soft chair, his whole self was about to sink into it.

'"Saying to do oneself earnestly..."'

Hougang looked at Fengxi, who was obsessed with the back big head, and his mouth twitched——

This really is 'earnestly,' 'revealing one's true nature'!

His thoughts raced, recalling the events of the All-Sports Meet, and instantly a strange smile appeared on his face.

That smile was somewhat eerie, making the blissfully content Fengxi feel a bit uneasy.

'"What's wrong? Why are you smiling so sneakily and treacherously?"'

Fengxi instantly heightened his vigilance, ready for battle.

Usually speaking.

When Hougang wears such a smile, it usually means something terrible is about to happen.

'"I think... you should pay more attention to the betting odds of some events in the All-Sports Meet.' Hougang said slowly, 'Otherwise, a lot of your little money will grow wings and fly away from you.'"

Fengxi jumped up instantly, no longer obsessed with merit coins.

After all, this is money for a special fire-nurturing project; how could it compare to his big business of half-sitting as the banker?

'"What happened?"'

Fengxi's expression turned solemn.

'"Is it that a great Luo from the Demon Race is causing trouble?"'

'"I'm not entirely sure either, but I suspect this might be the case.' Hougang laughed, 'Do you know the Congye Rabbit tribe?'"

'"Congye Rabbit? I know.' Fengxi recalled, 'A tribe with strong overall strength, considered the pillar of the Kunlun Rabbit tribe.'"

'"Since you know, you should also be clear about its strengths and weaknesses... after all, your odds are determined accordingly.' Hougang said."

'"That's right.' Fengxi nodded."

'"Then do you still remember which item had the highest opening odds?"'

'"I remember...' Fengxi replied, 'As far as I know, that item never disappoints; it's absolutely impossible to win the championship!'"

'"But right now... you need some mental preparation.' Hougang said slowly."

Fengxi's breath caught instantly.

'"Their competitors have directly evolved on the field... eleven of them evolved together!' Hougang tugged at the corner of his mouth, 'The Congye Rabbit have super-evolved into Fangri Rabbit—yes, one of the top tribes in the starry skies!'"

'"I estimate they might kick through the entire field...'"

'"I...' Fengxi had a mouthful of blood stuck in his throat, not knowing whether to spit it out."

(End of chapter)