Chapter 186

"Follow me on a trip, go see Lord Houtu."

Mu laughed and said.

Fengxi felt a little tense.

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous..." Mu glanced at him, then understood, "This is different from last time."

"This time, you are going to receive the honor that belongs to you."

Fengxi's eyes instantly lit up.

"Can you tell me, what exactly is this honor? Is there a prize?"

"The prize? Of course there is." Mu reminisced, "As for the honor?"

"The Ancestral Witch has decided to bestow upon you the honor of 'Top Ten Outstanding Youth Wu Talents of the Benyuan Association'... but these are just empty titles."

"In reality, for your contributions here in Kunlun, you will be specially awarded a first-class merit once and a special-class merit once... With these achievements, your rank promotion will surely skyrocket."

"I congratulate you here first." Mu said with a bright smile, "From now on, perhaps we can address each other as colleagues, without any hierarchical difference."

"Oh, oh... How dare I call myself a colleague of Commander Mu? My cultivation is still far behind!" Fengxi's eyes clearly smiled into slits, but he remained humble and polite, lowering his stance.

"Ha!" Mu scoffed, "We Wu are not like the Yao; we don't judge status by cultivation. Even without merit, relying on strength alone can grant a lofty position, superior to others."

"Here, although we dare not claim to have fully achieved spiritual perfection, to recognize everyone as equal and that anyone can reach the utmost height through postnatal moral education, there still exist invisible distinctions of status and authority, issuing and receiving orders... But when there is sufficient merit and contribution to the clan, we certainly will not overlook it."

"Without such a purpose, what's there to talk about future ultimate dreams, building an eternal Honghuang?"

Mu said in a gloomy tone, "When those in high positions are merely occupying seats without merit, recklessly relying on personal strength, seizing wealth created by the lower classes without giving due return, at least not showing a path for advancement... then this force, this civilization easily falls into a vicious cycle, stagnating."

"After all, civilization also needs cultivation."

"Just like an individual, cultivation methods are diverse and colorful."

"Some are similar to demonic paths, some resemble Daoist sects... Likewise, the external tribulations encountered during cultivation are mostly alike."

"Some are similar to demonic Dao sects, some somewhat resemble the Daoist sect… Likewise, the external tribulations one encounters in cultivation are mostly alike."

Mu chuckled, "Just the cultivation of civilization is far more difficult than personal cultivation; few can complete it perfectly... Sigh, why am I telling you this? This is something only top-tier great divine ability experts would seriously consider and deduce, looking ahead to where Honghuang should go."

Mu smiled, "Just the cultivation of civilization, its difficulty is far greater than personal cultivation; few can complete it perfectly… Sigh, why am I telling you this? This is something only top-tier great divine beings who stand at the pinnacle would seriously consider and deduce, looking far into the future of Honghuang, wondering where it should go."

Fengxi's face darkened a bit.

"Is this looking down on people?"

"This is definitely looking down on people!"

"If you're not a great divine ability expert, can you not have lofty ambitions?"

"Even if he's just a little witch, does it hinder his devotion to the Ancestral Witch!"

"I didn't know there was a great profession called keyboard politics..."

"Alright, don't put on a dissatisfied face." Mu said without any sincerity, while waving at the sky, a huge war airship descended, "If you have the determination to reshape the world, then go ahead and do it down-to-earth, put in the effort."

"All right, don't put on a dissatisfied look." Mu said without a shred of sincerity, while waving at the sky, a colossal war airship descended, "If you have the resolve to reshape the world, then get down to work and put in the effort."

"Then just wait..." Fengxi muttered while following the Great Witch's steps onto the airship, "I think I can do it."

"Many think that way—until reality harshly educates them." Mu casually said, "Will you be the exception?"

"Many think that way—until he is deeply educated by reality." Mu casually said, "Will you be the exception?"

Fengxi seemed to be making a promise to the Great Witch, and also to himself.

The airship activated, piercing the void; only lingering echoes remained here, silently recorded by the aimless wind drifting through Kunlun.

The airship activated, piercing the void; only the lingering echoes remained here, silently recorded by the wind that wandered aimlessly within Kunlun.

The heart of a youth, the wish of a youth...

Is it success?

Or is it failure?

…… -> none.

"Before you go to receive the award, get promoted and make a fortune, I've called you over... You have no objections, right, little Fengxi?"

In the Houtu Holy Hall, the Ancestral Witch curiously inquired of Fengxi.

Fengxi glanced at Houtu, then in an instant his mind unfolded an extremely swift and efficient analysis, gauging the Ancestral Witch's mood, and decided how he should speak next.

Fengxi glanced at Houtu, then in an instant his mind launched into an ultimate high-speed, high-efficiency analysis, gauging the emotions of the ancestral witch, and deciding how he should speak next.

It seems he just received some good news... or perhaps he has taken a big step forward on the path pursuing his lifelong dream.

Hmm... Based on my millennia of experience, Lord Houtu in this state needs to be soothed by stroking the fur.

"It seems he just received some good news… or perhaps he has taken a big step forward on the path toward pursuing his life's lifelong dream?"

Well, my wording should be adjusted like this... I need to overlook some of my personal contributions in Kunlun Mountain, transfer the merit to Lord Houtu, to make her appear even more wise and martial, resourceful, strategizing to secure victory billions of miles away...

Tsk... still need to consider carefully, can't appear too conspiratorial.

"Hmm, my wording should be adjusted like this… I need to downplay some of my personal contributions in Kunlun Mountain, shift the credit onto Lord Houtu, so as to make her appear more sagely and martial, wise and resourceful, capable of planning victories from afar, beyond billions of miles…"

This is not much less mentally taxing than when he once strategized in Kunlun Mountain; in terms of effort, it might even be superior.

In the blink of an eye, Fengxi had already considered countless matters in his mind, compiling a "ministerial memorial" for a special assault on the ancestral witch Houtu.

If you don't speak nicely and don't make your superior happy, how can you attract more sponsors and gain more resource support?

Even though in fact he is not primarily motivated by personal gain, but rather by public duty.

If you don't speak nicely and don't put your superior in a good mood, how can you attract more sponsors and gain more resource support?

But a good official who wants to accomplish great things must be more capable than a sycophant and know how to speak.

Thus, Fengxi put honey on his little mouth and opened up.

But a good official who wants to achieve great things must be more capable than a sycophantic minister and know how to speak.

Fengxi smeared honey on his little mouth, opened it and came.

"Xi has no opinion!"

He spoke with a ringing, powerful tone, "I owe my present position entirely to the lord's nurturing... Without Lord Houtu, there would be no today's achievements and fame for Xi!"

A mere award ceremony—how could it match even a fraction of your personal instruction just now!

Fengxi began his account with feeling and eloquence.

He exclaimed, utterly excited, "If it weren't for the Ancestral Witch standing at the peak of the Wu Clan, with no merit to add, then all the achievements of this endeavor should rightfully belong to Lord Houtu!"

Without the leadership of the great Lord Houtu Ancestral Witch, how could there be victory in the "Sports Meet—Reincarnation" strategy?

Moreover, at the most critical moment, despite the Demon Race's high-level upheaval of the board, it was only the timely intervention of Lord Houtu Ancestral Witch that prevented the whole situation from collapsing...

"Lord Houtu commands the Ancestral Witches, wielding Pangu's true form to slay the weary Xihuang and intimidate the Dao Ancestor Hongjun so he dare not act rashly—his heroic bearing still makes my heart race and my spirit tremble whenever I recall it."

Fengxi slightly "embellished" the recent battle, and instantly Lord Houtu Ancestral Witch's divine countenance lit up with great pleasure, her heart blooming with joy.

—Although she knew full well what that battle really was, she could not deceive herself.

But... she gladly accepted others' sincere praise.

People's mouths are on their own bodies, and they see her that way... what can she do?

Surely she can't go sealing everyone's mouths?

As Houtu Ancestral Witch, she vows to defend unto death the freedom of speech of her tribe's lesser witches!

A ruler and minister, one boasting, the other accepting—a match made in heaven.

In the end, it was Lord Houtu Ancestral Witch who first reached her limit, then halted the process and shifted the topic.

Fengxi likewise went along with it.

After all, the goal had already been achieved.

—Lord Houtu Ancestral Witch, in high spirits, would not commit the foolish act of reversing merit and blame, yet adding a little extra reward to those who have contributed is absolutely no problem.

For Fengxi, this was already enough.

Just saying a few nice words could yield tangible benefits...

"'No wonder the profession of sycophantic officials prospers endlessly... truly, the market demand is huge and the outlook bright!'"

"'I take the good and follow it... walking the path of the sycophantic minister while doing the work of a loyal and capable official...'"

"'I have sacrificed this much for the tribe... I am too great!'"

Fengxi sighed with emotion in his heart, and at the same time reported some observations from after the implementation of the Kunlun Mountain strategy.

"We have established the Wu Clan's mighty bearing and promoted its culture..."

"Kunlun is now in chaos... not the chaos caused by war, but a confusion of thought."

"This disperses the war potential of the Kunlun Demon Race, greatly weakening its centripetal force and cohesion..."

"This is naturally good for us Wu Clan... but I have thus developed some worries, fearing what may come in the future."

When Fengxi flatters, he does so to the utmost with obsequious fawning, but once he speaks of facts he becomes earnest and conscientious.

"Oh? Do tell."

Houtu raised an eyebrow.

"Regarding humanity," Fengxi said solemnly, "our output of Wu Clan culture to the Demon Race is fine, but the propaganda about reincarnation..."

"Tell the lower strata: believe in reincarnation, there is a next life... present suffering is due to not having drawn a good lot; one need only devote yourself to you, Lord, contribute to reincarnation, and in the next life you will surely draw a good lot."

"This is actually a very negative mindset—everyone pins their hopes on the next life, hyping the reincarnation concept, who still strives to build this life?"

"Propagating this to the Demon Race's lower strata poses no problem... but what if?"

"When this tide of thought rolls back into humanity... that becomes troublesome!"

Fengxi said this, then suddenly sighed.

"To give roses leaves fragrance on the hand... but to throw filth, how could one remain completely unaffected?"

"Moreover, I worry this is far from a mere 'what if'—the Demon Race's high-ups will likely pull tricks, dragging everyone down into a race to the bottom."

"Sole joy is less than shared joy—let's all promote reincarnation together!"

Fengxi's gaze, at this moment, seemed to pierce the future, seeing the Demon Race's high-ups' underhanded maneuvers.

He then imagined that scene—the forebears who fought heaven and earth for humanity's rise, each now believing in reincarnation, their minds filled all day with faith in Houtu, letting the next life win at the starting line...

If this scene truly came to pass, Fengxi felt he ought to cut his throat and commit suicide.

"'No... even suicide cannot escape the fate of being nailed to the pillar of shame.'"

Fengxi involuntarily shivered.

"'What you say makes sense,' the Houtu Ancestral Witch mused, 'this matter indeed cannot be left unguarded.'"

"'Then, in your view, how should we handle it?' She looked at Fengxi, 'Since you could think of and raise this issue, you must have some considerations.'"

"'Yes.' Fengxi gave a slight nod, 'First, we must pay attention to the work of education and publicity, dispatching lesser witches to station in future human tribes, strengthening ideological transmission, advocating the spirit of sacrifice and dedication, and enhancing group cohesion.'"

"'At the same time, you will need to intervene in reincarnation when the time comes—for example, by opening a special green channel for humanity, in publicity elevating humanity's status, and consciously stimulating to strengthen the group's sense of honor.'"

"'Using reincarnation correctly, carrying out positive propaganda, even achieving feedback—posthumous treatment determined by one's deeds in life; when one accumulates virtue and contributes to the tribe, descendants will make offerings.'"

Fengxi briefly explained his thoughts on the path of 'yin virtue'.

Houtu listened, her fingers unconsciously tapping on the table beside her, as if in thought.

"'On the other hand, we also need to strengthen some social welfare construction, guiding tribe members to participate and join, satisfying material needs and spiritual pursuits in all areas... so people know that living is actually a wonderful thing.'"

"'Tell them, although the reincarnation's dark womb nurtures great hope for the next life, promising great wealth and status... but many are waiting to be reborn, possibly causing severe line congestion, leading to lingering there.'"

"'And the reincarnation's dark womb is rudimentary—it may lack any network connection; even if connected, there might be nothing fun to do; even if there were, the ghosts lingering there hardly know each other.'"

"'How unlike being alive, where one accumulates myriad emotions over the long years... isn't that the most precious treasure?'"

"'To have a lifetime, experiencing the vicissitudes of the world... that is a blessing, a fortune.'"

Fengxi spoke sincerely.

Houtu nodded repeatedly, "'What you say is quite good.'"

"'As for preparations for future publicity and education of humanity, we should start now—although they are not even fetuses yet.'"

But prenatal education work must not be slack in the slightest; it must be prepared in advance.

She suddenly fell silent, her eyes shifting as she pondered something.

After a moment, she spoke again.

"I remember, I once wanted to arrange for you to have a job, to speak for the Yan and Huang, drafting an outline of the core ideological principles?"

"Yes." Fengxi nodded.

"But later, I arranged for you to go to Kunlun... though that's fine, letting you train in Kunlun also counts as gaining some grassroots experience." Houtu pressed her lips, "Now you've returned to headquarters... perfect!"

Starting now, besides the position work that will originally be granted to you, you must work a bit harder, endure a bit more, begin organizing manpower to research the issue of how reincarnation can exert a positive effect among humanity.

Once the research yields results, a social experiment will be needed... come find me.

Houtu slammed the table, "I'll give you some small worlds to conduct covert experiments."

If successful... it might require you to make some sacrifices.

By doing this, we can condense the related Great Luo Dao Fruit... are you willing?

"Subject... I am willing!" Fengxi nodded earnestly.

(End of chapter)