Chapter 251

Absolutely not!

That was merely a case of brotherly affection and sisterly respect; Nüwa temporarily borrowed personnel from Fuxi to aid her own development... demonstrating the deep bond between siblings.

At most, at most, it's just that the IOU was submitted to Fuxi a little later than it should have been.

Yes, just a 'little bit'.

That is, after the Lich Great Tribulation was over.

——Not knowing from what year and month, Empress Wa convinced herself, and then happily swung her hoe, desperately digging into her elder brother's corner.

In fact, the gains from this process left Nüwa immensely satisfied... after all, Fuxi had once been the leader of Honghuang, having gathered the outstanding talents of an entire era, with all the world's talent packed into his bag.

Even though many of these talents, after attaining the Great Luo Dao, chose to go their own way, merely the remaining loyal faction was enough to make Nüwa jealous.

——That is absolutely not comparable to the personnel recruited by her former 'Empress Wa Real Estate'; whether in vision or overall picture, the two teams differ vastly!

One aimed at making a fortune.

One aimed at governing Honghuang.

Placed on a relatively average level of business... Nüwa could only clutch her chest, breathing difficult.

After the difficulty, she beamed with joy, unable to close her mouth.

"Mmm... his is mine, and mine remains mine!"

"Old brother is past his prime; this gold ought to shine here with me!"

Over the endless years, Nüwa dug a little today, a little tomorrow... gradually, Fuxi the Sage's talent pool was reduced by more than half.

In this, Nüwa's extraordinary skill with the hoe is one aspect.

Fuxi the Sage's indifferent demeanor is the other aspect... forever smiling, his smile unfathomably deep.

And all of this became the luxurious lineup ultimately presented before Fengxi.

The majority of the siblings' retinue left him, after a brief acquaintance, continually praising them.

"They are all extraordinarily outstanding elites... especially the male Great Luo."

"When it comes to governing Honghuang, they can speak coherently... and this is not mere armchair theory, but theory perfectly combined with practice."

Fengxi sighed inwardly, there are heavens beyond heaven and people beyond people; he could not be arrogant—there are far too many talents just a notch below him.

"These likely all participated in the governance of the entire Honghuang, from civilization to individual, from hierarchy to concept... not only having seen pigs run, but also having eaten pork."

"By contrast, the female Great Luo are slightly inferior in that regard... their vision is a bit lacking."

But these inner evaluations, Fengxi would never voice them out, death before speaking; he keeps his mouth shut.

Otherwise... even simple death would be a luxury.

To die and be reborn, then die and be reborn again... is not impossible.

This is also what Fengxi does not know... the current top figure among the era's goddess collective——Nüwa—once did something incredibly ruthless and godless to a certain demon ancestor.

In the rear courtyard of the Empress Wa's palace, that oft-used dingy grindstone... vividly illustrates the terrifying truth that goddesses are not to be provoked, causing countless female cultivators to worship and emulate it.

If Fengxi knew that after he left back then, the annihilation of the demon ancestor Rahu was so brutal... then he would certainly have no doubts about 'dying and being reborn'.

Fortunately.

Fengxi always kept Houtu's admonition in mind, speaking cautiously and acting prudently.

Regarding Fuxi the Sage's retinue, he engaged them with top-notch talent and an unfathomable bottom line, interacting intensely... though he didn't claim to have conquered them, he quickly became close, being drawn as a confidant, a fellow traveler on the same path.

As for Nüwa's retinue... Fengxi's little mouth was smeared with honey, calling this one 'older sister', that one 'younger sister'.

After shouting 'older sister, younger sister', he then gave flattering praise, and in passing produced these years of greed, not right... it is repeatedly transferring benefits, accumulating wealth or purchases, or crafted ornaments, giving one item here, one item there.

Although, this cannot move any maiden's heart—these women Great Luo who have lived through long ages are each little rich ladies, unable to become poorer, moreover well-versed and broad-minded, wise and perceptive, with mental account ledgers, making it impossible to fool or deceive them.

But Fengxi's attitude was appropriate, making interactions with them very comfortable—even though everyone knows what's really going on behind the scenes, his praise contains much fluff.

But he is willing to lower his stature, treat people sincerely, not becoming arrogant and overbearing just because he is close to Nüwa... this earns their praise and satisfaction.

"This little guy is not bad." The goddesses communicated in secret, someone evaluated Fengxi: "He's quite proper."

"Indeed." Another female Great Luo transmitted a laugh: "It seems Elder Sister Nüwa picked good talent."

"We will pave the way for him—once the human race is born, we will help him among the Wind Clan, letting him secure the leader's position, which is not impossible." Another goddess said, "Just don't know whether his true ability can support the game against the entire human race, or even the whole Honghuang."

"This makes me quite worried."

"Yeah, I'm also worried." Some also share the worry: "If it's merely about development and strengthening the clan... any of us could do that—who isn't a Great Luo?"

"But each additional variable changes the difficulty qualitatively... especially Elder Sister Nüwa's demand: she must guarantee that our influence in the Wind Clan and among humans does not diminish much, and also lead humanity to envision the position of world protagonists through victory after victory."

"Coordination with the Wu Clan in combat is two sides of the same body."

"The Wu Clan is the overt fighting force, responsible for pulling the main force of the Demon Race, engaging in frontal combat, bearing the pressure."

"As for humanity, they secretly wage guerrilla warfare, explore the path to victory, and use that path to influence the Demon Race, altering this era's humanistic thought, assimilating myriad beings, ultimately achieving the goal of using the lower to encircle the higher."

"Walking on two legs... neither direction can be relaxed."

"This little Fengxi, selected by Elder Sister Nüwa to participate in this... his burden is heavy."

"Who knows if he can bear it?"

Many female deities are worried.

However, some are quite reassured: 'Everyone need not be anxious... Nüwa will do this, surely after thorough consideration, deeming this little guy's ability up to standard.'

"Otherwise, she would have long been twisting and turning to seek her brother's help—she can already swing a hoe and dig into her brother's corner, so how could she not feign ignorance and dig up one of her brother's avatars together, then order him to work?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the secret chat group instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

"Hey! I'm just afraid Elder Sister Nüwa is too thin-skinned to manage it... after all, she just told us recently that she won't go all out for her brother this time. Tell me, will she go back on her word?" Some goddesses began to gossip.

Many facts have long proven that the Way of the Eight Trigrams opened by Fuxi, in its transmission among women, is the most fierce, engraved in the soul, and at the slightest provocation becomes self-taught.

Even after becoming a Great Luo and proving eternity, that requisite Eight Trigrams heart will not be lacking at all, and may even increase and strengthen.

"Let me think... going back on one's word is also not impossible!" A female great ability's eyes flashed: "After all these years, who among us doesn't know that?"

"To defeat evil, one must be more evil than evil... the virtue of August Emperor Majesty is known to all, let alone Nüwa."

Wanting to defeat Fuxi, the most practical method is to use Fuxi's, take Fuxi's, after plucking the fruit of victory, then fold one's own face—one side two-faced, the other side shameless, directly counterattack and turn the tables… only then is the success rate considered high.

What a pity… what a pity! Nüwa's face is thin now.

She let out a long sigh.

"Yeah… what a pity!" a large group of goddesses echoed.

Each of them, while they support Nüwa, are also typical onlookers who love a spectacle and don't consider the matter a big deal.

Perhaps it can also be said that Fuxi's accumulated prestige is too great, his past battle record too astonishing, making them pessimistic about Nüwa's chances of winning without resorting to underhanded tactics.

……

The goddesses were gossiping in secret.

Of course, on the surface, they were very happy communicating with Fengxi, each one very enthusiastic.

As the saying goes.

One woman equals five hundred ducks.

And here… if converted to ducks, several tens of thousands is no problem.

Too terrifying!

Fengxi chatted and chatted, then suddenly felt some regret—should he not have made his mouth so sweet, leading these people to think he was eloquent and persuasive? Should he have crafted a cold, taciturn image?

"I can't take it, ah ah ah!"

Fengxi felt his spirit somewhat dazed…… a bombardment of problems a thousand, ten thousand times more terrifying than all his aunts and uncles, making him unable to avoid getting teary-eyed.

If these problems were all related to his current position, that would be fine…… he could handle them with ease.

But later on?

They began asking Fengxi about his hobbies, asking Fengxi his opinion of Nüwa, asking Fengxi whether he felt Nüwa or Houtu was better…

One after another of these questions, moreover all were spoken gently and politely, so courteous that he couldn't lash out.

Fortunately.

This barrier, Fengxi endured it with tremendous mental fortitude, the whole process being very arduous.

However, as the saying goes, after hardship comes sweetness.

After satisfying most of their curiosity, these goddesses were also easy to talk to.

Fengxi glanced around, probing secretly for the secret lore of mighty divine beings between heaven and earth, even outright black history…… Even though they saw through Fengxi's thoughts, they still gave him whispered answers with smiling faces, finally admonishing him not to spread it outside.

This is the veteran showing the way.

……

"Sister Xin Yin…" Fengxi wore a look of astonishment, "You say… is Hongyun's divine power very strong? And his true nature is not as benevolent as outside rumors claim?"

"Of course!" Xin Yin replied with a smile, "His strength is indeed great, and his methods should not be underestimated."

"Little Fengxi, let me tell you…… in this vast Honghuang, anyone who can make a name for themselves is never simple."

"Exactly, exactly, exactly…… what Xin Yin said is correct." Another goddess called "Yu Juan" agreed, "Especially those who spread many legends in the Myriad Heavens spacetime are even less easy to deal with."

"If you merely hear some rumors and slap that impression onto them…… then one day when you face them, you will lose miserably."

"What's more tragic is, you might lose and not even know why."

"This god Hongyun is not simple." Xin Yin added, "Have you heard he's a good old man? You think this deity is a kind-eyed, mild-mannered figure."

"Wrong…… totally wrong!"

"Sister, let me tell you a heartfelt word——don't go spreading this around." Xin Yin looked left and right, then spoke seriously, "In the vast Honghuang, among the famous great powers, nine out of ten, when you cut them open, have black hearts."

"And that remaining one? Can't even say it's pure and clean…… at most, at most it's someone who persists, with a higher bottom line."

"Absolute truth, goodness, beauty?"

"Does not exist."

Xin Yin sighed, "This world is a great dye vat."

"In this dye vat, half comes from the contributions of mortal beings, half from the top-tier giants…… among the Great Luo within, who can say they are pure and clean?"

"I can't either." Xin Yin spoke candidly, even though she was referring to herself.

"In the rise and fall of humanity, good and evil coexist…… we, eternal and free in endless spacetime, have seen the most moving goodness and also the most hideous, mad evil."

"Moreover, this is not once or twice, but countless times!"

"The key is, we not only see the results, but also see the causes…… knowing the heart of the good, understanding the cause of the evil."

"Having seen much, observed widely…… our thoughts are already enlightened, we find nothing strange."

"We acknowledge beauty, yet do not ignore sin…… we can argue from the most rational angle, and also resonate from the most emotional stance."

"In the end, we care neither for good nor for evil…… the true core is our self, the goal we pursue."

Xin Yin said, smiling brightly, "The dye vat of humanity has stained us gray…… and above that, there are even stronger Great Luo establishing rules."

"If they promote virtue and good deeds, we will join them in promoting; but if……"

Xin Yin spoke halfway, then shook her head, "In this Honghuang, up to now, when has there ever been a strong promotion of virtue?"

"Everyone is busy improving themselves…… in this process, it's inevitable to use some dark accumulation methods."

"Being too kind makes one easy to suffer loss…… how can one mingle into the top tier?"

"Unless someone stands in front to block wind and rain, using their body to prop up a patch of heaven and earth, only then can one retain a bit of stubbornness, a bit of feeling, a bit of perseverance."

Fengxi listened, and seemed to gain some insight.

After a good while, he then said, "So then…… is Hongyun a dangerous person?"

"Yes, he is very dangerous." Yu Juan nodded, "Don't listen to outside talk, this is a great benevolent person…… but actually it's just fooling those naive about worldly affairs."

"At our level, who doesn't know——a good reputation is actually something you can brush up?"

"Spend some money, hire some water troops, heavily promote."

"And coincidentally carry out a public welfare activity, showing how loving and how much one repays the world with selfless virtue."

Actually, that activity might not have lasted even a few days… or perhaps it was simply stealing someone else's achievements and sticking them onto oneself.

(End of chapter)