Chapter 296

Two envoys from the demon heavenly court bared their fangs, employing lure and threat.

Translation: "The two envoys who came from the Monster Clan Heavenly Court bared their fangs, using lure and threat."

Check: "lure and threat" = "lure and threat". Could be "enticement and coercion". We'll keep "lure and threat". Ensure we keep meaning.

The human sages refused to budge, never relaxing their vigilance.

Translation: "The human Sage yielded not an inch, never relaxing vigilance."

The demons are being overly optimistic.

Translation: "\"Demons, you're dreaming too beautifully. \""

Great Sage Haoying secretly sneered, "Do you really think we're easy to handle?"

Translation: "Great Sage Hao Ying secretly scoffed, \"Do you think we're easy to deal with? \""

First they bluff and deceive, then they threaten with words... are you paying attention?

Translation: "\"First bluff and deceive, then threaten with words... paying attention? \""

With just these, you expect us to back down?

Translation: "\"With just these, you want us to retreat? \""

Their beautiful dreams are also too perfectly realized.

Translation: "\"Their beautiful dreams are too well done! \""

This human sage is somewhat hot‑headed and radical; while he doesn't say it out loud, he's already cursing up a storm behind the scenes.

Translation: "This human Sage has a somewhat fiery and radical character; though he doesn't say it openly, he has already been cursing up a storm in private."

The other sages merely echoed him in a weary, old‑god fashion, giving him a thumbs‑up.

Translation: "The other Wise Men standing alongside him simply agreed in a calm manner, giving him a thumbs-up."

"The demons' tricks are just the same old stuff." Yunyi calmly sent a mental message: "The two envoys have come just to talk, wasting some saliva."

Translation: "\"The demons' tricks are always the same. \" Yun Xiao transmitted calmly, \"The two envoys come with their mouths, wasting some saliva. \"

"If they could use words to cripple our leadership and get humanity to join the demons, the heavenly court would naturally be overjoyed."

Translation: "\"If they could directly swindle our leadership into joining the demons with words, the Heavenly Court would naturally be overjoyed. \""

"If we stay clear‑headed and give them no opening, they will raise other slogans, trying to deceive the common folk below us and inject their malicious ideas."

Translation: "\"If we stay clear-headed, giving them no loophole to exploit, they will raise other slogans, trying to deceive the common folk beneath us, delivering their malicious ideas. \""

"They promote the heavenly court's sweet fragrance, yet never mention the demon realm's law of the jungle—where demons are kept at the bottom forever, fit only to be fodder for other races—using allure to make our people yearn, causing them to drift from us, severing collective and personal bonds, and planting the fuse of division."

Translation: "\"They propagandize the fragrant aura of the Heavenly Court, yet never mention the demon race's law of the jungle, where demons are pressed to the bottom forever unable to rise, fit only to be fodder for other races—using allure to make our people yearn, thus alienating them from us, severing collective and personal bonds, planting the fuse of division. \""

"Hey!"

Translation: "\"Hey! \""

"When our attitude remains unyielding and watertight, they will begin military coercion, or the kind of moral‑high‑ground 'I beat you, I'm right' coercion, hoping to break a crack and open the gate to invasion."

Translation: "\"When our attitude remains unyielding and watertight, they will begin military coercion, or that moral high-ground 'I beat you, I'm justified' coercion, aiming to knock open a gap and swing open the gate of invasion. \""

Great Sage Yunyi's tone was very calm, without a ripple.

Translation: "Great Sage Yun Xiao's tone was very calm, without a ripple."

His eyes held wise, weathered depth, bearing the air of one who looks upon the world's dust with detachment—like a former supreme heavenly emperor who once governed the vast cosmos, crossing time and space to undergo tribulation, perceiving all worldly affairs, whether conspiracies or open schemes, none of which linger in his mind.

Translation: "His eyes held wise and weathered light, bearing an air of transcending worldly dust, like a former supreme Heavenly Emperor who once governed the vast cosmos, crossing time and space to undergo tribulation, perceiving all worldly affairs—whether conspiracies or open schemes—none lingered in his heart."

In the depths of his eyes a faint flame flickers, bright yet unobtrusive, burning steadily; it seems as if epochs are its fuel, burning a span of history—when his eyes open and close, the light of civilization shines forth.

Translation: "In the depths of his eyes a faint flame flickered, bright yet unclamorous, burning steadily; it seemed to fuel itself with epochs, burning a stretch of history… as his eyes opened and closed, the radiance of civilization blossomed."

He possesses an extraordinary bearing; among this group of human sages his image and demeanor stand out, making many others seem, in comparison, to have shrunk by a head, with only a few able to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with him.

Translation: "He possessed an extraordinary demeanor; among this group of human Wise Men, his bearing stood out, making many seem shorter by a head in comparison, only a few able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him."

Naturally, Yunyi's words also carry weight, prompting the other sages to listen and reflect seriously.

Translation: "Naturally, Yun Xiao's words also carried weight, prompting the other Sages to listen attentively and reflect."

Since that's the case, how should we respond?

Translation: "\"Since that's the case, how should we respond? \""

Sage "Yellow Bear" asked for advice, while also glancing into the distance.

Translation: "Sage Huang Xiong asked for advice, meanwhile glancing into the distance."

There, the demon god envoys had been diverted by several human leaders to the side to admire the unique scenery of Buzhou, buying time for the remaining council of strategists to make decisions.

Translation: "There, the Demon God Envoys diverted by several human leaders to the side to admire the unique scenery of Buzhou… were buying time for the remaining think tank to make decisions."

"No special response is needed; simply reject any unreasonable demands, no need to compromise, and focus on building and defending our ideology… the rest is just to walk humanity's own path well." Yunyi said steadily, "Now the Wu tribe restrains the demons, and the Dao Ancestor Hongjun has not yet fully retreated; although the era is on the brink of war, the highest level will not easily break the balance, so the situation appears dangerous but is actually safe."

Translation: "\"No special response needed; simply reject all unreasonable demands, no need to compromise, then focus on building and defending our thoughts… the rest is just to walk our own human path. \" Yun Xiao said steadily, \"Now the Wu Clan restrains the demons, and the Dao Ancestor Hongjun has not yet fully retreated into seclusion; although the era stands on the brink of war, the highest level will not easily break the balance, so the situation appears dangerous but is actually safe. \""

That great sage judged the situation and drew that conclusion.

Translation: "This Great Sage made that judgment of the situation and drew that conclusion."

"I fear that if we don't go to full‑scale war, even a small spark could flare up…" Kui Gui frowned, his pupils flashing with sword light and iron horses, "Against the demons it would be a minor friction, but for us humans… it would be a terrifying pressure."

Translation: "\"I fear that if we don't go to full-scale war, even a small spark could flare……\" Kui Wei frowned, his pupils flashing with swordlight and iron horses, \"Against the demons it would be a minor friction, but for us humans… it would be a terrifying pressure. \""

This is a very real problem.

Translation: "This is a very real problem."

The demons are too strong!

Translation: "The demons are too strong!"

Even while they are standoff with the Wu tribe, ninety percent of their energy is being pulled.

Translation: "Even while standoff with the Wu Clan, ninety percent of their energy is being pulled."

Yet whatever strength remains—even if it's just a single arm—feels to our fledgling humanity like a raging storm.

Translation: "Yet the remaining strength, even if only a single arm is extended, feels to our stumbling, fledgling human race like a raging storm."

"We humans will not start a war lightly, but if the demons want to fight, we will see it through to the end, not yielding an inch!" Li Lu's eyes were icy cold.

Translation: "\"We humans will not start a war lightly, but if the demons wish to fight, we will accompany them to the end, yielding not an inch! \" Li Lu's eyes were ice-cold."

"That would entail enormous sacrifice—who knows how many of our newly born people would perish forever…" You Chao felt somewhat sorrowful.

Translation: "\"That would entail enormous sacrifice; I don't know how many of our newly born kin will thus fall into eternal sleep…\" You Chao felt somewhat sorrowful."

"Sacrifice is inevitable," Xi replied, "If we don't take advantage of the present, when war is still barely controllable, to hone our claws and forge our spirit, to instill in our newborn humanity the fiercest confidence and martial will, shall we wait until later?"

Translation: "\"Sacrifice is inevitable. \" Xi replied, \"Why not, while the war is still barely controllable now, hone our claws and temper our spirit, instilling into our newly born human race the fiercest confidence and martial will—should we wait until later? \""

"By then, when we have let go of restraint and trampled the bottom line, that will be the true danger!"

Translation: "\"Only later, when we let go and trample the bottom line, will true danger arise! \""

"It's a rare chance to train our troops and, in passing, display the spirit of our humanity… to tell the world, and also tell our kin."

Translation: "\"It's a rare chance to train troops and, in passing, display our human vigor… to tell the world and our kin. \""

"Though our humanity is newborn, we are not to be trifled with; we can walk openly between heaven and earth, need not bow to others, can straighten our spines to exercise our rights, and join the project of building a prosperous wilderness and shaping the future."

Translation: "\"Though our human race is newborn, we are not to be bullied; we can walk openly between heaven and earth, needing not to bow and scrape before others, we can straighten our spines to exercise our rights, participating in the project to forge a prosperous Honghuang and decide the future's grand trend. \""

Xi's tone was solemn and grave.

Translation: "Xi's tone was solemn and grave."

"I admit that the demons are now very strong; once they clash with us humans, our losses will not be light."

Translation: "\"I admit, the demons are now very strong; once they clash with our human race, our losses will not be light. \""

"But there's no need to over‑glorify them as unbeatable foes."

Translation: "\"But there's no need to over‑deify them, viewing them as unbeatable foes. \""

"In tactics, we can never over‑emphasize our focus on the demons… but strategically, our humanity can actually afford to look down on them."

Translation: "\"In tactics, we can never over‑emphasize our attention to the demons… but strategically, our human race can actually look down on them. \""

"Because the heavenly court, though strong, is bloated and corrupt… even if in name they uphold the demon concept and claim to encompass all of humanity under their rule."

Translation: "\"Because although the Heavenly Court is strong, it is bloated and corrupt… even if in name they uphold the demon concept, encompassing all human beings within their rule. \""

"But in reality, it is merely a power game among the strong and tyrannical clans; the lowly demon masses have virtually no room to rise, only able to fight on the battlefield with their flesh and blood for a sliver of hope."

Translation: "\"But in reality, that is merely a power game of the strong and dominant clans; the lowly demon commoners have hardly any room to rise, only able to struggle on the battlefield with flesh and blood for a sliver of hope. \""

"How many myriad years have passed? Ordinary demon folk have always been exploited… thus, while the heavenly court surely rules boundless lands with limitless might, considering the whole and the long term, it lacks popular support; the lowly demon masses cannot be said to love it much."

Translation: "How many myriad years? Ordinary demon masses have always been exploited… thus while the Heavenly Court surely rules boundless lands with limitless might, considering the whole and the long term, it lacks popular support; the lowly demon folk cannot be said to love it much."

"In fact, those who truly love the demons are mostly not the lowly; they benefit from the heavenly court's rules… ordinary demons? Do they even deserve to love the demon race?"

Translation: "In fact, those who truly love the demons are mostly not the lowly; they benefit from the Heavenly Court's rules… ordinary demons? Do they even deserve to love the demon race?"

"Who made the demons' core be to follow heaven's way, the law of the jungle?"

Translation: "\"Who made the demon creed be 'follow heaven, obey fate, the strong prey on the weak'? \""

"Because they rise to power through strength, they always put self‑interest first, thereby extending suppression of rivals and the weak, trapping civilization in a vicious cycle."

Translation: "\"Because they rise to power through strength, they always put self‑interest first, thereby extending suppression of rivals and the weak, trapping civilization in a vicious cycle. \""

"All beings under heaven have suffered long enough!"

Translation: "\"All beings under heaven have suffered long enough! \""

"All myriad beings have long yearned for a 'variable', hoping to live more easily… this actually accords with the way of the Great Dao; even Fuxi the Great Sage published books specially to expound the principles of 'change' and 'transformation'."

Translation: "\"All myriad beings have long yearned for 'variables', hoping to live more easily… this actually accords with the Great Dao's operational law; Fuxi the Great Sage even published a special book expounding the principles of 'change' and 'exchange'. \""

"This innately born supreme deity, observing all of heaven, earth, and culture, distilled the principle of 'Change', elucidating the development of all things—what is 'Change'? How does one 'Change'?"

Translation: "\"This innately born supreme divinity, observing all heaven, earth, and culture, summed up 'Exchange', making clear the development of all things—what is 'Exchange'? How to 'Exchange'? \""

"Precisely because humanity needs change, decay will make way for the new, even if that newfound strength is still feeble."

Translation: "\"Precisely because the human way requires change, decay will make way for the new, even if that new force remains weak. \""

"Because the weak also grow and become strong—if they align with the deepest yearning of the greatest multitude of beings, they will naturally gain support, shining with the spiritual light of civilization, gathering the weak to become strong."

Translation: "\"Because the weak too can grow and become strong—as long as they align with the yearning of the greatest multitude of all beings, they will naturally gain support, shining with civilization's spiritual radiance, gathering the weak into strength. \""

The human sage Xi pointed out.

Translation: "The human Sage Xi pointed out."

The demons are currently strong, but in reality they are walking a tightrope, using their mighty force to suppress internal problems.

Translation: "The demons are now strong, but in reality they are walking a tightrope, using great military force to suppress internal problems."

But this suppression is not omnipotent.

Translation: "Yet this suppression is not omnipotent."

As long as humanity can step forward, wave a special banner, and turn the story of how they rose from nothing to greatness into a spreading spirit, igniting countless sparks, then the demons' hinterland will catch fire and they will no longer be able to dominate as they do now.

Translation: "As long as humanity can step forward, wave a special banner, turning their experience of rising from nothing to greatness into a spiritual will, spreading it far and wide to ignite countless sparks, then we can set the demons' backyard ablaze, so they can no longer be as overbearing and domineering as now."

The road ahead for humanity is arduous.

Translation: "The path ahead for humanity is arduous."

But it is also full of hope.

Translation: "But it is also full of hope."

Well said!

Translation: "\"Well said! \""

Yunyi lightly applauded, greatly praising Xi: "Your vision for the long‑term war between humanity and the demons is sufficiently lofty and fitting."

Translation: "Yun Xiao lightly applauded, highly praising Xi: \"Your vision for the long‑term war between our human race and the demons is sufficiently lofty and fitting. \""

"Over‑praised……" Fengxi shook his head, "These ideas of mine are actually largely borrowed from the Xihuang of the Heavenly Court…… I have to say, this great Luo Divine Saint who established the Dao through the 'Yi' is truly remarkable."

"Borrowing a reference is fine; it doesn't matter." Yunruo gave a light laugh, "Although he is the sovereign of the Heavenly Court, he's only of this generation; later it's uncertain, he might retire any day."

"But his status as Nüwa's elder brother…… is something that spans countless generations, able to endure countless Great Calamities."

"Counting from the Lady, our relation to Fuxi the Great Sage is quite close—at least we are nephew and uncle."

"Even if Nüwa has never expressed her stance, the support she gives to humankind is immense."

"But as long as she does not come out and openly oppose, it is already a great boon for humankind… flying under Nüwa's banner, she naturally has many connections."

"Based on this alone."

"Placed among the Demon Race, the status and position of humankind are destined to be extraordinary."

"If it weren't for humankind being involved in the contest of human ideals, the struggle of the Honghuang pattern, and the dispute over Pangu's achievements…… without so many entanglements, humankind would truly have been enjoying blessings from birth, standing at the endpoint that countless races dream of."

"With just a greeting, one can directly enjoy the tribute of countless lower-level Demon Race members, being one of the stable core members of the Demon Race."

"But, these have all been abandoned."

"Instead, it is to open up a heavenly Great Dao amidst hardship and scarcity."

"This path is not easy to walk."

"Because, it is a path that demands death."

"Even if they have just been born not long ago, they must bear the enormous pressure of possibly facing the Demon Race's weapons!"

"However."

"Among the first-generation leaders of humankind, the Wise Man and the Sage, not one is a mere 'oil-saving lamp'."

"Faced with the Demon Race's vague yet pressing coercion, Yunruo first put forth an execution plan, then Xi elaborated and summarized the future route; they quickly made up their minds and settled on their stance."

……

"O people of humankind, won't you consider again?"

"The Demon God 'Wei' sighed, 'Don't go down a dark path!'"

"Have you asked the people of humankind? Have you considered their opinions? Such an all-or-nothing, high-risk choice—I, who oversee heaven and earth and govern all races for the Heavenly Court, really can't stand by!"

"Doing this, can you live up to Pangu the Great God's lofty hopes for humanity and all living beings?" The Demon God Erfu also lamented for heaven and pitied humanity, "He opened up such a vast and boundless heaven and earth, even at the end not sparing to transform his body into heaven and earth, creating all things—such great spirit… for what purpose?"

"It is precisely the hope that humanity and all living beings may live a good life!"

"Doing this will inevitably make the ancestor god Pangu feel sorrow and grief. We, the Demon Race, as your elders—considering our time of birth, we are like your older brothers… we cannot stand by and watch!"

"The Demon Race's envoy, under false pretenses, waving the banner of elder brother, seeks to grasp the legitimate right to reprimand and educate."

"The elder brother is like a father, the head of the family."

"For the rebellious 'younger brother', of course they have the right to educate!"

"\"Who exactly has made Pangu feel sorrow and grief? \" Yunruo smiled and rebutted, \"It's not entirely up to the Heavenly Court to decide. \"

"After all, Pangu the Great God also has a bloodline passed down, right?"

"The Wu Clan hasn't even spoken yet, and you're already giving humankind a definitive judgment—isn't that a bit too hasty?"

"Sigh…" Yunruo said, putting on an act of sighing, "We have already sent people to invite the Wu Clan's mighty ones over… but I've heard some rumored gossip, I don't know if it's true or false? The members of the Wu Clan are all hot-tempered, often not using their brains, acting purely on brute force."

"By then, you two fellow Daoists must be extremely careful… if that incoming great shaman acts on impulse and directly kills you two, that would be terrible."

"This great Sage directly turned the threat back on them."

"The meaning could not be clearer."

"—Humankind is not without backing, and they won't cower or weaken just because you utter a harsh word."

"This threat seems to take effect immediately."

"Those two Demon Gods also stopped pretending, putting on a facade of being good for humankind, with calm and indifferent expressions."

"\"Nothing left to discuss? \""

"\"Yes. \" Xi stepped forward, nodded, and said, \"Nothing to discuss. \""

"\"What you cannot obtain on the battlefield, you shouldn't even think to get at the negotiating table. \""

"\"You want to have humankind sign some unfair agreements? \""

"\"It's not impossible. \" Xi's tone turned cold, \"Destroy the Wu Clan, then destroy humankind, and that will do! \"

"\"If you really go to war, even if your humankind can win, you'll still suffer many deaths. \" Erfu said leisurely, \"Besides, you aren't trying to develop, are you? Our Demon Race is quite enthusiastic about helping you! \"

"\"If you don't plan for the whole, how can you plan for a part? If you don't consider eternity, how can you secure the moment? \" Xi directly rebutted, \"Putting it bluntly, a temporary sacrifice exchanged for long-term benefits later—how could that not be acceptable? \""

"\"Without strength and without a fearsome reputation, who would trade fairly with humankind and respect their voice? \""

"\"And as for development…… we are not against it either. \""

"\"But we will never accept a development path where others dictate our direction and fate; we will not open a loophole for them to take advantage! \""

"\"The territory of humankind must listen to humankind alone! \""

"Xi expressed the stance on behalf of all the Sages."

"Retreat is impossible."

"He will not guess whether the opponent will be insatiably greedy, always wanting more."

"Heaven knows."

"Today we compromised, tacitly allowing the opening of a loophole in spirit."

"Tomorrow, will the Demon Race want even more, extorting humankind?"

"Rather than that, it would be better to fight a real battle with swords and spears, which is also preferable to being continuously bled, like a frog slowly boiled in warm water."

"However."

"Having spoken to this serious point,"

"He shifted his tone again."

"\"Of course. \""

"\"If the friends of the Demon Race can treat people with sincerity, without playing tricks…… I think we can still establish equal friendship and achieve mutual benefit. \""

The human race also needs to accelerate development.

"To treat others with sincerity?" Er Fu narrowed his eyes, "My demon race isn't incapable of that... but I'm actually worried that you humans don't keep your word!"

(End of chapter)