Chapter 316: Surnames Shall Appear, the Human and Wu Clans Send Envoys

"So, the organization just casually decided like that, letting me go to the Heavenly Court as the main envoy?"

Among the human race, Fengxi widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

"When was this discussed and decided? How come I know nothing about it? Is there any heavenly principle left? Is there any royal law?"

"Who proposed it?!"

Fengxi, seething with anger, slammed his hands on the table, shouting in utter anguish and indignation.

Across from him, Yuniao calmly raised a shield, blocking the saliva flying everywhere, creating a clean spot.

Until Fengxi grew tired of his nagging, he then lowered the shield and spoke slowly: "You've been busy promoting the success marketing of the Moral Heavenly Venerable, even lining up with Yuanshi Tianzun to put on a show, crafting a success story—it's only natural you'd be unaware of this."

"After all, our human race has so few leaders, yet we must handle myriad affairs; we can't just gather people for discussion at will… unless it's especially important, a matter of our human race's life and death."

"Normally, when the decision-making body reaches seventy percent, that's enough to vote on ordinary matters… the Heavenly Court's invitation is of that level, far from a life‑and‑death moment for the human race."

"So, it's not strange at all that you didn't receive the notice."

"Alright." Fengxi ground his teeth, "The Heavenly Court's invitation isn't a big deal… since you say so, I'll tentatively listen."

"That's just how it is." Yuniao casually said, "For things like diplomacy and negotiation, as long as the leaders behind both sides aren't foolish, they'll know that hard power is the most important weight."

"Even advantages you can't gain with fists, the same applies at the negotiation table—you can freely reject unreasonable demands… Moreover, this Heavenly Court invitation is mostly for show of force; are we truly prepared for war? I see the demon race hasn't made ready either."

"Impressive, it's just a bluff against you. If you're stage‑frightened, you'll naturally become a joke, sending a signal of human weakness—not weakness in strength, but weakness of spirit."

"On the contrary, if you thicken your skin, put on a haughty gaze, treating everyone as a younger brother or son, making the other side flare up yet unable to actively disrupt the current situation… well, perhaps you could snag a small advantage."

I see, with your insight and your usual thick‑skinnedness—I think you're the most suitable to be sent as envoy to the Heavenly Court." Fengxi said bluntly.

"I'd like to go too…" Yuniao chuckled, while handling his paperwork, he said to Fengxi, "But reality doesn't allow it."

Youchao proposed sending you, and he also gained many people's approval… After thinking, I didn't nominate myself and cast a vote of approval for you.

If you have any objections, you can go discuss and debate with him, refuse the job, and let us re‑choose personnel… well, not doing so is fine too.

On the day of the envoy mission to the Heavenly Court, just feign illness and stay home; we'll naturally decide on another envoy.

By the way, let me remind you as a friend—nominally, all salaries, benefits, and dividends among the human race are under Youchao's charge." Yuniao put down his pen, meaningfully said to Fengxi, "What you do is none of my business… but I hope you think through the consequences before acting."

Sometimes, you just have to bow to life… it's not cold.

We all have to eat, after all!

As soon as Yuniao finished speaking, he saw Fengxi's expression shift through a myriad of colors, like opening a dye shop.

After a good while, Fengxi choked up and said, "So it was Youchao who proposed it… then it's fine."

I firmly approve and support the collective decision of the human race's leadership to go on the envoy mission to the Heavenly Court.

Even if the banquet holds no good feast, with murderous intent lurking in the shadows, I will absolutely not retreat!

Fengxi's eyes brimmed with hot tears, "As the saying goes—one must die in life, either weightier than Mount Buzhou or lighter than a goose feather."

I want to be a great one whose weight exceeds that of Mount Buzhou!

"Ha…" Yuniao burst out laughing, patting Fengxi on the shoulder, "Don't be so pessimistic."

Although going to the Heavenly Court, facing a host of tiger‑gazing demon gods, demon marshals, and demon emperors, looks very dangerous.

But we humans, do we have no connections in the Heavenly Court?

Xihuang

Wahuan

Those are mighty beings whose fates are intertwined with ours.

Moreover, our human race has recently put in place many exceedingly subtle investments… the implications behind them are not simple, making it not difficult for you to return alive.

Fengxi frowned slightly, pondered, and said, "Could it be…?"

"The human race has met the foundation for diffusion." Yuniao rose, walked to the window, stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the vast heavens and earth, "Here in Buzhou, it's already become somewhat cramped."

After this sports meet, the human race will see branches and migration, from then on blossoming comprehensively, no longer clinging to one place, shifting from original strategic defense to strategic offense.

Diffusion, migration… the brand‑new human race will use surname totems as bonds and distinctions.

And this totem is an eternal covenant, a transmission of ideas and concepts…

This era may have some darkness.

But the fire of hope has never been extinguished.

Yuniao's words were full of deep meaning.

He turned around, looked at Fengxi, his expression calm and indifferent.

"Not long from now, at the sports meet showcasing human civilization's splendor, I will be the final torch‑lighter. After myriad ages, I may be called the Fire Ancestor… and I've heard that the Wu Clan has a worthy great shaman who loves to collect this; over the years, the holy fire of the Wu Clan's games has always been kept with him."

After you go to the Heavenly Court to attend the meeting, if you have leisure, you can pay him a visit.

Tell him, consider the friendly relations between the human and Wu clans… if he has any ideas, he can come to the human realm after the sports meet, and I will bestow upon him a human holy fire, as a symbol of fire‑keeping and undying thought, the greatest ideal in reincarnation.

After all.

The human race is the root of the Wu Clan, and the Wu Clan is the guardian of the human race across time and space.

The human race stands between heaven and earth, yet what it ultimately seeks to fulfill is the great dream of Pangu.

Fengxi listened, and for a moment he was stunned.

After a spell of indescribable silence.

Fengxi nodded solemnly, "I… I understand."

……

In a winding, meandering branch of the tortuous river of time, an extremely powerful living being moves forward.

He has tread over boundless time and space, descended into countless worlds, like a diligent bee gathering something.

Sometimes one can see a dim gleam of spirit or a fleeting illusionary mark leap out from one world after another and merge with him.

No one knows how long this process has lasted.

"How many years have passed? I can't even remember anymore."

(first line)

Translate: "The ancient, weathered voice sounded, emanating from this living being's mouth: 'Boundless, endless years, I have traversed the Myriad Heavens and spacetime...'" Need to keep punctuation. Ensure we keep the quotes. The Chinese uses 「」 for quotes; we can use English quotes. We'll output: 【61】 The ancient, weathered voice sounded, emanating from this living being's mouth: "Boundless, endless years, I have traversed the Myriad Heavens and spacetime..."

(Check line)

Just to collect the imprints, waiting for the most dazzling spark of holy fire.

Everything, it was only because of a mishap back then that I set foot on this arduous path.

Hopefully, in the end, I can turn misfortune into blessing, letting me pass through nine-nine-nine and achieve the great smoothness of six-six-six... May Pangu bless us!

…… -> This line is just ellipsis. We need to output exactly the same? The line contains only "……". We should translate as "……"? Probably keep the ellipsis as is. So: 【65】 ……

Time moves forward, everything is moving forward.

Soon, the day set by the Heavenly Court arrived.

Streams of light crisscrossed heaven and earth, illuminating the starry sky, heading for the Heavenly Court's important grounds.

They were the strong ones from all the demon tribes and clans of the Demon Race; they had to give face to the Heavenly Court, witnessing a grand alliance event, and incidentally serving as the backdrop for the cheers of the Heavenly Court's prosperity.

And here in Buzhou, it also became lively.

On the Wu Clan's territory, Gonggong Ancestral Witch wore battle attire, wielding a divine hook, driving the myriad-dragon divine palanquin, exuding killing intent; one look and you knew he was not to be provoked.

Nominally to attend the meeting, but actually likely going to cause trouble, the ferocity index off the charts.

I am going!

Gonggong Ancestral Witch let out a great shout; his mighty, vast qi surged forth instantly, overwhelming half the land's mountains and rivers, as if the four seas were surging and raging, his momentum vast and unmatched.

The myriad dragons roared in unison, pulling the palanquin, soaring into the sky, breaking through the Heavenly Pass, and charging into the star sea.

Only the remaining eleven Ancestral Witches stayed behind, seeing Gonggong off to war.

Watching Brother Gonggong's valiant bearing now, I only want to recite a poem..." Di Jiang suddenly spoke, his tone impassioned: "The wind is bleak, Buzhou cold, Gonggong has gone...

Just shut up!" Houtu interrupted him: "If Gonggong really perishes, what then?!

Even if he must die, his death must be worthwhile, taking a few Heavenly Court Yao Marshals or some Demon Emperor with him, laying the foundation for final victory.

What Elder Sister Houtu said is quite right." Xuanming Ancestral Witch gave a thumbs-up.

I'm thinking, this time he goes to the meeting, there will probably be a fight... but both sides have restraints, so it'll likely be just a skirmish." Tiānwú Ancestral Witch muttered.

I don't think so." She Bishi smacked his lips: "Gonggong might come back all bloody... you believe that?

I don't believe it!" Tiānwú glanced askance.

Then shall we make a bet?

All right... let's bet!" Tiānwú agreed.

The two Ancestral Witches directly started betting, oblivious to everyone else.

One took out a jug of star sand; each grain of star sand is the essence remnant of an ancient star that has perished.

The other conjured a divine wind, its power tremendous, capable of sweeping away all tangible things in the world.

Huh? You're already betting like that? Then count me in!

Gou Mang's eyes lit up: 'I'm siding with She Bishi!'

I'll join in too." Zhurong Ancestral Witch poked his head out: "I'm betting on Tiānwú's side.

One leads to two, two leads to three.

In the end, most of the Ancestral Witches joined in, betting on the outcome of Gonggong Ancestral Witch's trip.

The surroundings instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

The Great Witches under the Ancestral Witches' command nearby, each straining to keep a straight face so as not to burst out laughing on the spot, thereby inviting Gonggong Ancestral Witch's later reckoning.

Of course, there are exceptions.

For example, Fengxi under Houtu Ancestral Witch's command wore a troubled look, as if worrying for Gonggong Ancestral Witch.

As for the actual situation inside...

…… -> ellipsis line. So: 【99】 ……

The Human Race Sages gathered, giving final instructions to the envoy who would travel in their stead.

Fengxi had already listened for so long he was rolling his eyes, but there were too many peers present, so he had to endure it.

You are going to the Heavenly Court; remember not to let our human race's honor suffer." You Chao stood with hands behind his back, very imposing: "Your people may die, but the clan's reputation must not be harmed in the slightest, for this concerns countless generations.

If it's harmed, you better think about where you'll be buried afterward." Yun Ruo echoed with the wind: "And there are also the years you'd spend nailed to the pillar of shame.

Don't stick your neck out... the Demon Race's main focus right now is on the Wu Clan; if you feel targeted, then first drag the Wu Clan's envoy into trouble." Huang Xiong added: "Don't worry about compromising your integrity, find a scapegoat and go!

Exactly, exactly!" Hao Ying nodded repeatedly: "The Wu Clan is sending an Ancestral Witch, a seasoned old hand who's been stirring in the Honghuang world for who knows how long, well-versed in all sorts of tricks; following his path, you'll usually be right.

Using Gonggong to cross the river is indeed the best template for a newbie... Of course, you also need your own thinking." Li Lu pondered: "Gonggong Ancestral Witch, though usually reliable, if he's unreliable... the first to drown would be him, who can swim, so you'd better be careful.

Tsk!" Kui Wei shook his head and swayed: "I say, if you get there and really have no bottom line, don't cross blades with the Demon Emperor or Yao Marshals... just go stand beside the Goddess Nüwa or the Great Sage Fuxi!

Exactly!" You Chao clapped loudly, eyes bright: "Fengxi! When you reach the Heavenly Court, sweeten your words, speak many kind words to the Goddess Nüwa, and pull connections regarding the human race's origin of creation.

With this goddess looking after you, although she won't openly favor you, she will still block any Heavenly Court power plays that bully people.

As for the rest of parrying moves, I'm very confident in your abilities!

You Chao encouraged him: "If you pull this off, the human race will remember your merit... maybe it'll come in handy someday.

The Human Race Sages, one saying after another, gave Fengxi methodological guidance.

In short, it's just: be neither humble nor arrogant, hold firm to your principles, find a reliable backer, ask Gonggong for directions... once all these points are done, you can basically withdraw unscathed.

Of course, this is the ideal state.

Because no one can guarantee that the high-level Demon Court, swept up in the alliance trend, won't have a powerful being target the human race for harassment... all are unknowns.

Even if Fengxi behaves properly from start to finish, it's still hard to avoid misfortune coming from elsewhere.

This requires Fengxi to respond flexibly himself.

Fengxi's eyes turned, he nodded solemnly: "I've remembered all you said... but I've long wanted to ask, have you prepared a luxurious mount for me?

Can't let me go looking all shabby, can we?

That's losing the face of the entire human race!

Besides, besides, although I have a heroic and vigorous bearing, a dignified and lofty demeanor, and a graceful spirit like jade, with appearance and bearing both top-notch, I still need some splendid adornments to enhance my majestic and towering presence.

Only by gathering the splendor of attire and the grandeur of ritual can we perfectly display the human image I represent!

Xi spoke those most solemn and righteous words, leaving the other human sages staring at each other.

"So, bring out any nice things you have to use as decorations for me," Xi said with a smiling, narrowed eyes, completely changing his previous dejected appearance.

"I suddenly want to change people," said the Chief of Having Nest with a sigh.

"We feel the same way," the other sages also sighed in feeling.

(End of chapter)