Chapter 321

「You have to admit defeat and pay up! Admit defeat and pay up! 」

Houtu had her hands on her hips, shouting at Di Jiang.

In the Heavenly Court, passionate fire overlaps.

But inside Mount Buzhou, however, the gambling game was opening.

The eleven ancestral witches split into two sides, betting on Gonggong's victory or defeat and the extent of his injuries in this trip.

Some thought he would be beaten half-paralyzed, bleeding from both ends, his skull shattered.

Some ancestral witches thought at most he would suffer a small loss, a bit embarrassed.

But as things stand now, it seems one side has won.

So at this moment, Houtu, the Wu clan bigwig who had judged Gonggong to be slightly at a disadvantage, stretched out her claw toward Di Jiang, who was certain Gonggong would lose, demanding the gambling stakes, to make him admit defeat and pay up.

Di Jiang let out a long sigh, handed over an innate spiritual treasure he had at hand, his face still showing a hint of disbelief.

"How could Xihuang have mobilized so quickly? And his strike was so light, as if he'd changed his nature? This is unreasonable!"

The ancestral witch Di Jiang seemed to have great doubt and confusion about the current developments, vividly voicing his inner thoughts—

"This script is wrong!"

"Who knows?" Houtu put that innate spiritual treasure into her pocket, her face beaming with joy... not because the innate spiritual treasure is so precious, but mainly because in past bets with Di Jiang she usually lost more than she won.

Being able to win now truly makes her feel refreshed and pleased.

By her stature, an innate spiritual treasure is nothing; what matters is whether she looks good.

Having turned the tide in one round, it's no wonder Houtu feels pleased.

"Look at your swollen appearance, and that previous decisive judgment... I think you tampered with this; there's a dark curtain behind the gambling."

Di Jiang looked over with a suspicious gaze, "Surely it's not that Xihuang and Nüwa are brother‑and‑sister partners, together rigging a black‑house, is it?!"

"Nonsense!" Houtu raised her head, "Nüwa, what kind of deity is she? She has always been calm and peaceful, cultivating herself and nurturing virtue, dignified and virtuous, a model for the world... how could she do such a thing? How could she stir up a brother‑and‑sister black‑house and order her brother to interfere here?"

Houtu patted her chest, making a "bang bang" sound, solemnly swearing to the Heavenly Dao that she had nothing to do with it, "It must be Xihuang acting on his own, secretly taking his sister's demon‑summoning banner, then running out to throw his weight around, just to show how mighty he is!"

"Right!"

"Exactly like that!"

The ancestral witch Houtu spoke with firm conviction.

Di Jiang listened, nodding, then nodding again.

"Since you say that, I'll believe you." Di Jiang raised a hand, cutting off Houtu's further words, "You said Nüwa is calm and peaceful, cultivates herself and nurtures virtue, dignified and virtuous, a model for the world... well, I think the same."

"Later, we'll find a chance for everyone to together bestow more titles on Nüwa, to highlight the beauty and nobility of her virtue."

Di Jiang smiled.

"That's exactly how it should be!" Houtu nodded vigorously, "Nüwa is so perfect, it's only natural to praise her more."

"However, her titles are already long enough; too many adjectives aren't good, so if we can avoid them, let's."

"Oh, received." Di Jiang said faintly, "But truly waiving the titles would be inappropriate… we'll consider the actual situation and work out the best solution when the time comes."

"You can rest assured about that."

Houtu nodded satisfactorily.

But at the same time, a faint sense of unease rose subtly in her heart, flashed by, and she could not trace its source.

"Huh?"

Houtu furrowed her fine brows, looking left and right suspiciously, "Another villain trying to harm me?"

After searching in vain, she simply shook her head, shifted her attention to the Heavenly Court, and sighed.

"The Heavenly Court has swollen enormously these years, also treading Panggu's path… we can't be careless."

"Don't let it happen that we beat Hongjun to the ground, only for the Heavenly Court to snatch the fruits of victory."

"It just depends on each one's methods." Di Jiang chuckled lightly, his tone full of deep meaning.

……

The ancestral witch Gonggong was muttering to himself.

Unfortunately, he couldn't finish.

He only managed to utter the three words "brother‑sister black", the rest of his words were swallowed back.

Because of Xihuang.

At this moment, the great sage Fuxi had torch‑like eyes, blazingly bright, tightly gripping the demon‑summoning banner in his hand… This posture fell into Gonggong's eyes, causing him, after careful consideration, to close his mouth.

Gonggong closed his mouth.

Fuxi was also satisfied.

He did not continue to haggle over the "black‑house" issue; instead, he put on a smile, laughed heartily, and mediated between Taiyi and Gonggong.

Hmm.

After displaying martial force, this task immediately got on track, progressing extraordinarily.

"Fellow Daoists, why go to such lengths?"

Xihuang put the demon‑summoning banner into his sleeve, solemnly sighing, "The Wu and monster clans are brothers too!"

"One is formed from Panggu the Great God's essence‑blood, few in number, thus the legitimate son."

"The other is, after the primordial god created heaven and earth, his body transformed into all things, thus making him the junior son."

"Although legitimate and junior differ, their offerings to Panggu vary, and their inheritance rights differ as well… yet they are ultimately connected."

"Despite earlier differences in doctrine that caused disputes between them,"

"but in the end they are brothers!"

"Even if the bones are broken, the tendons remain attached."

"Under ordinary circumstances, that would be fine."

Now the Heavenly Court is making a big show, it's for show, it's a happy occasion… why are the Wu Clan friends so angry, coming to our door to pick a fight?

Fuxi stood on the moral high ground, lecturing Gonggong.

Gonggong gave a cold snort, "I've come all the way, encountering over three hundred mishaps… about this, Daoist Fuxi, how do you intend to explain it?"

"Is that so?" Fuxi put on a listening pose, then frowned and pondered, "Daoist Gonggong, are you suspecting that we, the Heavenly Court, set up a banquet while hiding murderous intent?"

"This… we deeply sympathize with Daoist Gonggong's plight."

"But please rest assured, the Heavenly Court acts on Heaven's behalf; its personnel are all upright and selfless, of high moral character, and would never do anything despicable."

"If there really were such a thing…"

"That must be the work of temporary staff who joined on the spot and could quit at any time."

"Only personnel in such special circumstances would act against the Heavenly Court's principles…"

Fuxi spoke righteously.

He stood while speaking, yet his waist showed not the slightest pain.

This left the onlooker Xi in awe.

"Regarding Gonggong the Ancestral Witch's protest, after this the Heavenly Court will investigate it thoroughly."

Xihuang adopted a solemn expression and said, "We will give you, Daoist, a reasonable explanation."

"I think in the end it must be a misunderstanding, Daoist Gonggong's reaction was overly intense."

"Since it concerns life and safety, it's understandable for a Daoist to be impulsive; seeking instruction in cultivation from our Heavenly Court's Donghuang is also reasonable."

"But I still need to point out one thing—your assault on the Heavenly River navy is truly improper."

"You are provoking war!"

Regarding the life-and-death struggle between Gonggong and Taiyi, Fuxi brushed it off lightly, effectively making a big issue small and a small issue nonexistent.

But when it came to the Heavenly River navy, they demanded an explanation.

"Hahaha…" Gonggong the Ancestral Witch laughed loudly, "Didn't I already say that before?"

"The reason I took action was merely to help the Demon Race's populace evaluate whether the heavenly soldiers they funded with heavy taxes have sufficient combat power, whether they are worthy of their expense, and whether they can bring the people adequate security."

"If not, how could this Ancestral Witch, a great divine adept, possibly engage in bullying the weak with strength?"

"Impossible!"

"My divine nature is as hard as metal; I have undergone countless trials, I don't even know how many."

"Take the dragon clan, for example—one of the major strong factions among your Demon Race—just the other day they presented me with a banner, highly praising my virtue as Gonggong the Ancestral Witch."

The Ancestral Witch spoke, waved his hand, and the banner appeared instantly.

Woven from splendid star‑silk, each strand is a condensed galaxy.

On the banner were written roughly a hundred characters of appraisal, naming and praising how excellent Gonggong the Ancestral Witch is.

"What sense of justice and public spirit…"

"What eternal friendship with the dragon clan…"

"What greatest divinity that moves the dragon clan…"

"And so on, and so on."

Seeing this, Xihuang's eye twitched, and Donghuang unnaturally lifted his chin, putting it back in place.

"The dragon clan is, after all, a mainstay of your Demon Race… you need not believe others' evaluations."

"But the dragon clan's appraisal—I think you ought to give it serious consideration."

Gonggong the Ancestral Witch lifted his head and puffed his chest, "Therefore you should believe that I harbor no notion of bullying the weak with strength; I merely assisted the Heavenly Court in testing your heavenly soldiers."

"As a friend of the Wu Clan like me, you might not feel grateful, but to rage and snap like this… truly you do not know a good god's heart!"

Gonggong sighed lamentably, lamenting that the world's morals decline and people's hearts are no longer ancient.

How could such a pure‑hearted Ancestral Witch be subjected to such malicious speculation!

Xi stared, dumbfounded, at how Gonggong the Ancestral Witch's reversal was a complete black‑and‑white inversion.

At this moment he finally understood the advice his colleagues had given before departure: to consider feeling his way across the river with Gonggong.

That was indeed a slick old hand.

"If Daoist Gonggong says so, we ought to thank you profusely…" Xihuang wore a strange expression, "Or perhaps the Heavenly Court should give you a fee as compensation for your hard‑won testing?"

"Xihuang is indeed reasonable and understanding; this is only fitting."

Gonggong actually admitted it!

However, when he saw Fuxi silently produce the summon‑demon banner again, while Donghuang likewise stepped forward slowly… he changed his mind.

"Just considering what Daoist Fuxi also said earlier… Wu and demon, we are brothers too!"

"Between brothers, how can we talk about money? That would hurt feelings."

"So you need not pay me this remuneration." Gonggong said, "Just give it to the Heavenly River navy as a reward for their ability to stand firm before my might without retreating."

Gonggong the Ancestral Witch handled the 'borrowing flowers to offer Buddha' maneuver quite well.

As for Xihuang, I won't say more—he does not command military authority.

The one who holds military authority, Donghuang, now has a face somewhat dark.

He retrieved the Chaos Bell that guards the Heavenly River navy, hefting it in his hand, occasionally glancing at Gonggong's forehead, as if he very much wanted to test the Ancestral Witch's skull hardness with this innate supreme treasure.

But in the end, Taiyi suppressed that impulse and spoke in a calm tone, "This need not trouble Daoist Gonggong further; the Heavenly Court has its own laws."

"At the same time, I am deeply moved by Daoist Gonggong's conduct."

"By taking action to test, exerting awe‑inspiring pressure, he ascertained who in the Heavenly River navy is strong or weak, who dares to fight or fears battle, and who, facing a powerful foe, has the resolve to fight to the last breath."

"Those who stand out can be regarded as core trainees, to shine brightly when needed in the future."

"From this perspective, the Heavenly Court certainly ought to express sincere gratitude to Daoist Gonggong."

Taiyi is also no penny‑pincher.

He gave a measured retort, leaving Gonggong unable to feel pleased for long.

In the end, it was a result that left both sides feeling uneasy.

Fuxi looked left and right, then laughed, 'It seems everyone is reasonable, having clarified the problem, understood each other's intentions, and thoroughly sorted out the root of the conflict.'

'Between us, we have reestablished a friendly relationship, securing the present era's peace.'

'I think, for this result, Hongjun Dao Ancestor, who is responsible for maintaining the stability of Honghuang's rules, would surely be relieved.'

Fuxi wore a satisfied smile, yet he was hinting at something.

An ancestral Wu and a demon emperor, hearing the string music, understood the refined meaning: 'Exactly!'

'The Dao Ancestor is at a critical juncture of joining the Heavenly Dao; the Honghuang world most needs stability now, we cannot add to his burden.' Donghuang sighed.

'Exactly.' Gonggong said, 'During this period, whatever the conflict, we should resolve it through discussion if possible, avoid resorting to weapons, and not harm harmony.'

'Moreover, the Wu Clan and the Demon Race have eternal friendship; we are one family!'

Taiyi and Gonggong exchanged glances; the two great beings burst into hearty laughter, looking extremely delighted.

After the laughter.

Taiyi extended his hand, making an invitation to Gonggong: 'Friend of the Wu Clan, you have come to the Demon Race's Heavenly Court; how could you be without a guide?'

'I, Taiyi, am willing to be this companion… so that Gonggong Daoist friend won't get lost in the bustling Heavenly Court, accidentally wandering into some heavenly troops' camp of my Heavenly Court and then, on a whim, undergo an inspection.'

'Ahahaha…' Gonggong laughed heartily, 'How could that be? You must trust my divine quality.'

No matter what Gonggong said, Taiyi warmly invited him, not letting him out of his sight, as if guarding against a thief.

In the end, Gonggong still agreed.

The prominent figures of the Wu Clan and the Demon Race walked together, appearing harmonious on the surface, yet undercurrents still surged.

Even if Xihuang pointed out a crucial external factor, an important weight outside the balance… the due contest would still occur, at most changing its form.

Fengxi watched these scenes, feeling deeply moved, feeling he had gained much understanding and learned much.

He took out a small notebook and earnestly recorded his insights on it.

But when he finished recording and raised his head… he saw that the Great Sage Fuxi was still there, not having left.

Fengxi was somewhat surprised, then instantly understood.

He performed a respectful salute, 'Your Majesty Xihuang!'

Fuxi looked at him, gave a slight nod, 'Come with me for a moment.'

These years, Xiao Wa, although she has become a sage, lives in seclusion beyond the heavens.

But she still cares somewhat for the humanity she personally created before attaining sagehood.

'Just now she sent me a voice transmission, asking me to bring you to meet her, to report on humanity's recent developments… so come with me.'

'As you wish!'

Fengxi immediately agreed, naturally seizing this opportunity to go pay respects to Empress Wa.

(End of chapter)