Chapter 324: Secretly Bestowing the River Luo, the Demon Emperor Speaks

However, this is also fine.

The faster I act, the more it proves my actions are successful… Moreover, now is the time for me to temporarily retire after achieving success.

In the hall, Donghua Di Jun, who was originally handling affairs and weighing laws, set down the documents, his gaze turning to the Star Sea: "After all, if I don't retreat now, Minghe doesn't know where he'll drift to."

"Your skill at backstabbing teammates remains as sharp as ever." A shadow flickered in a corner of the hall, like wind penetrating everywhere, like water silently nourishing, quietly condensing into a dim figure, who conversed with the emperor.

"How could you say that?" Donghua smiled, "As the saying goes, 'When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it first tests his will and strains his bones.' I'm doing this for his own good!"

Donghua swayed his body and stood up, "Besides, if there's really a leak, then it's his own doing."

"I can say with certainty that in the art of cooking the books, I am at the pinnacle of the present age." The emperor was very confident, "Simply hiding the sky and crossing the sea is absolutely no problem."

Moreover.

"What's it to me if I have tacit understanding with Hongyun Zhenyuan and them? Is Qialan Qian even a thing?"

"What's it to me if I cooperate with the Three Pure Ones Saints? I accepted their gifts and slightly shifted my stance—this is merely a tradition among many members of the Heavenly Court."

"I'm not at all afraid of being investigated over these matters. As long as it doesn't involve overturning the foundation of the Heavenly Court, even if those people find out, it's at most three drinks and a laugh, or maybe a reassignment."

"In practice, those who get dragged down by financial issues are mostly mid-level… The true high-level look at whether one betrays the collective interests, moving everyone's cake."

"What's more, I'm very confident in my operations; outsiders can hardly uncover anything, at most labeling it a 'suspicion'."

"After all, my cooperation with the Three Pure Ones and Hongyun's faction has always relied on tacit understanding, communication limited to words, with no written records left……This fundamentally eliminates catching thieves in the act."

"We can get rich together, with fortune and merit pouring in, various clever coordinations and cooperations……Outwardly we have plenty of excuses."

Vision precise.

Ability extraordinary.

Down-to-earth and willing to work.

"As long as I have room to quibble, I can keep arguing, defend myself, and set the pace."

What a pity.

Donghua Di Jun chuckled, "Our side has no problem."

"Minghe, however, was a bit impatient, took too big a step, dragged me in and nailed me down……In other respects, it's better to let three thousand go than wrongly kill one; but here, it's better to wrongly kill three thousand than let even one suspect go."

Speaking of being set up, this emperor still wore a full smile, completely unconcerned about the consequences.

No wonder.

"On one hand, Minghe now eats until his brain and intestines are full, and with my covert help his development has reached an extreme, all kinds of thoughts arising."

"On the other hand, the Dao Ancestor's union with the Dao is already settled, the Saint Nüwa's power is restrained, and it happens to be a time of great catastrophe, slaughter without number, calamitous qi rising; this progenitor of the path of creation and slaughter gains a huge boost in combat power."

Were I in that situation, my mindset would also have to drift.

Isn't that so?

He has already begun, wanting to create the Asura clan and the Asura Sect.

Donghua Di Jun fumbled on the desk for a moment, pulled out a stack of documents, pushed them forward, they landed in the dim figure's hand, still smiling he said, "Establishing a clan, founding a great teaching, is actually not a problem."

"The problem is, he actually wants to defy the Heavenly Court's jurisdiction and seek treatment like that of humanity……"

If we're talking about backstabbing teammates, he's the one who stabbed me first!

The shadowy figure glanced up and down, instantly grasping the situation.

The Heavenly Court's surveillance and inspection methods are all‑penetrating, covering heaven and earth.

After all, it is a mighty force backed by the Dao Ancestor, blessed by the Heavenly Dao, thus invincible everywhere.

That is, the Wu Clan can measure strength against it a little.

Even if it's only Great Luo Heavenly Intent, one can barely clear the monitors in one's own dojo.

Once one makes a big move, it's hard not to be discovered.

Naturally, the Demonic Ancestor Minghe's small movements were detected; establishing a great teaching and creating a race, though still in its infancy, still draws strong attention from the Heavenly Court.

And this attention led to following the vine to melon.

Looking at the benefits, I was shocked to discover the miraculous coordination with a certain emperor—building openly while sneaking supplies……My Demonic Ancestor boosts your emperor's political performance, your emperor issues some orders elsewhere to compensate, and we all team up to steal crystals!

Donghua said he was first set up by Minghe……Although not absolutely accurate, he also has his own reasoning.

Minghe took too big a step, was overly greedy in many aspects, turning all the "opportunities" Donghua created into cash and stuffing them into his own pocket……Once or twice could be called coincidence, but every time?

Who would believe that?

"'That's the reasoning.' The mighty one in the wind‑like, water‑like shadow first nodded slightly, showing agreement."

Then he laughed out loud.

But I think you're not so innocent either……Don't keep dumping the blame on Minghe.

At first, Minghe was also steady, well‑versed in the principles of sordid development……But you also didn't hesitate to urge everyone to speed up, and under your protection succeeded again and again, leading him down this irreversible path.

I think you can't escape suspicion of instigation.

Fattening him up, inflating his mindset and capital, making it impossible for the Heavenly Court to ignore, thus further developing covert operations, stealing heaven and replacing the sun, hiding the sky and crossing the sea……

The mighty one and the emperor locked eyes, both bursting into loud laughter.

After laughing a while, Donghua's smile first faded, his expression turning solemn.

I had long anticipated this day, and as it's a key part of the plan, I beforehand laid a countermeasure, successfully counter‑investigated Yingzhao Chatan, obtaining crucial intelligence.

This intelligence, when you return, pass it to your comrades in the circle, so they can prepare mentally in advance.

We know everything, but we must act as if we know nothing.

Playing a sacrificial pawn move, we hide our sharpness, making some think we're harmless, so they never become a threat.

Sacrificing some people is to enable others to achieve, striving for the final fruits of victory.

The matter is settled; then we'll sit in a row and split the fruits.

Let some guys know.

Those who can laugh to the end are the winners.

"Okay." The shadow great expert agreed, then added, "However, my risk in this is not small."

You must not shortchange me on the price we previously agreed upon.

"Fine, no problem." Emperor Donghua glanced at him, "I only hope you don't drop the chain at the crucial moment… After all, what you can reap after success is related to your effort."

If you can pluck the River Chart and Luo Book, what's the harm in giving it to you?

"Brother, you're really generous." That great expert gestured with a thumb, "This symbol that once bore the supreme status of an era—just say the word and it's yours."

"Heh." Donghua chuckled lightly, "The River Chart and Luo Book are valuable only because the person who holds them is noble."

Don't put the cart before the horse.

"That's just what you think… I, this god, am not greedy." The great expert chuckled hehe, "I don't care about its historical symbolism; instead, I'm more interested in the information hidden within it."

This is the supreme treasure of the Yi Dao, recording all information between heaven and earth, encompassing past, present, and future—everything can be queried through it… from the trifling personal privacy to the grand cosmic concepts.

You know what I'm doing these days… in this, information is highly valuable.

Using it, you can easily increase user stickiness, broaden the impact on the Human Dao, and enhance interaction…

"Indeed." Donghua nodded, then solemnly warned, "But I advise you not to act recklessly."

Personalized recommendations, I think they're fine… but I don't want a day when something like Nüwa Real Estate, some Yun Cultivation Platform… sends messages to my trumpet, recommending I buy this and that, plus some financial investments.

That's also fine.

If there were again any accurate-information scams…

Then I think, even if you obtained the River Chart and Luo Book, you probably couldn't keep it for long.

It would be blocked by a group of great experts standing on the Human Dao's stance, on the Beiming Sea, forcing you to hand this over to the Human Dao Emperor to take charge.

"Oh dear… you don't need to worry about that!" The great expert patted his chest, earnestly, "I get things done—don't you trust me?"

There definitely won't be any problems!

"I hope so." Emperor Donghua was somewhat noncommittal.

"Then the matter is settled like that." The great expert in the shadows said, "We will cooperate with you, for that final victory!"

For the final victory!

Donghua wore a smile, repeated those words, and watched the shadows dissipate.

Feng left.

The water flow receded.

Only he remained here, gazing leisurely at the sea of stars.

Not long after, an attendant walked in from outside the hall and reported to him.

"Director of Fate, the banquet time is approaching; Emperor Jun invites you to come over."

"Okay, I understand." Emperor Donghua nodded.

Afterward, he went to the side hall, changed into a formal and solemn robe, and stepped out of the Office of Fate.

……

Despite the investigation by Ying Zhao the Yao Marshal, a shadow was cast over a great celebration.

One by one, neutral great experts brought industry affiliations; this should have been a glorious moment for the Heavenly Court.

But many of them were suspected of harboring ulterior motives… This really made the Heavenly Court's decision-makers feel vexed, as if being cheated of money and sex by a scumbag.

However.

But appearances still need to be kept up.

They acted as if nothing had happened, and all banquet proceedings proceeded as usual.

Each Heavenly Court official went out, their aura fully displayed.

Moreover, the will of the Great Luo Heaven from the myriad mountains attended the meeting, and envoys from the myriad tribes under the Demon Race arrived, making the banquet atmosphere extraordinarily lively, enough to bolster the Heavenly Court's current prestige, with the scene of myriad gods paying homage and the Myriad Heavens mutually honoring.

Even the Saints who share the Heavenly Dao's work.

Amidst their busyness, they also diverted a bit of energy, pointed a trumpet to boost combat power, and went to the Heavenly Court to celebrate.

And the Heavenly Court's arrangement of their seats was also quite interesting, making the bustling Xi ponder.

'Except for the Goddess Nüwa, the other five Saints are roughly on par with the ten Yao Marshals, at most slightly surpassing them, yet far inferior to the Demon Emperor… Is this the will of the Heavenly Court?'

He watched coldly on the side, and for a moment many thoughts came to mind.

'Saints are the strong ones directly under the Dao Ancestor.'

'The Heavenly Court arranges their seats, yet lower than the Demon Emperor… Is this hinting that the Demon Emperor wants to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Dao Ancestor?'

'Mm… interesting, truly interesting.'

'Perhaps afterward I can write something on this?'

Xi felt his troublemaking soul itching to act again.

In the Heavenly Court, the sovereign reigns supreme; even Saints cannot stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

And as the Heavenly Court's opponent, the ancestral witch representing the Wu Clan who came to visit—Gong Gong—his seat was not low.

After all, this ancestral witch's strength is astonishing, and the force behind him is immense.

No one dares to bully him.

If anyone truly bullied him, he would dare to cause a huge scene here, making the Heavenly Court sick enough.

Moreover.

The Heavenly Court also didn't want to make things difficult for Gong Gong regarding the seating.

Because, aside from revealing his own problematic mentality, it really couldn't prove anything.

So this ancestral witch now sits brazenly in a position extremely close to the Demon Emperor, faintly about to be on par with them.

And Gong Gong looked left and right, his spirits high, seeming quite accustomed to this treatment, as if he'd seen many such scenes.

The Demon Emperor also couldn't be bothered with him, proceeding step by step through the prepared process, saying many pleasantries.

Di Jun stood at the center, his opening full of emotion and vigor, shaking the vast star sea.

"Today, we are able to gather together."

"For the ever-growing prosperity of the Heavenly Court, we offer blessings and cheers."

"Recalling the past."

"The heavens and earth have no master; the myriad beings are lost, and conflict and slaughter occur from time to time."

"One after another, Great Luo Divine Sages worry about heaven and earth, worry about all beings, wishing to reshape the world, so that my Honghuang may become glorious and flourishing."

"The idea of building the Heavenly Court and managing heaven and earth gradually became a consensus among many Innate Divine Sages."

"Jun, as you were born of the Sun God Star, you drive the great sun to illuminate heaven and earth, bestowing blessings upon myriad spirits, your virtue shining brilliantly, earning the deep affection and respect of many Great Luo beings, thus you may temporarily assume this position."

"During this period, I rose early and retired late, diligently and conscientiously, considering the livelihoods of countless common folk, all so that the future of all races may become better."

"One achievement after another, in the end moving Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who, acting on behalf of the Heavenly Dao, acknowledged my work and recognized the legitimacy of the Heavenly Court."

"Moreover, he bestowed upon me a vast heavenly realm to serve as the base of my Heavenly Court."

"Di Jun continued his speech."

"Fengxi sat below, listening, with a strange expression."

"After a long while, he silently sighed in his heart."

"\"Being able to become the Demon Emperor is indeed also shameless. \""

"\"What does it mean to move the Dao Ancestor? \""

"\"I still cannot forget how, back when the witches and demons went to war, they unleashed their ultimate moves upon each other……\""

"\"That was actually aimed at Dao Ancestor Hongjun! \""

"\"And moreover, on top of the Purple Cloud Palace……\""

"\"The friendship between witches and demons relies on the Dao Ancestor…… truly genuine! \""

"Fengxi felt admiration and praise for Di Jun's ability to speak brazen lies with eyes wide open."

"\"I don't know if, here, the Dao Ancestor's trumpet has sneaked in. \""

"\"If he were to hear such nonsense…… I don't know whether people would be so angry as to flare up. \""

"Fengxi is very interested in the answer to this question."

"Under the management of one great sage after another in my Heavenly Court, the lands of Honghuang have become ever more prosperous and flourishing."

"According to the demon population survey."

"In the past ten yuanhui, the demon population has increased……"

"(End of chapter)"