Chapter 338: with translation of chapter title

Cooperation brings mutual benefit; conflict brings mutual harm.

Humans have not yet fully severed themselves from the demon system; in some hidden aspects they remain entangled, unable to be cut, leaving things in a tangled mess.

Want to fight?

Sure, just prepare yourself mentally to cough up blood.

However, open combat is not allowed; covert contention is fine.

Inspired by Fuxi, Nüwa suddenly grasped a way forward.

First, let that public opinion fly for a bit, let it ferment.

"Mmm……"

"At that time, have the Wu Clan side go all out on the verbal front, rouse some collaborators, and attack the Heavenly Court's governance—trampling on the rights of all beings, how unjust!"

"Since it aids Donghua in building momentum, it can increase his authority and prestige, become a special banner, and shake the foundations of the Heavenly Court."

"It also gives humans a chance, letting them align their thoughts with the trend, guide and gather demon hearts, and successfully take off at the windfall."

Nüwa's little mental abacus crackled, and she had a plan.

On the surface, she spoke with righteous vigor, openly and impartially.

Since it's a contest of ideas, we should defeat opponents with reason, not force.

We cultivate, open paths, seek eternity—this is an act of great wisdom.

What we cultivate and seek is reflected in the elevation of life's essence; combat power is merely a byproduct of this process—we must not put the cart before the horse.

If it reaches the point of 'if you can't solve the problem, solve the person who made it'... it would be the shattering of faith, the dusting of the Dao-heart, self-negation, and the humiliation of wisdom.

Nüwa said with feeling: 'I think none of you here would admit to being a mentally deficient deity who can only rely on force to make up for lack of wisdom, right?'

After all, only those who are logically cornered and angry will lash out with fists and swords, rather than defeat opponents with upright reasoning.

Di Jun, Taiyi, and Donghua all had their mouths twitch.

This concept swap left them speechless.

That is theoretically correct.

But often, reason... different starting points can lead to completely opposite conclusions.

Everyone thinks they're right, but in the end, isn't it still about fists?

Even if it's Pangu.

This great deity's ideology became the orthodoxy of this era because...

It's all because his fists are the biggest and hardest, with the astonishing feat of slaying three thousand Chaos demon gods, paired with the tremendous achievement of creating heaven and earth!

Without strength, you can't even give him the chance to open heaven, let alone let the innate deities submit meekly and routinely pay lip service to his ideology.

At every meeting, there's always some 'Pangu thought', or 'implement...', 'carry out...', 'promote...'.

That's about as realistic as it gets.

The three big shots each have ideas they want to debate.

However.

Considering that Nüwa has already rolled up her sleeves, and behind her a great host of Great Luo Divine Saints, eyes gleaming, eager to try...

Also considering the combat power gap with the opponent, a quick victory is hard, so we need a suitable step down...

"Forget it, I won't quarrel with her."

He let out a soft sigh, Di Jun's face showed a faint smile: 'What Nüwa says is quite right.'

Those of us in high positions, who can act for Heaven and shepherd the masses, being great sages and virtuous, must have broad minds and are most reasonable.

Actually, strictly speaking, the earlier fight was merely a sparring match.

After all, reason is so important; surely the clearer and more correct a cultivator's reason, the stronger their strength and connections... otherwise, why bother following reason?

Di Jun laughed, 'This also counts as a sidewise verification of whose reason is superior.'

Now it seems.

In winning over people's hearts, I, the Demon Emperor, have an edge, gaining much approval from like-minded peers—'Those who gain the Way gain much aid!'

As for the Grand Minister of Destiny...

Di Jun looked toward Donghua.

This emperor, upon hearing the strings, knows the refined meaning, and opens his mouth to speak.

I cannot unite the demon gods as well as His Majesty Di Jun; I only have my own extraordinary Dao cultivation... perhaps that is my reasoning.

I strictly demand of myself to pursue lofty moral character, to love all beings under heaven, and to look after their interests.

Such responsibility, such mission, have shaped me as I am now.

Having said that, the Donghua Emperor and Di Jun exchanged a glance and both laughed.

The tense, sword-drawn atmosphere between them seemed to dissipate completely because of that.

However, some Great Luo who witnessed this felt uneasy, rubbing their arms, getting goosebumps.

Who made the smiles of these two peak powerhouses all be superficial, not heartfelt?

On their faces they grinned.

In their hearts they felt numb and prickly.

Their gazes were aloof and icy, with a lurking, sinister killing intent spreading, making onlookers uneasy.

However, regarding this, Nüwa didn't really care.

After all, even if part of her power was restrained by the Dao Ancestor using a holy position...

But even what little she can still display is enough to ensure that no one in heaven or earth can kill her!

The Wu-Demon war broke out, the two sides clashed passionately.

Among the demon race, the four leader sovereigns... Taiyi might die, Di Jun might die, Fuxi might get a boxed lunch.

Only Nüwa would surely be lively and jumping about.

Perhaps even helping colleagues collect corpses and claim accident insurance would fall to her.

And the Wu Clan on the other side?

Other ancestral Wu are hard to say.

Houtu is certain not to die.

Even if an accident occurs, it's just the result of her own meddling.

Heaven's misfortune, absolutely nothing.

Self-inflicted wrongdoing… but that's somewhat hard to say.

Her strength to this degree is precisely why she dares now to come mediate and uphold justice.

Otherwise, it would be bad.

If Di Jun and Taiyi, or Donghua Emperor, even a slight tremor of the hand could knock out the referee.

——What nonsense? Don't you have a sense of proportion? Our dispute, is it something any stray cat or dog can come mediate?

Quite obvious.

Nüwa is not some stray cat or dog, but a saint of supreme virtue and exalted status, revered, admired, and worshipped by humanity and all beings; in terms of nobility, she is a step above even the demon sovereign's status.

Therefore.

Those hidden vortices and killing intents, this empress simply ignored them, merely earnestly presiding over mediation work, bringing peace.

"I think, since you each hold your own views, each with firm reasoning, and you won't be able to tell superiority quickly,"

"Then why not seek the fairest arbiter to conduct judgment?"

Nüwa wore a solemn expression: "Your ideas are actually policy opinions, differing views on how to govern humanity and all beings."

"If so, it involves all beings."

"Then why not conduct a survey of beings' opinions, launch a great discussion, let countless beings state their views, summarize the support ratios of both sides… wouldn't that work?"

"The Eastern Emperor previously said we must act according to the times; Donghua also said we must strive for beings' rights."

"According to my opinion, gathering the views of present-day humanity and beings would achieve both goals, wouldn't it?"

Nüwa raised her head and chest, speaking righteously.

"Pfft!" the Eastern Emperor inadvertently snorted.

He did not agree at all.

Nüwa's method is good, but only in theory.

After all, there are several kinds of peculiar beings in this world.

Things like online commentators, rhythm dogs, and so on.

He firmly believed.

When Nüwa's proposal came out, the Wu Clan below would surely go crazy, jumping up and down, desperately trying to set the rhythm.

How much pressure would this add to the Heavenly Court's work?

"However, it doesn't matter anymore."

When Nüwa's tiger-like gaze swept over, the Eastern Emperor's expression returned to stiff calm, only his thoughts fluctuating: "Whether setting the rhythm or not, let me see how many lackeys are colluding with the Wu Clan… when the time comes, I'll crush them all!"

"My Heavenly Court holds the great army, grasps violence, integrates all key resources—how could some ants possibly shake it?"

The Eastern Emperor made up his mind.

Naturally, he didn't care about any schemes the Wu Clan might play.

Anyway, once the killing calamity begins, as the Heavenly Court's marshal of troops, he just needs to exterminate the scum.

For now, first put names on a little notebook, pull out a list.

It's not that retribution won't come; it's just that the time hasn't arrived—when the hour comes, all will be sent on their way.

……

"A survey of beings' opinions is a huge undertaking; it won't yield results in a short time."

Donghua Emperor's eyes flickered: "Although it can cure the root of our problem, now that things have come to this pass, we ultimately need the swiftest symptomatic remedy."

"Oh? What ideas do you have, Daoist Donghua?"

Empress Nüwa laughed and turned the question back.

"I was trapped and killed by Stellar Heaven, attacked jointly by the two demon sovereigns—where is the root?" Donghua sheathed his sword, "I clearly recall what the Heavenly Court's statutes prescribe."

"Outrageous, count it as provocation, add mischief, and even intentional harm to deities."

"According to the statutes, dealt with strictly… you should be dismissed and imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison for tens of millions of years!"

"Your Majesties, leading the great formation to seek justice is reasonable enough… yet you dare to resist and counterattack? That adds another offense!"

As the omniscient of the Heavenly Court, the Yao Marshal Báizé could easily serve as a lawyer.

But now, as his opponent, Donghua…

He is the Grand Minister of Destiny!

"That's under normal circumstances."

"As the Grand Minister of Destiny, I hold the Heavenly Court's judgment of fortune and misfortune, execute the statutes… this authority was granted to me by the Heavenly Court on behalf of humanity and all beings!"

"The Kui Niu demon god has harmed innocent human envoys; I, according to the statutes, am punishing him—what crime is there?"

"Who below, on what charges, accuses this official?"

Donghua laughed loudly, addressing the gods: "My injuring Kui Niu conforms to heavenly principle and human sentiment."

"As for the Kui Niu demon god, afterward he claimed he had been possessed, that his actions were not his will, seeking to evade blame—hope for a thorough investigation."

"Please let the gods conduct a public trial, dispatch top divine representatives for careful examination, to see if it's true."

"Please let the gods conduct a public trial, dispatch top divine representatives for careful examination, to see if it's true."

"Is he truly possessed?"

"Or is it merely an excuse, a justified reason for killing?"

The gods, hearing this, all whispered among themselves.

"Also good." Nüwa Huang, in tacit agreement, said, "It should be investigated a bit."

If false, having never fallen into demonic possession, Kui Niu, so deranged and twisted in nature, plotting murder, ought to be executed to warn others.

"Who can serve as representative?"

She turned sideways and asked the gods.

For a moment, many eagerly signed up.

Even the ancestor witch Gonggong was jumping.

Of course, the Heavenly Court side naturally wants to protect its own; with a Yao Marshal signing up, they want to obtain the qualification to diagnose mental illness, to cement the achievements of the demon ancestor Rahu, so that pot should be his to bear, and no one can take it away.

The status of the Pot Ancestor must not be shaken!

Soon, the results came out.

In total, nine great beings conducted a diagnosis of whether Kui Niu the Great Sage had truly fallen into demonic possession.

Among them were a Yao Marshal, a Saint, and neutral great beings.

It was very complicated.

I ask one last time——are you still certain that you were suddenly influenced by the demon ancestor, leading to your act of killing the human envoy?

Lingbao Tianzun solemnly inquired, "If you now confess guilt, we can still count it as self-surrender."

And once we obtain the results and confirm that the demonic possession is false……then the crime will be increased by one degree!

"Hahaha!" Kui Niu the Great Sage laughed loudly, his face candid, "My words are absolutely not false!"

"I never had the heart to slaughter the human envoy; it was entirely due to the demon ancestor Rahu's supernatural means!"

"If these words are false,"

"Then someday let me be flayed, tendons pulled, sliced a thousand times!"

Kui Niu the Great Sage swore to heaven, uttering harsh words against himself.

This is truly a ruthless deity!

Being ruthless toward others, what sort of ruthlessness is that?

Only being ruthless toward oneself counts as true ruthlessness!

"Impressive, fellow Daoist." Lingbao Tianzun gave a thumbs-up, "To speak such words so naturally."

Then let us hope that one day the oath does not truly come to pass.

Having said that, he addressed the remaining eight great beings with the same task.

Let's begin!

Good!

The eight great beings all nodded, and astonishing magical powers began to circulate and evolve.

Trace the root!

Trace the source!

Investigate the ancient!

Examine the present!

Seal the demon!

Ask the heart!

……

Nine top-tier great supernatural beings, joining forces, investigated the truth, seeking to see it through completely.

The onlooking spectators were all tense at this moment.

Of course, among this tension, some were worried, others anticipatory.

Worry, naturally, stems from standing with the Demon Race, fearing the outcome would harm the Heavenly Court's interests.

Anticipation, on the other hand, hopes for the opposite.

Some bigwigs had varied expressions.

Donghua's gaze deep and profound, Nüwa Huang's smile playful, Xihuang unconcerned, Di Jun calm and composed, Gonggong rolling up his sleeves……

Is Kui Niu the Great Sage's demonic possession true or false?

The result was soon revealed.

It is true.

Reversing time, tracing root and source, locking onto reality, finally this answer emerged.

One examining great being nodded, delivering the conclusion.

There is indeed demonic qi, entwining the heart and mind.

The nature of the demonic qi is genuine, the purest demonic path aura, not fabricated. Another great supernatural being followed, saying.

Having discerned the root, I have locked onto the source of this demonic qi: a demon lord of the demonic path, Niu Kui the Demon Lord, a top-tier Great Luo of the demonic path under the eighty-one-tier demon lord level!

Lingbao Tianzun's eyelid twitched, and he somewhat awkwardly spoke his verification result.

Some people truly have no integrity.

(End of chapter)