Chapter 354

The dragon clan is deeply mired in a mud pit, but for now it's nothing to worry about.

Di Jun said leisurely, 'As for the human race—'

He said, flipping through the information in his hand, reading each word to the other sovereign in the hall: 'The conclave is already at hand; strong clans harboring ill will toward the Heavenly Court are appearing, totem faith will be fully rolled out; moreover, the great shamans of the twelve Wu tribes are moving among humans, undertaking the training and honing of human basic physical qualities and combat killing techniques...'

This, is the true grave hidden danger.

Taiyi, you need to be careful.

Di Jun repeatedly cautioned his younger brother.

I understand.' Taiyi slightly nodded, then suddenly smiled, 'But war isn't something you can dominate just by having a mighty show of force, nor can you be invincible merely by individual strength.'

The human race's foundation in this regard is purely starting from zero; ultimately it's still far too lacking.

Even the Wu Clan is the same; they have never experienced a war that swept across the entire Honghuang cosmos, slaughtering from mountains and rivers to starry skies, then from starry skies into the ages, the most brutal conflict where even Daluo died in pieces, corpses and flesh covering heaven and earth… For now, the shortcoming remains.

Of course, if those great shamans and ancestral shamans were utterly shameless, personally taking charge, dispatching countless avatars as grassroots commanders, and always ready to load saves and use full-map cheats… then it would still be somewhat interesting.

No matter how invincible your skill, how flashy your moves, what if you clash with an administrator?

Donghuang admitted, this will be tough to handle.

Don't worry, they won't do that.' Di Jun chuckled, 'First, Hongjun would fly into a rage; second, it also goes against their principles.'

The Wu-Yao war, the human-Yao confrontation… put bluntly, it's a great calamity of blood flowing and corpses afloat.

But in the eyes of we eternal beings who stand outside the flow of time and beyond the epoch, it's actually just a social civilization experiment—remarkable only for its outrageous scale.

Indeed, everyone is contending over victory or defeat.

But the most important thing is to observe the essence through phenomena, gain wisdom from interaction with the human way, validate our thoughts, and blaze our own path.

After all, victory or defeat is temporary; losing this round doesn't mean you can't turn the tables next time… but the true value lies in the elevation of one's mind.

Cheats? Cheating?

You can have them, but it's unnecessary.

Because even if you fool others, you can't fool yourself.

In this regard, I still have considerable faith in the Wu Clan's opponents...

Nüwa, after all, is unlike her brother—the August Emperor Fuxi; although he is now a great rebel leader, his integrity remains steadfast.

Di Jun spared no praise for Nüwa.

This may also be Nüwa's unique personal charm.

Even enemies will respect and acknowledge her.

Is Nüwa's integrity that high?' Donghuang about to speak but hesitating, 'The Yunzhong Jun under my command now has a subtle relationship with her… I don't really believe that many of the things this guy does are without Nüwa's backing.'

It's really too… too… that thing.

Everything is not easy; Donghuang sighed.

This Yunzhong Jun, whether he has business or not, keeps wandering through the many barracks and officer training systems of my Heavenly Court...

Let him wander; his legs are his own, I don't want to manage it.

But some of the things he does… are truly devoid of integrity, utterly unscrupulous.

Saying this, Taiyi's eyes flashed like lightning, splitting the cosmic light void, letting a series of images appear, all centered around a certain protagonist—

Xi!

In the image, this peerless human talent, wearing ceremonial robes, driving a dragon chariot, piercing the starry sky, wandering the Heavenly River, occasionally pausing, staying in one barracks after another.

Then, depending on the situation, he often puts on a stern face, mouthing Heavenly Court affairs, saying that military campaigns cannot afford the slightest laxity, requiring careful inspection of all equipment configurations, to prevent a rat from profiting within, which would later endanger the soldiers' lives.

That is intolerable!

Xi's emotions rose, he spoke passionately: 'Our exalted Heavenly Court, we have built the Heavenly River navy and heavenly soldiers and generals—what is it for?'

It is to protect the myriad common folk, to defend the dignity of the Heavenly Court!

Whoever dares to meddle in this is opposing the common folk and the Heavenly Court… causing the levies and taxes paid on the human way to come to nothing.

As a Heavenly Court official, as the Yunzhong Jun under Taiyi Majesty's command, I cannot allow this to happen!

Therefore!

Where is the ledger?!

Where is all the equipment?!

Get out of the way!

Don't block the path!

Let me take a look… let me take a look!

He kicked aside the stumbling stone blocking the road, Yunzhong Jun walked in leisurely, beginning to observe very seriously and meticulously.

From time to time, he indeed spotted many minor hazards—magical treasures and equipment that had aged or worn—and on the spot ordered the relevant supply units to replace them.

This responsible attitude earned praise and admiration from many lowly heavenly soldiers and generals who were unaware of the truth.

After all, this also counts as taking responsibility for their lives.

Of course, what they don't realize is...

These pieces of equipment, flagged as scrap due to minor flaws… before long will be sold at junk value, Yunzhong Jun and the personnel handling them reaching a pleasant deal, handing them over to humans.

We humans aren't short of money; we lack certain things that are hard to obtain even with money, things the Heavenly Court openly and covertly puts obstacles in the way of.

If the equipment has flaws? No problem, patch it up so it can be used… after a while, when the relevant production lines are up and running and manpower is in place, we won't be so strained.

The great steward of household management—You Chao's instructions.

Xi carried it out without the slightest negligence.

Thus, the Yunzhong Jun seen by the two Yao emperors, diligently and conscientiously 'responsible' for the Heavenly Court.

The most formidable thing is.

Even now, under the forceful observation of Di Jun and Taiyi via the images, Xi, who merely felt something, raised his head with a faint smile, then continued unperturbed, even intensifying, outright scrapping an entire production line—his stated reason naturally being a low yield rate—and sent it to the scrap handler belonging to Nüwa's faction.

His conduct is so daring, his limits so deep…… even the Demon Emperor would be amazed, not at all inferior to seeing the Dragon Clan's collective transformation, running wildly on a road without any scruples.

"Interesting." Di Jun smiled, noncommittal.

"Yeah, very interesting…" Taiyi shrugged, "I really want to hit him, but what can I do?"

"On one hand, I can't spare a clone for now; on the other hand, this guy is really capable."

"He's done an excellent job, his methods are smooth…… even though he's in the enemy camp, he's somehow managed to join forces with many of my subordinates, uniting to the point of being allies."

East Emperor saw many things clearly; his understanding of the "good deeds" done by Yun Zhongjun could not be clearer.

Yun Zhongjun.

Fengxi.

This human Wise Man entered the Heavenly Court like a mouse into a grain bin, causing trouble nonstop.

He often invited guests to meals, inviting many logistics demon gods of the Heavenly Court's generals system.

At the dinner table, he was very proper, never mentioning any rebellion against the Heavenly Court…… perhaps he also knew that turning these demon gods was not easy, so they wouldn't focus their investments on the human race.

But?

Not rebelling, we can talk business!

Fengxi chatted with the demon gods, shooting the breeze, and from time to time mentioned some interesting tidbits from the Myriad Heavens.

It's like there's a miraculous road called a "zipper."

This road opens and closes, closes and opens, opening and closing endlessly.

After a hint, some demon gods were dazed, while others understood implicitly.

"The Heavenly Court is for the sake of humanity and all beings…… we are individuals, we must have a selfless heart!"

He seemed afraid people would misunderstand.

Fengxi also said the same.

This made the demon gods attending the banquet nod in agreement.

After that, everything fell into place naturally.

Of course, there are also some reliable demon gods in the Heavenly Court…… but the unreliable ones outweigh them.

Their reasons are ample——

"We don't want to do this…… but Yun Zhongjun's kickbacks are too great."

Fengxi, relying on the idea of "make money together," gathered many temporary drinking-and-eating friends, happily taking what they needed, causing trouble for his superior Donghuang Taiyi.

Just as the Heavenly Court was unstable, the Grand Minister of Destiny leapt into action, pressing hard on legal matters, forcing Taiyi to temporarily restrain himself, merely coldly watching Yun Zhongjun shift here and there, striving to let the Heavenly Court undergo a complete overhaul.

Once the Heavenly Court's overhaul is complete.

The human army's equipment issues also need not be worried about.

Handling one or two major battles should still be possible.

"This operation is quite excellent." Di Jun's eyes twitched, then he chuckled, "but the problem isn't too big…… these demon gods are greedy, after all."

"But they also know their limits."

"They'll skim some small benefits from the Heavenly Court."

"They won't sell out the rope that hangs themselves…… their relationship with Yun Zhongjun is merely limited to drinking and eating buddies."

"As long as we can make money, we're friends."

"Really, when war comes?"

"When it's time to turn hostile, we will turn hostile."

Di Jun said lightly.

"Those pieces of equipment, once sold, are sold."

"After all, the Wu Clan's equipment technology isn't much worse; it's just that production capacity prioritizes supplying the Wu Clan system, while the human side has to queue."

"Humans don't want to wait in line; they want to get hold of equipment early…… what's the harm in giving it to them?"

"Although it's only scrap purchase price, it causes us some loss in the Heavenly Court."

"But speaking of which…… for the Heavenly Court, what does price matter?"

"That's just for show to outsiders."

"What the Heavenly Court needs to consider is merely the smiths' wages, the extraction and transport costs of related materials…… once scaled up, anything can be said, and can be distorted to be extremely cheap."

"Our Demon Race differs from the Wu Clan; our greatest advantage lies in our population size, making some costs extremely low."

Di Jun laughed and said, "Moreover, with war imminent, the top priority is not profit, but the optimization of technology and the expansion of production capacity."

"Looking from another angle, this fellow Daoist Yun Zhongjun can be considered our great helper!"

"He tirelessly helps our Heavenly Court, observes shortcomings in all aspects, and has bought off an entire logistics system, enabling them to exercise initiative and achieve great production and specialty products."

"This production is excellent."

The Demon Emperor pointed deeply, tore open the void, an avatar emerged, gathered and summarized some data information, and presented it in his hand.

After Di Jun flipped through it up and down, he smiled and handed it to Taiyi, "Take a look……"

"The data shows."

"With the help of this good Daoist friend."

"In the relevant smelting aspect, various indicators have been exceeded, and the total output of the production line has slightly increased."

"Moreover, employment for smiths has become much easier…… this is a potential for future war against the Wu Clan."

"Humans have snatched a large batch of equipment from us; they're now making a tidy profit."

"But does our Heavenly Court lose then?"

"No loss."

Di Jun said meaningfully.

Following the words of the Moral Heavenly Lord, yin and yang are mutually rooted and transformative; everything has two sides, there are no absolute drawbacks, only benefits. When yin reaches its extreme, yang arises; when yang reaches its extreme, yin also arises. It all depends on whether one can find it and purposefully guide it toward the needed path.

What others can gain as an advantage in the Heavenly Court can also be reclaimed elsewhere in another way.

"Yes." Taiyi nodded, "I still have confidence in our Heavenly Court."

The second-hand equipment Yun Zhongjun obtained through petty tricks is not a major hidden danger to the Heavenly Court's overall plans, because fully exploiting the equipment's effectiveness still requires tactical coordination… but that is precisely why I say Yun Zhongjun is not someone easy to deal with.

He has recognized the scarcity of the human race's foundation in this regard, and is indeed digging into the corner of our Heavenly Court.

Taiyi let out a light sigh.

Then, in the image, Yun Zhongjun, having finished inspecting the equipment of the Heavenly Court's heavenly soldiers and generals, calmly faced the surveillance and strode straight toward the many military department academies of the Heavenly River Navy, energetically waving his hoe.

This human sage, having served in the Heavenly Court for years, is already well versed in the relevant places, and even knows every cohort of students pursuing advanced study there inside out.

Personality, hobbies, ideals……

After screening a list in his mind and confirming those who could be mobilized and stand together to strive for a bright future of humanity and all beings, Xi began contacting them, trying to lure them to switch sides.

Even if it fails.

He will also strive to gain, from conversations, an understanding of the various tactical perceptions held by the lower and even middle ranks within the Heavenly Court's Military Department system, summarizing personal insights to enrich the foundation of the human race.

This is extremely precious wealth.

After all, this is the Heavenly Court's highest academy; every learner is an elite selected from countless numbers of demon race beings.

Throughout the process.

The human race is growing, Xi is growing as well, truly replicating the Heavenly Court's foundation of war.

One can imagine.

In the future, the Wu-Demon will go to war.

Some of the demon race's tactical routines, the Wu Clan can often see through at a glance and easily avoid.

"It's rather tricky."

Taiyi commented.

"Tricky…" Di Jun's eyes flickered, and he suddenly said, "Do you now have some doubts about why I once had you give the position of Yun Zhongjun to Nüwa, so that the human race would receive such a boost?"

"There is a little." Donghuang nodded, "But not much, after all I can roughly guess some things."

"Right now, the human race is studying our tactics too deeply and thoroughly; it appears to be a strengthening, directly reducing losses once the war begins."

"But… those who learn from me live; those who imitate me die."

PS: I'm also drunk…… Who would have thought that I was locked in a small black room in the previous chapter, the reason possibly being "ghs"? I am a good author who hasn't described anything below the neck in the whole book!

(End of chapter)