Chapter 356

The methods outside the battlefield are not limited to what the Wu Clan can use.

Translation: "The means outside the battlefield are not only usable by the Wu Clan side."

But we need to keep meaning: "The methods outside the battlefield are not only something the Wu Clan side can use." Let's produce: "The means outside the battlefield are not only something the Wu Clan side can use."

The tactics outside the battlefield aren't exclusive to the Wu Clan.

Di Jun said leisurely, "At most, it's just a different direction."

Translation: "Di Jun said leisurely, 'At most it's just a different direction.'"

Our demon race is vast, complex, and long-lived, so they have managed to place a Grand Minister of Destiny from the Eastern Heavenly Emperor who sympathizes with the Wu Clan's humanitarian stance—making him a major traitor.

Translation: "Our Demon Race is large in size, complex in composition, and has existed for a long time, so they have planted an East Heavenly Emperor Grand Minister of Destiny who, in stance and mindset, sympathizes with the humane voice represented by the Wu Clan, making him a major internal traitor."

We need to keep numbers? None.

Meanwhile, humanity, being newly created, is relatively pure inside; its leaders are all top-tier figures with the highest ideals and fighting spirit, nearly flawless.

Translation: "The Human Race, newly created, is relatively pure inside; its upper echelons are all top-notch figures with the greatest ideals and fighting spirit, nearly flawless."

In this respect, they clearly outmatch my Heavenly Court—having no deep roots, they carry no heavy burdens, need not fret over internal conflict, and won't suffer losses from their own people sabotaging them that would surpass any enemy attack.

Translation: "In this regard, they indeed completely defeat my Heavenly Court; they have no foundation, thus no heavy burdens, need not worry too much about internal strife, and will not suffer losses far exceeding enemy attacks caused by their own people wildly dragging them down."

What a pity.

Translation: "What a pity."

Gain comes with loss... humanity's purity means it lacks many things.

Translation: "Where there is gain, there is loss……The purity of the Human Race comes at the cost of scarcity in many aspects."

In ordinary times, one could slowly accumulate and develop step by step, naturally improving.

Translation: "In ordinary times, one could slowly accumulate development, progress step by step, and naturally improve."

But who made this an age swept by a great calamity?

Translation: "But who made this an era swept by a great calamity?"

Many things give no time for them to study and discern, to take the essence and discard the dross; they can only jump in and solve the problems of having or not having.

Translation: "Many things cannot wait for them to study and discern; we can only take the essence and discard the dross, first get hands-on, and solve the problem of having versus not having."

Even if it is drinking poison, for beings who would die of thirst, it is still a choice they have no alternative to.

Translation: "Even if it is drinking poison, for those who would die of thirst, it is also a choice with no alternative."

Di Jun said this and burst out laughing, "In fact, mixing black into white and bad into good is the normal state of any power."

Translation: "Di Jun said this and chuckled, 'In fact, mixing black into white and good with bad is the normal state of a force.'"

With so many subjects, based on hundreds of billions, trillions, quadrillions, not having up to eighteen million dregs or fools would be strange.

Translation: "With so many subjects, based on foundations of hundreds of billions, trillions, quadrillions, not having up to eighteen million dregs or brainless ones would be abnormal."

Humanity's current state, with the whole race spiritedly advancing upward... is a miracle!

Translation: "The current state of the Human Race, with the whole nation ardently striving upward……is a miracle!"

And miracles cannot last long.

Translation: "And a miracle cannot last long."

Sooner or later, a portion will fall... even without my guidance.

Translation: "Sooner or later a part will degenerate……even without my guidance it would be the same."

What I am doing now is actually just a small catalyst, slightly amplifying the factor, hastening the process a bit...

Translation: "What I am doing now is actually just a small catalysis, slightly multiplying the factor, a bit accelerating the process……"

Not worth mentioning... not worth mentioning!

Translation: "Not worth mentioning……not worth mentioning ah!"

Di Jun raised his hand, pinching thumb and forefinger together, indicating he really only made that "tiny bit" of contribution.

Translation: "Di Jun raised his hand, thumb and forefinger lightly pinching, indicating that he really had only made such a 'tiny bit' of contribution."

Helping that latent menace within humanity grow stronger, letting it take root and sprout early... that's all.

Translation: "Helping the existing scourge within the Human Race to grow strong, letting it take root and sprout early……that's all."

Thus, waiting in time for it to ferment, turning it into a perfect off‑battlefield killing move.

Translation: "Thus, waiting in time for it to ferment, turning into a perfect off‑battlefield killing move."

Yes.

Translation: "Yes."

Your human leaders, each one a top-notch talent, all possess vision and excellence that are the finest of the age.

Translation: "You Human Race upper echelons, each one a top‑notch outstanding individual, with vision and perspective all being the most excellent heroes of the era."

But if those in the middle are led astray, they cease to act like humans...

Translation: "But if those in the middle are led astray, not doing human things……"

I don't know whether humanity's big shots can strut around with all these pits on their backs.

Translation: "I don't know whether the big shots of the Human Race can show off while carrying so many pits."

Di Jun felt this was merely evening the score, returning the courtesy for the recent flirtatious exchanges between the Eastern Heavenly Emperor and the Wu Clan, who have been stirring up trouble in Heaven's Court.

Translation: "Di Jun felt that this counts as evening the score, reciprocity, repaying the recent years of the East Heavenly Emperor and the Wu Clan exchanging glances and stirring up trouble in the Heavenly Court."

Thus, his mind settles.

Translation: "Thus, the mind is at ease."

Otherwise, his head would explode.

Translation: "Otherwise, the brain will explode."

"It seems as if nobody would play at subversion and corrosive assimilation."

Translation: "'It seems as if nobody doesn't know how to play subversion and corrupt assimilation.'"

"You can have reincarnation preaching, the Minister of Destiny changing the law."

Translation: "'You can have reincarnation preaching, Minister of Destiny reform.'"

"We also have demons that confuse hearts and monsters that wreak havoc."

Translation: "'We also have demonic chaos in the heart, monsters causing trouble.'"

"I just don't know whether humanity can manage to slay demons and eliminate monsters; I'm still quite curious."

Translation: "'I just don't know whether the Human Race can accomplish slaying demons and eliminating monsters; I'm still quite curious.'"

Di Jun's gaze is deep and inscrutable.

Translation: "Di Jun's gaze was deep and profound, unfathomable."

His pieces have already been placed.

Translation: "His pieces have already been placed."

What remains is to watch from outside the battlefield, waiting for the game to reach the mid‑stage, then in one strike slay humanity's great dragon, causing the Wu Clan to collapse without fighting!

Translation: "The rest is to silently watch from outside the battlefield, waiting for the game to develop into the mid‑stage, then in one fell swoop slay the Human Race's great dragon, causing the Wu Clan to collapse without battle!"

"If it goes smoothly, we should reap a victory beyond anyone's expectations, right?"

Translation: "'One would think that if it proceeds smoothly, it should reap a victory beyond others' expectations, right?'"

"Stealing home with both hands."

Translation: "'Stealing homes with both hands consecutively.'"

"First steal the Wu Clan's stronghold, shatter its core, make it self‑destruct, and truly become a perfect heavenly sovereign, the Human Dao Emperor."

Translation: "'First steal the Wu Clan's main base, collapse its core, cause it to disintegrate, truly becoming the Heavenly Sovereign in a perfect state, the Human Dao Emperor.'"

"Then a sudden victory could catch Hongjun off guard, striking when he is least prepared, with hopes of reversing host and guest."

Translation: "'With another sudden victory, we could strike the Grand Unity off guard, attack when he is least prepared, hoping to reverse host and guest.'"

"Stealing home with both hands, striking unexpectedly, attacking the unprepared... Pangu's position—could I not even touch it?"

Translation: "'Stealing homes with both hands, unexpected, attacking the unprepared……Pangu's position, could I not even touch it?'"

"Still, there are a few minor details... little brother, you must not mess up."

Translation: "'However, there are still some small problems in the details……little brother, you must absolutely not drop the chain.'"

"The foundation of my victory rests on his being able to sweep the front lines, seize the upper hand, and force the enemy to follow my plan..."

Translation: "'The foundation of my victory, however, is built on his being able to sweep across the front battlefield, seize the upper hand, and force the opponent to follow my plan……'"

Di Jun looks toward Taiyi.

Translation: "Di Jun looked toward Taiyi."

But he sees his younger brother, brows locked tight, wearing a look of deep thought.

Translation: "But saw his younger brother, at this moment with brows locked tight, a look of deep contemplation."

Di Jun blinks slightly—

Translation: "Di Jun was slightly stunned——"

What is he thinking about?

Translation: "What is he thinking about?"

Is what he said really that hard to understand?

Translation: "Is what he said really that hard to understand?"

However...

Translation: "However……"

Donghuang's focus is actually not on this matter, but on a very subtle issue.

Translation: "The focus of the East Emperor's attention is actually not on this aspect, but rather on a very subtle problem."

In the blink of an eye.

Translation: "Just see after a blink of an eye."

Taiyi puts on an expression of sudden realization and claps his palms together.

Translation: "Taiyi acted as if suddenly realizing, and clapped his palms hard."

Ah, I see!

Translation: "'So that's how it is!'"

"I see... but see what?" Di Jun is a bit dazed.

Translation: "'So that's how it is……but what exactly?' Di Jun was somewhat dazed."

"Brother!" Taiyi lowers his voice, speaking furtively, "I've finally figured out a problem that has long puzzled me."

Translation: "'Elder brother!' Taiyi lowered his voice, speaking sneakily, 'I have finally figured out a problem that has long puzzled me.'"

Given Nüwa's wealth, her elder brother's tyranny, his terrifying power, his vast connections... why does she often rank second in the blacklist of Honghuang's great divine abilities?

Translation: "'With Empress Nüwa's wealth, his elder brother's tyranny, his terrifying strength, his vast connections……why, in the ranking of Honghuang's great divine beings on the blacklist, does he often sit second, looking up to first?'"

Those extraterritorial heavenly demons still have some special notions about her.

Translation: "'Those extraterrestrial heavenly demons still have some very special thoughts about her.'"

I didn't understand before.

Translation: "'I didn't understand before.'"

Now I understand.

Translation: "'Now I understand.'"

It turns out it's your doing, elder brother!

Translation: "'Turns out it's your doing, elder brother!'"

Taiyi wore a strange expression, "Big brother, silently, you made a huge move!"

That's right...

Who would provoke a top‑tier expert with no grudge, unafraid of making enemies?

The strength gap is too huge; sometimes one doesn't even dare to think of resisting... this circle shrinks dramatically.

After that, it's the tangled web of profit disputes that becomes the main driving force.

Now Nüwa leads the rebellion, causing you endless trouble, ruining your source of wealth... understandable! understandable!

One can't openly turn against them, to keep a harmonious facade among the upper echelons in the eyes of humanity and all beings... but holding in anger, they turn around and secretly pour dirty water on them.

It's basically the same as what our Golden Crow Clan experienced before.

The flyers were posted all over the South Heavenly Gate of my Heavenly Court... I reckon only the Grand Minister of Destiny, a Wu Clan expert, or the Nether River Demon Ancestor lurking in the Sea of Blood could do this.

Donghuang wore an expression of "having improved," his heart full of the cheerful relief of long-held confusion swept away.

This made Di Jun's face stiffen, his mouth twitch, his eyelids jump—"Brother, don't talk nonsense!"

Especially don't go out spouting nonsense!

These extraterritorial heavenly demons are clearly conjured by Luo Hou Demon Ancestor to retaliate against the many sages of Honghuang; what do they have to do with my utterly virtuous Demon Emperor self?

Nonexistent! Impossible! Absolutely not!

As for me, I merely happened to discover their usefulness, employing a couple with the idea of recycling waste—that's all!

I don't know a single word of the content slandering Nüwa!

Di Jun said this solemnly.

He.

One of the Four Demon Emperors.

How broad‑minded is he?

How could one become angry just because a fellow officer is a major rebel who constantly revolts, sends aid to the enemy, raises his administrative difficulties, and likely loses in a one‑on‑one duel—so much so that he can't even reason with his fists—then, frustrated at being unable to win, he nitpicks and spreads rumors to smear him, acting like the petty Luo Hou Demon Ancestor?

Impossible!

Di Jun looked at Taiyi with sincere eyes, urging him from the heart to stop guessing wildly about him, to cease using his clever mind, and to deeply grasp the importance of "respecting one's elder brother" and "obeying one's elder brother's commands."

"That's right... I was mistaken." Donghuang shifted the conversation: "We brothers, together with Xihuang and Nüwa, jointly govern the Heavenly Court, getting along swimmingly—our relationship couldn't be better."

We all possess a most benevolent spirit that nurtures all beings, making us the parents of the Human Dao, not tyrannical lone rulers with extreme lust for power...

There's no way we'd act like that; after thinking it over, the only one who'd do such a thing is likely Luo Hou Demon Ancestor, the public enemy of all gods.

Exactly! Di Jun gave a thumbs‑up, "It was him who did it!"

Hmm... perhaps there's also a certain Dao Ancestor whose name isn't convenient to reveal pulling strings behind the scenes.

Huh? Elder Brother, are you sure?" Taiyi raised his eyebrows.

Probably." Di Jun said with a teasing tone, "I'm quite clear about what I've done... many things are only slightly related to me.

But when placed in the whole picture, upon close inspection I made a surprising discovery—

It's just a fraction.

Less than one‑tenth of the total.

So what about the rest?

Is a certain Dao Ancestor really that pure‑good?

Hey!

Not to mention, even clay figurines sometimes have a temper.

Phrases like "slay heaven," "butcher heaven," "exterminate heaven" run rampant, the credo "man conquers heaven" is all the rage, and Heaven Dao often plays the behind‑the‑scenes black hand—it's practically being blackened from head to toe—whenever things go wrong, cursing "damn heaven" is common

You say, is that Dao Ancestor's heart feeling blocked?

Furthermore, someone brandishes a blade, dances, adds fuel to the fire, commands thousands of Great Luo, truly carrying out the work of 'defying heaven'...

Di Jun held back a laugh, 'I reckon... the widespread spread of certain remarks means the Dao Ancestor probably has to contribute at least half of the output.'

Naturally, the same applies.

We can all understand... when outputting, one might be bewitched by Luo Hou Demon Ancestor, muddying one's Dao mind and temporarily losing wit.

Who let it be that in people's eyes, Luo Hou Demon Ancestor once made grand heroic boasts, and even in defeat he's still a great hero?

Above the vast Great Dao, the exalted Pangu bears witness; the Demonic Dao endures, the Dao wanes and the Demonic waxes.

Anything is possible; it's just another good deed done by Luo Hou Demon Ancestor.

Like just recently, wasn't there a major earth‑shaking event caused by the remnants of the Demon Ancestor in my Heavenly Court?

"Mm-hmm!" Taiyi nodded repeatedly, "Yes, it was the work of Luo Hou Demon Ancestor!"

A pair of brothers happily reached an agreement.

Alright... the Luo Hou business is just a minor issue, merely a tool used afterward to take the blame and whitewash." Di Jun's expression turned grave, "The key is still the main front; you need to excel.

Honghuang teems with talent; ancient, overpowering divinities are everywhere... I can't guarantee I'll surely overwhelm all opponents." Taiyi's face was dead serious, "But I will give my all, display every talent, spare no cost, regardless of life or death, to secure victory for you, elder brother.

Donghuang spoke each word deliberately, laying bare his true feelings.

Di Jun smiled with relief, patted his shoulder, 'No need to be so tense; just perform at your normal level.'

Costs, life and death... we're not at a disadvantage; on the contrary, we have many advantages, so there's no need to say such unlucky words.

Actually, even if I lost, I'm not without ways to retreat safely and wait for a comeback.

The Demon Emperor's smile grew richer.

So what if humanity wins?

Humanity's thinking has gone awry, with demons and monsters running amok... even if the Human Emperor overseeing the big picture sees the problem and knows its source, what then?

In that position, one is meant to solve problems, not merely slaughter... he once besieged and blocked me for a while, then stored away to farm for a time.

Afterward, they'll likely let me—this specialist who studies such matters—enter the core hub; I can steady the situation, letting humanity advance steadily, and naturally all will be well—you'll be fine, I'll be fine.

Did you do it badly?

That said, some backup plans will inevitably activate, sending me to eternal rest; even if I revive, I'll be hacked to death again by random blades.

The matter is just that simple.

Di Jun said leisurely, 'Put your mind at ease……No matter where I, your brother, end up, I'll always get by fine.'

I can become the Demon Emperor, chosen by Hongjun as the lord of the Heavenly Court.

Likewise, there is hope to secure a seat as the Human Emperor.

Why?

Because I have the ability to resolve the problem.

They dislike me, but I can use my achievements to leave them little room for doubt.

I have a certain irreplaceability……even if I take an unorthodox path.

As for you, little brother, you make me worried.

You, Grand Marshal, if you could always keep your edge exposed, that would be fine……but I fear there may be no place for your talents, and even if you wanted to switch sides, no one would want you.

Di Jun shook his head and sighed.

'Then I won't switch sides,' Taiyi said calmly, 'I'll just lead the Demon Race, whether we prosper or decline.'

'We'll just stay here……once you're the Demon Emperor, you remain the Demon Emperor forever.'

'That's not how to speak,' Di Jun rubbed his chin, 'Being too solitary won't do……If the Demon Race wins, it's naturally all good; if they lose, you at least need a place among the victors.'

Hmm……Can I make it work when the time comes?

Let me insert you in a more unconventional way, snagging a legitimate slot?

I think this shouldn't be too difficult……right?

In the vast hall, a pair of brothers shared their outlook for the future, mingled with public and private concerns.

……

Within the Wu Clan's territory, this top power of Honghuang continues to operate as usual.

The young Wu members train, prepare for war, and produce……as always, they are very busy.

As for the ancestral Wu, they sometimes have a bit of leisure.

'What are you looking at?'

Houtu wandered aimlessly until reaching a high ground, where he saw a figure gazing up at the starry sky.

That was Di Jiang Zu Wu.

'I am looking at the future.'

Di Jiang replied calmly, 'I've seen some quite interesting things.'

'Is that so?' Houtu went up to the high ground, looked left and right, then stared at the starry sky, feeling there was nothing to see, and asked, 'Could you tell me what's interesting?'

'The wind is rising.'

Di Jiang withdrew his gaze, steady and calm, giving the impression of being as solid and reliable as the Buzhou Heavenly Pillar in the background.

'Someone is about to cause trouble.'

'I'll just quietly watch to see how far he can go with his mischief.'

(End of chapter)