Chapter 359: Stripping the roof tiles, the divine dragon bears the chart

The dragon clan's need for respect toward friends is really peculiar.

Yun Xiao chuckled.

"Dragon Master Official..."

He paused, then said nothing more, merely pouring himself a cup of tea; the steaming mist blurred his visage, making it hard for Gong Gong to discern his thoughts.

The hall fell silent for a moment, filled with an oppressive, uneasy atmosphere.

After a long while.

Yun Xiao exhaled lightly, breaking the dead silence and easing the stalemate.

This human sage seemed to have many feelings.

"Dragon Master Official... Dragon Master Official..." he said leisurely, "The dragon clan's ambition is truly great... Are they intending to impose the dragon clan's ideology upon us humans and manipulate human development like puppets?"

"A teacher is an elder, using the dragon to record their superiors... This goes even further than the Moral Heavenly Venerable writing chapters of morality."

"The Moral Heavenly Venerable merely proposed a small idea in theory... Afterward, he remained steadfast in his duty, his sect conducting affairs with purity and nature as its core, never interfering in the rule of the human king."

"Moreover, in accepting disciples, the Dao is exceedingly cautious, preferring scarcity to excess, never letting ambitious, reckless sorts fly its banner and act wildly... For the consequence would be to fill the debt with the lives of all its descendants and disciples."

"That is how Daoist saints are."

Through the mist, Yun Xiao gazed at Gong Gong, the ancestral witch, and said, "Please, Grand Marshal Gong Gong, afterwards ask your dragon clan friend."

"Has he prepared himself mentally for the possibility of the whole clan perishing?"

Gong Gong listened, his face stiffening, then he quickly waved his hands repeatedly.

"The sage has misunderstood."

"How could my friend's dragon clan harbor such thoughts?"

"Regarding human independence, the dragon clan has always been respectful... It would never invite the wrath of gods and men by committing a grave injustice."

"After all, the human race embodies the painstaking efforts of countless Great Luo fellow Daoists, having absorbed tremendous investment... If the dragon clan hasn't undergone trials of blood and fire, forging human hope through repeated victories, yet wishes to feast alone on mere investment capital... likely the entire clan won't see tomorrow's sun."

Gong Gong's heart was as clear as a mirror.

Humans formed alliances, activating totem mode, uniting countless tribes.

Within this, differences in shareholdings may arise due to the amount of investment.

But!

Everyone, after all, counts as a shareholder!

In status, they can act as masters... at the very least, they are formal, recognized prospective successors.

You dragon clan, relying on having a bit more shares, want to run a one-man show?

Want to die?!

Even Nüwa didn't do that!

Among the Wu Clan, the ancestral witches and Houtu stand as equals; although the one in charge of money has a loud voice, others' opinions must still be heard—capable as Emperor River, sometimes even denying Houtu face, directly pointing out its shortcomings... Houtu still needs to wear a smile, showing the humility to accept criticism, the patience a founder should have, keeping notes until the day one has crossed the river and can tear down the bridge.

As for humans, even if loyal aides are arranged to await Yun Xiao's departure and take over, they still go through the whole process, letting the seed candidates demonstrate ability, gain sufficient recognition, and then openly campaign to rise to power.

Moreover.

Such "backroom" operations are limited to the Wind lineage about to be established—this is the retinue of Fuxi and Nüwa themselves!

For other totem clans, sincere negotiation is still required, fair and reasonable, to unite by the greater good of the peoples, not by distinctions of subject and ruler.

Even the august Nüwa observes these rules, showing sincerity to all allies and exhausting heart and mind for the cause of humanity.

If the dragon clan dares to break the rules...

Gong Gong felt that tonight he would surely see eleven ancestral witches arrive together to visit the dragon clan.

Just imagining that scene, Gong Gong's heart skipped a beat.

Although among the Wu Clan's Twelve Ancestral Witches, his strength ranks among the foremost.

But if unnecessary, he absolutely does not want to know what it feels like to be kicked in a circle.

Especially if some ruffian ancestral witches of the Wu Clan were to abandon decorum...

Those coming might not be only ancestral witches.

With a swing of the arm, the great witches numbering in the thousands might well stand shoulder to shoulder.

These days.

When out and about, what does one rely on?

Friends!

Little brothers!

What era is this?

Who still fights you in single combat, laying out horses and chariots for a one-on-one?

We need to form a party.

How could we not muster a thousand eight hundred little brothers, whose sheer numbers alone would make the enemy tremble and be unable to control themselves?

In response.

The Nether River Demon Ancestor, a great power who was just recently "watched" by two major ruffians joining forces, perhaps deeply understands.

And many mighty beings who were watching the spectacle at the time likewise felt sorrow.

Watching others is fun.

Being watched by others... that is truly awful.

The dragon clan is not weak.

But it cannot withstand being pushed to the point of death.

Therefore.

Gong Gong now deeply feels that some issues need clear explanation, and some matters must be made plain.

Human-Dragon friendship, lasting as heaven and earth.

How could the Dragon Race harbor treacherous intentions, overstepping their bounds?

Gong Gong wore a sincere expression, "Although my friend proposed the Dragon Master nominal official position, there is absolutely no thought of encroachment or evolution."

Although the official title is named after the Dragon, in concrete personnel appointments, it is still decided by the Human Race's various great sages.

The Dragon Race will never take the initiative to interfere.

Gong Gong spoke with earnest sincerity.

This left Yun Xiao speechless.

He played with his teacup, his facial expression full of meaning, vividly revealing his inner thoughts—

"Yes yes yes... the Dragon Race has no initiative to interfere."

"But as long as the Dragon Master's doctrine lasts a day, it's equivalent to running one more day of advertisement among humans, attracting countless people's attention to understand and learn... this is planting a hidden agenda."

"When the time comes one day."

"You secretly incite promotion, plan a three-requests-three-refusals scheme, and only then, under strong internal human will, reluctantly take over human administration—this isn't taking initiative, is it?"

Yun Xiao's eyes held contempt.

Gong Gong thick-skinned, pretending not to notice at all.

Can abdicating be called harboring ill intent?

This is a virtuous, noble act of sages!

Of course.

Gong Gong, however, also understood clearly.

If we cannot remove Yun Xiao, this clear stumbling block in his heart, his grand ambitions will likely face many setbacks.

"Human-Dragon unity... everyone like a dragon... imperial dragon aura..."

"It's hard!"

Sighing inwardly, he moved his lips and tongue, employing the three-inch unrotten technique, doing his utmost to persuade Yun Xiao.

"Please, Sage, be aware."

"This Dragon Master nominal official, however, is greatly beneficial."

Gong Gong raised three fingers, smiling as he explained.

"First, although the Dragon Race wildly boosts traffic there, raising its fame, the advertising fees are also paid generously, aren't they?"

"Second, the Dragon Race indeed has merits—at this crucial juncture of human grand strategy, building an alliance, melding the strengths of all races into a collective."

"In this regard, without modesty... the Dragon Race can serve as humanity's teacher."

"The Dragon Race, the patriarch of all water-dwelling beings under heaven!"

"This is no empty boast, but a genuine reputation."

"Its wisdom and experience, if humanity can learn from them, will greatly shorten the adjustment period of the totem-clan alliance, and internal relations will become more harmonious."

"Third..."

Gong Gong paused, "Have you not heard of 'a thousand pieces of gold for a bone'?"

The three reasons were explained.

At this moment, even if Yun Xiao understood, Gong Gong's mind harbored many ulterior motives, including and not limited to how to later reap the fruits of humanity's victory, adding bricks and tiles to his own Pangu grand undertaking—

But many things... judge by action, not by heart.

He had to admit, Gong Gong's arguments still held some merit.

The Dragon Race, able to rank as the first tribe under the strict definition of the Honghuang heavens and earth, indeed has many aspects worth humanity's learning.

Although in this learning process, the hidden tuition will be high.

Once the buried hidden danger erupts, humanity's leadership will readily change hands, seized by the Dragon Race.

"Nüwa would probably jump up, shouting in the Heavenly Court's banquet, adding several dishes made from Dragon Race ingredients..."

"Or, for example, when mending the heavens, casually slaughtering a few black dragons..."

Yun Xiao stroked his chin, his thoughts drifting.

"However..."

"Humanity's current situation makes learning and strengthening the most important... what are those high hidden tuition fees?"

"We are now copying the Demon Race's tactical system with gusto... there are many pitfalls, but haven't we already copied it?"

"Now, copying a bit of the Dragon Race's institutions, governance methods... that's trivial."

"Want to reap the fruits of humanity's victory?"

"Sure."

"Come, let's do it."

"No matter how good the Dragon Race's plan..."

"But humanity must win first, otherwise there's no victory fruit for you to grab!"

"Every extra coin we now pull from the Dragon Race's pocket..."

"Are all for adding a sliver of chance, to the extreme, to future victory over the Demon Race."

"The more you Dragon Race invest in humanity..."

"When humanity faces collapse, you will be even more anxious than anyone else."

"Having become the second-largest shareholder through stock speculation... is it profit overflowing, or being trapped in a state of ecstatic agony?"

Yun Xiao was thinking rather wickedly.

The Dragon Race increased investment.

There are hidden dangers.

But there are also many visible benefits at present.

translation

Still not passing?

Yun Xiao made a simple judgment and then decided——

Passed!

That reason is also very simple.

Right now is the time when humanity desperately unites with teammates; the main contradiction lies in the war with the Heavenly Court.

Making many allies and ganging up on enemies is the main line.

As for the scramble for spoils after victory?

This is a happy worry.

This is also a problem that Nüwa should worry about.

What does it have to do with me, who is about to establish the Feng lineage but will soon abdicate, and won't enjoy glory for long?

Yun Xiao remained very calm.

Of course, if Nüwa can recognize her own inadequacy in this area and know to support a suitable human emperor—say, by forming a team of the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors to carry out checks and balances, eliminate hidden dangers?

That would be best.

What's the big deal about the Dragon Master Official?

Shennong, the Fire Master, takes fire as his designation.

Huangdi, the Cloud Master, takes cloud as his designation.

Shaohao, the Bird Master, takes bird as his designation.

Zhuanxu, the People's Master of the Five Virtues, can achieve perfection.

The Dragon Clan, indeed, is remarkable.

But you want to take on these four alone?

Hmm… feels bold enough, hard mode activated.

Tsk.

The Five Directional Heavenly Emperors, humanity and the Wu Clan, can jointly build a ladder to realize a certain sister figure's ambition of climbing onto the house and tearing off the roof.

Then that sister figure also needs to be careful; when she gets onto the roof, the mischievous one ruins half of it, and when she proudly wears the crown of the King of Troublesome Kids, the ladder itself grows legs and runs away, leaving her stranded on the roof, dazed.

Ascending the divine altar, one is indeed radiant with boundless glory.

But if one cannot come down, being starved miserably up there…

What else does she have to be arrogant about?

Just honestly be a gentle, virtuous sister for a while!

After a few Great Calamities pass, only then will one dare to raise the banner again, shouting about seniority order and that things are in human hands…

For a moment, Yun Xiao's gaze was deep, as if he had seen an interesting corner downstream of time, and a strange smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

That smile made Gong Gong feel uneasy all over, his scalp even tingling.

Fortunately, that smile soon disappeared, and Yun Xiao became solemn again.

He expressed himself very seriously——

As Gong Gong the Great Commander said, the Dragon Clan indeed has strengths worth our people learning from.

Moreover, the Dragon Clan is the eldest of the aquatic system within the Honghuang races; starting from the purpose of unity, it is necessary to grant them some noble treatment.

Our people originally planned to establish five senior officials for spring, summer, autumn, winter, and the center, to oversee the affairs of the main clans.

The Spring Official is the Minister of Agriculture, the Summer Official the Minister of War, the Autumn Official the Minister of Works, the Winter Official the Minister of Justice, and the Central Official the Minister of Works.

Now, since the Dragon Clan has made a request… the Spring Official shall also be called the Azure Dragon Clan, the Summer Official the Vermilion Dragon Clan, the Autumn Official the White Dragon Clan, the Winter Official the Black Dragon Clan, and the Central Official the Yellow Dragon Clan… How about that?

Yun Xiao asked Gong Gong.

Excellent…… excellent!

Gong Gong clapped his hands and laughed loudly.

With this treatment, the Dragon Clan up and down will surely be delighted, and will give great support to the totem grand assembly opened by humanity.

In future interactions, the two tribes will surely be as close as family.

Gong Gong said thus.

Yun Xiao smiled inexplicably, shook his head, and did not want to say much about it.

As close as family?

Perhaps.

But.

Even blood brothers have times when they settle accounts clearly!

It's better not to talk about money.

The day when money is discussed… is too hurtful to feelings.

Yun Xiao's eyes flickered; he felt it necessary to administer a preventive shot.

He allowed the Dragon Clan to toss about like this out of strategic consideration, matching humanity's current strategic needs.

But he didn't expect that at that time, some people would steer the narrative and hang him out to dry.

"Although I agree to the Dragon Master Official… but I need a proper reason." Yun Xiao spoke frankly, "Don't let others twist it; humanity under my hand has lost its autonomous attribute."

"This…" Gong Gong pondered a moment, "An auspicious sign as justification… will that do?"

"When humanity formed the alliance and lit the fire of civilization, a divine dragon bearing a chart arrived, shouting that the human way shall endure forever…"

How about this script, what do you think?

Gong Gong inquired.

"So-so..." Yun Ruo rubbed her chin, "But I feel like something could still be added."

"It seems Fuxi is about to rise... I think we can have it."

(End of chapter)