Chapter 364: Able to handle affairs of state and manage the kitchen

Fuxi had not a hint of hesitation, not dragging his feet at all.

Just selling out a teammate.

What's the big deal?

Standard procedure!

"Ah……"

Fuxi sighed in his heart, "This god is up in years, inevitably his strength wanes……"

"If only back then."

"Gonggong, this kind of double-dealing traitor who sold me out first……"

"I would have just offered a sacrifice to Heaven and been done with it."

"What's it like now?"

"One still has to beat around the bush, pulling a hand of killing with a borrowed knife……"

Xihuang felt wistful, sorrowful.

A true hero doesn't boast of past courage.

Once the top financier overseeing the entire Honghuang cosmos, he was the only one who bought out others' shares, and paired with a divine axe called 'Reason,' thus earning the deep affection of all the gods… But today, merely because his 'good' sister is fabulously wealthy, bold sorts have appeared— they had just finished negotiating a deal with him, then promptly doctoring the contents with exaggerations, leaking it, inviting rivals, and playing a game of balancing tactics.

"Noted…… noted……"

"Soon enough, one day I'll make him unable to walk away with his lunch!"

Fuxi had myriad thoughts, pondering a thousand and one kinds of 'accidental' deaths for Gonggong.

At the same time, he never stopped talking.

— Nüwa, since you've come to ask about the behind-the-scenes deal concerning Fuxi's impending rise —?

Then, as a 'good' older brother, I naturally ought to lay it all out to satisfy my younger sister's curiosity!

"I'm innocent…… you haven't seen over all these years that I, your older brother, have made no move?" Fuxi patted his chest, "Even if there is a trumpet among humanity, have you ever seen me jumping up and down in there, vying for power and profit?"

"No way!"

"Always been honest."

"If I can knock off at 3–5 p. m., I certainly won't work until 5–7 p. m., all under the guise of diligence to form factions."

Fuxi swore solemnly, "Let me tell you…… if I had a trumpet, I would certainly not form cliques for personal gain to vie for the position of human sovereign…… unless many colleagues favor me, or someone takes a liking to me, would I reluctantly take the position."

"Then why is there this matter at hand?" Nüwa questioned suspiciously.

"I've told you…… it's Gonggong!" Fuxi feigned a deep sigh, "Sister, you probably still don't know, do you?"

"Gonggong, this burly-looking fellow, is secretly pulling tricks behind your back!"

"He harbors nefarious intentions, planning to raid your home, wanting to leave the most dreadful backdoor in humanity…… once it triggers, your private stash and little treasury will be gone!"

"He dares!" Nüwa's brows furrowed, killing intent surging—— it seems that private stashes and little treasuries are this goddess's reverse scale.

Once this topic is brought up,

it means wanting to burn down her estate, forcing her to eat dirt day by day…… in an instant, her combat power begins to spike.

Who knows what miserable past she's endured that makes this top female deity of all Honghuang so obsessive.

"What has Gonggong done?" Nüwa's voice sounded as if squeezed from between her teeth, eerily…… "Can he leave a backdoor in humanity?"

"He told me," Fuxi was quite pleased with Nüwa's demeanor, like a little tiger ready to pounce and kill, "For the lasting friendship between humanity and dragonkind, to show how much we value the dragon clan's ally—the leader of the water tribes among the myriad clans of Honghuang—and to help humanity better unify and manage the totem alliance……"

"Therefore, I suggest that in our system and institutions we keep the same pace and rhythm as the dragon clan, and furthermore, in the titles of all officials we use "Dragon" as a commemorative mark……"

Fuxi's integrity still holds some guarantee.

When recounting Gonggong's intentions, he added no embellishments, merely copying verbatim what Gonggong had originally urged him to do.

However……

Even though these contents never explicitly say what to do to humanity,

But!

Given Nüwa's talent for keeping the Wu Clan in orderly shape, how could she fail to deduce all the possible consequences that could follow?

Once the dragon clan's ideas and system are deeply engraved among humanity…… should they rebel, it truly could produce the kind of 'home‑invasion' that Fuxi spoke of!

Thinking of this, Nüwa felt her teeth itch.

"Outrageous!"

She unconsciously slapped her hand hard.

"Smack!"

First came a muffled thud.

"Hiss!"

Then someone sucked in a cold breath.

Fuxi's eyes widened, his expression slightly twisted, he turned his head to look at the delicate jade hand on his right shoulder, his eye sockets moist.

So…… so painful!

Nüwa's emotions flared.

Her strike came down without restraint.

Yet just moments before she had been massaging Fuxi's shoulders and pounding his back!

This slap came down.

Fuxi felt his shoulder blade might well be cracked.

He looked at Nüwa, his eyes brimming with the urge to shed hot tears—

"Lady!"

"Be a lady!"

After all these years of my painstaking training, why haven't I made any progress at all?

Translation: "After all these years of my painstaking training and cultivation, how come I still see no progress at all?" Need to keep tone. Let's produce: "After all these years of my painstaking training and cultivation, how come I still haven't made any progress at all?" Ensure we keep meaning.

If I were just a little weaker.

This line seems incomplete: "If I were just a bit weaker." Probably missing rest. We'll translate as: "If I were just a bit weaker..."

Is this slap meant to turn me into a bloody pulp?

Translation: "Is this slap meant to turn me into a bloody pulp?" Keep.

Then you fake-cry, tears in your eyes and a smirk on your lips, using your divine powers to put me back together just to grind your skill proficiency?

Translation: "Then you pretend to cry, tears in your eyes, lips curled up, using your creation divine ability to put me back together, just to grind your skill proficiency?" Need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "Then you put on a fake sympathetic act, crying with tears in your eyes and a smirk, using your creation divine ability to patch me back up, just to grind your skill proficiency?"

Upon thinking of this, Fuxi couldn't help but feel relieved.

Translation: "Thinking of this, Fuxi couldn't help but feel relieved."

Fortunately.

Fortunately, I've been able to suppress her all these years... otherwise?

Translation: "Fortunately, all these years I've been able to suppress her... otherwise?"

How could I have lived peacefully until today and kept throwing my weight around?

Translation: "How could I have lived peacefully to this day, and continued to throw my weight around?"

But... it seems like things are getting out of hand now?

Translation: "But... it seems like things are about to get out of hand now?"

No way!

Absolutely not!

His fighting spirit instantly maxed out.

Translation: "His fighting spirit instantly surged to the max."

In this household, only I can call the shots!

Translation: "In this household, only I can be the one in charge!"

…… -> "……" (ellipsis). Keep as is.

Fuxi's mind raced as he worked hard for a stable future.

Translation: "Fuxi racked his brains, striving for a stable life ahead."

But Nüwa was different.

Translation: "Nüwa, however, was different."

Her temper flared up instantly, her beautiful big eyes narrowing to a slit, a flash of cold light appearing as a monstrous killing intent spread.

Translation: "Her temper flared up instantly, her beautiful large eyes narrowing to a slit, a flash of cold light gleaming—murderous intent spreading like a flood."

Interesting!

It's really too interesting!

She muttered to herself, coldly laughing, "I'm still thinking about raiding their base, going to blow up the monster clan's side."

Translation: "She muttered to herself, cold laughter unceasing, 'I'm still pondering how to raid their base, go blow up the Demon Race's side.'"

The Reincarnation Sect's lower ranks, the Middle Fate taking the middle tier—I want to gradually transform the monster clan's core forces into my shape.

Translation: "The Reincarnation Sect's lower echelons, the Grand Minister of Destiny drawing the middle tier—I want to gradually transform the Demon Race's core forces into my likeness."

But I didn't expect that.

I still haven't managed to steal their base.

And now someone is copying me, coming to steal my home?!

Translation: "And now someone's copying my methods, trying to steal my home?!"

The dragon clan is doing this, embedding itself into the human system and institutions from the roots, fermenting and evolving right before our eyes...

Translation: "The Dragon Race is doing this, infiltrating the human system and institutions at the root, fermenting and evolving right before our eyes..."

That scoundrel Gonggong—is my blade not sharp enough?

Translation: "That Gong Gong, do you think my blade is dull?"

When the dragon clan is numerous, can I not kill them all?

Translation: "When the Dragon Race is numerous, can I not finish killing them all?"

Believe it or not, I've been driven to desperation, using my years of masterful culinary skill, aided by the Way of Creation, to meticulously dissect the dragon clan's anatomy and write a shocking treatise on dragon-slaying, letting them advance unstoppably on the path of ingredients!

Translation: "Do you believe it? When I'm driven to desperation, I'll use my years of mastery as a grandmaster of the culinary way, aided by the Great Dao of Creation, to meticulously dissect the Dragon Race's physiology and write a world-shaking tome, the Dragon-Slaying Grand Technique, letting the Dragon Race forge ahead on the path of ingredients!"

Nüwa said through gritted teeth.

Translation: "Nüwa said through gritted teeth."

Whether or not there's a butcher's skill like Pao Ding dissecting an ox, that's hard to say.

Translation: "Whether or not there's butcher Ding dissecting an ox, that's hard to say."

But Nüwa was very confident.

Translation: "But Nüwa is quite confident."

If she is willing.

Translation: "If she is willing."

After painstakingly pondering for a while, she could create the legend of 'Pao Wa dissecting the dragon'.

Translation: "After some painstaking contemplation, she could create the legend of 'Nüwa's dragon dissection'."

All it takes is one cut.

Translation: "Just one cut."

A true dragon will then have its flesh and bones perfectly separated, becoming top-grade ingredients.

Translation: "A true dragon will have its flesh and bones perfectly separated, becoming top-grade ingredients."

Calm down... calm down.

Translation: "Calm down... calm down."

Fuxi carefully moved the hand that Nüwa had placed on his right shoulder, while saying, "A little lack of restraint ruins great plans... my sister."

Translation: "Fuxi carefully moved the hand that Nüwa had placed on his right shoulder, all the while urging, 'A little impatience spoils great plans... my sister.'"

The dragon clan definitely has suspicion of stealing homes.

Translation: "The Dragon Race is indeed suspected of raiding our home."

But teammates... are all like that.

Translation: "But teammates... they're all like that."

Even close siblings still settle accounts clearly.

Translation: "Even as blood siblings, we still keep clear accounts."

When they split ways for the future, competing for victory's fruits, they lay traps in advance... as long as they don't defect now, it's ultimately inappropriate to turn against each other.

Translation: "When they split ways for the future, vying for the fruits of victory, they lay traps in advance... as long as they don't defect now, it's ultimately inappropriate to turn against them."

You can't demand teammates be as loyal as your confidants... they also have families and their own ideals, they're not your yes-men.

Translation: "You can't demand that teammates be as loyal as your own confidants... they also have families to support and their own ideals; they're not your yes-men."

People's hearts are hard to control!

Translation: "People's hearts are hard to control!"

Even sometimes, even one's confidants aren't reliable... how does that saying go?

Translation: "Sometimes even one's confidants aren't reliable... how does that saying go?"

Loyalty is merely because the price of betrayal isn't high enough.

Translation: "Loyalty is merely because the price of betrayal isn't high enough."

From this perspective, even one's subordinates aren't reliable.

Translation: "From this angle, even my subordinates aren't reliable."

Unless... it's like me, your closest brother, who will unconditionally tolerate, help, and love you... Fuxi said, going off-topic, patting his own face with praise.

Translation: "Unless... it's like me, your closest elder brother, who will unconditionally tolerate, help, and love you..." Fuxi went on, veering off topic, patting his own face with praise.

That comment was so outrageous that even if he bore ill will toward Gonggong and might immediately grab a knife to hack him into pieces and throw him into a hot pot—no, wait, it's Nüwa cooking in the cosmic cauldron—she was amused.

Translation: "That remark was so outrageous that even if one bore ill will toward Gong Gong and might the next moment charge back with a knife to hack him into pieces and toss him into a hot pot—no, wait, it's Nüwa cooking and simmering in the Heaven-Earth Cauldron—who were all amused."

"You'd better say less of that, brother." Nüwa rolled her eyes, "Otherwise I'm afraid I'll die laughing here."

Translation: "You'd better say less of that, brother." Nüwa rolled her eyes, "Otherwise I'm afraid I'll die laughing here."

"Cough cough cough..." Fuxi, thick-skinned, pretended nothing happened and changed the subject, "I just wanted to tell you..."

Translation: "Cough cough cough..." Fuxi put on a thick-skinned act, pretending nothing happened, and changed the subject, "I just wanted to tell you..."

As for the Gonggong matter, you don't need to get too angry.

Translation: "As for the Gong Gong matter, you don't need to get too angry."

In this world, you're allowed to strive for Pangu's goal, using any means, sparing no expense, but others aren't allowed to use underhanded tactics, and as teammates they can only work honestly.

Translation: "In this world, you're allowed to strive for Pangu's goal by any means, sparing no cost, while others aren't permitted to use any underhanded tactics, and as teammates they can only honestly work for you?"

There's no such reasoning.

Translation: "There's no such logic."

Fuxi shook his head, "Anyone lacking this mental preparation, blindly self-confident in their own charm... will ultimately be taught how to be a person."

Translation: "Fuxi shook his head, 'Anyone lacking this mental preparation, blindly confident in their own charisma... will ultimately be taught how to be a person.'"

He earnestly advised, "In this situation, you need to know in your heart, don't waste anger—it's useless."

Translation: "He earnestly advised, 'In this situation, you need to know it in your heart; don't waste your anger—it's useless.'"

Contradictions are always changing.

Translation: "Contradictions are always changing."

As stages differ, you must be able to adjust in time... best of all, you need foresighted judgment.

Translation: "Depending on the stage, you must be able to adjust promptly... best of all, you should have foresight in your judgment."

In this period, who is primary? Who is secondary?

Translation: "At this stage, who is primary? Who is secondary?"

When the next period arrives and the situation changes, who will become the primary target of attack?

Translation: "When the next stage arrives and the situation shifts, who will become the main target of attack?"

In the world, there is no banquet that does not disperse.

Now we are comrades-in-arms.

One day we could become opponents facing each other with weapons... That is entirely possible.

You need to understand this principle and accept it rationally.

Fuxi took Nüwa's hand, pulled her to sit in the chair beside him, and poured her a cup of clear tea to calm her anger.

"Are we just going to let Gong Gong's matter go like that?" Nüwa held the tea cup, her cheeks puffed out, showing she was very angry.

Very angry!

"Gong Gong may harbor ill intentions... but some of what he says is indeed reasonable." Fuxi chuckled, "At this stage, the dragons' infiltration still has a considerable positive effect on humanity."

"Sister, try to see things more openly."

"The dragons want to play at evolution... so what if we let them?"

"At this stage, your main conflict is focused on the Heavenly Court... you must gather all your strength, with the first goal being to overthrow it."

"Originally, the Wu Clan is weaker than the Demon Race in strength... At this point, if you try to 'secure the inside before repelling the outside'…"

"Winning would be fine; losing... afterwards, the verdict will be that you are nailed to the pillar of shame for failure, a joke for a long time."

"If you cannot control the situation, or your demonic teammates are too weak... then don't even think about securing the inside first."

"That would only lead to fratricide, both sides collapsing together, leaving nothing to play with."

"First, let's grow strong together."

"Then we can sort out rankings."

"Isn't that good?"

Fuxi leisurely said, "Humans and dragons are the same."

"Are the dragons eyeing the final fruits of victory?"

"So what if we give them a chance?"

"No matter how great the opportunity, humanity must be able to win!"

"For this goal."

"The dragons, having acquired a stake in humanity and hoping to seize power to become the major shareholder, will surely risk their lives to charge into battle."

"What about before?"

"The dragons are just hired hands; why should they fight to the death for you humans?"

"Working day and night, year-round without rest, just so that Nüwa may one day wield power and glory."

"Sister... you can't take all the good things for yourself."

"If you're beautiful, don't keep wishing for more beauty."

Fuxi earnestly instructed.

Nüwa seemed lost in thought.

After a while.

Nüwa suddenly said, "If that's what you mean, should I just turn a blind eye to the dragons' affairs and not bother with them?"

"That's not the case either." Fuxi shook his head, "For our common goal, some things can be tolerated."

"But we must never lose our bottom line."

"You need to take a stand in your actions, set up some countermeasures, and tell the dragons, this partner—I know what you're plotting, but I won't indulge you endlessly."

"Cross that line, and we become enemies."

"Against enemies, especially traitorous enemies, we will certainly spare no effort to strike."

I won't fire the first shot.

But if you fire the first shot.

I will make sure you cannot fire a second shot.

Fuxi conveyed this meaning to Nüwa.

"That's how it is…" Nüwa's eyes sparkled, obviously thinking of many things.

"No… I almost got fooled by you." The girl's gaze sharpened, she glared fiercely, "Now I know Gong Gong's maneuvers."

"But… will Paoxi rise?"

"My dear brother, what are you up to?" Nüwa clenched her fists, "Come clean!"

"Are you also plotting something with Gong Gong, waiting to cause trouble in the future?!"

Nüwa glared fiercely.

Fuxi looked her up and down for a moment, then suddenly clutched his chest, looking pained and sorrowful.

"What on earth is going on?"

"My sister, actually harboring such malicious suspicions… has deeply wounded my heart!"

"Cut the nonsense!" Nüwa muttered, "When you once made me study and work overtime all night, didn't you ever think whether it hurt my young mind?"

"Hurry up! Come clean!"

Fuxi fell silent, his eyes darting about.

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

After a good while, he then spoke softly.

"I swear on my own conscience…"

"This time, I am helping you…"

"Don't you understand yet?"

Fuxi looked at Nüwa with utterly sincere eyes.

"Paoxi… Paoxi!"

Xi, that's me.

What about the cook?

What else does it represent?

Without waiting for Nüwa to answer, he revealed the answer.

The cook is the kitchen!

What do you usually like most?

Delicacy!

I have incorporated the character for 'cook' into my name……Don't you still not know my feelings?

Chef.

It is to serve the gourmet.

Fuxi wore a sacred expression, nothing but an elder brother's indulgence toward his younger sister.

(End of chapter)