Chapter 367

The bird master and the bird's name are its officials.

The white-clothed emperor talked eloquently and at length, obviously having prepared his speech well beforehand.

He clearly knows where the Phoenix Clan stands, realizing that this line can't operate like the Dragon Clan… but he can bring his little brothers along, can't he?

All the birds turn toward the phoenix, which has rallied its helper followers into a bird contingent, theoretically strong enough to match the Dragon Totem Group.

Of course, that's just theory; in reality they'd probably be defeated.

"But…"

"It would be better if we couldn't win…"

"It's meant to serve as a check and balance, preventing the Dragon Clan from becoming too dominant."

"On the one hand, if we suppress the Dragon Clan and dash their hopes of profit, then cutting losses and selling shares would become troublesome."

"On the other hand, a bloated bird faction would be just as troublesome as the current dragon faction."

The emperor and Fuxi exchanged a glance, and it was obvious they were in agreement without needing to say a word.

"The bird master… that's not bad; I'm quite interested in learning more." Fuxi sat up straight, a smile in his eyes, and said, "I don't suppose you could explain a bit?"

"That is exactly what I want." The emperor smiled and said, "The bird master… the phoenix bird is the most valuable; it should regulate the calendar, governing the numbers of time and correcting the heavens."

The Xuan Niao clan handles division; the Bo Zhao clan handles arrival; the Qing Niao clan handles initiation; the Dan Niao clan handles closure.

The Zhujiu clan is the Minister of Education; the Jūjiū clan, the Minister of War; the Jiūjiū clan, the Minister of Works; the Shuangjiu clan, the Minister of Justice; the Hejiu clan, the Minister of Affairs... These are the five dove clans.

Furthermore, there are five pheasants, serving as the five officials of works: in the west, the Shan pheasant, which works wood; in the east, the Zīzhì pheasant, which works clay; in the south, the Di pheasant, which works metal; in the north, the Hán pheasant, which works leather... The five-colored works benefit the use of tools and standardize measurements.

Moreover, there are also nine Hu, serving as the nine officials of agriculture...

……

This is a vast system that encompasses all aspects.

It is not a lone fight of the phoenix totem, but a great alliance of many divine bird totems!

Each has its own strengths…… When united, they are enough to match the dragon tribe's dragon totem in probing and maneuvering, to judge superiority.

During the white-clad emperor's exposition, Fuxi listened silently, his eyes gleaming as if in deep thought.

After the exposition ended, he slowly nodded, 'Friend, you have good intentions.'

'It's nothing much…' the emperor chuckled, 'My plan may be good, but if we want to implement it, the difficulties are not small either.'

'That's right.' Fuxi agreed.

'So, I haven't come up here to ask the Azure Emperor, my elder brother, for support?' The white-clad emperor spread his hands, 'The leader's seal of the phoenix lineage—this is the token that commands all the divine birds of the world.'

'If I lacked this, I would have to take the Golden Crow seal instead… Although equally honored as the Bird Sovereign, there would be no problem in the divine bird lineage, but people's hearts have subtleties; we cannot make a clean break with the Heavenly Court.'

The emperor chuckled, 'For humanity to win, we must win honorably and openly, taking the central role of heaven and earth… This hinges most on whether the position is proper.'

'Hmm.' Fuxi's eyes deepened, he gave a slight nod, 'The phoenix's seal is indeed with me… Ever since I moved my dojo from the Mount Buzhou range to this Phoenix Perch Mountain, the seal has been mine.'

'Lend it to you, take the auspicious emblem as a banner to command all the divine birds under heaven, form alliances and build a bloc within the human totem alliance… That's not difficult.'

'But merely doing my work for you isn't enough…' Fuxi suddenly laughed, 'The true ruler of humanity is none other than the Empress Nüwa!'

'This depends on whether the dragon tribe's friends can give enough support.' The emperor's smile did not fade, 'The "Paoxi" will eventually step down.'

'If we lose control of this strong leader, will the dragon tribe float up and secretly expand its influence over humanity?'

'If they launch an attack.'

'My opportunity has also arrived.'

'The emergence of the bird bloc is in line with the prevailing popular sentiment.'

'To counter the dragon tribe's influence, maintain autonomy, and not be manipulated by others.'

As he spoke thus, the emperor's tone grew deep and meaningful, 'Actually, humanity's desire not to be controlled is not limited to just the dragon tribe's force.'

'Indeed.' Fuxi sighed, a mischievous smile spreading, 'The children have grown up, yet some people still point and gesture… How inappropriate.'

'Human emperors must rotate, retire, and let new blood take over.'

'Yet there are those who scheme for eternal sole rule… Tsk tsk, Imperial Younger Brother, what do you think?'

'We should let them rest properly.' The emperor nodded firmly, 'If this succeeds, humanity will prevail.'

'I'll go public under a shell, sure to make a small profit… And the force we build can, at critical moments, be wholly gifted to my elder brother to set things right!'

'Excellent!'

This is exactly what Fuxi wanted to hear.

'Your act of sending fuel in the snow will one day bring you lasting blessings.'

The two top experts simply swore this alliance and set down the contract.

'This is the seal and insignia that the phoenix lineage once used to command all divine birds under heaven.'

Fuxi flipped his hand and took out a splendid treasure seal that looked like gold and jade, 'Hold this seal, and when you negotiate with the various tribes and discuss the previous era, you will more or less be given face.'

'Even if they don't help, they won't just turn around and sell you out.'

'Everyone has their own measure in heart; they won't break the rules.'

'Thank you, elder brother.' The white-clad emperor took the seal and let out a sigh of relief.

Without this item.

The birdmaster alliance is too hard to build.

Fuxi was not speaking nonsense.

'If something goes wrong, the emperor might have just taken the lead, only to be stabbed in the back by some great Luo divine bird and sent to Nüwa.'

Like the Qingniao clan.

This top-tier clan among the divine birds has close ties with the Queen Mother of the West, often serving as her messengers.

Moreover, its core members also mingle in the Honghuang goddess societies.

To deal with them, one must be mentally prepared to be turned over and sold.

Having this seal, however, is different; it amounts to half an official duty……public and private are clearly separated, and it counts as a rule of this world's game.

The phoenix leads the divine birds, acting collectively……this adds a certain administrative hue, and no one would willingly break the rules.

"Having this seal, my chances of success increase greatly." The Emperor sighed, "For a long time, I can remain hidden, won't be spotted first by Empress Nüwa, who would then summon me directly."

"When I finally try to stand up, it's already a done deal……yet she can't do anything about it."

"That's not necessarily so." Fuxi shook his head, "Don't underestimate my sister……she looks cute and clueless, but when she gets serious she's quite fearsome."

"You need to know that."

"Back then, although I kept squeezing her, making her work overtime all the time……I truly had the intention of tempering and cultivating her."

"She finished every single one of those tasks……these are unimaginable foundations."

"It's just that the skills she picked are a bit off, her talent hasn't changed yet, and she's slightly lacking in scheming and digging pits."

"But once she suffers a few more beatings in the Lich Great Tribulation, forced to integrate her knowledge……you'll see how powerful her complete form is!"

"With our Qing Emperor and Bai Emperor combination……" Fuxi shook his head, "If the initiative isn't in our hands, we might really be pressed to the ground and beaten by her."

"Even worse, if you're forced out first……she'll surely delight in hanging you up and whipping you."

"Do one's best and accept fate." The white-clothed Emperor fell silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "We've done everything we could……win or lose, it'll depend on how the situation changes in the end."

"You're quite broad-minded……that's right." Fuxi chuckled, "Strictly speaking, your goal is merely to break even and avoid loss."

"Being able to take up and let go……remarkable is that, at the moment of final judgment, one is dragged to that special point in time, violently beaten by Pangu's Nüwa, venting the blockage this era has added for her."

"But this isn't a big deal……many have been cut down by Pangu."

"One more or one less makes no difference, nothing to be ashamed of, at most it just hurts a bit."

"But I'm different……."

Fuxi sighed with myriad feelings, "It seems I still need to give you some cover, so you can successfully sneak through and shift, waiting for the right moment to enter."

"Thank you, Imperial Elder Brother." The Emperor bowed sincerely.

"I've said this beforehand." Fuxi glanced at him, tone indifferent, "In one's position, one must plan its governance."

"Since you've chosen to accept this karma, your actions cannot be the slightest bit biased."

"That's natural." The Emperor nodded silently, "If humanity falls, I will surely follow and die for the Dao."

Upon saying this, he sighed, "In this era, what is the root of the Lich Great Tribulation? Who among us Daluo wouldn't know?"

"The human Dao has split!"

"In thought, contradictory logic has appeared……there are those steadfast in ideals, and those clinging to reality."

"We Daluo, watching and listening……even with steadfast and firm hearts, unwavering in resolve."

"Yet the sum total seen by countless incarnations inevitably calls for reflection."

"A bit of reflection is itself a path."

"We remain we, goodness is us, evil is also us, forever unchanged."

"But we also want to join in, goodness goes, evil goes, to see different scenery, to encounter different paths."

"Finally, if we thus fall asleep, we do so willingly."

"Especially we of our kind……temporary victory or defeat is no longer a concern."

"More so, it's a consideration for the future of the human Dao, the responsibility brought by the weight of the boundless masses under our command……"

The Emperor shook his head.

Fuxi smiled faintly, "This is the most reasonable Daluo I've ever seen, able to justify hedging both bets."

"But it doesn't matter anymore."

"Right and wrong, good and evil—at the moment the era ends and the final verdict is given, there will naturally be an explanation."

"Of course."

"By then we'll have to properly bribe that Báizé fellow."

"Otherwise, if he slants his pen——"

"We were all splendid followers of the Holy Way, yet in his presence our image suffers……what a pain!"

""Hahaha……indeed." Bai Emperor slapped his thigh and laughed loudly, "That stingy fellow, besides not daring to offend Pangu, otherwise just lets himself run wild."

"Looks like I need to prepare some modest gifts in advance……if we lose, we can have a dignified comment; if we win, it'll be even more glorious."

"That's your own affair." Fuxi didn't care, "Anyway, I'll make sure he picks nice words to say—I never have to pay him."

"All right." He changed the subject, "When I have that person cover for you, you'd better cooperate."

"Nüwa's scheming isn't top-notch, but her acting is extremely strong."

"Being able to act, one can naturally see through acting easily."

"In this regard, goddesses are generally somewhat better than gods."

"If you slip up……you'll be laughed at for a long time."

"I already know, there'll be no mistake." Bai Emperor's eyes flashed, "Some things I've already secretly leaked out."

"I only hope that the little friend Yun Zhongjun of the Heavenly Court, whose abilities match Nüwa's attention, can discover major secrets under painstaking investigation……"

"If not, he would have already died accidentally on the way to the inspection barracks……how could it be just giving him a little stimulation from before, yet he's still this lively and active?"

"One cup of wine didn't make him choke……hmph."

Bai Emperor snorted with laughter.

"You……." Fuxi wanted to speak but held back, finally letting out a light sigh, "That's a pawn of Yandi……you've been tossing him around, watch out—afterwards Yandi might come after you and trip you up."

"And what then?"

Bai Emperor showed no worry, "What, I'm afraid of him?"

"A key pawn has been completely swallowed by Nüwa, that fellow still hides and dares not show his face."

"If it weren't for his low ability dragging down everyone's average, how would we have come to this?"

The Five Emperors have long been waiting hand in hand for Nüwa.

White Emperor said thus.

Yandi...... perhaps it's not that his level is too low." Fuxi's eyes playful, he said a fair remark: "Maybe something went wrong."

Moreover, the Five Emperors joining hands...... is difficult.

Huangdi, I still have some guesses, related to the human race's qi fortune, somewhat like Hongjun the Heavenly Dao's spiritual communication situation, is the human race's qi fortune becoming essence.

Either can't come out alive or dead, or as soon as one appears it's at the peak.

Black Emperor...... I really have no idea who he is.

I somewhat suspect it's Gonggong, but the clues I've traced are contradictory.

Fuxi said, shaking his head.

Forget it...... take a step, see what happens.

Hopefully in the end, we can get a surprise.

I also hope so.

White Emperor weighed the Phoenix Treasure Seal in his hand, suddenly stood up, "Alright...... I need to make preparations for gathering the Bird Group."

Wait for your pot-hand to be in position, then I'll directly connect.

Okay." Fuxi nodded, "At that time, you cooperate in acting, remember the scene should be more tragic...... to see off a human race's emperor, the scene cannot be small."

Of course, but definitely don't let him be completely killed...

Then it depends on your backup personnel, whether the face is big enough." White Emperor said.

You can rest assured about that.

Fuxi confidently, "With a Saint participating, can you not give some face?"

Ha...... that's true!

In the light laughter, White Emperor's figure faded away.

Just as secretive as when he appeared.

Only Fuxi remained seated in place, shaking his head.

Dragon Master Fire Emperor, Bird Official Cloud Emperor.

Only dragon and bird, how can that satisfy my needs?

Still need fire and cloud to be in place, then it'll work!

Fire cloud...... Fire Cloud Palace!

(End of chapter)