Chapter 370: The road forks, the fire master shall rise

My choice decides the future; my life forks here.

After routinely completing the wall‑digging operation, Fengxi stood in the assigned hall, from time to time gazing at the majestic, spacious Wa Huang Divine Palace, sighing to himself.

By probing here and there with wine‑and‑meat friends, and with the subsequent operation of the Wu Clan's intelligence system, countless scattered clues from past years were linked and sorted, summed up into an answer, all seemingly confirming the Eight Trigrams secret spoken by the White Tiger God.

The White Emperor of the Human Race's Five Direction Heavenly Emperors!

Donghua Emperor!

"Donghua Emperor…… truly is the White Emperor?"

"Then the problem arises."

Fengxi rubbed his brow, "This piece of intel—should I tell the Mother Goddess or not?"

"To tell her…… that's only natural."

"After all, I've risen so quickly thanks to the myriad aid and protection of the Mother Goddess Nüwa; to me, that kindness is immense."

"Yet not telling her also has its reasons."

"White Emperor!"

He let out a sigh.

"This is one of the Human Race's Five Direction Heavenly Emperors…… and the Flame Emperor standing behind me now can be called a comrade‑in‑arms."

"Moreover, the Mother Goddess Nüwa really doesn't care much for these Five Direction Heavenly Emperors."

"Take the Huangdi…… the Mother Goddess has been pursuing him relentlessly, letting no clue slip."

"On my end, I just sold him out…… isn't that a bit wrong?"

Really—selling out a teammate!

Would doing this make my conscience ache?

Fengxi touched his conscience, gazing at the stars for a long, long time.

A wind blew all night; at a certain moment, his whole body felt as if struck by lightning, his pupils widening slightly.

"Wrong…… there's a problem!"

Countless pieces of information, originally combined to support an intel's accuracy, are now being pulled apart and broken down again.

"What I've seen, heard, understood…… must it really be the truth?"

"Those ancient god sages, each a crafty old fox, layered like mille‑feuille…… the layer I see them on is exactly the layer they're on."

Fengxi recombined the clues, changed direction, altered his goal, delved into time, and perceived the future.

However, this new change didn't yield much direct gain.

A strange feeling blocked him, like an empty void, yet also like the deepest, darkest mist that swallows all light.

"Perhaps……"

Fengxi narrowed his eyes, gazed thoughtfully at a certain spot, then quickly withdrew his look.

"Eh, whatever…… Donghua Emperor being the White Emperor is a surprise; I'll still tell the Mother Goddess."

"After all, even if I stay silent and play deaf and dumb, the Heavenly Court has plenty of 'enthusiastic' inter‑folk friends who'd gladly inform the Mother Goddess."

"Better to give a preventive shot myself than let the situation run out of control."

"If Donghua truly is the White Emperor, fine…… but if he isn't?"

"Then this game…… would really get interesting, huh……"

As his words faded, Fengxi's form turned into starlight, into a flowing wind, crossing layer upon layer of void, streaming through endless ages, blurring heaven and earth, and he went straight down to the lower realm.

In an instant, he stood before the Holy Hall of Houtu, his tone solemn.

"Your subject has an important memorial to present; this matter is grave—please, Mother Goddess, render your holy judgment!"

After a brief silence, Houtu's voice came forth.

"Come in and report!"

……

Fengxi stepped into the hall, ignoring the scene of snacks and documents mixed on Houtu's desk, and reported the clues in a strictly objective tone.

It is of great importance.

This time, Houtu listened very attentively.

"Is Donghua the White Emperor?" she asked, her brows slightly raised, her fingertip tapping the desk now and then, "And has he secretly done such great deeds for humanity?"

"The contributions may be true, but the Lesser Yang Emperor isn't necessarily the White Emperor—he's merely under greater suspicion," Fengxi said.

"This isn't just a slight problem…" Houtu glanced at him, "I know you have the Flame Emperor behind you, but there's no need to defend the White Emperor."

"Donghua Emperor, so…… 'enthusiastic,' it's hard to say he has no other motives."

"Moreover, his strength stands there—he truly deserves a position as one of the Heavenly Emperors."

"What's more, the two combined."

"If humanity can win, judging by merit…… even if he isn't the White Emperor, he could still be another Heavenly Emperor."

Houtu raised her head, looked toward the Heavenly Court's direction; the focus was the Office of Destiny.

"The Five Direction Heavenly Emperors—some sayings are quite worth pondering."

"The Azure Emperor is the most noble, the chief emperor."

"The Huangdi is the most honored, presiding over the center."

"The Black Emperor is the most mysterious—seeming to exist and not, with suspicion of boarding first and buying a ticket later."

"The Flame Emperor suffers the most—blocked by the Huangdi and beaten badly, taking a great loss."

"The White Emperor is the most hidden, his deeds rarely spoken of, yet he can hold a heavenly emperor's seat."

Houtu spoke slowly.

She pinched the human race, finding all these little rumors and gossip within it utterly fascinating.

In his hand lay a register listing suspects, all sorts of possibilities.

However, even up to today, the effect isn't very great… Of course, there is still a bit.

Like Qingdi.

This is her brother, under close watch.

And Yandi.

A substantial number of pieces are placed at his side, he reckons they cannot escape his grasp.

But the remaining three…

Houtu often sighs—

These ones are really too good at hiding their heads and tails!

"Now, this suspected Bai Di has shown a clue… yet it is a good thing."

"My lady…" Fengxi wanted to speak but stopped.

"Are you worried?" Houtu gazed at him, a playful glint in her eyes, "Worried that I'll be unfavorable to him?"

"Heh… that's unnecessary."

Houtu rose with a light smile, casually flicked her sleeve, and the desk became tidy, "The Dragon Race's recent upheavals, I suppose you've also heard of them."

"I can turn a blind eye to the Dragon Race, let alone Bai Di."

Houtu's expression composed, "Now the Demon Race is powerful; I ought to unite all forces that can be united."

"It's not yet time to suppress dissent."

Houtu spoke frankly, "Even if Donghua wants to reform, with the idea of pulling me down from the altar, to make everything equal, treating all alike."

"I can tolerate it too… as long as he doesn't split the human race."

She calculated the pros and cons, seeing things very clearly.

"First win, then talk—this is currently the main contradiction."

"My lady's mind is broad, her aspirations lofty, she discerns right from wrong… I, your subject, admire and respect her." Fengxi praised.

"All right." Houtu waved her hand, indicating no need for this, "Regarding Bai Di, you need not concern yourself further… the related intelligence work will be transferred to Yi's hands."

Fengxi blinked in surprise.

"Don't worry… I'm merely concerned that Yandi might secretly intervene, affecting your work in this area, not that I distrust your loyalty." Houtu said lightly, "As for you, I have other arrangements."

Fengxi blinked, awaiting orders respectfully.

"The Totem Alliance Conference is about to officially convene… of course, on the surface it's still just a sports meet shell." Houtu held a document, "Yinruo will serve as host, opening the curtains."

"The holy fire will be lit."

"Here, I assign you to guard and inherit, to obtain a nominal legitimate status."

"You must put your heart into it."

"Yes!" Fengxi straightened his chest.

"However, although it is legitimate… but the Wind Lord's authority, you'll still have to wait a while." Houtu said leisurely, "The Dragon Race has been jumping around lately… dragons as officials, what audacity!"

"The key is they actually do have some talent."

"When the Dragon Race jumps up, seeking to check and control… your current ability is insufficient, your experience even more lacking."

"I, your subject, am ashamed." Fengxi lowered his head.

"No need to be ashamed… what's lacking can be made up through study." Houtu said calmly, "I have consulted with Fuxi."

"Yinruo will light the fire, establish the Feng Clan Empress, and bring forth Fuxi to take the top position."

"During his reign, suppressing the Dragon Race is still doable."

"This period is your study period… observe how Fuxi manages and handles, trains the Dragon Race, dispels their ambitions, and cannot truly control the human race in hand."

"When Fuxi steps down, you will learn from his methods and experience, continuing his thought."

"I understand, your subject!" Fengxi solemnly nodded, then hesitated, "Just… some methods, I can know but not employ."

"Fuxi the Great Sage, virtuous and prestigious, also holding the 'Reason', naturally can make the Dragon Race work honestly."

"My words are light, my strength weak, my wings more so withered… even with your ladyship's mandate, how can a parachuted sovereign suppress the Dragon Race's voice cultivated over many years?"

Fengxi had a question.

Houtu pondered, "Are you worried your entourage is too few?"

"Mm." The trusted minister Fengxi nodded repeatedly.

"If so… you can borrow and use my entourage here, transforming it on the spot." Houtu thought, then said.

"If the Dragon Side becomes too rampant, utterly ignoring your commands… and the front is currently at a critical wartime period, unable to attend to other matters."

"Then you shall on the spot build your own management system, establish a mansion and office, freely decide hierarchy openings, issue directives and thoughts, to counter the Dragon Race's voice!"

As she said this, Houtu's tone turned grim, "We accept the Dragon Race because they can be useful… not to let them become masters!"

"If the Dragon Race pushes forward, then prepare for extermination!"

"Yes, sir!" Fengxi straightened his back.

With Houtu's words, he felt relieved.

No need to worry about this happening—superiors demand strategic consideration, the Totem mode seeks partners, originally the Human-Dragon Alliance vying for Honghuang hegemony, but the Dragon Race rushed in to act high and mighty as "Dragon Lords", and the human race, forced by superiors, reluctantly indulged…

That simply became a joke.

"'The Lady Nüwa truly has responsibility, enough aura…'"

Fengxi sighed inwardly, "'If the Dragon Race wishes to be friends, we'll be friends… but within the human race, it's still humans who call the shots!'"

Thinking thus, Fengxi again requested, "Please, my lady, instruct… if I establish a system, what philosophy should I use? Should I give it a specially meaningful title? Which strong race should serve as ally pillar?"

"Like… the Wa clan?" he probed, "The Dragon has Qing, Chi, Bai, Hei, Huang… should we then have Eastern Wa, Western Wa, Southern Wa, Northern Wa, Central Wa?"

Hearing this, Houtu's face showed visible hesitation.

——Very good.

——Want.

However, in the end, Houtu still shook their head.

"Forget it."

"No need."

"With the Dragon Clan already causing trouble, why bother creating another Nüwa Clan?"

"Even if it's the Creator's clan, it's still not good."

Houtu let out a soft sigh, feeling a little reluctant, yet also resolute: "Once things reach that point, there cannot be any hidden dangers."

"One family dominating… is absolutely not good."

"By then, you may casually pick a heavenly-earthly phenomenon as your official title."

"Right… you aren't related to Yandi, are you?"

"Like this 'fire'—you could consider it."

Houtu recalled the background of this great loyal minister before them, which had deep ties to Yandi.

"Naming an office after fire… I think that could work."

Houtu tilted their head, "It's perfect—new officials bring three fires… if the Dragon Clan won't obey, this fire will burn them."

"Don't worry too much."

"At that time, my team will be your team… if the situation becomes urgent, you may freely draw from my personnel, even including Chief Guard Da You."

Da You!

This can be said to be the top enforcer among the Great Wu, beneath the Ancestral Wu in the Wu Clan.

Their strength, placed among those of great divine abilities, could be considered outstanding, infinitely close to the first-tier echelon.

If they act.

That would certainly offer hope of slaying the Four Seas Dragon King; at worst, it could suppress and heavily wound them.

"Hiss!"

Fengxi understood Houtu's resolve, their extremely high demand for internal stability among humanity—even the top enforcer could be lent out.

"I will not disappoint Her Highness's expectations!"

His voice rose passionately: "With me here, the Dragon Clan dare not stir even the slightest ripple!"

"That's best." Houtu nodded satisfactorily, "When the Wu Clan wages war outward, the rear humanity must not suffer loss—you must pay close attention."

"I have examined the Heavenly Court for a long time… despite their strong concealment and painstaking deception."

"But what divine being am I? My power shocks ancient and modern, I oversee three and look upon two, having long discerned the slightest clues."

"They have prepared the Killer's Trick, and it is mostly aimed at our human interior, seeking to shake morale and break unity."

"Therefore, our interior must be stabilized."

"This principle held in the past, holds now, and will surely hold in the future!"

"Remember it, implement it."

Houtu said, "Then go study with Yun Xiao, study with Pao Xi… you bear my hopes and efforts; do not let me down."

"Yes!"

Fengxi bowed deeply.

"Alright… you may go now."

"Go to Yun Xiao's place… the time is about right."

Houtu's gaze lingered, piercing time and space: "He ought to light the fire, letting that civilization's radiance shine upon heaven and earth, past and future."

"This is raising the flag, truly opening the curtain on humanity's campaign against heaven…"

"It is also summoning the soul, so that the buried Pangu of the past may look upon it, hoping for the fulfillment of the beautiful blessings once given to humanity and all beings."

"As for the final outcome, what will it be?"

"Alas… who could know?"

Houtu sighed and saw Fengxi off.

After he left,

Houtu lingered in feeling for a while, then summoned another senior general under them and gave orders.

"Go."

"Bring all the movements of the Phoenix Clan since time immemorial."

"The focus is on Donghua and their connection."

"Let me see what he actually intends to do."

(End of chapter)