Chapter 427

In the Wu Clan's highest hall, the Twelve Ancestral Witches led the overall situation and formulated future strategies.

Translation: In the Wu Clan's highest hall, the Twelve Ancestral Witches led the overall situation and formulated future strategies.

In the Wu Clan's highest hall, the Twelve Ancestral Witches led the overall situation and formulated future strategies.

A thoroughgoing Wu-Yao all-out war—when to fight? How to fight? To have the greatest chance of victory?

Translation: A thoroughgoing Wu-Yao all-out war—when to fight? How to fight? To have the greatest chance of victory?

A thoroughgoing Wu-Yao all-out war—when to fight? How to fight? To have the greatest chance of victory?

Under their will, all of this must inevitably have the most detailed plan.

Translation: Under their will, this all necessarily has a most detailed plan.

Better: "Under their will, this all necessarily has a most detailed plan." Could be "Under their will, this all necessarily has the most detailed plan." We'll keep.

The top great witches of mighty divine ability sat in as observers; occasionally someone would request to speak, supplementing the details.

Translation: The top great witches of mighty divine ability sat in as observers, occasionally someone would request to speak, supplementing details.

The top great witches of mighty divine ability sat in as observers; occasionally someone would request to speak, supplementing details.

And just then, the Wu Clan's high-level leaders were holding a collective meeting.

Translation: And just as the Wu Clan's high-level were holding a collective meeting.

Better: "And just as the Wu Clan's high-level were holding a collective meeting." Could be "And just as the Wu Clan's high-level were holding a collective meeting." We'll keep.

In the Heavenly Court, mighty beings also gathered, discussing the overall situation in the Supreme Heaven.

Translation: In the Heavenly Court, too, mighty beings gathered, in the Supreme Heaven discussing the overall situation.

In the Heavenly Court, mighty beings gathered as well, and in the Supreme Heaven they discussed the overall situation.

Compared to the Wu Clan's side, there is a slight democratic atmosphere.

Translation: Compared to the Wu Clan's side, it has a slightly democratic atmosphere.

Previously, the Yao tribe had a hint of democracy, but now it appears much more dictatorial.

Translation: Formerly the Demon Race had a little bit of a democratic air, but now it shows much more dictatorial.

Di Jun sat high on the throne, looking down upon the Yao God mighty ones and guest elders, who were far more respectful than before; he felt pleased and satisfied.

Translation: Di Jun sat high on the throne, looking down upon the Yao God mighty ones and Guest Elders who were much more respectful than before, feeling pleased and satisfied.

Yao God mighty ones, Guest Elders.

"After years of operation, we've finally come out on top."

Translation: "After years of operation, we've finally risen to the top."

His fingertips idly tapped the chair, producing a series of dull thuds.

Translation: His fingertips tapped absentmindedly on the armrest, emitting muffled thuds.

He reveled in the glory.

Translation: He enjoyed the glory.

In the previous battle against the Wu Clan, although Di Jun only managed to secure a draw.

Translation: Previously, in the battle against the Wu Clan, although Di Jun only managed to secure a draw.

But sometimes the result doesn't matter; what matters is the process.

Translation: But sometimes, the result is not important; the process is.

Regardless of how he was aided, in the ultimate showdown, his presence among the five supreme powerhouses was enough!

Translation: No matter how the assistance came, in the peak showdown, among those five supreme powerhouses there was his figure, Di Jun—that was enough!

Even if many here received bonuses, with his younger brother's strong support and numerous selfless contributions from the Yao Gods.

Translation: Even if many there received bonuses, with his younger brother giving strong support and many Yao Gods selflessly contributing.

But what does that matter?

Translation: But what of it?

It's just like the Buddhist sect.

Translation: Just like the Buddhist sect.

This sect made grand vows, took huge loans, and from the Honghuang cosmos and mortal beings gathered an almost immeasurable amount of merit—it can be said to be a massive debt.

Translation: This sect, making great vows, heavily borrowing, obtained from the Honghuang cosmos and mortal beings an almost immeasurable amount of merit, which can be said to be a huge debt.

In the Honghuang cosmos, the mortal beings face an immeasurable amount—a huge debt.

But who would look down on them?

Translation: But who would look down on them?

Nobody!

Translation: No one!

Everyone is quite pragmatic Great Luo cultivators.

Translation: Everyone is quite pragmatic Great Luo cultivators.

Everyone is quite pragmatic Great Luo cultivators.

The Three Thousand Great Dao can all lead to enlightenment, no matter what method you use.

Translation: The Three Thousand Great Dao—any can lead to enlightenment, no matter what method you use.

Whether stealing or deceiving, even acting or scraping by… as long as you show the potential to stand at the peak, someone will support and invest in you.

Translation: Stealing is fine, cheating is fine, even acting, even hiding… as long as you show the potential to stand at the peak, someone will support you, invest in you!

Nowadays, Di Jun is seen by many Yao God mighty ones as a rising sun.

Translation: Nowadays, in the eyes of many Yao God mighty ones, Di Jun is the rising sun.

In his ultimate showdown with Nüwa, although it wasn't about stepping on her to rise, it still demonstrated his prowess, so no one can call him a puppet emperor or a marionette of Hongjun.

Translation: In the peak showdown with Nüwa, although not to the extent of stepping on her to rise, it can also be said he displayed prowess; no one can say he is a puppet emperor, a marionette of Hongjun.

The puppet emperor is a marionette.

Furthermore, through the Nüwa Emperor's mouth, it was revealed that Di Jun's astonishing means secretly gathered a core base, recruiting many Great Luo… normally, the Heavenly Court would be in an uproar for a while, fearing harm to their interests, the Yao God mighty ones would likely collude to cause trouble for the sovereign seated on the Heavenly Emperor's throne.

Translation: Moreover, from the Nüwa Emperor's mouth, it was revealed that Di Jun's methods were astonishing; he secretly gathered his core supporters, won over many Great Luo cultivators… If this were normal times, the Heavenly Court would be in an uproar for a while, fearing damage to their interests, the Yao God mighty ones would likely collude, causing trouble for the sovereign seated on the Heavenly Emperor's throne.

The Nüwa Emperor's mouth, core supporters, and Great Luo cultivators would cause the Heavenly Court to be in an uproar for a while; Yao God mighty ones whose interests are harmed, and the sovereign seated on the Heavenly Emperor's throne.

This maneuver, everyone is quite familiar with; back then we often sparred with Fuxi, and our experience is nearly maxed out.

Translation: This maneuver, everyone is quite familiar with; back then they often crossed swords with Fuxi, their experience nearly maxed out.

What nonsense about fabricating merit!

Translation: What, manufacturing false merit!

What overinterpretation of the Heavenly Emperor's orders!

Translation: What, over-interpreting the Heavenly Emperor's orders!

Wait, wait, wait.

Translation: Wait, wait, etc.

But now, during the Great Calamity campaign, external contradictions will become mainstream while internal ones become secondary.

Translation: But now, during the Great Calamity campaigns, external contradictions will become mainstream, internal contradictions will become secondary.

Wanting to skim benefits from the Heavenly Court, lining one's pockets… but we must also ensure the Heavenly Court can be the victor!

Translation: Wanting to skim benefits from the Heavenly Court, lining private pockets…… that also requires ensuring the Heavenly Court can be the victor, right?

Does the Heavenly Court want to win?

Translation: Does the Heavenly Court want to win?

The top superior must be sufficiently reliable.

Translation: The immediate superior must be sufficiently reliable.

Undoubtedly, the current Di Jun is quite suitable.

Translation: And undoubtedly, the current Di Jun is quite suitable.

Although this Yao Emperor secretly built his base behind everyone's back, he leaks nothing, showing little trust in everyone as utterly honest and loyal ministers; his methods are too dirty.

Translation: Although this Yao Emperor secretly built his core base behind everyone's back, not leaking a word, he hardly trusts anyone to be utterly honest and loyal ministers; his methods are too dirty.

The Yao Emperor secretly has a core base of utterly honest and loyal ministers.

But countless facts prove this principle—

Translation: But countless facts prove this principle—

If one is not ruthless and heartless, it's hard to make it to the end!

Translation: If one is not ruthless and not dark-hearted, it's hard to make it to the end!

Whether Di Jun is ruthless is still uncertain, but this "darkness"... everyone can see a bit of it.

Translation: Whether Di Jun is ruthless is still uncertain, but this "darkness"... everyone can see a bit of it.

Want to eat meat? Follow him!

Translation: Want to eat meat? Follow him!

When this sovereign who can lead everyone to eat meat also declares that during the Great Calamity he won't deliberately seek excuses to target the Heavenly Court's officials, tacitly allowing the continuation of some "potential rules" and "interest distribution"…

Translation: When this sovereign who can lead everyone to eat meat also indicates that during the Great Calamity he will not deliberately seek excuses to target the Heavenly Court's various officials, tacitly allowing the continuation of some "potential rules", "interest distribution"……

During the Great Calamity, the sovereign and the Heavenly Court's various officials discussed potential rules for interest distribution.

One hand wields a big stick, the other holds a sweet date.

Translation: One hand holds a big stick, the other holds a sweet date.

Di Jun's prestige has truly been established!

Translation: Di Jun's prestige has truly been established!

Heaven knows.

Translation: Heaven knows.

For this day, how long has Di Jun toiled, and how arduous has it been?

Translation: For this day, how long has Di Jun operated, how arduous has it been?

Through bluff and deceit, he finally won the obeisance of today's Yao Gods, gaining far more loyalty and sincerity than before.

Translation: Through bluff and deceit, eventually the Yao Gods of this morning bowed their heads, showing far more loyalty and sincerity than before.

Even the ten great Yao commanders now show a degree of solemnity on their faces.

Translation: Even the Ten Great Yao Marshals now have a touch of solemnity on their faces.

"After all this reckoning… Nüwa is actually a good deity."

Translation: "After all this calculation… Nüwa is actually a good deity."

"Sacrificing oneself to fulfill others."

Translation: "Sacrificing oneself to fulfill others."

"If possible, I'd really like to give her a big medal."

Translation: "If possible, I'd really like to give her a big medal."

Di Jun's mind wandered, his spirit racing wildly.

Translation: Di Jun's mind wandered, he flew and galloped wildly.

Praise the Nüwa Emperor.

Translation: Praise the Nüwa Emperor.

Without Nüwa, who has grasped the fate of mortal beings, how could we compel the Hongjun Dao Ancestor to resolutely support the Heavenly Court, thereby weakening his authority and privileges?

Translation: Without the Nüwa Emperor, who has grasped the fate of mortal beings, how could one compel the Hongjun Dao Ancestor to resolutely support the Heavenly Court, thereby weakening his authority and privileges?

Who has grasped the fate of mortal beings compels the Hongjun Dao Ancestor to resolutely support the Heavenly Court, thereby weakening his authority and privileges.

Without Nüwa, eager to challenge the incumbent Pangu—to turn around his family's standing—how could we compel Xihuang to personally enter the fray, forming alliances both vertical and horizontal?

Translation: Without the Nüwa Emperor, eager to challenge the incumbent Pangu—to turn around his family's standing—how could one compel Xihuang to personally enter the fray, forming alliances both vertical and horizontal?

Eager to challenge the incumbent Pangu to turn around his family's standing, he compels Xihuang to personally enter the fray, forming alliances both vertical and horizontal.

Nüwa is formidable; having stepped on the weak points of two top powerhouses, she challenged Pangu and the Heavenly Dao by her own power, ultimately achieving Di Jun's success, seizing the opportunity and leaping upward to attain today's accomplishments.

Translation: Nüwa is formidable, having stepped on the weak points of two top powerhouses; by her own power she challenged Pangu and the Heavenly Dao, ultimately achieving Di Jun's success, seizing the opportunity, leaping upward, achieving today's accomplishments.

Having stepped on the weak points of two top powerhouses, by her own power she challenged Pangu and the Heavenly Dao, ultimately achieving Di Jun's success; seizing the opportunity, she leaped upward, achieving today's accomplishments.

However…

Translation: However……

This is still not enough.

Translation: This is still not enough.

"Not enough… far from enough…"

Translation: "Not enough…… far from enough……"

"Not wanting Pangu's Great Luo is not a good Great Luo."

"Hope is placed there; how could I not strive for it?"

"However, there are constraints from within and without; every step is arduous."

"Brother August Emperor, you have great magnanimity and bearing; the key is that you've already come ashore, so your threat to me is manageable, we can make some deals, everything can be negotiated."

"As for that Hongjun…"

Di Jun listened to the opinions and suggestions of the great mighty ones of the demon gods, while a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes.

Thinking of Hongjun, his mood wasn't very good.

A clash of principles and positions!

The 'Dao' of the Heavenly Dao and the 'Dao' of the Heavenly Court are in deepest opposition!

Is it that human plans cannot match heavenly plans? Or can human determination conquer heaven?

In this regard, the Wu Clan is the radical side, directly raising the rebel flag, aiming to crush the Heavenly Dao.

The Demon Race, due to complex reasons, stands in the camp of the Heavenly Dao… yet deep down, there remains a spirit of freedom!

Mutation! Mutation! Again mutation!

It seems they are shamelessly flattering the times without principle or bottom line, endlessly mutating, merely to prolong the clan's existence, hoping to adapt to the ever-changing heavens and earth.

Survival of the fittest.

But!

Behind that, there is not lacking a spark of resistance brewing, taking a path of resistance characteristic of the Demon Race.

With tribes numbered in the trillions, and on this basis, countless-fold complex interspecies mating creates entirely new sentient species… Within this infinite possibility, could a freak arise that tears apart the laws of the Heavenly Dao?

Under a model even more cruel than raising gu, with endless time accumulating, a freak will inevitably rise, lead the trend, and tread upon a path of defying heaven like that of the present human race.

By then, it won't be the current mighty ones sending out the human race to fight on a stage… but the Human Dao will spontaneously ignite a crimson wave of reforming flames, shattering the bonds of the Heavenly Dao.

The power of the Human Dao is immensely strong.

The entire Honghuang world is a supremely powerful Great Luo, able to match Pangu.

Heaven and earth are the body; the Human Dao is the soul!

For a Great Luo, in some sense, the soul is far more important than the body.

When the Human Dao, after countless sacrifices precipitating, awakens spontaneously, even Pangu must treat it with solemn respect.

Moreover, at that time there might even be some Pangu beings sympathetic to the Human Dao who secretly lend aid.

Having reached that point, even if the Heavenly Dao looms high, having once suppressed the entire era, facing such great power it cannot but yield and retreat behind the scenes—this also means the opening of the election for a new Pangu.

However.

Who knows how long we'd have to wait for such days?

Di Jun silently reckoned, roughly estimating a frighteningly vague number.

If it were an ordinary Great Luo, perhaps they'd be delighted—with this long stretch of time to cultivate, they should be able to catch up with some seniors and erase the gaps between them, right?

But for top-tier powerhouses, having a chance to contend for Pangu's Taiji existence is not so good.

The further on, the fiercer the competition!

It's not just facing challengers who come later.

We also have to deal with the possible favoritism of former Pangus.

Just like now, Nüwa competing for the position of Pangu—this lady can obtain Pangu's certification, stamp the entire Wu Clan with it, indicating they are of Pangu's bloodline.

Behind this, to say that Fuxi turns a blind eye… who would believe that?

If it weren't for Nüwa's rebellious fervor being too strong, and people being too flighty, even daring to chatter in front of Xihuang with sayings like 'thirty years east, thirty years west', making the elder brother's face darken, feeling his authority might not hold, so many times he stood by with folded arms, not fully sending his own forces… the momentum of the human race stirred up by Nüwa's turmoil, who knows how many times stronger it could be than now!

"Hongjun, oh Hongjun… sacrificing you alone could bring happiness to a great many of us."

"Such a deed destined to be sung through the ages—why don't you do it?"

Di Jun sighed inwardly, 'If you could honestly remain in the position of the Heavenly Dao's second-in-command in Honghuang, work through countless Great Calamities, and never entertain the thought of contending for Pangu's position, we Taiyi Great Luos would thank you for a lifetime!'

"Alright… I also know this is impossible."

"You can't have the horse work and not feed it grass… your past merits and hardships are considerable; even Xihuang, considering fairness, wouldn't openly oppose you."

"The qualification to contend for Pangu is rightfully yours."

"Everyone also acknowledges this."

"But it's merely a qualification."

"The fruits of victory still go to whoever has the ability."

"You must see this clearly, right?"

"So there exists the Heavenly Dao Saint, attempting to control the Human Dao's voice and infiltrate its thoughts… these are the overt arrangements."

"And in secret?"

"Aren't you still placing enough weighty pieces in my Heavenly Court?"

"Waiting for the day when I lead the Heavenly Court to victory over the Wu Clan, then go to the Purple Cloud Palace to attack you, and sneak in a backstab, casting me from the heavens beyond the ninefold skies into the Netherworld's chaotic void, never to rise again?"

Di Jun recalled the previous battle, carefully pondering some individuals' performances, his gaze thus becoming much deeper.

"Mm."

"That should be correct."

The Demon Emperor's gaze wandered at this moment.

He swept past the Eastern Heavenly Emperor, glanced at the Red Cloud Divine Sage, brushed past the Kun-Peng demon master, skimmed past the Zhenyuan Great Immortal…

Many ancient gods and great sages who were once neutral have silently ended up on the suspicion list.

However, Di Jun being able to attain the position of Demon Emperor still shows he has depth of character.

Although his hands are itchy now, wanting to kill certain people.

But as an emperor and sovereign, not swayed by private thoughts—one should first let that horse run a while, then when it asks for fodder, slash it down for a small profit; wouldn't that be delightfully satisfying?

As these thoughts turned, Di Jun's face showed a gentle smile, and he began to speak.

First, he analyzed the situation between the Wu Clan and the Demon Race, using imperial authority to judge; there was still a buffer period before the full-scale war between the Wu Clan and the Demon Race.

Then he said, in this rare buffer period, it is the Demon Race's best opportunity to seize.

Enough brainwashing… ah no, it's enough public opinion propaganda, inciting the Demon Race to be warlike.

"The military's work must be done thoroughly."

Di Jun said to Taiyi at his side, "Appropriate military system reforms should be promoted."

"How are battle merits calculated? How to stimulate the heavenly troops' war resolve? How to ensure the system's fairness, justice, and transparency?"

"And also."

"When the conquest of cities and lands succeeds, how to station troops on the spot? How to assimilate the conquered peoples?"

"When they are divided and isolated, how to keep morale from collapsing, while still being able to move about, attempt counterattacks, create contradictions, and develop their own strength."

"Wait."

"In wartime, special circumstances. As commander of the heavenly troops, you should appropriately guide some personnel to possess certain administrative capabilities to cope with various problems."

"This seems to be overstepping." Taiyi listened for a moment, then spoke.

"I believe in you." Di Jun simply said.

"Good." Taiyi nodded, "Then I will do my best."

Di Jun nodded satisfactorily, "During this period, the ten Yao Marshals will be under your command, ensuring the steady progress of the relevant work."

With this order, the ten Yao Marshals rose and stepped out, paying respects to the East Emperor.

Taiyi also rose and returned the salute.

Di Jun glanced twice, then stopped caring, turned his gaze elsewhere; his smile remained, but an inexplicable hue flickered and vanished.

"Fellow Daoist Donghua."

"Your Majesty Emperor Jun." Donghua rose, his gaze calm as water.

"The matter I promised you before, fellow Daoist, you may now attend to it." Di Jun said gently, "Reform, to strengthen the clan!"

"Go tell the Demon Race's people what they are fighting for…… what they need to bring to the Heavenly Court, and what the Heavenly Court can bring them."

"Within the Demon Race, there may be many internal conflicts, various unfair distributions of interests." Di Jun said faintly, "However, often internal conflicts can be transformed into external ones, by seizing everything from the enemy through war, to achieve an alternative resolution."

"Since someone must inevitably make sacrifices to advance civilization's progress."

"Then, shedding the enemy's blood is always better than shedding one's own…… right?"

"After completing the bloody accumulation, achieving a magnificent transformation, enjoying extremely high social welfare, packaging history a bit, cloaking oneself in civilization's garb…… who would care about the corpses beneath the forged path?"

"Thanks to the Wu Clan friends across from us, for creating a reasonable pretext for plunder…… otherwise, the Demon Race might have played itself to death."

"Fellow Daoist Donghua, do you say it is so?"

At this moment, Donghua lowered his gaze, not meeting Di Jun's eyes.

His voice remained calm as before, "Yes, Your Majesty Emperor Jun."

(End of chapter)