Chapter 428

Very good.

Di Jun looked at Donghua, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, seeming quite satisfied.

As for the matter of reform, I will fully entrust it to Daoist Donghua.

The Demon Emperor's tone was leisurely: "Daoist friend, be bold and go ahead…… As long as it benefits the Demon Race's development, you need not worry about touching any so‑called vested‑interest camp."

Our Heavenly Court will forever be the staunchest support behind you, Daoist friend!

— Donghua boldly flies, the Heavenly Court forever follows!

In short, Emperor Jun more or less meant this.

As long as it benefits the Demon Race and does not betray the Heavenly Court, any obstacle on Emperor Donghua's path of reform can seek help and support, and be crushed!

Upon hearing this, Emperor Donghua gradually lifted his head, finally meeting the Demon Emperor's gaze.

Their gazes were now profoundly deep, profoundly deep.

In the instant their eyes crossed and collided, they seemed to speak tens of thousands of words to each other, voicing the dreams of their hearts' paths.

Yet it also seemed as if no communication had occurred between them, their aloof and icy gazes, as if separated by eternity, surveying the Dao enemies on Pangu's road.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the highest hall of the Heavenly Court completely changed compared to before.

In a haze, the attending demon gods and supreme masters of divine abilities saw the surging ages, the rushing time, the grandest momentum of change unfolding here, yet it sank into the obscurity, making it hard to pursue, impossible to see through the veiling mist.

Buzz!

Several gazes lit up, belonging to Taiyi, Báizé, and Kunpeng—these three supreme masters of divine ability who have dabbled in the Taiyi realm—they curiously delved in, faintly seeking some truth.

Among those present, only they few still had the qualification and strength for this.

Unfortunately, before they could successfully decipher and make out even a hint, Emperor Jun and Emperor Donghua tacitly averted their gazes, letting whatever might have surfaced sink back down, to be re‑covered by countless reefs and currents.

"Shaoyang," Emperor Donghua lowered his eyelids, "I will not disgrace the mission."

"Very good." Emperor Jun nodded, raised his hand to signal, and let the Grand Minister of Destiny return to his seat.

Then, turning his gaze to the holy Red Yun, he said, "Daoist Red Yun……"

"I have heard, Daoist friend, that over these years you…… have developed the Yun cultivation platform quite well?"

Emperor Jun's face was full of smiles.

But the one being questioned by him could not smile at all.

Red Yun's cheek muscles were tensed; with great restraint he could avoid showing an ugly expression, yet it was already enough for others to notice something.

"This day has finally arrived."

The ancient god Red Yun sighed softly in his heart.

Long ago, when the Wu and Demon races tacitly cleared the field, even a Heavenly Dao Saint had to seclude himself, and the remaining neutral masters had to determine their stance…… Whether forced or voluntary, his joining the Heavenly Court meant he knew such a day would eventually come.

If the main body of the Heavenly Court were weak, it would still be fine, but these allied guest officials could not hope to turn the tables and become the hosts.

But when Emperor Jun produced solid achievements, enough to sustain sufficient aggressiveness…… some things would inevitably happen.

Like a pig being fattened.

If not slaughtered for meat, must we instead offer tribute?

The Heavenly Court has its own heavenly favor!

Fortunately.

Red Yun is certainly not a fuel‑saving lamp.

Especially, he also participated in a certain grand scheme, so the nature of his joining the Heavenly Court is not simple; although there is an element of coercion, it is mostly going with the flow, pushing forward some layouts.

At this moment, the ancient god Red Yun displayed a helpless, subtle expression, upholding the quality of a professional actor, performing to the fullest, rising to answer respectfully with a hint of sorrow: "Your Majesty."

"My Yun cultivation platform, thanks to the favor of humanity's myriad beings, is trusted to store idle power resources in systems like the surplus treasure, and to serve as a temporary transfer point in various transaction processes, allowing me occasional leisure to engage in short‑term investments…… Thus, its development has been fairly proper."

He told the truth, with no concealment, and indeed could not conceal it.

"Is that so."

Emperor Jun gave a noncommittal nod, then shifted the topic: "Given the current situation of the Heavenly Court, I suppose Daoist Red Yun is also aware."

"Look."

"We face the challenge of the Wu Clan as opponents."

"And there is the need for reform to meet the demands of the changing times."

"These, they all burn money…… Red Yun, do you agree?"

"……" Red Yun really wanted to say, "This has nothing to do with me," but seeing the hall full of gathered divine masters, he finally couldn't bring himself to say it and do something suicidal.

He cooperatively nodded—"You're the leader; whatever you say is right, okay!"

"Your Majesty Emperor Jun, whose vision illuminates the Myriad Heavens through all ages, speaks nothing but truth."

Red Yun offered flattery with little sincerity.

Emperor Jun also didn't care whether Red Yun was sincere.

He only needed a pretext, just a beginning.

"Burning money……" Emperor Jun's gaze became distant, for a moment as if transcending time's bonds, he saw a past vast battlefield, the super boss—Pangu, sweeping through the ages, hacking the three thousand chaotic demons horizontally and vertically, slaying them almost to utter extinction.

Slaughtering demon gods and such is actually not a big deal.

What truly counts as a major event is the countless wealth carried by this Pangu‑Fuxi‑Ancient, expressed as merit, which is the value created over who knows how many years by humanity's myriad beings in the primeval world.

Then, this big boss was still pushed!

Another Pangu‑level big shot entered the stage, carrying out Heaven's will, toppled him, bursting out countless gold coins, happily scooped them up, thereby inaugurating the Wu‑Demon era.

In short, after converting the series of events, it amounts to——

The supreme Heavenly Court disintegrated, countless years of wealth were "plundered", nearly reverting to the state before Fuxi held sway…… Moreover, many "ambitious" powers took the opportunity to become independent, founding their own kingdoms and fiefdoms.

Even though many techniques remained and the populace did not dwindle much, their spirit was broken.

Barely managing, the eldest son of the Demon Race's Heavenly Court, with the aid of the Heavenly Dao, staggered back to its feet, attempting to restore its former glory.

But this is not easy.

Rising from the ruins, even with a strategy in hand, to imagine regaining one's peak bearing—how could that be easy!

Fortunately, nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets their mind to it.

As long as the mind dares to slip, every problem can find a solution.

For the troubles faced by the Monster Clan Heavenly Court, they are not truly unsolvable.

For example, "burning money"…… this money can solve most of the world's problems.

But the Heavenly Court lacks money, lacking sufficient fortune and merit to have a stimulating effect.

The two seem to oppose each other.

But...

Di Jun has sat on the Monster Emperor's throne for quite some time.

He sees many things clearly, his mind is sharp, and his thoughts on problems are thorough.

The Heavenly Court lacks money, but the Human Dao has great potential!

Like water in a sponge, squeeze hard and there will always be some.

Can't come up with cash now?

No problem.

We can borrow from the future!

For present consumption, take a lifetime loan…… uh, this may be a bit exaggerated; perhaps a thousand or eight hundred years would suffice.

By reversing cause and effect, the value the future could create will descend now, turning into rolling fortune and merit.

The reform now has confidence.

The wealth for training troops is also available.

Then defeat the Wu Clan, offer Nüwa's private treasury as a sacrifice to fill this shortfall……

Perfect!

This is an excellent method.

But it's a pity that...

Some orthodox sects have gotten there first!

Di Jun thought of the Buddhist sect, and secretly shook his head.

Ruining his plans!

They took the path he intended to walk, went ahead, and blocked it.

He had to blaze a new trail, clearing the way forward.

"Borrow from the Human Dao……"

"Bonds……"

Di Jun's gaze lingered, smiling as he instructed Holy Hong Yun, "On this matter, I have a sound plan; I need fellow cultivators' Cloud Cultivation Platform to give full support."

"The Heavenly Court needs a war bond, aimed at the vast masses of the Demon Race, to raise sufficient funds and provisions."

"This Cloud Cultivation Platform is quite good."

"Having operated for many years with good reputation, it is well suited to facilitate this."

"" Hong Yun wanted to speak but held back.

He thought of many things, his pupils tightening as a result.

Hong Yun forced a laugh, "Your Majesty Emperor Jun, may I ask…"

"Issuing these war bonds ourselves would be possible for the Heavenly Court; why must we rely on my Cloud Cultivation Platform?"

"Wouldn't that show me overstepping the rules and seriously interfering in the Heavenly Court's internal affairs?"

"Hahaha…… how could that be?" Di Jun beamed, "This is fellow cultivator Hong Yun's enthusiastic active support for my Heavenly Court; how could that be considered overstepping?"

"I am precisely trying to set an example—look, even the allied guest officials are so confident that the Heavenly Court will win ultimate victory; Demon Race youths, why then lack confidence?"

"This is a spiritual encouragement!"

Di Jun spoke in an orderly, reasonable manner, then added.

"Fellow cultivator Hong Yun, rest assured."

"My Heavenly Court is certainly not a wicked force that, after taking all the benefits, turns face and denies people."

"There is no such thing as using fellow cultivators as a raft; if the situation turns slightly unfavorable and bad debts might appear, we would not push all responsibility onto them, claiming temporary workers colluded with fellow cultivators, greed causing the present situation, when in fact no war bonds have ever been issued."

Listening, listening, Hong Yun's face turned green.

Hmm.

Di Jun explained very clearly and in detail.

But the more so, the more Hong Yun worries!

Who would believe these sovereigns' integrity?

They haven't died, have they?

Hong Yun wanted to speak but stopped, stopped then wanted to speak, back and forth.

But in the end he seemed to have thought of something, his mouth twitching slightly, fists clasped, as if accepting the order.

"If Emperor Jun has arranged it this way, then I will respectfully obey rather than merely show respect."

"To contribute my strength to the Heavenly Court's great cause…… I am more than willing."

"I only hope that in the end the Heavenly Court will adhere to its principle: reward merit, punish fault."

"That is natural." Di Jun declared, "The Heavenly Court's reputation outweighs a hundred million merits; this emperor's weight of credit exceeds ten thousandfold."

"Rewarding merit and punishing fault is the highest way; it must not be violated!"

Di Jun frantically stuffed calming pills, also wanting to unleash Hong Yun's effect.

As for the future, what kind of development will there be exactly?

Perhaps only Di Jun himself knows.

After settling Hong Yun, there remain Kunpeng, Zhenyuanzi, and so on.

Under Di Jun's arrangement, they each have their own uses.

Like Zhenyuanzi.

This 'Ancestor of Earth Immortals', a big shot in the blessed land, the organizer and operator of some micro- and small-scale producers, has deep roots in the human realm.

All-out war entails an all-around confrontation.

It's not just that there is a frontline battlefield.

Rear-area production also needs to keep up.

Di Jun's demand of Zhenyuanzi is to properly guide the rhythm, letting countless earth immortals unconsciously shift the focus of production and sales to the military side, including but not limited to war-use talismans, magical implements, and elixirs……

Furthermore, the market must be regulated, products must have their standards raised, and standard specifications established, and so on.

On the other side.

As for Kunpeng, Di Jun also has orders.

This great being is not about drum-beating games; is the drum-beating very joyful?

Di Jun then arranged for him to secretly demonize the Wu Clan's side in the game, making it as bloody, violent, and cruel as possible, subtly brainwashing the Demon Race's populace, so that they naturally resent and despise the enemy.

Kunpeng looked somewhat embarrassed, feeling he might not be able to do it well—he is a kind and upright good deity, perhaps not able to do such dirty, menial work.

However, when Di Jun thus proposed—if it really won't work, then change person.

Kunpeng immediately agreed again.

Patting his chest, he indicated that he would certainly strive hard, do it well, and strive to give the Demon Race a perfect answer sheet.

Di Jun then nodded in satisfaction.

……

The Demon Emperor's busy arrangements make full use of things.

Even a sheet of toilet paper must be able to play its role, centering on unity under Di Jun's will, laying out positions, contending with the Wu Clan for hegemony over the age of heaven and earth.

Consolidating the Demon Race's foundation, developing the Heavenly Court's strength, a series of orders are issued; if they can all be satisfactorily completed, the Heavenly Court's combat power could double, even triple or more, which is not impossible!

"I just don't know whether the Wu Clan will give us this chance to achieve all these goals." Báizé Yao Marshal sighed, "At this moment, there are five Supreme Simplicity Great Luo existences in my Heavenly Court."

"But the Wu Clan is not simple either; they also have five Supreme Simplicity manipulating the chessboard…… the Dual Lords of Time and Space, the Two Ancestors of Dragon and Phoenix, plus Emperor Wa as commander—none are easy opponents, we cannot be careless."

"No problem." Di Jun smiled, "In the short term, the Wu Clan won't be too rash…… they are waiting for the right opportunity."

"I know they are waiting; they actually also know that I know they are waiting."

"With the situation like this, when the game really begins, it comes down to vision and mind."

"However, considering just in case…… I plan to release a somewhat easing signal, to see if they accept."

Di Jun's gaze shifted, looking toward Xihe and Changxi seated not far away, "My great wedding is imminent; I wish to invite Emperor Wa as the officiant."

"After releasing this signal, let's see how the Wu Clan responds."

"This…… is also possible." Báizé pondered, nodding slowly.

"Just doing this, however, slightly makes use of the two ladies." Di Jun sighed, apologizing to the two Lunar goddesses.

"Husband and wife are one, Your Majesty, why go to such trouble?" Xihe replied gently and dignifiedly.

(End of chapter)