Chapter 557: Straddling Three Boats, Who Else Could There Be But Me?

Emperor Jiang's words left Fengxi feeling as if he'd been bathed in heavenly nectar.

Yeah!

Plans can't keep up with changes!

His grasp of figures such as Dao Ancestor and Dragon Ancestor is questionable in detail; how could he know whether they conceal any other trump cards, which is the most vicious Killer's Trick?

By then, the Slay-Immortal Sword Formation is activated, yet someone uses a trump card to exempt themselves, coming away unharmed… that would be awkward.

After painstaking scheming, he even dragged his own superiors into the pit, all for a single tiger-like maneuver, yet the result was a dismal zero wins, five losses…

That would truly land him on the Witch Demon Era's Top Ten Comedy List, alongside Nüwa Guide, Saliva Lord, and Azure Dragon's Ingenious Plan to Pacify the World, jointly nominated for the era's Most Hilarious Great Ultimate Grand Luo Award, becoming a blemish on divine life—an indelible black mark in history.

"Huh… a black history doesn't seem like such a big deal?" Fengxi thought offhandedly, "If we big shots all have a black history, average it out, round off a bit, then harmonize a little, nobody would have a black history…"

"If worse comes to worst, we'll join forces and shark all the Grand Luo!"

"See who else could laugh at us!"

Fengxi was mulling over something nasty.

But he eventually abandoned this shameless idea.

After all, Fengxi cannot afford to lose.

Others merely have a black history; he, however, would plummet on that foundation into endless depths, meeting a miserable end!

He can only win, must win, has no choice.

When Fengxi truly grasped this principle, he then listened with unprecedented seriousness to Emperor Jiang Ancestor Witch's counsel on schemes and began drafting strategies.

Targeting Dao Ancestor and the Dragon Clan, how to sow discord, how to frame and blame, how to divide and weaken… this is a field of study.

There are yin plots, which are uncanny and unpreventable; there are yang plots, which are unstoppable by the prevailing trend.

Emperor Jiang explained it clearly, allowing Fengxi to inherit the true teachings.

The basis of yin plots is information disparity; the basis of yang plots is strength disparity.

They have no inherent superiority; only suitability differs… if effective, it's a good scheme.

It's not that yang plots are necessarily nobler than yin plots—if you're insignificant and soft-spoken, what good is keen insight?

Even after painstakingly building a career, there is a situation called—seizing the fruits of victory.

My mind may not match yours, but my strength exceeds yours; once you've finished scheming, can't I just swoop in and take it?

Strength and influence are the reliance of yang plots; they cannot have a huge disparity, or else one lacks the qualification to sit at the board, and the stronger the better—otherwise one merely does others' work for free.

However, when strength reaches a certain point—like Pangu, who merely swings his axe in a circle, naturally his word is law; even yang plots become unnecessary.

One swing of the axe—if it doesn't solve the problem, it solves the person who created the problem!

Yin plots, however, require an informational edge—knowing oneself and the enemy, striking when they are unprepared.

For Fengxi as he stands now, this remains quite important and suitable… because the enemy is clear while we are hidden.

This innate advantage adds a few points to yin scheming; against anyone, it can produce an unexpected effect at the outset.

Of course, this applies only to the first wave of offense.

After the first wave passes, any remaining players who react will put him on a key watchlist, wishing to stick a magnifying glass to his face to scrutinize him closely.

Then, at that moment, yang plots come into play, converting the gains from prior yin strikes into strength and influence, making one impossible to dismiss, expanding one's voice, thereby aligning horizontally and vertically, broadly building power!

During this process, yin plots have not exited the stage; they still have active room.

Supporting those friendly to oneself, persecuting those with dissent—at this point, the boundaries between yin and yang plots blur, they mutually transform according to the situation.

Just as in warfare, one emphasizes the union of the extraordinary and the orthodox.

Yin plots emphasize form; yang plots emphasize momentum.

When form and momentum unite, one can maneuver the board and secure victory for eternity!

……

"Thus thus, so so……"

Emperor Jiang secretly imparted a grand scheme to entrap others, gave Fengxi private tutoring, and worked hard to catch him up.

"Do you understand?"

After a while, this Space Ancestor Witch finally stopped, reluctant to leave, and asked Fengxi how much he had comprehended.

"I already know!"

Fengxi's mood was half joy, half complexity.

Joy, because with Emperor Jiang Ancestor Witch as a guiding lamp, he truly saw hope of victory.

Complexity……

Rather, it is because, by looking through appearances to the root, all of Emperor Jiang's schemes are not aimless; long ago, in past ages, he had already made ample preparations and arrangements, placing Fengxi's superior—Nüwa—exactly as intended!

"Is this also in your calculations? August Emperor Majesty!"

Fengxi let out a long sigh from deep within, meanwhile shaking his sleeves.

Within his sleeve lay a vast expanse of heaven and earth that had been opened up.

Within this heaven and earth, there is a great cocoon, formed from boundless Dao resonance condensed, evolving the Dao to its utmost peak, existing between being and non-being.

Through the cocoon's shell, one can see a living being within undergoing metamorphosis and elevation, constantly surpassing the limits of its own life, climbing ever higher toward new peaks!

This was once Fengxi's natal spirit, a very ordinary Teng Snake, a growth-type treasure many young witches carry from birth.

Yet this Teng Snake, though ordinary, is not ordinary.

It has received a great opportunity, thus embarking on a unique path; its transformation and elevation have made Fengxi barely recognize it.

Five-colored wings, five-clawed draconic form, golden scales… its appearance is unparalleled in splendor, embodying the utmost divine beauty.

Thus, Fengxi once bestowed upon it the name 'Yinglong'!

Although it still resides within the cocoon now, its future bearing is already clearly visible to Fengxi, beyond compare.

Absolute dominance and tyranny!

It shares an origin with the dragon clan, thus possessing the dragon clan's talent—able to grow large or shrink, able to rise or conceal; when large, it summons clouds and mist; when small, it hides its form; when rising, it soars through the universe; when hiding, it lurks within the waves.

Moreover, it is even stronger!

Extend its body, and it can fill the entire universe; once it contracts its form, it can enter the realm of no gap.

Even in its normal state, it can be called a colossal being……If we take the heavenly star sea as a reference, then its dragon head rests upon the Star and Zhang constellations, its dragon tail hangs upon the Liu and Jing constellations, and its body leans against the Three Platforms of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.

When it soars to heaven, all kinds of vapors and countless stars will follow it; simultaneously, thunderclaps resound between heaven and earth, shaking the four extremes of the universe, filling the nine realms; the four seas surge into the sky, offering sea charts, honoring its command.

If it brings rain, nurturing myriad creatures across the four lands, then vitality flourishes, creation is perfected, able to nurture all things within heaven and earth; even the kinds of qilin and phoenix can also be spontaneously created.

Its wings also possess divine wonder, containing the vigor of Qian, capable of covering the azure heavens; depicting its form in a picture naturally has divine effect, able to suppress strange and anomalous spirits of heaven and earth, making the world peaceful and unified.

All these gathered together constitute the divine might of the Yinglong!

At present, it is not a match for the ancestral witches, but against ordinary great witches?

Absolutely not a problem.

Wait until it later develops fully, slaying peak great witches like the great You, discussing the Dao with the ancestral witches, will be nothing but trivial!

And for such a Yinglong to be accomplished, who must be thanked?

We must thank the Azure!

And……August Emperor Fuxi!

It is precisely because half of the Azure's body and half of its origin fell, and the little Teng snake, seeking wealth in danger, with the mindset of a gambling dog that would starve from timidity or burst from boldness, forcibly swallowed it, then turned and clung to Fengxi's thigh, begging for help to digest, thus managed to transcend its ordinary origins, leapt upward, and gained a brand-new glorious future.

Therefore, we must thank the Dragon Ancestor.

But why would the Dragon Ancestor have a fall?

Then we must ask Fuxi!

Who let the Eastern August Emperor, in his final battle of his divine life, exert all his strength and just focus on chopping that dragon, the Dragon Ancestor?

He killed to madness, fought to frenzy, battled bloodied and risked his life, finally blasting the Azure Dragon to pieces, dropping a weighty thing, thus accomplishing the Yinglong.

Now, Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu came over smiling, pointed out the crux, and helped Fengxi connect all the clues into a whole.

Then Fengxi suddenly realized.

Looking down from a height, surveying the whole situation, only shock remained in his heart.

Is this the pinnacle figure of the Yi Dao?

Plotting schemes, setting traps to harm people, without a sound or color, he clearly arranged many top-tier experts, link by link, sending them down a road of no return!

Placing pieces at the edges, victory is decided in the center.

Everything is within calculation!

Having seen Fuxi's layout, old and skilled, then looking at his own layout, immature and inexperienced, Fengxi instantly felt ashamed—losing face for the profession of conspirator!

Even to demand a Zhu Xian sword formation, he still had to rely on honest barter trade, advancing future earnings.

If Emperor August Emperor were in charge, there'd be even less to do; perhaps the deal would be called off entirely, and no money would change hands, right?

For example, spreading the rumor that the Three Pure Ones pose a threat, coaxing the witches and demons to join forces, then marching straight onto Kunlun Mountain to wipe out the entire Daoist sect...

Then the three supreme treasures—the Taiji Diagram, the Pangu Banner, and the Zhu Xian Sword Formation—are brought out, and the senior leaders of the witch and demon camps sit in rows, dividing the spoils.

You'll take the Taiji Diagram, I'll take the Pangu Banner—what about the Zhu Xian Sword Formation?

We'll just say that, for the sake of balance, this ultimate weapon shouldn't be used; the gods will jointly impose a ban, sealing it away on Mount Buzhou, using human power as a safeguard, and we won't need to worry about it until the great calamity is over.

Once the fuss dies down, I'll simply shift things from one hand to the other... the contents of humanity's safe will belong to me, won't they?

Having received Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu's guidance, Fengxi opened the door to a new world.

He realized that, in those previous matters, there actually existed a more beneficial and costless way of handling them.

It was just a bit sinister.

Thinking of this, Fengxi covertly clicked his tongue, and a slight life confusion arose.

——Just now, at the gathering of the Five Fortunes Dao Masters, the price he offered outside, the war bonds he issued, the various post-war profit distributions he promised—could it be……too high? The benefits given are too much?

Regarding this.

Jieyin Gufo smiled and said——

That's right, that's right!

I initially even suspected that the August Emperor had changed his nature!

Fengxi didn't know that he had already exposed his flaw, being seen through by two ancient god sages who had made a name for themselves since the dragon and phoenix era through hard struggle; they perceived the flaw—only because, compared to Fuxi, he was too generous.

When people grow old, they become spirits.

When gods grow old, they are also not easy to deceive.

Well-informed and knowledgeable, their eyelashes are all empty; when there is something slightly different from the ordinary, they then pull the silk to unravel the cocoon, seeking roots and probing depths, making bold assumptions, carefully reasoning—deceiving them temporarily is easy, but deceiving them for a lifetime? Don't even think about it.

Fortunately, those ancient gods who can make a name for themselves have hearts where one is brighter than the other; they are all great wisemen, knowing to act foolish and blind at the appropriate time and place, making a fortune in silence.

Being able to keep secrets, no big-mouthed person will go around blabbing, ruining Fengxi's major affair.

This, too, is something Fengxi ought to be grateful for.

But now, he cannot feel grateful.

On the contrary, he is quite troubled.

The road, is available.

Still quite a flat and straight shortcut.

August Emperor Fuxi tailored a plan for Fengxi, arranging everything clearly.

When Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu has made everything clear, the choices left for Fengxi are few……he is only one step away from stepping onto the Starlight Avenue, stepping on the bodies of many unfortunate souls, walking toward a radiant tomorrow.

One general's success, ten thousand bones withered!

But if among the withered are Nüwa, this clearly arranged superior of Fengxi……

When the matter came to a head, Fengxi finally felt reluctant.

He still had a bit of conscience.

Hesitating, sighing, finally Fengxi let out a long breath, his eyes showing visible struggle.

"Whatever the plan, it's fine."

"But... are we being too disrespectful to Lady Nüwa by doing this?"

"It's basically setting her up to die, making the Mother Goddess a target of the Dao Ancestor's deliberate, no‑cost‑spared persecution."

"If her Pangu grand strategy goes wrong because of this, I would die a thousand times and still not be able to atone!"

Fengxi's face was extremely solemn.

The Reincarnation‑Pit‑Nüwa Alliance looks perilous, but it's still under control.

There is risk, but the risk is not total; at any time Nüwa could reclaim authority over reincarnation.

And now, using Houtu establishing reincarnation as a spark to provoke the Dragon Ancestor and Dao Ancestor into a bitter clash… this plan is utterly insane!

The huge risk came crashing down like a gust upon Nüwa's head.

"Look at what you're saying." Dijiang smirked, unconvinced, relaxed: "Ease your mind, don't put too much pressure on yourself, don't take yourself too seriously… it's as if, if you didn't report to Hongjun, he'd get an eye ailment and completely ignore the matter of Houtu establishing reincarnation."

Fengxi instantly lost his voice, stammering speechless.

That's true.

He has achieved something.

But in the grand scheme, what does he amount to?

Taking on the Dragon Ancestor alone is doable, but facing Nüwa or the Dao Ancestor is enough to make him bluster; one slip and he's done for.

It's also not good to take himself too seriously.

"Reincarnation and the netherworld—such a huge project, laid out as a chip… how blind would one have to be for Hongjun not to notice?"

Dijiang told Fengxi not to bear psychological burden, to bravely sell out the big boss.

"Don't overestimate your worth… when it comes to targeting Nüwa, those who target her will always do so. Your role here is merely to help make a difference of a moment in the morning or evening."

Without Fengxi's covert "reporting," would Hongjun not target Nüwa on reincarnation?

You must be dreaming!

In this matter, Fengxi plays at most the role of a catalyst, not the main reactant.

"If that's the case, just sell it—what are you afraid of Nüwa for?"

Dijiang's words grew more outrageous, making Fengxi constantly wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

It's too horrifying!

"What virtue or ability does Lady Nüwa have? To be targeted like this to death?"

Fengxi wiped his sweat while silently protesting for Nüwa in his heart.

That's going too far!

Suddenly.

Fengxi gained a clear understanding, and a hint of sympathy, regarding Lady Nüwa raising a rebel banner on Mount Phoenix.

It's understandable.

It can be understood.

Put yourself in his shoes… he too would rebel.

Look… look!

Are the things he says and the schemes he proposes things a person could actually do?

People can't, or at least shouldn't.

Fengxi muttered to himself.

Dijiang, however, seemed completely indifferent.

"Scheming against Nüwa… can that even be called an affair?"

"Rather than let the situation develop while we know nothing, it's better to take the initiative and seize the advantage."

Dijiang instructed Fengxi, "Even if it means paying some price."

"We need to admit that preemptively reporting Houtu establishing reincarnation does, to some extent, undermine our side's strategy."

"But if it brings clarity and guidance on Hongjun's state, and succeeds in strategic deception elsewhere—fooling heaven and crossing the sea, sowing discord—then it's worthwhile, profitable overall."

"This is what we call 'sacrificial pawn vying for the lead'!"

"Of course, Nüwa might not approve of this..."

Dijiang said this, smiling.

Fengxi was speechless.

He actually wanted to say—

"Your Majesty, you can be more confident—just drop the word 'possible'."

"Sacrificial pawn—whose child is being sacrificed?"

"Nüwa!"

"Vying for the lead—whose side's lead are we vying for?"

"The Human Dao!"

"Nüwa taking a blade for the Human Dao, or being stabbed in the ribs by her own 'loyal and steadfast' minister—well, this is practically the extreme of 'shrimp and pig's heart,' enough to make Nüwa remember it for a lifetime, unforgettable whether she lives or dies."

"By the way, mark certain people in the little notebook—this matter isn't over!"

"Although harming oneself benefits the human race and aids the Human Dao, Nüwa will inevitably grumble for a while…" Dijiang added, "So, from the big picture, you'd better weigh things—keep it secret if you can."

"Hmm… wait, that doesn't seem right?"

Dijiang suddenly fell silent, his eyes flickering with insight, as if deep in thought.

As he pondered deeply, Fengxi felt a chill all over his body.

The big shot personally pulling a scam — how terrifying!

"The finest deception isn't mixing truth and falsehood, nor keeping everything secret the whole way, but rather not telling the whole truth." Dijiang smacked his lips, "Some things, in the end, must be brought out into the open."

Just like someone who possesses unparalleled cultivation yet still needs a plausible excuse to carry out money‑laundering operations — without this operation, and then suddenly producing unreasonable chips, they'd attract the attention of many interested parties, impossible to guard against.

Having the truth figured out isn't scary.

What's scary is being falsely accused and slapped with a groundless charge.

Some people are veterans at framing others.

Dijiang didn't know what he had thought of, he sighed with emotion.

Fengxi, as if having grasped something, understood some subtle points.

"Well… beings like me who cultivate through money‑laundering aren't the only ones, are they?"

Indeed, in the Great Luo Dao, reversing cause and effect for convenience is right there — who wouldn't want to avoid trouble?

But no one can go as insane as I do — even the accomplishments of Taiji are laundered, and it's looking like it'll soon be legal, properly registered in the Human Dao… yet still sneaking around to do little moves, one still has that thief's heart and gall.

In the Honghuang era, talented individuals constantly appear.

Among those who can prove the Great Luo Dao, how many are simple?

Each one, their minds are nimble!

They always manage to stir up some mischief.

Perhaps this is also, to some extent, why the Human Dao frenetically pushes Fengxi forward.

So many 'invisible wealthy' exist — who knows how much wealth has vanished into thin air, forcing the Human Dao to sharpen its knives, preparing to audit and draw up lists!

To prevent a false accusation one day, it's good to launder some things; most importantly, you must clear your name before Nüwa — she's the big boss, your direct superior, and she will inevitably notice your every move, instinctively judging whether it's reasonable.

Dijiang smiled and said, "You shouldn't hide it from her; you should proactively inform her — of course, you should simplify appropriately, just state your origins."

Just say it's your wholehearted devotion, to vent anger for her, secretly throwing stones into the Azure Fall Well, bold as heaven, planning to usurp the Dragon Ancestor's absolute control over the Dragon Totem.

This can be had!

Dijiang clapped his hands, "Dragon Totem, how can there be only one spiritual leader? We need more!"

Setting up three, four, five dragon gods — what's the big deal?

What Nüwa can understand gives you enough operating space.

As a dragon god, mingling among the dragon clan, even cooperating to some extent with the Dao Ancestor to seek titles and ennoblement — isn't that quite normal?

That's not betrayal, but actively going to be a spy, to go undercover!

Dijiang said with a chuckle, "Without reason, standing too close to Hongjun will draw Nüwa's serious scrutiny."

But after clearing your name, bearing a mission, that is — under orders to go undercover, I am a good dragon!

Clearing your name before Hongjun is to act as an emissary of the Dragon Ancestor.

Clearing your name before the Dragon Ancestor is Hongjun and Nüwa harboring ill intentions to split his authority.

Finally, clearing your name before Nüwa is to launder money reasonably, walking openly between heaven and earth, doing for you what you cannot do yourself.

I suppose… having come this far, you should know how to operate, right?

Fengxi nodded, his face devoid of color.

He understood.

Precisely because he understood, he also clearly knew how great the risk was.

By comparison, Fengxi's previous participation in the Five Yun Dao Lords' clandestine gathering was nothing more than a novice village, a small stage for him to hone his skills.

The real show has only just been served!

This time, we must wander among the top‑tier power giants, managing time and information, forever on the road to creating the most wonderful misunderstandings.

Let Hongjun think that Yinglong is the Dragon Ancestor's biggest white glove, authorized by the Dragon Ancestor to fully represent him, secretly reporting to him the specifics of Houtu establishing reincarnation; essentially, the Dragon Ancestor is hiding ill intent, not wanting to see Nüwa smoothly accomplish Pangu.

Let the Dragon Ancestor misunderstand that Yinglong is a creature cooked up by Nüwa and Hongjun, both hiding ill intent, teaming up to stir trouble — blatantly targeting him — Hongjun bestowing titles, Nüwa pouring resources… this is a dragon playing in shallow waters, fish and shrimp frolicking, so frustrating!

Let Nüwa be pleased — Fengxi is proving how capable he is, how bold yet meticulous, snatching food from the dragon's mouth, being very attentive to handling the Dragon Totem matter, risking greatly to intercept the Dragon Ancestor's origin and create Dao enemies, not to mention going all‑horizontal and vertical, lobbying Hongjun, reaching consensus on the matter concerning the Dragon Ancestor and Pangu.

Such a capable minister — why not quickly pour funds down to help him do better, go further?

Look.

How perfect.

Perfect to the point that once the leaders of these three factions sit down, communicate well, exchange information…… the first thing they'll do, without saying anything else, is definitely to go straight to Fengxi's door and join forces to beat him to death.

However.

A triangular relationship is often the most stable.

Once an imbalance arises, if two of the sides can sit down to talk, then stir up yin wind, light ghost fire, lever the third party, get everyone fighting — and that's it!

When the situation falls into chaos, that's when Fengxi rises to action!

"Straddling three boats — who else but me?!"

PS: Six thousand two hundred characters delivered.

(End of chapter)