Chapter 559: Last Chance…… No Hope Left, Just Wait to Die!

Regarding Nüwa's question, Fengxi had nothing to say.

There was nothing he could do.

After all, he couldn't just say it outright—

The one bullying me is a bastard client who doesn't handle HR, doesn't speak plainly, and tells me to somehow trap Nüwa, yet he still twists the righteousness of the Way of Humanity, leaving me in a moral dilemma between loyalty and righteousness.

Are you tired of living?

Therefore, Fengxi could only remain silent, and could do nothing else but stay silent.

After uttering a few vague remarks, he then actively guided Nüwa to change the subject.

"My lady, I see your brows dancing with joy and your spirit shining..." Fengxi flattered, "It seems this round of reincarnation financing negotiations went very smoothly, right?"

"Yes yes yes!" Nüwa nodded repeatedly, like a little sister showing off her achievements before her elders, proudly displaying the fruits of her effort with a "slap" as she threw down a thick stack of golden jade documents onto the table, "Look, look!"

"These are all the terms I've negotiated!"

Nüwa flipped the documents over for Fengxi to see while chattering nonstop, quite patient.

After all, Fengxi is her trusted aide.

What is a trusted aide?

Being able to participate in decision-making and clearly understand the causes and consequences of major affairs—that's what a trusted aide is!

If one is clueless about the lord's affairs, unable to help devise plans or execute orders, then they simply cannot be called a trusted minister.

Toward others, Nüwa can keep strict confidentiality, setting up need-to-know permissions for every major project.

If the permission isn't enough, one just waits slowly for public declassification.

For Fengxi, there's certainly no permission issue—since it concerns the big picture, she tells him everything, letting her top strategist, the head dog-headed strategist, help devise plans.

However, she never expected……

The facts prove that, at times, the difference between a loyal minister and a traitor is incredibly important!

Fengxi, while feeling guilty, pricked up his ears, remembering Nüwa's words, understanding what she had discussed with Nether River, Jieyin, and Numinous Treasure, thereby grasping her psychological state to facilitate his later plans.

"... The whole process was very easy." Nüwa's eyes shone bright and spirited—she felt that the great diplomat Nüwa's expedition had gone smoothly, worthy of joy, "Almost with the smallest cost I expected, I secured the best outcome… Of course, there were a few twists, Yuanshi Tianzun replaced the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable, but it's no big deal, irrelevant."

Fengxi nodded silently.

Normal.

Before Nüwa's negotiations, the Five Movements Dao Master had already carried out the most meticulous secret plotting, relying on Fengxi's clear understanding of Nüwa's bottom line—how could he not know what the smallest price she was considering was?

It had been arranged long ago.

Nüwa only felt fortunate, unaware—that behind many of her "successes" lay the low-key contributions and efforts of a large troupe of actors.

Fuxi arranged it, Fengxi plotted it, the Five Movements Dao Master made a cameo appearance, and they seized Nüwa to trap her to death!

That is, Nüwa was still unaware.

Otherwise, a single shout of "dog strategist" would surely burst out, loudly cursing someone whose household register is only one page, one person eating enough while the whole family stays unfed.

Not doing anything related to people—what else could it be but a dog?

Too bad.

Nüwa, oblivious now, does not realize how torturous her future fate will be, how tumultuous its ups and downs, her mindset struck and shattered repeatedly, her glass heart broken into pieces all over the ground.

She was still chattering happily about her heart's joy, the reincarnation financing work proceeding extremely smoothly, thus—

The Nether River Demon Ancestor is a good person.

Jieyin Ancient Buddha is a good person.

Yuanshi Tianzun is a good person.

Anyway, as long as they don't make things difficult for her Nüwa, don't profit from her peril, and don't exploit the chaos, they all get labeled "good people"—that's all that matters!

Nüwa, that's just how realistic and substantial she is.

"As for shares, they don't actually want that many." Nüwa ran her finger over the stack of books, "But decision-making power? They hardly get involved."

"The reincarnation underworld remains firmly under my command, no doubt!" Nüwa said proudly, "Unless one day they suspect serious fraud in the underworld's operations, with doubts over share dividend allocation, can they apply to call a shareholders' meeting, then, following procedure, temporarily freeze my permission for a period, and ask the human subconscious to act as the fairest auditor."

"First, let's not mention that my Nüwa's conduct is pure and I won't covet their little dividend returns—I can absolutely withstand a human audit… On the contrary, they themselves often see money and get greedy; if they truly request human intervention, they might instead end up being the ones audited into collapse."

"Furthermore, to reach the share proportion needed to execute procedures at a shareholders' meeting, even if the three of them could sit down and talk, pooling all their shares together they'd barely scrape by, still falling short by a bit."

"What's more, there's also my Nüwa's brilliant scheme to pacify the world; although her imperial tactics exam score back then was looked down upon by some scoundrel old brother, it was still passing, and with a bit of divide-and-rule, even if they don't start fighting, they could never unite."

"So… it's settled!"

Nüwa straight out called it settled.

——With a flying dragon riding one's face, how could one possibly lose?

Fengxi heard it, then looked at the documents Nüwa personally signed, and in his heart he also murmured "settled".

——Nüwa herself walked into the trap and even cut off her own retreat; how could she possibly escape the killing game of the "Five Movements Dao Master Pit-Nüwa Alliance"?

The so-called fair auditor—the Way of Humanity? Doesn't exist, having long ago colluded with the August Emperor in scheming; normally it's fine, but at critical moments it naturally leans to one side.

The shares of Yuanshi Tianzun, Jieyin, and Nether River together fall just short? Even adding Fengxi's application for internal employee shares makes up the difference.

Passing imperial tactics and divide-and-rule? The Five Movements Dao Master's family—long before her negotiations, they'd already settled everything, future seating and fruit-sharing arranged, with huge dividends to come!

In summary.

Fengxi stuck at the crucial position, completely cutting off Nüwa's path forward.

It's him! It's him! It's him!

The hero of the Way of Humanity, little……

"As you sow, so shall you reap; your retribution is me."

Fengxi had already prepared a eulogy for Nüwa in advance.

No hope left.

Just wait to die.

Just bury it.

"「Admirable! 」 Fengxi, acting against his conscience, gave a thumbs‑up, sang praises, strove to flatter, and, against his conscience, praised: "As the saying goes, Heaven does not betray those who work hard… Mother, you have devoted so much effort, forming alliances and making plans, you will surely reap the fruits of victory in the future, and completely hold your head high!""

"「I am right here, and I wish you, Mother, all the best in advance! 」"

"「Mm! 」 Nüwa was obviously smiling so much her face bloomed with flowers, she was overjoyed, yet her body remained humble, waving her hands repeatedly, saying: "However, affairs are unpredictable; who dares to claim absolute victory?""

"「As for me, I still need to keep pressing on, stay steady and not get carried away. 」"

"「Only by doing this can I be sure to obtain the result I desire. 」"

"「Fengxi, I need you to keep offering loyal advice in the future— the war is not yet won, this goddess still needs to strive! 」"

Nüwa remained clear‑headed, not letting the recent gains cloud her judgment.

Loyal advice is hard to hear but beneficial for action……Thus she asked Fengxi to be a frank official, a remonstrant official.

Too bad, how useful is that really?

All confidants have turned into undercover agents; is there anything more tragic happening in this era than what has befallen her?

It seems such a thing does not exist.

Nüwa wants to stay steady, not get carried away.

Fengxi is steadier than she is, and less prone to getting carried away.

Speak cautiously, act prudently.

Lewd development.

Bury Nüwa's future completely.

——Nüwa's brilliant plan to pacify the world cost her the cycle of rebirth and made her a sister!

……

"「This is the edict of the crown prince acting as regent. 」"

After Fengxi finished listening to Nüwa's self‑praise, it was his turn to say something.

During the days when Nüwa secretly went to negotiate at the Sea of Blood, Kunlun, and Mount Sumeru, Fengxi also did many things.

"「I have already spread the news that this 'girl,' the crown prince of the royal court who is about to act as regent, to all regions and units, widely disseminated, known to every household, and orders are fully communicated. 」 He said, 「Once you sit in this position for a while and have completely mastered every detail of the royal court, with the change of sovereign and ministers, having arranged sufficient personnel rotation, there will be no hidden dangers. 」"

"「That is the final legitimization. 」"

Fengxi's arrangements were very detailed and thorough.

First grasp real power, act as regent, smooth things out, and exercise control.

Then legitimize, becoming the sole supreme emperor of humanity.

"「During this interval, I will go to the south to inspect, taking away those officials of the Fire Master system whose personal interests are too entwined with mine—if they remained in the capital, they themselves would be ill at ease, and the new emperor would not be at ease either. 」"

"「After all, we need to make room for the newcomers… so come with me to develop the south. 」"

Fengxi said with a smile, 「By the way, like the Eastern Barbarians, give humanity a branch base, build a small regime, mixing the Feng clan and the Fire Master faction……At that point, who knows whether there will still be any official dealings with Nüwa? 」"

"「Hahaha…」 Nüwa laughed, then sighed, 「Because of me, you have made great sacrifices and even retired early……Although we are ruler and subject, I will not overlook your sacrifice. 」"

"「How about this… you write a list later, I will approve it, then you go to the treasury yourself to take resources, as my personal aid to your southern regime, as compensation for your sacrifice. 」"

"「Your lofty righteousness, Mother. 」"

Fengxi sincerely admired and wholeheartedly praised Nüwa.

If it weren't beyond my control……selling Fuxi would actually be worth considering.

However, selling Fuxi is out of the question, but helping Nüwa a little……is still possible.

Fengxi decided to give Nüwa another chance, hinting at something indirectly.

He rummaged over his person and finally produced a small jade box.

Opening the jade box revealed the object inside—it was a seal.

With materials supplied by First Mountain, craftsmanship provided by Fuxi, and backing from humanity, the final product emerged—

The Five Emperors Seal!

This seal, accompanying Fengxi's governance, has endured for years, stamped again and again, representing humanity's supreme will, refined by endless auspicious energy, already extraordinary, supremely divine, infinitely mysterious.

If used as a weapon, one imprint can easily deal with an ordinary Great Net.

Of course, no one would do that.

Fengxi gazed at the Five Emperors Seal, his eyes holding a touch of depth and emotion.

Recalling when Fuxi bestowed the seal upon him, attaching a question asking about the so‑called 'great righteousness'.

Now Fengxi has understood, and thus knows the hidden meaning within.

The Five Emperors Seal has a problem.

——This is Fengxi's conjecture.

But he dares to assert that his conjecture perhaps has a ninety percent chance of being correct!

As long as we smash it open, all answers will be revealed.

Even so, even if we do not smash it, Fengxi also has some expectation of what might be inside the Five Emperors Seal.

The so‑called great righteousness must take root, be implemented, represent everyone—or at least the majority's interests—allowing the myriad peoples to develop better.

We must talk about money!

So, what else could possibly be inside this Five Emperors Seal?

Fengxi closed his eyes and thought, all sorts of guesses came to mind——

Either it is an astronomical sum of wealth.

Or it is an executable plan capable of creating such wealth.

It sounds rather vulgar, yet it is also very real.

With wealth capable of winning over many hearts—at least hope—comes the foundation of great righteousness.

At that time, talking about dreams again made them more in line with reality, no longer distant.

Spiritual encouragement can uplift for a moment, but not for a lifetime.

……

Fengxi reached out and took the Five Emperors Seal from the jade box.

At this moment, he suddenly felt an impulse—to crush it in front of Nüwa, exposing the black curtain fabricated by Fuxi before his sister's eyes.

However, in the end he did not do that.

After all, he wanted to give Nüwa a chance to change her fate, but not this suicidal self-exposure— he couldn't let the blame fall on him.

Fengxi must be pure and innocent.

So he decided to hand over the authority to decide fate to Nüwa herself, letting her discover it on her own.

When she discovers it, she rushes angrily to Fengxi's front, her eyes full of killing intent staring at him, demanding that Fengxi give her an explanation……

Then, Fengxi could choose to respond by feigning ignorance——

What?

Really?

No way?!

Let me see!

Oh!

So that's how it is!

There's actually that much money?!

Heavens!

Your Ladyship, please believe me, this has nothing to do with me, I am innocent!

After all, I have no need to do such a thing, right?

If you need an answer, I recommend you go find someone, Your Ladyship.

Who?

Of course it's Fuxi!

Besides him, who else could it be?

It is the Five Emperors Seal he personally crafted, the biggest suspect!

……

Fengxi had even planned his lines.

It makes sense and is reasonable.

Pose as a pure white lotus; any problem must be Fuxi's doing— finding him is definitely right!

——In fact, that's also correct.

The Five Emperors Seal case— the pit dug against Nüwa— wasn't that arranged by Fuxi?

He, Fengxi, was merely a poor pawn unknowingly used.

August Emperor is bold and reckless, openly smuggling— perhaps to transfer this illicit wealth to some future human emperor— definitely not him, Fengxi!

Fengxi had worked out the script.

Let Nüwa have the chance to realize that a huge black hand lurks…… In an instant, the information black curtain is torn open, allowing us to turn the plan against them and successfully stand on a higher level than August Emperor.

From a rational standpoint, doing this is very wrong.

As Dijiang said, humanity's great undertaking to change heaven and earth must be done thoroughly— this is not just a dinner invitation.

It is the outbreak of the immense discontent of all beings against the age and the gods' unchecked conquests, to tear apart every interest group that clings to humanity sucking its blood, and to take charge ourselves.

Under this premise, any faction's leader is not a good cooperation target, fraught with great variables and hidden dangers.

Nüwa is kind-hearted and good-natured?

That also won't do!

But emotionally, Fengxi cannot be heartless, nor can he be heartless.

If he were truly heartless, even Nüwa, who treats him well, could stab him in the back cleanly…… Such a heartless person— who would believe that, when he someday achieves great victory in his career, he could truly benefit humanity and all beings?

The Heavenly Dao is heartless, hence the weak are prey to the strong, hence survival of the fittest; the strong look coldly at the world— what is the life or death of others to me?

Humanity has feeling, which is why it gave rise to Fengxi, sincerely hoping that every living being could enjoy the benefits of civilization and achieve the fullest expression of individuality, living without regret!

Some people lack heaven's mandate and contract heaven's illness.

Fengxi is not like that.

He has never forgotten his roots.

Even if the era plays a joke on him, turning a loyal minister into a traitor against his will— the clown is actually me!

But he still wants to do something.

Caught between emotion and reason, he can do little.

He can only give her one last chance, with minimal loss, trying to let Nüwa understand as much as possible, knowing that Fuxi is scheming against her behind the scenes and the outcome is imminent!

At this moment.

Fengxi's expression solemn, he treasured and solemnly grasped the Five Emperors Seal, then took Nüwa's small hand, and in her bewildered expression, firmly placed the seal in her hand.

「Hiss—」

Nüwa furrowed her brows slightly, sucking in a breath of cold air.

Fengxi's grip was so strong that Nüwa frowned with worry.

Fengxi didn't care, merely saying to himself.

「I still recall that back then, when I served as heir apparent and regent of the human race, August Emperor Majesty forged the Five Emperors Seal, taking it as the symbol of the human emperor, truly and accurately representing the righteousness of humanity, and entrusted it to me。」

"Nowadays, time flies, similar scenery reappears, and it's also time for me to pass on the torch, handing over the seal to the heir."

Fengxi stared deeply, deeply at Nüwa: "However, I'm not as mysterious and nagging as August Emperor Majesty, always going on about great righteousness."

"I sincerely hope you can live a more moistened life."

"So, don't worry about August Emperor Majesty's earlier set of excuses... things like changing orders from morning to evening, really slapping his face."

"Just follow your own heart's desire."

"If it's displeasing to the eye, just melt this seal and recast it as the 'Nüwa Emperor Seal'; it's not a big deal."

"Just be happy!"

Fengxi spoke earnestly from the heart; one could say he was baring his heart to offer advice.

Unfortunately.

The final result left him helpless, sighing in his heart.

Even if he was just one step away from the door, a thread away from piercing the window paper.

Nüwa still hadn't jumped out of the pit.

After Fengxi loosened his grip, completing the handover, Nüwa grinned, not even looking closely, took out a box, placed the Five Emperors' Seal inside, then casually slipped it into her sleeve, and that was it.

——It's actually done!

After it was done, Nüwa pursed her lips, "Forget it."

"Although I don't particularly like Fuxi in this era, he's still my brother after all!"

"As for my elder brother's belongings, I wouldn't easily abolish them, let alone destroy them... after all, they're just trivial trinkets."

Nüwa said as such.

"emmm……"

Fengxi wanted to speak but held back, held back but wanted to speak; in the end he shut himself off, only sighing in his heart.

"Madam, your pure cuteness……"

"With your mindset…… you're destined to never be able to surpass August Emperor Majesty forever!"

"A lifetime, destined to be a sister's fate, no escape!"

"I gave you such a big opportunity, and you're still useless!"

At this moment, Fengxi finally understood what is called——

Rotten mud can't support a wall!

PS: Five thousand words, just read it for fun.

(End of chapter)