Chapter 563

The Daoist and Buddhist sects...

The Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, Zhunti...

I know these people!

Yinglong's eyes flashed with a strange light that vanished instantly.

Listening to Hongjun's arrangements, Yinglong immediately felt—

All set!

Isn't this clearly arranged?

"Old ginger is spicier," Yinglong sighed, "the establishment of the Five Fortunes Dao Lords Alliance, its members... ultimately owe it to August Emperor Majesty's superior strategy."

"For how many years, waiting there, naturally promoting development, awaiting the harvest of one day—or even a double kill!"

Kill Nüwa once, and her face is covered in blood.

A second strike against Hongjun, and the willing take the bait.

At this moment, Yinglong clearly understood—those who play with heavenly secrets, once they become ruthless, how dirty their hearts can be!

"No no no... how can this be called dirty?"

Yinglong warned himself not to slander, to be careful lest the big shot take offense and note it down in a little book, which would be unbearable.

"One should say he is resourceful and strategic, planning victories for eternity!"

It carefully flattered in its heart, loudly singing praises.

In an instant, the faint shadow and heavy feeling in its heart faded... not knowing if it was an illusion.

However, Yinglong would rather believe it exists than not; better safe than sorry.

Flattery never hurts.

Yinglong gathered his thoughts, steady and solemn, keeping to his duty, listening to Hongjun briefly describe his means of interfering with and destroying the reincarnation system established by Nüwa.

As he listened, Yinglong also grasped the subtlety—it is essentially the same as destroying a clan and exterminating a nation, achieving the same end by different means.

The change in reincarnation, what the Human Way hopes for, is the prevailing trend, like a great nation.

A frontal assault is not easy... one might even lose two teeth.

One must start from consciousness, disturb its mind, split its intent, and plot gradually.

For example, loudly singing praises of the Human Way, brainwashing and deceiving—it's best if those deceived are lame, making the leaders unclear, truly feeling they must become a benevolent saint, giving without seeking return, preferring to cry themselves while making the Demon Race laugh.

If the deception doesn't lame them, then as a fallback, start advocating the so-called freedom, various grand causes, in the name of justice demanding technology be made public, then turning around and denying people, imposing tech blockades; or else the so-called environmental standards, with all sides encircling and restricting.

Once such evolution and development mature, with continuous ideological output penetrating the core... it will be mountains and rivers changing color, a great split!

A vast power, fragmenting and collapsing from within and without!

The strongest fortifications are often breached from within.

"The third step, and also the final step." Hongjun held his teacup, gently blew a breath, "Destroy the Netherworld!"

"Oh?" Yinglong was moved, his voice filled with great astonishment.

"Isn't the Buddhist Dao already invited to take charge there..."

"Ha!" Hongjun waved his hand, cutting off its words, "Not safe, not reliable."

"If Nüwa had great resolve, spent lavishly to buy off the Buddhist Dao... what then?"

"As for Nüwa, in other aspects I consider myself far superior... only in this 'generosity' am I lacking."

Hongjun sighed, "No way... I cultivated the Dao of Pangu, resources I must scrape together, every bit saved."

"And Nüwa?"

"This is one raised in wealth, with a powerful backer... the mindset is different!"

"When needed, she can absolutely go all in, have the courage to bet, decisive enough to shock people."

"Such confidence is cultivated... because she always has a chance to turn things around!"

"As for me... I can't."

The Dao Ancestor self-mocked.

Compared to Nüwa, the great tycoon, he is just a poor man.

If we compare entrepreneurship to Pangu... is it easier for the rich to succeed in starting a venture, or for the poor?

It goes without saying.

One loss for Hongjun injures tendons and bones; it can be said he would remain incapacitated for several ages.

One loss for Nüwa is merely a dirty face for a while, possibly not even counting as a setback!

How does that compare?

Hongjun needs to be cautious, extra cautious.

Thus sometimes one cannot gamble too much... in this regard he falls short of Nüwa.

"So if possible, it's better to destroy the things the Netherworld reshaped by Houtu." Hongjun said.

"If the Netherworld is destroyed, wouldn't that align with August Emperor's concept?" Yinglong pondered, "I never expected, Hongjun, you thick-browed big-eyed one, actually keep the same pace as Fuxi in this regard."

"Indeed." Hongjun chuckled, "Other aspects I can't say, but on the matter of reincarnation I still support Fuxi."

Besides opposing Nüwa, having a relation to the Pangu conflict, there is also his own reasoning.

The Way of Heaven reduces excess and makes up deficiency.

The change in reincarnation, the emergence of the Netherworld, will make the strong ever stronger, unfavorable to the great natural cycle of heaven and earth, the grand coordination of all rules.

This contradicts my Dao, so naturally regarding the Netherworld, if it can be destroyed, destroy it, returning to August Emperor's model.

Hongjun said indifferently, "Dead is dead, life is but a fleeting dream."

"The true spirit starting anew, everything follows fate, with infinite variables."

"Possibly born with extraordinary aptitude, unmatched clan, yet poor comprehension, lacking wisdom."

It is also possible to be born humble, yet possess astonishing talent that surpasses all under heaven.

Before life begins, nothing is predetermined; it is absolutely random, yet it leaves behind a relative fairness.

The August Emperor's handling of reincarnation is flawless!

Hongjun commented.

"Yet the August Emperor's divine court collapsed because of it." Yinglong laughed, "Nüwa likewise became proficient because of it, deciding to follow the people's hearts, striving for sufficient popular support, gaining the blessing of the Human Dao."

When the Human Dao lacked a backbone, the August Emperor was made to look embarrassed. Now that we have Nüwa, won't she just run roughshod?

Destroying the netherworld, which aligns with people's hearts, even if you embody the Heavenly Dao, you must pay a horrific price… You, are you not contending for Pangu?

Yinglong asked.

"A horrific price? Hah!" Hongjun chuckled, "How could that be?"

There is a price, but I need not pay it… the Human Dao itself will foot the bill, or even Nüwa will.

Hongjun said lightly.

"Altering reincarnation, opening the netherworld, thinking this would achieve a great leap forward without paying a price?" The Dao Ancestor sneered, "How could that be!"

In the short term, the gains are huge, stirring people's hearts, spurring progress… but after a long time, whatever has been taken in must be spit out.

The hidden dangers are endless; they are prices the Human Dao must repay.

The netherworld is gospel for the strong, nightmare for the weak.

It looks like hope and a glimmer of light have been released… after countless reincarnations, there will surely be a day when one rises above, right?

Hongjun chuckled, then his expression turned cold and indifferent, "What a pity."

The vast majority of people cannot wait for this hope.

Visible but untouchable, like flowers in a mirror and the moon in water.

Perhaps someone thinks—if so, not having great expectations would mean no disappointment?

That is too naïve…

Without mentioning reincarnation rebirth, would grudges from past lives carry over into this life, causing the accumulation of era karma to rise exponentially, greatly increasing my workload?

Even just the impact on the era's pattern is enough to bring terrible consequences.

With reincarnation reform and the birth of the netherworld, who are the figures that can intervene in this?

Either they are those with connections, or they have monetary power… they reach in, secretly scooping up talented individuals, making them their own disciples, or letting disciples with inadequate aptitude occupy the life-form destinies born at those special times…

Excellent seeds easily achieve success and become strong.

Over time, the strong within sects increase, their wings grow full, naturally spreading tendrils across heaven and earth, monopolizing resources, controlling all cultivation lifelines.

As they wish, freely setting prices.

Is this still acceptable?

Hongjun snorted, "In the future, some beings may fortunately reincarnate with superior aptitude, yet lack connections; cultivation resources are visible but unaffordable, spending a lifetime struggling, feeling a cold, icy world—unknown whether it is disheartened despair or resentful fury."

The Dao Ancestor sneered.

Ah… this matter…" Yinglong pondered, "It seems also inevitable, doesn't it?"

Daoist and Buddhist sects educate, the Heavenly Court gathers talent; many factions are already expanding, and sooner or later they will completely monopolize the foundation of the Human Dao.

No." Hongjun shook his head, "The emergence of the netherworld will accelerate this process by thousands, even tens of thousands of times!"

Under normal circumstances, this process might require the accumulation of several eras… a few eras of adaptation would suffice for the Human Dao to adjust itself, deduce a proper path, and counter.

As for the netherworld, it has sped things up too much.

But…" Hongjun suddenly reversed, "This acceleration is good."

He said with a smile, "If the acceleration is fast enough, we can lay the problem completely out in the open…"

Then I will trigger it, enough to make the Human Dao that originally supported reincarnation reform and netherworld construction enter a state of reflection.

This reflection will leave Nüwa dumbfounded." Hongjun said solemnly, "Reincarnation will not obey orders, and the Human Dao will recognize reality, resolve to veto this path… her support base will instantly collapse, and the Pangu road will be broken!"

At that moment, she and I will reverse roles.

Hongjun's smile was radiant.

All along, she has stood on the moral high ground with righteous words, here saying I am wrong, there calling me cruel, shouting defiance of heaven, rebellion against heaven…

This time, the stance will change!

I will embody the hope of the Human Dao, representing all beings to correct the mistaken course, and cast Nüwa into the depths of utter failure!

Hongjun said with amusement, "But I also need to guard against one hand."

What if the problem erupts not thoroughly and fiercely enough, Nüwa temporarily suppresses it, and taking advantage of this buffer, she attains the Dao of Pangu and reaches shore?

Then it would be useless.

I suspect Nüwa may not be unaware of the netherworld's hidden dangers, but she is betting—" the Dao Ancestor narrowed his eyes, "that she can reach shore quickly enough!"

As long as she can sweep the world before the hidden dangers erupt, possessing supreme power, then no problem is a problem.

Just like the August Emperor of old… Nüwa stirred up the royal estate of Nüwa, a formidable momentum, but what of it?

The greatest power lies in Fuxi's hands… and he firmly stands on the side of the Human Dao, so the board cannot be overturned!

Holding an axe, in a friendly and pleasant negotiation, all the primordial deities, with hearts full of public spirit, voluntarily donated the wealth they had gathered over the years through improper means, and pledged not to do so again.

If the problem cannot be solved, then solve the person who creates the problem… this idea is exactly the greatest meaning of our cultivation of martial arts!

Hongjun sighed with feeling.

Cultivation, what is it for?

Some say, to seek the Dao.

Some say, to elevate oneself.

The sayings are varied.

But among countless reasons, there is one that can readily gain consensus and approval.

——Reason!

Reason with heaven and earth, so myriad calamities do not invade and one enjoys eternal life.

Reason with peers, thus carefree and at ease, enjoying a gratifying life.

Reason with a contrarian……

Being able to make them stop nitpicking makes everything go smoothly.

——If it's not to your liking, I'll have no choice but to send you to your death!

And Hongjun also worries about this, for Nüwa is like his brother, playing the same trick.

Regardless of any hidden dangers in the Underworld, first raise funds!

After successful fundraising, a final leap…… then begin indiscriminate killing!

Personally entering the fray, he triggers an immortal slaughter calamity, brandishing a blade and sending the forces fattened on the Underworld's benefits in one by one to offer their heads, then bundling them all over to organizations like the Heavenly Court to do menial grassroots labor—no more carefree immortal Dao, only myriad worries……

Is that possible?

Hongjun dare not be certain.

He can only suspect that Nüwa is gambling, but there is no evidence.

Of course, he also doesn't care about evidence…… if you suspect, then go make preparations.

Moreover, the preparations have already been made.

The Daoist school and the Buddhist school!

He will link these two great Dao traditions, urging them to take root in the Underworld—not expecting them to exert much power, but turning the tables, handing Houtu over to be driven out of the cycle of rebirth.

Their mere existence is enough!

Existing for just one day, their spontaneous strengthening is enough to give a mighty push forward on the human realm that is being frantically accelerated by the Underworld!

At the same time, it can also divert Houtu's energy into the consumption of conflict.

"What splendid tools these are?"

Hongjun silently praised, utterly satisfied.

……

The scene fell silent for a moment.

Yinglong and Hongjun, each lost in thought.

After a long while, Yinglong broke the silence with a long exhale.

"Thanks, fellow Daoist Hongjun, for clearing up my doubts and letting me know how I can, by the way, add insult to injury here…… no, make a little profit."

"Hahaha……" Hongjun laughed loudly, "Fellow Daoist, you're too kind."

"With your wisdom, even if you were initially clueless, when the tide turns and Houtu struggles to move, you should have realized it."

"That's true." Yinglong did not deny it.

Changing the subject, he let out a soft sigh, "Reincarnation…… the Underworld…… truly is a headache."

"Too little is no good, too much also won't do…… even the August Emperor back then had it rough."

"Hey!" Hongjun shook his head, "The August Emperor back then was just too soft-hearted, not letting the human realm suffer enough beatings—at most he arranged a Luohu to occasionally take the blame."

"Not letting those foolish children gain a sufficiently painful realization is what led to today's situation."

Hongjun said calmly, "He pampered the human realm too much, letting the myriad common folk live too easily, too comfortably, naturally giving rise to reluctance to leave and greed for more."

"If we let those sentient beings of the human realm start with a nightmare, like me—working 9-9-6 daily, occasionally 7-1-5, and when ruthless, 0-0-7…… then help them undergo reincarnation for ten or eight lifetimes, life after life the same, I guarantee every single one will cry out, 'This mortal world is not worth it,' and quit this broken game forever."

(End of chapter)