Chapter 574

The Saint moves out.

The Demon Race instigates trouble.

Behind all this, is it a distortion of divinity? Or a collapse of morality?

Please tune in to the program "Zixiao Explains the Dao," broadcasting live for all beings.

The Dao Ancestor residing permanently in the Zixiao Palace, with righteous and solemn speech—

After the "Enter Conscience" investigation team's detailed and serious examination…

What distortion of divinity? What collapse of morality? They simply don't exist!

Truth, goodness, and beauty fill this era where witches and demons coexist—how could there be such discordant things?

The action of the Heavenly Dao Saint.

The Heavenly Court's demon gods launch an assault.

They never sought to seize power or plot over reincarnation rights; what they are doing now is merely, under the guidance of the great Heavenly Dao, to reshape reincarnation with selflessness and self-sacrifice for humanity, and because they opened up the netherworld, causing the soon-to-fall Lady Houtu to undergo humanitarian rescue, striving to let this heroic female not die at her post of sacrifice.

What?

Someone says, I just saw the Houtu ancestor witch's body in great shape, eating heartily—how could she possibly die from reshaping reincarnation?!

The Dao Ancestor said—

Just watch!

There's video as proof!

Time and space are dreamy and illusory, years true and false entwined; in a haze, humanity sees a most compassionate and merciful goddess, weeping blood, shedding tears, bearing supreme pity, risking annihilation of body and Dao, to reshape reincarnation for all beings!

She battles heaven itself to mend the heavenly breach.

Even if she burns out her qi and blood, exhausts her soul, sacrifices herself to the brink of nothingness, she grits her teeth and refuses to fall!

What a magnificent spirit!

—That is, if this video weren't forged, that would be great.

The Dao Ancestor went all out.

Though he resides in the Zixiao Palace, his heart is bound to the Human Dao.

On one hand, using the identity of the Heavenly Dao, he lends support to his nominal subordinate—the Heavenly Dao Saint; Yuanshi Tianzun and Jieyin the Ancient Buddha, these two peak powers, in their casual talk, their aura fills, shaking mountains and rivers, constantly speaking of protecting the Dharma for Houtu, yet they are doing the work of blocking the door.

At the same time, he commands the Heavenly Court to turn the heavenly stars, giving the Saint a twofold bolster, completely blocking the instant when Nüwa's true form steps out of the netherworld.

On the other hand, Hongjun expends supreme divine power, mimicking Pangu's magnitude—it is cutting the era, twisting history!

Just as, in the memories of all beings, the burial of the most ancient Heavenly Court is like—having been erased and altered in history… without attaining Great Luo, one cannot see history's true face.

Even if one attains the Great Luo Dao… before doing so, one must submit an immigration statement, undergo a glorious righteous social lecture, deeply understand how the ancient gods sacrificed themselves for Honghuang with supreme virtue, and express a willingness to draw near, only then can one receive permission to attain the Dao.

Only such mighty power—those who have attained Great Luo, eternal beings, once verified, forever verified; once achieved, forever achieved—can avoid being deceived and concealed.

They will not speak out, their mouths are sealed, yet deep down they are bright and clear.

But below Great Luo? It is hard not to be affected.

Of course, this is something only Pangu could accomplish—equivalent to literally sweeping across the entire era, violating the will of gods and beings.

Hongjun has not yet reached that extent.

But he, on one hand, forms alliances and strategies, the Saint takes action, the Heavenly Court operates, influencing the Human Dao from within and without, making it easier to accept the performance in this video.

On the other hand, the Dao Ancestor prepared too well; there is a Dragon Ancestor who begrudges Nüwa's goodness, meddles from within, leaks intelligence, timing, location, securing the perfect position… this adds another three-tenths chance of success.

Thus, in the end, Hongjun gets what he wished for; everything proceeds as planned.

To alter the era and simply kill off Nüwa—he cannot do that.

A video edit that muddles truth and falsehood, virtual and real, can deceive all beings for a moment… and that is more than enough.

Even if that "moment" has many flaws.

—As long as Nüwa can, at the same moment, step forth her true form from the realm of reincarnation and dispel the rumor, this tragic drama will collapse on its own without attack.

But, it's still that saying.

The timing is too perfect!

Also true.

With an insider, how could the timing not be good?

And Hongjun, what he seeks to gain, is merely this time difference.

The Saint blocks the door; the power of the Heavenly Dao descends thereby, sealing reincarnation for an instant.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Court drives the Demon Race's fortune, charging straight at the Human Dao—this is originally a force gathered from the masses, able to represent part of the Human Dao's will; at a critical moment, wanting to do something… there is still a way.

Especially, the Dao Ancestor prepared so thoroughly!

In the subsequent matters, Hongjun does not do much, but what he does is crucial.

Ensuring that, even if Nüwa finally manages to dispel the rumor that she didn't die, and even produces her ID to prove she is herself, she still ends up mute eating coptis, unable to voice her bitterness, being tightly bound to reincarnation, greatly restrained.

"Really too fucked up!"

The Heavenly Court swiftly acts, carrying out the Dao Ancestor's order, using the Demon Race's fortune as an offering, revising the content of the cooperation agreement between the Human Dao and Nüwa.

On this matter, there isn't much that can be changed; the procedure for exchanging money and goods is fine, but in terms of disgust, it makes Fengxi, the one who oversees the Human Dao, also utter a 'fuck' in advance for Nüwa.

"Although we had a premonition, seeing them really start from after-sales service, tampering during the warranty period… tsk tsk!"

Will the project funds be withheld?

No.

The Human Dao will not withhold Houtu's project funds; the shares due will be given in full, not a cent less.

But?

Acceptance, after-sales, warranty—these have added a few tiny details.

With the Heavenly Dao's involvement and the Heavenly Court's application—my Demon Race's people, passing through your reincarnation, considering responsibility to the subjects, regularly demand that you make up for omissions and deficiencies; any problems?!

It's just supervision, not excessive, right!

You Houtu folks are so good, so kind and benevolent—this little request, you surely won't refuse to fulfill it, will you?

All of a sudden, what was originally a simple one‑hammer deal turned into an open‑ended responsibility.

Besides, the one we have to face is definitely someone who will constantly nitpick and stir trouble!

"If morality can't bind, then we'll use a contract to impose restraint……"

Fengxi smacked his lips, "Both hands ready…… that'll work, huh!"

"At this very moment we plant the fuse for future thunder, seizing the most special time and place…… the Dao Ancestor is still not to be underestimated."

The Human Dao's conscience sighed, then with a wave of the hand it was approved—no questioning, no rebuttal, just a demand for a retrial.

This was precisely the result he needed, something he himself had pushed forward.

Bearing the pain, they hung Nüwa aloft to draw fire, muddied the waters, while Human Dao secretly developed… though the tactic is really a bit underhanded, it works!

"I don't want this either……"

Fengxi muttered, easing his somewhat painful conscience.

"But I have no choice, do I?"

"The enemy is mighty!"

"If I jump too early, not only will the Demon Race oppose me, but many comrades in the Wu Clan might not be on my side either."

"I'm having a tough time!"

"Earlier, Human Dao suffered a psychotic break, malicious thoughts surged, he did many bad things, which already caused severe damage to his reputation; his persona can't be changed quickly!"

"Give me a lousy hand at the start—what can I do? I'm also helpless!"

"We have no choice but to change shells and go public, then wait until the eve of victory to reveal our true selves, asking our comrades one question——

"Are you surprised or not? Unexpected or not?"

"Hand over all authority…… if you don't, then today you won't be leaving this gate alive!"

Fengxi found joy in hardship, imagined a bright future, and for a while his heart wasn't so heavy.

At the same time, he coldly observed heaven and earth, seeing a grand deception unfold—deceiving heaven and earth, deceiving the age, deceiving all beings!

……

The Dao Ancestor lowered his stature, personally directed, and shot a big movie.

All beings are supporting roles, yet they are also real.

Only in the role of the protagonist—Houtu—is it a fake!

Time was chaotic, ages misty, the Dao Ancestor borrowed the Heavenly Dao to evolve a supreme divine ability…… this ability, in terms of lethal power, is utterly nil.

Information interference also cannot affect the bodies of the Great Luo; they remain eternally present.

——Back then, the gods besieged the palace, every aspect was considered.

It won't allow the Dao Ancestor, even while in the Zixiao Palace, to strike from afar and secretly stab someone.

Impossible!

Except for not long ago, the incident of besieging and killing Donghua…… that was also Nüwa's director having a brainfart, wanting to impersonate someone else but ending up being impersonated, which fully linked the fortunes of the Wu and Demon clans, giving the Dao Ancestor a chance to be released on parole.

But that is a rare opportunity that cannot be sought.

Moreover, after suffering a loss once, Nüwa greatly learned her lesson, abandoned the director's dream, and pursued seeking truth from facts, being down‑to‑earth.

If she makes no mistake, the Dao Ancestor can only stare helplessly in the Zixiao Palace, unable to harm any Great Luo.

But even so.

Hongjun still managed to find a loophole that isn't a loophole!

The divine ability is vast, not for conquest, only for a moment's deception.

Cannot change the real existing history, but there is something called——

Believe it to be true!

The grandest drama is being performed, the most tragic acting is being displayed.

When Hongdao makes a move, it's nothing ordinary.

He blurred reality and drama, lifting Houtu onto the altar!

In the fleeting moment of chaos in the Honghuang world, it turned into not‑short spans of time in beings' memories.

During this span, the image of Houtu was elevated again and again, thrice over—this is called sublime and great.

Emulating Pangu's act of cleaving heaven and earth, achieving the netherworld, solely so that after the myriad beings pass away they may have a resting place!

——The Dao Ancestor, while splicing history's light and shade, still pays some attention to objective facts.

He is an adaptation.

Not a random fabrication!

Except that in the details, Hongjun exerted a bit too much force.

For example, when Houtu opens up the netherworld, it cannot be glossed over; he must vomit blood, stagger, have a weary face but resolute eyes—if it's too easy, how could one embody and foster that solemn atmosphere?

If not solemn, how can readers perceive that this aspect reflects Houtu's 'compassion'?

Having said that, one must add——in terms of acting prowess, Hongjun is truly superior to Nüwa by more than a notch.

If earlier, when Nüwa opened the cycle of reincarnation, she had performed it this way, rendering her image more radiant instead of merely doing things for profit…… perhaps she could have gained much favor, brushing the Houtu title in the eyes of all beings to brilliant splendor.

Of course.

Regarding this, Nüwa may know it all too well, but——her skin is thin!

She cannot put on such a pitiful‑seeking‑sympathy posture…… except before her elder brother.

However.

The thin‑skinned Nüwa at that time did not garner sympathy, but here Hongjun helped her make up for it.

The effect was also very good.

The facts proved that the common people loved this, and as they watched, they became tearful.

And once they became tearful, many details no longer mattered—including how Houtu contributed her own intelligence, and incidentally also insulted the intelligence of the onlookers.

For example, why would an ancestral witch of the Wu Clan, the supreme military leader, set aside tribal affairs and the life-and-death future of countless citizens, on a whim, gamble her own life, out of great compassion and mercy solely for the world's common people, most of whom are actually the Demon Race, the Wu Clan's opponents.

Don't ask.

Asking is just Houtu's compassion.

If you ask again.

That is—people are dead, you can't still be accumulating virtue in speech? Don't engage in conspiracy theories!

What?

Is Houtu not dead yet?

Just coughing blood? Maybe she can still be rescued?

Don't make a fuss!

Haven't you seen that this greatly compassionate and merciful, kind-hearted Lady Houtu has already begun to leave her last will?

……

"I might not make it…… but at least I haven't disgraced my mission."

Houtu coughed blood, standing in the underworld, reflected in the eyes of the common people, live-streamed, letting people bear witness.

Her eyes were full of loving kindness, all beautiful blessings for all beings, utterly lifelike.

But such a greatly admired great divine being has now come to the end of life.

Her qi and blood withered, her gaze dimmed, as if all vitality had drained away, making the common people tearful.

——Houtu the Great God is too much!

——Give up everything, burn oneself, just to light the way for the departed, sacrificing oneself to reenact Pangu the Great God's mighty deed, opening up a boundless expanse of heaven and earth!

——But Pangu is dead, how could Houtu possibly escape?

——Reaching the end of life is simply normal.

The common people mourned, sighing sadly.

"Why is it hard for good people to meet a good end?"

Over the years, the deep doubt echoed, turning into a terrifying force that almost broke through Hongjun's stage.

"Uh-oh…… I overexerted!"

The Dao Ancestor sweated profusely, rushing to rescue.

As the director, he also had it tough.

Saints and the Heavenly Court were all pawns, sealing Nüwa in a moment of reincarnation, then in that instant doing some writing, putting on a big show, and still having to take it easy, careful not to let humanity mess it up……

He also had it hard.

But upon thinking of the gains after success, Hongjun instantly straightened his waist, caught his breath, and was willing to risk his life to do it well!

Bearing the pressure, the camera sped up.

"……If I die, what will happen to the souls?"

"Houtu"'s robes stained with blood, her already hunched body straightened with effort, displaying boundless heroic spirit: "I truly do not wish for reincarnation to return to that cold, merciless era of the past……"

"If I fail to survive this calamity, and my body and Dao perish, then this underworld will become a paradise for souls, taking in those who have no place in the mortal world and are utterly rejected, letting them have a home, free and self-governing……"

"If I happen to survive……" "Houtu" coughed up another mouthful of blood, "then I wish to spend my remaining life protecting reincarnation, guarding the underworld, so that this realm never faces disaster……"

"Cough cough!"

"Houtu" coughed with difficulty, "It would also be good to resolve any sudden troubles at any time, leaving the common people a glimmer of the best hope……"

(End of chapter)