Chapter 588

"Nüwa, you must believe me."

"In the Wu Clan's highest hall—the Pangu Holy Hall—two giants are meeting."

"The Dragon Ancestor and the leader of humanity are now speaking face to face, conducting the most 'friendly' negotiations about those rumors that have been wildly spreading these days, striving to reach a consensus and nip any hidden dangers in the bud."

"Inside the hall, the atmosphere was extremely harmonious."

""You being precisely entrapped by Hongjun has nothing to do with me," the Dragon Ancestor sighed. "Although I deeply sympathize with the unfortunate things that have happened to you, innocent people should not be harmed.""

"So please stay calm, don't believe rumors, lest they cause tragedies that hurt loved ones and please enemies."

"The witch-demon all-out war is imminent; if we turn against each other due to misunderstanding, we will only play into the hands of the Heavenly Court, letting those two Golden Crows laugh till their teeth fall out, and we'll sigh at our own brainless impulsiveness."

"Oh? Is that so?" Nüwa smiled. "According to what you mean, the unfortunate mishap I encountered earlier is purely coincidental—like a blind cat finding a dead mouse—just Hongjun's random luck."

"What a coincidence!"

"The female saint's lips curled slightly, her eyes playful."

"Where there's smoke, there's fire—how could there be no cause? The Heavenly Court's baseless claims are just nonsense. But could it be that they're accidentally speaking a great truth? That's the question."

"As for this question… I am calm."

"Nüwa continued, her tone calm and unhurried, very composed, proving she was indeed calm."

"Then again, it hurts the loved ones and pleases the enemies..."

"Many times I feel it's necessary to cultivate a pair of fiery eyes and golden pupils, to clearly and accurately discern who are loved ones and who are enemies."

"Or perhaps someone who appears loyal but is actually treacherous, seeming a loved one but actually an enemy—that's what we must guard against most."

"But even if we see clearly, understand who are loved ones and who are enemies… what does that have to do with what I should do? Could it really matter that much?"

"Nüwa smirked."

"Not at all!"

"She even wanted to try it out on Fuxi!"

"Although they are siblings, they are the closest of kin."

"But when it comes to the family throne…"

"Forget about it!"

"Wait until Her Majesty Nüwa destroys all who defy her in the present age and establishes Pangu's rightful position!"

"Holding a knife, he returned home, 'respectfully requesting' that the Retired Emperor August Emperor quickly hand over the family authority… the tides of fortune turn; it's time for Her Majesty Nüwa to take charge of the household!"

"What?"

"Not hand it over?"

"Can't you see the knife in her hand!"

"This is definitely not just freeloading!"

"Nüwa has a very clear objective."

"Charging toward her goal, Nüwa naturally remains calm, speaking in the most formal manner."

"I am someone who values evidence."

"I won't ruin my own reputation over petty profiteers, fabricating false charges to carry out slaughter."

"It's not worth it."

"To avoid others misunderstanding, I would go to any lengths to eliminate dissenters, frame them, and concoct charges."

"Nüwa was utterly serious."

"Therefore, Dragon Ancestor, you can rest easy—don't take those rumors to heart, worrying that I, Nüwa, will lose my senses and blatantly do something immoral." Her gaze deep, "I hereby emphasize—human-dragon friendship shall last forever; dragons will not fail humanity, and humanity will not fail dragons."

"Humanity will never unilaterally tear up the cooperation agreement, ignoring the early support the Dragon Clan gave humanity—from talent to resources, and then technical assistance."

"Nüwa spoke with firm conviction."

"Without evidence, it's naturally presumed innocent."

"How could Nüwa's reputation be jeopardized over something like this?"

"How could she still win over the crowd!"

"Hearing this, the Dragon Ancestor secretly let out a quiet sigh of relief."

"—Although Nüwa's words aren't very polite, at least she's making sense!"

"That's fine… let everyone argue and fuss as they like; for now we can still cooperate and do business together—let's not fall out over getting rich."

"As for the more distant future? That's not under consideration."

"After all, in a normal Pangu scenario, only one victor emerges… in the end, they become mutual rivals and will inevitably turn against each other."

"'Turning against each other later would benefit me for a while…… waiting for the future……'"

"The Dragon Ancestor turned unknown thoughts over in his mind, feeling a little pleased."

"However."

"He didn't stay happy for long."

"What Nüwa said next left him with a bad taste no matter how he listened, carrying a hint of sarcasm."

"Future cooperation will still be a long road."

"Nüwa let out a long sigh, then gave a half-smile, faintly carrying a hidden killing intent that was chilling."

"Heaven has unpredictable storms; man has sudden fortune or misfortune."

"In recent years, the situation has been tumultuous, the times ever-changing, with too many incidents occurring."

"Nüwa said, word by word, 'So please, Dragon Ancestor, pay more attention in your daily life, take care of your dragon body… especially when going out, be vigilant and look both ways to avoid any mishap.'"

"Human development cannot proceed without you."

"The Wu Clan's growth also requires your selfless dedication."

The Wu Clan's growth also requires your selfless dedication.

"If you encounter an accident, it would be just like the experience I had when I previously reshaped reincarnation, as if it were karmic retribution… then I would feel very 'sad', 'heartbroken' for you!"

Nüwa's tone was strange, causing Dragon Ancestor's facial expression to keep shifting.

Huh? Nüwa, you…… what do you mean?

Dragon Ancestor furrowed his brows, his expression solemn.

It means nothing." Nüwa said lightly, "I'm just kindly reminding you."

You're a senior member of my Wu Clan; is it not normal for me to show some concern for you?

If your heart is clean, you walk upright and sit properly, having done no wrong, why be so anxious, worrying about karmic retribution?

Nüwa said offhandedly.

If what happened to me is a coincidence… then if the same coincidence were to happen to you, having a mental preparation would help you survive the tribulation, right?

And if it's not a coincidence, and you're innocent, it shows someone behind the scenes is up to something big, targeting our Wu Clan… even I've been targeted, so targeting you wouldn't be unreasonable, would it?

So, Dragon Ancestor, look.

I'm kindly reminding you…… aren't you supposed to be grateful?

Nüwa narrowed her eyes, as if smiling, yet also looking at Dragon Ancestor with the most dangerous gaze, "You'd better not really meet with an accident…… for instance, one day while walking halfway, your route is spotted by a faction of the Heavenly Court, who secretly invite mighty figures from all directions, masked, to carry out an ambush and encircling slaughter……"

That would be terrible!

Afterward, I'd have to go to the Dragon Clan's side to attend a feast, deeply mourning Dragon Ancestor's outstanding contributions over the years……

Alas, a generation's hero has just passed away, leaving people sighing.

However, Dragon Ancestor, if you really go, don't worry about your affairs afterward…… your wife, I will raise!

Nüwa waved her hand grandly and refreshingly.

She is exactly such a responsible leader!

Of course.

As for this, Dragon Ancestor felt not the slightest moved.

He stared at Nüwa in silence, realizing that their thought processes seemed never to have been on the same wavelength from the start.

"This…… is it that you're absolutely certain in doubting me, that I caused the great headwind of the reincarnation strategy?"

"Heaven and earth, my conscience!"

"This clearly isn't a case I committed!"

"Those rumors outside, despite being spread with nose and eyes, can precisely match the motives and conditions of the crime to my speech at a certain meeting, after being cut and edited together……"

"But any discerning person can see how heavy the shadow of the Heavenly Court is behind this; otherwise it couldn't have spread so swiftly and fiercely!"

"I am under suspicion, but it's not quite ironclad evidence."

"How can you, Nüwa, just believe it with a single-minded stubbornness?"

Dragon Ancestor's head felt a bit big.

At this moment, an inexplicable thought rose in his heart——when it comes to women, even goddesses, sometimes you simply can't reason with them.

"Not reasoning…… in other words, it's just wanting to cause trouble unreasonably!"

Dragon Ancestor's thoughts turned, his ideas began to run down a certain path.

"Perhaps Nüwa herself also understands that she doesn't have complete justification…… but she wants to use this small matter to blow up certain things, to achieve her true intention!"

Thinking this, Dragon Ancestor's gaze turned cold.

——Using the pretext to expand!

——Making a show in the east while striking in the west!

——The drunkard's intention is not in the wine!

——Repairing the plank road openly while sneaking through Chen Cang secretly!

Waiting, etc.

A series of similar thoughts flashed through, and Dragon Ancestor felt he understood something.

Nüwa harbors ill intentions!

"There's an eighty percent chance that, due to the reincarnation mishap, she suffered a setback, her strength and prestige severely weakened…… her weakening makes me appear stronger!"

"Once I become stronger, I pose a threat…… she feels uneasy and wants to simultaneously weaken me!"

"By this point…… whether I am or am not the chief culprit who betrayed her no longer matters."

"Just because I'm strong enough to bring a threat…… even if I'm not the betrayer, her knife will surely swing at me while feigning ignorance!"

"No wonder! No wonder!"

Dragon Ancestor sighed inwardly, "She used to say——even if you know who's kin and who's enemy, what you do with her doesn't really matter much."

"Because in her eyes, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests!"

"Just like me!"

Dragon Ancestor, after a round of putting himself in her shoes and reading comprehension, felt he had grasped the true situation and understood Nüwa's thoughts.

Earlier, every word Nüwa spoke now has a reasonable explanation.

——The center is weak, the localities are powerful; if we don't trim the fiefdoms, how else can we play?

Having thought of these, Dragon Ancestor again surveyed the situation, and it seemed only two paths remained.

One, is compromise.

The other, is confrontation.

Dragon Ancestor fell silent, a brainstorm continually sweeping.

He arrived at a fork in the road of Dragon's life.

In the hall, the atmosphere instantly became eerily terrifying.

Quiet, dead silent, centered on Dragon Ancestor.

Nüwa felt this strange aura, and slightly furrowed her brows.

She glanced at the Dragon Ancestor, but never would have imagined that this Dragon Ancestor, at this moment, had an internal struggle in his heart, adding many dramatic parts for himself, and his slander against her, imagining her as a ruthless, heartless villain who suppresses dissent.

Otherwise, she would most likely have shouted "Nonsense!".

Heavens and earth, my conscience!

She, Nüwa, broad-minded and sincere, one is one, two is two—when did she become a villain?

Suppressing dissent?

How could that be possible!

She even allows the eager-to-stir-up-trouble actions of the Asura clan stirred up by the Nether River Demon Ancestor, letting this Supreme Emperor of the demon sect participate in the clan hegemony... how can she not tolerate the Dragon clan's turmoil?

Speaking of her firmness toward the "I alone am supreme" nature that brooks no opposition, Nüwa is the most lacking in interest among all imperial figures.

From beginning to end, she just wanted to be a salted fish!

Since she's a salted fish, how could she have ambitions for hegemony, or the domineering aura of a hegemon?

It doesn't exist.

In Nüwa's world, there are many things of interest—the joy of studying and comprehending the Great Dao, the pleasure of satisfying her culinary desires, observing the development and conclusion of novel things... many aspects coexist; to claim kingship and hegemony? Just an insignificant ripple.

But, circumstances forced her.

Because the capable bear more burden, she was forced to take on the role, and after many years, unable to endure any longer, she raised the rebel flag and embarked on the path to vie for leadership.

But, though the path changed, her heart remained the same.

Nüwa remains that salted fish from before, most sincere in character, most inclusive in nature, and thus became the most unique and people‑close ruler, garnering the affection of many divinities and subjects beneath her, possessing a distinctive personal charm.

Such her, finds the Dragon clan displeasing... but the entanglement of interests is actually not great.

The true reason, however, is—hatred!

The evidence is as solid as a mountain!

Dragon Ancestor harmed her!

The Dragon Ancestor employed such underhanded schemes to trap her in reincarnation... even a salted fish would be angered enough to flip over!

Could it be that we still have to say "forgive"?

Nüwa declares, she will absolutely not tolerate this anger!

Threat!

That's exactly to threaten!

Intimidation!

That's exactly to intimidate!

Not turning this hall into a Hongmen banquet, smashing cups as a signal to let the ten great ancestor Wu rush in, hacking the Dragon Ancestor into mincemeat with chaotic blades, killing him beyond redemption, would already be her swallowing her anger out of responsibility to the Wu Clan, to humanity, and to the countless, even billions upon billions of her supported human‑path subjects.

For the sake of the "big picture" formed by these gathered people, just as a concession to humanity's demands during the reshaping of reincarnation, Nüwa did not act impulsively; she kept her composure, enemies meeting did not turn hostile, they brandished knives to clash, aiming for the future so that her supporters could have a beautiful ending.

Or must she be required to put on a pleasant face and speak kindly?

Just for a sliver of a chance of future victory for Pangu?

Wouldn't that be like kneeling to beg for food!

If everyone is kneeling, why wouldn't she kneel to her own brother? Is she brain‑damaged?

Why did she raise the rebel flag on Mount Phoenix‑Roost?

It's because she has a fire in her heart and clumsy legs, wanting to stand and speak loudly!

Even toward Pangu, Nüwa is not timid; she has thoughts of resistance.

As for the Dragon Ancestor? Even less need to mention!

Those yin‑yang‑tinged curses... what are they supposed to be?

If she cannot obtain a satisfactory result...

Afterwards, she will still brandish her sword, lead her troops, and patrol the Dragon clan's gate!

Using what cannot be obtained through negotiation.

Just seize it by force!

Nüwa gazes at the Dragon Ancestor, and in the depths of her eyes, visions of weapons float to and fro.

Nüwa gazed at the Dragon Ancestor; in the deepest part of her eyes, phantom images of weapons floated and sank.

"Some speculation, some suspicion..."

"Having come to this, it's time for the truth to surface!"

"Who is the instigator?"

"Who is behind the scenes?"

"Who is the accomplice?"

"You... won't be able to hide much longer!"

PS: I've been a bit busy these days, sorry.

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