Chapter 602: All tricks exhausted, none can stay; only true feeling moves the heart!

In the vast ages, there is a supreme ancient god playing a great game of chess.

This chessboard is too huge, thus multi-front warfare, all kinds of alliances and counter-alliances.

Endless nesting dolls, one doll nesting another, they enjoy it immensely.

Under normal circumstances, the safety factor here is very high—if a leak appears on one side, just discard it, and it can also provide cover for the other side.

But!

No matter how many nesting dolls, there remains a most critical core, becoming the strongest support of the chessboard.

Once it is pulled out…… the consequences will be disastrous!

To perfectly hide the core, the black hand holding the pieces once considered the whole board, thinking about how to place a piece so as to best preserve it, able to grow swiftly, take over early, and bear the great responsibility.

And also avoid suspicion, not being killed off midway.

In the end, they actually found a brilliant move, truly a stroke of divine inspiration.

——Dark under the lamp!

Using the intentional to calculate the unintentional, with the behind-the-scenes player's deep understanding of someone's nature, truly achieving surprise and attacking unpreparedness.

Currently, they have obtained an excellent result, growing robustly to a satisfactory degree.

Unfortunately……

At this moment, Nüwa has become alert!

She solemnly spoke, earnestly emphasizing——

In this vast heaven and earth, a terrifying dark current is surging…… and, this dark current's surge has already reached her side, lurking, preparing, waiting for the moment to plot mischief!

She must find it out!

To prove her words are true, Nüwa also presented evidence——

The girl died!

It is very likely that this organization killed her!

"Alas…… now it doesn't matter whose hands the girl died in."

Dijiang scratched his head, but also couldn't think of a better plan——the alert Nüwa is not someone to provoke easily; the bigger the move, the more she will follow the vine to melon, trace to the root.

"What matters is, having this reason……"

"Wait…… oh no!"

"If the girl really died accidentally, that would be fine; if not accidental, but premeditated……"

"emmm……"

"I go…… then it's not fishing, but startling the snake by beating the grass!"

Dijiang suddenly felt a chill on his body, as if in not-so-distant past ages, a pair of eyes had been secretly watching him, from the moment Nüwa began her eastern tour and revelry, to when she was ambushed killed, waged war, and even the finale!

Those eyes, peering at the whole world, peering at an entire stretch of history.

Amidst the sudden accidental incident, while the Great Luo gods were still acting as clueless spectators, the surveillance cameras had already secretly recorded their every move——before the belated deletion and tampering of the footage!

Who, what reaction they made, whether it conforms to common sense, whether there is any grease……

When everyone, in their ignorant obliviousness, acts naturally…… how many can avoid showing a hint of a tell?

If a tell is shown, they are likely to be marked as a key target.

By the time of the frenzied bloodbath, Nüwa using the intentional to calculate the unintentional…… these people might well die in confusion as heroes, and will also be eulogized by this female saint with a sorrowful countenance at the funeral, their deeds recited, urging everyone to learn from them……

Just thinking of this, Dijiang feels uneasy all over.

"Can Nüwa do such a thing?"

He pondered in his heart, '"Hiss…… seems there is hope?"'

"Having reshaped reincarnation, completed the authority over life and death of the Human Dao…… she, like Hongjun who holds the Heavenly Dao, has gained certain privileges, becoming a reserve of Pangu's successor."

"Hongjun holds the Heavenly Dao, inherently possessing righteous nominal authority, thus able to confer titles upon Yinglong, bestowing an honorary rank."

"Nüwa holds the planning of life and death of the Human Dao…… the Human Dao encompasses everything, in fact even the Great Luo is included within it."

"Only the Great Luo's autonomy is extremely great; planning their life and death is unthinkable…… but using the intentional to calculate the unintentional can, to a certain extent, probe their words, deeds, and tendencies, making it fully possible to achieve."

Dijiang lowered his head, the corners of his mouth twitching.

He began to worry about his teammates.

As for himself?

Dijiang is not the worrying type.

Though his drama-queen spirit has been with him for years without saying, given his knowledge of the possible inside story, even in dire straits he can act as a dead man, releasing smoke bombs to mislead observers.

Other teammates?

Suspense!

"One mistake, and an entire front collapses."

"If it gets worse…… the core is locked on, and all fronts collapse completely!"

"Eh…… these years, Nüwa has grown quite fast!"

"Although her acting level is still poor, needing improvement…… but this round of reversing guest and host, treating the audience as actors, coldly observing joys and angers, is still quite excellent."

"Not playing routines, but playing anti-routines…… truly impressive, little Nüwa!"

"This time, it's really troublesome……"

"Hope that little guy, under little Nüwa's this wave of operation, can just survive!"

Dijiang secretly shook his head, casually picked a viewpoint, and went to pay attention to Fengxi's side.

He had already prepared himself deep down, his endurance strengthened; even if Feng someone says "no hope", "wait for death", "farewell", it's not unacceptable.

If it truly comes to this, at worst just lay the cards before Nüwa and admit defeat.

After all, victory and defeat are commonplace in war.

With his background, losing is still something he can afford—although it's a bit embarrassing.

Translation: With his background, losing is still something he can afford—although it's a bit embarrassing.

With his background, losing is still something he can afford—although it's a bit embarrassing.

But, losing face… if it's lost to one's own family, does it even count?

Translation: But, losing face… if it's lost in front of one's own family, does it even count?

'Fuxi and Nüwa, at most just have some internal family disputes……' Dijiang watched while comforting himself, 'This time we lost; next time we just need to regain face.'

We need to keep quotes. Use single quotes as in source? We'll keep same style: single quotes. So: 'Fuxi and Nüwa, at most just have some internal family disputes……' Dijiang watched while comforting himself, 'This time we lost; next time we just need to regain face.'

'Fuxi and Nüwa, at most just have some internal family disputes……' Dijiang watched while comforting himself, 'This time we lost; next time we just need to regain face.'

Although that would greatly diminish the educational value, someone will become arrogant for a long time, no longer humble and low‑key—even tearing off roof tiles would be just everyday, and their arrogant pride would be visible at any time.

Translation: 'Although that would greatly diminish the educational value, someone will become arrogant and conceited for a long time, no longer humble and low-key; even tearing off the roof tiles would be just everyday fare, and arrogant complacency would be seen at any moment……'

This is not good……

Translation: 'This is really not good……'

But I'm not unable to lose, nor can I afford to lose… with my own upper beam askew, what face do I have to demand that the lower beam stay straight?

Translation: 'But I, too, cannot afford to lose, and must not lose…… With the upper beam not straight, what face do I have to demand that the lower beam not be crooked?'

Dijiang sighed.

Translation: Dijiang sighed in his heart.

Just sighing over and over, his mood inexplicably turned subtle.

Translation: Just sighing and sighing, his mood inexplicably became subtle.

Because, after reviewing Fengxi's recent actions, he suddenly felt——

Translation: Because, having reviewed Fengxi's recent conduct, he suddenly felt——

This…… is unexpectedly good!

Translation: 'This…… is unexpectedly not bad!'

Perhaps it won't collapse?

Translation: 'Perhaps, it won't collapse?'

They all say…… genuine feelings can't be retained; only tactics win people's hearts.

Translation: 'They all say…… genuine feelings cannot be retained from ancient times; only tactics win hearts.'

But when the victim endures one beating after another, pain leads to reflection, and they develop a counter‑tactic skill……

Translation: 'But when the victim endures one beating after another, feeling the pain and reflecting, they develop a counter‑tactic skill……'

Anyone who still dares to play tricks in front of her will end up getting screwed half to death.

Translation: 'Those who still dare to play tricks in front of her will all end up being screwed half to death.'

At this point, everything has reversed.

Translation: 'At this point, everything has reversed.'

Even when tactics are exhausted, they can't keep people; it's genuine feeling that truly moves hearts!

Translation: 'When tactics are exhausted and cannot retain, it is genuine feeling that moves the heart!'

……

Translation: …… (just ellipsis)

The girl is dead.

Translation: "The girl died."

I know.

Translation: "I know."

She died cleanly.

Translation: "She died very cleanly."

I understand.

Translation: "I understand."

What you're doing isn't very useful.

Translation: "What you're doing isn't of much use."

But I still want to try.

Translation: "But I still want to give it a try."

Under the dim candlelight, the emperor with strands of graying hair at his temples spoke softly, "Otherwise, I wouldn't be willing."

Translation: Under the dim candlelight, the Human Emperor with strands of frost‑white hair at his temples whispered softly, "Otherwise, I would not be reconciled."

"This……" the person speaking with the emperor hesitated.

Translation: "This……" the person conversing with the Human Emperor hesitated.

"Goumang Ancestor Witch." The Flame Emperor's eyes were deep, "I know your medical skill is astonishing; your background is even the primordial great ability of the phoenix clan's ancestor from Phoenix Nest Mountain, mastering nirvana, your life‑saving art is unmatched in heaven and earth—raising the dead, putting flesh on white bones—is merely trivial."

Translation: "Goumang the Ancestral Witch." Yandi's eyes were deep, "I know your medical skill is astonishing, your background is even that of the primordial great ability of the Phoenix Clan on Mount Fengqi, mastering the power of rebirth, your life‑saving arts are unparalleled under heaven and earth—raising the dead and fleshing white bones are merely trivial."

He once won the 'Primordial Hardest‑to‑Kill Great Ability Award,' and the tale spread as a beautiful story.

Translation: "He once received the 'Honghuang Hardest‑to‑Kill Expert Award,' which the world regards as a fine tale."

Goumang Ancestor Witch listened, his mouth twitched, and he didn't want to speak of that unpleasant honor.

Translation: Goumang the Ancestral Witch listened, his mouth twitching; he did not want to speak of this unpleasant honor.

Precisely because I know your abilities, I wanted to ask you to use your divine powers to save the girl and reverse the tragedy.

Translation: "Precisely because I know your abilities, I wanted to ask you to deploy your divine powers to save the girl and reverse the tragedy."

"But I can't change it." Goumang shook his head, "The fatal strike that caused the girl's downfall is a top‑level technique of the Yi Dao, erasing all variables and fixing a single outcome."

Translation: "But I cannot change it." Goumang shook his head, "The killing move that caused the girl's demise is a top‑level technique of the Yi Dao, erasing all variables and fixing a single outcome."

"As for the Yi Dao, I actually know a little about it." The ancestor witch's eyes were distant, "After all, the current residence of the Xi Emperor is on Phoenix Nest Mountain; his Dao and his law I often get to witness."

Translation: "As for the Yi Dao, I actually know a thing or two." The Ancestral Witch's eyes drifted, "After all, Xihuang's residence now is on Mount Fengqi; his Dao and his laws I often get to witness."

Precisely because I have witnessed it, I clearly know how terrifying this method is.

Translation: "Precisely because I have witnessed it, I clearly know how terrifying this method is."

Under these circumstances, the girl is dead…… she's dead!

Translation: "Under these circumstances, the girl died…… she is simply dead!"

This is etched deep into the human Dao, a cognitive anchor.

Translation: "This is etched deep into the human Dao, a cognitive anchor."

"Even if Nüwa had the ability to effortlessly create an incarnation identical to the girl…… the human Dao, the myriad beings, would not recognize it!"

Translation: "Even if Nüwa had the ability to effortlessly conjure an incarnation identical to the girl…… this human Dao, this myriad of beings, would not acknowledge it!"

Goumang Ancestor Witch spread his hands, "Some people are still alive, but they are already dead…… that's basically how it is."

Translation: Goumang the Ancestral Witch spread his hands, "Some people are still alive, but they are already dead…… that's roughly the situation."

"Some people appear dead, yet they can live on forever in the hearts of the myriad beings." The Flame Emperor's tone was calm, "Perception can be changed, outcomes can be altered…… otherwise, what are we cultivating for?"

Translation: "Some people appear dead, yet they can continue to live in the hearts of the myriad beings." Yandi's tone was calm, "Perception can be twisted, results can be altered…… otherwise, what are we cultivators cultivating for?"

"This offers you no benefit…… the drawbacks outweigh the advantages!" Goumang advised, "Not to mention whether it could succeed…… even if it did, the girl's return would merely mean taking over your position."

Translation: "This does you no good…… the harm outweighs the benefit!" Goumang advised, "Without discussing whether it could succeed…… even if it did, and the girl returned, she would merely be taking over your position."

"The throne? Ha! I don't care." Fengxi shook his head, "You're not me, how could you know my intentions?"

Translation: "The throne? Hah! I don't care." Fengxi shook his head, "You are not me; how could you know my heart?"

"I only wish for the prosperity of humanity and peace in the human Dao…… if that were so, who sits on this throne, whether it's me or not, would make no difference."

Translation: "I only wish for the human race to flourish, for the human Dao to be at peace…… if that could happen, who sits on this position, whether it is me or not, what difference does it make?"

"Moreover, Lady Nüwa has done me great favors, and the girl called me father many times in public."

Translation: "Moreover, Lady Nüwa has bestowed great kindness upon me, and the girl, in public, has called me father many times."

"The people love and support me, they elected me to the throne, and I must bear responsibility for humanity."

Translation: "The clansmen love and support me, having elected me to the throne; I must therefore bear responsibility for the human race."

"Nüwa trusts me, she helped me reach where I am today; how could I not spare no effort to help her."

Translation: "Nüwa trusts me, helping me reach where I am today; how could I not spare no effort to aid her?"

"But as long as there's a sliver of hope, I will never give up!"

Translation: "But as long as there is a sliver of hope, I will not give up!"

Fengxi's tone gradually grew heavier and firmer.

Translation: Fengxi's tone gradually grew heavy and firm.

Goumang furrowed his brows, pondered for a long time, then let out a soft sigh, "Enough! Enough! Enough!"

Translation: Goumang frowned, pondered for a long time, then let out a soft sigh, "Enough! Enough! Enough!"

Since you insist on this, I can't very well shirk responsibility.

Translation: "Since you are adamant about this, I cannot well shirk responsibility."

I did say beforehand…… this task is difficult, I have not even a sliver of chance.

Translation: "But as previously stated…… this matter is difficult, I have not even a sliver of chance of victory."

Goumang Ancestor Witch laid out his words, indicating that if it fails, don't blame him.

Translation: Goumang the Ancestral Witch laid out his words, indicating that failure should not be blamed on him.

After all, reviving the girl is no easier than saving Donghua.

Translation: "After all, the difficulty of reviving the girl is not much different from saving Donghua."

"If the girl could feign death, then Donghua could rise from his coffin……"

Translation: "If the girl could feign death, then Donghua could rise from the coffin……"

To illustrate the difficulty, Goumang Ancestor Witch even gave an example.

Translation: "To prove the difficulty, Goumang the Ancestral Witch even gave a specific example."

Can Donghua rise from his coffin?

Translation: "Can Donghua rise from the coffin?"

It is universally agreed that he cannot.

Translation: "It is universally acknowledged that he cannot."

So, can the girl feign death?

Translation: "So, can the girl feign death?"

Probably not either.

Translation: "It should also be impossible."

No problem.

Translation: "No problem."

Fengxi nodded calmly, "The treatment plan is mine; Goumang, you're merely the executor…… if it fails, the blame naturally falls on me—how could I blame you, my helper?"

Translation: Fengxi nodded calmly, "The treatment plan is mine; Goumang, you are merely the executor…… if it fails, the blame naturally falls on me—how could I fault you, this helper?"

Then wouldn't my conscience be devoured by dogs?

Translation: "Then wouldn't my conscience have been devoured by dogs?"

Fengxi felt that, although many times, his conscience and integrity were in an uncertain state, might exist, might not exist.

But at this moment, he was certain—he has!

Good! Ju Mang the ancestral witch nodded, "Then I'll be a tool, lending the Human Emperor a hand!"

Good!

Fengxi's eyes brightened for a moment, then he casually waved, and a coffin appeared beside him.

I have heard that the phoenix's nirvana is most miraculous.

At its peak state, it can even burn away form, return to formlessness, then create something from nothing, breaking all shackles, surpassing its former strongest glorious appearance?

Not bad. Ju Mang the ancestral witch nodded, then added, "But this is for oneself… for others, the effect may deviate."

If it goes wrong, it's not nirvana but cremation of a corpse.

I understand. Fengxi calmly said, "So I will use the clan's fortune to protect the girl, as preventive firewood… Ju Mang the ancestral witch can place the nirvana fire upon her, to gamble with fate."

This… I need to remind you." Ju Mang's expression turned solemn, "Using fortune to burn, this is harming the interests of the entire human race!"

I will first burn the portion of fortune I hold…" Fengxi did not waver, "As a Human Emperor, I after all can hold a certain share of fortune."

The status of the Human Emperor is extraordinary.

Those beneath him could all be workers.

But once one becomes a Human Emperor, no matter what, they are a high-ranking member of the human race throughout history; with the identity of a general manager, they become a member of the board!

Since it's your own thing, I have nothing to say." Ju Mang shook his head, "But the success rate is very slim; you don't know how much fortune you need to pour in."

I only hope that, when the time comes, you won't be liquidated by humanity itself… originally a sage emperor, but because you misused public funds, you were overthrown.

Don't worry, it won't happen." Fengxi lowered his brows and eyes, "Before I burn my portion of fortune, I will lead humanity to carve out a world!"

If our own fortune isn't enough, we can seize outside fortune to use; others can't really complain!

Beneath his calm, indifferent tone lay an unhideable world-shaking killing intent.

At this moment, Ju Mang the ancestral witch was three-tenths surprised.

The former Fengxi, he had seen many times; felt his ability was not bad, but merely not bad.

As Ju Mang, who had witnessed the growth of the August Emperor, Fengxi, though strong, could not surpass Fuxi… to be precise, he felt like a half-finished Fuxi.

But now?

The girl's downfall seemed to have unlocked some shackle, stimulating this Human Emperor's transformation!

In spirit, in soul, in will!

Danger!

Extreme danger!

Seize…" Ju Mang narrowed his eyes, "That's quite difficult."

There are many people out there, not easy to deal with.

It's fine." Fengxi's eyes lingered, "I have decided to revive the girl… no matter how hard, could anything be harder than this?"

Slaying the star sea, suppressing the eight wastelands… I am willing to stake one life to exchange for another's return.

Alright, as long as you're mentally prepared." Ju Mang shook his head, said nothing more, just extended his hand, and a brilliant spark blossomed.

Phoenix—nirvana fire!

This is the essence of this lineage, able to be reborn in deathly stillness, to reappear in decay, having once established tremendous prestige, shaking an entire era.

Dragon-Phoenix great calamity… Dragon-Phoenix great calamity!

To be able to inscribe one's clan onto the name of a calamity shows a glimpse!

Now, the essence of this phoenix has reappeared!

(End of chapter)