Chapter 608

Don't put too much pressure on yourself…… The worst outcome is nothing more than making a deal with the Heavenly Court, dealing a heavy blow to one of the Demon Race's main forces.

Nüwa comforted Fengxi, victory and defeat are common in warfare; if the work in the Netherworld succeeds, it succeeds, and if it doesn't, there's no need to be overly anxious and obsessed.

Of course, during this process you need to timely cut losses——if it cannot be salvaged, then you must cooperate with my actions among the Human Race.

Empress Nüwa has another request.

When I tear through Yandi's disguise and ruthlessly strike on the Human Race battlefield, ambushing and annihilating one of the Heavenly Court's main forces, even a dull commander will basically figure it out, realizing that your Houtu 'stand-in' poses a serious problem…… Consequently, the great pit of the Netherworld will not be lightly entered by the Heavenly Court, and you will also lose the opportunity to launch a surprise attack.

So, you need to coordinate…… When the Netherworld system's collapse momentum is unstoppable and cannot be reversed, then we should go along with the plan, expose a flaw, and synchronously cooperate with my side to lure the Heavenly Court into seizing the battle opportunity, choosing to launch a swift simultaneous strike from these two major 'weak points' of the Netherworld and the Human Race, taking advantage of the void, and fighting on two fronts!

"It's just to have the Heavenly Court wager their racial fortune, right?" Fengxi nodded, indicating he understood.

"Exactly." Nüwa smiled and nodded, "The Netherworld and the Human Race have both been shown by us to be 'weak,' and this is the greatest bait."

"If the Heavenly Court can manage to take both of them down in one fell swoop, then it can be said that in this Lich Great Tribulation they have already secured victory, and the Human Race and Wu Clan will be powerless to turn the tide."

Human Race, the root of the Wu Clan.

Netherworld, the banner of the Wu Clan's united front.

When the foundation and banner are both abolished, that truly is a bloodbath.

Unless, before the collapse, we send most of the opposing main forces away…… only then can we continue to play.

"These are two baits, meant to hook the opposing main forces."

Nüwa chuckled lightly, "If they lack awareness of this, then let them smell this fragrance and voluntarily take the bait."

"So from now on you will take charge of the intelligence system, do well in support work, perform somewhat inadequately on purpose, and occasionally 'leak' some information; dead spies, double agents, and the like can all be used to entice the Heavenly Court side to let greed run rampant."

"Sigh." The female saint sighed, "This way you can also better disguise my persona in the minds of many colleagues—skilled in production and development, lacking in scheming…… enhancing some authenticity."

This is a sorrowful story.

Even Empress Nüwa herself knows she is not material for scheming and plotting, intelligence layout…… Talking strategy on paper, keyboard layout is fine, but once actually hands-on, she's likely to be played like a top.

Fengxi observed his nose, observed his heart from his nose, and remained silent.

At this moment, Nüwa needs no comfort.

He also cannot comfort.

After all……

After all, Fengxi, who stands here and is still highly valued, has long shown that Empress Nüwa is very self-aware and not that kind of material.

Why bother saying things against one's heart?

Otherwise……

By then, when the Great Tribulation ends, each will look back——

Now every word of comfort will become a heart-piercing blade, driving Nüwa's blood pressure to skyrocket…… Perhaps this female saint, the more she thinks, the angrier she gets, and one day she might even trade her life for his, dragging Fengxi away as well!

Not worth it, not worth it.

Fengxi avoided discussing the related issue, preparing for the future.

Although I don't know whether doing this is useful.

But what if it actually works?

Fengxi harbored a disrespectful thought in his heart, while still hearing Nüwa's nagging in his ears, "……Those fellows, do they really think I don't know what they're thinking?"

"Each one harbors plenty of wickedness deep down…… This world is treacherous, and I don't know who brought about this atmosphere, where everyone is more cunning than the last, making it hard for an honest person like me to get by……"

"You say they're bad, fine, but they keep breaking through limits, fiercely engaging in cutthroat competition, afraid of falling behind…… Consequently, social morals deteriorate, and no amount of braking can stop it."

"If someone were pure innocent, thrown into this big dye vat, they probably wouldn't survive three days—just a blink, and the person would be gone!"

"Sigh, when I think of these, I also feel weary, having no choice but to wrong myself and follow along learning to be bad."

"Personally directing one big show after another, killing off one counts as one…… Perhaps, when I become Pangu, everything will finally get better?"

Nüwa wistfully contemplated.

"The Empress's wish will surely be fulfilled." Fengxi finally spoke, with a respectful expression, "Those people have committed a grave mistake, forcing you into darkness…… And thus they will inevitably pay the heaviest price."

"And you will step upon their corpses and march toward the pinnacle!"

"Hmm..." Nüwa swayed her little head, her expression very solemn, "Let's hope so!"

"Come…… let us discuss the details in depth, exchange some exclusive intelligence information, see how the upcoming actions can better have us play off each other, awaiting the day of Absolute Kill to arrive……"

In whispered conversation, a ruler and minister conducted the most in-depth discussion.

Nüwa is the director.

Fengxi is the screenwriter.

In a grand play of fishing and enforcement, they will engage in the closest cooperation, sounding the death knell for the Heavenly Court's commander!

With the passage of time, amidst the interwoven fusion of brilliant immortal light…

Finally, the figures of Fengxi and Houtu crossed paths.

One figure, with a faint Dao aura, ascended Houtu's throne, his entire body ablaze with fiery vigor, flourishing and splendid to the extreme, yet not burning out completely, turning into nothingness, instead giving rise to earthly qi, vast and heavy, possessing the majestic aura capable of bearing the myriad phenomena of the Myriad Heavens…… This seemed, in an instant, to have undergone a transformation and sublimation.

Another figure, red qi hazy, lively light leaping like fire and blossoms, overflowing with vitality and joy, giving birth to all things, nurturing all spirits, clad in the simple, unadorned robes of the Human Emperor, the hanging coronet beads swaying and colliding, the true face unseen, yet the sovereign's aura is unsurpassably radiant—more emperor than that Human Emperor!

The new Houtu, seated high on the Ancestral Wu's throne, having changed from the Human Emperor to become the Chief of the Wu Clan, bearing two great authorities, has experienced them…… 'She' had many things she wanted to say, but ultimately said nothing.

The new Yandi, at first humming a song, somewhat carefree and unrestrained, but soon grew restrained, solemn and mature, the sovereign's noble aura boundless…… 'His' steps were leisurely; time split around him; in a haze, an ancient echo drifted by, singing the world's deepest foundation, an eternal, radiant vital breath.

Yandi walked out of the great doors of the Houtu Holy Hall, gazing at the afterglow of the sunset, he stretched out his hand, as if wanting to retain something.

Suddenly he came to again, his hand withdrawing back into his sleeve, just like his predecessor's composure, solemnity, and tranquility, similar to his elder brother—all the kind of demeanor that she envies.

I come.

I see.

I conquer.

Yandi chuckled lightly, his voice at first somewhat ethereal, but soon became low and strong.

These years, I have cultivated myself and nurtured my nature; I suspect some people have already forgotten my former prestige?

He also fought his way out of the blood-fire great calamity!

Apart from scheming and layout, I am the weak link…… but in production development, gold spears and iron horses, I excel!

I hope some fellow Daoists won't be so startled by this sudden 'surprise' that they lose their composure……

He chuckled lowly, and Yandi departed.

Treading the line between light and shadow at the fading glow, the gentle ripple like the flow of years vanished in an instant.

……

'The Wu Clan's Ancestral Witch system—these muddy waters run deep; you must hold firm.'

Nüwa's reminder still echoed in his ears.

Not long after, Houtu clearly felt the overt and covert attacks within; the water was indeed deep.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches differed in closeness.

Heaven knows.

With just a few members gathered, how could there be more than thirteen factions?!

Coordinating so many factions, keeping things balanced, making everyone think and act as one, is truly no easy task.

Fortunately, Houtu left, but not completely.

He arranged an incarnation as a trumpet to analyze and handle problems in real time, simultaneously relaying; Houtu only needs to use his cultivation and mana to prop up a shell, then speak according to the script.

In a short time, Houtu broadened his horizons.

At that moment, she was to chat and laugh freely with the Xuanming Ancestral Witch.

The next moment, she was to whisper secretly with the Xizi Ancestral Witch.

In the blink of an eye, he and Zhujiuyin felt myriad emotions, reached an agreement, out of anger and lingering fear over the girl's unfortunate death, fully mobilized to build the Wu Clan's intelligence system, demanding how many personnel.

In another instant, he and Gonggong Ancestral Witch traded barbs—Houtu angrily remarked that the dragon clan's sorry host as host could actually let guests be assassinated in the East Sea; better not to occupy a latrine and not defecate, just give up the East Sea to be managed by humanity; Gonggong Ancestral Witch snorted that this was purely the girl's just deserts, such a grand eastern tour, simply terrified of not dying, only a braindead idiot could be beyond help.

A moment away, a full-scale martial brawl was about to unfold.

At the critical moment, Di Jiang Zu Wu stepped in, turned back into an old good guy, acted as a mediator, and persuaded both sides.

This Ancestral Witch's persuasion reason was also quite simple—

The Heavenly Court began full-scale infiltration!

Sure enough, facing the common external contradiction, the Ancestral Witches all had a broad perspective, patiently sat down, and seriously discussed how to handle the problem.

'The Yao Marshals Guiche and Jiuxiang have unknown movements; the Yao Marshals Jimeng and Zitie are patrolling the Heavenly River, seemingly intending to ambush my Zhou headquarters……'

Di Jiang Zu Wu mastered space; deploying troops and formations was his responsibility, including scouting the enemy.

'The Tiānwú Wu Department, I suggest deploying northward for defense…… the Xizi Wu Department, stationed in the western Honghuang, seeking opportunities.'

Houtu commanded, 'The Heavenly River is vast, involving the great circulation of Honghuang's water element…… which fellow Daoist will volunteer?'

'Leave it to me!' Gonggong Ancestral Witch could still be relied upon in major affairs, his dragon eyes glaring—'My department will deploy surveillance over the four seas, always ready to launch a sideways strike on the Heavenly River…… Of course, the precondition is that certain someone doesn't mess up again!'

'Hah!' Houtu snorted coldly, 'My main force will be stationed in Samsara, arrayed along the Forgetting River, using the Azure Heavens and Yellow Springs to spy on the Heavenly Court headquarters, to restrain their main force…… so old friends need not worry.'

A minor friction, but overall still quite harmonious.

Perhaps everyone knows that tearing faces completely before overthrowing the Heavenly Court is not very wise.

Houtu suppressed the past grievances of being trapped in Samsara.

Gonggong no longer mentioned the dragon clan's grand military review.

Everyone was playing dumb, waiting for the right moment to arrive.

……

A meeting quickly ended, accompanied by horns blaring to the heavens and war drums shocking the world; the entire Wu Clan would fully operate, preparing to face one bloody battle after another.

When the Heavenly Court infiltrates, the Wu Clan will be purged!

However, at the meeting's end, there was an interlude that made Nüwa's heart leap.

——Di Jiang Zu Wu, the second-to-last to leave the venue, blocked the first-to-leave Houtu!

This space Ancestral Witch, smiling faintly, full of curiosity—seemed truly just plain curious.

'Little Sis Houtu, why did you change into a whole new outfit today? Wearing battle armour?'

Houtu glanced at him, very calm, 'As an Ancestral Witch and a role model for subordinates, I ought to don armor and wield weapons to show the perilous times!'

'From today onward.'

'As long as the war flames are not extinguished, this armor will not be taken off for a day!'

As Houtu spoke, there lay concealed the utmost resolute will, unshakable, indestructible through myriad calamities.

This was Fengxi's final obstinacy.

Cross-dressing? Impossible to cross-dress…… in this lifetime, absolutely impossible to cross-dress!

Forced by circumstances, I had no choice but to don a suit of armor just to get by!

……

The story splits into two.

On the Wu Clan's side, emergency response kicked in; the twelve Wu divisions operated fully, and the mighty military force shook the ancient firmament.

On this side, humanity was not peaceful either.

Or rather, they were forced to be unrestful.

Under war, there is no pure land; it will not spare you just because you are weak.

On the contrary.

A soft persimmon—everyone likes to give it a couple of squeezes…… especially when a child holds gold!

Humanity is the root of the Wu Clan, a grand initiation of reversing cause and effect across ages; how could it not attract the covetous gaze of the Heavenly Court side?

The ministers seated in the royal court have already sensed from all sides the portent of an approaching storm.

I patrolled today, detected something amiss, dragged out two elite demon race squads, and executed them.

Dayou came following Houtu's order to protect Yandi, arrived at the Royal Court, and immediately achieved merit.

This is a very bad omen……this place may become a key future target of the Heavenly Court's attacks; please handle it cautiously.

Dayou was terse with his words and fell silent after speaking.

Ah……are we humans so easy to bully? They come and bite twice?" In the staff officer's seat, the First Strategist Hougang under Fengxi spoke, "This place is very close to the Wu Clan's headquarters—how dare they come cause trouble?!"

Should we call for Wu Clan support?" He looked at Yandi, very solemn.

As a smart person.

He had no evidence, but from years of scheming and planning, his intuition felt that the Yandi who had gone out and returned seemed off.

Out of caution, Hougang chose to remain quiet, listening and watching more, speaking less, not acting casually in daily life, let alone discussing anything with the undercover Nüwa, maintaining decorum befitting his position without overstepping.

This is the self-cultivation of a crafty veteran.

Also true.

His true self's job is to dig up people's dark history……he's not strict in speech, not proper in behavior, always dissolute; even if he had a thousand lives, it wouldn't be enough for others to surround and kill him!

Call for support?" Yandi chuckled, "Wu Clan support—how long can it last?"

The human race is the root of the Wu Clan.

The performance of the human race will directly affect the Wu Clan's future strength.

If the root is rotten, how can a towering tree grow?

So……in this situation, the human race cannot rely on heaven or earth, only on itself!

Rely on your own abilities to carve out a world!

With your own blood, spirit, wisdom, and heart, inscribe an immortal vigor upon the annals of ages!

Yandi rose abruptly, his brow filled with decisive slaughter.

Convey my command!

Human race……full mobilization for war, no mistakes allowed!

I will personally command the great army, campaign east and west, south and north!

Your Majesty!" The generals were moved, "You……

Say no more, my mind is made up!" Yandi's eyes gleamed, boundless battle intent, making hearts tremble.

War, sooner or later, must be fought.

Yandi was conducting war mobilization, building war consciousness: "Rather than wait for the future, when the people bleed countless times in passivity before hastily training, it's better to take the initiative, striking now while the war's intensity isn't yet great, to forge an iron-blooded war heart!

With me, invincible; with me, certain victory!

One day, I will seek a decisive battle with the main force of the Heavenly Court, behead the Heavenly Court's Two Eastern Emperors, and crown the human race as the sovereign of heaven and earth!

(End of chapter)