Chapter 64

A black pot suddenly fell from the sky for no reason, leaving Gong Gong Zu Wu no chance to avoid it.

Translation: "A black pot fell from the sky for no reason, leaving Gong Gong Zu Wu no chance to avoid it."

Check: "A black pot" = "A black pot". "fell from the sky for no reason" = "fell from the sky for no reason". "leaving Gong Gong Zu Wu no chance to avoid it" = "leaving Gong Gong Zu Wu no chance to avoid it". Good.

He was furious about it.

Translation: "Regarding this, he was furious."

How could I be the Yellow Emperor?

Translation: "\"How could I possibly be Huangdi? \""

If I were the Yellow Emperor, how could Zhuanxu use me to boost his record?

Translation: "\"If I were Huangdi, how could Zhuanxu use me to pad his battle record? \""

Dijiang, you're spewing blood and insulting people—this is absolutely unacceptable!

Translation: "\"Di Jiang, you're spitting blood and slandering people—this is utterly unreasonable! \""

Gong Gong slammed the table and stood up, his resentment so deep that even pouring out all the waters of the five lakes and four seas couldn't cleanse it, making all the Ancestor Wu present look askance.

Translation: "Gong Gong slammed the table and rose, his resentment heavy as if even pouring out all the waters of the five lakes and four seas could not wash it away, causing all the Ancestor Wu present to glance askance."

Check: "as if even pouring out all the waters of the five lakes and four seas could not wash it away" = "as if even pouring out all the waters of the five lakes and four seas could not wash it away". Good.

They exchanged glances, first confused, then suddenly comprehended——

Translation: "They looked at each other, first puzzled, then suddenly realized——"

As the renowned primordial "Iron-Head Baby," no legend changes that he is a top-tier powerhouse who gauges Buzhou Pillar's hardness with his own skull… Thinking of this, the eleven Ancestor Wu together shed a sympathetic tear for Gong Gong.

Translation: "As the renowned 'Iron Head Baby' of Honghuang, no matter which legend version, it cannot change the fact that he is a top-tier powerhouse who measures the hardness of Buzhou Pillar with his own skull…… Thinking this, the eleven Ancestor Wu together shed a tear of sympathy for Gong Gong."

Check: "top-tier powerhouse" = "top-tier powerhouse". "measures the hardness of Buzhou Pillar with his own skull" = "measures the hardness of Buzhou Pillar with his own skull". Good.

But though the tears are real, the emotions behind them—whether genuine sympathy or gloating—are perhaps known only to the Ancestor Wu themselves.

Translation: "However, though these tears are genuine, the emotions they contain—whether true sympathy or schadenfreude—are perhaps known only to each Ancestor Wu in their hearts."

On the surface, aside from Gong Gong, each Ancestor Wu is righteous and loyal, ready to stab their ribs for comrades—exalted beings of high virtue and great divine power… Thus their reaction is such harmony and unanimity, speaking with one voice to comfort Gong Gong while also denouncing Zhuanxu, loudly condemning the unseen giant behind him.

Translation: "Naturally, on the surface, every Ancestor Wu besides Gong Gong is righteous and loyal, willing to stab their ribs for comrades, a morally exalted great divine talent…… Thus their performance is such unanimity and unity, speaking with one voice to comfort Gong Gong while also denouncing Zhuanxu, loudly condemning the unseen giant behind him."

Check: "righteous and loyal" = "righteous and loyal". "willing to stab their ribs for comrades" = "willing to stab their ribs for comrades". "morally exalted great divine talent" = "morally exalted great divine talent". "speaking with one voice to comfort Gong Gong" = "speaking with one voice to comfort Gong Gong". "denouncing Zhuanxu" = "denouncing Zhuanxu". "loudly condemning the unseen giant behind him" = "loudly condemning the unseen giant behind him". Good.

At the same time, Ancestor Wu Dijiang expressed deep remorse and regret for his earlier improper remarks, realizing he shouldn't have pointed his spear at his comrade, nearly harming their camaraderie.

Translation: "At the same time, Di Jiang Zu Wu expressed profound remorse and regret for his previous improper remarks, realizing he should not have pointed his spear at his comrade's person, nearly damaging camaraderie."

Check: "expressed profound remorse and regret" = "expressed profound remorse and regret". "realizing he should not have pointed his spear at his comrade's person" = "realizing he should not have pointed his spear at his comrade's person". "nearly damaging camaraderie" = "nearly damaging camaraderie". Good.

"It's my fault." Dijiang self-reflected, his face full of apology, as if his left cheek said "Sorry" and his right cheek said "I was wrong"… Given his status, he subtly surpasses ordinary Ancestor Wu; only Houtu can stand beside him—this is exceedingly rare.

Translation: "\"It's my fault. \" Di Jiang self‑critiqued, his face full of apology, almost with 'sorry' written on his left cheek and 'I was wrong' on his right…… Given his status, he subtly surpasses ordinary Ancestor Wu, only Houtu can stand beside him—this is exceedingly rare."

Check: "Given his status, he subtly surpasses ordinary Ancestor Wu, only Houtu can stand beside him—this is exceedingly rare." = "Given his status, he subtly surpasses ordinary Ancestor Wu, only Houtu can stand beside him—this is exceedingly rare." Good.

"I am, being concerned leads to confusion..." Dijiang sighed deeply, not much self-blame, "Excessively chasing Huangdi's traces, even the tiniest bit of uncertain information I would grasp at shadows…… In the end, I overcorrected and hurt Gong Gong fellow cultivator's spirit."

Translation: "\"It's my over‑concern that caused chaos……\" Di Jiang sighed deeply, not overly self‑blaming, \"Excessively chasing Huangdi's traces, even the tiniest bit of uncertain information I would grasp at shadows…… In the end, I overcorrected and hurt Gong Gong fellow cultivator's spirit. \"."

Check: "Excessively chasing Huangdi's traces, even the tiniest bit of uncertain information I would grasp at shadows…… In the end, I overcorrected and hurt Gong Gong fellow cultivator's spirit." = "Excessively chasing Huangdi's traces, even the tiniest bit of uncertain information I would grasp at shadows…… In the end, I overcorrected and hurt Gong Gong fellow cultivator's spirit." Good.

"This is a grave mistake I have made; it is not what a just, wise, virtuous, intelligent, broad-minded leader ought to do."

Translation: "\"This is a grave mistake I have made—not what a just, wise, virtuous, intelligent, broad‑minded leader ought to do. \""

"I… I am ashamed before all of you! I am ashamed before the Wu tribe!"

Translation: "\"I…… am ashamed before all of you! Ashamed before the Wu Clan! \""

Dijiang was putting himself down, and all the Ancestor Wu present were stunned.

Translation: "Di Jiang was self‑criticizing, and all the Ancestor Wu present stared dumbfounded."

Although no one would think Dijiang is a just, wise, virtuous Ancestor Wu, normally no one dares to voice an opinion or mock him to his face, so they all tacitly assume his morality is flawless.

Translation: "Although no one would think Di Jiang is a just, virtuous Ancestor Wu, normally nobody dares to voice an opinion or mock him to his face, so everyone tacitly acknowledges his morality is maxed out."

But now, this self-revealing performance… each Ancestor Wu said it was fresh and interesting, like watching a great show.

Translation: "But now, this self‑exposure…… each Ancestor Wu says it's fresh and interesting, having watched a great show."

On the surface they remained silent, but inside they were delighted, almost ready to raise their hands and applaud vigorously.

Translation: "On the surface they said nothing, but inside each was delighted, almost ready to raise both hands and clap vigorously."

Only one Ancestor Wu furrowed his brow, as if earnestly pondering some great problem.

Translation: "Only one Ancestor Wu furrowed his brows, as if pondering some great problem."

——Houtu!

Translation: "——Houtu!"

She listened to Dijiang's self-criticism and felt something was off.

Translation: "She listened to Di Jiang's self‑criticism and always felt something was off."

After repeated and earnest contemplation, she finally found the cause of her unease.

Translation: "After repeated and earnest thought, she finally found the cause of her unease."

"This guy… is pointing at the mulberry while cursing the locust!"

Translation: "\"This guy…… is pointing at mulberry trees while cursing locust trees! \""

"It looks like he's criticizing himself… but actually, he's dragging me in too!"

Translation: "\"It looks like he's criticizing himself…… but actually he's dragging me in too! \""

Dijiang expressed remorse for his own unfounded suspicion, which had hurt Gong Gong's fragile spirit……

Translation: "Di Jiang expressed regret for his own arbitrary suspicion that harmed Gong Gong's \"fragile spirit\"……"

Then her earlier baseless speculation that Dijiang was the Yellow Emperor…… isn't that also making her the same kind of person as him?

Translation: "Then her earlier baseless speculation that Di Jiang was Huangdi…… isn't she also becoming the same kind of person as him?"

Character is revealed through comparison.

Translation: "Character is revealed through comparison."

The more Dijiang puts himself down, the more Houtu's virtue… well, also becomes similar to his, not far off.

Translation: "The more Di Jiang self‑criticizes, the more Houtu's virtue…… well, also becomes similar, hardly different."

"Both sides suffer…… what a ruthless Wu!"

Translation: "\"Both sides lose…… a ruthless Wu Clan member indeed! \""

Houtu let out a deep sigh from the heart, ultimately having to speak up to stop Dijiang's behavior.

Translation: "Houtu sighed deeply inside, ultimately having to speak up to stop Di Jiang's behavior."

"Cough cough!" She gave two dry coughs, cleared her throat, organized her words, found a suitable entry point, so she wouldn't be so passive, brushing over her past actions, and taking a moral high ground: "Dijiang fellow cultivator, you need not blame yourself anymore……"

Translation: "\"Cough cough! \" She gave two dry coughs, cleared her throat, organized her words, found a suitable entry point so she wouldn't be so passive, brushed over her past actions, and stood on a moral high ground: \"Di Jiang fellow cultivator, you need not blame yourself further……\""

"Who hasn't made a mistake? Recognizing one's error and correcting it is enough to be worthy of joy and happiness." Houtu said solemnly and respectfully.

Translation: "\"Who hasn't made a mistake? Recognizing one's error and correcting it is enough to be worthy of joy and happiness. \" Houtu said solemnly."

"No!" Dijiang shook his head again and again, his face full of sorrow, "As the saying goes, many mouths can melt gold…… the harm of rumors is invisible and intangible, impossible to guard against, and the damage they cause is certainly not something that can be swept away by a simple apology."

Translation: "\"No! \" Di Jiang shook his head again and again, face full of sorrow, \"As the saying goes, many mouths can melt gold…… the harm of rumors is invisible and unstoppable, and the damage they cause—how could it be erased by merely admitting fault? \""

"Look at Gong Gong fellow cultivator now, his face full of grievance and resentment…… that shows how deep his pain and sorrow are!"

Translation: "\"Look at Gong Gong fellow cultivator now, face full of grievance and resentment…… that shows how deep his pain and sorrow are! \""

"I, due to a single mistaken thought, have caused these consequences…… my conscience is uneasy, my conscience is uneasy!"

Translation: "\"I, due to a single thought gone awry, have caused this result…… my conscience is uneasy, my conscience is uneasy! \""

Ancestor Wu Dijiang, possessing righteousness, noble conduct, sincere and moving…… he holds himself to the strictest Wu cultivator standards, aspiring to be a towering Ancestor Wu with a heart of great benevolence, becoming the perfect moral benchmark in the hearts of all beings of the present age.

Translation: "Di Jiang Zu Wu, possessing righteousness, noble conduct, sincere and moving…… he holds himself to the strictest Wu cultivator standards, aiming to be a towering Ancestor Wu of great benevolence, becoming the perfect moral benchmark in the hearts of all beings of the present age!"

Houtu's face darkened, she glanced at Gong Gong——

Translation: "Houtu's face darkened, she glanced at Gong Gong——"

"Is this anger? Is this pain? Is this sorrow?"

Translation: "\"Is this anger? Pain? Sorrow? \""

She saw it very clearly…… after all, her eyes aren't blind.

Translation: "She saw it clearly…… after all, her eyes aren't blind."

"Yes…… earlier he indeed was like that."

Translation: "\"Yes…… earlier he indeed was like that. \""

"But now?"

Translation: "\"But now? \""

"I see he's about to laugh! To laugh wildly!"

Translation: "\"I see he's about to laugh! To laugh wildly! \""

"However, he fears that if he laughs out loud, as soon as he steps outside he'll be violently attacked by two unnamed Space Ancestor Wu and Earth Ancestor Wu wearing masks, so he barely manages to hold it in…… enduring until his forehead veins bulge, nearing his limit."

Translation: "\"However, he fears that if he laughs out loud, upon stepping outside he'll be ambushed and beaten by two unnamed Ancestor Wu—one of Space, one of Earth—so he barely manages to hold back…… holding back until his forehead veins bulge, nearing his limit. \""

Thinking this, Houtu's eyes narrowed, a cold sharp glint flashed and vanished, but her tone grew ever softer.

Translation: "Thinking this, Houtu's eyes narrowed, a cold gleam flashed and vanished, yet her tone grew softer."

She said to Dijiang: "Your uneasy conscience isn't it because you hurt Gong Gong brother's heart, worrying that you've left a grudge between you, so that your camaraderie is gone from now on?"

Translation: "She thus said to Di Jiang fellow cultivator: \"Your uneasy conscience—isn't it because you harmed Gong Gong brothers' hearts, worrying that grudges will remain between you, ending comradeship? \""

"But why don't you ask Gong Gong fellow cultivator…… after your self-reflection, has he forgiven you?" Houtu the Ancestor Wu kindly glanced at Gong Gong, "Dijiang ah…… you must believe each of us Ancestor Wu present."

Translation: "\"But why don't you ask Gong Gong fellow cultivator…… after your self‑examination, has he forgiven you? \" Houtu Zu Wu kindly glanced at Gong Gong, \"Di Jiang ah…… you must trust each of the Ancestor Wu present. \""

"Each of us has the broadest mind, the widest heart…… most able to understand others, not petty, we won't constantly bring up others' unintentional hurts in word or deed…… Gong Gong fellow cultivator, you say…… right?"

Translation: "\"Each of us possesses the broadest mind and heart…… most adept at understanding others, not nitpicking, not holding occasional unintentional harm against anyone, always speaking it and acting on it…… Gong Gong fellow cultivator, you say…… right? \""

Gong Gong remained silent.

Translation: "Gong Gong remained silent."

He glanced at the "calm" Houtu, then at the mysteriously strange Dijiang…… the smile he had been suppressing instantly vanished, replaced by a chilling dread welling up in his heart.

Translation: "He glanced at Houtu's \"calm\" face, then at Di Jiang's mysteriously strange expression…… the smile he had been suppressing instantly vanished, replaced by a dreadful chill rising in his heart."

Gong Gong opened his mouth, said nothing, then closed it; shortly after he opened his mouth again……

Translation: "Gong Gong opened his mouth, said nothing, then closed it; shortly after he opened his mouth again……"

After several repetitions, he finally seemed to muster all his strength and utter a single word——

Translation: "After several repetitions, finally he seemed to exhaust all his strength and uttered a single word——"

"Yes!"

Translation: "\"Yes! \""

"Eh ya ya!"

Translation: "\"Eh ya ya! \""

Houtu's face showed overwhelming emotion; she even lifted her sleeve to wipe the corner of her eye, as if to wipe away moved tears…… when she lowered the sleeve, it was plainly visible that her eye sockets had reddened.

Translation: "Houtu's face bore an expression of immense emotion; she even lifted her sleeve to wipe her eye corners, as if to wipe away moved tears…… when she lowered the sleeve, visibly, her eye sockets reddened."

"Gong Gong fellow cultivator's conduct proves our Ancestor Wu's noble virtue, the broad-mindedness that embraces all rivers……" Houtu spoke passionately, "Everyone, let us tolerate and help each other…… united in cooperation, we are destined to achieve the greatest victory of this era!"

Translation: "\"Gong Gong fellow cultivator's conduct proves our Ancestor Wu's noble virtue and the magnanimity of embracing all rivers……\" Houtu declared passionately, \"We tolerate and help each other…… united in cooperation, we are destined to achieve the greatest victory of this era! \""

"Dijiang…… do you say it is so?"

Translation: "\"Di Jiang…… do you say it is so? \""

Houtu the Ancestor Wu stepped forward a few paces, looking earnestly at the Space Ancestor Wu.

Translation: "Houtu Zu Wu stepped forward a few steps, earnestly gazing at the Space Ancestor Wu."

Dijiang blinked, blinked again, and suddenly laughed.

Translation: "Di Jiang blinked, blinked again, then suddenly laughed."

"Indeed…… Houtu sister, impressive!" He clapped and praised, "Our ancestral witches, we focus our hearts in one place, exert our strength in one place…… striking sideways at the Heavenly Dao, we will surely defeat the Demon Race—victory is imminent!"

"Yeah!" Houtu's flushed eye sockets instantly returned to normal, "So... I apologize for my previous fault and sincerely ask for your understanding."

"Your words are too distant!" Emperor Jiang patted his chest, "Gongong Dao friend, such a great injustice can forgive my fault... how could I not have such magnanimity?"

"From now on, let us let go of past grudges, never doubt our comrades again, and strive for final victory!"

Houtu looked at Emperor Jiang, Emperor Jiang looked at Houtu... the two ancestral witches burst into loud laughter simultaneously, very joyful and happy.

……

"Do you feel it?"

Xuanming Ancestral Witch slightly turned sideways, whispering to Jummang Ancestral Witch, "Their laughter makes one's scalp go numb..."

"Exactly, exactly!" Jummang nodded repeatedly, "My hairs are standing on end... it's so creepy!"

This ancestral witch, while commenting, poked Xizi, "And you? What do you think?"

"I couldn't agree more!"

Xizi Ancestral Witch sighed, seeing that scene of brotherly friendship and sisterly respect, feeling utterly creeped out.

Fortunately, Emperor Jiang and Houtu, the two spiritual leaders of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, did not maintain this terrifying atmosphere for long.

They temporarily set aside the question of Huangdi's origin and turned to discussing countermeasures and preventive work.

"Since you, Houtu, suspect that the little witch Fengxi is a pawn of Yandi, believing you can use him to ally with the Yandi behind him and form an alliance against Huangdi..." Emperor Jiang flipped his hand, and an ancient-looking scroll appeared in his hand, "If so, then the innate spiritual treasure used for fishing shall be this Mysterious Heaven Diagram I hold."

Emperor Jiang looked at the several ancestral witches with doubt in their eyes, smiled, "No need to doubt me, using this to scheme secretly—I have plenty of means to kill Fengxi; why go through all this roundabout?"

"In fact, I want to prove my innocence more than anyone... I, Emperor Jiang, have nothing to do with Huangdi!"

"Words from the heart, heaven can attest!"

Emperor Jiang spoke solemnly, and the eleven ancestral witches were all moved.

While they were deep in thought, this ancestral witch sighed softly, "Don't overlook... Emperor Jiang turned into Huangdi, but there was also an Emperor Hong in between."

"And Emperor Hong... is like Emperor Ku, Emperor Yao, Emperor Shun; the preceding 'Di' is an honorific for leaders."

"Emperor Hong, after removing the 'Di' character, what remains?"

"Hong... is quite worth pondering!" Emperor Jiang said meaningfully, raising his hand upward, "With that person's strength, could a leader's lineage really sweep the ancestral witches so easily?"

"Indeed... that person has this strength!" All the ancestral witches' eyes flickered.

"Having strength, that's enough!"

"Being too strong can sometimes be a crime."

"It makes people wary, it makes people vigilant."

"Emperor Hong, Hunjun, Huangdi... this indeed cannot be overlooked." Houtu nodded solemnly, then suddenly laughed, "But from now on, I will keep a close watch inside the Wu Clan... could something jump out of my palm to stir up wind and rain?"

"I actually want to know... just how capable he is!"

(End of chapter)