Chapter 644

Lei Ze's performance is just the beginning.

Translation: Lei Ze's performance is just a beginning.

When this well-liked ancestor witch of the Wu tribe steps forward and volunteers to be a peacemaker...

Translation: When this Ancestral Witch, who is quite popular among the Wu Clan, steps forward and says she wants to be a peacemaker,

The other divine righteous warriors and Wu tribe heroes who had come here to join and bolster the Dragon Master's forces all spoke up, agreeing with Lei Ze, praising justice, and defusing the tense, unseen standoff between the kings.

Translation: The remaining divine army and Wu Clan heroes who have come here to join and strengthen the Dragon Master troop all speak up, agreeing with Lei Ze, praising justice, and dispelling the invisible tension of a king‑vs‑king covert struggle.

With so many peacemakers around, Fuxi and Chonghua couldn't afford to disregard their own dignity; they either argued or came to blows, but could only force a smile, putting on a performance of host and guest enjoying themselves in harmonious cheer.

Translation: With so many people trying to mediate, Fangxun and Chonghua also find it hard to ignore their own image; here they either argue or come to blows, so they can only put on a somewhat forced smile and put on a performance of host and guest enjoying themselves happily.

After several rounds of drinking, once Lei Ze the Great Sage saw that the mood had grown sufficiently amicable and no one would easily lose their temper, he finally broached the topic, pointing out their shared adversary—the demons—and invited everyone to pool their wisdom and devise a plan.

Translation: After three rounds of drinks, Lei Ze Great Sage sees that the atmosphere is already harmonious and no one will easily lose their temper, so he throws out a brick to attract jade, pointing out the common hostile camp—the Demon Race—and invites everyone to pool ideas and discuss a grand plan.

We have come here on urgent business.

Translation: "We have come here for an important matter."

By the will of the Wu tribe, to punish the unjust and conquer the demon court is a righteous cause we cannot refuse.

Translation: "Acting on the will of the Wu Clan, to eradicate the wicked and conquer the Demon Court is a great undertaking that we cannot shirk."

I, Lei Ze, admit my talent and learning are limited; I am not adept at strategy, I can serve as a general but not as supreme commander— the one who will lead the three armies and strike across the ages must depend on the leaders of the Dragon Master and Bird Master.

Translation: "Here I, Lei Ze, know my talent and learning are shallow; I am not good at strategy, I can be a commander but not a chief……the one who commands the three armies and strikes across the ages still depends on the leaders of the Dragon Master and Bird Master to display their abilities!"

Lei Ze the Great Sage raised a cup to both Fuxi and Chonghua.

Translation: Lei Ze Great Sage each raised a cup to Fangxun and Chonghua.

Victory or defeat, honor or shame, rest upon you two heroes who bear the air of an emperor— as long as you give sensible commands, I, Lei Ze, will follow them without question.

Translation: "Victory or defeat, honor or disgrace, all depend on the two heroes who bear the semblance of a Human Emperor……as long as you give reasonable orders, I, Lei Ze, will obey without hesitation!"

Exactly!

Translation: "Exactly!"

That's right!

Translation: "That's right!"

The righteous ancestor witch, and the god of the Four Peaks who follows Houtu and shares his meals, also voiced their agreement.

Translation: The Ancestral Witch, filled with righteous indignation, and the God of the Four Peaks who eats his meals with Houtu also voice their agreement.

They aren't harboring deep schemes; their strategizing among the ancient gods and sages isn't remarkable, so for now they're just here to do the grunt work— any further intrigue, hidden or open, will be up to you two.

Translation: ——They don't have any deep scheming; their strategic layout among the Ancient God Great Sages isn't particularly outstanding, so for now they're just here to be dutiful tools, and any further yin or yang plots are entirely up to your two performances!

We'll follow whoever proves reliable!

Translation: ——Whoever is reliable, we'll listen to them!

Such a stance shows utter sincerity.

Translation: Such an attitude shows full sincerity.

They are all first-rate masters of great supernatural powers; Lei Ze the Great Sage could even stand out among them, matching the demon court's sorcerers… By setting aside his own standing and looking after the greater good, Fuxi finally put aside his secret scrutiny of Chonghua, turned his attention to the task at hand, and spoke in a serious, solemn tone.

Translation: All are first‑rate Great Divine Adepts; Lei Ze Great Sage can even dominate this tier, matching the Demon Court's Demon Masters……Being able to lower his stature and consider the big picture finally lets Fangxun temporarily set aside his covert observation of Chonghua, turn his thoughts to the proper business, and speak in a serious and solemn manner.

The facts show that Fuxi, or the Azure Dragon Great Sage, may at times be a bit stubborn and overconfident, but his personal ability is beyond doubt—he is a reliable commander.

Translation: The facts prove that Fangxun, or rather the Dragon Ancestor Great Sage, although sometimes a bit stubborn and a little bold, undoubtedly has personal ability and is a reliable commander.

He studied astronomy and geography, grasped the mysteries of the universe, and came prepared regarding the foundations of the demon celestial court.

Translation: He examines astronomy and geography, fathoms the cosmic mysteries, and comes prepared regarding the foundation of the Monster Clan Heavenly Court.

Since you all have such open and public-spirited hearts, I will no longer conceal anything..." Fuxi's voice was low and forceful: "These past days I have ordered my ministers to observe the heavens and track the rising and setting of the sun and moon, and we have already made some headway.

Translation: "Since you all have such an open and impartial heart, I will no longer hide anything……" Fangxun's tone is low and forceful, "These days I have ordered my ministers to observe the starry sky and lock onto the patterns of the sun and moon's rising and setting, and I have already gained some insight."

The Vermilion Bird's Seven Mansions, the Black Tortoise's Seven Mansions, the White Tiger's Seven Mansions...

Translation: "The Vermilion Bird Seven Mansions, the Black Tortoise Seven Mansions, the White Tiger Seven Mansions……"

The Twenty-Eight Mansions are a pivotal hub in the heavens; I have penetrated their subtleties, knowing how they influence the sun and moon, as well as the makeup and strengths and weaknesses of the demon forces stationed in each mansion.

Translation: "In the starry sky they are a pivotal hub—the Twenty‑Eight Mansions; I have already fathomed their subtleties, know how they affect the sun and moon, and know the strengths and weaknesses of the demon forces in each mansion's army……"

This is the result of the Dragon Master's diligent labor.

Translation: This is the fruit of the Dragon Master's hard work.

At one point, Fuxi had his minister Xi Zhong watch the Vermilion Bird's Seven Mansions in Yang Valley; his uncle Xi Shu capture the subtleties of the Azure Dragon's Seven Mansions in the Southern Junction; He Zhong record anomalies of the Black Tortoise's Seven Mansions in Mai Valley; and He Shu observe the realities of the White Tiger's Seven Mansions in the Dark Capital.

Translation: For a period of time, Fangxun ordered his minister Xizhong to watch the movements of the Vermilion Bird Seven Mansions in Yang Valley; he ordered Xishu to seize the profound subtleties of the Dragon Ancestor Seven Mansions in South Junction; he instructed Hezhong to record the anomalies of the Black Tortoise Seven Mansions in Obscure Valley; and he told Heshu to observe the substance and illusion of the White Tiger Seven Mansions in Dark Capital.

All these findings were eventually compiled in Fuxi's hands, enabling the Dragon Master's leader, based on this information, to calculate the marvelous cycles of the sun and moon, to discern the Twenty-Eight Mansions and even the troop movements and supply lines of the Celestial River's naval forces, and to analyze the partial truths and falsehoods in the heavenly court's military doctrines.

Translation: All these results eventually gathered in Fangxun's hands, enabling the Dragon Master's leader, based on this information, to calculate the subtleties of the sun and moon's cycles, to perceive the Twenty‑Eight Mansions and even the troop movements and supply routes of the Heavenly River Navy, and to analyze the partial truths and falsehoods in the Heavenly Court's military doctrines.

Even!

Translation: Even!

Based on this divination's outcome, Fuxi has already begun to mobilize and prepare for war, readying to face the anticipated foe in a grand, decisive battle!

Translation: Based on the results of this temple calculation, Fangxun has already begun to mobilize and prepare for war, ready to strike a massive counter‑strike against the anticipated opponent!

We have an excellent opportunity to alter strategy through tactics!

Translation: "We have a great opportunity to change strategy through tactics!"

"Speaking of getting excited, Fengxi's emotions were high, he laid out a star chart: 'From here, here… and here, advancing, we can cause sufficient interference to the current operation mode of the Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array, disturbing it so that a breach appears!'"

"At that time, if the Wu Clan's Daoist friends Zhu Long and Di Jiang cooperate, covering the sun and sealing the moon, inverting light and darkness, disordering time, shifting the void…"

"Furthermore, the Dragon Clan, mastering the water element by imperial command, actively interferes with the weather of Honghuang heaven and earth—rain, sunshine, clouds, snow—assisted by the four Daoist friends Jumang, Zhurong, Rushou, and Xuanming, each taking charge of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter…"

"Perhaps, we do not even need the Great Array of the Heavenly Gods and Fiends; we could in one strike heavily damage the Demon Race's Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array!"

"Fengxi clenched his fist, his spirit soaring: 'We shall split this array amid the turning of ages—its three hundred sixty-five main stars correspond to three hundred sixty-five days and nights, and we can break them one by one!'"

"Upon these words, many of the mighty present were startled."

"Your Highness Fengxi, is this true?! The Four Peaks Gods exclaimed in unison, 'The three hundred sixty-five stars of the Zhou Tian have been renowned since the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity… Even if divided by time, they could still link end to end, perfectly self-consistent, hard to break.'"

"Hehe…" Fengxi laughed softly, "You need not doubt… I would say this only because I have this confidence."

"Three hundred sixty-five main stars? Then we shall define three hundred sixty-six days and nights, artificially creating a line of breach!"

"His laughter turned cold, 'By the method of the four seasons and solar terms, we anchor the breach; our troops will march within it… Furthermore, the Ancestral Witch She Bi Shi—actually Dou Mu Yuanjun, Zi Guang Yuanjun—with this ancient star saint's star map, even dispatching personnel to guide the way, we can, with our preparedness, strike the enemy's unpreparedness; the enemy will be in disorder while we are not, enabling us to shatter the Star Dou Array and return victorious.'"

"Excellent!" Upon hearing this, Chong Hua shouted applause… as if moved by Fengxi's talent and wisdom, even though he was a clear‑cut rival, he too felt compelled to give praise.

"But, others were unaware."

"Beneath Chong Hua's calm exterior, a bit of cold sweat seeped out, wetting his back clothing."

"'Not fearing thieves stealing, but fearing thieves coveting!' Chong Hua reflected, the Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array is not infallible; it cannot forever remain invincible."

"——In this world, what is invincible is not the array, but the person!"

"No matter how mighty the array, if it is obsessively fixated upon by a top‑notch determined person, there will eventually be a chance to catch a loophole and break it with a single strike."

"Without a doubt, in this regard the Demon Race suffered a loss."

"The Great Array of the Heavenly Gods and Fiends, which remolds Pangu's true body with dripping blood, has as its core technique this era's newly developed Killer's Trick; unlike the Zhou Tian Star Dou, which has hung high in heaven and earth since the Dragon‑Phoenix era, making it all too easy to covet."

"'Jumang, Zhurong, Rushou, and Xuanming are the four seasons……'"

"'Zhu Long and Di Jiang, twisting time‑space, sun and moon……'"

"'Gong Gong commands the Dragon Clan, locking in sunshine, rain, clouds, snow……'"

"'She Bi Shi—Dou Mu Yuanjun, mapping the starry sky, truly a guide……'"

"'Good! Very good!'"

"'This guy Cang, his schemes are vicious…… if he carries them out, it will be the eight Ancestral Witches coming to break this Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array!'"

"'Counting Lei Ze who is currently following the army, that makes nine!'"

"Chong Hua calmly calculated, sighing at the grand, magnificent scale of this scheme."

"The Wu Clan's Twelve Ancestral Witches, at that time except for Houtu, Tiānwú, and Xizhi, were all assembled!"

"'That old dragon!'"

"'Although in the Wu Clan Houtu holds great power and occupies the leading authority…… yet he never gives up, always creating opportunities.' Chong Hua could not help but lament, "'There is nothing that compares to perfectly unleashing a teammate's strength, which subtly and imperceptibly seizes the initiative.'"

"'His this round of planning and coordination is mostly to follow right after the Fire Master's defeat by the Heavenly Court, then to erupt, guiding the confused Wu Clan onto a road to victory……'"

"'Once successful, within the Wu Clan the mountains and rivers will change color, Houtu's power will wane, and Gong Gong will become king!'"

"Chong Hua was judging."

As expected, the next moment, Fangxun seemed to respond humbly, 'Over praise! Over praise!'

My plan, for now, is merely on paper.

To persuade several ancestor witches ideologically, and to ask the dragon side to pledge the authority of the water element Dao... all of that takes time!

It's very difficult!

Fangxun sighed, intensified his tone, and meanwhile his gaze swept over the many heavyweight powerful beings present, with deep meaning.

【Pfft!】×N

Each divine hero and Wu Clan senior official harbored complaints in their hearts.

'As for the ancestor witches, that's fine!'

'When will the dragon clan... also need you to spend time doing ideological work?'

'I see, it's not the dragon clan that needs time, waiting for the right moment to act, but you!'

'If the fire master shows no decline for a day, indicating inability to control the situation, then the dragon clan will have matters each day, making it hard to entrust them with the authority of the water element Great Dao... right?'

'You... are basically sparring with Nüwa Majesty!'

Some ancient god sages, whose hearts were as clear as mirrors, secretly sighed.

Nüwa reinforced the dragon troops, sharing the battle merits—this is an open stratagem.

The leader of the dragon troops, however, is no simple figure... he does not resort to underhanded tricks or play with disgraceful schemes; likewise, it is an open and honorable counterattack, seeking to seize authority justifiably, so that the ancestor witch comrades eager for victory are forced to rally around him.

——What's losing economically? It's just about rankings! As long as we win!

When Fangxun led the team and conquered the whole realm, no matter how the battle achievements were divided, who could ignore his fame?

At that time, the ruler was weak and the minister strong; Gonggong's achievements shook the sovereign... Houtu, if you don't give me the victory, I, Gonggong, will don the yellow robe and take it myself!

The two chief leaders, at this moment, exchanged moves from afar, displaying their respective abilities and judgments of the overall situation.

Unbeknownst to them, the human fire master seemed to have become the most crucial pawn, 'weak' yet important.

Just don't know……

When the 'Yandi' bared its fangs, how many people were left stunned?

Nüwa Majesty, would she perhaps respond to the Dragon Ancestor with a pleased smile... surprised or not? Unexpected or not?

However, Nüwa Majesty's hidden depth is truly too great right now.

Besides her trusted aide Fengxi, everyone else—including her teammates—she has not disclosed the details, keeping them concealed!

This concealment has been very successful.

So successful that when Fangxun's flamboyant positioning and rakish maneuvers were known to the Yao court's Heavenly Majesty Di Jun, without hesitation, it diverted the original attention on the fire master, and they earnestly began observing the dragon master.

'I mean no harm to the dragon; the dragon has hurt my heart.'

Di Jun sighed, cast aside his scruples, ignored how he had previously schemed to kill a batch of Dragon Ancestors, naturally placed himself in the victim's role, and then, as a matter of course—'you are unkind, I will be unrighteous.'

'I need proper defense!'

Heavenly Majesty's eyes were deep, he summoned his close aides, and secretly began preparing some defensive measures.

He was thanking Fangxun, his old buddy.

Perhaps the leader of the dragon troops wanted to give those attendants of Nüwa Majesty, the Four Peaks Gods, some intimidation, to display his grand talent and strategy; besides, such a grand plan would inevitably need prior notice... although the specific detailed operations weren't fully explained, the execution list—no, the warning list—was still laid out.

However, Fangxun didn't expect that in such an important meeting, even the front three rows were not clean.

This gave Di Jun some convenience.

Soon, looking at the ancestor witch list, he made targeted arrangements.

'Doumu Yuanjun, Ziguang Dao Mother?'

'It seems the Big Dipper Seven Stars need close attention these days.'

With a stroke on the list, the personnel of the Big Dipper lineage were circled.

'Then establish the five stars of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth!'

'With these five stars, bind the Five Elements ancestor witches' Great Dao, using it as a springboard to monitor whether they will exhibit abnormal behavior!'

'Even if we cannot counterattack, timely warning is also good.'

Heavenly Majesty wrote secret edicts; these are all tasks that need to be carried out quietly.

Finally, his fingertips tapped the names of the two topmost ancestor witches of time and space; Heavenly Majesty narrowed his eyes and communicated with Donghuang Taiyi.

'Zhulong? Di Jiang? Heaven and Earth Four Seasons?'

Taiyi's low response: 'I already know... then, if the dragon troops make any move, I myself will use the Chaos Bell to suppress all of time and space, anchor the sun and moon, so as not to let the situation get out of control.'

'That's good.'

Di Jun slightly nodded, then suddenly shifted the topic: 'How do you view the human fire master's side?'

'Not bad.'

After pondering, Taiyi answered: 'Yandi, not bad.'

'But, he met me.'

'However, my swift victory is not easy either... he has great self-awareness, his defenses are very thorough.'

'But prolonged defense will surely lose; the chance to decide is not far off.'

'Really?' Di Jun's eyes brightened, 'Just defeating one fire master unit is not enough.'

'Among humans, the fire master is important, but in the overall picture, the loss of the fire master is not great for the Wu Clan.'

'If we are to inflict harm, then harm the Wu Clan's foundation!'

'I have already decided!'

Heavenly Majesty's eyes gleamed: 'Soon, I will dispatch Yao Marshal Yingzhao and Yao Marshal Bifang to covertly infiltrate the netherworld, awaiting the opportunity to strike!'

'They will wage war in the nether realm, while you coordinate in the yang realm... make sure they cannot support each other!'

Having said that, Di Jun exhaled a long breath: 'This way, even if we encounter unforeseen changes, you will also have a bit more room to maneuver.'

"Older brother, are you still worried about the Five Directions Heavenly Emperor?" Donghuang somewhat understood.

"Yeah!" Di Jun said, "If there really is a change, then attacking the Netherworld would be a move that strikes where they must defend...... and if everything goes smoothly, then it would be a glorious great victory!"

"I understand." Taiyi remained somewhat silent, "I will act cautiously."

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself......" Di Jun suddenly laughed, "If we really can't...... we'll use the element of surprise and strike at the Dragon Master."

(End of chapter)