Chapter 692

At the crossroads of life's choices, Nüwa made her own decision.

Translation: At the crossroads of life's choices, Nüwa made her own decision.

—She rejected Emperor Jun's proposal.

Translation: —She refused Di Jun's proposal.

For personal gain, she would compromise with the enemy, temporarily abandoning the steadfast path she had walked, setting aside the sacrifices and contributions of countless benevolent scholars...

Translation: For personal gain, she would compromise with the enemy, temporarily abandoning the steadfast path she had walked, setting aside the sacrifices and contributions of countless benevolent individuals……

Nüwa could not do that.

Translation: Nüwa could not do that.

"I simply cannot become such a cold-blooded, selfish emperor..."

Translation: "I simply cannot be such a cold-blooded, self-serving emperor……"

Nüwa sighs self-mockingly, feeling somewhat helpless, "I lack a bit of the heroic, domineering presence..."

Translation: Nüwa, deep in her heart, self-mocked with a hint of helplessness, "I lack a bit of the heroic tyrant's bearing……"

"Ah..."

Translation: "Ah……"

"If it were my older brother, who has no scruples, he might have readily agreed..."

Translation: "If it were my older brother, that shameless one, he might have just agreed outright……"

"In this regard, I ultimately fall short of my brother's ruthlessness, decisiveness, and bold determination..."

Translation: "In this regard, I ultimately fall short of my elder brother's ruthlessness and decisive courage……"

"Moved by the sacrifices and dedication of my subordinates, I chose a path that benefits the overall situation but harms myself..."

Translation: "I would be moved by the sacrifices and dedication of my subordinates, thus choosing a path that benefits the greater good but harms myself……"

Nüwa lets out a soft sigh.

Translation: Nüwa let out a soft sigh in her heart.

However.

Translation: However.

Sighs are sighs, self-mockery is self-mockery.

Translation: Sighs are sighs, self-mockery is self-mockery.

Truly making Nüwa feel regret... is not the case.

Translation: To truly make Nüwa feel regret…… it's not that serious.

On the contrary, when she made her decision, her heart felt somewhat light.

Translation: On the contrary, when she made her decision, her heart felt a bit light.

She is a goddess with conscience, principles, and integrity.

Translation: She is a goddess with conscience, principles, and integrity.

In this era of witches and demons, having walked this path, she has witnessed too much blood and tears; as the supreme leader of one faction, deciding the life and death of countless beings... is an experience she has never had before.

Translation: In this era of Wu and Yao, having come this far, she has witnessed too much blood and tears; as the supreme leader of one faction, deciding the life and death of countless beings…… this is an experience she has never had before.

In the past, she was merely a second-in-command!

Translation: In the past, she was merely a second-in-command!

Her main duties were handling logistics and production, occasionally going to the battlefield, where she also served as top combat strength, doing some heavy lifting.

Translation: Her main work was still handling logistics and production, occasionally going to the battlefield, where she also served as top combat strength, doing some enforcer work.

To decide the rise and fall of ethnic groups with a single word, and according to wartime needs, designate who should sacrifice, act as bait, serve as cannon fodder, weighing pros and cons, holding power over life and death... was rare.

Translation: To decide the rise and fall of clans with a single word, and according to wartime needs, designate who shall be sacrificed, serve as bait, be cannon fodder, weigh pros and cons, hold power over life and death…… this was rare.

In ancient eras, those who oversaw such bloody slaughter were mostly male primordial gods and sages; they were decisive in killing, cold-blooded and unfeeling, viewing countless beings as mere monotonous data, indifferent at heart.

Translation: In ancient eras, those overseeing such bloody carnage were mostly male primordial gods and sages, each decisive in slaughter, cold-blooded and unfeeling; to them, countless beings were merely monotonous data, viewed with indifferent hearts and natures.

But today, the one doing this work is Nüwa!

Translation: Yet today, the one performing this work is Nüwa!

She still masters the Grand Dao of Creation; at the time of heaven and earth's opening, she stained the primordial wilderness, becoming the holy mother of creation for all beings.

Translation: She still holds sway over the Great Dao of Creation, having tinged Honghuang at the moment heaven and earth were opened, becoming the Holy Mother of Creation, the source of all beings!

This is a karmic bond, a incense offering, giving Nüwa a touch of "motherliness."

Translation: This is a karmic bond, a thread of incense, giving Nüwa a touch more "maternal nature."

Even if there is more flesh on the palm and less on the back of the hand, they are still flesh.

Translation: Even if palm and back differ in fleshiness, they are still flesh.

When she presides over war, fighting and slaughtering, destroying many demon tribes, her heart inevitably bears some specks of dust.

Translation: When she presides over war, waging battle and slaughter, destroying many demon tribes, her heart inevitably bears some specks of dust.

That much is forgivable!

Translation: That much is tolerable!

The key is, the witch-demon war cannot fully unfold according to her wishes, achieving a smooth situation... The demon race has countless living soldiers who die due to her command; the witch and human races also have vast multitudes who, to execute her orders, sacrifice minimally for maximal gain, serving as bait, tactical deception; or they fight to the death, holding the line, awaiting the main force to flank... these are all sacrifices.

Translation: The key is, the Wu-Yao war cannot entirely follow her wishes to secure a smooth advantage…… the Demon Race has countless soldiers who die due to her command; the Wu Clan and humanity likewise have vast multitudes who, to execute her orders, sacrifice minimally for maximal gain, or act as bait, tactical deception; or fight to the death, holding the line, awaiting the main force to flank…… these are all sacrifices!

This is merely the overt warfare of swords and soldiers, blood and fire scorching the earth, white bones piling up, one general's success built upon ten thousand bones.

Translation: This is merely the overt warfare of blades, blood and fire scorching the earth, white bones piling high, one general's triumph built on ten thousand bones.

Behind the scenes?

Translation: Behind the scenes?

Invisible blades are slicing through.

Translation: Invisible blades are slicing through.

—How could a mighty force be entirely bright?

Translation: —How could a mighty faction be all light?

In the shadows, an intelligence system must be established!

Translation: In the shadows, an intelligence system must be operated!

Moreover, as the supreme leader of the faction, such hidden blades must be firmly grasped to control the overall situation, infiltrate externally, and purify internally.

Translation: Moreover, as the supreme leader of the faction, such hidden blades must be firmly grasped, to control the overall situation, infiltrate externally, and purify internally.

Countless dark aspects are reported to Nüwa one by one, and she personally decides how to strike the enemy with darkness, interfering with their normal development and construction, undermining the stability and unity of their thoughts.

Translation: Countless dark aspects are reported to Nüwa's ears, one after another, and she herself decides what dark strikes to launch against the enemy, to disrupt their normal development, to undermine the stability and unity of their thoughts.

Many provocations are stirred up by this system... Perhaps not as overtly stimulating as the visible swords and blood, yet subtly, it has already made countless clan families struggle to survive, extinguishing many hopes of dawn.

Translation: How many provocations are stirred by this system…… perhaps not as stirring as the overt blood and fire of weapons, yet subtly, it has already made countless clan families' livelihoods difficult, extinguishing many hopes of dawn.

People still live.

Translation: People still live.

But their hearts have already died.

Translation: But their hearts have long since died.

Speaking of guilt and psychological pressure, this aspect is no less than the frontline warfare.

Translation: Speaking of guilt, speaking of psychological pressure, this aspect is no less than the frontline warfare.

Furthermore, as Nüwa controls the witch tribe, both aspects come as a package deal; neither can be omitted.

Translation: Furthermore, as Nüwa, controller of the Wu Clan, both aspects come as a package deal; neither can be lacking.

For a goddess like her, with high moral standards, enduring such days for a long time has become a great torment, a trial of the spirit.

Translation: For a goddess like her, with high moral standards, such days persisting over a long span have become a great torment, a trial of the spirit.

In the torment and trial, she often hovers on the edge of decadence; perhaps one day, an inadvertent moment will turn her into the very person she once despised, losing empathy for all beings, no longer pitying them, becoming utterly aloof.

Translation: In the torment, in the trial, she often hovers on the brink of depravity; perhaps one day, an inadvertent moment will turn her into the very person she once despised, losing empathy for all beings, no longer pitying them, utterly aloft.

However, Nüwa has persevered.

Translation: However, Nüwa endured it all.

In this era, as the leader of the witch tribe, that complex and dark experience has not sunk her thoughts, but has polished her heart into a brilliant, dazzling radiance that awes.

Translation: In this era, as the chief of the Wu Clan, that complex and dark experience did not sink her thoughts, yet it polished her heart into a brilliant, dazzling radiance, awe-inspiring.

Once, she, out of spite, to seize the family throne, and to have a rallying slogan for an uprising, proposed the idea of upholding the human path, marching forth with mighty vigor on the road of rebellion, attracting many supporters and followers... yet she herself is not fully confident she can adhere to that ideal to the end.

Translation: Once, she, to vent anger, to vie for familial imperial status, to have a rallying slogan for mass uprising, proposed the idea of upholding the human path, marching forth with mighty vigor on the road of rebellion, attracting many supporters and followers…… yet even she herself is not fully confident she can adhere to that ideal to the end.

After all, in the past, Lady Nüwa's days were not too wonderful... As the most famous gourmet of the primordial wilderness, eating well and drinking well, isn't that fragrant? Why would she seek suffering for herself?

Translation: After all, in the past, Lady Nüwa's little days were not too wonderful…… as the most renowned gourmet of Honghuang, eating well and drinking well, isn't that fragrant? Why would she seek suffering for herself?

But today.

Translation: But today.

Listening to the sorrowful cries of all beings in this era.

Translation: Listening to the sorrowful cries of all beings in this era.

Watching helplessly as countless loyal soldiers shed their blood for the path she expounded, burying their bones for an ideal whose victory is uncertain, collapsing midway...

Translation: Watching helplessly as countless loyal soldiers pour out their hot blood for the path she expounded, burying their bones for an ideal whose victory is uncertain, collapsing midway……

Even if it is a human hero who has become a ghost emperor, when facing death, they hold no resentment or regret, and still urge Nüwa not to feel guilty or blame herself.

Translation: Even if it is a human hero who has already become a ghost emperor, when facing death, they harbor no resentment or regret, still urging Nüwa not to feel guilty or self-blame.

Even if it is a renowned, accomplished human sovereign, for the sake of Nüwa's plan, they do not mind adding the black history of cross-dressing to themselves, losing all propriety; after the great calamity, they may not even know if they can still face people.

Translation: Even if it is a peerless human sovereign who has already achieved fame and success, for the sake of Nüwa's plan, they do not mind adding a "cross-dressing" black mark to their own record, losing all integrity; after the great calamity, they may not even know if they can still face people.

And then... Great Yi!

Translation: And…… Houyi!

Originally a happy, fulfilled family, especially when Chang'e's true identity was revealed, this living off her spouse made others envious, wishing they could take her place.

Translation: Originally a happy, blissful family, especially when Chang'e's true identity was revealed, living off her earnings made others envy, wishing they could take her place.

But all of this was destroyed... and it was his own doing!

Translation: But all this was destroyed…… and it was he himself who destroyed it!

He personally killed nine of his ten brothers-in-law!

Translation: He personally killed nine of his ten brothers-in-law!

From then on, he was destined to part ways with his lovely wife and beauties, and must guard against his father-in-law and mother-in-law, who would try every means to kill him.

Translation: Henceforth, he is destined to part ways with his lovely wife and beauties, and must also guard against being killed by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, who will stop at nothing.

Blood loss!

Translation: Blood loss!

And with such blood loss, what is Great Yi scheming for?

Translation: And with such blood loss, what is Houyi scheming for?

It is merely an enactment of his ideals and beliefs.

Translation: It is merely an enactment of his ideals and beliefs!

Sacrificed a happy family, embarked on a road that even his relatives could not understand, for the greater good he slew his kin— merely to set this age right…

Nüwa abruptly turned her head back.

Looking at each person, looking at each matter…… she questioned her own conscience, discovering that no matter what, she could not betray such a heavy "sacrifice".

Even if this would bring tremendous challenges to her Pangu process, even being overturned!

After all, what Di Jun said made perfect sense, and she herself understood it clearly.

——August Emperor seemingly reached a tacit understanding with the Human Dao; if this didn't cause an earth-shattering big news, who would believe it?

Nüwa could even be certain that seven or eight out of ten of this was aimed at her!

Because, she was the one who got cut the most!

The true form of Pangu was lost.

Houtu can no longer escape the cycle of reincarnation at all.

This malice bears no disguise; if it's not something Fuxi did…… Nüwa swears, she shares the same surname as Fuxi!

But, even if she clearly knew these.

When Nüwa needed to make a decision, whether to wage war or make peace with the Heavenly Court led by Di Jun……

She refused compromise!

Fight to the end!

【I no longer wish to examine past thoughts.】

【I also do not wish to seek future memories.】

【In the present…… I only wish to swiftly end the turmoil of this era!】

【One day, when I go to pay respects to the departed souls and mourn the dead, I can face them openly and say——】

【Your sacrifices, I have not let down!】

Nüwa thought thus.

And for the sake of such a sentence, she rejected the olive branch extended by Di Jun.

Even if, in the future, she might have to pay a heavy price for it.

【I am going to rebel against Heaven, for the benefit of countless beings, to shatter the fixed blockade of the Heavenly Dao!】

【When the situation has come to this, how could I collude with it? For my own benefit, to join forces with the Heavenly Court, stand together, and suppress the challengers?】

【Moreover, countless sacrifices have paved the way; the Wu Clan has already slaughtered its way into the starry void and established an advantage!】

【One should press forward with vigor to decide the era; how could we indulge the Heavenly Court, letting them catch their breath?】

【That way, the countless fallen soldiers and sacrificing martyrs would truly have died in vain!】

Nüwa's spirit became ever more resolute and brilliant.

Whether she will regret it in the future, she does not know.

But now, she only wants to do this!

Even if others cannot understand her.

「Empress Nüwa! 」

The Heavenly Emperor Jun muttered gloomily, "Don't cause trouble!"

"Only by ceasing hostilities between us can both sides benefit."

"If it comes to a death match, it will only benefit others."

"Do not forget, there is a strange force in the Sea of Blood…… the Dao Friend of the River of Darkness!"

"The Asura clan, once commanded by you and I to lead the Wu and Yao, jointly attacked and suppressed, had not a shred of spirit left."

"But that does not mean he is weak!"

"When the peak combat power is exhausted, the River of Darkness becomes number one!"

"He masters the Great Dao of Slaughter; the fiercer the calamity of slaughter, the stronger he becomes!"

"Moreover…… you wouldn't really overlook him, would you?"

"Dao Friend of the River of Darkness, what does he rely on for a living?"

"It is karmic force!"

Di Jun pointed this out: "During the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, when the August Emperor was supreme, he established the reward-and-punishment rules of the Honghuang cosmos."

"In it, merit is reward, karmic force is punishment!"

"These two are originally a single system!"

"Only in this era, under special circumstances, karmic force temporarily remains hidden; only when the final verdict is made after death is it settled."

"Killing and destruction will generate karmic force—after all, at bottom, this is destroying the property of the Honghuang world."

"However, it is up to people."

"How to explain karmic force, how to carry out punishment…… it is obvious that only the final victor gets to say."

"Both are likewise steeped in slaughter."

"The executioners of the defeated nation naturally ought to be brought before the Human Dao court; at this point the utility of karmic force becomes evident—those who deserve to die are killed, those who deserve to be seized are seized."

"And as for the victorious side's forces, even if they develop a great weapon and instantly obliterate countless millions of billions of living beings…… they are still heroes! They possess merit!"

"The collective qi fortune merit helps offset individual karmic force, settling the account."

"In terms of weight, merit exceeds karmic force, representing the Honghuang world's total output; it applies in any era, unrestricted by who is in charge."

"As for karmic force, whoever holds power can set the enforcement standard—whether it be harsh penalties and severe punishments, or merely three cups of wine as penalty."

"After receiving the execution notice, the River of Darkness Demon Patriarch took up the Yuan Slayer Avici to conduct reaping, to whet his sword, lawfully and reasonably honing his Great Dao of Slaughter."

"The Demon Patriarch is also a meticulous person, a law-abiding divine who reasons."

"After all, there once was an unreasonable destructive Demon Patriarch—Rahu—who was ganged up on and killed by the gods."

"Thus, the River of Darkness Demon Patriarch actively approached the organization, becoming an executioner, thereby earning money while also confirming his own Great Dao of Slaughter."

One job, two incomes!

This is a cushy job.

Can an ordinary person…… get this position?

「Speaking of priorities, merit is primary, karmic force secondary…… rewards and punishments both complete, that is the heavenly dignity. 」Di Jun sighed softly, 「Nether River Daoist friend, together with Fuxi Imperial Elder Brother…… I believe there is a deal behind them. 」

「Nether River Daoist friend can sit in that position…… saying he was not a steadfast ally of the August Emperor Heavenly Emperor in the past, I don't believe it. 」

「Now…… August Emperor used every means to bypass the human realm's barrier, acted in the Honghuang heavens and earth, swept away peak combat power, and Nether River became the strongest! 」

「He also has a sufficiently strong tribe under his command that obeys orders! 」

「If the Wu Clan and Demon Race each still have their great clan formations, then a mere Asura is not worth mentioning. 」

「But now…… it's different! 」

Di Jun said in a deep voice, 「Nether River will likely give rise to great ambition…… Nüwa, are you sure you still want to lock horns with me at this time? 」

「I'm afraid in the end it'll just benefit your elder brother, letting his plan succeed perfectly! 」

The Heavenly Emperor brought forth a sufficiently weighty third party to admonish Nüwa.

「But what can be done? 」

Nüwa's resolve is set, and she will not be swayed.

「So what then? 」

Nüwa responded indifferently, 「I trust my subordinates, I trust my people! 」

「Whether the Wu Clan or humanity, to have reached today, it is through countless sacrifices that we have upheld our present strength. 」

「I gave all the help I could, conducted all the guidance I could, and they bore my painstaking effort and wisdom! 」

「I believe that with their talent and ability, they are sufficient to overcome and conquer all difficulties! 」

「What if they lose? 」Di Jun sharply pointed out this outcome.

「Then let us record this mistake, engrave it in our hearts, and pass it down generation to generation! 」Nüwa said, word by word, 「They believe in me, and I believe in myself. 」

「I firmly believe this path is correct, and it will surely lead to the other shore of Pangu…… Then, after experiencing countless ages, one day we will be able to overcome everything, conquer all, and take the crown of the protagonist of heaven and earth! 」

「Di Jun, you're not up to it…… you're afraid! 」

「That's right! 」

「You have never freed yourself from the shadow of Hongjun…… though said to be the sovereign of the Demon Race, you are ultimately just a high‑level steward, still working for others! 」

「Your resolve in battle is not firm enough; you lack the conviction to sacrifice everything and give it your all…… As for the Demon Race, you cannot stake everything on a desperate struggle, because you are not the true master of the Heavenly Court; as for Hongjun, you cannot overturn everything at any cost, because facing me, you still need his help. 」

「Your situation is awkward and helpless. 」

Nüwa said lightly.

Di Jun's stiff mouth corner twitched, 「There's nothing I can do—I can't compare to you and Hongjun…… one of you has heaven behind you, the other has a person behind you. 」

「I only…… have myself. 」

「But…… everything will get better. 」

「Who will laugh last? Unknown! 」

(End of chapter)