Chapter 708: Rumors run rampant, the Great Emperor of Fengdu has passed away!

Scheming and calculating too cleverly, it ended up harming Qinqing's life.

When the Fire Sect opted to retreat a step, making the sea wide and sky open, the Dragon Sect was left stranded in the pit.

Unwilling to bow and submit, they hoped to wait for the Dragon Ancestor's return, thus they sought to pit strength against strength, having the Bird Sect contend with the Fire Sect while they themselves lay in wait.

This is precisely the case of two tigers fighting, to the hunter's benefit.

The three-legged standoff pattern, as planned by the Dragon Sect's leadership, is to be formed; we can let time bring variables, waiting for the Dragon Ancestor's return.

Then, all difficulties will be readily resolved.

However……

The Fire Sect backed down at the critical moment.

On the matter of taking over the defense zone and the legitimate authority over this region, the Human Central Royal Court and the Dongyi faction reached a consensus.

What does this equate to?

This amounts to the top human power and the second faction teaming up to ruin the third.

No wonder the Dragon Sect mutters curses, utterly baffled——

We were ready to fight to the death, Your Majesty, why did you surrender first?

Aren't you Fire Sect afraid that the second will devour the third, never satisfied, and then topple you, the eldest?

The Dragon Sect coughed up blood.

But this time, after confirming the Fire Sect's unreliability and unorthodox play, even though the Dragon Sect seethed with inner grievances, faced with the Eastern Barbarians freed from constraints, they had no choice but to strive to devise means to reclaim their lost rights.

The borrowed knife turned on its wielder; the lifted stone crushed its own foot.

When they previously responded passively, letting the Eastern Barbarians advance like a split bamboo, and letting Yinglong slink away defeated, how gleeful the Dragon Sect's laughter was.

Now, facing the Eastern Barbarians brimming with aggression, no longer relying on fears of outside meddling, how sorrowful their weeping is.

"If I had known today, why bother in the first place?"

"The Fire Sect harmed me! The Fire Sect harmed me!"

The Dragon Sect's ministers sighed long; from time to time someone gritted their teeth and muttered curses, "I've noted this account!"

"Right... the Yandi who heads the Fire Sect, what is the clan's Dao lineage behind him?"

"It's the Feng clan!" Immediately, an elderly antique flipped through records, pointing to the most ancient name, the source of all surnames, and said, "He is still today's Feng Empress."

"Speaking of origins, if we consider from the August Emperor, the Blue Thearch Majesty, we still have many ties and connections with our Dragon Sect lineage."

"Feng clan! Feng Empress! This guy is no good!" The muttering minister grumbled, "As for origins, if we trace upward, which clan lacks some connection? Go back to the source, and there's Nüwa creating humans."

"The present Feng clan lacks righteousness; don't blame us for resorting to base tactics!"

"Go!"

"We also arranged to establish a clan... its name shall be the Fangfeng clan!"

This has been done.

The little notebook draws up a list, aimed at you!

However, these are merely minor branches and trivial details.

When the Bird Sect's arrogance swells, how the Dragon Sect preserves its sovereignty intact is the true main issue.

"The Eastern Barbarians grow ever more arrogant; we cannot sit and wait for doom."

The Dragon Sect's senior ministers gathered to discuss, wracking their brains for the crisis.

"Hateful Fire Sect, they acknowledge Da Yi's shooting of the suns, yet overlook our Dragon Sect's prior great feat—without the Dragon Ancestor personally leading the dinosaur army to inflict heavy blows on the demon race's foundation, how could humans now gain the upper hand?"

"They readily grant the Eastern Barbarians credit, yet avoid mentioning our Dragon Sect... hey, it's true we entrapped Yinglong, but we had justification and evidence."

"The heir of King Zhuanxu still lives, the Nine Grand Sages stand side by side; under such circumstances, how could there be a regency edict given to an outsider of unclear origin?"

"It's just that edict, somehow made so genuinely true that we couldn't see any flaw, hence our passive response... otherwise, to so deceive our Dragon Sect, we would have long raised arms and first attacked the Fire Sect's royal court."

"What's the big deal about entrapping Yinglong once?"

"Unfortunately, the Fire Sect lacks martial virtue; they failed in covert seizure, then turned around to backstab... tacitly allowing the Eastern Barbarians to grow strong, even preferring to let their own central orthodoxy be possibly shaken."

You say a word, I say a sentence; they analyze the situation, trying to find a way to break the deadlock.

But, the effect is minimal.

The Fire Sect's maneuvers, though they seem absurd, are bewildering to people.

But, the high-held banner for the sake of human righteousness is all too fitting to many people's demands.

In some respects, the Fire Sect 'sacrificed' itself, fulfilling all aspiring talents, letting them boldly soar.

Cutting off its own flesh and blood, unprecedentedly bestowing benefits, all to care for the ambitious and fighting-spirited heroes and heavenly prodigies, aiding them in achieving their endeavors, and also pushing humanity to triumph over the demon race!

Sacrificing the small self to achieve the great self, selfless and desireless, instead becomes invulnerable!

The Dragon Sect studied the Fire Sect for half a day, could only shake its head, no longer pondering how to attack from here; it needed to settle for second best, turning its gaze to the Dongyi lineage.

The Fire Sect's raised momentum cannot be broken; what about the Bird Sect?

"The hearts of the Eastern Barbarians seem less united than before."

After prolonged study, despite strong hostility, they nonetheless figured out many ways.

"Chonghua is indeed a very capable person; I feel his true identity is certainly not simple... born in response to heavenly stars, possessing double pupils?"

"Hah!"

"Pangu opened the heavens; his eyes became sun and moon, the yang as sun, the yin as moon!"

"Double pupils mean the sun and moon as a pair! It means there are two suns in heaven!"

"How coincidental! In this era, the innate divinities who hold authority on the sun and moon stars are born in pairs!"

"I'm very suspicious; could it be that behind Chonghua there's an unclear relationship with Di Jun, Taiyi, or the like?"

An elder snorted coldly and said:

"Real or fake?" This aroused the curiosity of many colleagues.

"I guessed it." That elder said casually, after a brief pause, "But does it matter?"

"Spreading rumors! Isn't that just making things up at random?"

"If there's solid evidence, why bother making up rumors? Wouldn't it be better to just take this evidence and extort?"

"Like now, I just say Chonghua is related to Di Jun, fabricate some plausible evidence…… As for how to prove true or false, what does that have to do with me?"

"That's Chonghua's own business to worry about!"

This elder smiled faintly, "The reason I brought up Di Jun is because that name is too special for some of the old people of Dongyi."

"Back then, Donghua died at Di Jun's hands!"

"And nowadays, among Dongyi, many still remember Shaohao fondly, inheriting his spirit, thoughts, and path."

"Bringing up old matters now is enough to stir unrest within the Bird Sect, causing divided loyalties, and our pressure can also be eased……"

"But Donghua's death……" someone whispered, cutting in, "Our Dragon Sect lineage—wasn't the Azure Dragon Majesty also a backer back then?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" the elder senior official replied calmly, "We're already at odds with the Bird Sect—what's a little more hatred?"

"What does 'the more debts, the less worry' mean?"

"The Dragon Sect personally explained the doctrine."

"——If you keep opposing me, can you even kill me twice?"

"We don't care."

The elder chuckled, "But Dongyi over there faces multiple difficulties."

"Di Jun is the direct killer; if they want to avenge the former king, their main war target must shift from my Dragon Sect to slaying demons…… Otherwise, just as the Fire Sect recently gave praise, the next moment would bring a scandal of internal fratricide among humans, and we couldn't save face anyway."

"Furthermore, when investigating old cases, there are always plenty of doubts…… If there aren't any, we can fabricate doubts. I really don't believe Dongyi lacks ambitious types who would seize the chance to attack Chonghua and vie for leadership."

The elder spoke with conviction, intending to make a big splash.

"Go look up which weighty ministers of Dongyi over the years have made major substantive contributions."

"To accomplish great deeds beyond ordinary people, one must have aspirations beyond ordinary people."

"This can be ambition, and it can just as easily turn into greed!"

"We will stir, arrange, manipulate…… One day, we could indeed cause Dongyi to split and see a change of rulers!"

The elder settled the matter with a single remark.

"Understood!"

Many senior officials of the Dragon Sect voiced their agreement and soon took action.

After gathering, the materials were laid out before them.

And among these, the two characters "Wenming" ranked highest!

……

"Qingjia, are you still alright?"

In the Underworld, Houtu often visited and accompanied the Fengdu Great Emperor, conversing constantly, stimulating the spirit of this ghost-god emperor to keep him lucid.

As time passes, this emperor who has joined the Dao in the netherworld, harboring countless unwilling souls of the dead and using his body as a solar day to resolve resentment, grows increasingly sluggish and his consciousness ever more hazy.

Houtu knows this is a sign of Fengdu's decline.

Burning oneself to illuminate the netherworld consumes one's sanity, one's very existence!

When burned out, it's like the Great Luo suffering calamity, losing all external reactive responses—this is "loss of self"!

Houtu felt sorrowful and shed tears for this.

One of her loyal generals under her command drifted away bit by bit, still sacrificing himself for her ideals!

Feeling sorrow and guilt, Houtu secretly shed tears.

Although…… if judged from afterward, the tears now shed are just water in the brain.

But one cannot deny that Qingjia's performance being spot-on is why it seems real.

——No, that really is true.

Because he really is burning himself!

The only thing he hasn't told anyone is…… he has a Resurrection Armor!

At any time, anywhere, he can fully revive!

Houtu is unaware.

She wanted to keep him, but couldn't overcome Qingjia's firm will, so she could only choose to visit often, constantly stimulating him to stay awake, letting Qingjia live another moment longer if possible.

"My lady, I'm fine, sorry to have worried you."

Qingjia manifested his form, just as before—handsome and upright, even in better condition, radiant.

But Houtu watching, her heart ached.

——This is the last flare before death!

Houtu fell silent, losing the ability to speak.

"My lady, what do you wish to discuss with me this time?"

The Fengdu Great Emperor, about to die, is now in high spirits for chatting: "If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me!"

"With no confusion in the heart, life won't be bewildered; without bewilderment, there is always hope; with hope, one can reap joy and happiness."

"May you live a lifetime smooth and happy!"

Qingjia smiled.

Houtu strained to pull out a smile, as if she had taken in Qingjia's persuasion, appearing cheerful.

To avoid her subordinates worrying when they leave, she feigned ease, her tone as usual casual: "I'm such a smart god—how could I not understand something?"

"Don't underestimate my wisdom!"

"I didn't come to consult you on problems…… it's discussion! It's discussion!"

"Exactly, exactly, exactly!" Qing Jia smiled, eyes narrowed, "Our Lady Nüwa is the smartest of all!"

"We're merely communicating as equals; it's the leadership coming to assess the subordinates!"

"Just knowing is enough." Houtu said softly, head raised, not wanting the tears in her eyes to fall.

"Then this time, what is Lady Nüwa coming to evaluate me on?" Fengdu Great Emperor still smiled.

"..." Houtu remained silent for a moment, then whispered, "Can you understand the current decisions of the Fire Division's high ranks?"

"Their approach is just letting the Bird Division run wild…… aren't they afraid of losing control?"

"If I were in Yandi's position, no matter what I'd have to suppress the Dongyi… I even arranged work for little Fengxi before, sending him to put some eye drops on the Dongyi, to capture all the lackeys belonging to August Emperor and Shaohao inside, and give them a good beating!"

"Especially the so-called Shaohao… I seriously suspect that this appears to be Donghua's shell, with Di Jun's core inside."

Ever since her close girlfriend secretly tipped her off, learning the genuine truth of Chang'e's imperial daughter status, Nüwa's gaze toward the Dongyi lineage has grown uneasy.

Now this is a major scheme—it's clearly aimed at trapping her, right?

Fuxi has dealings with the Dragon Ancestor, with Hongjun, with Di Jun… all pointing to Nüwa; this is a challenge to the imperial throne of the Great Nüwa royal family.

We must strike decisively!

However, although the work had been arranged, the Fire Division's operations left her puzzled.

Exactly.

Putting humanity first is indeed correct.

But the undercover agents have already reached the front three rows, and yet no one is managing them?

Now the leader of the Dongyi, Chonghua, has a background that makes people suspicious; how can we still indulge him?

"Your Ladyship, why worry?"

Qing Jia merely smiled, "Our Fire Division is open and aboveboard; naturally we wouldn't do dirty work."

"We are fair, worthy of all the peoples."

"How could we openly manipulate vassal forces to suppress dissent?"

"Absolutely not!"

"Well… other feudal lords might do similar big things, stir up trouble and such, but we simply aren't aware of it."

He earnestly instructed, passing it on to Nüwa.

Qing Jia had a meaning in mind, and absentmindedly drew on a map.

Houtu first froze, then her eyes lit up: "I understand."

She wasn't stupid to begin with.

It's just that her thoughts and wisdom don't lie in those schemes; she lacks a certain sensitivity and aggressiveness.

In other words, she's not wicked enough.

But as long as someone gives her a slight nudge, she can quickly turn the corner.

"Some things can be done but not spoken of." Qing Jia whispered, "And for some matters, the persons involved are surely more anxious than us, with a stronger desire to attack and a more urgent wish to succeed."

"What we're rushing toward isn't trade; the Dragon Division will be more devoted than we are."

"The Fire Division holds the central orthodoxy; what we must grasp is always just the overall trend…" Qing Jia's eyes gradually dimmed, as if vitality were fading away, "If, as you say, Lady Nüwa, the Dongyi already has problems, with suspicion that the Demon Race holds sway behind it."

"Then we should even more direct our spearhead at the Demon Race, to exterminate it!"

"Cut this root, and certain people of the Dongyi will become insignificant… Even if someone wants to restore the old order, by then not everyone will still follow Di Jun, and he won't succeed."

"People's hearts are fickle!"

"Take this as a warning, Lady Nüwa, you must also be careful!"

Qing Jia finally sighed softly, "You must be careful; during the time you cannot rule over humanity, might someone harbor rebellious thoughts and seize your authority…"

"In conducting oneself and affairs, one must always keep a sharper mind… no matter who, do not place absolute trust, but retain a countermove."

The voice of the Fengdu Great Emperor grew ever smaller.

In the end, it fell completely silent.

Houtu watched helplessly as tears gradually filled her eye sockets, and when they overflowed, they slipped down her face drop by drop.

"Qing Jia, Qing Jia…"

She sensed Qing Jia's spirit completely still, already weakened to the extreme, with no further response to the outside world.

From then on, Fengdu ceased to exist!

The person has passed away.

"What you said, I have remembered…"

"I will do as you said…"

(End of chapter)