Chapter 709: Folks, I, Feng Jiusan…… have returned!

Houtu personally saw off a senior minister and capable subordinate under his command, watching helplessly as he "fell the curtain".

When the Fengdu Great Emperor died, there were no heavenly portents; it was just that calm and natural, as if his coming and going in the eyes of all beings were calm and quiet, coming calmly and leaving calmly.

Only a few people knew, feeling sorrow in their hearts, and they offered a stick of incense from afar.

Besides that, there were no further actions, no guests coming and going to pay respects, not even a chance to have a feast.

This was also Qingjia's own wish.

— keeping the death secret, not announcing the funeral.

As the supreme spiritual leader of the framework of the reincarnation underworld system, the life and death of such a figure inevitably cause great upheaval, which is greatly detrimental to the current upward momentum of humanity, adding a touch of gloom and twists, draining some vigor and courage.

After all, Qingjia himself was quite legendary… he started from humble origins, relying on his great contributions to humanity, and was posthumously ennobled as the Yandi Dating Clan!

Even though later, forced by circumstances, he gave it up…… but this was "force majeure", and all humanity's heroes who knew the truth could understand and accept it.

As long as he was alive, it was tantamount to telling all ambitious human descendants—Strive! Contribute! The organization will not let you down!

This is a role model!

Now, the role model has died…… although many knew that day would come sooner or later, Fengdu's death was certain, yet falling on the eve of the Fire Master's grand strategy, many died inopportunely.

It had been a while.

Wait until humanity's war chariots roll out a track of fate, becoming an unstoppable trend; then announcing it would be irrelevant.

Qingjia's brief life, both publicly and privately, had given the utmost contribution and effort.

While alive, he was useful; even after death, he exhausted the last glimmer of light, giving aid to humanity.

This is the public aspect.

And in private, at death he casually fulfilled an old joking remark, completing a karmic loop.

Once, the Heavenly Court spread rumors, using its power to coerce the underworld, speaking nonsense, claiming that the lord of the netherworld—Houtu—privately transmitted with humanity, handing over the imperial throne representing the divine status of ghosts and gods, Fengdu, to the Yandi Dating Clan.

Well, that is indeed true.

However, at that time, Nüwa, Fengxi, and Qingjia worked in tacit accord—one altered humanity's internal records, one opened a backdoor in the human certification process, one volunteered as a "witness", together transferring the identity of the Yandi Dating Clan onto the already deceased girl, as a posthumous ennoblement for that heir apparent!

Thus, they broke the Heavenly Court's side's "slander", proving the underworld's justice.

Of course, this also does not mean there are absolutely no loopholes.

After all, there is still a document detailing the overlap of the Fengdu Great Emperor's and the Yandi Dating Clan's identities, which has always been held in Qingjia's hands.

But today, on the eve of Qingjia's departure, he remotely bestowed his authority, finally altering his own name taboo, writing the girl's name!

Even if he once doubted that perhaps there were some traps here, not a right but a heavy responsibility, a hot potato, he hesitated greatly.

But, that was then, this is now.

At the juncture where all of Nüwa's main forces were eliminated—Houtu trapped in reincarnation, Pangu's true form driven out—he completely lost absolute grasp of humanity's overall situation, and could no longer attend to so much.

Assisting in saving the girl, giving maximal added authority, boosting combat power…… this is the best way to break the deadlock!

"My lady, I have done my utmost."

On the eve of Qingjia's final stupor, his mindset was unbelievably calm, sensing the illusion of time, himself seeming to fall into an endless abyss of sinking, a lingering thought fluctuating, finally falling silent.

"This…… is…… the feeling of losing me……"

A faint sigh, ten thousand ages sank, he leapt out of the tumultuous world, slept in his own exclusive utopia, never to awaken again.

He grew cold.

As the Fengdu Great Emperor's life, it ended.

No one disturbed him, thus he would be eternally separated from Honghuang, never to meet again.

Of course!

He was such a useful overtime worker; how could a bad boss let him go?

Just as Qingjia, the Fengdu Great Emperor, had barely finished playing corpse, the next moment he went online as a worker for Feng 999 Xi!

In the Fire Master's royal court, the Yandi activated the authority representing the human way; the very moment he had still been feigning death, he returned, able to fight the world again, commanding the winds and clouds!

"Folks!"

"I am Feng Jiusan, I'm back again!"

999 rose from the slumber where I lost myself, standing in the Fire Master's supreme hall, spirited and high-spirited.

Having shaken off the burden of bearing the entire netherworld's weight, he seemed to regain his spiritual liveliness, eternally young, ever upward, just as humanity's creator and guide expect of humanity!

Vitality!

Passion!

Upward!

This is a role model worthy of humanity's descendants to learn from and emulate.

The only flaw is that Qingjia's return this time, arranged by those with intent, was very low-key.

In the vast hall, only he and Fengxi were present; besides them, nothing else!

Desolate and quiet, just like when Fengdu died, with no difference.

"Not bad."

Fengxi looked at Qingjia, smiled slightly, highly approving, "You have grown up, you can stand on your own."

This is no empty talk.

Qingjia presided over reincarnation, bearing the resentment of countless souls, striving with all his heart to resolve them…… this is supreme yin virtue! blessing virtue! merit!

The vast, pure, and splendid radiance of virtue entwined and condensed around Feng Jiusan's side; that method of governing vast human power to accomplish oneself endowed him with extraordinarily mighty combat power.

When even the slightest worldly affairs were having their energy drained by the calamities stirred up by the Five Movements Dao Sovereign, he was already sufficient to rank among the top, sharing equal footing with the supreme combat power!

"My responsibility as Yandi should also be transferred to you to bear…… remember to disguise yourself well, don't let people see the loopholes."

While speaking, an astonishing undercurrent merged into one; the Yandi mission that Fengxi bore was quietly handed over.

A new Yandi appeared, yet also seemed not to have appeared, all hidden behind the scenes in disguise.

Qing Jia took over the post in a fluster, but fortunately his essence was one with Fengxi's, and after undergoing too much training in the underworld, he quickly adapted once the initial chaos passed.

When the Human Dao once again sends down its vast, boundless qi, making up for and covering the flaws, it becomes perfect and flawless!

Very good.

Fengxi, feeling at ease, looked on and said, "Finally, I can go all out."

Is the situation really that serious? Do you have to personally intervene?

The Yan Emperor sighed.

If it were merely a matter of defeating the demon race and overturning the Heavenly Court, naturally I wouldn't need to go to such trouble." Fengxi said in a light tone, "Having laid things out to this point is already enough."

After removing Hongjun, Di Jun, the Dragon Ancestor, and the goddess Nüwa, the Honghuang cosmic game is practically just me declaring it over.

With the Human Dao's support, I can use this power to launch a top-down sweep, shattering the main forces of most of the demon race and compelling their surrender.

As for those who are hard to deal with, i. e., the Great Simplicity, they can wage guerrilla warfare against me... but do I need to care? No.

Just take it slow.

It's a pity that what I want... isn't just this little bit!

So I introduced the Five Movements as a variable... What I want is a thorough overhaul, to smash this age-old game of heaven and earth and replace it with a new heaven!

Fengxi's voice gradually became ethereal and indifferent, his form slowly turning illusory and vague, yet it concealed a supreme divine aura capable of overturning mountains and rivers.

At this moment, he seemed to be the manifest embodiment of the gathered Human Dao, appearing here, mastering heaven and earth!

You're getting closer to the Human Dao." Qing Jia remained silent for a moment before softly saying, "Is this the beginning of taking over history, replacing causality?"

Yes." Fengxi nodded, and suddenly that aloof, detached demeanor vanished; he relaxed back into his normal state, his tone calm and unhurried, "I once thought that the Human Dao's favor of this external aid was merely a simple shortcut straight to the Great Simplicity."

But only after I truly attained the Great Simplicity did I realize... actually, before were just appetizers, and now is the main course!

Speaking of cheats, Fengxi, that certain fellow, claims he's not inferior to anyone.

No!

How can he say that's cheating?

It is known that the Human Dao is the collective of all beings in Honghuang, each life having a share and the right to vie for supremacy.

In other words, the Human Dao is everyone, and everyone is the Human Dao.

Fengxi is no exception.

Therefore.

If the Human Dao helps boost one's power, can that be called cheating?

That's just helping oneself!

—I, Fengxi, have achieved what I have today solely through my own effort!

In this process, I myself am walking a path of Pangu." Fengxi felt somewhat sentimental, "Other Great Luo who seek Pangu first strive to understand the world, then evolve a theory that can explain all dao phenomena; this is constructing a flawless worldview."

Having a worldview isn't the end... because cultivation isn't just about the Dao, but also about cultivating oneself and one's character. Thus, one must continually stir things up; this essentially means spreading one's influence to cover all of Honghuang's industries and all Daos, refining in this experience a universal value system that greatly benefits Honghuang.

When this path reaches its end, it's not just about acting in the present, but also about wrapping up the past and overseeing the future... this is establishing Pangu's outlook on life.

When the three views are complete, only then can one say—once verified, forever verified; once achieved, forever achieved; reaching the pinnacle, Pangu of the present age!

And I... when I represent the Human Dao, its history becomes my history!" Fengxi smiled, "I only need to use this channel to replace every node in the Human Dao's history, and I can easily exert influence—indeed, I don't even need to contend with others; I can just get on the fast track."

Qing Jia listened and was left speechless.

Take a look at the hegemonic camp of the Wu and Demon clans!

The Heavenly Court and the Wu Clan, for Pangu's cause, have already beaten their brains out!

What are they after?

Isn't it just to make their own values universal and to grasp the power to interpret the past and future?

But what about Fengxi?

This is taking the back door of the Human Dao.

Everything that the Human Dao inherently possesses, he can go and mooch off of!

Perhaps seeing Qing Jia's inner scoff, Fengxi shook his head, "Don't look at my good benefits; compared to those wildcrafters, I'm in the official system, so I have no worries about treatment."

But others profit and lose at will, spending freely; as for me? I must bear responsibility for all of creation; if I make a mistake, I'm doomed to a bad death.

Don't just look at me eating meat; also see me getting beaten... Even if I someday reach the utmost sublimation, ascend to the peak, and become the Dao of Pangu.

As long as there's no one to take the blame for me, my days are no easier than Hongjun's—nothing but overtime until death!

Who cultivates, after all, isn't seeking a carefree ease? Having become a tool person stuck with endless overtime, who would want that?" Fengxi sighed.

Qing Jia then nodded in agreement.

This is indeed a problem.

Having become a Great Luo, one can enjoy eternal freedom in infinite time and space; as long as you have little ambition, you can actually live very carefree and unrestrained.

Today, in this remote corner, I'm playing at world-building.

Tomorrow, in some guild, I'll be a wage thief.

Everyone has steady property and financial freedom; Honghuang is so vast, I want to go see... the Myriad Heavens and Ten Thousand Worlds are so vast, looking at world after world, just setting off means who knows how many Great Calamities have passed!

Who's making you work yourself to death!

For passion, for belief, everyone struggles for one or two eras—that's normal.

Countless Great Calamities all work overtime... even the Dao Ancestor would go mad!

Look at that Demon Ancestor: to be imprisoned forever by endless time, sentenced to life, after holding out a while he suddenly awakened, realizing he must grasp the spirit and thought of the Pangu Board, actively leaning toward the organization and defecting.

Such a career, visible at a glance as dull and endless, even a Great Luo would shake his head at.

Qing Jia overlooked the ages' epochs, his mind filled with speculation.

Don't look at how wildly the Wu-Demon era slaughtered.

When the next era's epoch arrives, everyone will gradually restrain themselves much more.

In the next era, the next next era, aside from the grudges between the big shots that will stir up a slaughter calamity, the remaining Great Luo deities are mostly just joining the fun, fanning the flames, watching the show, eating melons…… The hot‑blooded vigor of youth is long gone.

Perhaps, a monkey with some background, rushing through heaven and earth, causing havoc in the mortal world, charging into the heart of the Heavenly Court, invincible all the way, is not impossible!

But once the big guys get serious, perhaps even mounting a steed would be troublesome for that monkey.

When given face, you are invincible.

If you don't give face, then slowly bravely go through the eighty‑one trials!

Going all the way through, enduring endless beatings, perhaps one spontaneously grasps the truth of worldly people, learning to adapt and be smooth.

"Some things just need someone to do them." Fengxi said in a leisurely tone, "Sacrifice the small self to fulfill the great self…… I still have that spirit."

"The crux of the human way today is not merely the split of factions; simple unity only treats the symptoms, not the root."

"To treat the root, we must expose the lesion…… So I rushed into history, consulted with the August Emperor Heavenly Emperor, proposed the Five Fortunes plan, and reached consensus."

Qingjia initially nodded repeatedly, showing approval——the spirit of sacrifice is the noble virtue of their Fengxi Group.

But as he listened, he felt something was off.

"Wait……"

Qingjia's expression turned subtle, "The initiator of the Five Fortunes plan…… isn't just Xihuang?"

"You also occupy a crucial part?"

His complexion was quite strange.

Fengxi, however, was completely calm.

"Yes!"

"That's why the Qi‑Yun Dao Master has been me from the start…… Xihuang just sent a group message and then ignored the rest, at most occasionally giving me a hint."

"So, after going around, I realized that Xihuang isn't actually that bad……"

"I!"

"Perhaps I am the biggest behind‑the‑scenes black hand of this era!"

Fengxi wore a proud look.

Qingjia stammered, speechless.

——What's there to be proud of?!''

"Cause and effect reversed, dreamlike and bizarre…… this is the Pangu path I walk." Fengxi picked up a seal from the office desk, that being the symbol of the Human King, the Five Emperors Seal.

He carelessly crushed it, taking out the basis for a king's mandate——the foundation of strong troops and sturdy horses.

This is a vast amount of merit, the last sum of astronomical wealth that Fuxi had once pulled from Nüwa and then lost track of.

"I have come this far, and still must go forward into the future."

"Now I will hand over the work of the Flame Emperor to you; go act for the greater good of humanity."

"As for me, I will delve into the very depths of humanity, to operate, to act, to stir up a tremendous surge, seeking ultimately to overturn the whole era!"

"Strive on, youth!"

Fengxi said that and walked away lightly.

His form gradually turned ethereal, like ink dropping into a river, vanishing silently and without a sound.

Only Qingjia remained here, windswept and disheveled.

He finally managed to sit down, organized his thoughts, and lamented that his main account was still his main account, yet he could play it far better.

But as he thought, Qingjia suddenly realized something was off.

"Wait……"

He blinked, blinked again, and recalled the dying words he had entrusted to Houtu when he was the Fengdu Great Emperor.

Back then, his intention was to look after Nüwa, warning her to guard against treacherous hearts and to keep a wary eye on everyone.

One could say this was an overstep, a backstab against the Flame Emperor.

But now……

Identity swapped!

He, he is actually the Flame Emperor!

He stabbed himself!

"I…… have become a stand‑in?"

Qingjia in a daze.

(End of Chapter)