Chapter 712

When Nüwa pulled out a supplies list and had Jieyin sign it, the hands of this Buddhist master trembled and shook, as if he had a seizure.

It was truly an astronomical figure of "support"—giving money, giving land, providing cover… the Buddhist sect's hard‑earned foundation, after such a devastation, likely nothing would remain.

Jieyin the ancient Buddha was reluctant to sign.

But when Nüwa flipped out another list, detailing the names of countless members of the Buddhist sect up and down, even recording cats and dogs, ants and moths clearly, Jieyin knew he could not refuse to sign.

—Nüwa came fully prepared!

Although now, she hasn't spoken a single word.

But the threat's implication was too intense—

If I cannot get what I want, I will exterminate everything on this second list!

Even such a vast Buddhist sect would be reduced to ashes, not sparing even a single ant on it!

Nüwa's killing intent, so stark, made the ancient Buddha Jieyin draw a cold breath; he truly realized that the Empress Wa had another side—her usual gentleness did not mean she was weak and bullyable, and when pushed to the brink she would likely become decisive and ruthless, iron‑blooded and merciless.

She would be like her elder brother!

Not being family, one does not enter the same door… Jieyin knows clearly what the August Emperor is like.

At this moment, facing Nüwa hovering on the edge of a splendid transformation, Jieyin chose to follow his heart and sincerely signed the documents—merit, supplies, land deeds… everything was given!

And after signing, he swore from the heart that before this era ends he will never actively leak a single word to outsiders; if he violates this, he shall in the future not attain Pangu, and the gods shall jointly slay him!

"Very good."

Nüwa's divine sword returned to its sheath, she took the document, her expression finally eased, she put on a pleased smile: "Your mind hasn't gone astray; you made the correct choice."

"I, too, no longer need to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys."

Saying this, she seemed somewhat regretful, as if unwilling that her divine sword had not drunk blood.

She embarked on the path of threatening with force, rather than earnestly earning money the hard way; that kind of unexpected windfall surprise greatly stirred Nüwa's heart and mind, making it seem she would thus step onto a road of no return.

Although her method invites condemnation, being extremely unreasonable.

But… it feels exhilarating!

"Mm… just like the joy I felt back then when I flipped Empress Wa's real estate…"

"Merit and such just came pouring into my pocket…"

That was a period that let Empress Wa reminisce.

Unfortunately, that good time did not last long.

When Empress Wa's real estate became a colossus in Honghuang, its financial troubles touched the warning line of the Heaven and Earth Bank, and the Heavenly Emperor lowered his gaze.

Then…

And then there was no afterwards.

Such a huge enterprise suffered a heavy blow and was directly shattered and destroyed.

Nüwa went from being the wealthiest of the gods to becoming the biggest debtor, her treasury empty enough to make even mice weep.

She herself, dispirited, went up to the heavenly platform of the Heavenly Court, tears dripping, ready to jump down.

At that time, the August Emperor coldly laughed, arms crossed, watching, mocking his good sister who had started tearing off roof tiles after three days of neglect: "Go on, jump! With your cultivation, can you even nick a bit of skin? Who are you putting on a show for…"

"Stop! Stop!"

Nüwa darkened her face, cutting off her own sorrowful memory.

"Now there's no August Emperor who can overwhelm me!"

"Just a Xihuang—he won't be stronger than me by much!"

"If I refuse to bow, who can still force me to comply?"

The era has changed!

Those who endure to the end are the winners.

After experiencing two major contractions, eliminating one by one the experts of her same rank and the lesser threats to her, even though she only had a single usable trumpet left, it was enough to dominate in one‑on‑one combat.

Even if she still thinks of Xihuang, it is only wariness of his schemes, not his combat strength.

"However, caution comes first, prudence above all… if I don't want to be swarmed, I'd better take it slow, send out some front‑liners to draw fire while I stay hidden behind the scenes."

Nüwa pondered future strategy in her heart, while on the surface she was dealing with Jieyin.

No matter what, after all, she had emptied out his foundation!

After giving him a beating, she also had to give him a couple of sweet dates.

Otherwise, he would be driven mad, wanting to perish together with her, sacrificing his life and his own enterprise just to expose Nüwa's corpse‑feigning… that would not be good for Nüwa.

That way, she could no longer scheme against people.

More importantly, some ambitious types would also lurk again, someday becoming a grave internal threat.

"The Buddhist sect understands the great righteousness, and I have seen the contributions it has made to humanity."

"If humanity can prevail in the future, I can decide to open exchanges, give the Buddhist sect some benefits… also, the equity and executive positions in the realm of reincarnation could also consider the Buddhist sect's voice… how about that?"

Nüwa asked with a smile.

"\"Your Majesty is magnanimous. \" Jieyin forced excitement and replied thus."

But in his heart he muttered complaints.

"\"If humanity wins, then I benefit. What if it doesn't? \""

"\"All my investments would go to waste…\""

Thinking of this, Jieyin's eye sockets grew hot, tears about to spill.

This is forced lending!

Besides this, he had nothing much to complain about.

After all, given that Nüwa could unexpectedly corpse‑feign to block the door and also wielded the absolute power to sanction him, prevailing in this regard, he also accepted the loss.

"\"This round, you won; I admit defeat. \""

Just…

The road ahead is long and arduous; can you keep winning all the way?

I'm very doubtful.

Jieyin gave Nüwa a deep look.

If I'm not mistaken…

The true master of fortune's Dao will surface in this brand‑new version…

That must be a disciple of Brother August Emperor!

Otherwise, they would never be entrusted with the inheritance of the Grand Dao of Fortune!

Little Nüwa!

You, unwilling to remain beneath Fuxi for the sake of your pride, have fought him in magical combat, hoping to overturn the hierarchy and turn the sibling bond into that of elder sister and younger brother.

This stage, however, must be cleared.

However…

You still don't seem to have realized this problem, even now…

Hey!

The good show… has only just begun…

Jieyin the ancient Buddha restrained the divine light in his eyes, becoming plain and unadorned, like an ordinary monk.

All right.

Nüwa did not know what the ancient Buddha was thinking; she remained immersed in her satisfied mood, 'The cooperation between the Buddhist sect and humanity has been so pleasantly achieved.'

'Friends of the Buddhist sect, if you want your investment not to go to waste, remember to actively support and look after humanity… humanity will not forget such kindness…'

Nüwa chatted and laughed, grasping the essence of the saying 'Those who owe money are the big bosses.'

Not only does she borrow money, she also wants the creditors to willingly and voluntarily work for her!

That's not all.

She has already considered how to settle the debt afterward, having drafted a plan.

After a series of maneuvers, she could easily turn a large debt into a small one, and a small debt into no debt at all.

'When my humanity wins, it will become the supreme hegemony of Honghuang, mastering the function of printing money.'

'By then…'

'I will manually print money, adjust the face value and prices, expanding them proportionally compared to now… hehe, won't that set things right?'

Nüwa's thoughts are lively; she actively embraces darkness.

Qingjia, who had been her devoted aide all his life, died before her very eyes, and even in his final moments he strove to contribute; the impact on Nüwa was truly immense.

Thus now, she actively schemes, beginning to transform toward the direction once hoped for by August Emperor.

Just like this very operation.

The Buddhist sect's 'aid' to humanity, she records using humanity's prices, calculating the present face value of 'money'.

'In the future, if we print a bit more money, inflate, inflate… won't today's large sum become a small amount later?'

'If the favors and debts to be repaid become fewer, won't we be able to keep more little money to develop humanity and the human Dao?'

This is Qingjia's last lingering ideal; Nüwa intends to help him achieve it, bearing witness in his stead.

As for Jieyin, will he end up badly duped because of this, chased away by humanity over credit issues in utter chaos?

Nüwa, doesn't care!

'Anyway, by then she'll have put up money of equal value, and it won't be her concern anymore!'

What?

Not convinced?

Have you seen the sword in my hand?

It's very sharp!

Nüwa was ticking away at her mental abacus, while Jieyin harbored the thought of watching a good show; two strong-minded individuals, yet they forced out a host‑guest harmony of mutual enjoyment, which is quite interesting.

As for the end, who will be the one laughing last?

That will depend on each of their methods.

…

'So it's you.'

While blade and sword light flickered indistinctly on Mount Sumeru, there was also a clandestine meeting on Mount Kunlun.

The Virtuous Heavenly Lord, Yuanshi Tianzun, and the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Lord—these three heavenly lords manifested their will together; the gathering was small in scale but high in ceremony, and they received a guest.

He was once Yandi, but no longer; he is merely an ordinary member of humanity.

——Fengxi!

'Indeed, it was long destined.'

Gazing at the outstanding student who once came here to Kunlun to 'study abroad' and 'pursue advanced training,' later becoming the sovereign of humanity, the Virtuous Heavenly Lord sighed.

'Although it is destined, the hardships I have endured to reach today and this place have not been few.'

Fengxi chatted and laughed, speaking only of his myriad hardships and painful efforts.

As for whatever 'human Dao, add a point'… he absolutely refused to mention it.

——Don't sully a person's purity!

'The Human Sovereign Majesty truly endured great hardship and made great sacrifice.'

The Heavenly Lords were unaware of the underlying reasons; they only thought Fengxi had grown amid all those bitter trials, having given too much along the way, painfully struggling and tossing between gains and losses.

To achieve today's accomplishments, he has sacrificed far too much——

Such as integrity!

Such as reputation!

Fengxi along the way has those who respect and love him——he exhausted his thoughts for the development of humanity, also racked his brains for the spread of human thought in the humane realm, genuinely leading many suffering beings trapped in reality to live better, pointing them toward the road to happiness.

This is a great merit.

But corresponding to this merit, there is also considerable karma and hostility, not due to good or evil, but only due to stance.

Because of the impact of the situation he created, he broke many shackles and fetters, damaged many strong clans' vested interests, thus earning the blame of myriad people, with endless karmic causes.

How many rumors, how many slanders, all directed at Fengxi!

However, Fengxi's daily conduct is upright and incorruptible, his character outwardly exceedingly pure, he devoted his whole being to the cause of humanity, so those with ill intent wanting to attack find few examples.

So they could only delve into the past, starting from some dark history.

Thus, the reputation of the King of the Great Treasure Sword revived, and from there they eagerly discussed the so-called 'Three Thousand Concubines'.

These all originated from the absurd past during the Kunlun era.

Fengxi's reputation was thus damaged considerably.

This could have been avoided.

With Yandi's later outstanding cultivation achievements, reversing cause and effect to redefine the past, it is possible to erase these deeds.

But Fengxi did not.

Anti-fans are also fans; rumors spread more easily among the masses, people like to think ill of others, so a sovereign with a sufficiently rich and three-dimensional image can more easily increase stickiness, letting some good policies and directives be recognized……Even if half-believing, each additional person who believes adds a bit more strength to humanity.

This breadth of mind moves those in the know to sigh.

Reputation is like floating clouds.

And if one says, the divinity of achieving this is still not few.

Then, integrity…… truly is shocking.

For the great cause of humanity, one can even cross-dress to trap and kill opponents……

The Three Pure Ones' Heavenly Venerable said, in this regard they really cannot learn it.

To have such a great spirit of letting go, finally attaining such transcendent achievement, for latercomers in their identity to catch up or even surpass their Dao cultivation……

The Heavenly Venerable sighed in admiration, sincerely praising.

Fengxi listened, but merely smiled without speaking.

The two sides exchanged simple greetings, then moved on to the main topic.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

The Moral Heavenly Venerable earnestly inquired; Yuanshi Tianzun and Lingbao Tianzun straightened their bodies.

"Borrow money."

"Borrow people."

Fengxi spoke frankly: "You propagate Pangu's thought, hold the merit of creating heaven, and have a tenuous connection with August Emperor Majesty; this is a bond of incense, so I have a modest request to borrow money from you."

"Moreover, the Daoist sect's long heritage has cultivated countless talents, spread throughout mountains and rivers……So I also wish to borrow some talent."

"Besides that, please help the three of you with a few small favors, provide some cover."

"So as to be able to end the chaotic age of humanity and quell the turmoil of the fiends and sprites."

"Is that so?" The Three Pure Ones' Heavenly Venerables glanced at each other, exchanging looks; behind them who knows how many fierce discussions were taking place.

After a while, the Moral Heavenly Venerable solemnly replied: "For the former benevolence of August Emperor Majesty's blessing upon all beings, for humanity's sentient beings to survive this war-torn age, our Daoist sect is willing to exert our modest strength to restore peace to the mountains and rivers!"

"How much money, how many personnel you need—we can mobilize as much as you wish!"

"In prosperous ages we cultivate in seclusion; in chaotic ages we save the people……this is the eternal responsibility of our Daoist sect!"

"Good!"

Fengxi nodded: "Heavenly Venerable, these words are truly a great kindness!"

"Humanity has recorded it."

"And the humane way……is also remembered."

(End of chapter)