Chapter 720: The Imperial Daughter's Predicament, the Undying Divine Elixir

Dragon Master worked hard to get out of the predicament.

The leader of the Xiahou lineage also welcomed someone stepping up as a sword, proactively creating obstacles for Chonghua, while he himself stayed behind the scenes, merely going through the motions.

For example, by guiding them to find just-right, well-founded entry points, so that Dragon Master's 'rumors' about Chonghua could seem reasonable and justified, genuinely stripping away part of the disguise covering Chonghua.

Besides this, every word and deed fully conformed to people's standard image of a humane king—noble in virtue, steady in conduct, giving no one any handle to grasp.

——I merely had doubts about Chonghua for the sake of the healthy development of the Dongyi system; how could I possibly be smearing him out of ambition?

I know nothing, I understand nothing……If someone wanted to pin a crime on me, at most I was deceived by Dragon Master's lackeys!

Aside from misjudging people……what other fault could there be?

None!

Wenming calmly played the chessboard, going with the flow, coolly observing from the sidelines, quietly waiting for the winds to rise, letting Dragon Master start from a small matter and gradually influence the overall situation, striking at Chonghua's weakness.

If it were only Chonghua alone, he would naturally be flawless……He ultimately became a ruthless man who sat upon the heavenly throne.

But there is such a special existence, for——

Chang'e!

This is the imperial daughter personally acknowledged by the White Emperor within the Dongyi camp.

And her actual identity is indeed a genuine imperial daughter, only she is the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor Di Jun.

Originally, this was nothing.

After all, in many people's eyes, the White Emperor Shaohao's bones have turned to dregs; it's impossible for him to pop up and complain.

Donghua also certainly could not expose himself.

But now, the problem lies in a family dispute.

Dayi did a great deed, angrily killing nine brothers-in-law.

At the time, the killing was exuberant and unrestrained, a frenzied slaughter, nine kills transcending the divine.

However, after the matter passed and the road narrowed, from then on Dayi returned to the state of being single, and could no longer face Chang'e.

Wielding the sword to sever the threads of love, from then on they forgot each other.

Afterward, Dayi became the most resolute executor of the human race's path, struggling his whole life, dedicating his whole life!

But doing this brought suffering to Chang'e……As a person caught between her natal and marital families, she is the most sorrowful.

All day silent, sighing with sorrow.

Chonghua quietly watched, silently moving Dayi up a few spots on his mental blacklist, devising many ways to kill him, while also tenderly caring for his own daughter.

This care stirred up a controversy, stepping into a node where many powerful beings' games intersect.

Some regarded Chang'e as a pawn for criticism, some wanted her to withdraw from this mire, some……

This was a great melee, inadvertently sparked by Dragon Master.

They were deceiving Wenming, wanting to split the Dongyi.

But since it's deception, one must produce some so-called 'evidence'……Even if nothing can be produced, one must put on a show of having tried, so as to later say——'It's not that we didn't strive; it's that the enemy is too cunning.'

Wenming saw it but did not expose it, merely intentionally or unintentionally guiding them to focus their gaze on a major key point of the past alliance between the Bird Master and the Fire Master, which for some unknown reason has now produced rifts.

——That is precisely the marriage alliance between Dayi and Chang'e.

Spreading out, grasping at shadows, Dragon Master had no shortage of capable hands, judging that Chonghua showed much care for Chang'e, even arranging a guard detachment to serve as her protection.

In name, naturally it was justified as protecting the White Emperor's daughter……But for Dragon Master, who is just here to cause trouble, any reason doesn't matter; I only need to 'think it over'!

Thus, rumors arose.

Combining the Bird Master's attacks and invasions of Dragon Master, regarding the Fire Master as nothing, using this as basis, the rumors unfolded plausibly, vividly describing Chonghua's repeated challenges to central conduct, even resorting to underhanded means to drive away Dayi and surveil Chang'e……All of this was aimed at creating a one-man domain for Chonghua himself.

Such conduct, the world would not disdain!

And then there's so-and-so……Pang Meng! As the 'guard' captain of Chang'e's guard detail, he is beady-eyed and rat-like, rumored to have had poor character in the past, a person of degraded virtue.

Such personnel could all become Protectors; this shows they are surely plotting evil, intending to bully the imperial daughter and steal all the merits belonging to Dayi!

Being human, no one can stand to watch this!

——This is the little news fabricated by Dragon Master.

Its detailed content twists and turns, arousing public sympathy; in terms of spread speed, it can be far more intense than the previous simple propaganda that 'Chonghua has a problem'.

Humans, sympathetic to the weak, yet also keen on gossip.

After all, who made their first human sovereign be Fuxi?

The Blue Emperor Fuxi, who lives off the heavenly arts and calculations, is most skilled at gathering information.

The human race has inherited this trait, and has excellently carried it forward.

Thus, when explosive news blows up, the wind rises, spreading throughout the Dongyi realm.

Many Dongyi clan leaders who had split off and gone their own ways have, wittingly or unwittingly, acted as pushers.

They were unwilling to get involved in the Dragon Master–Bird Master contest, so when faced with Dragon Master's cooperation request, they avoided discussion.

But when it came to the matter of the White Emperor, they were again concerned——this is the orthodox lineage.

At the same time, they were also somewhat curious.

Compared to the rumors previously put out by Dragon Master's side, that absurd, mere lip-service rumor claiming Chonghua is actually Di Jun……Such talk has not a shred of real basis, hard to believe, and truly smart people hear it and dismiss it, paying it no heed.

——Even if this is indeed true.

But now, there is indeed a core substantial enough to warrant discussion.

——Exactly!

——Dayi, as a son-in-law living in his wife's home, originally had good relations with the Dongyi realm above and below; why did he just leave without a word?

——If the marital feelings were too bad, that would be excusable.

——But earlier, Dayi and Chang'e were mutually affectionate, treating each other as honored guests.

——The result was an abrupt separation, with no one coming forward to explain……This is unreasonable!

——The problem arises: for such a couple entangled in the relationship of two camps, why would they separate? What is the reason? If it is man-made, who exactly is forcing it?

——Who else could have such power to force?!

The spearhead, faintly pointing at Chonghua, pointing at this heroic lord who leads the Bird Master toward prosperity, seems to reveal his unknown dark side.

And the wind still blows.

Soon, it blew to the Fire Master's side, where a talented person from the Eastern Barbarians came to visit and saw Da Yi.

Faced with the doubts and inquiries of an acquaintance of some standing, Da Yi remained silent, said nothing, merely chatted a bit, then served tea and saw the guest off, with no intention of giving a direct answer.

No matter how much doubt and curiosity, they were all swallowed back.

The visiting talent was baffled, and some even angrily blamed him; Da Yi merely acted indifferent, being extremely cold.

Da Yi also has his difficulties.

He is stubborn; in fact, he does not fear the retaliation from Di Jun after revealing the truth… in fact, he doesn't even owe this debt.

——He's already killed their nine sons; what's there to fear about adding more trouble?

But Da Yi considered Chang'e—this person of the most special identity; he still cherishes that old affection, not wanting her situation to be difficult, hoping she can pass through this great calamity safely with a dual identity.

Otherwise, the overlapping identities of the White Emperor's daughter and the Heavenly Emperor's daughter would cause a tremendous upheaval, forcing her to pick a side, making a good ending unlikely.

Just an imperial daughter!

Kill then kill!

Who would care?

Even the Heavenly Emperor's life is something someone wants to seize!

The former Shaohao, that once-dominant East Magnificent Emperor, were forcibly buried!

Who else is unkillable?

Da Yi stands from the human perspective, feeling he must take the Heavenly Emperor's life, no matter how great the grudge, but Chang'e…

Few tender points made Da Yi stay silent, letting him overlook the source of their separation.

However.

Sometimes, silence is also an answer.

Da Yi doesn't speak; everyone can guess.

This guessing is a bold hypothesis, seeking careful verification.

Although one couldn't immediately guess Chonghua's true identity, through the Dragon Master's persistent efforts to shape and guide, Chonghua's image gradually deteriorated, developing in the direction of a warlord.

——Using any means to suppress the officials sent by the Fire Master for marriage alliances, monitoring the former White Emperor's ancestral daughter, suppressing dissent to eliminate differing views… and so on.

The image of an ambitious person gradually filled out.

«Those people of the Dragon Master… deserve to die! »

Chonghua listened to the endless rumors being fanned, gave a cold laugh, «Isn't it over yet? »

«Our ill-fated daughter, mixed up in such right and wrong, is indeed not good…» Xihe, assuming the name Ehuang, softly sighed, «Let her leave this muddy water! »

«Go calm down, return to yourself, ease your mind. »

«I've already arranged the method, I've contacted some sisters; we can manage a reasonable farewell explanation. »

«Those sisters, your close friends…» Chonghua didn't know what he was thinking, his mouth twitched slightly, but in the end he didn't pursue the matter too much.

«Well then, here in the Eastern Barbarians, sooner or later it will become the storm's center. » Chonghua nodded, «The Dragon Master must handle it, people's hearts must be gathered… for those unwilling to accept a toast, I can only arrange a penalty drink. »

«By then, there will be an unprecedented great chaos; Xiao'e staying here, I also fear she might be harmed by mistake. »

«After all, it is an identity of great value; it's inevitable that someone will direct their thoughts toward her, using it as material. »

«It's better if she leaves. »

«Once she leaves, I can let loose, letting certain people know… throwing dirty water at me, but they must be prepared to pay with their lives. »

«However, taking advantage of Xiao'e's departure, I'll also make some arrangements to somewhat recover my image…»

«Hmm…»

Chonghua's eyes narrowed slightly, then a hint of a smile appeared, as if teasing or mocking: «The Dragon Master's people aren't always just spouting nonsense, saying I am Di Jun, are they? »

«Then let's do this… arrange it, the script will be set as the Heavenly Court's Heavenly Emperor and Empress taking revenge on Da Yi—reasonable and well-founded—since Da Yi can kill kin, we can also make him lose wife and children! »

«This way, we can barely justify it—why Da Yi left alone—out of worry that disaster would befall his family. »

«Considering he's sensible and doesn't spout nonsense, I'll give him a responsible persona, so that when I strike to kill him later, I won't hesitate in my heart. »

Chonghua gave a cold laugh.

As for Chang'e, he is not lacking a tender side.

But when he turns ruthless, he is utterly ice-cold, uncaring about his own reputation; anything can become a pawn in his scheme.

«You! » Ehuang shook her head, «Never mind, this is fine. »

«Xiao'e will return to my Moon Palace, there to rest safely and securely… after this witch‑demon chaos ends, when there is no more life‑and‑death struggle between factions, we can sit down again to discuss separation or reunion, and we'll have a basis for it. »

Ehuang carefully handled affairs, arranging for far later: «I'll now inform my close friend to lend a hand… although the situation has changed greatly nowadays, she will still give me face. »

«Then thank you, Lady. » Chonghua said gently.

After Ehuang stepped aside, his expression turned cold as he looked at a piece of information on the desk—the Dragon Master was jumping about.

«Dan Zhu…»

Chonghua's gaze was deep and full of indescribable color.

……

«Nüwa sister, I entrust this matter to you. »

Xihe went deep into the underworld, arranged to meet Houtu; the two conversed happily.

Even though the camps are opposed, the witches and monsters' brains are about to be blown out.

But this does not hinder the private friendship between close confidantes; their feelings remain steadfast and reliable.

Don't worry, I'll handle everything.

Houtu guaranteed, her heroic spirit awe-inspiring, "Although I don't particularly care for Di Jun, little Chang'e, I will still look after her!"

When the time comes, I'll arrange for Jin Mu to go through the motions, and that will be enough to give the world a satisfactory answer.

"Then I'll thank Sister Nüwa first!" Xi He bowed.

The two overbearing goddesses quietly reached an agreement.

While waiting for Xi He to leave, Houtu was about to send a message to Jin Mu when her eyes suddenly lit up, her lively pupils rolling about, she turned around in an instant, her gaze piercing through layers of time and space to meet another pair of bright eyes.

That was the girl.

Got it!

They spoke in unison, with the same rhythm, referring to the same person.

In the process of sending little Chang'e away, I'll take the opportunity to give my Spirit Mountain some publicity, do some promotion— is that too much?!

The girl's heart clacked away like an abacus, and for a moment her enthusiasm rose.

Um… the elixir of immortality!

It's the elixir of immortality!

We'll force a promotion wave, bump into each other, hype up the heat, wrap it in mystery… we just need to trouble Jin Mu's younger sister, consciously giving my Spirit Mountain tribe a boost.

Sigh… I have no choice either!

Who made me start from scratch? I have no choice but to take an unconventional approach!

Pondering her plan, the girl contacted Jin Mu, and in that overbearing goddess's expression of surprise and joy, she conveyed her idea.

Jin Mu didn't hesitate; after understanding the girl's laid-out strategic plan, she nodded repeatedly, indicating she could take care of those matters.

No problem! Sister Nüwa, I'll take care of all these things!

She said as such.

(End of chapter)