Chapter 875: and translation of title, then ===GLOSSARY=== with list of named entities/coined terms appearing in these lines

Mr. Bai, good morning!

Mr. Bai, how have you been lately?

Báizé, Mr. Bai, as soon as he arrived at the Heavenly Court, he was greeted with a series of salutations.

There were star deities who had once mingled in the ancient Heavenly Court of the Demon Race, holding a basket of innate spiritual fruits, smiling as they looked at Mr. Bai.

There were also mighty great witches who once commanded the winds and clouds, brandishing their swords, rubbing their hands, offering respectful greetings.

Báizé returned each greeting in a restrained manner, his courtesy thorough.

Upon reaching a deserted corner, he began to stride with steps that ignored all kin, almost walking sideways.

However, just around the corner, someone had long been prepared, holding a small box; taking advantage of there being no one around, they smiled and handed it over, forcibly pressing it into Báizé's hand: "Historian Bai, this is a local specialty from my hometown, a small token, nothing much."

Upon hearing this, Báizé's face instantly darkened.

He weighed the small box in his hand, his expression very solemn, his virtue very noble.

You're using this to test me, an official of the Heavenly Court?

Huh?!

Do you know? You're challenging my weak point, committing a crime!

Báizé spoke righteously, while his hands kept moving, opening the treasure chest.

As he opened it, he declared firmly, "Which official could withstand such a test?"

You're corrupting this Heavenly Court official, your conscience is terribly bad!

Having said that, a layer of splendid golden light shrouded Báizé's eyes, plunging him into brief contemplation.

——Weak points existing is perfectly reasonable!

He decided to take back his words; being magnanimous, he would not hold past bribery against the ancient deity who committed it for the first time.

I have said beforehand, I cannot possibly give you people a back door in my work duties!

Báizé cleared his throat, "The Heavenly Court's historiography office will not create special turnip positions to specifically recruit deities… this is an order from His Majesty Huangdi; just give up that idea!"

Mr. Bai held the box in one hand and pointed upward with the other, letting the visitor understand that although he accepted money and had a weak point, he was still a great law-abiding citizen, a Heavenly Court deity with principles!

"Hahaha!" the guest laughed, "I've saved myself! I've saved myself!"

I naturally dare not hope for Mr. Bai to use personnel appointments to recruit staff and join the historiography work of the Witch-Demon era...

I gave these local specialties merely because I thought of Mr. Bai's years of running around, traversing ages to do archaeology, which is extremely arduous, deeply moving me—your noble integrity is an excellent virtue we need to learn.

Thus, everyone pooled funds, gathering a little bit of local specialties to console Mr. Bai.

Besides that, I have no other request.

The guest was very measured, and Báizé was quite satisfied.

"So that's how it is." Báizé nodded, "In that case, to avoid chilling the hearts of the righteous, I will reluctantly accept it."

"Afterward, I will report to the organization and listen to the instructions of His Majesty Haotian."

He wore a solemn expression, his words partly true and partly false, leaving people unable to fathom them.

The guest smiled, not minding it.

They chatted for a long while longer, until just before the guest left, when they offhandedly said a sentence, which was also crucially important.

"By the way, please, Mr. Bai, leave a kind word when you write, speaking a few favorable sentences for us in the annals!"

"Sure! Sure!" Mr. Bai readily agreed.

……

Such matters are not unique.

Once again, the grand historiography event that occurs every era has arrived, a summary of the previous age, a final verdict!

There once was a 《Honghuang Chronicles》 for the Dragon-Phoenix era, detailing that age's myriad changes—of course, looking back now, calling it the 《Dragon-Phoenix Chronicles》 would be more fitting.

What to criticize.

What to praise.

What to overthrow.

What to extol.

Every word, every phrase, is thought-provoking.

Written by the victors' side, it proves their side is orthodox, while the former losers are to be criticized thousands of times.

Mortal historiography aims not to forget the past, to draw lessons from it for posterity to take as a mirror—for example, if a previous dynasty fell due to excessive decentralization and treacherous ministers throwing the state into chaos, the later realm often ends up extensively enfeoffing the clan, holding one region… although there is also the principle of excess leading to the Eight Princes' Rebellion, we cannot absolutely say it was wrong.

Likewise, when feudal lords rose together and interfered with the center, becoming a regret of the former dynasty… it is obvious that later dynasties mostly would learn the lesson, treating the imperial clan as pigs to raise.

Remember the past, learn for the future… historiography means to set the past straight, render a final verdict, and take it as a mirror.

This is merely mortal historiography.

Historiography of the Great Luo is even more extraordinary.

Because the Great Luo penetrates past, present, and future!

Whoever masters the past masters the future; whoever masters the present masters the past.

The competition of the Great Luo is to transcend time, reaching that ultimate, even being called Pangu—Pangu shaping the present!

Therefore, historiography is inevitable… because it is destined to bury the foreshadowing of future struggles.

The power of the past is also power!

Not long ago, the recent wars had just ended; the August Emperor Taohao struck across time, how many ancient gods and sages were beaten into pig heads?

Thus, no one can ignore it.

Likewise, for this reason, these days Báizé has been collecting money until his hands cramp, seeing all sorts of "local specialties," leaving him dazzled, lamenting that morals decline daily and hearts are no longer ancient.

Of course, this gift is not received for nothing.

In the subsequent text-editing work, he will "unintentionally" show a slight bias.

For example, those who ought to focus their criticism on certain people might instead resort to the Spring and Autumn annals brushstroke, glossing it over in a single stroke.

For example, those who ought to praise a heroic figure and laud his integrity might also have it brushed over in a single stroke.

Complex human nature reduced to text, with all contradictions judged solely by outcome, will give rise to many interesting situations.

Bias is destined.

Even if those historical participants were still alive, Báizé Bai Mr. could go interview them about their mental state when making various decisions, but…… would these people actually tell the truth?

Moreover……

The ultimate victor, that bigwig seated on the Heavenly Emperor's throne, what kind of proper historical account does he want to see?

If Mr. Báizé dares not to even try to gauge his superiors' intentions and recklessly blurts out the big truth, without even uttering a couple of nice words, he's afraid he won't even get up tomorrow—no, he won't be able to get up at all.

In the dead of night, someone would break into his home and hack him to death with random blows.

"So I'm also having a hard time……"

Báizé let out two sighs.

"For example, regarding the Wu Clan issue…… should I vilify them, or should I sing their praises?"

"Should we acknowledge their massive bloody sacrifice and contribution on the front lines of their fight against the Demon Race?"

"If we do acknowledge it, to what extent should we acknowledge it?"

"Besides, if we do recognize it…… should we open a green channel for the demands of the great Wu and the ancestral Wu afterward?"

"And what would the Human King faction think?"

Báizé staggered into the hall of office, beginning his own balding journey.

Making money isn't easy for him either!

But the difficulty lies right ahead; he can't avoid confronting it.

After all, humans need to sacrifice to their ancestors, need to coalesce the human dream, need to stir up a great united front spiritually, gather strength for great development…… we simply can't neglect ideological construction, can we?

After much deliberation, he finally decided to seek instructions from the duty Heavenly Emperor.

"Something went wrong, but I won't take the blame."

Báizé muttered, "At most I'm only responsible for the later polishing and editing, but the main plot…… let the superiors worry about it!"

"Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll die of a cold……"

"If you speak ill of the Wu Clan, aren't you afraid of Nüwa's big cleaver?"

"If you speak ill of humans, Xuanyuan might come see me."

"If you say the Heavenly Court is wrong, but this inherits the August Emperor's lineage."

"Fuck!"

"Pangu!"

"I must have Pangu!"

"Now it's like this, what will become of it later?"

"What if one day forty or fifty Pangu sit together, one slams the table, another throws a chair…… they'll be fine, but what about me?"

"After the aftermath, I've lost half my life!"

After several hundred years of busy work, Master Bai decided to make a trip to the Fire Cloud Cavern to seek instructions from the Heavenly Emperor and listen to the work directives of Supreme Emperor Pangu.

However……

He hadn't even reached his destination yet when he was intercepted midway.

"Your Majesty, the Black Emperor!"

Báizé paid his respects.

Although the Black Emperor was given a title by Nüwa—even though Huangdi and Haotian are both present, he still dares not provoke his wrath; bringing him back is already the limit, and one shouldn't even dream of more authority.

But Báizé also dares not ignore this Black Emperor, who was sent off to retire in anger by Nüwa…… after all, he has the backing of the Heavenly Dao.

Who knows, one day he might just kill his way back to the center of the Heavenly Court and become the leader.

"It's the white historian!"

"Come, come, come…… sit!"

The Black Emperor waved his hand, letting Báizé come over and sit down.

"Comrade Báizé, you look all rushed—did you run into some trouble at work?"

"Come, tell me…… maybe I can help you clear up your confusion!"

The Black Emperor had a kind and benevolent look, his tone very gentle.

But his attitude was very firm.

Báizé glanced at the faintly visible Heavenly Dao statutes beside him, decided to follow his heart's voice, sat down honestly, and reported his work.

"So the white historian is anxious because of the matter of compiling history!"

The Black Emperor pondered, then said slowly, "Personally, I don't have any particularly good suggestions regarding the Wu-Demon War."

"However, regarding the records of the Human-Wu War, I still have some superficial understanding."

"Oh?" Báizé forced himself to perk up, adopting the posture of letting things go in one ear and out the other.

"After all, I'm also a party to this!" the Black Emperor replied complacently, "The Five Directional Heavenly Emperors overturned the Wu Clan, and I'm one of them!"

"Speaking of that, I've got plenty of firsthand material here!"

"For instance, who was the original initiator of the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors?"

"In the key battle that overthrew the Wu Clan's militaristic rule, who again was that crucial Supreme Commander?"

"Who was it who pushed the decisive step in the Great Severance of Heaven and Earth, the separation of man and god, and the great undertaking of letting humanity rule over all creation?"

"Little Bai, let me explain it to you in detail…… as the saying goes, I commanded the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors, I led the Great Severance of Heaven and Earth……"

The Black Emperor tugged at Báizé's sleeve, causing this Heavenly Court historian to break out in a faint sweat on his forehead.

He wanted to run.

But he couldn't get away.

"Big trouble..."

"I'm just a historian; why did you drag me into this fire pit?"

Báizé wanted to wash his face with tears.

Fortunately.

At the critical moment.

The ages surged, piercing past and future.

This is utterly unbelievable.

Because where is this?

This is the Heavenly Court!

It is still the Heavenly Court with Pangu in its proper place!

Not just one Pangu guards the center…… Who could cause chaos? Who would dare cause chaos!

But this actually happened!

"Who is causing chaos!"

Within the Heavenly Court, myriad stars glittered, illuminating eternity.

The Heavenly Stars Great Formation had long been easily restored, comparable to the human race's Nine Provinces Boundary, neither better nor worse.

The Heavenly Stars Great Formation had long been easily restored, comparable to the human race's Nine Provinces Boundary, neither better nor worse.

The stars stretched continuously, shaking heaven and earth.

But the turmoil of the ages still persisted!

"Huh?"

Báizé focused his gaze; his divine eyes surveyed the three realms and six paths, able to see through the dust of myriad ages.

A tiny speck of golden light, flowing upstream from the downstream of the ages, pushed forward one era after another!

Within the golden light lay a great weapon that swung to and fro, a great weapon familiar to many ancient gods…… especially the dragon clan!

A great weapon familiar to many ancient gods, swung to and fro—especially by the dragon clan!

Thus: "Within the golden light lay a great weapon swung to and fro, a great weapon familiar to many ancient gods—especially the dragon clan!"

"Stabilize-Sea Divine Needle Iron!"

Thus line 144: '"Stabilize-Sea Divine Needle Iron!"'

"Great Yu's divine weapon!"

The Black Emperor frowned, Báizé was moved.

The Black Emperor frowned, and Báizé was moved.

How could this weapon wreak such havoc!

If Great Yu himself had taken the field, that would be fine; after all, those who understand do. The Heavenly Emperor's seat is occupied by Haotian—who knows who it might be.

If Great Yu himself had taken the field, that would be fine; after all, those who understand do. The Heavenly Emperor's seat is occupied by Haotian—who knows who it might be.

But… it was just a monkey!

Clad in golden armor, his divine might overwhelms the world!

Starlight stretches continuously; the Heavenly Stars Great Formation suppresses the fate of the Heavenly Court, existing now and forever.

This turned into shackles to bind the golden monkey, to suppress him and cast him into a state of eternal calamity.

But……

When the Stabilize-Sea Divine Needle Iron was wielded, the golden monkey rose with a thousand-jin staff, shattering the heavenly cords and shaking the immortal Heavenly Court!

When the Stabilize-Sea Divine Needle Iron was wielded, the golden monkey rose with a thousand‑jin staff, shattering the heavenly cords and shaking the immortal Heavenly Court!

Starlight, shackles—all are fading, unable to withstand!

The golden monkey laughed wildly, fighting heaven and earth, blasting his will into the human realm, striking into the source of heaven and earth, letting myriad ages echo.

"Equal to Heaven!"

"Equal to Heaven!"

He overturned the lofty Heavenly Court, stormed the Heavenly Emperor's hall; faintly visible on his way was an incarnation of the Virtuous Heavenly Lord, sighing and groaning, sitting dejected in the dust—truly the likeness of a victim.

"Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"

Báizé's eyes shot forth strange light as he whispered softly.

Yet the winds and clouds were undecided, the great matter unfinished.

The exalted golden monkey stepped onto the heavenly heights, traversed the divine halls, shouting, "Hey Heavenly Emperor, take one of my sticks!"

Wielding the Stabilize-Sea Divine Needle, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven displays his mighty vigor, slaying through eras, swinging his staff at the Supreme Being known as the Heavenly Emperor, aiming to beat out a sky!

Whether other Heavenly Emperors have suffered, Báizé does not know.

But…… the Black Emperor!

Right before him came that staff flying from across the void!

"Equal to Heaven?!"

The Black Emperor's eyes were icy cold; he indifferently pointed a finger—this was the lethal strike sent down from the upper heavens!

"Let me see what you have to match heaven!"

One staff, one finger—broke eternity!

However, in the end it seemed the Black Emperor gained the upper edge, sweeping forward through the ages, descending from the past to obliterate his opponent.

But……

"Boom!"

In the dim, a soft laugh rang out, breaking open the ages, erasing all traces, severing all sharp edges.

Only the aftermath of the duel remained, clearing away all mists, letting the ages become utterly clear.

"The golden monkey rose with a thousand-jin staff, the jade cosmos cleared myriad miles of dust……"

Báizé smiled faintly.

At this moment, his mood suddenly became very good.

(End of chapter)