This Human Immortal Is Too Serious-Chapter 392 - 390: The Firewood Fails to Become a Secret, Shen Nong Entrusts a Task [Medium Cup]
The Heaven Palace was rather restless tonight.
The myriad gods had dispersed from the Heavenly Emperor’s hall. After the four assisting deities had left one after another, Emperor Shun’s expression darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye. He sat quietly by the throne’s armrest without uttering a word.
Beside him, Chang Xi felt truly frightened and anxious.
After a good while, Chang Xi finally called out with a trembling voice, "Your Majesty..."
"Hmm?"
Emperor Shun came back to his senses and showed Chang Xi a gentle smile, opening his arms to her.
Gently, Chang Xi snuggled into Emperor Shun’s embrace.
"My beauty, return first to the Moon Palace and wait for me. I still have some matters to deal with... Don’t worry, I am not angry with you."
Chang Xi softly responded, but Wu Wang’s voice surfaced in her heart.
If the Heavenly Emperor looks troubled after we leave, don’t overthink it. Take the opportunity to say "I have troubled Your Majesty" and then take your leave.
How could this man seem to predict the future?
Chang Xi sighed inwardly and whispered, "Your Majesty, I have troubled you."
"It’s not your fault," Emperor Shun tightened his hold on Chang Xi’s ’extremely smooth’ shoulders. "It’s just some troubling matters, nothing more. Go back first, bathe and wait for me."
"Yes," Chang Xi softly replied, looking up at Emperor Shun’s face with deep affection in her eyes before standing up and transforming into moonlight, disappearing from the hall.
Emperor Shun sat in silence for a moment, then suddenly kicked over the small table in front of him laden with fruits. He let out a cold snort, and his figure disappeared in a flash of golden light.
「Meanwhile, in the God of Spring’s Temple.」
Before the Grand Elder escorted Heng’e and the others back to Emperor’s City, Wu Wang took the Grand Elder aside and gave him a series of instructions. Provide Heng’e with the best accommodation and environment, including silk clothing, jade food, servants, and guards. Also, tell Da Yi that if he wants Heng’e to be well, they should not meet frequently for the following period and must both respect the rules.
When the Grand Elder left, his gaze towards Wu Wang was filled with an unspoken, ’I understand.’
Although Wu Wang didn’t know what exactly the Grand Elder had understood, he somehow felt... that the Grand Elder seemed to have misunderstood something.
After the Grand Elder left, Xiao Ming came to frolic with Wu Wang for a while before being carried away by Sister Niu. Wu Wang then took the Young Master to a secluded study, activated numerous restrictive enchantments, and then burst into laughter.
He laughed so hard... that the Young Master’s gaze towards him was full of tender care and concern.
A moment later, Wu Wang finally caught his breath, took the paper package that the Young Master handed over, and stuffed a couple of dried fruits into his mouth, chewing wildly.
Her eyes, blue as sapphires, twinkled with confusion and incomprehension. She blinked pitifully, seeming to seek an explanation.
"What has made you so joyful? Is there something I missed?"
"Here," Wu Wang placed an Image Projection Bead into the Young Master’s palm.
She closed her eyes and quickly searched through it. Puzzled, she asked, "Is this all you argued about with the Moon God after you went in?"
"How long did the images in there last?"
"About a quarter of an hour."
"I was inside for an hour," Wu Wang reminded with a smile.
The Young Master pinched her chin, contemplating seriously for a while. She then turned her head to one side. "Perhaps something unseemly happened... Hmph."
"No," Wu Wang hurriedly said, "What are you talking about? My heart is as pure as the bright moon; I truly didn’t think that much."
He almost blurted out the saying, *A heart loyally dedicated to the bright moon often shines upon the dirt of the ditch!* The word ’moon’—he couldn’t mention it!
Wu Wang said with a laugh, "I simply planned a little scheme against the Moon God, telling her how to gain favor with Emperor Shun in this matter."
Having said that, Wu Wang took out another Image Projection Bead and pressed it into the Young Master’s palm.
"Top secret!"
The Young Master blinked, having clearly been joking with him before. She examined it carefully for a moment and then asked in surprise, "Why are there no images, only voices?"
Wu Wang laughed, "This was recorded from an unconventional perspective."
It contained the missing half of the story from the other Image Projection Bead, allowing the Young Master to understand the full context of Wu Wang’s collaboration with the Moon God this time.
When the Young Master heard Wu Wang say "filthy Innate God," her expression became somewhat strange, and she softly said, "Actually, not all Innate Gods are bad. Often, it’s the countless years that gradually lead to their downfall, and that can’t be helped. Thank you for your hard work. In order to balance the relationship between living beings and Divine Spirits, you even helped the Moon God."
"That’s just the surface," Wu Wang replied with a smile. "I’m helping the Moon God but also using her. Guess where the Heavenly Emperor might be now?"
"Where?"
"He should be in the palace atop the Fusang Divine Tree in the Eastern Wilderness, gazing directly at Xihe," Wu Wang said with a smile. "I bet the Heavenly Emperor won’t say anything and then will leave Xihe’s presence."
The Young Master was thoroughly perplexed. "Why?"
"Heng’e is Emperor Shun’s daughter."
Wu Wang calmly tossed out this depth charge.
The Young Master’s small mouth gaped into an oval, her eyes filled with astonishment as she looked at Wu Wang, a glint of gossip flashing within.
"Really? The Heavenly Emperor has another daughter?"
"Aren’t you the Reproduction Goddess?" Wu Wang raised an eyebrow. "Just trace Heng’e’s origins then."
"Hmm! Hmm!"
The Young Master, slightly excited, immediately closed her eyes to focus. Her hands rapidly formed seals that left afterimages, and a warm, gentle Great Dao that carried endless vitality pulsed around her.
Before long, the Young Master opened her eyes. Her little hands, clenched into fists, were presented to Wu Wang and then slowly opened.
On her fair palm, two figures materialized: a venerable Daoist on the left and a beautiful woman on the right.
"Something doesn’t seem right..."
The Young Master muttered, "According to feedback from the Great Dao of Reproduction, this Daoist is Heng’e’s biological father, and this woman is her mother. They seem to have no connection with the Heavenly Emperor."
"That Daoist is the Heavenly Emperor."
Wu Wang sighed softly, looking at the appearance of ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian. He shook his head with a smile, suppressing the faint emotions in his heart.
"His name was Sanxian, the Heavenly Emperor’s reincarnated form when Emperor Fuxi had trapped him in the Human Domain. This was also how the Heavenly Emperor and I first came into contact. Senior Sanxian was like a half-mentor to me, imparting much knowledge about formations. Unfortunately, when the Heavenly Emperor returned to his origin, Senior Sanxian also became part of him. That is why, at times, you might feel that the Heavenly Emperor looks at me as if he’s looking at an old friend. It’s for that reason."
The Young Master picked up on the undertones of loss in Wu Wang’s words. She walked around the desk to stand behind him and, pressing her small hands on his shoulders, said gently, "I have heard of this matter before, but never imagined it was like this. So, Heng’e truly is the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter. And, due to the unique circumstances of ThreeOld Daoist Sanxian, she’s different from the Heavenly Emperor’s other children—she’s of the Human race... Doesn’t this mean Da Yi will be heartbroken?"
"Why would Da Yi be heartbroken?"
Wu Wang said with a smile, "This matter will certainly not be made public."
The Young Master looked puzzled. "Why not?"
"Because aside from being considered the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter, Heng’e could also be deemed Emperor Fuxi’s daughter," Wu Wang explained with a laugh. "Does Emperor Shun have no dignity? Heng’e having two fathers and one mother?"
"That..."
Wu Wang raised his hand to pat the Young Master’s small hand, saying warmly, "From now on, we’ll just take good care of Heng’e. When the time is ripe, or when that guy Da Yi becomes strong enough, we’ll facilitate a union between the two. See, you’ve learned another of my little secrets."
"Your secrets seem endless," the Young Master chided lightly, pretending to pinch Wu Wang’s neck.
Wu Wang begged for mercy and turned to tickle her ribs, provoking the Young Master to giggle and dodge from side to side. The two of them chased and jested, ending up in a playful tussle.
In fact, Wu Wang had only selectively divulged the truth about the matter.
This sudden incident, a minor scheme he’d executed with a hint from the Eastern Emperor’s Bell, had actually achieved several effects.
First, it created conflict between Emperor Shun and Xihe.
Second, it raised Chang Xi’s status, fomenting the rivalry between the Two Xis to divert Emperor Shun’s attention.
Third, it opportunistically increased his standing with Emperor Shun, augmenting his chances of gaining power.
Fourth, it prompted change in the Heaven Palace, exacerbating the tensions between the Innate Gods and the Heavenly Emperor—the announcement at the upcoming centennial Divine Court meeting might very well be the catalyst.
Change like this cannot be forced with brute strength.
The Heaven Palace harbored many hidden powder kegs, such as Emperor Shun’s relentless pressure on the Head Manager, and the conflict between the gods’ ever-expanding desires and Emperor Shun’s current attempts to suppress them.
Undermining a structure requires detonating these explosives to loosen the bricks enough.
The rise of the Heavenly Dao is still a long road ahead.
For now, he would spend time with the Young Master.
Just as he had finished frolicking and was about to foster a closer atmosphere, the Grand Elder, who had gone to the lower realm, hastily sent a message back through a Jade Talisman.
Wu Wang was puzzled, but the Grand Elder relayed a message that left him stunned for a long time.
"Kan Tianhou says that His Majesty Shennong intends to make the Dao of Fuel and Fire public and has asked the Human Emperor Pavilion for your opinion."
Make it public?
If this were made public, wouldn’t the entire Human Domain descend into panic?
This... Could it be that Elder Shennong intended to cut off the Human Domain’s path of retreat, forcing a fight to the death?
Wu Wang sat behind the desk, remaining silent for a long time.
Unable to contain his curiosity, the Grand Elder asked, "Sect Master, is there any secret concerning the Dao of Fuel and Fire?"
"Nothing much, I cannot say," Wu Wang replied to the Jade Talisman. "Tell Kan Tianhou to report back that... I have no opinion on this matter, neither opposing nor supporting. But whatever Elder Shennong plans to do, I will fully assist."
The Grand Elder nodded in agreement, and the communication through the Jade Talisman was immediately severed.
Wu Wang sat there in a daze for a while. The Young Master curiously leaned in but did not disturb Wu Wang’s thoughts.
What was Elder Shen Nong planning? Was he really going to stake everything on a final confrontation with Emperor Shun?
The balance of this world was about to be shaken once again.
「Several days later.」
In the Human Domain, inside the main pavilion of the Human Emperor Pavilion.
Over a hundred elders sat neatly in four rows. Behind them stood two to three hundred middle-aged and young men and women. They hailed from the eight pavilions of the Human Emperor’s administration and various prominent military families. All were pillars of the Human Domain and potential candidates for high-ranking positions within the main Human Emperor Pavilion.
Shen Nong sat cross-legged behind a low table. Lately, however, his complexion had become increasingly ruddy, suggesting he was in excellent spirits.
In a corner, the veiled Fairy Immortal stood quietly, surrounded by a pale blue Immortal Light. A faint glow spread beneath her feet. Even though she was wrapped up tightly, it did not detract from her ethereal grace.
Beside Shen Nong, Daoist Xiao Jian, dressed in a fine robe, held a scroll and proclaimed Shen Nong’s decree. The scroll contained the usual content: urging military families to train their troops without laxity, admonishing the eight pavilions to remain upright and diligent, and systematically introducing the recent changes in the Heaven Palace and Central Mountain.
Once Daoist Xiao Jian finished reading, he bowed with the scroll in hand and stepped back. Shen Nong sat up straight, and everyone immediately held their breath in attention.
"Lately, things have been going relatively smoothly," Shen Nong said in a gentle tone, his eyes betraying a touch of emotion as he sighed. "That’s how it is when you get old. You think of certain things, certain people, and your Dao heart finds it hard to remain tranquil."
Liu Baiyi chuckled. "Your Majesty, you are still hale and hearty. How can you be considered old?"
"Exactly, exactly!"
"May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years!"
"Nonsense! His Majesty has already lived for tens of thousands of years! ’Long live for ten thousand years’ is hardly enough!"
Laughter immediately engulfed the hall.
Shen Nong waved his hand, smiling, and the laughter soon ceased.
"Of late, I have been pondering one matter," the Human Emperor said slowly. "That is, who will take up the mantle of the Human Domain after I depart."
All the experts of the Human race present were shocked. This subject had always been taboo. No one expected His Majesty Shennong to broach it so casually.
But whether it was the heads of the military families or the Pavilion Masters of the eight pavilions, nobody dared even to breathe too heavily now, fearing they might say something wrong.
Shen Nong looked around and asked with a smile, "Do you have anyone in mind who might be suitable for the role?"
Everyone fell silent.
After pondering for a moment, Liu Baiyi spoke, "Wu Wangzi, the Little Golden Dragon, possesses strategy, courage, a sense of responsibility, and prestige. He is capable of shouldering this great burden."
"Besides Wu Wang?" Shen Nong asked in a gentle tone. "Wu Wang is indeed my most favored candidate, but the path he must walk is far and exceedingly difficult. He will be the hope of the Human race and a representative of all living beings. For him, the Human Domain, on the contrary, would be a restraint. Such a restraint would effectively be his undoing. You may consider it this way: becoming the Human Emperor is the last resort for Wu Wang."
The crowd was at a loss for words once again.
"Alas," Shen Nong sighed. "Today, I will divulge this secret to you all, for it is time to make this matter known to everyone."
Liu Baiyi hastily replied, "Your Majesty, this might cause panic throughout the Human Domain."
"It is time to decide whether to stake everything on one desperate gamble or to continue defending the Human Domain."
Shen Nong looked at Liu Baiyi. The sovereign and minister locked eyes, and the latter slowly bowed his head, acknowledging with a "Yes."
Shen Nong opened his left hand, and an orange flame flickered lightly in his palm. Its familiar Dao rhythm enveloped all the experts present.
"Today, I will speak of the Human Emperor’s greatest secret: a desperate measure taken by the Ancient Emperor of the Suiren Clan to preserve the Human race’s bloodline, and the very culprit that sealed Emperor Fuxi’s fate. This Great Dao is known as the Dao of Fuel and Fire. It is born from the resonance between the Great Dao of Fire and the Great Dao of Life, originating from the five elements of Heaven and Earth, and can serve as an ultimate pillar of support..."
「An hour later.」
Streams of light left the Human Emperor Pavilion, leaving the atmosphere inside slightly oppressive.
Ling Xiaolan, who had been instructed by Shen Nong to remain behind, still stood in the corner of the grand hall, her eyes full of confusion and shock. Many questions she had been unable to understand were suddenly clear.
No wonder he had been so conflicted; no wonder he had been subconsciously avoiding the great authority of the Human Emperor.
’If the Human Domain reaches a point of no return, and eighty percent of its living beings die, the one who holds the Yan Emperor’s command can gather the complete Great Dao and ascend to the position of Human Emperor, one step within the realm of a Supreme God, to protect the Human Domain and withstand the Heaven Palace.’
Eighty percent!
These were the rather optimistic figures spoken by His Majesty Shennong himself, for the population of the Human race in the Human Domain was now much larger than it was in the final days of Emperor Fuxi.
Ling Xiaolan felt it at that moment, as if something fundamental supporting her was collapsing.
She did not understand why His Majesty Shennong had decided to announce this matter to the public.
To hear thunder in a silent place; this truly came without the slightest preparation...
"Fairy Ling, please come forward."
A call came from ahead. Ling Xiaolan immediately came back to her senses, bowed her head, and stepped forward, offering Shennong a respectful bow.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"Dispense with the formalities," Shennong spoke warmly, his eyes revealing a trace of weariness. "I’ve called you here today primarily to discuss a certain matter with you."
"At your command, Your Majesty," Ling Xiaolan responded softly. "Xiaolan will give it her all."
But Shennong just smiled, his gaze passing over Ling Xiaolan, looking out at the azure sky.
Shennong said, "Do you know why I have suddenly spoken of these things?"
Ling Xiaolan shook her head.
"Because of Wu Wang," Shennong said slowly. "Because he has shown this old bag of bones a path different from the Human Domain’s current trajectory."
Ling Xiaolan fell silent.
Shennong murmured to himself as if speaking with someone who was not there.
"I still have one last spark of fighting spirit, a desire to wrench the Human Domain free from this vortex of fate. Yet, I’ve always harbored reservations, because the Human Domain alone cannot defeat the Innate Gods. Unless the Human Domain endures several more dark ages of turmoil, waiting for one to produce a peerless genius like Emperor Fuxi, only then might we have a chance to lead the Human Domain to victory against Emperor Shun. But is defeating Emperor Shun the end point? Why did Emperor Fuxi not make a move against Emperor Shun? Because beyond the Outer Sky there is an even more complex adversary, the Candle Dragon. All of this has become a set of shackles binding the Human Domain. Ultimately, we face formidable enemies from two successive divine eras: the divine factions of both the Candle Dragon and Emperor Shun. The only thing the Human Domain can rely on is our own Human race, ourselves."
"Yes," Ling Xiaolan stated resolutely. "Innate Gods have never been reliable; we in the Human Domain can only rely on ourselves!"
Shennong showed a hint of warmth in his smile and asked Ling Xiaolan, "Do you know what Wu Wang is doing now in the Heaven Palace?"
Ling Xiaolan nodded slightly. "A senior martial uncle from my Sect went to the Heaven Palace, so I’ve received some news. He hasn’t been idle there. He’s on excellent terms with the Young Master—their relationship is profound—and he has even secured territory there to develop his own Divine Realm."
"Then do you know why I would suddenly make the Dao of Fuel and Fire known to all?"
Ling Xiaolan paused, her eyes full of confusion.
Shennong spoke softly, "There are many reasons, but the most important is that I feel this matter should be made known to everyone in the Human Domain, as it relates to their shared weal and woe. Secondly, to unite the strength of the Human Domain, to awaken its potential for a decisive battle with the Heaven Palace. Furthermore, it is to give Wu Wang more support. The greater the pressure the Human Domain puts on the Heaven Palace, the more Emperor Shun will need to rely on Wu Wang, hoping Wu Wang can alleviate some of that pressure. Although I do not know why Wu Wang has the confidence to go to the Heaven Palace, I do know he must be there to confront Emperor Shun."
"Go to the Heaven Palace, to confront Emperor Shun?"
Ling Xiaolan’s lips beneath her veil pursed lightly. "Your Majesty, this task seems excessively difficult."
"But Wu Wang indeed can do it."
Shennong narrowed his eyes slightly and then laughed. "Xiaolan, did you know that Human Emperors all possess a skill, and that is divination?"
"I have indeed heard of it."
"I once performed a divination for Wu Wang. Guess the result?"
Ling Xiaolan shook her head honestly.
"I suffered a backlash," Shennong said, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "A Great Dao shields him, deeply hidden and abstruse. If I hadn’t touched upon his destiny, I would never have been able to perceive it."
"This..."
"You might not understand these things I am telling you," Shennong said warmly, "but there is one thing I want you to understand: Wu Wangzi is destined to be the one who rings the bell for the Heaven Palace."
"Ringing a bell?"
"Its death knell, to be precise."
Shennong’s eyes suddenly burst with Divine Light, and Ling Xiaolan felt an overwhelming pressure enveloping her Primordial Spirit.
"Disciple Ling Xiaolan of the Xuan Nu Sect, step forward and hear your orders."
"This subordinate receives your orders."
"In the name of the Human Emperor, I command you to rush to the Southeastern Region immediately. The many forces of the Southeastern Region are at your disposal. Unify the Hundred Races of the Southeastern Region as quickly as possible and promote the faith of the God of Spring!"
Shennong’s voice softened as he said, "This is a great gift from the Human Domain to Wu Wang. You are the only one who can deliver it. In the Heaven Palace, what he needs most right now is Divine Power."
Ling Xiaolan bowed her head to the ground. Without any hesitation, she kowtowed and accepted the command.
"I will not fail the trust Your Majesty has placed in me!"
