This is so dishonest!

Chapter 516 Bird Official and Human Emperor; You're talking about martial ethics with the demonic path? [9k]

The peaceful and tranquil Kingdom of Qiong Sang on the shores of the Western Sea seems to have been forgotten by the hustle and bustle and war of the primordial world.

The child born surrounded by a five-colored phoenix grew up peacefully under the loving care of his mother, Huang E, and the guidance of the mysterious "Son of the White Emperor."

He still calls himself Shaohao.

Unlike ordinary children who play around, Shaohao had an innate sensitivity to music and order.

When his father played the jade flute, the ethereal music would stop him from crying and listen attentively.

It's as if one can glimpse the ultimate truths of the universe from the rise, development, transition, and conclusion of those musical notes.

Mother Huang'e wove colorful clouds, the warp and weft intertwined without any disorder.

He could sit and watch all day, his eyes sparkling with an understanding of "rules" and "harmony".

Shao Hao's father did not teach him supernatural powers of competitiveness and ruthlessness, but rather the great principle of "communicating with the gods through music and governing the world through law."

In Shao Hao's memory, his father always wore a spotless white robe and always had a gentle smile on his face.

He told Shaohao that the most powerful force in the universe is not destruction, but harmony that builds order.

"Everything has its voice, and every law has its law. Only those who can listen to the voice of everything and master the law of everything can become true kings."

Thus, Shao Hao's childhood was spent amidst the harmonious sounds of zithers and the loom.

He composed music with the phoenix's cry as melody and the tides as rhythm, creating a symphony that could gather hundreds of birds and make all trees pay homage.

He observed his mother weaving cloth and comprehended a method that allowed scattered spiritual energy to automatically gather and form a stable array.

He was born with an affinity for the element of metal, which represents restraint, solemnity, and supreme order.

This made Shao Hao calm and fair in his dealings, like a piece of uncut jade, waiting for his time to come.

Xuanyuan, far away in the capital, had witnessed everything that happened to Shaohao.

Xuanyuan was not in a hurry to bring this chosen successor to the capital.

"A true monarch must be grounded in reality and witness firsthand the breadth and complexity of humanity."

He spoke softly to Feng Hou beside him.

So, when Shao Hao grew into a young man, three special teachers quietly arrived in Qiong Sang.

The first one is Cangjie, the master of literature and Taoism.

Cangjie was dressed in an elegant blue robe, his eyes shining brightly. He did not teach how to write characters, but rather the "Tao" that lies behind them.

Cangjie made Shaohao understand that every decree of the Human Emperor is like a word or phrase, and must carry his "Dao" in order for his words to become law and benefit all living beings.

The second is Li Mu, a great strategist.

He was as tall and imposing as a mountain, dressed in simple animal hide armor, and exuded the aura of a seasoned warrior.

He didn't teach the art of killing, but rather the way to "stop war".

Li Mu recounted the entire story of the Battle of Zhuolu for Shao Hao, allowing him to witness the cruelty and helplessness of war, and also helping him understand that soldiers are not there to conquer, but to protect.

With a hint of vicissitude in his eyes, Li Mu said in a deep voice, "True strength is making enemies afraid to act rashly, and establishing a powerful order that no one dares to challenge."

The third was Empress Feng, who was the head of all officials at that time.

He didn't teach the art of power struggles, but rather the principles of "balance and equilibrium."

Feng Hou showed Shao Hao how the system of officials established by Xuanyuan operated, what conveniences the standardization of weights and measures brought, and how the promulgation of the legal code stabilized people's hearts.

He taught Shao Hao that the heart of the Human Emperor should be like a precise scale, impartial and unbiased, weighing the interests of all races and people, and maintaining the dynamic balance of the entire human way.

Under the guidance of three great sages, Shaohao left the comfortable life of Qiongsang and began to travel the world.

He walked on the land of humane prosperity, dressed in simple linen clothes, as an ordinary student.

He had seen officials whose word was law, resolving tribal disputes; he had also seen corrupt officials who abused their power and oppressed the people.

He had witnessed the prosperous scene of all ethnic groups trading and exchanging goods; he had also witnessed the barriers and conflicts arising from different customs.

On one occasion, two tribes were at loggerheads over the ownership of a rich hunting ground.

Upon hearing the news, Shao Hao took the initiative to mediate the fight.

Instead of deciding on ownership directly, he took out an ancient zither, sat cross-legged in front of the people of both tribes, and began to play.

The first notes of the zither were like a gentle spring breeze and a soothing rain, dispelling the hostility of the crowd.

The music gradually rose in pitch, like the clash of swords and the thunder of horses, evolving into the brutality of war.

The music of the zither softens like wisps of smoke rising from a chimney, depicting a scene of peace and tranquility.

When the song ended, people from both tribes collapsed.

Their leader was so moved that he shed "sincere" tears:

"Stop playing! We're not fighting anymore, really!!"

Shao Hao stood up and asked with a smile, "Are you all willing to make peace?"

The two leaders nodded decisively: "We are willing!"

If they don't want to, they'll have to lie down later too.

Upon seeing this, Shao Hao nodded with satisfaction: "Father is right. Music does indeed have power and can move them."

The two tribal leaders stood still, waving their hands repeatedly: "We dare not move, we really dare not move!"

Taking the opportunity, Shao Hao stood up and proposed in a clear voice that the hunting grounds be designated as shared, with hunting taking turns according to the seasons, and detailed rules be established.

"We'll do as you say." Both sides were completely convinced and submitted.

This event was recorded by Cangjie and eventually passed back to Chendu.

Upon hearing the news, Xuanyuan, who was reviewing memorials, couldn't help but clap his hands and burst into laughter.

He put down the vermilion brush in his hand and said with a gratified expression, "This young man is teachable and trustworthy!"

Therefore, Xuanyuan personally brought Shaohao to Chendu and placed him under his care to train.

In the blink of an eye, a thousand years have passed.

~~~
On the chaotic battlefield, a decisive battle has come to an end.

Yu Chen Daojun transformed himself into a sword, unleashing the move "Severing Heaven," which severed the connection between the arrogant [Sword Demon God] and its original world "Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Void" and the Chaos Tide, banishing it completely into the endless void.

This battle greatly shocked the Chaos God faction.

They realized that the power of the Primordial Saints far exceeded their imagination, and that every seemingly unintentional move they made could cause losses that they could not bear.

Meanwhile, Nuwa's "Chaos Pirates" and Xuanqing's "Garbage Recycling Association" wreaked havoc on the enemy's rear battlefield, looting countless demon worlds and severely damaging logistical supply lines.

On the main battlefield, the Taiwei Heavenly Court and the Human Alliance cooperated more and more effectively, advancing steadily and cautiously step by step.

Beset by internal and external troubles, Tiandao Jing had no choice but to order a temporary retreat of the battle lines, shifting from a full-scale offensive to a focused defense.

A vast war that swept across all the heavens and myriad realms has finally ushered in a precious period of rest.

This was the opportunity that Xuanyuan had been waiting for.

Chen Du, the Palace of the Human Emperor.

Wearing the black and yellow imperial robe embroidered with the sun, moon, mountains and rivers, Xuanyuan summoned all his important ministers and representatives of all races and solemnly announced two major events.

First, he will formally abdicate and pass the throne to Shaohao, the son of Qiongsang.

Secondly, in order to consolidate the immeasurable fortune established during the Three Sovereigns era of humanity, he will choose an auspicious day to go to Mount Tai, the ancestor of all mountains, to hold the Fengshan ceremony, to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and to demonstrate the achievements of humanity.

As soon as the news came out, everyone was shocked.

Although the people were reluctant, they understood that the change of emperors was a natural cycle and an inevitable development of humankind.

The Fengshan Ceremony was an unprecedented grand event, not only marking the completion of Xuanyuan's personal merits but also serving as an ultimate affirmation of the entire human civilization.

The Emperor issued an edict, and invitations written by Cangjie himself, imbued with the power of literature and Taoism, transformed into golden light and flew to the Three Realms and Six Paths.

The Heavenly Court, the Underworld, the Dragon Palaces of the Four Seas, the Eastern and Western Kunlun Mountains, the Wuzhuang Temple, the Northern Underworld, the Western Spirit Mountain... all the powerful beings and forces with a reputation in the primordial world received invitations.

Among them, the most special invitation flew straight into the southern ghost realm of the underworld, through the sea of ​​blood in the netherworld, across the road to the underworld, and across the Bridge of Helplessness.

Chi You, the Southern Ghost Emperor who was training millions of ghost soldiers, sensed that familiar human aura.

He was dressed in a jet-black Ghost Emperor armor, with ferocious ghost faces carved on the armor.

Chi You reached out and took the invitation. Upon opening it, the elegant calligraphy and the imperial majesty it conveyed left him speechless for a long time.

"Emperor Xuanyuan, the Emperor, performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai..." he murmured, his eyes flashing with crimson light, interwoven with complex and unfathomable emotions.

There was a sense of感慨 (gǎn kǎi, mixed feelings), 放然 (fàng rán, relieved), and a hint of...慰慰 (wèi qù, a feeling of satisfaction that even he himself hadn't noticed).

"An era has finally come to an end." Chi You carefully put away the invitation and turned to look at his eighty-one brothers who had already cultivated into ghost generals, their murderous aura soaring to the heavens.

"Issue my order: muster the troops and accompany me... back to the human realm."

His voice was still powerful, but it had lost some of its former ferocity and gained more of the composure and majesty of an emperor.

Chi You was going to witness the glory of his old rival.

They also need to declare, in their capacity as "representatives of the underworld," the shared recognition of the general trend of humanity by both the yin and yang realms.

~~~
At the summit of Mount Tai, the altar for the Fengshan ceremony has long been built.

This altar is not made of ordinary soil and stones, but is formed by the accumulation of human virtues and the faith of all people. It soars into the clouds, connecting with the heart of heaven above and the veins of the earth below.

On this day, the sky was clear and the wind was gentle.

From the foot of Mount Tai, an imperial road paved with the golden light of immeasurable merit leads straight to the summit.

At dawn, an unprecedentedly majestic and magnificent procession appeared at the starting point of the imperial road.

Above the sky, five-colored phoenixes soared and danced, their enormous wings obscuring the sun and casting endless auspicious rays. They uttered clear and melodious phoenix cries, as if playing the most magnificent movement for this grand ceremony.

This was the final tour of Emperor Xuanyuan, the ultimate display of his achievements in an era!

Xuanyuan, dressed in the most solemn black and yellow imperial robe and wearing a flat crown, sat quietly on the elephant chariot.

His gaze was calm as he swept over the myriad beings from all races who had come to witness the ceremony, a gentle smile on his face as he nodded slightly to them.

When the carriage reached the middle of the imperial road, he saw Chi You, who was already waiting there.

[I knew you weren't dead!]

Xuanyuan laughed heartily.

He pointed to a banner of Chiyou in front of the imperial carriage, and a statue of a deity.

Chi You looked at it, and his mouth stretched to the back of his ears.

Alright, hurry up and perform the Fengshan ceremony.

All the gods of heaven and earth are waiting!

The elephant-drawn carriage continued its journey and slowly ascended to the summit of Mount Tai.

On the altar, the newly appointed human ruler, Shao Hao, was already dressed in a golden imperial robe and waiting respectfully.

Behind him stood a group of important human officials, including Feng Hou, Li Mu, and Cang Jie.

Beneath the altar, the clouds surged in all directions, and countless powerful auras manifested.

In the east, the Dragon King led the dragons of the four seas to witness the ceremony; in the west, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady descended to earth.

In the south, all the elders of the Phoenix Clan arrived; in the north, the Kunpeng soared in.

Even more striking is Zhen Yuanzi of Wuzhuang Temple, standing on auspicious clouds, holding a whisk, and smiling.

The Lord of the Styx also sent the Asura King from the Sea of ​​Blood as a sign of respect.

In the sky, purple clouds stretched for 30,000 miles in the east. Although the Three Pure Ones did not personally arrive at the altar, three beams of celestial light containing supreme Daoist charm descended and transformed into three golden lotuses, hanging above the altar.

All twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect arrived.

Guang Chengzi held the Kongtong Seal in his hands and handed it to Xuanyuan.

In the palace of Nuwa, a beam of divine light of creation flew out and transformed into a seven-colored precious tree, which took root on the side of Mount Tai, bringing good fortune to the human world.

On the Western Vulture Peak, the two saints, Jieyin and Zhunti, clasped their hands together and chanted Taoist hymns. Two beams of golden Buddhist light transformed into two Bodhi trees, standing side by side with the seven-colored precious tree.

At this moment, all the gods come to pay homage, and all the saints celebrate together!
Xuanyuan stepped down from the elephant chariot and stood side by side with Shaohao at the top of the altar.

He raised the Holy Sword high in his hand, its blade pointing straight to the sky, his voice loud and powerful, resounding throughout the entire Three Realms.

"I, the Human Emperor Xuanyuan, have now achieved perfect merit and hereby hold the Fengshan Ceremony!"

"It reports to Heaven above, informs Earth below, and enlightens the people in between!"

"From this day forward, the great trend of humanity has been established, the Three Sovereigns have returned to their positions, and the destiny will be forever secure!"

"The position of supreme ruler of the human race shall be passed on to Shaohao!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he solemnly handed the Kongtong Seal to Shao Hao.

"Thank you, Lord!"

Shao Hao accepted it with both hands, his expression solemn.

Rumbling--

Above the nine heavens, the laws of heaven roared, and boundless primordial merit descended.

Beneath the Nine Netherworlds, the earth's cycle of reincarnation revolves, surging forth endless primordial energy and fortune.

The entire River of Humanity boiled over, transforming into a golden dragon of fortune that coiled atop Mount Tai!

At this moment, the energies of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity converged, transforming into an unprecedented rain of good fortune that showered upon the entire primordial world.

All the deities who came to witness the ceremony, regardless of their level of cultivation, felt at this moment the immense gift that came from the changing times, and their cultivation and Taoist practice improved to varying degrees.

This is the last grand feast of the Xuanyuan era, and also the opening ceremony of the Shaohao era!
Just as everyone was immersed in the celebration of this great fortune, the Heavenly Gate opened in the void.

Thirty-three ancient deities, their bodies shrouded in the supreme divine aura of the Heavenly Dao, slowly emerged from the Heavenly Gate. They were the gods of the Heavenly Dao Committee, who acted on behalf of Heavenly authority.

The three leaders, Yaochi, Qingdi, and Yandi, bowed respectfully to Xuanyuan on the altar and solemnly said:
"The way of Heaven is constant, and the way of humanity is orderly. Now that the Human Emperor has achieved perfect merit, it is also time for the Heavenly Emperor to return to his throne."

"We are hereby ordered by the Heavenly Dao Committee to respectfully invite the [Central Yellow Emperor] to return to his position!"

As soon as he finished speaking, countless stars shone brightly, and the laws of heaven transformed into golden steps that descended from the heavenly gate and extended all the way to Xuanyuan's feet.

Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan smiled with relief.

He gently patted the flat crown on his head.

With a soft "hum", a figure with the same face as him, wearing the imperial robe of the central earth element and the yellow dragon, exuding endless imperial dominance, slowly emerged from above his head.

This is precisely his self-corpse—the Central Yellow Emperor!
The Yellow Emperor nodded slightly to the true form of Xuanyuan, then turned to Feng Hou, Li Mu, and the other ministers who had followed him in his campaigns, and spoke gently:

"Everyone, follow me to heaven."

"I will obey your orders!"

Feng Hou, Li Mu, and other important civil and military officials transformed into divine light, following behind the Yellow Emperor as they ascended the golden steps and walked step by step toward the Heavenly Gate.

~~~~~
After the Fengshan ceremony concluded, Xuanyuan himself once again drove the elephant chariot pulled by six dragons, taking one last deep look at the land he had fought for his entire life.

He toured the entire country, saw the lights of countless homes, and heard the joyful laughter of the people.

Finally, he arrived at the shore of Dinghu Lake.

He stayed here, taking the spiritual roots of heaven and earth, drawing upon the fire of human merit, and refining the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir.

After forty-nine days, the elixir was completed and the dragon roared.

A golden elixir containing his life's achievements and cultivation soared into the sky.

Xuanyuan laughed loudly and swallowed the golden pill in one gulp.

In an instant, the golden dragon of human destiny beneath him let out a deafening roar, carrying his figure and speeding towards the distant ancestral court of humanity—Fire Cloud Cave!

Inside the Fire Cloud Cave, clouds and mist rise in abundance, and auspicious energy fills the air.

The Heavenly Emperor Fuxi and the Earthly Emperor Shennong, who had been waiting there for a long time, showed genuine joy when they saw the golden dragon of fortune carrying Xuanyuan's figure flying over.

Fuxi, dressed in a Taoist robe with the Eight Trigrams, possessed a humble demeanor. He smiled and said:

"Third brother, congratulations on your successful completion of your mission! Today you are finally able to return to your rightful place!"

Shennong, a burly man with an honest face, stepped forward, patted Xuanyuan's shoulder heavily, and exclaimed in praise:

"Well done! You have made humanity even more prosperous than when I and the Emperor were alive. You are truly a force to be reckoned with!"

Xuanyuan bowed deeply to his two elder brothers and said excitedly, "Without the foundation laid by my two elder brothers, how could I have achieved what I have today?"

The three human emperors met and congratulated each other, filling the cave with a joyful atmosphere.

At that moment, a strange change suddenly occurred in the entire Fire Cloud Cave.

The mountains were bathed in endless rosy light and shrouded in purple mist, as if countless laws of the Great Dao were intertwining and evolving here.

In the darkness, a crimson light shone from the deepest part of the cave, as if piercing through the primordial chaos and illuminating eternity.

Immediately afterwards, from within that flickering light, a figure materialized, grew larger, and slowly appeared within the cave.

"Hahaha, I am Hongyun, and I greet you three fellow Daoists!"

A joyful and familiar voice rang out, and a Taoist priest dressed in a bright red robe with a ruddy complexion appeared before the Three Emperors.

He shouted loudly, his joy evident in his voice.

It turns out that with Xuanyuan's return to power and the gathering of the three emperors of humanity, the overall fortune of humanity has been completely stabilized, like a pillar that stabilizes the sea and suppresses the long river of time.

This enabled Hongyun's ingenious "Earth Immortal's Lazy Winning Technique" to achieve a phased result! With the help of this immense human fortune, he finally broke free from the state of being integrated with the cave heaven and was able to re-condense his physical body in the real world!

The three emperors were slightly taken aback when they saw this legendary figure, but they quickly realized what was happening and bowed in return.

Fuxi's eyes gleamed with wisdom as he exclaimed in admiration:
"Fellow Daoist, your ideas are ingenious and your methods are profound. You have even transformed your body into a grotto heaven, which is in harmony with the fortune of the human path. Now that you have made another step forward in the Great Dao, you can look forward to an eternal future."

Shennong nodded in amazement: "Indeed, Fellow Daoist Hongyun's method is truly unheard of and unseen before, a real eye-opener."

Xuanyuan clasped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist, protecting my ancestral court of humanity is a great merit to humanity. Xuanyuan thanks you!"

Seeing that the Three Emperors were so polite, Hongyun quickly waved her hands repeatedly.

He walked up to the three men with a smile, his signature warm smile on his face, and said:
"Fellow Daoists are the pillars of humanity; I have only benefited from your kindness!"

He winked and said in a half-joking tone:
"My future depends on you all!"

~~~~~~
The grand ceremony of the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai has come to an end, and Xuanyuan, having achieved his goal, has embarked on his journey to Huoyun Cave.

The new human ruler, Shao Hao, stands at the forefront of the era, wielding the sacred sword that symbolizes the supreme authority of humanity.

He wore a golden imperial robe embroidered with a five-colored phoenix totem. His face was calm and resolute, and his once gentle eyes were now filled with the sharpness and majesty of a monarch.

All eyes in the primordial world were focused on this young ruler.

People are curious about where this monarch, renowned for his music and order, will lead the flourishing human way.

Shao Hao did not disappoint anyone.

On the third day after he entered the capital of Chen, he summoned all the important officials of the human race and the leaders of all races to the Emperor's Palace for his first court assembly since his accession to the throne.

In the main hall, Shao Hao sat upright on the imperial throne, his voice clear and firm, echoing in everyone's ears.

"I was born on the shores of the Western Sea and grew up in the barren land of Qiong Sang."

“In the past, Emperor Fuxi emerged from the east and ruled the world with the virtue of the green wood, laying the foundation for civilization for humanity.”

"The Earthly Sovereign Shennong arose in the southern lands, and with the virtue of fire, he inherited the position of the supreme ruler, opening up the path to survival for all people."

"The late Emperor Xuanyuan rose from the Ji River and built the capital in the wilderness of Zhuolu. He ruled over all tribes with the virtue of the central land, making humankind flourish."

"Wood generates fire, fire generates earth; this is the cycle of heaven and the order of human inheritance."

"Now I come from the Western Lands, and with the virtue of sharp metal, I shall inherit the fertile land of my late emperor, forge ahead, and bring order to the world!"

"From this day forward, I shall be known as the Golden Heaven Clan!"

"Jin Tianshi! Jin Tianshi!"

Upon hearing this, His Highness, his ministers, and the leaders of all tribes were all greatly encouraged and shouted loudly, their voices shaking the heavens.

The five elements cycle, and virtue and position are passed down from generation to generation.

Shao Hao's declaration was not only to legitimize his rule, but also to announce to the entire prehistoric world that humanity was about to enter a new era, one that was more enterprising and full of pioneering spirit!

After the announcement, Shao Hao did not indulge in the joy of succeeding to the throne, but immediately began his sweeping reforms.

His first decree was to reform the official system.

The official system established during the Xuanyuan era, while comprehensive, has also developed into a system of bloated institutions and unclear responsibilities over the years.

Shaohao used the solemnity and order of the metal element to thoroughly reorganize and streamline the entire bureaucratic system.

He established "Five Officials," namely the Spring Official, Summer Official, Autumn Official, Winter Official, and Central Official, corresponding to the four seasons and the central government, respectively in charge of sacrifices, military affairs, criminal law, construction, and people's livelihood.

Five officials were appointed: the Household Official, the Timber Official, the Water Official, the Fire Official, and the Metal Official, who were in charge of household registration, forests, rivers and lakes, fire administration, and mineral resources, respectively.

Among them, the most eye-catching is a brand-new position he created – the Bird Officer.

Shao Hao appointed the Phoenix Clan, the Black Bird Clan, the Blue Bird Clan, and the Red Bird Clan.

The Phoenix Clan is responsible for the calendar; the Black Bird Clan is responsible for the division of time; the Blue Bird Clan is responsible for the opening of time; and the Red Bird Clan is responsible for the closing of time.

"These four are my four assistants."

The four bowed their heads: "Yes!"

He also appointed the Five Doves.

The five doves are those who gather people.

Zhu Jiu was appointed Minister of Education; Ju Jiu was appointed Minister of War.
The Shijiu clan held the power of the Minister of Works; the Shuangjiu clan held the position of Minister of Justice; and the Gujiu clan was in charge of the duties of the Minister of Works.

"These five families are responsible for inspecting the five directions, weighing the laws and regulations, and governing the civil affairs."

This decree caused an uproar throughout the entire prehistoric world.

Since the beginning of the Dragon-Han Calamity, the Phoenix Clan has been hiding in the Southern Ming Volcano. Although they have good relations with humanity, they have never truly participated in the governance of humanity.

Now, Shao Hao has directly elevated the Phoenix Clan to the highest position of controlling the celestial calendar, which is undoubtedly the greatest trust and win-win of the Phoenix Clan!
This move not only delighted countless avian races that were on good terms with the Phoenix Clan, but also allowed other races to see the new leader's courage and magnanimity.

Soon, the Phoenix Clan's Supreme Being, Yuan Huang, personally descended upon Chen Capital.

Five magnificent phoenixes transformed into five splendidly dressed officials and officially took up residence in the Human Affairs Office. Together with human officials, they revised the calendar and observed the stars to determine the time.

The phoenix arrives, and all birds pay homage.

From that moment on, humanity and the fate of the Phoenix Clan became inextricably linked.

Humane policies can be more smoothly transmitted to every corner of the wilderness.

The Phoenix Clan, thanks to this immense human fortune, has flourished and is showing signs of recreating its ancient glory.

Having resolved the issues of the official system and external allies, Shao Hao then turned his attention to the integration of all races.

During the Xuanyuan era, people were won over by virtue, and through trade and technological exchange, all races were won over.

Shao Hao, however, went a step further on this basis.

He governed the world with "law".

He promulgated the "Code of Laws for All Races," which, based on human morality and destiny and guided by the order of metal, detailed legal provisions on intermarriage, trade, land, resource allocation, and other aspects among the myriad races.

The core of the legal code can be summed up in just two words: "fairness".

Whether powerful humans or weak spirits, all are equal before the Codex.

Those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who commit wrongdoing will be punished. Rewards and punishments will be clearly distinguished, and there will be no leniency.

The humane world has since entered an unprecedented new era, one governed by the law.

Disputes between tribes have been greatly reduced, and communication and integration among various ethnic groups have become smoother and more harmonious.

~~~
With the internal order of the human realm becoming increasingly stable, Shao Hao devoted more of his energy to the vast chaotic battlefield.

There are three emperors with perfect merits—Emperor Fuxi, Emperor Shennong, and Emperor Xuanyuan—who sit in the Fire Cloud Cave, like three pillars stabilizing the sea, stabilizing the fortune of humanity.

This completely relieved Shao Hao of his worries.

He could be bolder and more radical, mobilizing the power of humanity to participate in this war that sweeps across all the heavens and myriad worlds.

One after another, imperial edicts filled with determination and a murderous aura were issued from Chendu.

The entire Humanitarian Alliance was like a fully activated war machine, operating at unprecedented speed and efficiency.

The frequently deployed humanitarian armies, like sharp scalpels, precisely cut through the sphere of influence of the Chaos God on the vast chaotic battlefield.

Sometimes they cooperated with the Taiwei Heavenly Court, and sometimes they attacked independently, leaving the Chaos Demons overwhelmed and unable to defend themselves.

However, war is ultimately cruel.

The Chaos God is, after all, an ancient being that has survived the great calamity of creation, and its foundation is unfathomable.

In a campaign to annihilate the new generation of the [Gengjin Demon God] forces, the Human Alliance and the army of Taiwei Heavenly Court encountered unprecedented and fierce resistance.

It was a shattered universe completely eroded by the laws of destruction, with chaotic laws and disordered spacetime, which was extremely unfavorable to the sacred beings of the primordial world.

[Gengjin Demon God] led his troops deep behind enemy lines to besiege the combined forces of humanity and heaven.

The battle quickly became intense and deadlocked.

Countless gods and warriors perished under the onslaught of the destructive divine light.

On the chaotic battlefield where victories were frequently reported, a distressing warning was issued for the first time.

When the news reached Chendu, Shaohao's face was ashen.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately made a decision that shocked everyone.

"Gentlemen, Chendu is now in your care."

"I'm going out for a while."

He wants to go to the front lines in person.

"Your Majesty! You mustn't!"

Upon hearing this, the ministers of all races were greatly alarmed and hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him.

"You are the Lord of Humanity, how can you so easily take risks?"

"Although the situation at the front is unfavorable, it is not yet hopeless. We can mobilize more troops to reinforce the front!"

Shao Hao slowly shook his head.

He walked outside the Emperor's Palace, looked up at the war-torn starry sky, his eyes calm and profound.

As the art of war says, a skillful strategist seeks advantage in the situation, not in blaming others.

"The defeat in this battle was not due to the soldiers' lack of courage, but rather because we were caught in the enemy's 'momentum'."

"To break the deadlock, simply increasing troop numbers is no longer effective. We need a force powerful enough to reverse the situation and break this stalemate from the outside."

“And this power,” he turned around, his gaze sweeping over the assembled ministers, a confident smile playing on his lips.

"It's just me!"

"Your Majesty, what do you mean..." The ministers seemed to understand something.

“That’s right.” Shao Hao nodded, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"I will personally act as the bait."

"The [Gengjin Demon God] has always regarded humanity as a major threat. With my true form personally at the front lines, how could he possibly refuse to come out?"

"As long as we can lure out his true form, the siege on the main battlefield will naturally be lifted."

"At that time, I will have a way to ensure that he never returns!"

Having said that, he gave no more chance to persuade the others. His figure transformed into a dazzling golden light, soaring into the sky and flying straight towards the scorching battlefield!
The golden imperial chariot pierced through the chaos, and wherever it passed, all laws followed, and thousands of auspicious wisps of energy appeared. Its momentum was immense, as if it were announcing to the entire chaos the arrival of the common ruler of humanity!

as predicted.

When Shao Hao's figure appeared outside that shattered universe.

The true form of the [Gengjin Demon God] was instantly alarmed.

"Shaohao, you brat! You have a path to heaven, but you choose to barge into hell when there is no way out!"

A roar filled with savagery and ecstasy resounded from the core of that shattered universe.

Immediately afterwards, a destructive claw powerful enough to crush the entire world tore through space and time, carrying endless laws of destruction, and fiercely grabbed towards Shao Hao!
"As expected, she couldn't resist the temptation and took the bait so quickly!"

Faced with this earth-shattering attack, Shao Hao showed no fear whatsoever; instead, he revealed a smile of triumph.

He did not retreat, nor did he call for reinforcements, because this was a battlefield that belonged to him alone!
"A phoenix is ​​coming!"

Shao Hao's voice resounded throughout the chaos, and the entire human destiny behind him erupted at this moment!
The boundless golden energy transformed into lifelike five-colored phoenixes, each burning with the divine fire of order and emitting a clear and melodious phoenix cry!
"The phoenix dances in the nine heavens, forming a formation of ten thousand birds paying homage to the phoenix!"

Under his command, tens of thousands of phoenixes of destiny instantly formed an incomparably profound and peerless formation!

The great formation swirled, forcefully trapping the destructive claw that had seized them within!
"A mere trick!" The figure of the [Gengjin Demon God] emerged from the shattered universe, looking at the great formation with disdain in his eyes.

He is an ancient demon god who wields destruction; how could he be trapped by a mere array formed from fate?
His demonic body trembled, and an even more terrifying law of destruction erupted, about to completely tear apart the Myriad Phoenix Formation!
However, at that moment, Shao Hao made a move.

The ancient zither in his arms moved on its own without any wind, hovering in front of him.

His hands, like butterflies flitting among flowers, landed on the strings.

"Today, I will let you remnants of chaos witness the joy of humanity and the chapter of metal virtue!"

"First Movement – ​​[Golden Sound and Jade Vibration]!"

Clang——!!!
A stirring note from the piano transformed into tangible golden ripples that spread outwards!
Wherever the ripples passed, the originally chaotic laws were forcibly sorted out and rectified!
The Destruction Claw, trapped within the Myriad Phoenix Formation, had its Destruction Laws forcibly "calibrated" by this supreme power of order!

The destructive tyranny was forcibly quelled!
The chaotic energy was forcibly suppressed!
The expression on Gengjin Demon God's face changed as he discovered that the connection between himself and that demonic claw had become obscure!
"Second Movement - [Autumn Wind's Desolation]!"

The music shifted again, becoming high-pitched and chilling!

The entire chaotic void seemed to have entered a desolate autumn!
Endless Geng metal energy arose from nothingness and transformed into billions of incomparably sharp golden divine swords. Following the rhythm of the zither music, they rushed towards the trapped demonic claws like a raging storm!

puff!puff!puff!
The seemingly indestructible body of the demon god was riddled with holes and splattered with demonic blood under the endless rain of swords!

"You brat! How dare you!" [Gengjin Demon God] was filled with shock and rage. He could no longer maintain his composure, and his enormous demon god form charged towards Shao Hao recklessly!

He would tear this ant that dared to provoke him, along with that damned piano, to shreds!
However, Shao Hao's face still held that calm and confident expression.

His fingers played the final movement of the last song.

"The Third Movement – ​​[Virtue Transforms the World]!"

At this moment, the sound of the zither became grand, solemn, sacred, and full of benevolence!
That is no longer just a simple melody, but a hymn to humanity and civilization, a grand vision of harmony among all races, and the ultimate embodiment of the golden order!
The trapped demonic claws, within this sacred symphony, had their destructive essence forcibly "reformed"!

The pitch-black demonic claw began to crumble inch by inch, transforming into the purest primal power, and then, within the golden zither music, it was reshaped!

Finally, a gigantic golden hand, imbued with the power of holiness and order, appeared out of thin air!
With a backhand clench, this hand actually gripped the charging [Gengjin Demon God]'s true form tightly in its palm!
"Do not--!!!"

The [Gengjin Demon God] let out an incredulous roar.

His own power was transformed into a weapon against him in an unprecedented way!
"Within my humane order, all chaos will return to harmony."

Shao Hao's voice was like a pronouncement of the will of Heaven.

He watched as the [Gengjin Demon God] struggled frantically, gripped tightly by the giant golden hand, and slowly plucked the last string of his zither.

"The song ends, and the crowd disperses."

hum-

A soft cry.

The giant golden hand suddenly tightened!
[Geng Metal Demon God] widened his eyes.

He stared intently at Shao Hao, as if he saw a golden statue of a monk smiling and holding a flower appear behind him.

As Shao Hao plucked the last string, the golden Dharma body, holding the Seven Treasures Tree, suddenly swept it towards the [Gengjin Demon God].

The [Geng Metal Demon God] was frozen in place.

"You are despicable, shameless, and lack any sense of martial ethics!!"

Upon seeing this, Zhunti smiled and said, "In the West, we revere the virtue of metal."

"However, since you wish to witness Wu De before you die, I can grant your wish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, demonic clouds rose in the void.

But in an instant, the dignified golden Buddha turned into a ferocious and angry figure.

He looks exactly like a demon king!
One thought can lead to Buddhahood, another to demonhood—it's that simple!

Zhunti, now a demon king, transformed the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand into a vajra.

He looked at the [Gengjin Demon God] with a smile:
"Now, I can talk to you about martial ethics!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhunti grabbed the Vajra Pestle and began to swing it wildly at the [Gengjin Demon God]'s forehead.

In an instant, boundless demonic energy enveloped the void, engulfing the figure of the demon god.

"Do not!!!"

The [Gengjin Demon God] let out a painful wail before dying.

Before long, the enormous and immortal true form of the demon god, along with its primordial spirit and origin, was completely crushed into the purest chaotic origin by Zhunti, who had fallen into the demonic path!

"That's it, we're done!" Zhunti exclaimed with satisfaction.

He looked at the Geng metal essence in the void and said innocently:

"The martial virtue of the demonic path is far more violent than the metal virtue of our Buddhist path."

"You had to choose this way to die."

"I'm really at my wit's end."

"I have no choice but to grant your wish."

"In the next era, you'd better stay away from the demonic path."

After slaying a top-tier demon god, Zhunti vanished in an instant.

The trapped coalition forces were able to escape.

Shao Hao stood quietly in the void, putting away his guqin as if he had only done something insignificant.

He nodded slightly to the allied forces who had just escaped their predicament and were now looking at him with awe.

Then, he turned around and returned to Chendu.

After this battle, the name of "Jintian Clan" Shaohao resounded throughout the chaos!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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(End of this chapter)