booktalesy Chapter 72 Xuan Chu and Hong Jun Reach a Consensus, the Witch Clan Retreats to the Netherworld
Chapter 72 Xuan Chu and Hong Jun Reach a Consensus, the Witch Clan Retreats to the Netherworld
Chapter 72: Xuan Chu and Hong Jun Reach a Consensus, the Witch Clan Retreats to the Netherworld
With the Lich Wars coming to an end and the gap in the sky being filled and the primordial world stabilizing, the most pressing issue now is how to deal with the Lich and Demon races.
Xuan Chu and Hong Jun came to Chaos to discuss the matter. Xuan Chu agreed with Hong Jun's proposal to have the Wu Clan withdraw from the struggle for the protagonist of the prehistoric world and make way for the human race, but he still disagreed verbally. He just wanted to gain some benefits.
Hongjun was well aware of Xuan Chu's ulterior motives, so he said, "Fellow Daoist Xuan Chu, tell me, what exactly would it take for you to agree to the Wu Clan withdrawing from the struggle for the title of protagonist of Heaven and Earth?"
Xuan Chu laughed. Hong Jun had finally figured things out. He said, "To be honest, I don't care about being the protagonist of heaven and earth. But today's victory was achieved at a great cost by the Wu Clan. If you and the Heavenly Dao don't pay a price, even if I agree, the Wu Clan won't. In the end, we'll only end up fighting to the death."
Hongjun scoffed at Xuan Chu's statement. "What do you mean, even if you agree, the Wu Clan won't agree? What the Wu Clan does is up to you, Xuan Chu. What are you pretending for?" However, Xuan Chu's tone made Hongjun breathe a sigh of relief. It meant there was still room for discussion, and if there was room for discussion, things would be easier.
"What conditions are required, fellow Daoist, please feel free to speak," Hongjun said.
Xuan Chu said, "My conditions are few, only three. First, the Heavenly Dao must completely hand over the authority of the Earthly Dao." Although Hou Tu has become the representative of the Earthly Dao, the Heavenly Dao was born first and did a lot to bring about the birth of the Earthly Dao. Therefore, after the birth of the Earthly Dao, the Heavenly Dao still obtained a part of the authority of the Earthly Dao. So Xuan Chu's first condition is that the Heavenly Dao hand over the authority of the Earthly Dao in its hands.
"This..." Hongjun was somewhat troubled. After losing absolute control over the underground passage, he and the Heavenly Dao relied on this power to influence the underground passage and the Netherworld. If he handed it over, the Heavenly Dao would completely lose control over the underground passage, and the underground passage would truly become an existence on par with the Heavenly Dao.
"What? You're reluctant? Then there's no need to talk." Seeing Hongjun's troubled expression, Xuan Chu said bluntly, "If you don't agree, then there's no need to talk."
Hongjun traveled beyond the heavens and communicated with the Heavenly Dao. After some communication, he finally persuaded the Heavenly Dao to give up its power over the Underworld. In fact, Hongjun also understood that the Underworld was now under the control of Houtu, which was equivalent to being controlled by Xuan Chu. It was impossible to interfere with the Underworld under Xuan Chu's nose. So although giving it up was a pity, it was not unacceptable.
"Alright, I agree!" Hongjun finally agreed.
"Alright!" After agreeing on the first condition, Xuan Chu continued, "The second condition is that the Chaos Bell left behind after Taiyi's fall should return to its rightful owner. You don't need to refuse. You know better than anyone that the Chaos Bell is one of the three treasures of creation and should rightfully belong to the Pangu lineage. Taiyi has the Taiji Diagram, and Yuanshi has the Pangu Banner, so the Chaos Bell should be connected to the heavens. If it weren't for the intervention of the Heavenly Dao, how could this supreme treasure belonging to the Pangu lineage have fallen into Taiyi's hands? It is only natural that it should be returned to its rightful owner."
Of the three treasures of creation, Taishang obtained the Taiji Diagram, Yuanshi obtained the Pangu Banner, and Tongtian, as one of the Three Pure Ones, should be the master of the Chaos Bell. Now, Xuan Chu is going to take back what belongs to Tongtian.
"Alright, I agree." Hongjun agreed to this condition without the slightest hesitation. As long as the human race could successfully become the protagonist of heaven and earth, a mere innate treasure, even the most precious creation treasure, was nothing.
"Excellent." Xuan Chu nodded in satisfaction and continued, "The last condition is that after the human race becomes the protagonist of heaven and earth, when my disciples go to spread the Dao, neither the Heavenly Dao nor your Xuanmen disciples shall obstruct them."
"Alright, that's fine!" This condition was within Hongjun's acceptable range. After the human race became the protagonist of heaven and earth, it needed various sects to spread their teachings and educate the people. This condition was not excessive. Moreover, Hongjun never thought of stopping Xuan Chu's disciples from going to spread their teachings. Otherwise, Panwang Palace would have ceased to exist long ago.
"Very good. The Wu Clan will retreat to the Netherworld in the future. Once the Heavenly Dao releases the power of the Earthly Dao in its hands, the Wu Clan will leave the Primordial Continent. However, the Wu Clan also needs to leave behind its legacy in the Primordial World." Seeing that Hongjun had agreed to his three conditions, Xuan Chu no longer insisted on securing the position of the protagonist of Heaven and Earth for the Wu Clan, and stated that the Wu Clan would retreat to the Netherworld in the future.
"Good!" After reaching a consensus, Hongjun nodded in satisfaction and said.
After the two leaders finished their conversation, they left separately. Xuan Chu had to go back to appease the Wu Clan, while Hong Jun had to deal with the Demon Clan.
Inside the Pangu Palace, the twelve Ancestral Witches were filled with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow. They were happy that the Witch Clan had finally defeated the Demon Clan and safely passed the great calamity, but they were worried about how Xuan Chu and Hong Jun's conversation went.
"Sister Houtu, I wonder how Uncle's talk with that old man Hongjun went? What will become of our Wu clan?" Zhurong asked Houtu with a heavy heart.
In contrast, Houtu remained quite calm and said, "Brother Zhurong, don't worry. Uncle will never let the Wu Clan suffer any losses. No matter what decision Uncle makes, Houtu will support him." Houtu had blind trust in Xuanchu. In Houtu's mind, Pangu ranked first, Xuanchu ranked second, and the eleven Ancestral Witches had to take a backseat.
At this moment, Xuan Chu's figure appeared inside the Pangu Palace.
"Greetings, Uncle!" Upon seeing Xuan Chu appear, the twelve Ancestral Witches all bowed to him.
"No need for formalities!" Xuan Chu waved his hand and said, "I have reached a consensus with Hongjun that the Wu Clan will withdraw from the struggle between the prehistoric world and the heavens in the future."
"What? No, Uncle!" Upon hearing that the Witch Clan wanted to withdraw from the competition for the protagonist of the prehistoric world, the twelve Ancestral Witches protested. What kind of nonsense is this? If they withdraw from the competition for the protagonist of the prehistoric world, then what has been the point of the Witch Clan's endless years of sacrifice?
"Silence! Let your uncle continue!" Houtu stopped everyone. Although she didn't understand Xuan Chu's decision, she believed that Xuan Chu must have his reasons.
After everyone quieted down, Xuan Chu said, "I know this decision is hard for you to accept, after all, it has not been easy for the Witch Clan to get to this point, but this is the will of the Great Dao, and even I cannot go against it."
Upon hearing that this was the will of the Great Dao, the Ancestral Witches fell silent. They were not afraid of the Heavenly Dao, but the Great Dao was an existence that even Pangu could not resist. So what could they do even if they were dissatisfied?
"Uncle, I wonder what the future holds for the Wu Clan?" Since she could no longer become the protagonist of the world, Houtu was more concerned about the future of the Wu Clan.
Xuan Chu said, "In exchange for the Wu Clan's withdrawal from the struggle for the protagonist of heaven and earth, Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao agreed to hand over the power of the Earthly Dao. From now on, the Earthly Dao will be completely controlled by the Wu Clan, making them an equal to the Heavenly Dao. However, from now on, the Wu Clan will need to retreat to the Netherworld."
Hearing that the Witch Clan could completely control the underground passage, the Ancestral Witches were finally relieved. Compared to controlling the underground passage, what did the mere protagonist of heaven and earth matter? Having been suppressed by the Heavenly Dao for so long, the Ancestral Witches knew very well how important an underground passage that could stand on equal footing with the Heavenly Dao was.
"But Uncle, if the Wu Clan retreats to the Netherworld, what will happen to the Pangu Palace? We can't just move the Pangu Palace to the Netherworld too, can we?" Houtu asked again. What will happen to the Pangu Palace if the Wu Clan leaves?
"Of course we can't move to the Netherworld. The Pangu Palace is the place to suppress the evil energy of the primordial world. It can't be moved lightly. So we need to leave a branch of the Wu Clan to guard the Pangu Palace. In addition, I will also stay in the Pangu Palace, Hou Yi!" Xuan Chu said. In fact, the Pangu Palace has become Xuan Chu's Daoist temple. As long as a more suitable Daoist temple is not found, Xuan Chu will stay in the Pangu Palace for the time being.
"Hou Yi is here!" Hou Yi quickly responded when he heard Xuan Chu call him.
"From now on, you will lead a portion of the Wu tribe to guard the Pangu Palace," Xuan Chu said. Hou Yi was the person Xuan Chu had chosen to guard the Pangu Palace.
"Hou Yi obeys!" Hou Yi replied.
"Alright, this matter is settled. We must not delay retreating to the Netherworld. Go and prepare immediately!" Seeing that everything was arranged, Xuan Chu told the Witch Ancestors to go and prepare quickly.
"Yes, Uncle!" the ancestral witches replied.
Soon, the Wu tribe, led by the twelve ancestral witches, began to migrate to the Netherworld.