Chapter 37: The Separation of Powers and the Alliance of Gods

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“Although Emperor Jun and Donghuang are innately blessed with great merit, after all, they are but two individuals. Even if they devote themselves fully and draw the primordial gods and demons of the vast world to their side, our Wu Clan can just as well rely on our own advantages to win over those primordial beings who favor us!”
“The two of them alone can never surpass our Wu Clan!”
“Moreover!”
Di Cang sighed and said, “We and Emperor Jun, Donghuang Taiyi, share the same origin—we are all descendants of Pangu. How could we bear to slaughter our own kin? Wouldn’t that only grieve those close to us and delight our enemies?”
“What I mean is, while this opportunity presents itself, we should take the initiative to visit the two of them and unite our forces to safeguard the primordial world together!”
“What?”
The Twelve Ancestral Witches were all visibly moved.
Ancestral Witch Di Jiang said, “Even if our Wu Clan is willing to let bygones be bygones and accept Emperor Jun and Donghuang, I fear they might not be willing to walk alongside us. If they agree on the surface but scheme against us in secret, all the worse.”
Di Cang smiled. “What I propose is that the Ancestral Sect and the Ninefold Heaven jointly guard the primordial world—not that Donghuang and Emperor Jun join us, nor that we merge into the Ninefold Heavenly Court.”
“What? One world, two powers?”
Fuxi and Nuwa pondered a moment, then shook their heads repeatedly.
“This must not be!”
Fuxi spoke solemnly: “One primordial world, two supreme powers—how could they coexist? It would only lead to endless wars, causing pain to kin and joy to foes. Absolutely not!”
The Twelve Ancestral Witches frowned in silence.
Di Cang’s suggestion would provoke the same reaction from anyone with sense, as Fuxi and Nuwa had just shown.
However—
Di Cang went on, “I never said the primordial world should have two supreme powers side by side.”
All the great powers present looked at him in astonishment.
Ancestral Witch Houtu smiled. “What is your true plan? Why not share it with us all?”
Di Cang considered for a moment, then said, “In my vision, the primordial world is vast and boundless. If the Wu Clan alone dominates, it will attract the envy and machinations of other great beings. On the other hand, with unchecked power, it becomes difficult to govern, the risk arises that our descendants will become arrogant and complacent, losing their will to strive for the highest Dao.”
“Exactly, exactly!”
Hearing this, Fuxi, Nuwa, and the Twelve Ancestral Witches all nodded their agreement.
Di Cang’s words had struck a chord with them.
Indeed!
An unchallenged supremacy would breed exactly these two problems.

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However—
What none of them knew was that Di Cang had spoken and decided thus because he was acutely aware that the Wu Clan simply did not have the ability to reign supreme alone.
If—
A figure like Pangu himself were to arise among the Wu Clan, someone who could sweep aside three thousand chaotic gods and demons single-handedly, what more would Di Cang need to say?
He could simply rest easy!
All the strategies in the world are nothing in the face of absolute power. Pangu himself had no need for cunning!
But the Wu Clan was far from such strength!
Therefore, there was no other way!
Without overwhelming force, he could only rely on strategy and systems to maintain their position.
Di Cang continued: “We can form an alliance with Emperor Jun and Donghuang. The Wu Clan will govern the land, ruling over all races, while the Heavenly Court will preside over the Ninefold Heaven, overseeing all from above and keeping watch over the earth. If the Wu Clan acts unjustly or commits crimes—if it concerns ordinary members, the Ninefold Heaven may act first and inform us after; but if it involves a chief or a major regional guardian, the Wu Clan must be notified, and both sides will jointly exercise this power.”
“In this way—”
Di Cang smiled. “Nominally, we rule the land, but the Ninefold Heaven stands subtly above us. Emperor Jun and Donghuang would have no grounds for objection.”
“Impossible!”
Di Jiang roared in anger. “How can we accept this? Absolutely not!”
Di Cang smiled. “Please, my fellow Ancestral Witches, don’t be hasty—I am not finished.”
He addressed them: “If we divide power like this, there is a grave risk—the Ninefold Heaven might abuse their authority and slaughter our ordinary warriors at will!”
“If so—”
“We need a third force!”
Di Cang declared, “Any unchecked power inevitably breeds corruption. The Wu Clan oversees the earth; the Ninefold Heaven oversees the Wu Clan. But who will oversee the Ninefold Heaven?”
With due reverence, Di Cang said, “I would ask the esteemed Fuxi and Nuwa to reach out to all the great powers of the world, to establish a Hall of All Gods, or a Divine Alliance, or a Celestial Court—an institution of similar nature, comprising all the mighty ones among the myriad races.”
“If conflict should arise between the Wu Clan and the Ninefold Heaven, both sides may bring their case before the Divine Alliance, and let the myriad powers of the world judge, so that justice may prevail.”
“In this way—”
Di Cang said, “The Ancestral Sect oversees all races, including the Celestial Court; the Heavenly Court oversees the Ancestral Sect; the Celestial Court oversees the Heavenly Court!”
“And thus—”

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Fuxi could not help but exclaim with excitement, “With such mutual checks and balances, we can not only establish a truly supreme force to lead the world, but also ensure lasting stability through such restraint, preventing great wars from breaking out.”
Nuwa and Houtu were likewise deeply approving.
Though there might be some flaws, to reach this point was already the best solution they could hope for.
Yet,
To everyone’s surprise,
Di Cang had more to add!
He said, “Though the three powers would check each other, any system of human oversight is prone to abuse—what if the Celestial Court and Heavenly Court collude, or the Ancestral Sect conspires with the Celestial Court?”
“If that is the case—”
“We must have a flawless code of laws for the world, so that the order of law restrains all three powers, and all must exercise their rights according to the law, with violators punished!”
“Not long ago, the Wu Clan planned to have Qiangliang and Xizi, the Ancestral Witches, take the lead in drafting such a code.”
“Instead, let us do this—”
“Let our clan, together with the Heavenly Court, the esteemed Nuwa and Fuxi, jointly forge a Tablet of the Heavenly Dao, inscribed with the world’s code, forever anchoring order in the land. Any who violate it shall be punished by all three powers together. What say you?”
“Excellent—most excellent!”
Fuxi and Nuwa replied gravely, “Such a deed will accrue great merit and brings only benefit, not harm. We, as brother and sister, are willing to establish the Celestial Court and assist the Wu Clan in forging the Tablet of the Heavenly Dao!”
The Twelve Ancestral Witches, though still somewhat hesitant,
With their wisdom, even if some had objections, they could not out-argue Di Cang and the others.
Thus, the matter was settled!
…
Di Cang respectfully suggested, “Let the Ancestral Witches, Fuxi, and Nuwa join forces to pay a visit to Emperor Jun and Donghuang in the Ninefold Heaven!”
“If we show sincere intentions—explaining, first, the threat posed by hidden enemies and the dangers of either one side’s dominance or fratricidal strife; and second, the merits of a threefold alliance to jointly guard the world, and the benefits this brings to future generations—I believe the two of them will understand and make the right choice!”