Preaching to Nüwa, Grand Tutor's Ten Strategies

"Imperial... Imperial Preceptor?"

Da Ji's face showed surprise. She had never imagined that the one who saved her would be Gu Changqing.

"You are the Imperial Preceptor Gu Changqing?"

"The last disciple of the Intercepting Sect, Gu Changqing?"

Nüwa withdrew her magic and looked up at Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing bowed slightly: "The Human Race's Imperial Preceptor Gu Changqing greets the Human Ancestor."

Nüwa was still the Human Ancestor, and Gu Changqing didn't want to be disrespectful.

"You have quite the nerve, daring to meddle in this palace's family affairs."

Gu Changqing chuckled, "Without some nerve, one wouldn't dare to defy the heavens. While the Human Ancestor disciplining other demons is a family matter for the Human Race, Da Ji is the Human King's consort. Therefore, Da Ji's affairs are also affairs of the Human Realm."

Nüwa said coldly, "You have a glib tongue. To defy the heavens, you must also possess the ability to do so."

Gu Changqing smiled, "I've long heard that the Human Ancestor's Creation Dao is exquisitely profound. Though I am untalented, what I cultivate is also the Creation Dao."

As Gu Changqing spoke, he slowly extended a finger, and the Creation Dao continuously evolved.

At first, it was just an egg-sized sphere formed by the condensation of ordinary Creation Laws.

Nüwa wasn't particularly surprised by this, only curious how a disciple of Tong Tian would cultivate the Creation Dao.

As Gu Changqing continued to evolve, the Creation Laws returned to unity, then one begat two, two begat three, and three begat all things...

Nüwa's eyes gradually showed shock.

Within the egg-sized space, Yin and Yang energies quickly emerged. The Yang energy rose, and the Yin energy sank, evolving into heaven and earth.

Afterward, there were also Metal Spirit Energy, Wood Spirit Energy, Water Spirit Energy, Fire Spirit Energy, and Earth Spirit Energy.

The Five Elements' energies generated and counteracted each other, giving birth to various other laws.

Once the laws were abundant and balanced, the small space began to show signs of life.

Gu Changqing stopped his evolution at this point, instead chuckling, "I wonder if the Human Ancestor can evolve in such a way?"

Sweat beaded on Nüwa's cheeks.

She was terrified!

She knew Gu Changqing was extraordinary, but she never expected him to be so terrifying!

This was no longer the art of creation but the art of Heaven-Opening.

In other words, if Gu Changqing went to Chaos, he could completely open up his own world.

And he wouldn't have to exhaust himself to death, transforming into all things, like Great God Pan Gu.

"This palace... this palace cannot!"

Nüwa had never thought that the Creation Dao could create laws. She had always believed that the Creation Laws were just one of the Three Thousand Laws.

The Creation Dao passed down to her by Hong Jun was merely a kind of Creation Law, one of the Three Thousand Laws.

So this was the true Creation Dao!

That Small World opened up a new world for Nüwa.

Seeing that Nüwa was subdued, Gu Changqing continued, "The Human Realm cannot be without a Human King, and Great Shang cannot fall. From today onwards, the Human Realm will no longer be the Saints' lamb."

After speaking, Gu Changqing walked to Da Ji's side and added, "Di Xin cares for you. Take care of yourself."

With that, he walked out of Wa Palace.

"Do not go to the Human Realm again. The Human Race will walk its own path and will not forget the Human Ancestor's Merits."

The small sphere Gu Changqing left behind eventually evolved into this message.

Nüwa remained silent for a long time. Gu Changqing's power was far above hers.

He hadn't become a Saint, but he was the first Mixed Origin Great Luo Golden Immortal in the Primordial World.

What a Tong Tian, what an Intercepting Sect, what a Gu Changqing!

Nüwa sighed, picked up the small sphere, and walked into the depths of Wa Palace.

Da Ji glanced at Wa Palace, then at the Human Realm, and finally chose to stay in Wa Palace.

Though she was reluctant to leave the Human Realm, Wa Palace was her home, her final refuge.

On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head.

Dragon Virtue Hall.

Where Di Xin held court.

Dragon Virtue Hall faced south from the north.

Di Xin had prepared another dragon throne to the east of his main throne. This dragon throne had been prepared for fifteen years, yet no one had ever sat on it.

Previously, the arrogant Da Ji had sat on his main dragon throne, but she had never sat on that other dragon throne.

Anyone who had ever touched that dragon throne had never seen the sun rise the next day.

Every time Di Xin attended court, he would bow slightly to the dragon throne.

No one knew why, nor for whom that throne was reserved.

On this day, a stranger entered the Dragon Virtue Hall.

He was in his twenties, dressed in purple, with a distinguished appearance and an air of calm indifference.

"Who is that, daring to trespass into the Dragon Virtue Hall?"

"Doesn't he know about the King's 'Cannon Branding' torture?"

"What a waste of a good physique."

Gu Changqing paid no mind to the ministers' whispers, choosing a secluded corner to stand silently.

As the Imperial Preceptor of Great Shang, it seemed a bit excessive for him to have skipped court for fifteen years.

Hearing the whispers of the courtiers, Wen Zhong, who was in the front row, coldly interjected, "How dare you chatter in court?"

After Wen Zhong's reprimand, the court fell silent.

In court, Wen Zhong was the absolute authority; even Fei Lian and E Lai had to show him some respect.

Of course, Fei Lian and E Lai weren't afraid of him, a third-generation disciple of the Intercepting Sect, but rather deferred to him out of respect for Gu Changqing.

"The King arrives!"

With a resounding announcement, Di Xin strode into the grand hall with the majestic gait of a dragon and tiger.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

As the assembled officials chanted "Long live the King," Di Xin immediately spotted Gu Changqing.

Teacher?

Why is Teacher here at court today?

Di Xin didn't even wait to shout "Rise!" He rushed over to Gu Changqing in a few quick steps, exclaiming joyfully, "Teacher, why have you come?"

Gu Changqing smiled and said, "As the current Imperial Preceptor, I should attend court."

"Teacher, please sit, please take the seat of honor!"

Di Xin escorted Gu Changqing, intending to seat him on the dragon throne to the east.

Gu Changqing frowned and said, "There cannot be two suns in the sky, nor two rulers in a nation. This goes against proper etiquette. In court, I am your subject; outside of court, I am your teacher. I shall stand."

With that, Gu Changqing stepped back and stood beside Wen Zhong.

Only after bowing slightly to Gu Changqing did Di Xin address the assembled officials, "You may rise, my lords."

Though the officials hadn't raised their heads, they were well aware of what had transpired.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After rising, the officials all turned to look at Gu Changqing.

Is that the legendary Imperial Preceptor?

The Imperial Preceptor is so young?

So that dragon throne was reserved for the Imperial Preceptor!

The officials immediately felt a sense of awe toward Gu Changqing. Those who had previously spoken ill of him felt particularly uneasy.

Wen Zhong, standing beside them, didn't have so many complex thoughts; he simply admired Gu Changqing even more in his heart.

"If there are matters to report, report them. Otherwise, court is dismissed."

Normally, this announcement was made by a court official, but today Di Xin said it himself.

His meaning was, If there's nothing important, don't babble. Gu Changqing is standing below, and he's feeling a lot of pressure.

As expected, the officials remained silent.

Di Xin was about to dismiss the court when Wen Zhong stepped forward.

"Your subject has matters to report!"

Seeing Wen Zhong step out, Di Xin quickly gave him a warning look, but Wen Zhong ignored him completely.

"Your subject has ten proposals for His Majesty."

"Speak!" Di Xin waved his hand impatiently.

Seeing Di Xin's demeanor, Gu Changqing thought to himself, Perhaps I shouldn't attend court anymore.

"First, dismantle the Deer Terrace to appease the people. Second, abolish cannon branding to encourage honest criticism. Third, abolish the scorpion punishment to bring peace to the court. Fourth, remove the wine pool to silence the feudal lords."

"Fifth, demote Da Ji and welcome back Queen Jiang. Sixth, select worthy ministers and dismiss Fei Lian and E Lai. Seventh, open granaries to relieve the starving. Eighth, establish academies to cultivate talented individuals. Ninth, recruit from the southeast to quell national unrest. Tenth, open channels for free speech and remove restrictions."

Wen Zhong recited all ten proposals in one breath, then quietly waited for a response.

Di Xin replied, "Proposals one and six are denied; all others are approved."

The Deer Terrace is already built; tear it down again?

Are you kidding me?

We already wasted resources once; are we going to waste them again? Are you out of your mind?

Disable Fei Lian and E Lai?

That's even more ridiculous! Damn it, don't you know Fei Lian and E Lai are the Imperial Preceptor's people?

Look who's standing next to you!

Besides, without them, who's going to do my dirty work?

You?

Can you handle it?

Can you even do it?

They're Demon Saints! Quasi-Sages!

This guy must be senile!

Wen Zhong was about to say more, but Di Xin waved his hand.

"Court dismissed!"

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

At this, Gu Changqing stepped forward.

Di Xin nearly lost his footing.

Imperial Preceptor, do you have to be like this?

Zi Shou really isn't used to it!

The court fell silent.

Even Wen Zhong looked bewildered. Doesn't Junior Martial Uncle usually go directly to the King if he has something to say?