Chapter 15: Meeting Xuanyuan

After Mu Changge and Athena left the Heavenly Emperor’s secret capital, Qingyao Mountain, they mounted the enormous owl’s back and took flight.

“Athena, I’ve wanted to ask for a while now—this owl, it’s nocturnal, right? Is it okay to fly during broad daylight? Aren’t we overworking it?” Mu Changge inquired.

“Rest assured, my owl is no ordinary creature. Though it is connected to the night, its powers are stronger in darkness, but daytime travel poses no harm,” Athena replied calmly.

Mu Changge nodded and then asked, “What shall we do next? Should we find a place to wait for the key the Heavenly Emperor mentioned?”

Athena shook her head. “Only fools wait for the meal to pass by their eyes. I intend to take you to meet the Human Emperor, Xuanyuan.”

“The Yellow Emperor? Why seek this ancestor?”

“Do you know who Xuanyuan’s mightiest general is?”

“The mightiest general… Athena, you mean Tianyuan Yinglong?”

“Exactly. The very Tianyuan Yinglong who forged an oath with the Human Emperor Xuanyuan.”

Mu Changge’s expression brightened in understanding.

The Earth Scripture, *Classic of Mountains and Seas*, records that Tianyuan Yinglong was a chief general under the Yellow Emperor. Some enthusiasts believe that the Yellow Emperor and Tianyuan Yinglong formed a covenant, with Yinglong aiding the Emperor’s ascent to the throne. Others argue that Yinglong and the Yellow Dragon are one and the same—that the Yellow Dragon is the Yellow Emperor himself.

Regardless, Tianyuan Yinglong holds a lofty position in ancient Chinese mythology. Although ancient texts briefly mention him, the events involved are of monumental significance.

Legend has it that Tianyuan Yinglong is a triune deity embodying creation, destruction, and apocalypse, revered also as a god of war. He is said to have divided yin and yang, created heaven and earth from chaos, and his very form is so vast that the universe cannot contain it. When enraged, the sun and moon vanish instantly and the world ends without delay.

“We seek the Yellow Emperor, and through him, meet Tianyuan Yinglong. But won’t this take a long time? The Heavenly Emperor Taihao Fuxi, one of the Three Sovereigns, has yet to abdicate to the Earth Emperor Shennong. That’s two generations apart!”

“Do not worry. In the meantime, continue to train your body. Maintain your regimen every day.”

Mu Changge twitched at the corner of his mouth but knew there was no alternative. No matter how many divine medicines, herbs, or fruits he consumed, none had any effect.

At the Heavenly Emperor’s secret capital, Qingyao Mountain:

Emperor Dijun gazed after the departing Mu Changge and Athena, murmuring, “A cursed soul and a goddess from another world—what an intriguing pair. It seems the future world will remain vibrant and full of wonders.”

Standing nearby, the supervising deity Lu Wu and patrol god Ying Zhao exchanged glances, uncertain of Emperor Dijun’s meaning but wisely chose not to intervene.

Before departing, Emperor Dijun had strictly instructed them: no matter whom they encountered or what they learned, it was to remain a secret, buried deep within.

—

After the Human Emperor Taihao Fuxi ascended to become Heavenly Emperor, he relinquished his position as leader of the human tribal alliance.

Fuxi departed from the human lands to Dan Cliff, where he carved out a secret realm and built a palace named Fire Cloud Palace within. This palace became the gathering place for the Human Emperor after ascending the heavenly throne.

Fuxi was honored as Heavenly Emperor Fuxi.

The successor to Fuxi’s role as leader of the human tribal alliance was a young man named Shennong.

Shennong, the Human Emperor, tasted countless herbs, cultivated five grains, established markets, crafted clothing, and invented musical instruments, bows, arrows, and pottery—achieving many great deeds that propelled human progress.

Hence, Emperor Dijun bestowed upon Shennong the title of Flame Emperor.

Though undoubtedly a wise leader, Shennong’s impending ascension to godhood, one step below Heavenly Emperor, sparked a dilemma.

If Shennong became Heavenly Emperor, he too would have to abdicate, just as Fuxi did.

Yet three candidates stood ready to succeed him as leader of the human tribes.

First, Shennong’s son, nicknamed the Little Flame Emperor, who shared his father’s virtuous qualities.

Second, Chiyou, chief of the Jiuli tribe, who forged metal weapons and was a formidable warrior.

Third, Xuanyuan, leader of the Bear Tribe, known for his talent in recognizing and appointing capable men, as well as inventing boats, carriages, and musical scales.

Though the succession was debated privately, Shennong learned of it and was furious.

After punishing some involved, he pondered deeply yet found no easy solution.

Personally, Shennong wished to pass the mantle to his son. After all, a father’s love is natural.

But the other two contenders could not be ignored, especially Chiyou, who commanded the strongest soldiers and weapons, and had allied with the mountain god Kuafu, a powerful deity. With divine support, Chiyou was a force to be reckoned with.

Though Emperor Dijun had sent divine generals from the Kunlun Imperial Capital to assist the human emperor, Shennong understood that the Kunlun court would not interfere in succession affairs. If they set a precedent, the celestial-human covenant between Emperor Dijun and Fuxi might be broken—a calamity for humanity.

Thus, Flame Emperor Shennong never considered using or ordering ancient tribal gods to meddle in the succession.

As for Xuanyuan, though he lacked backing, he was the most popular candidate.

After all, the Little Flame Emperor was only a continuation of the current human emperor; Chiyou enhanced humanity’s military prowess, indirectly boosting survival chances; but Xuanyuan’s contributions were more beneficial for rapid human development.

Burdened and conflicted, Shennong temporarily set the matter aside.

—

However, tensions stirred dangerously beneath the surface of the human tribes.

In response, Mu Changge heeded Athena’s advice and visited Xuanyuan, chief of the Bear Tribe.

Within the Bear Tribe’s domain:

Xuanyuan sat upon a high seat, watching the arriving Mu Changge and Athena.

“I am Xuanyuan, chief of the Bear Tribe. To what do I owe this visit?” he asked.

Athena smiled graciously. “Honorable Lord Xuanyuan, I am Athena, the goddess of war, one of the twelve Olympian gods of Greece. The Kunlun Imperial Capital honors me as a goddess from another world. Beside me is my divine envoy, Mu Changge, who could be called one of your people, now serving me.”

“I have come to seek the position of guardian deity, for I have heard of your virtue and benevolence, and thus have come to pledge my allegiance.”

Listening to Athena, Mu Changge inwardly marveled that she should have been an actress. Just listen—though their true aim was to find Tianyuan Yinglong, she spoke with such grandeur and eloquence!

—

Character Profile:

Gengchen

Tianyuan Yinglong, also known as Yinglong, the Winged Dragon God.

Participant in the creation of the universe, origin star, and the inner world beneath the earth.

Creator of the true dragons, phoenixes, and qilins—the ancestors of these three clans.

Currently active only on the land of Huaxia; otherwise resides in the inner world beneath the earth.

His dragon form can expand and contract; when fully extended, even the universe cannot contain him.

His power is immeasurable; if roused, the sun, moon, and stars vanish instantly, and the universe is destroyed under the strain of his divine might.

The strongest being in this tale, unmatched.

Currently in a cold war with Ouroboros, his ex-lover.