Chapter 16: Baize

“Hahaha...” Xuanyuan laughed for a few moments, then quickly resumed his solemn expression.

“You are Athena, a goddess from another world. I’m not sure how you came here. Although I don’t understand what this ‘other world’ is, this is the first time I’ve heard of the Greek realm and Olympus.”

“Lord Xuanyuan, I came before you by using a treasured artifact imbued with the will of Heaven.”

“The will of Heaven... that is indeed no small matter. So, why have you come to me?” Xuanyuan’s sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through Athena.

“Lord Xuanyuan, all of this is arranged by fate. Before coming to you, I also visited the Kunlun Imperial Capital and even met the supreme Heavenly Emperor. He told me that I could find what I seek in this world.”

Xuanyuan was silent for a few moments.

He originally suspected that this so-called otherworldly goddess had ulterior motives, for she was quite different from the ancient gods he knew. For example, even now, although she repeatedly addressed him respectfully as “lord,” her eyes and tone were calm and placid, without a shred of reverence or flattery.

Xuanyuan dared not gamble that this otherworldly goddess was like the ancient gods he knew, but outright refusal would also be unwise. After all, she had mentioned the Kunlun Imperial Capital twice, which obviously meant that Heavenly Emperor Dijun had approved her presence. At this delicate moment, the three leaders of the human tribal alliance were secretly contending for position. Heavenly Emperor Dijun clearly would not intervene, nor would he allow the gods of Kunlun to get involved. But what about this otherworldly goddess?

Seeming to sense Xuanyuan’s dilemma, Athena said, “Lord Xuanyuan, you might as well grant me a minor position for now. If needed, you can command me directly. I will not form any alliance with you nor make any excessive demands.”

Xuanyuan nodded and replied, “Very well.”

He understood clearly that Emperor Yan had the backing of the human sovereign Shennong, a mighty figure whose support was like a great tree providing shade. Although Shennong outwardly claimed fairness, would he truly favor someone who behaved like his own son? No one would believe that; it was only a tale to deceive passing children. As for Chiyou, leader of the Jiuli tribe, he was a restless force with towering warriors and the finest weapons among humans. If it weren’t for the gods of Kunlun aiding Emperor Yan and Shennong, Chiyou might have already seized the opportunity to rise up and purge the throne. Moreover, Chiyou had the support of Kuafu, the mountain god of Chengdu Zaitian, making him the only candidate among the three tribal leaders openly backed by an ancient god.

At this juncture, if Xuanyuan wanted to ascend as leader of the human tribal alliance after Emperor Yan’s abdication to the Heavenly Emperor, having a god’s support behind him was crucial—even if that god was not an ancient one, but an otherworldly deity. Xuanyuan decided to take things step by step.

Turning to Mu Changge, he asked, “You are Mu Changge? Are you also of the human race?”

Mu Changge cupped his hands and bowed respectfully. “Lord Xuanyuan, I am indeed of the human race.”

Though Xuanyuan was not yet the Human Emperor, he was destined to become the chosen one. As an ancestor of the Huaxia human race, it was only fitting to show respect. Mu Changge was not the kind to forget his roots.

“Then why did you become the envoy of this otherworldly goddess?” Xuanyuan’s curiosity was piqued.

“That...” Mu Changge hesitated a moment before answering, “Lord Xuanyuan, it is because I like her.”

The air instantly fell silent.

Xuanyuan smiled awkwardly. “Um... This otherworldly goddess is indeed quite charming... oh, no, I mean she has great poise!”

Looking at Athena’s petite, almost childlike figure, Xuanyuan inwardly marveled at the vastness of the world and its many surprises—there were really people who fancied this type. At the same time, he silently marked Mu Changge with a mental cross and resolved never to let him near the young girls in his tribe, especially his own daughter!

Little did Mu Changge know, he had already landed on the future Human Emperor Xuanyuan’s secret blacklist.

If there were an official bureau here, Xuanyuan might have reported him immediately.

Athena now turned to Mu Changge with a smile reminiscent of Rei Ayanami’s, but Mu Changge felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss—he was doomed.

Xuanyuan, holding onto his last shred of hope and curiosity, asked, “I don’t quite understand. What is it about this otherworldly goddess that you like?”

Mu Changge pondered seriously for a few moments, then answered with utmost sincerity, “Her light and supple figure makes her easy to topple.”

“Ah!” Xuanyuan gasped, casting a strange look at Mu Changge.

At this, Athena’s eyes brimmed with obvious disdain, as if looking at a lecherous gentleman. Were it not for the occasion, she might have given Mu Changge a stern lesson on why flowers bloom so red.

Mu Changge’s poor conversational skills had quite thoroughly killed the mood, plunging the room into a long silence.

“Ahem,” Xuanyuan cleared his throat, then stopped looking at Mu Changge and turned to Athena. “Well then, goddess from another world, I am glad you have come to assist me. I will arrange lodgings for you shortly.”

Athena donned a standard courteous smile. “Thank you for your kindness, Lord Xuanyuan. I shall dedicate myself fully to your cause!”

Xuanyuan nodded, satisfied with her response. Rising, he stepped forward and extended his hand. “Then, Athena, may our cooperation be fruitful.”

Athena grasped his hand in return. “Lord Xuanyuan, may our cooperation be fruitful.”

After Athena and Mu Changge departed, the smile faded from Xuanyuan’s face. He summoned, “Baize.”

As soon as Xuanyuan’s voice fell, a white divine beast appeared—tiger head with vermilion hair, dragon body with horns.

This creature could speak, understood all worldly affairs, knew the matters of spirits and gods, and could dispel all evil.

Xuanyuan had met this divine beast by chance while passing the Eastern Sea.

He kept the beast close and concealed its presence from others. Thus, no one else knew Xuanyuan was guarded by a divine beast.

Baize was also adept at hiding itself; even ancient gods below the level of Divine Ancestor could not easily detect it.

“Master.”

“That otherworldly goddess—how truthful were her words?”

“Master, her praise of you was a pretense. Otherwise, there were no issues.”

“In other words, she came to approach me with some purpose. What is her goal?”

Baize remained silent, quietly awaiting its master’s decision.

“Did she realize you were watching?”

“Master, that goddess probably sensed she was being observed, but likely did not detect my identity.”

Xuanyuan nodded. “Good.”