Chapter 24: The Gathering of the Three Sovereigns

During his reign, the Human Emperor Xuanyuan propagated the cultivation of the hundred grains and various plants, vigorously advanced production, established systems of attire, and created written language.

The Human Emperor Xuanyuan also ordered the recording of the various spirits and monsters described by the divine beast Baize. These totaled 11,520 types, all compiled into a book known as the "Baize Tu."

The Human Emperor Xuanyuan devoted a vast amount of time to writing a book himself, primarily for the treatment of illness, titled the "Neijing." Because it documented various medical modalities, the "Neijing" was known as the Book of Mankind.

The Human Emperor Xuanyuan was also adept at recognizing and employing talent; key officials such as Yongfu, Ning Fengzi, and Leigong all made significant contributions to the development of the human race.

After once again unifying the human tribes, the Human Emperor Xuanyuan petitioned the Heavenly Emperor Dijun to name the land where all things lived—the entire realm—as "Huaxia." The Heavenly Emperor Dijun agreed with Xuanyuan's vision and used the Heavenly Emperor Stele to bestow this name upon the entire world. From that day forth, the vast region in the eastern half of the Origin Ancestral Star came to be known as Huaxia.

The Heavenly Emperor Dijun greatly admired Xuanyuan's achievements. Consequently, using the Heavenly Emperor Stele, he bestowed upon the Human Emperor the title of "Yellow Emperor," henceforth known as the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan.

The Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan reigned as the leader of the human tribal alliance for five hundred and fifty years. In his final year, he successfully ascended to the position of Heavenly Emperor.

On the eve of the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan stepping down as leader of the tribal alliance, Mu Changge met with him.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on achieving the status of Heavenly Emperor. The human race has gained another sovereign of the heavens."

"My ascension to the throne is merely the result of doing what I ought to have done. It is a blessing enough to be able to say with pride that the human race has marched forward under my governance."

"Your Majesty is too humble."

"Enough of that. Let us speak of you. I am about to depart from the human realm for the Fire Cloud Palace. You have already broken your curse and embarked on the path to becoming an Ancient God; if there is anything you do not understand, you may ask me now. You must know, my own ascension was only made possible by the help of Lord Tianyuan Yinglong; the journey was far from simple."

Mu Changge agreed deeply with the Yellow Emperor's words. Only through personal experience could one know that the path to becoming an Ancient God was agonizingly slow. More than five hundred years had passed, and Mu Changge remained stuck at the stage of "Questioning Heaven." Not wishing to squander this rare opportunity, he prepared to seek guidance from the Yellow Emperor.

Mu Changge asked how he had progressed from "Questioning Heaven" to "Foundation Casting."

"Questioning Heaven? I simply set my heart on accomplishing certain meaningful tasks, and the trials of Heaven and Earth were passed."

"Changge, I believe you should stop trying to 'become' an Ancient God and instead focus on doing what you truly wish to achieve. Once you have decided, take action."

"Your Majesty, are you suggesting I keep my feet firmly on the ground?"

"Naturally. However, how Heaven and Earth perceive your intentions, and whether they validate the god you wish to become, is not so simple."

"At first, I acted with the intention of becoming a tribal leader. Then, I acted with the intention of improving the lives of my people. Later, I acted with the hope of catching the eye of my predecessor, the Earth Emperor Shennong. By the time I was focused on how to make the human race more prosperous, I was already within the realm of the Ancient Gods."

"I will not say that as long as you have a grand goal and persevere, you will succeed. I believe that what suits you best is the right path. Everyone has their own ideals, and these ideals are not divided by rank or status. Even an ordinary person possesses unique qualities that a sage might lack."

"Changge, you have seen others who wish to become Ancient Gods. You should know that imitating others is useless. It is better to reflect on your own driving force, face yourself, and understand who you are."

"Heaven and Earth show no bias, nor do they decide whether you become a god based on the magnitude of your deeds. Just as I appoint officials: I never rely on the assessments of others. I examine them myself, and if they are suitable, I let them work. If they are not, no matter how good their reputation, I will not choose them."

Mu Changge was suddenly struck by an epiphany.

"Your Majesty, do you mean that even the most trivial ideal is recognized by Heaven and Earth?"

"Hahaha, that depends on how you define your ideal. Heaven watches what man does. The reason humans possess awe and moral codes is that they do not wish to be no better than beasts."

Mu Changge nodded.

Indeed, beasts do not understand the laws of the universe, nor do they recognize change; they act on impulse. Even though they can speak, they take pleasure in destroying the harmony of the world. That is why they are called "fierce beasts."

The four great fierce beasts—Qiongqi, Hundun, Taowu, and Taotie—were regarded by ancient human sages as the manifestation of human evil. It was not that they were born from human vice, but that they shared common traits with the ignorant and the barbaric, serving as a warning from the heavens.

"Your Majesty, according to your words, is 'Questioning Heaven' like making a wish to the universe?"

"Hahaha, you could understand it that way... you could."

"Changge, for us humans to become Ancient Gods, it is indeed akin to making a wish, entrusting our beautiful visions to the universe. But thoughts alone are not enough; that is why those with capability seek to accomplish great deeds. Not to fulfill a requirement, nor to indulge in the desires of high office, but to realize their ideals."

"In my view, the Covenant of Heaven and Man, established by the Heavenly Emperor Dijun and the Heavenly Emperor Taihao Fuxi, which requires the leader of the tribal alliance to abdicate, was also intended to restrain the desires that come with power."

"Your Majesty's insight is profound; I agree completely. It is precisely because the Human Emperor is someone of capability and virtue that the human race has continued to advance."

"Oh? You can see that far? Then you shouldn't be trapped by 'Questioning Heaven' at all."

"Your Majesty overestimates me; I am merely able to conceive of it," Mu Changge replied, careful not to mention his perspective as a person from the future.

The Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan smiled and said nothing.

The two walked in silence within the Youxiong tribe for a while. Suddenly, as if remembering something, the Yellow Emperor said, "Changge, even if you do not do anything that leaves your name for all eternity, you can still do things that leave an impression on those around you."

"As long as those around you remember you, and one day, when they look back on their memories and think of you, they feel grateful for your presence—I believe that is a wonderful thing."

"Your Majesty, what if one day there is no one left in the world who remembers me?"

The Yellow Emperor stopped, looked at Mu Changge, and said, "Do I not remember you now? And I find that meeting you has been a good thing."

After saying this, as if feeling he had been too talkative, he added, "I know not why I have spoken so much today; do not take it to heart. The answer is something you must find yourself. Perhaps I am merely a passerby."

"No! I believe it is truly a blessing to have met you, Your Majesty!" Mu Changge replied earnestly.

Seeing the sincerity in Mu Changge's eyes, the Yellow Emperor nodded.

***

The Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan ascended to the position of Heavenly Emperor, stepped down as leader of the human tribal alliance, and abdicated in favor of Shaohao.

Later generations would call the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan the "Human Emperor Xuanyuan," one of the Three Sovereigns.

The two great tribes of the Flame Emperor Shennong and the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan formed the foundation of the human race, and later descendants would call themselves the "Descendants of Yan and Huang."

Tianyuan Yinglong, having recognized the Yellow Emperor, plucked a scale from its dragon body, so that should the Yellow Emperor ever have need, he might summon Tianyuan Yinglong through the scale.

The Heavenly Emperor Taihao Fuxi, the Earth Emperor Shennong, and the Human Emperor Xuanyuan—the Three Sovereigns were finally united in the Fire Cloud Palace!

Because the human race now had three Heavenly Emperors, the Heavenly Emperor Dijun could no longer observe the future of humanity, nor could he observe any future related to them.