Chapter 57: If a Man Isn't Lustful, Even Sows Will Climb Trees

"Third place, Chong Houhu; fourth, Bo An; fifth, Ji Sui..." Chu Xiaoyu rattled off more than ten names in one breath, each belonging to notorious traitors. Sweat began to pour from King Zhou's brow, cold and relentless.

He truly hadn't expected it. The ministers he, Di Xin, usually favored and surrounded himself with in court, almost all, with barely an exception, were the very villains Chu Xiaoyu described as utterly depraved.

King Zhou wiped his sweat repeatedly, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you, sir, for revealing such crucial matters to me, distinguishing between loyal ministers and traitors. Now, I feel as if I hold a clear mirror in my heart. Listening to your words is more enlightening than reading for ten years."

"Sir, what should I do when I return?" King Zhou asked earnestly.

Chu Xiaoyu pondered, his expression darkening as he remembered something. "By the way, after the grand sacrificial ceremony, are you planning to select new concubines to enter the palace?"

If a man isn't lustful, even a sow could climb a tree.

Indeed, it was precisely because of this selection that Su Daji, possessed by a thousand-year-old fox spirit, finally had the chance to enter the palace and meet the king. That single encounter marked the start of King Zhou's downfall; he became ensnared by the fox spirit's allure, and the country began to crumble. Loyal ministers were poisoned one after another.

The dynasty he ruled was strong and prosperous, yet due to a moment's lust—desecrating the holy statue of Lady Nüwa—he invited disaster.

The eventual destruction of his kingdom was a tragedy.

Save the child, for he truly faces hardship.

Ha! To go against Lady Nüwa?

She may have her cunning schemes, but I have my own clever ways.

Once the confrontation begins, there's no turning back.

Must I really challenge Lady Nüwa directly?

Absolutely!

Why should a mere fox spirit be allowed to ruin a country, even bring about its demise?

Unacceptable!

If this continues, won't the heavens be overturned?

Face her head-on!

King Zhou noticed Chu Xiaoyu's shifting expression and grew increasingly puzzled, yet dared not ask too much.

After sorting his thoughts, Chu Xiaoyu said, "If you wish to be a responsible ruler, remembered for generations, then when you return, punish those who deserve punishment, support those who deserve support. You are the sovereign; I trust you know how to weigh your choices."

"Very well, sir. I understand now and know what to do," King Zhou replied.

To become a tyrant hated by all, or a revered emperor admired through the ages—the choice was crucial.

"Oh, there's one more thing I forgot to mention."

"Sir, please instruct me as you wish."

"Not so much an instruction, more a clarification: by now, Lady Nüwa must have issued her summoning banner, and those three spirits will have already appeared before her for orders."

King Zhou immediately tensed. "Please tell me what I should do, sir."

Chu Xiaoyu hesitated, then said, "Speaking of this, I must bring up another person: Su Hu, a general under your command, Marquis of Yizhou."

"Su Hu? Marquis of Yizhou? I seem to recall him," King Zhou tried to remember.

Chu Xiaoyu smiled faintly, "You must remember Su Hu. For one thing, dissatisfied with your tyranny and cruelty, he conspired with his son Su Quanzhong to rebel."

"Ah! Su Hu has such audacity! Outrageous! He dared to rebel? Hmph, when I return, he'll be the first I execute. How dare he..."

"Don't shout blindly yet. Hear me out," Chu Xiaoyu rolled his eyes. "If not for your lust, foolishness, and cruelty making your subjects' lives unbearable, why would your own ministers rebel?"

"I... I..." King Zhou was left speechless, his face flushed.

Ah!

He had only been on the throne for two years. Besides, he wasn't yet truly lustful or tyrannical, just a bit hot-tempered and fond of women.

All men understand that.

"I can tell you this: Su Hu rebelled and was eventually defeated, his son Su Quanzhong captured—all because of your actions."

Now, what I am about to tell you is extremely important. It is the direct cause of the fall of your Shang dynasty.

Su Hu has a daughter, Su Daji. She is stunningly beautiful, elegant, and breathtaking—her beauty is unrivaled. Any man who sees her is instantly bewitched, unable to free himself.

"Su... Su Daji? Is she really that beautiful?" King Zhou's heart fluttered with desire.

"Haha, see? We men truly do think with our lower bodies. Look at you—didn't you just take a solemn oath? Yet now you can't contain yourself?"

King Zhou, this foolish child, clearly needs a harsh lesson, or he'll never learn.

Chu Xiaoyu fell silent.

King Zhou quickly realized the atmosphere had soured and felt deeply ashamed for his moment of weakness. "Sir, I was wrong. I shouldn't have entertained such thoughts. I..."

"No! Any man would have such thoughts, unless he's a eunuch or the virtuous Liu Xiahui. Otherwise, he wouldn't be immune."

Since ancient times, men have always pursued beauty, especially beautiful women.

"As for Su Daji, though she is indeed exquisitely beautiful, remember: beauty is skin-deep. You likely don't know that beneath her lovely face lies a fox spirit who has cultivated for a thousand years."

"A fox spirit with a tail, grotesque features, blue face and sharp fangs. Imagine, spending your days with such a creature—how terrifying."

"Speaking of this thousand-year-old fox spirit, I must admit Lady Nüwa's cunning. Think about it—being praised by a man before her statue is not particularly offensive. Yet for a few words, Lady Nüwa immediately dispatched her summoning banner. Some women, truly, are best avoided."

Chu Xiaoyu's words made King Zhou shiver. "Sir, so you mean I was bewitched by that thousand-year-old fox spirit, leading to my kingdom's demise?"

"Exactly. The most powerful force in this world is not the wind from any direction, but the whispers beside the pillow."

"Let me reveal a secret to you."

"Su Daji is indeed Su Hu's daughter, but she was possessed by the fox spirit summoned by Lady Nüwa, sent specifically to ensnare you, King Zhou."

"Ah... This is beyond anything I could have imagined..." King Zhou was so shocked he nearly lost control.