Chapter 762 — A Promise Weighs More Than the Ages
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
Shen Mu, however, was wholly unaware of how terrifying the Lord of Youdu was; he had never seen that fearsome side of him. On the little boat, the old Yin Courier wore the mask on the back of his head and hung the storm lantern at the bow. Suddenly boat after boat split off from this one, flying off in all directions.
The old man sat down, took off the mask, and studied it over and over; after a moment he put it back on the back of his head.
"I have grown old. " His face suddenly became clear, so that Shen Mu could see it plainly: the brow deeply furrowed, the wrinkles between his brows carved into three deep vertical lines.
From his face, no trace remained of the Heavenly Venerable You who had once blasted fish; all that could be seen were the marks the years had left.
"Heavenly Venerable Shen, it has been a long time. I have grown old, and am no longer suited to wearing a mask like this; a million years have passed, and yet you are still young.
" A flicker of feeling stirred in his old eyes, but he hid it again at once.
Shen Mu bowed. "Thank you for your care all these years.
" The old Yin Courier shook his head. "I did not recognize you at first.
It was only when the willow-leaf seal appeared between your brows that I thought it might be you. But your willow leaf is not shaped like his.
Later, when the Lord of Heaven's seal appeared, I could be certain — yet I could not interfere with you.
Had I interfered, you might not have been you. " Shen Mu nodded.
Obscure as his words were, Shen Mu understood.
"Heavenly Venerable Shen, let us go and see Heavenly Venerable Yu.
" After they had recognized each other, he was in fact less familiar than before, seeming to have become once more the eccentric Heavenly Venerable You of old. His face calm, he said, "For this day I have waited a million years.
" Shen Mu fell silent.
A million years, keeping faith with a single promise — who could do it?
He had done it: from a proud son of heaven revered by all, from the green youth Heavenly Venerable You with a boundless future, to the grim, unsmiling old Yin Courier whom all feared at sight. In a million years too much had happened, and there was no one to tell it to; he could only speak to himself.
And so the old Yin Couriers grew more and more numerous. Each Yin Courier carried his burdens, yet no Yin Courier could open his heart to another.
Shen Mu looked at the Lord of Earth drawing nearer: towering, immeasurably vast, standing in the darkness, his two horns so great and so long they could not be measured. He said suddenly, "You came this time to take back the Lord of Earth's horn.
Now you return empty-handed — how will you explain it?
" The old Yin Courier's face went calm again.
"I was blocked, held up, and could not complete the task. So, by custom, it goes on your account. " Shen Mu's face darkened; he snorted. "I have plenty of chamber pots to wear as hats anyway.
" The old Yin Courier nodded.
"Many.
" Shen Mu said, "How did you become a Yin Courier of Youdu, and how did you become the Lord of Youdu?
" The old Yin Courier spoke as though telling of something that had nothing to do with him. "After you left, I carried the coffin to Youdu and went to see the Lord of Earth. He said Lan Yutian's body could be kept here, but I must serve him.
So I stayed.
Because staying here, I could keep watch over my elder brother and see my mother — only then could I feel that I was still alive.
" Shen Mu was stunned. The paper boat came to the Lord of Earth's Horn, flying past ruined continent after ruined continent, and before long they arrived at last at the mansion of the Benevolent Sage King of Heavenly Parity. "The Lord of Earth is good.
In truth he is very like me — we are both withdrawn.
" The old Yin Courier, rarely, said a great deal.