Chapter 30 — Old Grudges Follow a Trail into the Ruins
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 3
They had been gone two months, and when I still saw no sign of their return, I knew in my heart that something must have gone wrong. So I searched all along the way and, by luck, found the spot where my five junior brothers lost their lives. They died horribly. From the wounds on their shattered bones, the one who killed them should be an expert from the Nether Demon Cult—not tall, about Granny Zhu's size. " He shook his head. "After that, I found the place where their disciples had died—a canyon, the bodies mauled by wild beasts.
Ah, they too died horribly. . . From the wounds on their bones, the one who did it should be a young martial artist, about this young man's age. I heard that your village has a tailor and a carpenter, so I came to order burial clothes and coffins for the murderers of my junior brothers and martial nephews—and to wait until I can put them inside. " A trace of pride appeared on his face.
"Although I am an imperial official, I have long been a rustic from the mountains and cannot abide court formalities, so I follow the code of the martial world and came myself to avenge my junior brothers and martial nephews. Yan Qing. " With these words, the old man closed his mouth and fell silent.
Behind him, a young martial artist stepped forward and looked at Shen Mu.
It was none other than the man who had tossed Shen Mu a gold ingot while asking directions in midair. He said, "My Junior Brother Qu was clubbed to death with a wooden staff wielded in saber technique. Young brother, you carry a saber on your back—would you display your saber technique and trade a few moves with me? " Shen Mu hesitated, glancing at Granny Zhu and the village head and the others.
Granny Zhu could not hold back and said, "Shen'er, the people of the Southern Wilderness are fierce and wild; once they strike, they strike ruthlessly, sparing no one.
He asks you to draw your saber, so use—" "Silence! " the village head barked, cutting Granny Zhu short, and said flatly, "They have come by the rules.
They have not used the court or the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping to pressure us, so neither can we break the rules.
No one may speak to guide Shen Mu, and no one may help. " His gaze was grim as he looked at Shen Mu and said coldly, "Shen Mu, the coffins and burial clothes are right there. If you are merciful and yield, one of those coffins will be yours! Either he dies, or you die!
They have challenged you; what are you standing there gaping for? Go! "