Chapter 83 — Ultimate Armament
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 3
So why does mine show signs of a fourth awakening?
" Shen Mu was uneasy.
With the spirit fetus sunk in deep sleep, only half his cultivation remained at his command, and holding the Lingxiao Heavenly Eye was a strain; he stepped out of the ancient shrine at once.
"Young Master, the Patriarch has sent word. " He had barely left the temple gate when he saw an old man in blue robes standing in attendance outside, bent at the waist, no telling how long he had been there.
The old man hurried forward, drew a letter from his sleeve, and said: "Pray read it yourself, Young Master. " "The Demon Cult's Patriarch has a letter for me?
" Shen Mu set aside the matter of the spirit fetus's fourth awakening, took the letter, and the old man in blue hastily withdrew. Shen Mu unfolded it: "For the Young Cult Master's esteemed perusal: three years have passed since our hurried parting at the Yongjiang.
Men say that in old age one knows one's fate; I am old, and having read the mandate of Heaven, I have seven years left. It is my wish, while life remains, to see the Young Cult Master once more, and I look for him to ascend the seat.
" Shen Mu closed the letter.
Its meaning was that the Demon Cult's Patriarch had seven years of life left, wished to see him once more while he lived, and would have him formally become Cult Master. "Ling Yuxiu bids me seek her in the capital of Jingping, and the Demon Cult's Patriarch bids me come out to see him.
It is time to decide whether I stay or go.
" Shen Mu steadied himself. Was he truly to leave the Wasteland, leave Hidden Remnant Village, leave these kin who had raised him? He summoned the old man in blue and said: "Tell the Patriarch in reply that I shall leave the Wasteland before long and travel east to see him. " The old man in blue assented and turned to go.
Shen Mu mused a while, then went to the City Lord's residence. Dusk was falling, and in the residence the Village Head, the Alchemist, and the others had gathered again in one hall, these old men dressed in the clothes Shen Mu had made for them with his own hands.
He had bought much fine silk and satin in the city; it was his first time making clothes, and they fit well enough, only the cloth he chose was a little gaudy.
The Village Head, the Alchemist, the Lame Elder and the rest, in their new garments, looked for all the world like rich landlords, splendid and bright indeed.
But this was Shen Mu's heartfelt wish, and the old men were all delighted.
"Shen'er, the Village Head has come out of seclusion and means to take you into the Dark Realm within the Darkness, to seek the place of your birth.
" The Alchemist beckoned to him, smiling: "We set out tonight! " Shen Mu's heart pounded violently, stirred to the depths; he cast his earlier thoughts from his mind and said, hesitating: "The Darkness holds many perils, Grandfather Village Head. . . " "No matter.
" The Village Head smiled mildly: "This old frame of mine can still bear it.
Shen'er, on this venture into the Darkness you must on no account leave my side.
Granny, give him the Great Nurturing Nether Demon Sutra for his protection.
" Granny Zhu took a ball of thread from her little basket and flicked it with her fingers; a single strand flew straight out, darting swiftly around Shen Mu's palm, and in no time it had knotted itself into a glove. Shen Mu gently clenched his hand and gave a soft cry of surprise: he could scarcely feel that he wore a glove at all.
The Village Head said again: "Lame Elder, bring your Jade Register of the Heavenly Emperor and hang it on him.
" The Lame Elder took a jade ring from his own neck. It was like a pendant, yet not a pendant, the size of a palm, carved with strange characters that were still ceaselessly flowing and changing.
He hung the ring about Shen Mu's neck, his face full of pain, and said: "Shen'er, whatever you do, do not lose it. Your lame grandfather traded a leg for this!