Chapter 96 — The Sword Walks Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
He handled the Zen staff with ease as well, looking more and more like a demon monk—his whole body covered in black fur, immensely powerful. Elder Huo's boxing art and the Fanji Twelve-Ring Zen Staff both came from the Buddhist sect. The Profound Body Three Cinnabar Art, though not Buddhist, suited the Xuanliao Demon Ape perfectly.
Thus the demon ape unconsciously carried an air of Buddhist discipline, like a temple's Dharma-protecting Vajra. "What a demon monk! If only we could make the big fellow a monk's robe and a string of prayer beads the size of human heads, he would look even more like a guardian Vajra!
"
Shen Mu exclaimed in admiration, then woke the Xuanliao Demon Ape and said, "Big fellow, I'm leaving—going far away to drudge. . .
I'm going on a long journey.
It may be a very long time before I return.
"
The Xuanliao Demon Ape scratched his head: "Far? "
Shen Mu nodded: "Far.
"
The Xuanliao Demon Ape scratched his head again, glanced back at the beasts in the valley, and suddenly let out a great roar. From deep in the valley, the dragon-elephant that had been guarding the herd scrambled over in a panic, tail wagging ingratiatingly.
Without another word, the Xuanliao Demon Ape pinned the enormous creature to the ground and gave it a savage beating, leaving the dragon-elephant bruised and swollen.
It howled pitifully, trembling all over, not daring to fight back.
"Guard!
"
The Xuanliao Demon Ape pointed at the beasts in the valley, clenched his fist—muscles bulging from his arms like umbrella-sized mushrooms, popping out one after another—and snarled, "Eat, die!
"
The dragon-elephant, deeply aggrieved, lay on the ground nodding again and again.
The Xuanliao Demon Ape pulled up the Fanji Twelve-Ring Zen Staff and pounded his chest: "I, go. "
Shen Mu shook his head: "Far.
"
The Xuanliao Demon Ape pointed at himself: "I, big. You, small. "
Shen Mu shook his head again: "I, strong. You, weak.
"
The Xuanliao Demon Ape was furious, stammering: "With you, talking, really. . . exhausting!
"
Shen Mu was caught between laughter and tears. He shook his head and said, "This time I'm going to human territory.
It's not like the Wasteland Ruins—dangerous people everywhere. Bringing you along would be far too conspicuous. Once you can cultivate into human form, we'll go out and train together.
Besides, the dragon-elephant is vicious.
If you keep him here, he'll behave for a few days, but sooner or later he'll devour every last one of your little friends in the valley.
And the dragon-elephant is so stupid—if he lets loose one of the old demons in the Mizai Palace, that would be a disaster. "
The Xuanliao Demon Ape had no choice but to nod. The dragon-elephant looked utterly wronged, tail tucked between its legs, wiping away tears—had that beating been for nothing?
Shen Mu waved his hand and walked out of the Mizai Palace. "Little Bean Sprout—"
The Xuanliao Demon Ape leapt onto the cliff and waved vigorously: "Come, back, early! "
Shen Mu arrived at the Cuijun Valley waterfall, where he found Snow Fox busily lecturing a few foxes from an ancient text.
She had just reached a particularly exquisite passage, and the foxes were listening in rapt fascination.
As Shen Mu approached, Snow Fox hurriedly set the ancient book aside. The other enchanting foxes also rose quickly to their feet and curtsied gracefully, saying in unison: "Greetings, Young Master Mu. " Their voices were clear and melodious.
Shen Mu returned the greeting and said, "No need for such ceremony.
Ling'er, I've come to bid you farewell.
I'm setting out on a long journey to Jingping beyond the Wasteland Ruins.
I'm afraid I won't return for three to five months.
"
The white fox's eyes sparkled.
She dashed into the thatched hut and packed in a flurry, then came trotting back out with a tiny pack on her back, smiling: "Sisters, you stay here and cultivate.
I'll go out and see the world with the young master. Let's go! "