Chapter 143 — The Venerable Who Bestrides the Peak
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
The Bashan Libationer's pupils abruptly contracted as he fixed his gaze on the blade technique Shen Mu was performing. When Shen Mu had completed one pass of the "Slaughter-Beast Blade Art," the Bashan Libationer suddenly flung aside his wine gourd, bared his chest, drew his blade, and began to wield it in the courtyard, his voice carrying the sorrows of years: "The gold-wrought blade with jade adornment bright, at night it pierces the casement with its light.
A man of fifty, no feat yet won, blade in hand stands alone, gazing toward the Eight Wilds!
" ① "Blade in hand stands alone, gazing toward the Eight Wilds"—this was precisely the sixth form of the Slaughter-Beast Blade Art! His blade clashed with Shen Mu's, sending out a chain of sparks.
Their blades colliding, the Bashan Libationer roared with laughter: "Four or five decades—wind and rain, murk and gloom, come never again.
Fleeting clouds pass the eyes—vertical, horizontal, a vast blank thread of sky! " Shen Mu executed the form "Vertical, horizontal, a vast blank thread of sky," blades clashing as he chanted in a long voice: "Spare me your boasts—after heroes' trials, the people's will holds sway. Gazing around sea and sky, along the road smoke trails every step! " ② The two sheathed their blades, turned their backs to each other, and each thrust his weapon into the sheath behind him. "Junior Brother!
" The Bashan Libationer turned and saluted.
Shen Mu bowed.
"Senior Brother. "