Chapter 896 — Only in Sacrifice Is Great Ambition Revealed

Yan'er was caught in a dilemma. The woman carrying the lantern urged her again and again, and Yan'er followed her into the peach grove, turning back at every third step, until she gradually vanished into its depths.

Long Qilin came to Shen Mu's side and said, "Sect Master, where are we going?

" Shen Mu bowed his head.

After a moment he raised it and said, "Crimson Dragon City first.

" Long Qilin's body swayed, and he revealed his true form. Dao Master Lin Xuan came forward and said to Shen Mu, "Sect Master Shen, the Dao Ancestor has ordered our Dao Sect to relocate, to leave Jingping and take refuge in Azure Cloud Heaven.

" Shen Mu nodded silently.

"Does the Sect Master not intend to say anything?

" Dao Master Lin Xuan could not help asking. Shen Mu leaped onto Long Qilin's forehead and looked down.

"Perhaps if the green hills are kept, there will still be a chance to kindle the firewood in days to come.

Dao Master Lin, take care!

" Dao Master Lin Xuan said hurriedly, "Sect Master Shen, will you not hide yourself for a while? " Shen Mu smiled, and Lin Xuan felt that this fellow's smile held a genuine innocence. "The Chiming Revolution was to prove that humans too could be as mighty as gods. The Shanghuang Revolution was to seize for humans the right to live, so that human life stands equal to the gods', and a human life is greater than heaven. The Kaihuang Reform carried on the achievements of the Shanghuang Revolution: a human life is greater than heaven, and gods and demons are made to serve humankind, their power locked in a cage.

" Shen Mu said, "The Jingping Reform carries on the Kaihuang Reform, so that the Way may return to the common people, for only what the common people use day to day is the true Way. The revolutions and reforms of three ages must not end here in the Jingping age, their fruits stolen by the Heavenly Court Beyond the Realm. Chiming, Shanghuang, Kaihuang, too many heroes and great men died for revolution and reform, offering up their own lives as sacrifices, immolating themselves. These men and women of conscience and resolve all sacrificed themselves so that those who came after might live better. If the Jingping Reform too demands a sacrifice. . . " He pressed his lips together; his voice was soft, yet it rang with force and shook the heart: "Then let it begin with the Three Heroes of the Reform!

As the Heavenly Sage Sect Master and Human Emperor Shen Mu, one of the Three Heroes of the Jingping Reform, I am ready. Dao Master Lin, go to Azure Cloud Heaven, and keep a spark of the Jingping Reform alive. Fatty Long, let's go—" Long Qilin strode forward, clouds rising beneath his feet, and raced off toward Crimson Dragon City. Dao Master Lin Xuan watched them go, staring blankly. "For an ideal.

.

. Sect Master Shen, I once took you for a cast-off of the Wasteland, once took you for the demon sect master of the Dark Demon Sect, and never counted you a man of Jingping. I never thought that when disaster came, the firmest of all would be you. And I, a Jingping man born and bred, must lead the Dao Sect away from Jingping. . .

" Long Qilin summoned all his magic power and raced on and on.

This time he did not slack off, did not hide his speed to swindle more spirit pills; he ran as though his life depended on it. In the past, to trade for more spirit pills, he had always raised his speed a little at a time, letting Shen Mu see his progress and refine more pills for him.

Now he had no such petty calculations. Long Qilin ran for two days and still did not see the old borders of the Wasteland. His endurance was long now, and two days at full speed did not tire him.

Suddenly a blue sparrow came flying up from behind on beating wings and alighted on Long Qilin's head; having fed Long Qilin a spirit pill, she laughed, "I'm back! " Shen Mu and Long Qilin were both startled and delighted: "Sister Yan'er, why have you come back?

" "Her Highness has plenty of maids about her; one less of me makes no difference. " The blue sparrow chattered, speaking very fast: "Besides, Her Highness doesn't like me waiting on her either.

She's always saying I mean to fatten her up.

This time I've fattened myself up, so she'll like it even less.

Rather than swallow insults there, I'd sooner come out and enjoy myself. At least you two aren't afraid I'll fatten you up. " Shen Mu shook his head. "Coming with us means danger, Sister Yan'er. You should go back.

When the turmoil breaks out, I fear the Peach Grove will be the only safe place in the Primal World. " Yan'er laughed. "When danger comes, I'll go back.

I just don't trust you two to look after yourselves without me. You're all just fledglings, and Fatty Long, you're far too slow! " She revealed her true form, becoming a plump dragon-sparrow, and laughed: "Climb on my back, I'm faster!

" Carrying Shen Mu and Long Qilin on her back, she flew on, and in less than a day they reached the vicinity of Crimson Dragon City. Shen Mu descended and surveyed the surrounding terrain.

The seal on the Primal World had been broken and the land had changed greatly; he had only inferred the rough position of Crimson Dragon City, and had no detailed map. "Over there. . .

the Heavenly King Temple!

" Shen Mu's eyes lit up. His gaze fell on a ruined Heavenly King Temple, and he said, "The Heavenly King Temple is not far from Crimson Dragon City. Once we find this temple, we'll soon find the city! Fatty Long, do you remember how the stone statue of the Heavenly King rode you to slay the Dragon King?

That temple ahead is the one!

" Long Qilin snorted. He remembered that affair all too well. Just then a troop of white-boned skeletons came racing up, bearing placards that read 'Silence' and 'Make Way', heading straight for the Heavenly King Temple. From afar their voices could be heard: "Sea-Calming Heavenly King, Kaihuang has issued a decree: great chaos is about to rise. The Sea-Calming Heavenly King is to gather the troops of the Four Seas, abandon the Wasteland, and enter Fengdu, to avoid the edge of the Heavenly Court Beyond the Realm for a time. After gathering his troops, the Sea-Calming Heavenly King shall go to join the Azure Emperor and return to the Azure Emperor's command.

" The voice of the Sea-Calming Heavenly King came back: "This general obeys!

" The troop of white-boned skeletons came out of the Heavenly King Temple again and sped away, bearing their placards.

Shen Mu was startled and uncertain, when from the Heavenly King Temple came the voice of the Sea-Calming Heavenly King: "My blade! Bring me my horse!

" When Long Qilin heard the words 'bring me my horse', he could not help but shudder.

Shen Mu stepped forward, and saw a stone statue walk out of the temple. The statue was transforming at great speed, stone turning to flesh and blood.

This Sea-Calming Heavenly King was clad in full armor, holding a Green Dragon Crescent Blade. He vaulted onto the stone horse before the temple gate. The stone horse too was transforming at great speed: the dragon scales on its body swiftly turned azure, its hooves burst apart into dragon claws, its tail became a dragon's tail, its mouth filled with fangs, and it opened its jaws and gave a long neigh that rolled like thunder. Shen Mu saluted and said, "Sea-Calming Heavenly King, I am Shen Mu, descendant of Kaihuang in the one hundred and seventh generation, and we have met once before.

May I ask the Sea-Calming Heavenly King what Kaihuang's command is this time? " The Sea-Calming Heavenly King reined in the Green Dragon Horse, looked him over, and laughed: "I remember that Long Qilin. I once rode him in the middle of the night to slay the rebel dragon of the East Sea.