Chapter 940 — The Plague God Descends

"Serving a lord is like serving a tiger, and here the Heavenly Court has ten Heavenly Venerables; the peril is ten times greater. But the lower realm too is full of danger, with no future in it.

If the Heavenly Court should decide to send down a calamity, he would only be caught in the fall of it.

" Shen Mu glanced at her. "Overthrow this Heavenly Court, and would that not be safety? A fledgling must leave the nest in the end. And in my view, Yun Jianli is no fledgling; the ambitions in his breast are not small.

He comports himself with great measure in the Empress's company, displaying the highest skill.

In my view, Sister-in-law need not keep him bound. " "You know that Yun Chuxiu is the Empress?

" Lady Yunxiao's scalp prickled; suddenly she bowed with grace and sighed. "I truly do not wish Yun Jianli to walk the old road of his ancestor.

The Yun family has at last one child who may live long. Yet since the Heavenly Venerable is the Yun family's benefactor, I entrust Jianli's life to you, my benefactor! " Shen Mu hastily returned the bow.

"Sister-in-law, please, you overwhelm me! " The two rose. Shen Mu smiled. "Yun Jianli is an outstanding man of this age; once he descends to the lower realm he will surely soar, his achievements far beyond what Sister-in-law imagines.

She need not worry about him.

" Lady Yunxiao said, "I hope he may revive the Yun family and restore our ancestors' great work—but I do not want him to throw his life away.

Heavenly Venerable Mu, you men always have all manner of ideals and ambitions. I truly do not understand such things; I can only silently support you from behind. Farewell. " Shen Mu saw her off.

The women of the Yun family departed, while Yun Jianli and Yun Chuxiu remained in Yaochi. Shen Mu fell into thought. "Heavenly Venerable Yun left me a box? The box is with the Dao Ancestor?

Is the Dao Ancestor still the same slovenly Daoist from the old Yaochi gathering?

Still Heavenly Venerable Yun's friend upon the Dao? Has he lost himself in the power and luxury of this Heavenly Court? " He pondered long, and at last made up his mind. He must, by whatever means, go and see this slovenly old Daoist!

"Only, to go straight to the Heavenly Court's Daoist sect to see the Dao Ancestor would too easily leave traces, and too easily bring trouble upon him.

" Shen Mu mused a moment, his plan settled. "After the Yaochi incident, you still dare go out?

Aren't you afraid of being beaten to death? " Qi Jiuyi was much displeased and berated Shen Mu, shouting, "If you want to go out, go by yourself! Second Brother, Sister Yan'er, and I will stay here and watch you go to your death alone!

" Long Qilin walked to stand behind Shen Mu, and Yan'er turned into a plump little bird perched atop Long Qilin's head, looking back at Qi Jiuyi.

Qi Jiuyi flew into a rage, storming over, face dark, saying not a word.

Yun Jianli watched him curiously, thinking, "Is Qi Jiuyi not the Heavenly Venerable's follower? He dares speak to a Heavenly Venerable like that. " He did not know that Qi Jiuyi and Shen Mu had never gotten along; that they had not come to blows was already a great face shown to Long Qilin, his Second Brother.

Yun Chuxiu said softly, "Brother Jiu, a turn outside is a good thing.

Fair though Yaochi's scenery is, one wearies of it in time.

Brother Jiu, come stroll about with me. " At that "Brother Jiu," Qi Jiuyi's very bones went soft and his soul took flight; sweetness welled in his heart.

"This demon girl is truly formidable—my Dao heart.

. .

to the devil with my Dao heart! " Yun Jianli followed them.

"Where does the Heavenly Venerable intend to go?

" Shen Mu's eyes flickered; he smiled. "So many powerhouses came to visit me after the Yaochi incident—if I do not return the visits, would people not say I lack propriety?

" Yun Jianli was startled; Qi Jiuyi and Yan'er could not help but feel a chill. Shen Mu actually intended to visit those who had come to assassinate him—truly, his daring reached the heavens!

Only Yun Chuxiu, delighting in chaos, cheered without end. "Among the powerhouses who attacked Yaochi that night, which was closest to Yaochi?

" Shen Mu asked. Yun Jianli and Qi Jiuyi exchanged a glance and said nothing.

Yun Chuxiu hurriedly said, "I know, I know!

The nearest to Yaochi is Heavenly Venerable Lang, the Divine Emperor Langxuan's Langxuan Divine Palace! The Divine Emperor Langxuan has students everywhere, disciples beyond counting, and the Langxuan Divine Palace is a great stronghold of the Heavenly Court, magnificent indeed!

" Qi Jiuyi's expression changed drastically. "We cannot go to the Langxuan Divine Palace—" "Brother Jiu.

.

.

" Yun Chuxiu blinked her dark, liquid eyes at him, her lovely gaze brimming. Qi Jiuyi's mind went blank, and before he knew it he said, "Then let us go to the Langxuan Divine Palace. " They left Yaochi and before long came to the Heavenly Street. The market streets of the Heavenly Court were exceedingly bustling—part of the Heavenly Market.

Though the Heavenly Court sat high above, gods and men could not provide for themselves alone; they too must feed a great household, and so the market mattered greatly.

Those who came and went on the Heavenly Street were mostly demigods, of every kind of race, with some humans as well, though not so many as the demigods.

The place was broad, crowded with traffic, business excellent.

Yet when Shen Mu and the others arrived, the people coming and going, bustling and jostling, seemed as though time had stopped; all halted and turned to look. The next moment, a clamor of voices rose, wheels rolled, horses whinnied, and streaks of divine light flew off in every direction. The Heavenly Street was suddenly empty—not a soul left on the whole street!

Shen Mu scanned the two sides of the Heavenly Street in surprise; the shops of the heaven realm had all shut as well, doors sealed tight. One short, squat god had been a step too slow; shut out of his shop, he pounded desperately on the door with booming thuds, wailing to heaven and earth.

Shen Mu stepped up and said with concern, "Friend—" "Save me—" The small god, seeing him approach, burst into loud weeping, kicking his legs against the shop door, trying to get inside to hide. "I don't want to die here! " Shen Mu's surprise deepened.

Suddenly one panel of the door opened; the small god tumbled into the shop, and at once the door shut again, windows and doors locked fast. "Thank you for saving my life!

" The small god's voice came from within.

"A life-saving grace is as the grace of father and mother; I shall never forget it! " Someone inside scolded, "You god, what gall—seeing the plague god coming and not running, only bawling outside, you nearly dragged us all in with you!

" The small god said, "I was scared witless, my legs went soft, I couldn't run.

.

. " "Shh, quietly!

If someone assassinates this plague god, everyone on the street will be silenced! "