Chapter 953 — Where the Mind Reaches, All Becomes Real

"Divine Blade Luo Wushuang?

He is going to the Great Void as well? " Shen Mu frowned slightly.

Luo Wushuang's hatred for him ran deep; if Luo Wushuang too was bound for the Great Void, the danger would be grave indeed.

"Just what sort of place is the Great Void? " Shen Mu drew his arm from her bosom without any show of it, and could not keep from asking: "Ever since I came to the Heavenly Court I have heard of this place — how mysterious it is. Why must we go and explore it?

" "Is it not all because of the Land of No Sorrow?

" Yun Chuxiu said: "Heavenly Venerable Shen founded the Land of No Sorrow and moved the Kaihuang Heavenly Court there. The Kaihuang age may be extinguished, but the main strength of the Kaihuang Heavenly Court still remains. This time the Heavenly Court marches against the rebels of the Yuan Realm — why does it not move against Fengdu? Is it not because the Land of No Sorrow has never been found?

" Shen Mu's heart stirred slightly.

Yun Chuxiu went on: "Kaihuang is, after all, Heavenly Venerable Shen. He betrayed the Heavenly Alliance, true, but he was one of the five founding elders who made it; while he lives, many hearts are uneasy. And he will not be content to keep quiet. Of this campaign against the Yuan Realm rebels there are already reports that he issues his commands from the Land of No Sorrow, ordering Fengdu to avoid battle and lie low. Fengdu is a petty nuisance; the Land of No Sorrow is the true affliction of the Heavenly Court. " She studied Shen Mu's expression closely, and finding nothing amiss in his countenance, said with a half-smile: "Heavenly Venerable Mu is calm and unhurried.

Heavenly Venerable Shen — Shen Ye — is your ancestor. Are you not the least bit curious about him? " "In those years I journeyed with him through the Heavenly Court of the early Longhan era.

He was hesitant in all his dealings, never forthright, and he had a traitor's bone at the back of his skull — he dared to lay a poisonous hand on Heavenly Venerable Hao, dared to kill at the Jade Pool, dared to defy Lady Yuanmu! Even then I saw that he was fated to be a rebel, and I despised his conduct and his character. This flesh of mine carries his blood, but my soul has nothing to do with Kaihuang's bloodline. " Shen Mu, every inch the righteous man, declared with great moral fervor: "Today he is a traitor, and I am the Heavenly Court's Heavenly Venerable Mu; naturally I must draw a clear line between myself and that rebel! If I meet him in the Great Void, I will spit upon him with all my contempt!

Your Highness, have Heavenly Venerable Fire and Heavenly Venerable Void found this traitor? " Yun Chuxiu observed each subtle shift of his expression, and still found nothing improper — it seemed that the rupture with Kaihuang was indeed Shen Mu's true conviction. She shook her head: "There are reports that the Land of No Sorrow may lie within the Great Void. For years the Heavenly Court has explored the Great Void in search of its whereabouts, hoping to uproot this hidden peril.

When Heavenly Venerable Fire and Heavenly Venerable Void reached the Great Void, they scattered; they found many strange places. The Great Void is a place that reeks of the uncanny at every turn.

. . To go there, one cannot take many people — the more there are, the greater the danger. This time you, a Heavenly Venerable, will lead the party; three hundred in all. " Shen Mu's heart stirred again. "Your Highness has been to the Great Void? " Yun Chuxiu's face changed slightly — plainly it recalled the past, and plainly she did not wish to speak of it.

"The Heavenly Emperor's decree will reach the Jade Pool before long.

Wait to receive it, make your preparations, and go to the Great Void to die. " Shen Mu's eyes flickered; he smiled: "Your Highness is not going? " Yun Chuxiu giggled: "Why would I go to such a place?

It is so dangerous and dreadful — I would never go to such a fearsome place.

" Shen Mu asked curiously: "Then why has Your Highness summoned me here in such haste? Surely not merely to tell me this?

" Yun Chuxiu's face shifted through sun and shade; suddenly she sighed: "I want to go, but I dare not go in my true body. " Shen Mu meant to question her further, when Long Qilin said: "Sect Master, it is time to eat.

" Shen Mu went over, refined a few spirit elixirs, and handed them to Long Qilin.

Long Qilin stared at his own bowl and set to the elixirs with the utmost seriousness, then suddenly broke into a chortling laugh: "Sect Master, I heard a story from Qi Jiuyi that nearly killed me laughing.

Let me tell it to you. " Shen Mu grunted, curious: "What amusing story did Qi Jiuyi tell? " Long Qilin said: "Once there was a man who was very lecherous, and then he died. The end.

Is it funny?

Hahahaha—" Shen Mu stared at him. Long Qilin swallowed his laugh and went back to eating the elixirs with the utmost seriousness.

Shen Mu rose and said mildly: "You tell it well.

Let me tell you a story. Among the elixirs in this bowl, one is poisonous.

My story is finished.

" Long Qilin stopped at once, staring at the elixirs in the bowl, cold sweat starting on his brow. Before long a divine official came to proclaim the decree, ordering Heavenly Venerable Shen Mu to lead three hundred gods and demons to the Great Void and join Heavenly Venerable Fire and Heavenly Venerable Void.

Shen Mu received the decree, and saw behind the official three hundred gods and demons. At their head was Luo Wushuang, with a disciple of the Lingxiu Army at his side, likewise missing an arm. The rest varied in cultivation, high and low — disciples of Heavenly Venerables, most likely.

The divine official stepped forward — the same one who had come to sweep the Jade Sea last time — and said with a smile: "Heavenly Venerable Mu, the ship is ready. Make your preparations and set out as soon as you may.

" Shen Mu looked to the sea, and there indeed was a tower ship. He smiled: "Are the supplies ready?

Where is the map of the Great Void? " The divine official shook his head: "The Great Void needs no supplies, and the Great Void has no map.

Once you arrive, Heavenly Venerable, you will understand. " Luo Wushuang and the others had already boarded. Shen Mu frowned slightly and said to Yan'er and Long Qilin: "This journey is perilous beyond measure. Stay behind; there is no need for you to come with me.

After I leave, Yan'er, take Fat Long to see the Southern Emperor, Vermilion Bird. Under her protection you will come to no harm.

" Yan'er hesitated, then said: "Young Master, of these three hundred gods and demons, at least two hundred have murder in their hearts toward you.

If I am at your side I can protect you. .

. " "No need.

" Shen Mu smiled slightly: "If the Land of No Sorrow truly lies in the Great Void, then my elder brother is there as well. With my brother there, no one can touch me!

" Yan'er thought it over carefully, then took out a lantern: "Young Master, take this treasure with you. Her Highness the Heavenly Venerable gave it to me for protection. " Shen Mu accepted the lantern and boarded the tower ship, where he found Yun Chuxiu also aboard.

He started slightly, then smiled: "Did Your Highness not say you were not going? " Yun Chuxiu sighed, somewhat listless, worry on her face: "Every part of me shrinks from going, and yet I long to go once more, and probe the true face of the Great Void. " The tower ship rose slowly into the air, sailing toward the north of the Heavenly Court.

Shen Mu ventured: "Is the Great Void truly so terrible? If Your Highness has been there, you might tell us of the perils within, so that we may prepare. " Yun Chuxiu hesitated a moment, then said: "I have indeed been there.

At that time I led the Heavenly Court's Divine Martial Army, a hundred thousand strong, with two of the four Celestial Masters of the Heavenly Court, and my most favored disciples, intending to explore the Great Void. " Shen Mu's heart jumped.