Chapter 1133 — How Foolish I Was

Venerable Hao Tian stepped forward and said indifferently, "Venerable Mu has seemed rather busy these days. All these years, you have never once returned to the Heavenly Court. Not long ago, at the Heavenly Alliance assembly, the Venerables and the disciples of the Heavenly Alliance were all present—only you did not come."

"The Heavenly Alliance assembly?"

Shen Mu's heart stirred slightly. He knew only that the Ten Venerables were elders of the Heavenly Alliance, and that the Dao Ancestor and the Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha were also among its number, but he had never laid eyes on the others. He smiled and said, "The fault is mine. I was entangled by trifling matters. At the next Heavenly Alliance assembly, I shall not be absent."

Divine Emperor Langxuan stepped forward and looked Shen Mu's Heavenly Dragon Treasure Chariot up and down, then said with a half-smile, "The treasure chariot His Majesty bestowed upon Venerable Mu—how is it that even its draft beasts have been replaced? Where are those nine Heavenly Dragons?"

Shen Mu sighed and said, "This journey of mine was rather perilous. Those nine Heavenly Dragons fell gloriously."

Divine Emperor Langxuan studied the chariot and saw the marks of repair. He sneered, "So Venerable Mu has been demolishing houses again? No wonder the treasure chariot was beaten into such a state!"

Shen Mu said with a smiling face, "Indeed. Had I known, I would have gone to demolish my friend's Langxuan Divine Palace instead, and I would not have been hunted so relentlessly."

Divine Emperor Langxuan roared with laughter. "Who would dare demolish my Langxuan Divine Palace? What a joke!"

Shen Mu also laughed heartily, thinking to himself, "Your Langxuan Divine Palace—I have demolished it twice!"

Consort Yan stepped forward, a white cat cradled in her arms, and said with a smile, "Venerable Mu has traveled far and endured much hardship. One can see the toll it has taken."

Shen Mu looked at the white cat in her arms, doubt rising in his heart. "This white cat is still alive?"

The white cat, upon seeing him, showed terror in its eyes and hastily burrowed deeper into Consort Yan's arms.

Shen Mu smiled and said, "Consort, might I borrow your cat for a couple of days?"

Consort Yan burst out laughing. "That will not do at all. Some years ago, little Seven was frightened while searching for the thief who stole treasures from His Majesty's ancestral land. He has not yet recovered, and his heart fills with dread whenever he sees his enemy. That thief was truly detestable!"

Shen Mu sighed. "What a pity."

Venerable Qiang came forward to pay her respects and asked curiously, "Where has Venerable Mu gone all these years?"

"Too many places to count."

Shen Mu returned the greeting and said with emotion, "The Primordial Realm, the Four Extremes Heaven—running back and forth, meeting many people, exhausted half to death."

Venerable Qiang said sympathetically, "Venerable Mu should rest well. I have refined some medicines for nourishing the blood and preserving youth. Shall I send some to you?"

Shen Mu laughed. "A rough fellow with a stinking husk—not worth tending to."

Venerable Huo came before him. Shen Mu gave a cold snort and said indifferently, "You and I have already cut our robes and severed our bond. There is nothing to say."

Venerable Huo's face was expressionless, firelight spinning behind his head, his aura surging to the heavens. He said calmly, "I have nothing to say to you either. So long as you do not block my path, I can spare your life. But if you block me..."

"Venerable Xiao!"

Shen Mu turned a deaf ear and paid his respects to Venerable Xiao, smiling. "Regarding the matter of the Earthly Virtue Sovereign, I feel deep remorse."

Venerable Xiao hastily returned the greeting and smiled. "The Earth Mother Primordial Sovereign's rebellion was long a thorn in the Heavenly Court's side. Now that this thorn is gone, and in its place stands a virtuous and gentle Earthly Virtue Sovereign—this is a blessing for the Primordial Realm."

Shen Mu's heart stirred slightly. None of the other Venerables had mentioned the Earth Mother Primordial Sovereign; only he had brought it up. Clearly, Shen Mu's scheme in Jingping Imperial City to eliminate the Earth Mother had not escaped his notice.

His words carried a hidden meaning, and within them was a warning to Shen Mu as well.

The Ancestral God King strode over, yet walked right past Shen Mu, head high and haughty, eyes looking at no one.

Shen Mu smiled and paid him no mind. Venerable Xu approached and said, "Venerable Mu is on close terms with my father, Lord Earth. Is my father in good health?"

Shen Mu said with a half-smile, "Brother Earth is still hale enough, only he has grown old and ever thinks of his children. Yet his children are not by his side, and loneliness is hard to avoid."

Venerable Xu said, "When one grows old, one should not keep clinging to power. Better to step down early than die in office."

Shen Mu, his face full of smiles, said, "I will pass on your words."

His gaze fell upon Venerable Gong, and he bowed, saying, "Venerable Gong."

"Venerable Mu." Venerable Gong returned the greeting.

Shen Mu looked her up and down. She was a woman who rarely smiled, cold to everyone, never showing a warm face. He said with a solemn expression, "I have met all the other nine Venerables, and our friendship runs deep. They love and respect me as though I were family. Only with Venerable Gong have I never had a conversation. Might Venerable Gong have time to sit and discuss the Dao?"

"No time." Venerable Gong was exceedingly cold, and she turned and left.

The other Venerables all laughed and said, "Venerable Mu, do not take offense. Venerable Gong is simply of this temperament, cold to everyone alike."

Shen Mu gave two dry laughs to mask his embarrassment. The others took their leave one after another, saying, "Venerable Mu, do not overwork yourself. When you have time, come sit with us. In a few days, the Heavenly Court's great army will set out, bearing the Four Sovereigns' Divine Artifacts to suppress the Void. Venerable Mu must not miss this fine spectacle!"

Shen Mu assented and watched them depart into the distance, his gaze flickering. "They are forging the Four Sovereigns' Divine Artifacts to open a stable passage, letting the mindless Four Sovereigns' Divine Artifacts suppress the various anomalies along the Heart Demon Star Road. But the heart demons of the Void Star Road can even manifest the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor—the Four Sovereigns' Divine Artifacts alone should not suffice. They will certainly also seek out Senior Brother's disciple..."

"Venerable Mu, the geographical map of the Yunluo Heavenly Palace you requested."

The divine official called out. Shen Mu came back to his senses. The official handed him the map and smiled. "The route to the Yunluo Heavenly Palace—I have also drawn it on the map." Having said this, he did not leave, but stood looking at Shen Mu.

Shen Mu understood perfectly. He took out another pouch of heavenly coins. The official tucked it into his sleeve and bowed in farewell.

Shen Mu returned to the treasure chariot and unfolded the map of the Yunluo Heavenly Palace. After studying it, he could not help but laugh. He also took out another map and compared them—they were identical!

This map was the one Wei Suifeng had left him. Clearly, the Yunluo Heavenly Palace was one of Wei Suifeng's treasure caches as well, though he did not know what was stored there.

The map the official had given Shen Mu clearly marked the spirit-energy teleportation bridge leading to the Yunluo Heavenly Palace. Shen Mu rolled up the map; it caught fire and turned to ash, leaving only Wei Suifeng's map.

"Senior Brother told me to follow the map to save him. Very well, then I shall follow the map—but as for saving him, I expect that will have to wait a while longer... Yan'er, to the West Heavenly Gate."