Chapter 191 — Really a Bit Aroused
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
Shen Mu was taken aback, not knowing who this fellow Daoist he spoke of might be.
Yet that the Imperial Preceptor Jingping should confide his heart to him sent a chill through him; he felt he might be killed at any moment, silenced for good. "You need not worry.
" As though he had read his mind, the Imperial Preceptor said unhurriedly, "I merely felt something stir in my heart and wished to talk with you.
You are a very good listener. Had it been the Duke of Wei with that loose mouth of his, I would not have dared say so much; otherwise, whatever I let slip would be known throughout court and country by the next day. " "The Duke of Wei? Wei Yong seems to be of the Duke of Wei's household. " Shen Mu blinked.
The Duke of Wei, a first-rank minister of the present court, was a loose mouth too?
Wei Yong's loose tongue was already headache enough; so it ran in the family. The Imperial Preceptor said, "Besides, though you are an Erudite of the Imperial Academy of the sixth rank and hold office, you are not of the court. It is quite safe to speak with you.
" He smiled and said, "Most crucially, you are the cult master of the Youmo Cult. Whatever you say, no one will believe it. " Shen Mu's face darkened.
The Youmo Cult enjoyed a fine reputation among the common folk, but in court and in the jianghu its name was somewhat notorious. Several generals approached, and one of them bowed and said, "Imperial Preceptor, Tianbo City has been pacified.
" The Imperial Preceptor nodded. The generals looked at Shen Mu with suspicion, and Shen Mu nodded to them with a smile.
"This is the first Erudite of the Imperial Academy of our dynasty," said the Imperial Preceptor. "Shen Mu, Erudite Shen.
" Seeing that Shen Mu was honest and upright, of dignified appearance, and though young inspired confidence, the generals could not help praising him: "Erudite Shen is indeed mature beyond his years. Worthy of being the first Erudite of the Imperial Academy, a man of great learning and talent.
" Shen Mu returned the salute and said with a smile, "You gentlemen overpraise me.
" The Imperial Preceptor turned and looked south, saying, "This battle was but a trial of the blade; the fighting to come is what matters.
Cough, cough. . . " The generals were startled and hurried forward: "Imperial Preceptor, your wound.
.
. " The Imperial Preceptor waved a hand.
His face was somewhat pale, then returned to normal.
"Perhaps I was shaken by that demon god when I slew him. It is nothing serious. The rebel army and its traitorous faction are entrenched in the south. I intend to give them two choices.
He Zhuguo.
" A square-jawed general bowed and said, "At your command, Imperial Preceptor! " "You go south and tell those traitorous ministers and rebels there that I have come, and that I give them two paths.
" The Imperial Preceptor raised his hand, pointing toward the Southern Wilderness, his face cold: "The first path: I lead thousands upon thousands of troops and horses over there, trample everything flat, destroy their cult, destroy their sect, destroy their school, destroy their nine kindreds. This is the court's rule; such is the fate of traitorous ministers and rebels. " General of the Pillar of State He Xiaopeng listened carefully. The Imperial Preceptor continued, "The second path is the jianghu's rule. I bring the court's officials over, mark out a place, and everyone challenges according to the jianghu's rules.
If they have the ability, they kill us; or we kill them. Two paths—let them choose. " He Zhuguo hesitated: "Imperial Preceptor, following the jianghu's rules—I fear that may be somewhat improper? " The Imperial Preceptor smiled: "Before I entered court as an official, I too was a man of the jianghu. What is improper about it?
And were you not the same, General of the Pillar of State? In those years you too came into the court from the jianghu, did you not?