Chapter 343 — Visitors from Beyond the Heavens, Sentiments Like Poetry
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
. " Her expression dimmed, then she rallied. "If you gentlemen could help me reclaim power in the True Heaven Palace, and I take it back, the palace's texts will be open for you two to read as you please! " Li Zheng yawned, squinted his eyes, and fell asleep. Xiong Xiyu looked at Shen Mu; Shen Mu was playing with Xiong Qi'er, drawing a few birds with a brush.
The little birds flew off the paper and fluttered chirping around the little girl, making Xiong Qi'er giggle without stop. Xiong Xiyu sighed and said no more. Shen Mu and Li Zheng clearly had no intention of helping her return to the Western Lands to seize power.
Going to the True Heaven Palace to contend for power was a murky business, and she had no greater benefits to offer that might entice the two of them. "The only way now is to go to the Jingping Kingdom's Grand Academy and take up the post of Director, hoping to speak at length with the Imperial Teacher of Jingping. " Her eyes flickered as she mused, "But judging by the Imperial Teacher of Jingping's conduct, once he has conquered the grasslands he most likely won't halt his advance; the northern snow plains will hardly stop him. If he annexes the snow plains, might the Western Lands also be among his targets?
To negotiate with him would likely be to skin a tiger.
. . " She hesitated, then remembered that only she and her mother were left of the Xiong family, and her heart hardened.
"The Yu family wiped out my Xiong family to the last. Whatever it takes, I must avenge this sea of blood — so what if I invite a wolf into the house?
This debt must be repaid! " Shen Mu glanced at her. The Western Lands were ruled by women, but judging by her methods, Xiong Xiyu was not suited to be the Palace Master of the True Heaven Palace; she lacked sufficient resolve and ability. The reason Shen Mu had no thought of helping her was that she lacked ability; even if she retook the Western Lands' True Heaven Palace, she likely wouldn't hold it steady.
As a powerhouse who had opened the Divine Bridge Divine Treasury, Xiong Xiyu's strength was sufficient — but to command a holy land was not merely a matter of one person possessing sufficient power. Xiong Xiyu had only just ascended to the position of Palace Master when the Xiong family collapsed utterly, wiped out by the Yu family without the strength to strike back. In this respect, Xiong Xiyu was clearly not a fit Palace Master. Back then, the reason Shen Mu had recommended her to teach at the Grand Academy was to give her a chance to come into contact with the Imperial Teacher of Jingping.
The Imperial Teacher of Jingping had ambition and ability; if Xiong Xiyu wished to use his hand for revenge, she would have to pay a sufficient price. And none of this had anything to do with Shen Mu. Suddenly, Li Zheng opened his eyes and looked into the distance in astonishment.
Shen Mu's heart stirred. "Li Zheng, what is it? " "Someone is challenging me to battle. An old rival. " Li Zheng raised an eyebrow, unconcerned.
"Pay them no mind. Little Jade Capital is almost here — let's go there first and talk afterward. " "A challenge?
" Shen Mu was stunned. "A challenge to Li Zheng? Aren't they afraid of being beaten to death? " At that moment, in Little Jade Capital, Xu Shenghua suddenly rose to his feet and gazed into the distance, a look of doubt on his face.
The old Daoist Master and the old Tathagata were there as well; sensing it too, they all looked toward the direction of Qingmen Pass.
"These auras are very strong.
" A blind old man leaning on a bamboo staff said in surprise, "Old Tu, did you sense it?
" Zaifu was cleaning his nails with a butchering knife.
He raised an eyebrow. "These fellows all have some skill.
Where they come from makes me quite curious.
" Yu Liu and the other women sensed nothing amiss.