Chapter 354 — Four Honored Guests of Heaven Above
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 5
By reckoning of years, his death lies in the next year or the year after. To live those two years more, he has shunned the fight after all. How ironic. Xu Shenghua, have you found the new Human Emperor?
" Xu Shenghua said, "I met the man by chance, but did not recognize him, and let him slip past. Still, I gave him a packet of tea, and he invited me to drink with him in the capital of Jingping. I think that if I go to the capital I may see him again.
" Lord Yu was interested.
"How great are this new Human Emperor's powers?
" "Very great. " Xu Shenghua recalled the single blow he had traded with Shen Mu. "His dharma power then was exceedingly deep; his cultivation in vital qi was a shade deeper than mine, but his moves and divine abilities were a shade weaker than mine, and his comprehension of divine abilities poorer than mine.
" "Deeper in cultivation than you?
" The four lords of Heaven Above all showed astonishment. Xu Shenghua's cultivation crushed all others of his realm in Heaven Above; even the four lords at the same realm were no match for him. That in this world there could be one whose cultivation surpassed his!
"But since I returned from Little Yujing, I have made good that weakness in my cultivation.
" Xu Shenghua said, "If he has met with no like fortune, then my cultivation now is simply stronger than his.
" Lord Yu smiled. "Go to the capital, kill him, and return to Heaven Above before long. This mortal world is a foul place, unfit for lingering. We few will find a pleasant spot to await the Dragon Keeper and examine the chief vein.
If the Sword God dares answer battle, so much the better; if he will not, then once we have taken the chief vein we return to the mountain.
" Xu Shenghua assented.
Star Lord Qiao said, "I will have Jingyan and Yuliu follow you, lest some petty scoundrel lay hands on you. " Yuliu and Jingyan were secretly delighted; Yuliu bearing a jade vase, Jingyan cradling a pipa, they followed Xu Shenghua toward the capital.
The four lords of Heaven Above saw that the day was waning, and so lowered their cloud, coming to a secluded place, and the reed awning came down.
Here were green hills and clear waters; no village before, no inn behind; but opposite stood a house, its door open, and out came a woman of radiant beauty carrying a small wooden bucket to draw water, and the sight set all four lords of Heaven Above blushing to the ears, their hearts pounding violently. Even Lady Hua, the most beautiful goddess of Heaven Above, felt herself shamed by the comparison, and at the same time her heart was stirred and captivated by the woman. "A beauty even the gods must envy and adore! " The four lords steadied their hearts.
The woman looked at the awning that had suddenly appeared, and at them, and saluted the four, saying, "Four honored guests, the day is failing. When night comes, do not go out.
" Lord Yu's heart was moved with love, and he said with a smile, "Fairy, this is no Wasteland; why should we not go out at night?
Even in the Wasteland we might go out as we pleased. " Star Lord Yan and Star Lord Qiao too felt their hearts stirred, and wishing to draw near the woman, they said with smiles, "A fine hour, a fair scene, and a beauty for a neighbor; this is truly a holy land. " Lady Hua felt some bitterness in her heart, some jealousy; but at the sight of the woman's beauty her jealousy flew away.
The woman showed surprise, and said, "So the four of you are beings like gods and immortals, able to pass in and out of the Wasteland in the dark. I worried overmuch.
" With that she went to draw her water. When night came, three of the lords of Heaven Above craned their necks toward the house opposite; Lady Hua too felt a certain anticipation, and laughed: "Since your hearts are moved, why not invite her over to sit a while?