Chapter 359 — Worn Down to Death
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
Though it seemed to hold no danger at all, the decisive battle had already begun, and not the slightest error could be permitted. His techniques and divine abilities depended on improvisation, on creation, and laid the most extreme demands upon mental power.
In the Directorate of Works he had drained a great deal of mental power; though Shen Mu had given him the chance to rest and recover, mental power once spent is not so easily replenished.
Now he was so worn he was spitting blood. If this went on, his mental power would be drained past all measure, and Shen Mu would not need to lift a finger; he would simply drag him to his death.
If he kept walking, his mental power must surely run dry.
Xu Shenghua's hair began to turn gray; black hair became strand upon strand of white. Coughing blood, he kept to Shen Mu's steps.
The drain upon his mind had already reached his flesh; before long he would wear himself to death.
Suddenly Shen Mu halted dead, smiled, and said, "Killing you this way, you would surely not accept it, and I would not much enjoy it either. Brother Xu, tend your wounds well and restore your vitality; next time we shall settle life and death.
" Xu Shenghua stopped.
He opened his mouth as if to speak, then suddenly toppled to the ground with a thud and swooned away. "A fearsome opponent, and one to be respected.
" Shen Mu spoke his praise, left the unconscious Xu Shenghua lying where he was, and turned to go. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
He hurriedly swallowed back the blood surging into his throat.
He had nearly worn Xu Shenghua to death, but he himself had nearly failed to hold out. Still, the villagers had a saying: lose the man if you must, but never lose the formation; never, ever show your fear.