Chapter 376 — Only Natural
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
"That's not the smile."
Long Jun fixed his gaze on Shen Mu's face and shook his head. "Once, your smile was the kind that made people lower every guard they had, the kind that could put a knife through their heart and still stir no suspicion whatsoever. But now you are forcing your cheer, a false smile, not that simple-hearted, guileless smile that rises from the depths of your being."
Hearing his words, Wang Muran, Mu Qingdai, and Long Yu, all at Shen Mu's side, shuddered again and again. Even the great deer's eyes betrayed a flicker of dread.
They had not spent much time with Shen Mu, but they counted themselves friends. When in his company, it was easy to forget that besides the title of Human Emperor, he bore another identity: the Sect Master of the Youmo Sect!
The foremost demon lord of the Youmo Sect!
In truth, in Shen Mu's presence it was easy to forget all his identities, whether Sect Master of the Youmo Sect or Human Emperor. Instead, one simply felt he was a friend to whom one could bare one's heart.
And now, hearing Long Jun's words, they felt a chill run down their spines.
"Truly worthy of the Youmo Sect Master. No wonder they call him the old demon lord…"
Long Yu thought to himself, "This generation's Human Emperor is truly unfathomable. Even a god like Long Jun has come off the worse."
Shen Mu shook his head. "Long Jun, you make me out to be far too terrifying. I have never schemed against my friends."
His expression was earnest, lending him an air of dependability. Seeing that look, the unease in Wang Muran and the others' hearts melted away.
"That's the very look."
Long Jun sneered. "Earnest from the bottom of your heart! And still you wear that sincere smile, even a slightly bashful smile! How laughable — you turned right around and made off with my dragon!"
His aura abruptly turned savage. It burst forth, whipping up terrifying waves of qi that lashed out in all directions. The waves slammed against the walls surrounding the great hall with a roar like breakers splitting the shore!
Shen Mu's heart lurched. He circulated the Mystic Body Three Cores Art, and in an instant his flesh grew incomparably dense. At the same time the sword sheath exploded, the Wuyou Sword swept across to bar his front, and he retreated at flying speed.
The next moment, with a thunderous boom, he and the Wuyou Sword were sent hurtling backward together. Even in midair his feet kept shifting step after step as he executed the Lame Old Man's Sky-Rending Divine Legs to shed Long Jun's immense force. But Long Jun's power was simply too great; even a wondrous technique like the Sky-Rending Divine Legs could not wholly disperse it. At last he had nowhere left to retreat, and he crashed thunderously into the wall behind him!
Wang Muran, Mu Qingdai, and Long Yu hesitated no longer. One after another they struck, each unleashing their strongest means against Long Jun.
All three were disciples of Little Jade Capital. Little Jade Capital took disciples in the traditional way: first walking the mortal world, selecting youths of the finest aptitude, then observing their conduct along with their patience, comprehension, adaptability, and every other capacity. Only after passing layer upon layer of trials would one be accepted as a disciple.
The three of them had entered Little Jade Capital in just this manner, and what they were taught were Little Jade Capital's finest arts and divine powers. Their cultivation was naturally formidable in the extreme. It could be said that every step they took was utterly solid, that in every realm they had almost no weak points at all. At the Six Harmonies realm, there were precious few under heaven who could surpass them!
What Long Yu employed was the Heavenly Eye Sword Heart. Two sword lights shot from his pupils, one horizontal and one vertical, slashing toward Long Jun.