Chapter 380 — The Inheritor
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
"He is the leader of the Dark Demon Cult, and I had long kept a careful guard against him. Though the Dark Demon Cult bears the word 'demon', it is the foremost sect of all—in name a school, but in truth a nation, a nation within my Jingping. In promoting him to high office I could never set my mind at ease. And now he has become the Human Sovereign of this age, which puts me even less at ease. " He sighed deeply. "The Dark Demon Cult's leader is so outstanding, so far above the common run; such a man is hard to control.
My sons and daughters could never contend with him. After my allotted years are spent—heh, heh—this Jingping will likely be his for the taking. So yes, I did stir for a moment toward killing him. " He stood there watching Shen Mu and the others go far off, and said with a calm face, "But now it is gone.
" Emperor Yanfeng lifted his head and looked at the sky, his tone growing calmer still. "Imperial Preceptor Jingping, though you and I are sovereign and subject, in truth we are brothers, heart bound to heart, and both of us so outstanding that the like is rarely seen in a generation.
Even with the two of us working in concert on reform and change, it has been so hard—like a small boat that may be capsized at any moment in wind and wave. I have been thinking: what if we fail? What if we die? Who will inherit our unfinished will? " He turned around, his manner fervent, and raised both hands to grip the Imperial Preceptor's shoulders hard, his eyes blazing. "I should not think of my own Ling clan—I should think of the nation of Jingping, of your cause and mine, of the reforms! So I cannot harbor a killing intent toward him!
Your cause and mine need an heir—an heir for after we fail! My sons and daughters lack the means, but he has them! Is that not so, my fellow Daoist? " When the Imperial Preceptor Jingping heard the words 'fellow Daoist', something seemed to stir in his heart, and he nodded gently. "He has that ability. " Everyone knew him as the driving force behind the reform, wholeheartedly devoted to change, wanting to be a sage who establishes words, establishes teachings, and establishes merit. But no one knew that he too had his moments of weakness, of bewilderment, of wanting to retreat.
The one who gave him the greatest support, who kept him walking on, was this closest friend of his. Emperor Yanfeng was his best friend, his most reliable comrade-in-arms!
Such a friendship, no one else could comprehend. A fellow Daoist. In a lifetime, to meet one such fellow Daoist was enough for this life. "I will stand at your side.
" The Imperial Preceptor Jingping looked into the distance, his heart utterly calm, and said, "Always at your side.
" Shen Mu and the others returned to the palace that was almost bathed in spiritual qi and spiritual power.
No sooner had they landed than they saw that several people were waiting for them within.
"Shen'er, come back to the Wasteland with us.
" The Blind Elder rose to his feet leaning on his cane, walked over to Shen Mu, seized his hand, and said decisively, "Butcher, Village Head, there is no need for more talk.
Back to the Wasteland—back to the Wasteland at once!
" Butcher rose abruptly, two blades thrust behind him, and said coldly, "Blind Elder, are you afraid?
" The Blind Elder sneered. "Afraid?
Half of me is already in the grave—what should I fear?
It is you who are afraid, I think. " Butcher was enraged, like a mad lion. "When have I ever feared anyone?
" "That year, when you alone survived, were you not afraid?
" the Blind Elder mocked. "You lay in the mud and crawled all the way here on your two arms!
I am blind, but I am not unable to see—I know the terror in your heart!
" "Damned Blind Elder, you were no better off than I that year!
" Butcher drew his blades, and the Blind Elder let go of Shen Mu's hand and gripped his bamboo staff. The two bristled with killing intent. Shen Mu hurriedly slipped between them lest they truly come to blows.