Chapter 434 — How Could a Cooked Duck Fly?
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
The White Gap Deity had kept his eyes fixed on Shen Mu the whole while, and Shen Mu, for his part, worked with diligence and utter seriousness, reattaching the leg for him without a word of complaint, stitching the stump of the thigh to the severed limb.
"Senior Brother White Gap, you are not of the human race, are you?"
Shen Mu examined the nerves carefully, roused the nervous system at the severed ends, treated them with medicine, and said, "Your body's structure differs from a human's. What race are you?"
Light surged in the White Gap Deity's brow, and out from between his brows flew a soaring primordial spirit — a dragon-horse, wings sprouting from its back, horns growing from its head, mane streaming, white as snow from head to hoof, brimming with vigor; truly the spirit of a dragon-steed!
Shen Mu glanced up and praised, "A magnificent steed indeed! A primordial spirit like this is rarely seen!"
"'Magnificent steed' — that word fits me well enough."
The White Gap Deity's primordial spirit watched his every move and spoke: "But I seldom reveal my true form. Long ago, in the Kaihuang... ahem, in ancient times — when little creatures like you were not yet born, of course — a magnificent steed such as I could only run errands and carry people on his back. It was a sheer waste of talent."
Shen Mu's expression shifted slightly. "Then how did you, Senior Brother White Gap, come to the Upper Realm?"
The White Gap Deity sighed. "Heaven changed, earth changed, and even a deity of my originally lowly station found his day in the sun. Not long after the anomaly occurred, I surrendered. Later, when the Desolate Ruins appeared, many who had surrendered alongside me rose to prominence — better at scheming than I, they left this world to live in comfort, and only a handful of us stayed behind. Those fellows, they knew how to pat a horse's rump. Though I have the word 'horse' in me, I am still no match for them at flattery. Still, no matter — better the beak of a chicken than the arse of an ox."
He laughed. "For all their scheming, once they reach the higher realm they are still at the bottom, whereas we who stayed in the lower world can lord it over all, high and mighty, enjoying the worship and offerings of the masses."
"And yet, to this day, you are nothing but an errand-runner," Shen Mu said with a faint smile.
The White Gap Deity flew into a rage, his divine might erupting. "What did you say?"
Shen Mu smiled. "Don't flare up — mind that I don't misconnect a nerve, or even with the leg reattached you'll walk with a limp."
The White Gap Deity heaved a sigh. "You are right. I am indeed an errand-runner. Before, I ran errands and delivered letters; now I run errands and bring down calamities. The dirty work, the hard work — all of it falls to me, and the work is filthier than before. But what choice is there? If I do not do it, I cannot escape death. How formidable are the Four Lords of the Upper Realm? Their powers exceed mine, and are they not errand-runners too? Not only errand-runners — they must risk their lives! Who knows how many of them will survive."
Worry showed on his face. To this moment no other celestial omen weapon had been activated, which meant Lord Qiao and the others were more likely dead than alive.
Shen Mu said, "This time you have surrendered to me, and I can make you a mountain god, enjoying offerings. Why not be a mountain god beside the Surging River, keeping Lord Dragonkeeper company? Every year, those who hang themselves on the mountain or leap from its cliffs will be your fare. I have a fine place in mind: beside Deer County there is a mountain called Mount Hundred Years, lovely in scenery, a towering peak ten thousand zhang high. Go there and be its mountain god — it will be no disgrace to you."
"Bah!"