Chapter 463 — When Will the Locust Blossoms Bloom
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Many more toad spirits danced and cavorted, beating gongs and drums. Some blew swiftly on short flutes with their four fingers, while several large centipedes twisted their bodies, stamping and tapping on the ground with their many legs.
Every now and then a centipede would kick up at a toad spirit's puffed-out cheek, and the toad spirit would let out a croaking cry.
Atop the green-skinned great toad's head, a young girl of fresh and radiant beauty slowly rose, her black skirt swirling as she sang at the top of her voice: "High on the mountain, oh—a locust tree, oh-wei—hand on the railing, ah—watching for my love, oh-wei. Mother asks her daughter, ah—what are you watching for, oh-wei? I'm watching the locust blossoms, ah—when will they bloom, oh-wei—
... The earth light seems like rain without warmth, stars dot the world's heart. The locust blossoms wake early, the daughter asks her mother, ah—what are you asking, oh-wei. Shy as the locust blossom, ah—hard to speak, oh-wei—" Note ①
Shen Mu listened, entranced. Though the green vine had already risen very high, the magnificent spectacle of the whole city rejoicing still filled his eyes, and that wondrous melody, those soaring songs, still rushed into his ears.
The passion of the Western Lands girls surged like a mighty wave of heat, wrapping him in layer upon layer, pouring into his heart.
The green vine suddenly plunged down with him and Mu Yingxue, threading through street after street. All around were dancing people and strange, bizarre spirits and poisonous creatures. The crowd's flamboyant dance postures, their chaotic steps, their raised palms—all met the palms that he and Mu Yingxue extended.
The music filling all of Thunder Mountain City suddenly became high and stirring, bright and jubilant. He felt as though he had arrived in a mythical kingdom. The massive green vine carried him and the girl beside him through the great streets and small alleys of this western border city, and all that flashed past were celebrating people.
The green vine turned back, spinning their bodies, rising slowly. Girls in the trees stepped on green leaves and hung flower garlands around their necks.
Other girls lay prone on treetops, their slender calves playfully kicking and swaying, watching them rise from below the trees, their chins propped on their hands as they sang heart-stirring love songs. A swarm of flying locusts braced themselves on their two hind legs and beat small gongs beside them in accompaniment.
The green vine stretched toward the city center, leaping over the uproarious street scene, flying over the streets and round-roofed houses, arriving at Mu Yingxue's palace.
In the palace pavilion, a window opened, and the green vine delivered the young man and woman on its leaf into the room.
Shen Mu and Mu Yingxue stood by the window. Below, the jubilant crowd came in a mighty procession to the street beneath them, continuing to sing and dance, waves of song and clamor of gongs and drums.
They were still celebrating Thunder Mountain City's great joy—celebrating that Thunder Mountain City's Poison Master, Mu Yingxue, had finally found her beloved.
"How embarrassing."
Mu Yingxue covered her face and spat: "Carrying on like this, as if I couldn't find a sweetheart on my own—they can't wait to send me off to a walking marriage!"
Shen Mu looked at her. This girl, first in the poison path of the Western Lands, showed not the slightest trace of shyness—instead she was bold and fiery, the small bit of embarrassment in her heart diluted by her blazing passion.
The passion of the Western Lands girls was a little too much for him to handle. This intoxicating morning in Thunder Mountain City left him somewhat enchanted.
His heart was in a whirl, his senses bewitched.
The celebration did not cease until the afternoon. Mu Yingxue still could not hide her excitement, nestling against Shen Mu's shoulder, looking utterly happy.