Chapter 474 — A Fatal Flaw
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Imperial Preceptor Jingping never revealed the slightest flaw; even at night, the man kept his eyes open and did not sleep. And the Old Mother of True Heaven discovered something even more terrifying: even when he ate, when Imperial Preceptor Jingping picked up food with his chopsticks, he was practicing sword arts — from the moment the chopsticks reached out to the moment they returned to his mouth, this madman had executed several hundred sword moves! More dreadful still, the act of picking up food involved the coordination of every part of his body, the working of muscle and sinew, the shifting of his vital essence; at every moment he stood in the optimal state for striking, so perfect that no flaw could be found in him anywhere. By comparison, Shen Mu was flaws all over; she could have him die in whatever miserable fashion she pleased, without the least extra effort.
But unless Imperial Preceptor Jingping were disposed of, killing Shen Mu first would make her the next to die.
The Old Mother of True Heaven never dared make her move; she could only wait patiently for her chance. "I refuse to believe he can remain perfect and unassailable forever — he is bound to show a flaw!
In this world, not even a god can be without a single flaw!
" Along the road, Shen Mu constantly sought instruction in swordsmanship from Imperial Preceptor Jingping. The Old Mother of True Heaven listened closely, hoping to find some flaw in the Imperial Preceptor's sword arts — only to discover that she could not understand a word of what the two of them discussed. Imperial Preceptor Jingping's attainments in the way of the sword advanced by leaps and bounds, and Shen Mu's mastery of the sword was extraordinary as well.
Each trade has its specialists: the Old Mother of True Heaven's attainments in the way of natural creation were exceedingly high, yet her comprehension of the sword was far beneath theirs. The two often traded blows in midair. Shen Mu attacked the Imperial Preceptor with his sword arts, while Imperial Preceptor Jingping kept one hand ever clasped behind his back and the other on his sword, lightly turning aside every attack.
Shen Mu's offense was ferocious, his sword arts endlessly varied and dazzling to the eye, yet Imperial Preceptor Jingping's swordsmanship was exceedingly simple, using the most basic of sword forms, and still he broke apart Shen Mu's intricate arts with effortless ease. When Shen Mu tired, he would halt and rest, brooding over how to improve his swordsmanship; Imperial Preceptor Jingping offered no instruction, letting him ponder in silence.
The Old Mother of True Heaven could not curb her curiosity.
"The Imperial Preceptor's swordsmanship is divine — why not speak a word to guide him?
" "I cannot guide him. " Imperial Preceptor Jingping shook his head.
"He has already reached the utmost limit of the sword. Whatever he comprehends now must come from himself alone. " The Old Mother of True Heaven was startled.
Even Imperial Preceptor Jingping could not instruct the Shen Mu of today? "Why does the Imperial Preceptor not seal his own divine treasures and duel him at the same realm? " the Old Mother of True Heaven asked, her eyes flickering.
"I dare not. " Imperial Preceptor Jingping answered honestly, "His cultivation is too strong.
At the same realm, the most I could do is rely on the strength of my sword dao to fight him to mutual destruction. His dharma power is so pure and so deep — if I took a single blow from him, that power would blast me dead. " The Old Mother of True Heaven looked at Shen Mu and thought, "So young, and already come to this step — this boy must not be allowed to live!
Otherwise, who would ever bring him to heel? " No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than a sound like the sky collapsing and the earth splitting came from within Shen Mu's body, shaking the white clouds around them apart.
The Old Mother of True Heaven was deeply shaken, disbelief written on her face.