Chapter 493 — Human Life Weighs More Than Heaven
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
. " Shen Mu examined him, but before the examination was done, the youth had already stopped breathing. Shen Mu stared blankly, then rose to tend the wounds of the others.
The column moved on. That night was exceedingly long. From the darkness all around came the sounds of slaughter—other refugee groups ambushed and killed.
They also met pursuers in the dark, hanging behind them like a pack of wolves, striking again and again. Their numbers dwindled.
Ban Gongcuo had to fight too, and even the Dragon Qilin joined the battle.
Shen Mu finished binding Bai Qingfu's severed arm.
Bai Qingfu held his son in his right arm, coaxed the boy to sleep, and handed him to his wife, then said quietly, "A little farther on there is a post station. A deity is enshrined there; the god will protect you. Brother Shen, may I borrow the chest for a while? " Shouts of killing came from behind—another band of pursuers was about to arrive. Shen Mu said, "I'll go with you. " "No need.
" Bai Qingfu grinned, his face relaxed. "You're only at the Six Harmonies realm; I'm at the Heaven-Man realm.
I can take back what I've lost—you wouldn't make it back.
Just wait here for me. Take care of my son.
. .
" He turned, and the chest remained at his side. Shen Mu embraced him, then turned and moved on with the column.
Bai Qu'er and her sister-in-law looked back, and saw Bai Qingfu and the chest disappear into the darkness. Not long after, the chest came racing back to catch up with them, covered in blood. Bai Qingfu's wife coaxed the child awake, and as she coaxed, the child fell asleep again. "Brother Shen, there aren't many left here who can still fight. " Bai Qingfu's wife handed the sleeping child to Bai Qu'er, smoothed the hair that had fallen over her face, and smiled.
"Someone still has to hold off the pursuers.
May I borrow your chest?
I may not be able to return it.
" "Sister-in-law Bai, we'll go with you. " Several youths, missing arms or legs, rose to their feet. Shen Mu nodded and left the chest.
Bai Qu'er opened her mouth but said nothing.
The column moved on. Before long, the chest caught up with them again, and once more the sounds of killing came from behind. Shen Mu's face broke into a smile.
He stood atop the chest and said with a laugh, "Fatty Long, come—it's our turn.
Venerable One, you go on with them. " "Damn you!
" Ban Gongcuo propped himself on both hands and walked over to the chest, cursing, "I came here with you!
If you die, how the hell am I supposed to get back? In all my life I've never done a good deed—let this be the exception. . .
Damn you! " "Don't.
.
.
" Bai Qu'er looked at them and burst into tears.