Chapter 514 — Greed Befogs the Heart
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Besides, they fought many times in the past and came off the worse, so now they dare only hide in the sun, beating their drums and shouting. " Shen Mu asked, puzzled, "This sun in the sky is utterly unlike the sun over Jingping. This sun—" "It is the sun of the Waste. The real one.
" The god Chi Xiu said, "The sun of Jingping is false. " Shen Mu clicked his tongue in amazement. This sun was terrifying.
How fortunate that they lived amid the false semblance of sun, moon, and stars; otherwise, if the people of Jingping beheld so dreadful a sun, even the Emperor would likely go mad. "Patriarch, do you have money?
" Shen Mu asked through the crack in the door.
"To enter Fengdu I need Fengdu gold coins. I have only three left, and the boat costs coins. " The young Patriarch pushed a few gold coins out through the crack. "I have not been dead long, and there is not much money here. Spend it sparingly.
" Shen Mu assented, then went to knock on the other patriarchs' doors to beg for money. "Reverend Patriarchs, if you do not give money, I shall cut off your offerings and tear down your spirit tablets.
" "Wretch who cheats his masters and betrays his ancestors!
It is only money—take it!
" Door to door Shen Mu went, extorting from every household, and gathered one or two hundred Fengdu gold coins. Then he came to the place where the Human Emperors dwelt, and asked the strange beasts before the Five Yang Shrine: "Has the First Patriarch returned? " The two beasts ran into the hall and flung the Taotie out of the Five Yang Shrine, saying, "The Master has not returned.
" The Taotie landed on the ground; scorched by the sun's true fire, it gave several thuds and turned into a great box, which then followed meekly at the Dragon Qilin's heels.
"Cult Leader Shen, time to go! " Chi Xiu urged.
"A moment, God Chi Xiu. " Shen Mu went on to the Second Patriarch's house.
The Second Patriarch opened the door but did not step out of the shrine, no doubt fearing the pure yang true fire. "I am a man of clean hands and empty pockets, truly without money; I can only go and sponge off our teacher, the First Patriarch.
" Shen Mu took out several Fengdu gold coins and said with a smile, "I know you have always been a person of lofty integrity, so I have brought a few gold coins to tide you over for the time being.
When I reach the Human Emperor Hall, I shall burn paper money to provide for all the patriarchs in their old age. " The Second Patriarch was overjoyed and hastily pocketed the coins. "You are far more filial than that Su lad!
He still has not come back; when he does, we mean to give him a great surprise! " Shen Mu said, "Second Patriarch, do not forget to tell the Headman that I came here.
" "Rest assured, I will certainly tell him! " the Second Patriarch said through gritted teeth.
Shen Mu hesitated, then ventured, "Second Patriarch, could I borrow the Boundary Between Life and Death for a while?
I want to use it to do business.
. . " The Second Patriarch was baffled.
"How can one do business with the Boundary Between Life and Death? " Shen Mu smiled. "There are a great many gods and demons in Fengdu, but they cannot go to the world of the living, and many of them have wishes unfulfilled.
So I mean to use the Boundary Between Life and Death as a bridge, letting those with powers in the Kingdom of Jingping come onto the Boundary and trade with them: the gifted ones will take their gold coins, or learn the divine powers, the Daoist arts and techniques they practiced in life, and in return help them fulfill their wishes. I think this may prove a great business! I am preparing to pave a road through the Waste, and I need some money to supplement the household as well.
" The Second Patriarch was still somewhat baffled.
"Where does the money come from?