Chapter 566 — The Exiled Infant
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Yet beyond Taihuang Heaven he saw many other worlds as well, one magnificent world after another, and boat after boat hung with storm lanterns sailing out from them in an unending stream. Gazing from afar at the dark skies and dim lanterns of those worlds, he felt threads of reverie rise in him, and could not help imagining what those worlds were like — what sweeping, magnificent tales or melancholy, sorrowful ones they held, what bold-spirited or tender-hearted people lived there. "You are in fact on your fourth visit to Youdu.
" At the bow, the old underworld courier hung the storm lantern there, turned to face Shen Mu, and said unhurriedly, "You were born in Youdu. That is why this is your fourth time. " Shen Mu's interest was roused. "Senior, I have no memory of the time of my birth.
Might I ask whether you could speak of it?
" "Your birth caused a great commotion and shook every quarter of Youdu. In the end, many of the great powers agreed unanimously to exile you. " He studied the old man's face closely, but still could not make out his true features.
The old courier said slowly, "And so you were exiled. What happened afterward, I do not know.
" Shen Mu was dumbstruck, then laughed despite himself. "When I was just born, I must have been a tiny infant.
How could I have caused a great commotion?
And besides, for you great powers of Youdu to exile an infant — is that not a bit unkind? " "It was very kind.
" The old courier said, unhurried, "To my mind, given what you did, exiling you was already very kind. After they exiled you, those great powers were delighted and celebrated for many days. " "What exactly did I do? " Shen Mu grew more perplexed.
"What could a tiny infant possibly do?
" The old courier did not answer. The boat sailed into a world and moved on through the darkness. After a time, they entered a small world within that world.
Shen Mu looked up and saw the sun and moon, the Five Luminaries, and a sky full of stars, extraordinarily splendid, radiating a riot of many-colored light.
In the sky there was also a Divine Bridge, and upon it stood a primordial spirit in the form of a deity.
"This is the Spirit Treasury of a Divine Bridge expert! " Shen Mu was astonished.
"We have entered the Spirit Treasury of a powerful cultivator. " The old courier took out a register, opened it, glanced through it, found a name, and spoke.
"Han Zhen, your allotted lifespan is at an end. Three days from now I will come for you.
Settle your affairs.
" The primordial spirit on the bridge looked down, his gaze dim.
"I understand. Thank you, courier, for granting me three days. " The old courier nodded.
The boat sailed out of that small world and back into Youdu, continuing on. "The moment any mortal is born into the world, they enter into a covenant with Lord Tu.
When their allotted lifespan ends, their soul returns to Youdu. The courier sent to summon you to Youdu to recount karma also meant to enter your Life-and-Death Spirit Treasury and deliver Lord Tu's command to you, but he was blocked by the treasure on your person. So I had no choice but to come into the world of the living myself to find you. The longer this is delayed, the worse it will be for you. " Shen Mu grew still more perplexed and laughed. "I am still at the Six Harmonies realm. My Life-and-Death Spirit Treasury has not yet opened.
How could a courier enter it? " "To you it is closed, but to the couriers of Youdu, all are open.
When we enter your Life-and-Death Spirit Treasury to deliver a message, to you it is a dream visitation. " The old courier said, "It is only that the treasure on your person blocked us, so that we could not enter your dreams. " Shen Mu took out the jade pendant.
"Is the treasure you speak of this jade pendant? What exactly is its origin?
What curse is hidden within it? " The old courier said hastily, "Wear it properly. Do not take it off.
" Shen Mu had no choice but to put it back.