Chapter 596 — A Graceful Young Lord Comes from Afar
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Qi Jiuyi smiled faintly. "This is not a suitable place for you to do battle. Ahead lies the great army of the demon race. If the demon race breaches the city, in the snap of a finger they can reduce this seemingly magnificent Divine City to ruins. The demon army will drive straight in, and annihilating all of you will be simplicity itself. And Lord Yangxing is also worried that you will join forces to kill him, and then cut me down as well. You worry for your own lives; he worries for my safety. Why not fight elsewhere?"
At these words, the Blind Elder, the Silent Artisan and the others all turned to look at him. Shen Mu too reexamined him, his expression grave and appreciative. He had originally thought this youth was merely Lord Yangxing's disciple, but from his words it was clear he was no simple disciple of Lord Yangxing—rather, he had some extraordinary origin.
Moreover, his words had deflected and neutralized Shen Mu's earlier inquiry, clearly demonstrating exceedingly high attainment in the Dao heart.
Such brilliant Dao heart—it even surpassed Xu Shenghua's when Shen Mu had first crossed swords with him.
At that time, Shen Mu had battered Xu Shenghua until his Dao heart nearly crumbled.
"Shen'er, this person will be a formidable rival of yours."
The Blind Elder lowered his voice. "He can see the true nature of the Divine City that the Deaf Elder painted. Varuna and all the other demon gods could not see through it, yet this man clearly possesses astonishing attainment in the Dao of the Sacred Pupil."
Shen Mu nodded. This youth could see through the Deaf Elder's painting—truly there was something extraordinary about him. He promptly asked, "How should I address you, brother?"
Qi Jiuyi smiled faintly, and Lord Yangxing said, "This is Young Master Qi Jiuyi."
Shen Mu was surprised and said slowly, "Yi means young and clever, noble and outstanding. Jiuyi means clever to the point that one head cannot contain it—nine heads are needed to hold his wisdom. I have heard that Jiuyi often refers to Cangwu, and Cangwu is the tree where the phoenix perches, the dwelling place of the phoenix. Therefore Jiuyi is often used to refer to the phoenix. Young Master Qi—you are not of the human race?"
Qi Jiuyi looked at him in surprise. "Brother Shen, your learning is profound. Might I ask who your master is?"
Shen Mu raised a hand and presented the Deaf Elder. Solemnly he said, "My master—the Painting Sage, the Deaf Elder."
Qi Jiuyi saluted the Deaf Elder and praised him. "Since he is the Painting Sage, then this city must be from the Painting Sage's own brush. It is magnificent beyond compare, and well deserves my salute."
The Deaf Elder accepted the salute with composure, his expression haughty.
Shen Mu smiled. "Young Master Qi says this place is unsuitable for our duel. Then where do you think our battlefield should be?"
Qi Jiuyi said unhurriedly, "I have heard that Brother Shen is the Sect Master of the Jingping Nether Demon Sect. Since this place is unsuitable for combat, then why don't we go to Jingping. Fighting you on your own territory—I imagine you would feel more at ease."
Shen Mu's eyes flickered. "Brother Qi, Jingping is quite far from here. It would take several days to reach it. Right now the demon race is attacking the Taihuang Heaven, and we cannot leave. Why don't I choose a battlefield instead?"
Qi Jiuyi frowned slightly. "Then where does Brother Shen choose to fight?"
Shen Mu pointed behind him.
Qi Jiuyi broke into a smile and said calmly, "In this city? This city was painted by the Painting Sage. Are you not afraid it will be smashed apart and your ruse exposed?"
Shen Mu shook his head. "I do not mean within the city. I mean before the two armies. You came here for me, did you not? Since you came for me, then let me choose the battlefield. I choose the ground between the demon race's million-strong host and this Divine City as our field of battle. Brother Qi—do you dare?"
Qi Jiuyi's brows rose.