Chapter 644 — Strange Species of the South Sea
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
I have already condemned so many Human Emperors to a lonely life—I cannot ruin you as well. Your road is yours to choose and yours to walk. I was wrong to want you to walk mine. " Shen Mu pressed his lips together until they grew very thin. After a moment he rose, spread his arms, and stretched. "I used to hate you.
I wanted to beat you to death. But I can only defeat you at the same cultivation realm—I cannot kill you. And after beating you this time, the hatred in my heart suddenly lost its edge. " His face was calm as he said lightly, "Perhaps you meant to test me, or to spur me on, to make me cultivate harder and surpass you. But I hold your methods in contempt.
" The First Ancestor Human Emperor was briefly startled. "You saw through it? " "I am not a fool.
" Shen Mu gazed at the newly risen sun and said softly, "But if I were you, I would not use such a stupid, utterly wretched method to spur on a junior.
Still less would I destroy the life's work of my own kin, or smash the bones of my own kin!
With so many enemies about, you chose to strike at your own family and friends—you are indeed a deserter. I hold your character in contempt, and so I hold your cultivation arts and divine abilities in contempt as well. " The First Ancestor Human Emperor fell silent. After a moment he said, "What sort of people raised you and taught you? They taught you well. " Shen Mu's face lit with spirit, and reverence showed in his eyes. "They are the finest people in this world, the kindest, open and honorable, broad of heart, wise and clear-sighted!
In the matter of being human, they surpass you a hundredfold, a thousandfold! Do you know Lizheng?
The previous Human Emperor, the one Patriarch Qi Kang and the other patriarchs beat every day—he is the foremost elder of our village! What I admire most about Lizheng is his vast learning. If he had not discovered that I have an Overlord Body, I would probably still be herding cattle in the Wilderness Ruins. And there is Grandma Zhu—she is the most beautiful and kindest woman in the village. She it was who picked me up and raised me. . . " Once he began speaking of the villagers, he could not stop; the words poured out, praising their virtues without end. The First Ancestor Human Emperor listened quietly. Only when he had finished did he smile and nod. "They taught you well, and you are good as well.
" Shen Mu fell silent, puzzled at himself. 'Why have I told him so much?
I should still hate him. ' "You are of the Shen family, and so am I.
In your heart you still take me for an elder of your own clan and blood. " The First Ancestor Human Emperor seemed to read his thoughts.
"Before kin, one naturally has much to say. It must have been a long time since you met anyone of your own clan.
" Shen Mu nodded. He looked at the Human Emperor beside him and asked curiously, "What is your name? " "Shen Wu.
" Shen Mu took out the Shen clan genealogy and pored over it.
He found the name Shen Wu, and was shocked—this was already the generation of a hundred-generation ancestor.
Just then, light suddenly blazed on the surface of the sea, like clouds surging, and great bubbles came churning up from the water.
Shen Mu rose to his feet and activated the Nine Heavens Far-Sight Art, gazing toward the South Sea. He was astonished—the rainbow-hued radiance welling from the sea looked like the treasure light given off by some precious object.
But the sea was far from where he stood, and his eyes could not pierce to the seabed. He did not know what manner of thing was giving off that treasure light.
The First Ancestor Human Emperor rose and looked that way too. "The water is too deep—I cannot see the bottom! " Shen Mu at once leaped into the air and flew toward where the treasure light gushed forth.
The First Ancestor Human Emperor frowned slightly. "Why so curious?