Chapter 662 — A Show of Might at First Meeting
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 5
And our descendants worry me even more; I fear they grow ever more mediocre. Without pressure, men lose their drive. I feared that if our descendants remained in the Floating Realm, they would lose all chance of rising again. So three thousand years ago I gave the order that you must find Kaihuang. Even then I was prepared to move to the Kaihuang era, even to submit to Kaihuang! I never thought Kaihuang would fall so swiftly. " Chixi said, "Only when I went outside did I discover that Kaihuang had already fallen, and that the present is the Jingping era. Jingping's reforms have produced arts and divine powers with many unique features. This time I allied with Emperor Yanfeng, and he has promised me leave to found academies and transmit the divine powers and cultivation arts to the sons of Chiming. " The Divine Son of Chiming said in surprise, "This Emperor Yanfeng has the bearing of a great sovereign. " Chixi nodded.
The Divine Son of Chiming smiled. "A pity. The Kaihuang era is dead but not yet stiff; the Heavenly Court's eyes remain fixed there, and will not give him the chance to grow. Did you find the Wheel of Creation on your journey back?
Did you bring that divine artifact with you?
" Chixi's heart lurched.
He shook his head. "There was a young brat surnamed Shen, clever beyond measure — he demanded the Wheel of Creation and took it. " The Divine Son of Chiming stared at him and said, word by word, "Did it never occur to you what the true power of that treasure is? " Chixi was overcome with shame.
He bowed his head. "At first I truly did not think of it.
Only later, when I saw the young brat surnamed Shen use it, did I regret it too late. " The Divine Son of Chiming sighed.
"I do not blame you. Your mind is too straight, without twists or turns.
This young brat surnamed Shen is a talent. He is among the Jingping envoys this time, is he not? " Chixi said hastily, "The Divine Son's foresight is godlike!
" "Not godlike foresight — but if I were Emperor Yanfeng, I too would send so clever a man.
" The Divine Son of Chiming scattered fish food and said, "In contending with him, you came off the worse. " Chixi was deeply ashamed.
His face red, he said, "This subject is foolish.
.
.
" "You are not foolish — merely not clever enough. " The Divine Son of Chiming said, "You said just now that you took a youth of Jingping as your disciple, and that his strength is high.
What realm is he in now?
" Chixi said, "He has just entered the Life-and-Death realm. " The Divine Son of Chiming thought for a moment, then said, "Summon him.
Attendants — relay my command: gather all the divine-power wielders of the Life-and-Death realm in the realm to the palace! " Chixi was puzzled at his meaning. The Divine Son of Chiming said, "I need a blade — a blade to rouse my people's fighting spirit, but one that will not let my people be utterly defeated. Kindness and severity together: I give the Jingping envoys kindness, and I will also give them a show of might. But above all, I will give my people a whetstone!
" He poured all the fish food into the water, tossed aside the plate, clapped his hands, and said, "If they are defeated too badly, they will lose confidence — a beaten dog only tucks its tail. So your disciple shall be the first whetstone. Grind them, polish them, sharpen them, and then test the blade on the Jingping envoys. It will cut down the Jingping envoys' prestige, and at the same time let my people know they are not invincible under heaven, rousing their fighting spirit! I will turn them from sheep into vicious dragons! " Chixi hesitated, then said, "This disciple of mine saved my life. . .
" The Divine Son of Chiming smiled.
"Rest easy — he will not die. As for the Jingping envoys, I will not meet them until the blade is sharpened.
" Chixi hurried away in haste.