Chapter 682 — The Sword God Smiles
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Shen Mu's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly took out several mirrors and poured his vital essence into them; with a hum they were activated, and mirror after mirror swelled large, shielding the heads of Wei Liao and the rest.
"Grandpa Alchemist, where are your mirrors?"
Shen Mu shouted, "Everyone, activate your mirrors and block the light of the Book of Life and Death!"
The Alchemist hastily activated several dozen mirrors, large and small, and the other Gifted caught on as well. In an instant tens of thousands of mirrors floated into the air, great and small, blotting out the sky and the sun, sealing the heavens tight and letting no light through.
The light of the Book of Life and Death poured down, was reflected back by the mirrors, and never fell upon Wei Liao and his company.
Four in ten of these tens of thousands of Gifted were women. Women who had cultivated to success still could not wholly shed the nature that loves beauty, and so carried a mirror or two on their persons — but the one with the most mirrors by far was the Alchemist.
Some of the Gifted practiced arts and divine powers unlike the rest, and took mirrors as their primordial weapons; once refined into primordial weapons, a mirror could grow to tens of mu across — a magnificent sight.
Seeing that the Book's light could not descend, Shen Mu still dared not relax in the least. He said gravely, "The Book of Life and Death flies with incredible speed; with only the people we have, we cannot react in time. So long as it moves swiftly, it can still shine upon you. Military Commissioner, you had best take cover."
Wei Liao seized his ceremonial axe and said in a low voice, "The Book of Life and Death can shine through the Nine Shades and the Yellow Springs — where could we hide? Heh heh, and besides, the fellows of Mingdu are sworn enemies of our Southern Heaven and South Dipper! We have died once already; what does it matter if we die again?"
Shen Mu frowned. "Military Commissioner Wei Liao, if Lou Yunqu sends you to Youdu, I still have a way to fish you back out. But if you are sent to Mingdu, that is beyond my power. While there is life there is hope — I beg you to think it over!"
Just then they saw the light and shadow shifting rapidly; clearly the Book of Life and Death was moving at speed. Lou Yunqu and the others must have seen its power reflected back by the mirrors and changed direction.
"If there is nowhere to retreat, why retreat at all?"
Wei Liao was about to charge out from behind the mirrors' protection when a familiar voice suddenly reached them: "Military Commissioner, there is no need for a pointless sacrifice. Sect Master Shen, do you not have a volume of the Book of Life and Death yourself? Activate that volume, and will it not serve perfectly to counter the power of the enemy's Book?"
Shen Mu's heart leapt with joy. He turned, and saw the Imperial Preceptor Jingping walking toward them across the sea of fire, as calm and unhurried as ever, the very picture of one who plans victory from afar.
"Junior brother, you have come out of seclusion? You did not die at Luofu Heaven?"
At the sight of him, the panic in Shen Mu's heart vanished in an instant. He hurriedly took out the Book of Life and Death and asked, "Where is the Master? Why has he not appeared? If the Master were here, he could activate the power of the Book..."
The Imperial Preceptor Jingping took the Book from him and said calmly, "The Master has other urgent business. But as to how to activate the Book of Life and Death, I do know."
His dharma power erupted, and the Book of Life and Death unfurled with a sharp rustle, dazzling bright, high above, a curtain of light shining down upon Wei Liao and the white-boned gods and demons. "Junior brother, you may withdraw these mirrors."