Chapter 708 — The Sacred Blade of the Imperial Court
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
Shen Mu paced and paced, recalling the Emperor Shitian Heavenly King Sutra that Emperor Shitian, the Heavenly King Buddha, had imparted to him. That art indeed contained much that did not belong to the Buddhist path. In the past Shen Mu had studied only its combat methods and had not deeply comprehended the rest. This time, examining it closely, he realized that the arts of Emperor Shitian, the Heavenly King Buddha, concealed many mysteries of forging.
He devoted himself to comprehension, and before he knew it another half year had passed.
Tian Shu found Qi Jiuyi and dragged the drunken fellow back by the leg. The two sat on the ground and drank against each other until dead drunk. Long Qilin joined the drinking party too, drinking until he wept and laughed at once, clamoring to swear brotherhood with Qi Jiuyi and Tian Shu.
Shen Mu had comprehended what he needed, and just then he heard thump thump thump—the sound of kowtowing. Long Qilin, Qi Jiuyi, and Tian Shu were kneeling there, solemnly kowtowing before a wine jar, sworn as brothers of different surnames and different kinds.
"May we not ask to be born in the same year, the same month, the same day—but may we die in the same year, the same month, the same day!" the three said in unison.
Shen Mu shook his head and coughed. "I have thought of a way out."
The three turned to look at him.
Shen Mu said, "From the arts of Emperor Shitian, the Heavenly King Buddha, I have found a flaw in his cultivation method. From that flaw, I can find the flaw in the divine weapon he forged. This divine blade Dique is not without imperfection. If we find the right place, we can invoke the Heaven-Bearing Gate, flee into Youdu, and from Youdu return to the world of the living, back to our own bodies!"
Tian Shu clutched at his goatee and cried out, "Flee into Youdu? Would that not mean facing Tubo? I will not go! Tubo will eat me—I will not go!"
Shen Mu said patiently, "Senior Tian, I do have a little standing before Tubo. If I speak, I can surely turn your hostilities into friendship. Rest easy, Senior—put your heart back in your belly..."