Chapter 726 — The Sovereign and the Minister Share One Heart
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
The Woodcutter Sage fell silent, then said in a hoarse voice, "The Heavenly King's reproach is entirely correct. When the great calamity broke out that year, I led the masses in resistance, and our army collapsed like a mountain toppling. Only then did I realize how far I was from the people, how far from the army. As a Heavenly Master, one must indeed survey from the high ground, but one must also enter the army, enter the mortal world. I stood too far off, took matters into my own hands rashly, and so brought about that great defeat. When all is said, I am not even the equal of Prince Shen Wu."
The Primordial Human Sovereign was slightly taken aback, and looked at him with disbelief.
The Woodcutter Sage said, "In truth, though for twenty thousand years I was unwilling to see him, I always admired him. In that age of chaos, coward though he was, when he saw the people suffering he resolutely shouldered the burden, guarded them, fought to the death, and with his own life protected them all the way to Jingping. Without Prince Shen Wu, there would be no Jingping in later ages."
Tears glimmered in the Primordial Human Sovereign's eyes. He turned his head away and quietly wiped them.
The Woodcutter Sage saw it and said, "But afterward he sank into decadence, reproaching himself endlessly, unable to walk out of the shadow of being a deserter. So I looked down on him. Now he has walked out of it, and I am deeply comforted. In truth, throughout the calamity he always did better than I."
Di Yiyue smiled. "There is no need to disturb them. Let us go."
They walked out of the shipyard. Outside, Xiong Qier played for a while and then set to work in earnest once more, and at last finished building a great ship.
The little girl took out the White Tiger Pearl and lightly touched it. The enormous land-ship slowly stood upright, shaking the ground with ceaseless tremors.
Inside the shipyard, Emperor Yanfeng and the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping were startled awake and hurried out. Seeing this great ship come to life, the two wept with joy, and clasped each other, crying and laughing at once.
Shen Mu had already called the Dragon Qilin and Di Yiyue and the others, and they had gone far off. Emperor Yanfeng caught a distant glimpse of the Dragon Qilin and said, puzzled, "When did Minister Shen arrive? Why has he left again? I and the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping are here—could he not have greeted us before departing! Someone, bring brush and ink! Today is a day of great joy, my spirit is clear and soaring—I shall write him a great big upright character!"
The Woodcutter soon took his leave, saying, "I am still searching for the Farmer and making contact with the others; I cannot remain here. Old Fisherman, let us go."
The Old Fisherman left with him.
The Primordial Human Sovereign also took his leave, saying, "I too have urgent matters to attend to." And with that he hurried away as well.
Shen Mu blinked and watched them go, thinking, "Teacher Woodcutter having business is one thing, but why does the Primordial Sovereign have so much business too? What is he busying himself with?"
Di Yiyue looked at him and smiled. "Little brother, do you have business as well? If not, why not come with me to seek out Heavenly King Tian Shu, and help King Yan remodel Fengdu. After that we shall go and meet Lady Tianyin. Once we have paid our respects to Lady Tianyin, your sister will take you around to meet the Heavenly Duke, Lord Earth, and then pay respects to the other exalted ones of the Imperial Throne. It will do you great good!"
Shen Mu was greatly tempted.
If he could follow a mighty one of the Imperial Throne like Di Yiyue and pay respects to the heaven-born divinities and the masters of the Imperial Throne, he would surely have his eyes opened!
"I still have a sword elixir to refine here..."