Chapter 737 — Secrets of the Past
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
The Woodcutter laughed. "Yan Yunxi's skills are exceedingly high, and she is clever and eccentric. If she does not wish him to recognize her, he will not. Besides, the Farmer has nothing but muscle between his ears — what keenness of eye could he have? Yan Yunxi even beat him many times, and still he never recognized her. Instead he was utterly docile toward her, while toward me he was all cold looks and scowls."
"Beat the Martial Heavenly Master many times?"
Shen Mu's eyes were full of bewilderment. "This Sister Yan Yunxi..."
The Woodcutter snapped, "Call her Martial Uncle! Not Sister!"
Shen Mu said awkwardly, "Teacher, you just said Uncle Yunxi changed her name. What did she change it to? There are not many who could beat the Martial Heavenly Master into utter submission. I did hear the Martial Heavenly Master mention one person who once brought him completely to heel. But that person was not called Yunxi — she was called Zixi."
The Woodcutter said nothing, and looked out the door.
Outside, the old ox hastily withdrew his ears and gurgled away at his water pipe — though the fire had long since gone out.
Dragon Qilin promptly flopped down and pretended to sleep, snoring like thunder.
The Woodcutter rose, threw on his garments, and said, "I feel my injuries are nearly healed. A gradual course of the Art of Creation will suffice; there will be no lingering harm."
Shen Mu said hastily, "Are the Heavenly Master Zixi and Uncle Yan Yunxi one and the same person?"
The Woodcutter did not answer, but walked out, saying, "This time Zhuo Cha will surely emerge from seclusion. Once he does, there will be much room to maneuver. You plan to go with Hu Bugui to see Xu Shenghua? Then Zhuo Cha may go with you, to have a look at Xu Shenghua. I have other matters; I will go on ahead."
Shen Mu followed him. "I also plan to meet up with Sister Di Yiyue, to see how she and Heavenly King Tian Shu are remaking Fengdu."
The Woodcutter shook his head. "Remaking Fengdu cannot be done in a moment. And if she wants to find Tian Shu, she most likely will not. That fellow is certainly hiding in the biggest and best wine shop in Jingping, drinking."
Shen Mu's eyes lit up, and he laughed. "Then he must be in the palace wine cellars."
"I will find a way to notify Di Yiyue, and have her seek out Tian Shu."
The Woodcutter walked out the door, glanced at the old ox still puffing frantically at his water pipe, and said blandly, "The fire is out."
The old ox hastily lit it; a thick cloud of smoke burst forth, choking the ox until smoke poured from both eyes and nose, tears streaming down his old face.
"Say what should be said, and do not say what should not."
The Woodcutter said, "Though I can do nothing to you, the second-ranked Heavenly Master can still kill you with ease."
The old ox nodded hastily, and said with a fawning smile, "Rest assured, Grand Heavenly Master. I understand."
The Woodcutter then came before the feigning-sleep Dragon Qilin and said, "Talk too much, and you will easily find yourself loaded onto a platter and served at the table."
Dragon Qilin scrambled up with a gurgle, and with a meek, obedient air said, fawning, "My mouth is the tightest! I have never once let slip the Sect Master's embarrassing affairs!"
Shen Mu hesitated, then stroked the few little hairs of his mustache. "Fat Dragon knows many of my embarrassing affairs? Hmm. This one cannot be kept... How should he be cooked to taste best?"
The Woodcutter sought out the old farmer to take his leave. The old farmer was disinclined to bother with him, squinting his eyes and dozing; the Woodcutter had no choice but to go.
The old farmer snorted, and spat a thick gob of phlegm at his receding back.
Shen Mu's expression turned odd. These two Heavenly Masters were both tens of thousands of years old, yet they still behaved like children.
Before long, Hu Bugui came out of the Dou Niu Realm with a small bundle on his back, dressed simply, looking sharp and capable.