Chapter 742 — Altering One's Appearance
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
"Kaihuang?
" Shen Mu seemed not to have heard clearly, and laughed: "Which Kaihuang?
" Niu Sanduo had still not fully woken from his shock, and murmured as if in a dream: "There is only one Kaihuang, of course — who else could it be? He is so dazzling that even amid the vast and boundless multitudes, you can see him at a glance. However radiant others may be, your gaze is drawn to him in an instant. He has a natural air of leadership; the rest, no matter how outstanding, are like stars circling around him. . . " Shen Mu came to his senses and at once looked toward that painted barge.
Kaihuang!
The founder of the Kaihuang Era — his own ancestor!
Kaihuang was here too!
Could it be that this was the early days of the Kaihuang Era?
An incomparably intense urge rose in his heart: to go and see Kaihuang!
To see him, to see this ancestor of his, no matter what it took!
Shen Mu sprang up from the painted barge and gave chase toward the barge where Kaihuang was.
Old Ox, seeing this, hurried after him. The woman on the barge was surprised, and laughed: "Little brother, why are you leaving again? " "Sister, I've run into an acquaintance!
" Shen Mu turned in midair and bowed, saying: "That man is of the utmost importance to me.
In my haste I forgot to tell you, sister — forgive me! Where do you live, sister? Once my business is settled, I will call on you to make amends.
" The woman waved a hand and laughed: "If you have urgent business, then go on ahead. My surname is Zhu, and my name is Que'er. I live in the Vermilion Bird Palace — come find me when you have the time.
The Vermilion Bird Palace is in the south of the Heavenly Court!
" Shen Mu assented, turned, and quickened his pace, heading straight for that painted barge.
"Someone actually named Zhuque'er. " Old Ox caught up with Shen Mu and said in a muffled voice: "The Vermilion Bird is one of the Four Emperors. The Heavenly Court of old had Four Emperors, and the Southern Emperor was the Vermilion Bird. This woman calls herself Zhuque'er — she isn't afraid of shortening her own lifespan.
Still, this woman's strength is not weak; she could give the master a run for his money.
" Shen Mu was slightly taken aback: "The Southern Emperor is of the Vermilion Bird god-clan? Isn't the Southern Emperor Qi Xiayu? " Old Ox said: "Qi Xiayu is the Scarlet Emperor of the Southern Heaven, a nine-headed phoenix — not the same person as the Southern Emperor. This Qi Xiayu is rumored to have been a divine sage of the Shanghuang Era who later defected to the enemy. She rides high and wields no small power.
But because the Southern Emperor exists, she cannot be called the Southern Emperor, and so can only be called the Scarlet Emperor.
" Shen Mu's heart stirred slightly, and he looked back at the woman from afar, only to see the painted barge already far away.
"Zhuque'er?
The Vermilion Bird Palace? What connection does Zhuque'er have with the Southern Emperor? " Eager to chase Kaihuang, he set the matter aside for now and pursued Kaihuang's painted barge with all his heart.
Zhuque'er watched Shen Mu recede into the distance.
Several maids came forward and said: "Why are you so kind to that young fellow, Your Highness? He didn't even give his name! " "Though unknown for a hundred years, one day he will be known to all under heaven. I think he is such a man. " Zhuque'er's brows and eyes were long and slender as she smiled: "I can tell he is no ordinary figure, and will surely accomplish something in the future. Besides, the ox he calls his senior brother is strong and terrifying — even in a place like the Heavenly Court, such beings are few. That old ox is so formidable, yet still follows him inseparably; he is certainly no creature to be kept in a pond.
Let us go — set sail for the Heavenly Court. I wonder whether Tubo and Tiangong and the others have arrived yet. We mustn't keep them and His Majesty waiting long.