Chapter 752 — The Departed Return to Life
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
Kai Huang said in a deep voice: "There is no justice in what is past; justice belongs to what is yet to come. We stand now inside history. These things have already happened, and no matter what you do, you will not be meting out justice! It is only in the future that justice can be meted out! You should understand what I am talking about.
" Shen Mu nodded, and said woodenly: "I know.
" Kai Huang slowly released his hold: "Even here inside history, every choice you make may bring death down upon you. A man of such surpassing brilliance as Sovereign Yu has died. If you take part in this, you will die as well. " Shen Mu nodded: "I know.
" Kai Huang let out a breath: "I do not know what grievance lies between you and me, but I think you are a good man, and you should not die here.
" Shen Mu's face, all this while so expressionless, thawed like ice and snow melting bit by bit, and a faint smile appeared on it: "Thank you. To tell the truth, merely to have met you this time is enough to content my heart; this journey has not been in vain. " Kai Huang said: "To have seen the Seven Sovereigns, and then to meet a man like you, I too feel this journey has not been in vain.
As you said, we should still have a month or two, should we not? In this month or two, let us quietly bear witness to this stretch of history. Though Sovereign Yu is dead, the art of godhood he founded will still be handed down.
Is that not the reason we came here? " Shen Mu nodded, woodenly: "Very well. " Kai Huang was still uneasy at heart, and said to Old Ox: "You are his senior brother. You have more sense than he does; you should know what to do. This is the ancient heavenly court—a place where even you may not run rampant. If you act lawlessly and recklessly, great peril will follow. " Old Ox hesitated, then nodded: "Do not worry.
I will keep an eye on him.
" Sovereign Hao's voice rose, heavy with grief, carrying through the whole Jade Pool Lodge: "Sovereign Yu is dead. The killer has not yet been found—but the killer is hiding among us! Gentlemen, I shall submit a memorial to His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, begging His Majesty to hunt down the culprit and bring him to justice, so as to give Sovereign Yu his due and give every wielder of divine power under heaven his due! " Silence fell over the Jade Pool Lodge.
Then, suddenly, a low crying arose; in the dead stillness, that weeping sounded oppressive beyond measure.
Bristling with fury, Sovereign Hao proclaimed in ringing tones: "Gentlemen, I will never let that murderer go; I shall hack his body into ten thousand pieces! Sovereign Yu's blood has not been shed in vain! Set your hearts at ease, gentlemen—trust in the heavenly court, trust in His Majesty! " His voice gradually sank lower, yet it reached every ear with perfect clarity: "Though Sovereign Yu's body is dead, the lineage of his Way shall never be extinguished. Sovereign Yu and I were the closest of friends, and he has already passed on to me the art of godhood.
More than likely he foresaw that harm would come to him, and so he taught me beforehand the art of becoming a god that he had founded, lest he leave behind a regret. For now, let us hold the funeral rites for Sovereign Yu, and give him a peaceful burial.
" His voice dropped lower still: "He was like an elder brother to me, and like a father. Alas that heaven should envy such talent. . .
During the ten days of mourning, I myself shall keep vigil for my father-brother. After ten days, I shall transmit the art of godhood. " His voice trailed off little by little, and then weeping came: "Father-brother—" Shen Mu looked toward Sovereign Hao in the winding gallery pavilion. Sovereign Hao lay prostrate upon Sovereign Yu's corpse, wailing in anguish. Shen Mu took back his gaze and looked at the Dark Emperor; the Dark Emperor was still gazing at his own hands. Shen Mu closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them, and his gaze was bright as a flame.