Chapter 785 — The Youth Plows the Wasteland
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
Deva King Buddha's expression changed greatly; he turned at once to leave. The old farmer caught sight of him, was briefly startled, and then a shout like sudden thunder came: "Flower Monk, Li Youran! You scum! In the midst of the great war you ran off to become Deva King Buddha! Take three punches from me!"
BOOM—
A violent surge came. The first surge traveled here from a hundred li away; the farmers and their wives hurried to Shen Mu's side to withstand that terrible shockwave, lest he be hurt.
But the second shockwave already came from a thousand li away, twisting space, stretching the mountain ranges and wringing them into braids.
Before the twisted space had recovered, the third shockwave arrived; then space fell still and slowly relaxed, and the mountains recovered as they had been.
"There, there, all is well."
The farmers all laughed and said: "Young friend Shen, you carried off the Celestial Master's ox, and the Celestial Master has been nursing his anger all this while. He says you are as despicable, shameless, and low as the woodcutter, for tricking away our senior brother Niu Sanduo. Go and explain it to him in a while, and the misunderstanding will be cleared up."
Shen Mu's heart twitched, and he probed: "Can the misunderstanding be cleared up?"
The crowd escorted them toward the small mountain village, saying: "The Celestial Master is the easiest man alive to talk to. Rest assured, admit your fault and his anger will pass."
When they reached the front of the mountain village, suddenly there came a great thud; the old farmer landed on the ground, short of stature, but he was hauling the bruised and swollen Deva King Buddha along, and with a flick of his hand he threw Deva King Buddha into the stinking ditch, shouting: "Whoever dares fish him out, I will beat to death! This fellow eats our food and gives it away, and he has taken up with a woman among the enemy!"
Shen Mu craned his neck to look into the stinking ditch and saw Deva King Buddha lying in the sewer, eyes vacant.
"You said I would not know your old acquaintance..."
He murmured: "This is not taking the blame for you..."
Shen Mu pretended not to hear, and hurriedly bowed to the old farmer: "Senior brother Sanduo is now in Fengdu, helping King Yan open up Fengdu and settle its fate and fortune! Though it was not my intent to carry off senior brother Sanduo, it was because he studied under you, uncle-master, that he acted out of righteousness, with a liver and gall of loyalty, and insisted on staying in Fengdu to lend his aid — his righteousness truly reaches the clouds, as yours does, uncle-master! For this matter my conscience is uneasy, and I make apology to you, uncle-master!"
The old farmer stared at him; suddenly a smile bloomed across his face, and he hurriedly caught him by both elbows, laughing heartily: "What fault is there? Worthy nephew, come inside."