Chapter 809 — New Works in the Capital Foretell Rise and Fall
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 5
Shen Mu nodded. "A blessing may also be a curse. The Earth Mother was gravely wounded by Heavenly Master Zixi, and sooner or later she will come again. If she captures me, I will have no choice but to revive her. Once she is revived, destroying Jingping, destroying Chiming, destroying Kaihuang, would be easy for her!"
The Imperial Teacher of Jingping pondered long, then said in a low voice, "Then we must invite Teacher Woodcutter and all the most brilliant minds of Jingping, and Granny Zhu too; she must be invited. She is a master of yuan-magnetic runes. They are all elsewhere; it will take some time for them to come."
Shen Mu's expression stirred. "Is the Martial Combat Heavenly Master in the capital?"
"The Martial Combat Heavenly Master first went to the South Sea to negotiate with the Divine Son of Chiming; the Divine Son of Chiming was overawed and will not rebel for the time being. Not long ago he went to the grasslands, saying he wished to pay his respects to Mahakala. By my reckoning he should be back soon."
The Imperial Teacher of Jingping sighed. "There are strange movements beneath the East Sea as well, and strange movements among the heavens above; the North Sea, the ice plains, and the various ruins within Jingping's borders all have powers stirring restlessly. We have already cut off contact with the Desolate Ruins and with the Western Lands. Months ago we forged teleportation gates, and now they can protect only the twenty or thirty most important cities. In such troubled times, I wish I could split myself into a hundred million bodies."
Shen Mu's heart stirred. "Why not build the capital into a divine city in the heavens? Turn the capital into a divine city that flies in the air; one, as a deterrent; two, to lift the confidence of the people of Jingping."
The Imperial Teacher of Jingping said, "These dozens of days I spent with His Majesty were spent discussing the design and construction of a divine city. But the treasury is empty, there is no money, and trade is now cut off; there is not enough divine gold and divine material to build a city in the sky."
Shen Mu laughed. "Many ruins have appeared within Jingping's borders, and in them are no few divine weapons and sharp tools. Perhaps they could be fetched and melted down to build the sky city."
The Imperial Teacher laughed. "You need not trouble yourself with such worries. The most crucial thing for you now is to open the seventh divine treasury! You have no residence in the capital, have you? Why not stay here with me for the time being; when everyone has gathered, we can deal with your Earth Mother's blessing."
Shen Mu shook his head. "I have several houses in the capital. Ling'er manages the money, and she said property in the capital is sure to rise in price, so she bought several more courtyards to hold. If I stay with you it will be somewhat inconvenient, and you have little money besides; food and clothing are a problem for you."
The Imperial Teacher of Jingping stared, dumbfounded.
Shen Mu took his leave, called over Heaven Venerable Yu, who was stealing and eating the Water Qilin's spirit pills, and called Gongsun Yan as well.
Gongsun Yan came running in a flurry and whispered, "Did you find out how to have a child?"
Shen Mu's face reddened slightly and he nodded gently.
Gongsun Yan lowered her voice even more, fearful of being overheard. "Actually I know. You could have asked me. When the time comes for us to bloom, we can pollinate and have children."
Shen Mu was dumbstruck.
Gongsun Yan stirred the water in the pond of the Imperial Teacher's residence with her horsetail whisk, lifted it, and sprinkled water on Shen Mu's head, saying earnestly, "You must water yourself diligently, and then you will grow faster. When I bloom, and you bloom, you can use your male flower to pollinate my female flower."