Chapter 842 — Who Comes Forth to Die?
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
" The Azure Cloud Sect Master hesitated, then ordered another seat brought and placed before the burnt wreck of the statue, a little higher than the seats of the Heavenly Court envoys. Shen Mu sat down, looked around, and said with a smile: "Dao Lord Lin Xuan is a fellow Daoist of my own generation; he too should have a seat of honor.
" The Azure Cloud Sect Master frowned and ordered yet another seat brought. Dao Lord Lin Xuan sat down beside Shen Mu, and Shen Mu said with a smile: "Please, everyone, be seated. " The Azure Cloud Sect Master bowed in thanks, and he and the assembled Daoists took their seats.
Shen Mu breathed a sigh of relief and thought: "It seems the Dao Ancestor is still in this world, not dead.
I only do not know whether he has fallen into the hands of the Outer Heavenly Court, or into the hands of the ancient god Heavenly Emperor, who is already dead.
This old Daoist is beyond comprehension. .
. " He did not know whether the Dao Ancestor of today would still remember old ties.
In the Longhan Era he had given guidance to the Dao Ancestor and to the Great Brahma Heavenly King Buddha, leaving behind a measure of friendship; and when Heavenly Venerable Yu was ambushed and killed, it was Shen Mu who transmitted the Dharma in his stead, teaching the way of longevity—the Dao Ancestor had been among those who listened.
But whether such friendship could withstand the erosion of interest and the long passage of time, Shen Mu in his heart truly could not be sure.
Fortunately the Dao Ancestor had not dared to receive his bow, sparing him from being set upon by the Azure Cloud Sect.
Shen Mu looked at the Heavenly Court envoys and said with a smile: "Fellow Daoists of the Outer Heavenly Court, please be seated. " Those young men and women frowned. The youngest young Daoist said with a laugh: "No need to worry.
We will sit first.
Before me, he cannot stir up much of a wave. " They had scarcely taken their seats when several Daoists came rushing in, panic on their faces, shouting at the top of their voices before they had even arrived: "Disaster! The disciples of the Lords of the Zhou Tian Stars are all dead in the Daoist Academy!
" "What? " The Daoist Palace erupted in uproar. The old Daoists who had just sat down rose to their feet, horror on their faces.
The Heavenly Court envoys were aghast, striking the table and shouting in fury. The Azure Cloud Sect Master shot to his feet, fists clenched, veins standing out on his forehead, cold sweat soon soaking him through.
The young Daoist from the Heavenly Court remained seated on his throne and said coldly: "Fu Yuntian, what is the meaning of this? The disciples of the Heavenly Court's Lords of the Zhou Tian Stars died in Azure Cloud Heaven.
What guilt do you bear? " Cold sweat rolled down the Azure Cloud Sect Master's forehead. He bowed and said: "Be patient a moment, Envoy.
This disciple speaks muddled; I will first question him clearly!
" His voice was hoarse. He reached out and seized the Daoists, demanding: "The disciples of the Lords of the Zhou Tian Stars died in the Daoist Academy—is it true or false?
Are all of them dead? Did any escape?
What were the people of the Academy doing, that they let a murderer sneak in there? Where are they now? " Flustered and confused, he fired off question after question like a string of firecrackers, giving the young Daoists no time to answer.
Only then did the Azure Cloud Sect Master come to his senses. He hastily released the Daoists and softened his tone: "Since it has already happened, tell it bit by bit, and clearly.