Chapter 862 — Reunion with an Old Acquaintance in the Coffin
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 5
The upright hanging coffin fell into the well and sank toward the bottom. Even in the dark, lightless coffin, they could feel it falling faster and faster. Not only that — they too were falling within the coffin. The depth of this hanging coffin was terrifying. At last Shen Mu saw light coming from below and hastily circulated his mana to steady himself. Before long his feet touched solid ground. He looked up and saw that within the hanging coffin there was actually an octagonal pavilion, with eight lanterns hanging from it, their light dim and quiet. Xing An was alarmed inwardly. He cautiously studied the pavilion and did not go forward. This hanging coffin was too strange. There were no terrifying corpses, only a pavilion — but still he had to act with caution. The pavilion had light, but all around was pitch darkness. Who knew whether a green-haired corpse might suddenly leap out of the dark?
Shen Mu, however, walked forward into the pavilion. Within it was a stone table and four stone stools. On the table were two teacups and a pot of tea. One cup was empty, the other full — the tea a jade green, giving off curling steam. Shen Mu sat down on the side with the tea. He lifted the cup with both hands, bowed toward the opposite seat, head lowered, paying his respects to the empty air. He raised his head, his heart full of emotion. "When we met, you called me junior brother, and I was always harsh with you. You blamed me for being arrogant. You didn't know that a hundred generations separate us — but I did. Later, when you met Niu Ben and Niu Sanduo again, you must have understood. You left this cup of tea — did you mean to drink with me?"
Xing An came over and said coldly, "Hierarch Shen, you dare drink the tea here? Careful — it might be poisoned!"
Shen Mu drained it in one gulp, his heart surging. The tea was astringent with a sweet aftertaste, still warm, as if the one who sat across from him had poured this cup and just risen to leave. Complex emotions crossed Shen Mu's face. He set down the cup, lifted the teapot, and filled the empty cup across from him with green tea. Then he poured himself another cup and said softly, "How I wish you could sit across from me and drink with me. A pity — you are not here." He drained it again. Though it was only tea, he felt somewhat drunk. Drinking alone, he said in a low voice, "Will you come back?"
Though the seat across from him was empty, Xing An still dared not sit. He stood outside the pavilion instead. At this moment Yan Qiling and Mu Qiubai descended with several maidservants. The maidservants warily surveyed the surroundings. The Heavenly Dragon King also descended with several powerful ones under the Earth Mother's command, each of their eyes blazing with divine light that pierced the darkness, searching for danger. But Yan Qiling, Mu Qiubai, and the Heavenly Dragon King all fixed their eyes on Shen Mu, drinking alone at the stone table. On Shen Mu's shoulder, the Green Sparrow rose, flew to the stone stool beside him, and transformed into a demure, lovely girl. She lifted the teapot to pour tea for Shen Mu, then raised the cup to his lips. With a beauty beside him and red sleeves leaning close, Shen Mu looked somewhat unrestrained and rakish.
"The Fallen God Valley hides a great secret." Mu Qiubai said suddenly, "Our master and senior siblings were ordered by His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor to explore this place. Heavenly Dragon King, you must have been ordered by the Earth Mother Yuanjun? The Earth Mother Yuanjun has long dwelled in Yuandu; the secrets of the Fallen God Valley naturally cannot escape her."
The Heavenly Dragon King was silent a moment, then said, "The Earth Mother told me that a Heavenly Venerable is buried here, and sent me to find this Heavenly Venerable."
Suddenly Xing An sniffed and said suspiciously, "You came seeking this deceased Heavenly Venerable — did you bring someone with you?"
Everyone was slightly startled.