Chapter 911 — First Trial of the Calamity Blade
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 5
The Divine Sovereign Wuji said, "Later, the postnatal living beings and the demigods each established their own heavenly courts and waged endless war, and our master changed hands several times. When the first calamity of Longhan erupted, the heavenly court rose up, far from the mortal world, dwelling beyond the nine heavens, and after the war our master became a masterless tree and fell into the mortal world. Tens of thousands of years later, just as our master was about to shed its tree body, it was noticed by a divine being of the Chiming era, cut down, and refined into a pestle."
Shen Mu sighed and wrung his wrists. "The Azure Emperor of the Eastern Heaven's experiences have truly been full of disasters and hardships—quite pitiable."
"Through all these wanderings, our master's primal spirit never perished, and it changed hands several times—at one point even falling into the hands of the Ming Emperor and becoming a divine weapon on the imperial throne. By the Shanghuang era the slaughter grew heavier still, and our master became one of the most powerful divine artifacts contested by the heavenly courts of the Northern and Southern Shanghuang."
The Divine Sovereign Wuji said, "In the Shanghuang era, the ancient gods of the heavenly court also entered the fray. Because our master had been refined too strongly, the Azure Dragon, the Eastern Emperor, personally took action and broke our master in a great battle—and thus formed a feud with our master."
Shen Mu looked at the murals and suddenly understood. "So there is such a grudge. No wonder most of the slaves who built the divine city were of the dragon race, and in the murals the dragons grovel beneath the tree."
The Divine Sovereign Wuji said, "Though our master was broken by the Eastern Emperor, it did not die. By the end of the Shanghuang era it transformed into a human body and swore that one day it would take great revenge. Later, favored by the heavenly court, it rose in a single bound to become the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Heaven, lord of the Eastern Heaven Palace. In the future our master will also replace the Azure Dragon Heaven Palace and become the Eastern Emperor!"
Shen Mu sighed in admiration. "When misfortune reaches its extreme, fortune turns. It seems a person of use will ultimately prove useful after all."
The Divine Sovereign Wuji said, "Our master does not wish to be your enemy, Heaven Venerable Mu. After all, you were kind to our master. As early as in the Jingping Capital, our master gave way to you many times."
Shen Mu's expression turned solemn. "In my heart, I am grateful as well."
The Divine Sovereign Wuji said, "Before our master returned to the Eastern Heaven, it instructed me: if Heaven Venerable Mu could settle here in peace and contentment, the Eastern Heaven Palace would be willing to provide protection and ensure your safety. Our master said that in those years it was a useless piece of wood, and later, because it became useful, it sank into bondage for several hundred thousand years, unable to control its own fate, and only afterward managed to free itself. Heaven Venerable Mu is a clever man and should understand our master's meaning."
Shen Mu smiled. "I understand. The Azure Emperor of the Eastern Heaven wants me to be a useless man—even if I am useful, I should willingly make myself useless and stay here."
The Divine Sovereign Wuji smiled. "That is precisely our master's intent. To protect Heaven Venerable Mu, our master is willing to oppose certain factions—and that is no easy thing. Our master said that Heaven Venerable Mu, having lost his soul, may not be able to hold on for long. Even if the Eastern Heaven Palace suffers a little, it is nothing—Heaven Venerable Mu can retire here and nourish his remaining years in peace. That would also be a way of repaying Heaven Venerable Mu for transmitting the arts and teachings at the Yaochi Grand Gathering. Heaven Venerable Mu should be able to appreciate our master's painstaking care."