Chapter 940 — The Plague God Descends
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
He has barely been freed of the blood curse, and now he wants to go down and seek death—would that not be the end of the Yun family line? Heavenly Venerable Mu, you are close to him; help me persuade him. " Shen Mu smiled. "Does Sister-in-law think the Heavenly Court is safer, or the lower realm? " "Naturally the Heavenly—" Lady Yunxiao paused, then understood, and smiled.
"Serving a lord is like serving a tiger, and here the Heavenly Court has ten Heavenly Venerables; the peril is ten times greater. But the lower realm too is full of danger, with no future in it.
If the Heavenly Court should decide to send down a calamity, he would only be caught in the fall of it.
" Shen Mu glanced at her. "Overthrow this Heavenly Court, and would that not be safety? A fledgling must leave the nest in the end. And in my view, Yun Jianli is no fledgling; the ambitions in his breast are not small.
He comports himself with great measure in the Empress's company, displaying the highest skill.
In my view, Sister-in-law need not keep him bound. " "You know that Yun Chuxiu is the Empress?
" Lady Yunxiao's scalp prickled; suddenly she bowed with grace and sighed. "I truly do not wish Yun Jianli to walk the old road of his ancestor.
The Yun family has at last one child who may live long. Yet since the Heavenly Venerable is the Yun family's benefactor, I entrust Jianli's life to you, my benefactor! " Shen Mu hastily returned the bow.
"Sister-in-law, please, you overwhelm me! " The two rose. Shen Mu smiled. "Yun Jianli is an outstanding man of this age; once he descends to the lower realm he will surely soar, his achievements far beyond what Sister-in-law imagines.
She need not worry about him.
" Lady Yunxiao said, "I hope he may revive the Yun family and restore our ancestors' great work—but I do not want him to throw his life away.
Heavenly Venerable Mu, you men always have all manner of ideals and ambitions. I truly do not understand such things; I can only silently support you from behind. Farewell. " Shen Mu saw her off.
The women of the Yun family departed, while Yun Jianli and Yun Chuxiu remained in Yaochi. Shen Mu fell into thought. "Heavenly Venerable Yun left me a box? The box is with the Dao Ancestor?
Is the Dao Ancestor still the same slovenly Daoist from the old Yaochi gathering?
Still Heavenly Venerable Yun's friend upon the Dao? Has he lost himself in the power and luxury of this Heavenly Court? " He pondered long, and at last made up his mind. He must, by whatever means, go and see this slovenly old Daoist!
"Only, to go straight to the Heavenly Court's Daoist sect to see the Dao Ancestor would too easily leave traces, and too easily bring trouble upon him.
" Shen Mu mused a moment, his plan settled. "After the Yaochi incident, you still dare go out?
Aren't you afraid of being beaten to death? " Qi Jiuyi was much displeased and berated Shen Mu, shouting, "If you want to go out, go by yourself! Second Brother, Sister Yan'er, and I will stay here and watch you go to your death alone!
" Long Qilin walked to stand behind Shen Mu, and Yan'er turned into a plump little bird perched atop Long Qilin's head, looking back at Qi Jiuyi.
Qi Jiuyi flew into a rage, storming over, face dark, saying not a word.
Yun Jianli watched him curiously, thinking, "Is Qi Jiuyi not the Heavenly Venerable's follower? He dares speak to a Heavenly Venerable like that. " He did not know that Qi Jiuyi and Shen Mu had never gotten along; that they had not come to blows was already a great face shown to Long Qilin, his Second Brother.
Yun Chuxiu said softly, "Brother Jiu, a turn outside is a good thing.
Fair though Yaochi's scenery is, one wearies of it in time.
Brother Jiu, come stroll about with me. " At that "Brother Jiu," Qi Jiuyi's very bones went soft and his soul took flight; sweetness welled in his heart.
"This demon girl is truly formidable—my Dao heart.
. .
to the devil with my Dao heart! " Yun Jianli followed them.