Chapter 948 — The Sea Right Before My Eyes
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
Shen Mu stepped into the pavilion and stood shoulder to shoulder with the other Shen Mu, gazing out over the waters of the Jade Pool. "Heavenly Venerable Mu does not seem the least bit surprised.
" The other Shen Mu shot him a glance and smiled.
"If I saw another me standing right before me, I would be so startled I'd cry out, and my very next thought would be to do away with him. Because in this world, I alone am unique. " Shen Mu smiled. "The Heavenly Court can manufacture Heavenly Venerable You, and a dozen of them at that.
What is it to manufacture another me? This body was made in the Heavenly Court's Palace of Zaofu, was it not? It is a close likeness. But even if you manufacture an exact copy of me, the very next moment it falls behind. " The other Shen Mu observed his every word and every movement, imitating his gestures and the tone of his speech.
"It is not a matter of manufacturing another you. My true aim is to replace you. Thus you will die without sound or trace, while the other you lives on. " He imitated Shen Mu's subtle gestures, to the very life.
"After you die, you will continue to live on as a leader of the Jingping Reform. You will still be Heavenly Venerable Mu, moving among your comrades. Tubo, the Heavenly Duke—none of them will see any flaw. These ancient gods dream of preserving your life, hoping that the great sorcerer who survives ten thousand kalpas can revive them. You have given these rotting beings hope, yet it will never occur to them that you died long ago. " Shen Mu turned his head. The eyelids at the center of his brow parted slowly to either side, revealing a third eye.
He surveyed the body. "You must be Heavenly Venerable Hao. My defeated foe—twice beaten at my hands.
" The Shen Mu opposite him had his pupils suddenly contract. A vertical eye also appeared on his brow, its eyelids parting slowly to either side. The speed with which his third eye opened was all but identical to Shen Mu's—clearly, he was still imitating him.
His pupils, too, were diamond-shaped. Evidently the Dao Ancestor had observed Shen Mu with great care, ensuring that every detail matched him exactly.
Even the clothing and ornaments, down to the position of every hair and the number of every strand, were exactly the same! Such was the conscientious nature of the Dao Ancestor.
"The first time was in the early years of Longhan, and it was here as well.
" Shen Mu said with keen interest, "I beat you like a dog driven from its home, fleeing for its life in panic.
Your subordinates fought desperately to block me, to stop me from killing you, but I slaughtered them like chickens. Their blood and yours dyed this Jade Pool red. Your mother, Lady Yuanmu, projected herself here to save you, yet in her very presence I still beat you into a dead dog. How long did you nurse your wounds? " The Shen Mu opposite said, "The medicine of that time was poor. The Heavenly Emperor invited famous physicians to save me, but those healers were incompetent—not one could cure your sword intent and the wounds from your blade.
I lay on a sickbed for over a hundred years, unable to eat or drink; I had to be fed by others. I lost control of my bowels and bladder; I needed palace maids to attend me even when I relieved myself. During those hundred-odd years, I thought of death more than once. I even begged my mother the Empress to kill me, more than once. " Shen Mu smiled. "That is what I bestowed on you. You lay abed only a hundred-odd years; Heavenly Venerable You has lain for a million years.
" "Afterward my wounds gradually healed, and I could walk again. Only then did I realize that the wounds of the flesh had long since healed; what had not healed was my Dao-heart.