Chapter 1016 — An Audience with the Sovereign Invites Trouble
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 5
Yun Chuxiu's eyes darted about; she stepped forward, took God King Langwan's hand, and said with a smile, "Sister Langwan, you and I look so alike, like twin sisters parted for many years. Sister, we must have a good talk, a good chat; who knows but we may truly be sisters separated for many years.
" Lian Huanhun gave a cold hum and said mildly, "Indeed. You are true sisters; and true sisters must guard against a knife in the back!
" God King Langwan said gently, "Why does Sister Lian say such a thing? When I see you two sisters, affection rises in my heart unbidden; I feel as though we were born of the same root, and I cannot help but wish to draw close to you both.
" Shen Mu hurried his steps and left the Heavenly Lord's residence at speed.
Following that divine official, he came to the inner city of the Heavenly Court.
The official said, "It is not the hour of court. His Majesty awaits the Heavenly Lord in the Hall of Nurtured Glory.
" Shen Mu narrowed his eyes and thought: "The Hall of Nurtured Glory?
Could it be that this time the one controlling the Heavenly Emperor's body is a goddess Heavenly Lord? I wonder which of the four goddess Heavenly Lords it is. " When they reached the Hall of Nurtured Glory, the divine official gestured for Shen Mu to wait outside, then walked in with small steps and said, "Your Majesty, Heavenly Lord Mu has arrived.
" "Summon him," came the Heavenly Emperor's voice. The official walked back out with small steps and said to Shen Mu with a smile, "Heavenly Lord, this way, please.
" Shen Mu entered the hall and looked up. There sat the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor upon the throne of the Hall of Nurtured Glory, his body vast and broad, his eyes closed.
Many goddesses held up jade trays, and upon the trays were treasures such as spirit balms and medicinal substances.
The goddesses' colored ribbons fluttered as they flew to and fro around the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, their postures exquisite, carefully applying spirit balm to the Emperor's skin; and some goddesses threaded through the Emperor's hair bun, smearing ointments over his hair to nourish it. Other goddesses sat at the Emperor's feet, pounding spirit medicines with pestles and adding jade spring water to make spirit balm, tending to the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor's feet.
Still other comely girls, upon the exposed skin of the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor, used spirit medicine to meticulously daub the rune marks upon his body. Within this Hall of Nurtured Glory, strings and flutes murmured on; from time to time a goddess struck the chime bells, sending up a melody that soared and lingered.
"Heavenly Lord Mu, please be seated.
" The Ancient God Heavenly Emperor opened his eyes and raised a hand in invitation; several goddesses who had been tending his fingernails hurriedly flew up to follow his palm. And the goddess tending his eyelashes was flustered too, rushing to alight upon his lashes and smooth each one into place. Shen Mu took his seat and went on studying this Ancient God Heavenly Emperor.
Judging by appearance alone, the Ancient God Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Court was almost indistinguishable from the one trapped within the divine ability of Heavenly Lord Ling. His bearing was that of the lord of ten thousand daos; his air was lofty and transcendent, carrying the aura of an overlord who ruled the cosmos and the heavens and earth.
Behind him many goddesses flew to and fro around the halo at the back of his head, wiping that halo so that it shone ever more brilliantly. The Ancient God Heavenly Emperor was also studying Shen Mu, and after a moment he spoke: "Heavenly Lord Mu has toiled greatly, campaigning in Taixu.
Do you know the whereabouts of Heavenly Lord Huo and Heavenly Lord Xu?
" "I report to Your Majesty: Heavenly Lord Huo and Heavenly Lord Xu were trapped in Taixu, and have now broken free.