Chapter 1020 — Metamorphosing Into Fish and Dragon, Leaving No Trace
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 5
Heavenly Concubine Qiang cast a roving glance at him and said in a soft voice, "Would Your Majesty care to sit a while in your servant's quarters?
" Shen Mu's eyes flickered; he stepped forward, shaking his head. "I am weary, and must return to the Hall of Nourishing Glory to nurse myself properly.
I shall visit my beloved consort another day. " Heavenly Concubine Qiang flew up into the air and alighted in the palm of his hand, tilting her head to gaze at the Heavenly Lord's face, all coquettish grace, and broke into a playful laugh. "Ever since the fall of the Ancient God Heavenly Lord's fleshly body, the rift among us Ten Heavenly Venerables seems to have grown ever wider. It bodes ill indeed if this continues — do you truly believe the words of that whelp, Heavenly Venerable Mu?
" *She takes me for one of the Ten Heavenly Venerables — she has no idea that I am Heavenly Venerable Mu!
* Shen Mu's heart stirred, yet he walked on, saying placidly, "An empty cave draws wind, and never without cause. Heavenly Venerable Mu is but a stripling; I know full well how full of tricks he is, and his words cannot be swallowed whole. Yet he has no reason to deceive us, for Fire Heavenly Venerable and Void Heavenly Venerable are about to return — ask them, and it will be plain whether he lies. " Heavenly Concubine Qiang knit her brows and said in a low voice, "Then whom do you suspect of being the Grand Emperor? " Shen Mu half-smiled.
"Heavenly Venerable Qiang — are you testing me?
" Heavenly Concubine Qiang lay down in his palm upon her side, propping her head upon one arm, the curves of her figure exquisitely graceful, and said softly, "Hearts are uneasy across the Heavenly Alliance; the Ten Heavenly Venerables each suspect the others; the Ancient Gods are not yet pacified, the Grand Emperor stirs further turmoil, and the rebel Shen Ye holds his seat in Carefree Township, secretly swaying the course of events.
This is a moment of life and death for the Heavenly Court — the realm appears as firm as mountains and rivers, yet in truth it is riddled with holes through and through. How can I not be anxious? I wish to find a like-minded friend, and face it all together. " "That friend is not me. " Shen Mu sneered. "Heavenly Venerable Qiang, you have come to the wrong person.
I do not trust you in the least — there is something deeply uncanny about your origins, and I suspect that you are the Grand Emperor yourself!
" Heavenly Concubine Qiang gave a snort of derision and rose to her feet, and an overwhelming pressure instantly forced the Heavenly Lord's fleshly body to a standstill. Shen Mu raised an eyebrow and said, unruffled, "Heavenly Venerable Qiang — have you come looking for a friend, or for an enemy?
Do you truly wish to make me your adversary?
" Heavenly Concubine Qiang laughed, flew up from his palm, and drifted away. "I, too, am a Heavenly Venerable, and no weaker than you.
If you should think of joining hands with me, I shall give you the chance. " Shen Mu let out a breath of relief and continued toward the Hall of Nourishing Glory, thinking to himself, *Damn — there is one thing I have forgotten.
The Ten Heavenly Venerables suspect and doubt one another, yet they also court one another's allegiances. Heavenly Concubine Qiang came seeking me; no doubt the other Venerables will come seeking me too. I have not been unmasked yet, but what is to say I shall not be unmasked later! This fleshly body must be returned as soon as possible! * The Hall of Spreading Fragrance and Zaofu Palace were now out of the question; all he could hope was to return the Heavenly Lord's fleshly body before any other Venerable came seeking him, so as not to betray himself.
After all, he was not one of the Ten Heavenly Venerables. He strode onward, drawing closer and closer to the Hall of Nourishing Glory, when just then he heard a voice laugh, "Where does Your Majesty come from?