Chapter 1043 — Nine Farewells to the Heavenly Worthy
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 5
Shen Mu called Long Qilin and Yan'er and walked outward.
After traveling some thousand li, they saw behind them divine light filling the heavens and heavenly dragons dancing in confusion. The East Emperor had again come with his civil and military ministers, laughing heartily. "My first farewell to the Heavenly Worthy left me unsatisfied, so I have come to see him off again!"
Yan'er and Long Qilin were startled. They thought: "Could it be that the East Emperor, having lost face and been taken advantage of by the young master—the Cult Master—has come to silence them and seize back his treasure?"
Shen Mu jumped down from Long Qilin's back, his face showing emotion, and sighed. "Your Majesty's first farewell already overwhelmed me with favor; a second would make me blush with shame. Your Majesty, I accept your kindness in my heart—please stay."
The East Emperor sighed. "Meeting the Heavenly Worthy has stirred me deeply. If I do not see you off, my heart cannot bear the parting."
Shen Mu bowed with hands clasped; the East Emperor returned the salute and personally helped him onto Long Qilin's back. "A smooth journey!"
"Your Majesty, please stay."
Long Qilin ran forward. Glancing back without thinking, he saw the East Emperor in his azure dragon form, leading the many divine dragons of the Eastern Pole Heaven, still standing in midair and watching from afar—truly deep in feeling.
Long Qilin was about to open his mouth to question Shen Mu when divine light surged and the East Emperor again came with his followers, calling loudly, "Heavenly Worthy Mu, stay!"
Shen Mu had Long Qilin stop, and jumped down. Beside them dragon maidens held trays bearing fine wine and golden cups. The East Emperor poured the wine himself and raised his cup. "On this visit of the Heavenly Worthy, I never once drank to drunkenness with you. That is my fault. At parting, I toast the Heavenly Worthy a cup."
Shen Mu took up his cup and drank facing him, smiling. "I am a poor drinker—Mu is already tipsy. A single cup of Your Majesty's fine wine surpasses a thousand jars of good brew. Your Majesty, please stay."
The East Emperor watched him mount Long Qilin and waved farewell.
Bearing Shen Mu and Yan'er, Long Qilin came near the Heavenly Worthy Yuyuan, when they saw the East Emperor leading the many experts of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Palace approaching once more. The East Emperor ordered dried fruits presented, saying shamefacedly, "The Heavenly Worthy came to my Eastern Pole Heaven, and I never fully played the host. I specially present some fruits and vegetables."
Shen Mu had Yan'er accept the dried fruits and said, "Your Majesty's great kindness leaves Mu overwhelmed with awe."
The East Emperor waved him off once more, bidding farewell most attentively.
After traveling another thousand li, Long Qilin reached the edge of another divine city, when they saw the East Emperor again come with his followers to see them off. The East Emperor choked and wept, saying, "Parting from the Heavenly Worthy Mu today, I know not when we shall meet again. Let me escort the Heavenly Worthy a little farther."
Shen Mu too could not help shedding tears, choking out, "For the East Emperor's great kindness, Mu could grind his bones to powder and still struggle to repay it!"
The two embraced, then parted, each wiping his tears.
The gods and demons in the six divine cities within the Heavenly Worthy Yuyuan's palm watched this scene, whispering among themselves.
Shen Mu set out on the road again. Long Qilin, full of questions, had no time to ask before he saw the East Emperor once more arriving with his followers, again bidding farewell with great attentiveness.
The East Emperor and his party saw him off nine times in a row, escorting Shen Mu all the way to the side of the heavenly dragon treasure carriage. The East Emperor himself harnessed the heavenly dragons for Shen Mu, helped him up into the carriage, and watched as Shen Mu took his seat.