Chapter 1047 — The Vast Cosmic Star Map
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
Shen Mu smiled, and in that brief moment the muscles of his arms had already healed.
Emperor Xuan glanced at him, then addressed the Sword Gods of the Zhenwu Sword Academy: "Since you are willing to go, then make the journey to the Yuan World. But remember one thing: you are no longer the Sword Gods of the Northern Pole Heaven, nor are you my descendants. First, you must not act in my name, for you have been expelled from the Northern Emperor's line. Second, you have no backing and stand above no one; treat the people of Jingping, who are weaker than you, with kindness. Do you understand?
" Shen Mu found himself regarding Emperor Xuan with new respect. These instructions of his were most timely: if they did not act in Emperor Xuan's name, these Zhenwu Sword Gods would not draw the Heavenly Court's notice and would escape a great deal of peril, and even if they committed some offense, it would not implicate the Northern Pole Heaven. Having no backing and treating the people of Jingping well, they would have no quarrel with Jingping.
But if they presumed upon being of the Northern Emperor's blood, looked down on Jingping, and bullied the weak, it would only bring disaster down upon them, and Shen Mu, for one, would not tolerate them. With these two points observed, this batch of Zhenwu Sword Gods could blend into Jingping and become part of Jingping's reforms. Old ginger is the pungent one; Emperor Xuan saw it all clearly.
The Zhenwu Sword Gods assented.
Emperor Xuan stripped them of their surnames, and the leading Zhenwu Sword God said to Shen Mu: "Heavenly Worthy, we are now men without surnames.
We beg the Heavenly Worthy to grant us one.
" Shen Mu mused for a moment, then said: "Forty thousand years ago you entered the Dao through the sword and became gods through the sword, and now it is because of the sword Dao that you leave the Northern Pole Heaven and have your surnames taken back. Then let the sword be your surname.
" The leading Zhenwu Sword God smiled and said: "Then I shall be called Sword Wuji. " "I am Sword Sansheng.
" "I am Sword Yutang!
" Everyone burst out laughing.
Emperor Xuan could not help saying: "Heavenly Worthy Mu, these juniors of mine are not without ability, but they have seen little of the world and do not know its wickedness.
I beg the Heavenly Worthy to treat them kindly.
" Shen Mu nodded solemnly: "Rest assured, Emperor Xuan. My reputation in the Yuan World is excellent; I am called the conscience of Jingping.
Who among those who speak of me does not raise a thumb and praise me as a peerless good man? I will certainly not treat them shabbily. " Emperor Xuan said: "Yes, yes.
I too have inquired after the Heavenly Worthy's conduct, and he is praised by all. " With that he threw a glance at Sword Wuji and said in a low voice: "Keep your wits about you. Whatever you do, do not let yourself be sold and then count the money for the buyer!
" Sword Wuji felt a chill in his heart.
Shen Mu wrote a letter and handed it to Sword Wuji, saying: "You senior and junior brothers go first to Jingping in the Yuan World, and deliver my letter to Emperor Yanxiu; she will make the arrangements. Emperor Xuan, why not give them the hundred Five Thunder Gourds now, for them to carry to Jingping? What say you?
" Emperor Xuan nodded: "Sword Wuji, after you have fetched the hundred Five Thunder Gourds, go once more to the Zhenwu Dao Academy and fetch the six volumes of the Mystic Martial Dao Explication and the Fire Bell Divine Weapon scroll, and carry them to Jingping as a gift for Emperor Yanxiu. " Sword Wuji accepted the order and led the others away.
Emperor Xuan watched them go, then sighed: "A wild goose flying past gets plucked, and the Heavenly Worthy Mu plucks hard indeed.
Now the Heavenly Worthy can see my sincerity, surely? " Shen Mu bowed low to the ground and said gravely: "Emperor Xuan did not scorn me for my humble strength, but instead entrusted me with a heavy charge.