Chapter 1190 — The Venerable's Lantern
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 3
" He walked on carrying the lantern, passing through the endless river of stars, and could not help but marvel inwardly.
That lantern Venerable Yue had given him was worthy of being a treasure used by a Heavenly Venerable; one could only admire it.
"Venerable Yue is so mighty in her divine arts — how then was her leg broken?
Why can it not be healed no matter what?
" Shen Mu was perplexed and doubtful, and he thought again of the scroll painting Venerable Yue had given him — the painting Shen Mu himself had painted and given to Venerable Yue; in the peach grove, Venerable Yue had given it back to him. "I still have two chances to return to the past.
I mean to use both to rescue Venerable Ling; and the other chance, perhaps, may let me see Venerable Yue again. .
. " He walked on through the night carrying his lantern, threading through the starry sky.
He raised a hand and took out the Egg of Taishi, studying closely the Dao sound that issued from it.
Imperceptibly he sank once more into a deep sleep, and yet his feet walked on without cease. His dream rose up out of his mind: amid its countless scenes, hundreds of miniature Shen Mus burrowed out, and while listening to the Taishi's Dao sound they diligently wrote and drew.
More than ten days passed, and Shen Mu caught up with Venerable Gong; under Venerable Gong's dumbstruck gaze, he carried his lantern off in fine style. Another half day, and Shen Mu overtook Heavenly Consort Yan and the Ancestral God King.
The two Heavenly Venerables goggled at him; Shen Mu, as though no one else were present, hoisted his lantern and left them far behind. "This whelp, with an egg propped on his head, looks down his nose at everyone!
" The Ancestral God King was furious and strove forward in pursuit, but instead of catching Shen Mu he fell ever farther behind.
The Ancestral God King raged and stamped and cursed without cease. Shen Mu caught up as well with Venerable Xiao and Venerable Qiang, who were chatting and laughing like the closest of friends, and who watched helplessly as Shen Mu walked straight past them.
The two stared blankly at the sleeping Shen Mu, then exchanged a glance. Heavenly Consort Qiang laughed.
"Daoist Brother, look at that egg — does it not resemble the treasure lost from Zhaoyang Hall? " Venerable Xiao said mildly, "I am no man of the Imperial house.
How would I know what treasures are kept in Zhaoyang Hall? Heavenly Consort, do not jest.
" Venerable Hao and Divine Emperor Langxuan walked at the very front. Suddenly something stirred in their hearts, and they turned their heads together — and there was Shen Mu, snoring, coming up from behind, passing by them at a speed that made the eyes ache. "Venerable Yue's divine art is worthy to be counted among the strangest of divine arts," Divine Emperor Langxuan could not help praising.
Venerable Hao said mildly, "However strange, she is no more than a paralytic who cannot move. The only parts of her that still stir are her two hands and her head.
If she does not behave herself, even her head will not move. " Divine Emperor Langxuan laughed. "Back then it took considerable trouble to cripple her, and the methods were none too honorable.
" "The victor is king and the loser a bandit; a defeat is a defeat. " Venerable Hao's gaze was deep and profound.
"After Venerable Yun died, she had already announced to all the world that she would retire and not emerge for a hundred thousand years.
Yet when Venerable Ling went to invite her, she broke her word and came forth. Two women, daring to try to overturn the heavens! " Divine Emperor Langxuan said, "And we have Venerable Xiao to thank for his great understanding of what is right.
" Venerable Hao nodded slightly, a strange light in his eyes.
"Xiao Weisu, heh heh — an interesting fellow. .
.
In the past he never got the better of me, and in the future he never will!