Chapter 1711 — A Treacherous Minister Lurks at the Emperor's Side
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
Shen Mu said unhurriedly: "Heavenly Lord Hao, by all means raise your hand and point at me, and see whether I am reduced to ashes as you say."
The Heavenly Emperor's pupils shrank sharply.
Shen Mu stood at the ship's prow, gazing far across at the countless hosts of gods and demons of the Heavenly Court, and said mildly: "It would be hardly fair for the soldiers of both sides to fight to the death. How about this: before the eyes of both armies, you and I fight a life-and-death duel between the lines."
He raised a hand and made a faint chopping motion: "If I die by your hand, then Jingping and Carefree Village surrender wholly, to be dealt with as you please. If you die by mine, then the Heavenly Court dissolves here and now. Hao, do you dare?"
The Heavenly Emperor's gaze fixed hard upon his face, and the two men's eyes met, neither yielding.
The Heavenly Emperor Hao rose from his imperial carriage, his aura growing ever stronger, and said grimly: "In the year I came of age I slew the Heavenly Lord Yu, and put an end to Xie Wuqi. Grown, I deposed a Heavenly Emperor, finished off the Heavenly Lord Yun, destroyed Chiming, pacified Shanghuang, and forced Kaihuang to flee far away to Carefree Village! In recent years the Great Emperor has bowed his head, Taichu has submitted, and I have overborne the Ten Heavenly Lords to become Heavenly Emperor! That I can sit upon this seat rests upon unmatched martial power! What would I not dare?"
Shen Mu's robes flapped in the wind, and he smiled: "You have suffered only two great defeats, and both were at my hands."
The Heavenly Emperor's killing intent grew stronger and stronger, and he made to step out of the carriage.
Just then, the Hall Master of Lingguan said in a deep voice: "Heavenly Emperor, when two armies are arrayed for battle, for the Heavenly Emperor to risk the courage of a common man is gravely unwise."
The Heavenly Emperor Hao narrowed his eyes, gave a snort, stepped back into the carriage and sat down, and said mildly: "The Hall Master speaks truly. Lord Mu, I mean to destroy your realm, destroy your ideals, destroy the faith of your whole life — not merely to kill you. Killing you would be too cheap."
Shen Mu laughed: "Hao, twice defeated by me, you no longer dare fight me."
The Heavenly Emperor's hand clenched into a fist, and again he made to rise.
The Hall Master of Lingguan coughed once and said: "One exalted as Heavenly Emperor should have the bearing and cultivation of a Heavenly Emperor. To indulge only in the courage of a common man — how could one then be lord of heaven and earth?"
Taichu, Taiji and other such beings came forward one after another to remonstrate: "To duel before the two armies is the act of a brute. Let Your Majesty think thrice!"
The Heavenly Emperor waved his hand, and the imperial carriage turned back. Shen Mu's voice followed, tinged with disappointment: "So you still do not dare. Little Hao, you have not even the courage for a single bout with me — by what virtue or ability do you command the heroes of the world? How could they submit to you?"
The Heavenly Emperor's chest heaved violently; forcing down his rage, he returned to the Heavenly Court's camp.
The Hall Master of Lingguan said: "Your Majesty, your strength is a shade inferior to his; you are not yet his match."
The Heavenly Emperor could not conceal the wrath in his breast, and said in a lowered voice with a cold laugh: "Brother of the Dao, I have made whole every flaw in my cultivation method — how could I fear a mere rebel Mu? If I wished to kill him now, he would not last ten moves in my hands!"