Chapter 148 — Anesthetic Faint
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
The lad looks like a refugee from a famine, Ling Yushu thought. Does he mean to flee down the mountain? When Libationer Bashan saw Shen Mu, he breathed a sigh of relief at last and said with a smile, "Everyone is here!
" Ling Yushu gave a start and looked at Libationer Bashan, stammering, "The one you were waiting for is him? " Libationer Bashan nodded, shattering the last shred of hope left in his heart. Ling Yuxiu, meanwhile, was beside herself with glee, watching her thoroughly bewildered brother with great complacency.
Her brother's little schemes could hardly escape her.
Ling Yushu hesitated inwardly, wanting to ask Libationer Bashan whether the arrangement might be withdrawn, yet finding it hard to speak the words.
"Teacher Bashan, may I also cultivate under you? " Ling Yushu asked hurriedly, still unwilling to give up.
Libationer Bashan shook his head.
"Second Prince, your cultivation is too high. You have already reached the Seven Stars realm, and you are advanced in years; your path is already fixed.
I cannot teach you.
Set your mind at ease: the Seventh Princess will not suffer under my charge. Go back.
" Ling Yushu could not bear to leave, and stood there glaring viciously at Shen Mu. Shen Mu was puzzled, not knowing how he had offended this prince. Libationer Bashan said gravely, "Since everyone is here, we set out!
" Shen Mu said hastily, "Teacher, a moment!
" Libationer Bashan halted and looked back.
Shen Mu walked up to the dragon qilin, and the enormous azure ox hastily backed away, watching him warily.
Shen Mu paid it no mind; holding his breath, he took out a small jade bottle, unstoppered it, and held it beneath the dragon qilin's nose.
The dragon qilin was at once drugged limp and crumpled to the ground. The great azure ox leaped far away in a panic, staring at him in fright.
Shen Mu stoppered the bottle tight; the little fox stirred up a wild wind to scatter the strange fragrance drifting from its mouth, and only then did Shen Mu draw breath. Snow Fox took another bottle from the bundle and handed it to Shen Mu.
He opened it; a pungent sour reek rose from it, and he poured the liquid down the dragon qilin's throat.
It was juice pressed from lemons. Though the dragon qilin lay numb and could not move, its tongue, meeting the sourness of the lemon, could not help but secrete saliva. Snow Fox hastily brought out one jade bottle after another from the bundle, and Shen Mu took them and held them to the corner of the dragon qilin's mouth to catch the drool. He filled a dozen or so bottles, until the qilin had all but drained itself dry and at last stopped flowing.
Shen Mu rose and smiled. "Teacher, Sister Xiu, we can set out.
" Libationer Bashan glanced at the drugged dragon qilin and asked curiously, "What are you collecting the dragon's saliva for? " Shen Mu explained, "It is a wonder drug for treating wounds. Should one take a cut from blade or sword, smear it on the wound, and it will make rotten flesh grow anew and dead skin slough away.
On this excursion there will surely be injuries, so I have laid in a good store against mischance.
" Something stirred in Libationer Bashan's heart.
This act of Shen Mu's was likely not merely to deal with hurts along the road, but to restore the Butcher, to bring back the Butcher's lower half and make his body whole again. Shen Mu said further, "Teacher, might I borrow this azure ox of yours for a while? " The ox said warily, "Don't you try anything!
I have sworn brother-and-sister with your Ling'er. If you eat me, my sister will fight you to the death! Isn't that so, Sister Ling'er?
" Snow Fox said smugly, "He drank too much and swore brotherhood with me; he is my little brother now.
" Shen Mu laughed. "I only want you to carry my baggage for me.
Look at you in such a fluster.
Oh, that reminds me, I had a look just now. That dragon qilin is male.