Chapter 167 — The Patriarch Departs
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 3
The young Patriarch lit several sticks of incense before the sage's statue, and Shen Mu bowed to it with him.
The young Patriarch said, "Many of the Holy Sect's elders and Heavenly Kings are skilled in the art of transmission and can return to Saint's Descent Mountain. That art is carved upon the walls of this hall. Study it step by step.
" Shen Mu looked at the hall's walls.
Carved there was a method of refining a treasure, the method for refining a transmission banner, along with the divine-power formations and runes used in its making. The young Patriarch said, "Every hall of our Holy Sect has different cultivation methods carved upon it, and disciples are not forbidden to study or practice them. One need not hoard a worn broom as a treasure; once a method is spread, learning it is the true skill. You must have breadth of mind, and breadth of heart.
" Shen Mu assented. He looked at Shen Mu. "What is the first thing you intend to do once you become Holy Sect Master?
" Shen Mu pondered a moment, then said, "To establish primary schools in every hall, and to found a three hundred and sixty-first hall: the Hall of Learning. Emperor Jingping's teacher reformed the laws and founded primary and great schools, adding a new profession to the world. Therefore my Holy Sect must add one more hall. The Holy Sect has three hundred and sixty halls; I wish to build three hundred and sixty primary schools, to teach the sect's disciples the way of cultivation.
" Shen Mu sighed in admiration.
A strange thought struck him suddenly: the Dark Demon Sect was not like a sect at all.
It was like a nation! If the nation of Jingping was a sect disguised as a nation, then the Dark Demon Sect was a nation disguised as a sect! The Dark Demon Sect was too much like a nation. Three hundred and sixty halls, each with its own duties, engaged in every trade; the disciples of each hall went about their own livelihoods; there were inspecting envoys to patrol the halls, guardian elders and sect-guarding Heavenly Kings as the army that fended off outside enemies, and the left and right Dharma Protectors as the Dark Demon Sect's lineage. The Dark Demon Sect's followers numbered in the millions, enough to rival a small nation.
Of course, the Dark Demon Sect's followers did not call themselves the Dark Demon Sect, but the Heaven Saint Sect.
"There is one more thing. " The young Patriarch's expression grew grave, and he instructed earnestly: "I know you like to take things apart.
I had the Libationer of Mount Ba watch over you, and still he could not. You took apart the Scholars' Residence again.
The Scholars' Residence can be taken apart, but Saint's Descent Mountain, you must never, ever take apart.
Every hall and every building on this mountain is an ancient relic, and in each are carved many wondrous methods. " Shen Mu's face reddened slightly. He mumbled, "I do not take things apart that often. " "I understand.
You had been at the Great Academy less than eight days; that is, you took it apart two or three times, and then went off beyond the frontier to take things apart there.
" The young Patriarch walked out of the hall.
Elder Dianxing was waiting outside with a pack on his back.
The young Patriarch waved to Shen Mu. "I am leaving. Sect Master, there is no need to see me off. This parting is forever; no matter how far you escort me, we must still part. " Shen Mu shook his head and insisted, "Though it is a final farewell, seeing you off is what my heart would do.
" The young Patriarch nodded and set off down the mountain.
Shen Mu followed close at his side, step for step. He had spent comparatively little time with the young Patriarch, unlike the other elders of the village, who had watched him grow up.