Chapter 1106 — The Recluse of Dragon Mountain

Shang Pingyin looked at Dragon Qilin, and the blow struck him all the harder; he rose to his feet with a bitter smile, his hair white as snow, his voice worn thin with years: "May I ask, sir, your honorable name? " At once the Nether Lord pricked up his ears, ready to note down Dragon Qilin's true name and bow him to death.

Dragon Qilin laughed: "I dwell deep in the mountains, contemplating the myriad forms of heaven and earth, comprehending every art of number and divination, and I style myself the Dragon Mountain Wanderer.

" "The Dragon Mountain Wanderer? I am much obliged for the instruction!

" Shang Pingyin bowed low to him, then rose and went staggering away; his voice, like weeping and like lament, came drifting back from afar: "You are still young — you are still young!

The foremost Heavenly Master under heaven — that name is yours. . .

" Dragon Qilin could hardly hide his smugness, and thought: "In ancient times I too have made my name. Hmm, it seems I cannot leave it behind. If I give my true name, that wretch the Nether Lord will surely make me die a death too hideous to look upon. And yet the name Dragon Mountain Wanderer rings out splendidly enough!

" He was full of ambition, and his only regret was that in human form he had no tail to wag, to show himself off.

That was the sole regret.

Shen Mu had guided him to rout the armies of the Heavenly Court, and his divine consciousness was so gravely depleted that he fell unconscious once more.

The Dark Turtle Heavenly Palace, meanwhile, settled into calm. Crown Prince Youming did not put away the Azure Sky Canopy of Colored Glass, but still let that treasure guard the heavenly palace; as for himself, he hurried east and west, healing the wounded and burying the clansmen who had fallen in battle, busy without pause. Dragon Qilin, Yan'er, the Nether Lord and the others he settled in Jade Capital City to lodge for the time, treating them as honored guests and entertaining them warmly.

Several days passed. When Crown Prince Youming had finished his work, the Nether Lord's injuries had improved greatly as well, and God King Gong Yun had at last calmed the chaos of her divine consciousness, gaining ever nimbler control over this new body.

She kept her word, too: once her consciousness was settled, she at once helped Shen Mu heal the damage to his. "In your battle with Dahong, Dahong's supreme divine consciousness wounded you grievously — not because your divine-consciousness art is inferior to his, but because your cultivation in divine consciousness is inferior to his. " As God King Gong Yun healed him, she observed Shen Mu's divine consciousness, and could not help being shaken.

Puzzled, she said: "One who possesses such attainment in divine consciousness cannot be an innate living being; it can only be a Creator. Venerable Mu, your origins make me curious.

" Under her care Shen Mu woke, his complexion much improved, and said with a smile: "I too am half a Creator. " God King Gong Yun's eyes flickered: "Under all heaven the Creators have been exterminated; only one branch fled into the void and made for themselves another heaven and earth.

The Grand Emperor is dead, and I am dead; having no fleshly body, he and I are no longer Creators. In this universe, I fear you are the only half a Creator. Your origins are truly strange — can you not tell me of them in detail?

" Shen Mu did not answer directly: "One day in the future I shall ascend from the Origin Realm to the Heavenly Court, and there we shall meet again. Then the God King will understand everything.

" God King Gong Yun pressed no further. "I repay kindness and grudge alike, and I discern them clearly. You saved me from the Ancestral Court, and this time you saved me again from the Heavenly Court — two rescues. This is the first repayment of my debt; in days to come I will repay it a second time, and after that the account is squared. " Shen Mu said with feeling: "The God King's divine consciousness is mighty; you need only use force, and you could learn every secret of mine from my consciousness.

Yet you did not raise a hand. Do the God Kings of ancient times possess the noble virtue of a gentleman as well?

" "Who says a gentleman can only be a man? " Gong Yun sneered. "What I loathe about you men is that you are all benevolence and righteousness on your lips while thieving and whoring behind your backs — so sanctimonious, so sickening!

" Shen Mu felt a little guilty. "I do not mean you. I have had ill fortune with people; I mean the Grand Emperor and Heavenly Emperor Taichu.

" Gong Yun, having healed him, rose and said: "I must go.

The depletion of your divine consciousness is great; though the wound is healed, its cultivation cannot be restored in a moment. Cultivate well yourself, and until you recover, do not rely on force and pick fights, lest you never recover at all.

" Shen Mu nodded.

"What does Master Gong intend to do?

" "You call me Master Gong? " Gong Yun could not hold back a laugh. "Why call me Master? " Shen Mu said: "When one meets a gentleman, one calls him Master.

You are a gentleman, and deserve the title.

" Gong Yun shook her head and laughed: "I am hardly such a goody-goody gentleman either.

This fleshly body has poor aptitude; I may set her free, though I will wipe away her memories of this time.

I will choose another of excellent aptitude to be born through.

" She raised her head and gazed at the starry sky beyond the heavens over the Heavenly River, and said softly: "There are no Creators left in this world, and I too should cast off the glory of a Creator and live my life well. In those years I was one of the Three Kings; in my rebirth hereafter I shall also be the mightiest being in the world! " She broke into a smile: "If in the future you meet a woman famed throughout the world, holding great power, and surnamed Gong — then that will be me!

I will cast off the past, embrace this age, and become the brightest star among the brilliant host of this starry sky! " "Farewell, Venerable Mu! " Her figure vanished in an instant. Shen Mu rose and walked out from the halo behind Yan'er's head, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"A truly remarkable woman. The Grand Emperor was not worthy of her, nor was the Heavenly Emperor. " Shen Mu marveled. Yan'er said joyfully: "Young Master, is your injury quite healed?

" Shen Mu smiled: "My life is in no danger; only, for some time to come I cannot use my divine consciousness, and must rest.

Do not disturb me, and all will be well.

Where is Dragon Pi?

" Yan'er said: "Fatty Dragon was dragged off by Crown Prince Youming, saying they are preparing to celebrate this victory.

Fatty Dragon also said the Nether Lord means no good, that he intends to steal the Azure Sky Canopy of Colored Glass, and will likely make his move during the celebration. Young Master. .

. " She looked at Shen Mu, hesitating whether to go on. Shen Mu understood her mind, and after a moment's thought said: "You two decide for yourselves.

Crown Prince Youming is an honest man, and honest men do not live to the end of Dragon Han.

" Yan'er was startled. She walked out of the room, closed the door behind her, sought out Dragon Qilin, and said: "The Young Master says that honest men do not live to the end of Dragon Han.

" Dragon Qilin said gravely: "I understand. Rest easy, I know my measure.

" Yan'er looked at him, then burst out laughing: "Fatty Dragon, after my mother is reborn, will you come and propose marriage?

" Dragon Qilin was busy with the celebration; at these words he was all fluster, his face flushed red, and he knocked over a whole pile of dishes and bowls. Yan'er scolded angrily: "Do you think I'm too fat?

Or too ugly? " Dragon Qilin said hastily: "No, no!

I too have been fat and I too have been ugly; and you are beautiful whether thin or fat.