Chapter 1740 — Once More Treading the Road of the Old Garden

The Woodcutter Sage nodded without a word, his voice low: "Daoist Su, you alone staying will not be enough.

" "Then I shall stay as well," said Yan Rinuan, slowing his steps and coming to his side.

Fang Youji halted his steps: "And I.

" Gao Baixun likewise fell a step behind and said, "I have always thought well of this generation of the Sorrowless Land's young.

In those days I took them for good-for-nothings who cared only for food and drink and did nothing worthwhile; now that they have come through war, they have become fine indeed.

" The two old fellows Zhou Jingmeng and Zhou Xunfang stepped forward, laughing: "We brothers are old things both; we mean to stay and win the young ones a little time. " "Heavenly Master, leave us wounded soldiers behind as well.

" A soldier who had lost both legs stopped and looked up with hope in his eyes: "Carrying us wounded will only slow the army's march.

Better that we stay with the Junior Guardian Fang and the others and buy time for the rest, than that the whole army perish! " The Woodcutter Sage nodded without a word, and many wounded and maimed gods and demons detached themselves from the retreating ranks.

Others still would have stepped forward, but the Woodcutter Sage raised a hand.

"This is enough.

If we cannot join up with Jingping in time, the others still have their chance.

Old brothers all — this battle is our farewell, and the Heavenly Pavilion will escort you no further.

" Fang Youji glared at him wide-eyed, then suddenly huffed with anger: "Wen Tiange, I have never once liked the look of you.

They say you are a sage without feeling, wise beyond all others yet without righteousness. Here we are, about to die today, and these cripples too will stay and fight to the death, and you remain so cold, your brow not even creasing?

Today you must give us a smile! " The Woodcutter Sage showed a gentle smile.

"Not that kind of false smile!

" A smile came over the Woodcutter Sage's face; his eyes stung, and he turned his face away and hid it behind his sleeve, stealthily wiping away an old man's tears. Seeing this, Fang Youji pressed him no further, and sighed: "A sage is a man too; your heart is flesh and blood as well. Wen Tiange, to have served at the side of you and Shen Ye, in glory and uproar, for forty thousand years — my heart is content, and I have no regrets left.

Now go, and quickly!

" He waved his hand. The Woodcutter Sage bowed low to the ground and followed the great retreating host. Fang Youji stood his coffin upright and wiped it down with vigor, then began to whistle; he had polished this coffin for twenty thousand years, until it shone with a glossy luster.

The old fellow pressed his cheek to the coffin and chuckled: "This day, at last, it is put to use. . . " Gao Baixun, a schoolmaster wearing a tall crown, listened to Fang Youji's whistling and watched the Heavenly Court's God Host draw nearer and nearer; the ferule in his hand tapped lightly against his palm, keeping time with the whistle.

The scholar rocked his head and began softly to chant: "Behold my will to level the heavens, ascend my Hall That Rivals Heaven, raise my Qingming coffin, climb my Xuantai Mountain.

" The old generals of the Sorrowless Land, its maimed officers, its wounded soldiers, all grew calm at heart and listened quietly to his chanting; Fang Youji's whistling seemed to grow more ethereal still, as though it bore them back to the Sorrowless Land in the void of the other shore.

Those years seemed like yesterday, close before their eyes.

Gao Baixun tapped his palm with the ferule, began to walk, and suddenly fell to dancing; in his consciousness the Creator and the Sorrowless Land took shape, and the Creator's divine maidens danced in the air, their movements full of grace. "Contemplate all things born, in Great Peace together at ease, climb high and gaze toward the other shore, the Creator unfolds the starry sky. Enter my Sorrowless Land, and shun the world's vexations.

" His voice gradually sank low and free of care; then of a sudden it turned ringing and forceful, like the sound of metal and stone, and the whistling grew fierce as well!

"One morning the great dream wakes — I take once more the road to my old home!

" "I tread the peril of my heaven's course! I battle the vicious wolves and jackals!

I bury the souls of my heroes!

I inter the bones of my righteous men! " "Frost and wind may age me — I do not fear!

" "Swords and blades may wound me — I do not startle!

" "Let me be ground to dust and shattered! " "Let my soul scatter and my spirit fly!

" He tore off his tall crown, his hair falling loose over his shoulders, and gazing at the Heavenly Court's gods and demons drawing ever nearer, his angry hair streamed and flew: "All who go forth to the Yuan Realm are righteous men!

In the Void, every place is home! " Many an old soldier, many an old general of the Sorrowless Land rose to their feet, rousing their own broken divine weapons, stirring up the last of their vital essence.

Gao Baixun laughed aloud and charged straight at the Heavenly Court's God Host: "Come on then!

Little whelps of the Heavenly Court — trample over my corpse!

" The rest laughed and followed him in the charge, and heaven and earth erupted with their shout: "Trample over our corpses!

"