Chapter 1057 — Two Thieves and One Constable Cross Blades
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
Shen Mu walked out of the Ninth Heaven of Dao Fire, led the dazed Yan'er up into the palanquin, and said, "Long Pang, drive on."
The Dragon Qilin dared not speak, and silently drove the Celestial Dragon Palanquin away.
Shen Mu's palm was cold. He released Yan'er's hand, took the letter of severance from his breast, and then drew out a small booklet. He opened it: on its pages were the signatures of the Fire Celestial Venerable, the Ling Celestial Venerable, and other Celestial Venerables.
These were signatures he had shamelessly begged from the Seven Ancient Celestial Venerables when he had returned to the early years of the Longhan Era.
Shen Mu set the Fire Celestial Venerable's signature in the booklet beside the signature on the letter of severance and compared them one against the other. The two hands were exactly the same.
"He is still the same Fire Celestial Venerable as before, not the Grand Emperor, nor the Heaven Emperor. And yet he is no longer the Fire Celestial Venerable he once was."
Shen Mu sighed, tucked the letter of severance into the booklet, and asked Yan'er, "Do you have any relic of your mother? It must be a treasure that carries her vital essence. With such a treasure I can try to summon her soul. Even if I cannot call back the soul imprisoned in the Hall of Wafting Incense, I may still call back the shattered soul-fragments scattered between heaven and earth."
Yan'er shook her head. "I only met her a few times. She never gave me anything..."
Shen Mu frowned, then comforted her: "The Southern Emperor and the Moon Celestial Venerable were on excellent terms. Perhaps the Moon Celestial Venerable will have something of your mother's. Do not worry."
From outside came the Dragon Qilin's voice: "Sect Master, the Red Emperor requests an audience."
Shen Mu raised a hand, and the pearl curtain parted of itself to either side. Outside the carriage stood the Red Emperor Qi Xiayu, bowing. "Celestial Venerable," she said.
Shen Mu closed the pearl curtain and said, "Go. The Southern Emperor is dead."
Qi Xiayu's whole body shuddered. It was a moment before she came back to herself, and she said hurriedly, "Then, Celestial Venerable..."
Shen Mu's voice was filled with helplessness: "I cannot bring her back. Long Pi, set off. To the Yuan Realm. Heh heh... you people..."
Several days later the Celestial Dragon Palanquin halted outside a peach grove in the Yuan Realm. Shen Mu got down, entered the grove, Yan'er walking before him with a lantern on a pole.
Before long, the Moon Celestial Venerable's palace came into view.
"Yan'er, wait outside with Long Pang."
Shen Mu gave the order and went alone into the palace ahead.
"The Southern Emperor left no relic with me."
Yan'er faintly heard the Moon Celestial Venerable's voice: "Celestial Venerable Mu would summon her soul, and still he needs a relic?"
"Best is her mortal body; next best a relic. Without a relic, I cannot accurately summon back her remnant soul. And in any case, the Fire Celestial Venerable has a part of her soul imprisoned in the Hall of Wafting Incense, and there is nothing I can do about that."
Shen Mu's voice was very soft. "Moon Celestial Venerable, did the Southern Emperor split off a soul to be reborn?"
"That I do not know. Close as we were, a reincarnation body is a matter of the utmost importance; she could not have told me."
Shen Mu was silent a moment, then said, "Elder Sister, your spatial divine arts are vast beyond measure. Could you find a few people for me?"
"What people do you seek?"
"Two thieves and one constable. They are committing crimes right now throughout the various Heavens of the Yuan Realm."