Chapter 1382 — Pilgrimage to Black Mountain
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 3
Some of the Ancient Gods had been created by the Creator to serve the Creator; some were born of Heaven and Earth, rearing the countless ancient titan beasts and maintaining order; some were born of the Great Way of Heaven and Earth, governing birth, age, sickness, and death, the motion of the stars, and creation and destruction.
Still others were born bearing the will of Heaven and Earth, descending from eggs into the world to guard it.
Yet along the way of purging the Creator, all their original wishes gradually changed as their power grew.
After they removed the Creator, they became another brood of Creators—crueler Creators still. Tian Gong and Tu Bo were silent for a moment; then Tian Gong bowed and said, "Fellow Daoist, will I succeed?
" Tai Yi said, "What is your wish?
" Tian Gong said, "To break free of the bonds of the Heavenly Dao.
" Tai Yi nodded and said, "You will succeed. " Joy appeared on Tian Gong's face.
Tu Bo also bowed and said, "Fellow Daoist, will I succeed? " Tai Yi said, "And what is your wish?
" Tu Bo said, "To break free of the bonds of the Great Way of Youdu and become a living, breathing man.
" Tian Gong frowned and looked at him, somewhat perplexed. Tai Yi said, "You will succeed. " Joy appeared on Tu Bo's face.
Shen Mu, eager to try, raised his hand and said, "Fellow Daoist Tai Yi, will I succeed?
" Tai Yi did not answer.
Shen Mu said excitedly, "My wish is to advance the Way of the Sages, to make the gods serve man, to limit the power of the gods!
To bring harmony between men and gods, to let the Way born after Heaven develop and surpass the Way born before Heaven, to make the people prosperous, their talents employed, their studies fruitful!
To let the decadent Ten Celestial Venerables be cast aside, and let a constant flow of new blood and new people emerge!
Can I succeed?
" Tai Yi still did not answer.
Shen Mu frowned and was about to ask again, but Tai Yi had already closed his eyes and fallen asleep.
Shen Mu's eyes went wide; Tai Yi's snoring gradually rose, and Shen Mu said loudly, "Why do you not speak, Fellow Daoist?
Fellow Daoist, you live on my Great Black Mountain, and not only do you pay no rent, I ask you a question and you do not answer.
.
.
" Tian Gong and Tu Bo bowed to Tai Yi, then took hold of Shen Mu, one on each side, and bore him outward; Tian Gong grumbled, "Celestial Venerable Mu, how can you speak to Fellow Daoist Tai Yi in such a tone?
He is one who has attained the Way, one who has transcended—he is not to be slighted!
" Tu Bo also said, "He does not take offense at you, but you must not be so unbridled.
If word gets out, the whole world will revile you, and even I will have to note another mark against you in my little book!
" The two of them, brooking no argument, bore Shen Mu out of the holy hall; Shen Mu's hands and feet were cold, yet still he questioned toward the hall, "Fellow Daoist Tai Yi, can my wish succeed? Whether it can or cannot is but a nod or a shake of your head—why do you not speak? " The great hall abruptly lost all its radiant light and Dao light; Tai Yi had gone. Shen Mu was left crestfallen, as if he had lost something.
Tian Gong laughed and said, "Celestial Venerable Mu, Fellow Daoist Tai Yi lives right here with you; you will have ample opportunity to ask him in the future—why the hurry?
Fellow Daoist Tu Bo, what is the matter with you?
That you wish to break free of the bonds of the Great Way of Youdu, I can understand; but why turn yourself into a living man? Men have seven emotions and six desires, partings and reunions, births, age, sickness, death, and pain.
We Ancient Gods seek to break free of the bonds of the Great Way in pursuit of transcendence, not to bind ourselves with human feelings! Your Way has gone astray! " Tu Bo set Shen Mu down, and a faint smile appeared on his hideous face: "Fellow Daoist, you dwell on high; when you look upon the living beings of the world, you look down upon them.