Chapter 1444 — The Blade of Law
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 5
" Chi— The iron strip in Shen Mu's hand blazed with a dazzling, breathtaking blade light. The blade rose and fell, and a line of blood appeared from Wei Qinghe's left shoulder to beneath his right ribs; then his upper body slid away at a slant.
An uproar swept the terrace.
Singing girls, dancing girls, and musicians scattered and fled.
Wei Qinghe's attendants soared into the air, shrieking, "Go quickly and report to His Excellency Wei—the young master has been killed! " Shen Mu shook the blood from the iron strip, sat down squarely with his legs spread wide, poured himself a cup of wine, and waited quietly. Zaifu showed appreciation.
"You have come back. I feel that youth Shen Mu who walked out of Hidden Remnant Village in the Barren Ruins has come back! Shen'er, will you not leave?
Wei Yong was your friend from childhood; your bond ran deep. You killed his son—are you not afraid to face him?
" "Killing one Wei Qinghe is utterly useless! " Shen Mu's face was expressionless. "I will invite Wei Yong to drink, and to admire my blade of law. " Zaifu tilted his head. "Troublesome.
" He too sat down and poured himself wine, drinking on his own.
Later, finding the cup too much trouble, he simply threw away the lid of the wine pot and drank straight from it. In the distant city of Jiangling, divine lights streaked and divine might billowed as they came racing toward them.
Dong— A great fat god descended from the sky and landed on the Sparrow-Gathering Terrace, shaking the building without cease.
The fat god was awe-inspiring as he bellowed, "Who killed my beloved son? " Just then three or five more divine lights fell from the sky, revealing several gods. They all stepped forward and shouted, "Where is the vermin who dares run wild and kill?
" "Killing an official of the court—no trial needed. Execute him on the spot!
" But the great fat god was staring at the youth seated behind his son's corpse, and his body began to tremble, the fat on his face quivering with it.
The several gods were about to step forward when Wei Yong suddenly spread his arms and blocked them. They were puzzled, thinking he meant to take action himself and avenge his son, so they stepped aside. Wei Yong strode forward and opened his mouth.
"Brother Shen. . .
" "Brother Wei, call me Imperial Preceptor of Jingping.
" Shen Mu raised a hand and said blandly, "Your son—I killed him. You and I have been friends for many years. When I walked out of the Barren Ruins, the first friend I made was you.
We crossed the Golden River by boat together, traveling to the capital to seek office, and on the road we met the rebellion of the Dragon-Taming Sect. After many a bloody fight, ours was a friendship that passed through death. I killed your son, and I am deeply ashamed.
So I poured a cup of wine and waited for you, to apologize.
" Wei Yong wept bitterly.
"You could have taught him a lesson—why kill him? I will not drink your wine! " "Drink it or not, as you please. " Shen Mu rose and said in a low voice, "There is much injustice in this world. I can act on the courage of a common man, walk with my blade, take your son's head, and let his blood splash five paces. I am Imperial Preceptor of Jingping; I have that power. But the common people can only suffer your son's bullying and cheating.
This made me realize that the courage of a common man, the blade of a common man, brings only a moment's satisfaction—it cannot pacify the realm, cannot govern the realm. So I have comprehended a move: the blade of law.
Brother Wei, instruct me!