Chapter 1535 — Alone into the Imperial Capital
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
Shen Mu sheathed his sword and descended. One by one he gave thanks to the four emperors who had come to his aid; and when he came to the East Emperor, the Azure Dragon, that one laughed and said, "Lord Mu, you owe me a favor. Without the help of my qi and blood you could never have forged this sword. The power of this blade of yours surpasses even the treasures of the Heavenly Venerables. That is no small debt; one day you must repay me a favor in kind."
Shen Mu assented, and said, "Would you like a written note for it?"
The East Emperor was just about to agree when Lady Tianyin quietly tugged at him and whispered, "Do not take it! The last man who asked him for a note was Heavenly Venerable Hong. With my own eyes I watched it: Hong could not produce the note, and so he refused to acknowledge the debt, and had Hong killed, his soul scattered and his spirit dispersed!"
East Emperor Azure Dragon shuddered, and forced a smile. "It is enough that the Heavenly Venerable keeps it in mind. As for notes and such, best forget it."
Shen Mu sighed. "What a pity."
The East Emperor did not know what he meant by that, and took his leave.
Shen Mu watched him go far into the distance, and lamented inwardly, "If I had written him a note, then in the future, when he could not produce it, I would be free to deny the debt, for we do things by the rules. But with no note written, if he makes a fuss I will have no way to refuse him a favor. And I have always held promises sacred..."
He gave thanks to the two Xuanwu Emperors. Emperor Xuan laughed and said, "We made a covenant with the Grand Dharma Master long ago; it was only right that we come to his aid. What need is there for thanks? We, husband and wife, never thanked the Heavenly Venerable for the care he showed our worthless son, either."
Shen Mu said gravely, "These years the Lapis Lazuli Azure-Heaven Banner has been in my keeping. I took it without asking, and in my heart I am deeply sorry toward you both, worthy husband and wife."
Emperor Wu laughed. "The common man is blameless; the fault lies in the jade he carries. That the Heavenly Venerable took the Azure-Heaven Banner was to shield our son from tribulation."
Husband and wife departed together, side by side.
Shen Mu came before the West Emperor, the White Tiger, and said with a smile, "Elder Sister, that you sounded the horn just now and roused the East Emperor's qi and blood was truly a stroke of genius."
The West Emperor giggled. "That East Emperor counts every hair; a stingy man. I cannot think how Sister South Emperor blinded her eyes and took a fancy to him. I too saw that he was only making a show of effort, so I lent you a hand. You need not thank me; you saved me once before!"
She turned into a beam of golden light and vanished without trace.
Shen Mu saluted all the heavenly artisans, formation masters and sword masters who had come to lend their strength. Tens of thousands returned the salute, and at their head was Yu Yuan Chuyu, who laughed and said, "Imperial Preceptor of Jingping, in forging this sword for you we too have profited greatly. If in the future we can advance one step further upon the sword dao, it will surely be owing to this forging."
They departed one after another.
Shen Mu saw that Jiang Baigui and Emperor Yanfeng had also risen and meant to leave, and said, "Your Majesty, Junior Brother, after you have been to the Yao Terrace, go first to the Sea of Heaven, and there comprehend the Heart of Heaven. As for the Spirit-Slaying Platform, it has fallen into the hands of Heavenly Consort Qiang; she carried it off, and even Kai Huang had no time to mount it. Be at ease a while; leave the means to me."
Jiang Baigui said, "Senior Brother, will you not cultivate the innate and acquired methods that Teacher Woodcutter passed down? Of all methods, those hold the greatest hope of cultivating to the Great Heavenly Court realm."