Chapter 1569 — Helping the Sovereign Attain the Dao
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
" "Go! I have my own plan. " Jiang Yunjian had no choice but to hurry away.
Before long, Heavenly Venerable Xiao strolled over, walked to Shen Mu's side, and raised his head to look at the stone carvings on the cliff.
After a moment, he laughed: "Heavenly Venerable Mu, you were quite the fright last night.
A single speech of coaxing and bluffing nearly fooled me; your art of deception surpasses even the Taiji Ancient God's.
So, then, Taiyi is not here.
" Shen Mu said calmly: "Taiyi is a divine dragon that shows its head but hides its tail; even I do not know where he resides, so I had no choice but to resort to this inferior scheme.
I trust I did not startle you, Brother Dao?
" "Not at all, not at all.
" Heavenly Venerable Xiao smiled faintly and said with composure: "In truth, Taiyi has run into danger, has he not?
He may even be dead already! " Shen Mu raised an eyebrow. "Had Taiyi been safe and sound, you would have had no need to go to such trouble, would even have braved the risk of being unmasked by us. You needed only to tell us Taiyi was not here; what could we have done to you?
Out of awe for an accomplished Dao master like Taiyi, we would not have dared to touch you. " Heavenly Venerable Xiao smiled: "Precisely because Taiyi has encountered unimaginable peril, perhaps even death, that you would risk such tremendous danger to masquerade as Taiyi!
Your purpose was not to play a grand role, but to protect this holy land, to protect Jingping.
I can keep your secret for you. " Shen Mu smiled: "But it will come at a price.
" Heavenly Venerable Xiao laughed: "Everything good in this world comes at a price.
When I helped you preserve Jingping back then, you paid a price too. It is no different now. Heavenly Venerable Mu, you can never escape my Five-Finger Mountain.
" Shen Mu gave a cold snort and said nothing. "You may go to the rescue of Heavenly Venerable Ling, but you and I must join forces. " Heavenly Venerable Xiao said tranquilly: "The moment you rescue Heavenly Venerable Ling shall be the moment the Great Emperor dies, the moment I retrieve my own body. Do you understand that?
" Shen Mu nodded slowly: "I understand.
" Heavenly Venerable Xiao smiled: "I have the magnanimity of an emperor. Whether it is you, or Emperor Kai, or Heavenly Venerable Yue or Heavenly Venerable Ling, I can tolerate you all, even bestow upon you power and rank, so long as you cease your reforms, cease attempting to resist. Heavenly Venerable Huo has conducted himself very well.
Do you understand?
" Shen Mu answered: "Your subject understands, and Emperor Kai will come to understand as well.
" Heavenly Venerable Xiao smiled: "When the day of success arrives, I shall not treat you ill. " "I thank Your Majesty for your grace.
" Heavenly Venerable Xiao laughed heartily, turned, and walked away, saying unhurriedly: "In the Jingping Calamity you could not overcome me, and so it remains now.
When you make ready to rescue Heavenly Venerable Ling, inform me beforehand; do not act on your own again. I shall not give you a second chance. " "I bid Your Majesty farewell. " Shen Mu watched him disappear into the distance, then broke into a smile and murmured: "With Heavenly Venerable Xiao's assistance, the rescue of Heavenly Venerable Ling is assured.
The rescue of Heavenly Venerable Yun, too, is assured.
" He let out a long breath; he had never felt so at ease as at this moment.
"Heavenly Venerable Xiao, it is not that you have grown old; it is that I have grown up.
" The smile on his face deepened, and he murmured: "In the old days, I was weak, at your mercy. But now I have grown to the point where I can stand as your equal. You may wish to grip me still, but grip me you can no longer.
Take care that you do not end up with your own head bloodied.