Chapter 1672 — Suspended Alone Beyond the Mortal World
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 4
In my Heavenly Court, from the civil and military officials at the top down to the merchants and the carriers of burdens below, every one of them is one of the great and powerful houses you speak of. Even you are one of the great. With that single sentence, you have given offense to every soul in the Heavenly Court, high and low! " With a smile that was half a smile, he went on, "I, too, was born into a great and powerful house.
What you propose is to overturn the Heavenly Court itself, root and branch!
The words were improper, but I will not hold them against you—I will only dock half a year of your stipend. " The light in Meng Yungui's eyes went dim, and he bowed. "Your servant accepts the punishment.
" The Haotian Emperor issued his decree: "In the days ahead, let it be as Heavenly Master Shang advises—on the one hand, annex Jingping; on the other, issue more currency. Heavenly Master Meng, you need trouble yourself with this matter no longer; leave it to Heavenly Master Shang to carry out.
" Meng Yungui said, heavy-hearted, "Your servant obeys. " The civil and military officials chorused their praise: "Your Majesty is most sagacious! " The Haotian Emperor returned to the inner palace and asked, "Has the Heavenly Venerable Mu returned? I am still waiting for him to surrender and sign the treaty. " An imperial guard replied, "The Heavenly Venerable Mu has not yet come.
The envoys of Jingping also left a few days ago. " The Haotian Emperor said, "They no longer matter.
The crux is the Heavenly Venerable Mu.
" Two days later, the Haotian Emperor asked again, "Has the Heavenly Venerable Mu returned? I am still waiting for him to come back and sign. " The guard answered, "Your Majesty, the Heavenly Venerable Mu is not in the Heavenly Court.
" The Haotian Emperor frowned.
Another five or six days passed, and the Haotian Emperor asked, "Has the Heavenly Venerable Mu still not returned?
If he does not come, I shall issue the order and have the Heavenly Venerable Xu wipe out half the population of Jingping!
" The guard answered, "The Heavenly Venerable Mu has reached the Ancestral Court and sent word that he will arrive at the Heavenly Court in another ten days.
" The Haotian Emperor said furiously, "What dawdling!
" Ten days later, Shen Mu arrived at the Heavenly Court, and after dragging his feet and sponging meals for a dozen or more days, he at length signed the treaty and departed, heavy of heart. The Haotian Emperor was overjoyed and ordered that the Heavenly Venerable Mu be seen off with full honors.
After Shen Mu had left the Heavenly Court, a murderous light blazed in the Haotian Emperor's eyes.
He summoned the Grand Minister and said, "So long as that villain Mu draws breath, I cannot rest easy.
Go and ask the Grand Supreme Emperor to do away with him while he is on the road! " He raised his hand and chopped heavily downward, saying savagely, "Tell the Grand Supreme Emperor: if he cannot kill him, then sink him into the Chaos River of the Ancestral Jade Capital City and annihilate him!
" The Grand Minister said, "Why does Your Majesty wish to kill the Heavenly Venerable Mu? He has already surrendered.
.
. " "I do not trust him!
" The Haotian Emperor laughed coldly.
"Even if his Dao-heart were shattered to nothing and he hid himself away from the world, I could not set my mind at ease. Only a dead Heavenly Venerable Mu is a good Heavenly Venerable Mu! The Grand Supreme Emperor may not be able to kill him, but sinking him into the Chaos is something he can manage.
And if the long River of Chaos should fail to grind him away, then at worst—" A smile spread over his face, and he went on, serene and easy, "At worst, the Heavenly Venerable Mu will return to the past and be his young Master Mu again. As long as he is not in this universe, I shall be at peace.
" The Grand Minister shuddered and hurried away.