Chapter 96 — The Sword Walks Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains

Thus the demon ape unconsciously carried an air of Buddhist discipline, like a temple's Dharma-protecting Vajra. "What a demon monk! If only we could make the big fellow a monk's robe and a string of prayer beads the size of human heads, he would look even more like a guardian Vajra!

"

Shen Mu exclaimed in admiration, then woke the Xuanliao Demon Ape and said, "Big fellow, I'm leaving—going far away to drudge. . .

I'm going on a long journey.

It may be a very long time before I return.

"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape scratched his head: "Far? "

Shen Mu nodded: "Far.

"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape scratched his head again, glanced back at the beasts in the valley, and suddenly let out a great roar. From deep in the valley, the dragon-elephant that had been guarding the herd scrambled over in a panic, tail wagging ingratiatingly.

Without another word, the Xuanliao Demon Ape pinned the enormous creature to the ground and gave it a savage beating, leaving the dragon-elephant bruised and swollen.

It howled pitifully, trembling all over, not daring to fight back.

"Guard!

"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape pointed at the beasts in the valley, clenched his fist—muscles bulging from his arms like umbrella-sized mushrooms, popping out one after another—and snarled, "Eat, die!

"

The dragon-elephant, deeply aggrieved, lay on the ground nodding again and again.

The Xuanliao Demon Ape pulled up the Fanji Twelve-Ring Zen Staff and pounded his chest: "I, go. "

Shen Mu shook his head: "Far.

"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape pointed at himself: "I, big. You, small. "

Shen Mu shook his head again: "I, strong. You, weak.

"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape was furious, stammering: "With you, talking, really. . . exhausting!

"

Shen Mu was caught between laughter and tears. He shook his head and said, "This time I'm going to human territory.

It's not like the Wasteland Ruins—dangerous people everywhere. Bringing you along would be far too conspicuous. Once you can cultivate into human form, we'll go out and train together.

Besides, the dragon-elephant is vicious.

If you keep him here, he'll behave for a few days, but sooner or later he'll devour every last one of your little friends in the valley.

And the dragon-elephant is so stupid—if he lets loose one of the old demons in the Mizai Palace, that would be a disaster. "

The Xuanliao Demon Ape had no choice but to nod. The dragon-elephant looked utterly wronged, tail tucked between its legs, wiping away tears—had that beating been for nothing?

Shen Mu waved his hand and walked out of the Mizai Palace. "Little Bean Sprout—"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape leapt onto the cliff and waved vigorously: "Come, back, early! "

Shen Mu arrived at the Cuijun Valley waterfall, where he found Snow Fox busily lecturing a few foxes from an ancient text.

She had just reached a particularly exquisite passage, and the foxes were listening in rapt fascination.

As Shen Mu approached, Snow Fox hurriedly set the ancient book aside. The other enchanting foxes also rose quickly to their feet and curtsied gracefully, saying in unison: "Greetings, Young Master Mu. " Their voices were clear and melodious.

Shen Mu returned the greeting and said, "No need for such ceremony.

Ling'er, I've come to bid you farewell.

I'm setting out on a long journey to Jingping beyond the Wasteland Ruins.

I'm afraid I won't return for three to five months.

"

The white fox's eyes sparkled.

She dashed into the thatched hut and packed in a flurry, then came trotting back out with a tiny pack on her back, smiling: "Sisters, you stay here and cultivate.

I'll go out and see the world with the young master. Let's go! "

The little fox's pack was a hundred times smaller than Shen Mu's—it looked tiny on her back. "Sister, have you been drinking again? "

One fox said warily, "People out there are terrible. They'll skin us and make clothes from our fur. "

Snow Fox laughed: "With Young Master Mu here, nothing will happen.

"

Shen Mu felt a headache coming on: "Ling'er, this isn't a game. It's very dangerous.

Stay here with your sisters.

"

Snow Fox smiled: "The Demon King Meiluo wants to force me to marry him.

I think he's ugly, so this is a perfect chance to escape the marriage.

And my little sisters can cultivate while I'm gone, shedding their beast wombs and becoming human sooner. "

Shen Mu shook his head: "I'm not even bringing the Xuanliao Demon Ape. I can't bring you either.

"

Snow Fox blinked: "That big fellow is so clumsy and stupid. How is he smarter than me? Besides, on a journey like this, the young master needs someone to look after his food and lodging, doesn't he?

This humble one doesn't want to marry the Demon King Meiluo. Surely the young master wouldn't have the heart to send a fox into a tiger's mouth? "

Shen Mu was helpless.

He said, "If you insist on coming, you must obey me and not cause trouble. "

"Yes! "

By the banks of the Yong River, Shen Mu lit several sticks of incense and sang the Rite of the River God. Before long, a giant River-Bearing Beast swam up.

After feeding it, one man and one fox stood on the creature's back and sailed downstream. On either bank, green mountains lush and verdant, birdsong echoing in the secluded valleys.

Shen Mu looked toward the riverbank.

Yincan Village flashed past. Granny Zhu was still standing at the village entrance, waving to the youth.

"Shen'er, don't let some fox spirit seduce you out there.

. .

you little rascal! "

Beside Shen Mu, the little white fox sat primly and properly, then turned her head and stuck out her tongue at Granny Zhu. Meanwhile, at the Mizai Palace valley, a white-browed monk arrived.

Fleshy topknots grew upon his crown, and he wore a yellow kasaya.

He walked to the valley and, seeing the Xuanliao Demon Ape practicing the Thunder Roar Eight Techniques, could not help but stop and praise him. The Xuanliao Demon Ape hurriedly halted. The white-browed monk smiled: "You cultivate well. You walk the path of our Buddhist sect.

But you have not received the true transmission. I will transmit this doctrine to you in full.

If you have the affinity, you will learn it.

"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape was suspicious: "Bald, who? "

"You mean me? "

The white-browed monk had a kindly face but also a solemn dignity. He smiled: "I am the abbot of the Great Thunder Roar Temple.

They call me Rulai. I am not truly bald—feel, I have refined my hair into flesh.

"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape reached out a great hand and touched his head, exclaiming in surprise: "Bald, hair!

"

The white-browed monk smiled: "You have practiced my boxing and taken my staff. Our affinity has arrived.

I had thought my staff fell into the hands of a young man, so I came to deliver him. It seems he has no affinity with me—you are the one who does. Come, I will transmit to you the Great Thunder Roar Mahayana Sutra. When your affinity matures in the future, seek me at the Great Thunder Roar Temple.

"

The Xuanliao Demon Ape understood only vaguely.