Chapter 96 — The Sword Walks Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
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.