Chapter 380 — The Inheritor
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
Before long, several great masters carried up the divine corpse. Divine might rolled off it in waves, though it was only a fragment, shattered and broken, impossible to piece together whole.
The god's head, however, was still intact—its features could yet be seen.
"It is the god I encountered, the one who claimed to come from the heavens above."
State Preceptor Xuankang glanced at it and said, "His power was exceedingly high. When I crossed blades with him, it was only by trading my life for his that I forced him back—and he crippled me."
The result of that battle had left State Preceptor Xuankang utterly ruined, his spirit broken, resolved to live out his days as a recluse beside the Lake of Blood with his lady wife. Had Shen Mu not sought him out, State Preceptor Xuankang would likely have vanished from the mortal world forever.
Shen Mu studied the head and was slightly taken aback—it struck him with a sense of familiarity.
The head seemed carved from fine jade; though the god was dead, not a single flaw could be found upon it.
He appeared very young; no age could be discerned. But gods share the lifespan of heaven and earth, and their true years are hard to read from appearances.
"This god's head bears some resemblance to..."
Shen Mu's expression turned strange—this god resembled Xu Shenghua!
Not in features, but in that Xu Shenghua too was a perfect being, as though carved from flawless jade, exquisitely refined.
This head was likewise too refined to be human—it looked like a jade carving!
"Could this god, blasted to death, be the very master Xu Shenghua once spoke of—Lord Yu?"
Shen Mu's eyes widened. Xu Shenghua's master, Lord Yu, had most likely been killed by a single shot from Emperor Yanfeng's cannon!
"Lord Yu was the one who brought calamity upon Yankang—his death is well deserved. I only wonder how Xu Shenghua will react when he learns of it."
Shen Mu thought it over and said nothing. He did not intend to spread the matter. If Emperor Yanfeng learned that Lord Yu was Xu Shenghua's master, he would certainly kill Xu Shenghua to eliminate future trouble.
Emperors had never cared for the rules of the martial world.
Shen Mu greatly admired Xu Shenghua and did not wish to see him die.
Emperor Yanfeng smiled and said, "My dear Minister Qin, in forging the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon you have toiled mightily, and I have not yet rewarded you. This god's head shall be your reward."
"I must decline!"
Emperor Yanfeng's expression shifted slightly. He gave a cold snort, feeling he had lost face. Shen Mu hastily smiled and said, "In this battle to slay the god, your humble servant has earned not the slightest merit—how dare I take the greatest share? Your Majesty fired the cannon this time, and it must have consumed no small amount of materials. Best that this spoil be entered into the national treasury."
These words were far more pleasing to the ear, giving the emperor ample face before his assembled ministers.
Emperor Yanfeng was greatly delighted and laughed, saying, "My minister understands the greater interest. I shall not force you then—your merit in building the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon, I shall count as a donation to the treasury."
Shen Mu's face immediately darkened.
Emperor Yanfeng laughed heartily, then recalled the materials the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon had consumed and could not help but ache with stinginess. Firing the cannon was satisfying, but the consumption was terrifyingly vast.
In this war between gods and demons, Emperor Yanfeng had led the court's masters, piloting the cannon platform from the capital all the way here. The entire journey, the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon had to be kept in flight—consuming far more materials than a single shot!