Chapter 358 — On True and False Tyrant Bodies

Xu Shenghua murmured, "So this is the Tyrant Body... But why does Brother Shen say you are the true Tyrant Body and I the false one? How does one distinguish true from false?"

His expression was very serious.

Shen Mu poured wine again and smiled. "You cannot beat me, so you are the false Tyrant Body. Come — as fellow Tyrant Bodies, let us drink a great cup together!"

The two raised their cups and drained them. Xu Shenghua shook his head. "We have not fought — how do you know who wins and who loses? Perhaps I am the true one and you the false. There is a fixed fate in the unseen. You would seize my fortune and become the true Tyrant Body."

Shen Mu was startled. He scratched his head. "Perhaps that is possible too. Come — for the true Tyrant Body, another jar!"

He slapped open two jars of wine, sent one to Xu Shenghua, and hugged the other himself, drinking with his head thrown back.

Xu Shenghua frowned. Though he had drunk wine before, he had always kept measure, tasting lightly and going no further, never drinking with abandon. But Shen Mu was already at his jar, so he had no choice but to lift his own and drink it down.

Ling Yuxiu poked Shen Mu again and whispered, "Cowherd, you're getting drunk. Stop drinking!"

Shen Mu drained his jar and, somewhat tipsy, laughed. "It is rare to meet a kindred spirit. Of course we must drink until we're drunk. Little sister, go fetch more wine from the palace."

"There is none. These last three jars were all I brought. The tribute wine in the palace was all ordered out of the palace by Father Emperor to be sold, to fill the national treasury with coin."

Ling Yuxiu shook her head. "Some of my ornaments and clothes were taken and sold by Father Emperor as well."

Shen Mu laughed heartily, set his jar down heavily on the table, and rose to his full height. "I had meant to drink myself drunk, and after waking, settle life and death with Brother Xu. But now the wine is gone, and I am half drunk and half not. Brother Xu, let us go."

Xu Shenghua set down his jar and stood. Jingyan hurriedly brought a wet towel. Xu Shenghua wiped his hands and the corners of his mouth and said, "Let us go."

The two walked out. Shen Mu turned back. "Sister Yun'er, put it on my account."

Fu Qingyun said with a smile, "The Sect Master jests. The Listening to Rain Pavilion is the Sect Master's own property. What account is there to put it on?"

Ling Yuxiu's face darkened. "So the damned cowherd runs a brothel! No wonder the wretch brought me out to visit a brothel — he was visiting his own!"

She strode quickly out. Xue Hu'er hurried after her, and beside them Yuliu and Jingyan carried a pipa and a jade bottle.

From outside the capital came a great clanging din — the Directorate of Works forging the parts and components of the Sun-Shooting Divine Cannon. Shen Mu and Xu Shenghua walked shoulder to shoulder out of the capital and came to the side of the Directorate.

Yuliu and Jingyan could not help feeling uneasy. This place was full of Shen Mu's people, and they could not help but worry that Shen Mu might suddenly order these experts to kill Xu Shenghua on the spot.

Shen Mu led Xu Shenghua to the Directorate and said, "Brother Xu, how do you find the atmosphere of Jingping Kingdom?"

"Most extraordinary."

Xu Shenghua surveyed the alchemical furnaces and mechanical giants in the Directorate and could not help praising, "Superb workmanship, surpassing nature!"

Shen Mu fetched a massive component, gently stroked its grain, and examined the forging craft. There was no deviation. He said, "This cannon has cost me much heart's blood. I sought out countless masters of calculation and used up the treasures of Jingping Kingdom's national treasury. In another two months, this cannon can be forged. If you are still alive then, you must come and see it. This cannon is meant to kill the gods of Heaven Above."

Xu Shenghua's heart trembled slightly. He examined the grain carefully, his expression somewhat grave, then went to look at the formation patterns on another component.

Shen Mu let him look as he pleased, standing quietly with his hands behind his back, thinking, "To unsettle your heart before battle — you have already lost. Brother Xu, you have experienced far too few life-and-death duels!"