Chapter 433 — The Northern Emperor's Divine Artifact

" She shook her head again. "The Emperor ordered the commanding generals of the two passes in to investigate, but no word has come back. That place.

. .

no one has yet walked out of it. " Shen Mu's heart clenched. He expelled a murky breath, his gaze turning sharp. "Then let us settle the matter of the White Gap Deity first. I shall go there myself — alive I must see him, dead I must see his corpse!

Minister of Works Elder, I give you two days. Make ready as swiftly as you can. We shall not wait for the Emperor!

" A chill ran through the Minister of Works Elder and the rest. They hurried off to rehearse the coordinated casting of more than a hundred men. Two days, to make a hundred-odd practitioners move in seamless concert, executing a single art without the slightest disorder, without rousing any energy of the Five Thunder Jar — that was hard indeed. But time was short, and no allowance remained for further practice. Suddenly, a guardian of Fragrant Well Compound came to report: "Sect Master Shen — the deity invites you!

" Shen Mu's expression shifted. He rose and went forth. Within Fragrant Well Compound, the White Gap Deity's complexion had improved considerably; plainly he had spent these past two days refining medicines to mend his wounds, easing his injuries greatly and recovering no small measure of his cultivation. He had, however, severed one of his own legs, so flight was no longer possible. What Shen Mu feared now was a last-ditch blow, for the White Gap Deity had kept himself beside the Five Thunder Jar all along.

"Young friend, you have had many visitors of late. " The horn atop the White Gap Deity's head shone, rings of radiance sliding down from its tip and flowing over his entire frame.

He chuckled. Shen Mu studied closely the light blooming from the horn at his brow, his heart stirring faintly. The corona from that horn was vibrating the deity's flesh, refining the tainted blood from his body — a body-refining art, no doubt, meant to restore his physical vigor with all speed. Earlier, Shen Mu had beaten the deity so savagely that even flight was beyond him; now, having recovered some cultivation in these few days, he had begun attempting to rebuild his bodily strength.

"Those who came are nobodies — hardly a threat to Your Divinity, are they, Senior Brother? " Shen Mu smiled. "But I see Your Divinity recovering your strength with alarming speed, and it makes me worry that you might go back on your word and refuse to honor your promise.

I think — having already waited six or seven days — there is no need to wait any longer. The sooner we seal the Earth Earl Compact, the better. Why not make it today?

" "What promise? Did I ever promise you anything? Hahaha! " The White Gap Deity's laughter boomed like thunder, pounding across the entire city: "I was joking.

Look at your face — gone white with fright. Since we have already waited six or seven days, why not wait a little longer? Did you not say you would reattach my divine leg?

My leg has yet to be reattached.

Once it is done, then we shall seal the Earth Earl Compact! " Shen Mu's expression hardened. "If I reattach your leg, and your strength rebounds that much further, you will trigger the Five Thunder Jar and flee the moment my back is turned — and I shall be left to bear the sin of countless deaths in Jingping! Your leg can wait until after the compact is sealed! " The White Gap Deity pressed his palm over the Five Thunder Jar and smiled genially.

"You are Shen Mu, are you not?

I made inquiries among the experts outside. Nether Demon Sect Master Shen Mu — and the Human Emperor to boot. Most impressive, crippling one of my legs. Xu Shenghua went looking for you and never came back; you must have finished him. No wonder — how could he ever match you?

Come, reattach my leg, and we can still talk. Otherwise, I will trigger the Five Thunder Jar this very instant! " Shen Mu's face convulsed. "Flood Dragon King! " he barked.

The water-light behind him rippled, and the Flood Dragon King stood forth, bowing: "The Flood Dragon King is here. Your bidding, Master? " The White Gap Deity laughed coldly: "Do not be rash, Sect Master Shen. My hand is still upon the Five Thunder Jar. " The corner of Shen Mu's eye twitched. Then, in a sudden shift like spring wind dissolving into rain, the ferocity melted from his face, and he burst into hearty laughter. "Senior Brother Bai Xi is indeed impressive!

Very well, I shall reattach your leg.

Flood Dragon King, no need for alarm. Attendants — bring the medicine I have prepared!

Senior Brother Bai Xi, which leg is it that you chose? Bring it out.

" The White Gap Deity tossed back the shorter divine leg, smiling: "This one does not fit its length. Take out the other two — I will choose again. " The smile froze on Shen Mu's face; his features spasmed. The White Gap Deity stood upon his single leg, smiling unhurriedly: "Does Sect Master Shen have some objection? " Shen Mu drew in a long breath, produced the other two divine legs, and forced through clenched teeth: "None.

Senior Brother Bai Xi, please choose! " The White Gap Deity glanced at him, saw Shen Mu's face livid as iron, and laughed heartily: "Ah, the young are wont to lose patience. " His magic surged forth, rolling up the two divine legs.

He examined them scrupulously, found no sign of tampering, and smiled: "I choose this one.

Sect Master Shen — Divine Physician Shen — reattach it for me. " Shen Mu swallowed his fury.

"Lie down, Senior Brother. " The White Gap Deity lay down, his hand still resting on the Five Thunder Jar, and drawled: "Do not think of any tricks.

The instant this hand moves, the Five Thunder Jar will erupt — drowning the world in thunder-clouds is a matter of no effort at all. A treasure of the Northern Emperor — let alone destroying Jingping, did it not reduce even Kaihuang to desolate ruin.

. . heh heh!

"