Chapter 728 — A Great Ship Capsizes in a Ditch

The old ox looked at him, then at the Dragon Qilin cowering behind him, and could not help snorting with laughter. "Big Dumb Oaf couldn't beat me, so he went and found himself a helper. Whatever helper you are, you're no match for me either. Have you come to stick up for Big Dumb Oaf? " "Big Dumb Oaf?

" Shen Mu was slightly taken aback.

"You mean Fatty Long?

" "Daoist brother, Fatty Long was greatly offensive just now.

I beg your forgiveness.

" Shen Mu observed the full rites and said, "May I ask, is the Farmer in? " The old ox scratched at the scales on his belly, scraping with a rustling sound—those were dragon scales. Only then did Shen Mu notice that this old ox did indeed resemble the Green Ox of Bashan Libationer; both seemed to be of dragon breed, and both were covered in lumps of muscle. But the Green Ox's delight was eating peony flowers, loving plants and blossoms, showing off its muscles, whereas this old ox was hugging a water pipe and smoking, and liked to drink tea while he smoked. "Could this old ox have some connection to the Green Ox?

" he wondered inwardly. The old ox blew out a smoke ring, glanced at him, and said, "You look young. You probably don't know my master. Who are you, and what business do you have with my master?

" Shen Mu smiled. "I am a disciple of the Woodcutter Heavenly Master, one of the Four Great Heavenly Masters of the Kaihuang Heavenly Court.

I have already met the Fisherman and the Woodcutter; there are two Heavenly Masters I have not yet met. Might Daoist brother introduce me? " "My master is just a farmer.

What is there to see? " The old ox poured out his water pipe and said, "A few days ago a woodcutter came looking for him and was beaten half to death. He's been lying in the stinking ditch at the village entrance for a month without moving. Since you're the woodcutter's disciple, you may call me senior brother.

No need for 'Daoist brother.

'" "The woodcutter? " Shen Mu was startled. "Master Woodcutter was beaten? Lying there for a month? Which village?

" The old ox stood up, planted his forehooves, and swished his tail.

"I'll take you there. But don't think you can fish him out.

My master said, let the wretch rot in the ditch. Whoever dares fish him out gets three punches from my master. Three punches from my master could punch three holes in the sky! " Shen Mu called the Dragon Qilin over. The Dragon Qilin was somewhat reluctant, deeply afraid of this old ox, but the old ox was magnanimous and laughed. "Big dog, no need to fear me.

You're still young. When you grow up, you'll be able to pin me down and beat me. " The Dragon Qilin's eyes lit up. "Really? " "False.

" The old ox drained the tea on the stone table in one gulp.

His tongue curled, and the teacup and teapot vanished.

Then he walked forward with perfect composure. "You're too green. With that little body of yours, refine another thousand years and I could still beat three of you with one hoof. Never mind you—true dragons, qilins, I've beaten more than I can count. Our village is just ahead, not far. A little mountain village. " The Dragon Qilin hung his head, dejected. Shen Mu smiled.

"Senior Brother Ox, Fatty Long may be young, but he shouldn't be underestimated.

I have taught him the Ancestral Dragon Supreme Mystery Art, a divine art of the Imperial Throne level. His cultivation advances with astonishing speed. In the future, it's not certain he won't surpass you. " "My name is Niu Sanduo. " The old ox swished his tail.

"A cultivation art isn't about strong or weak.

It's about whether it's your own. His art isn't his own, and he has qilin bloodline besides. The Ancestral Dragon Supreme Mystery Art should be a dragon clan art, no? He can only refine half of it. The other half is full of flaws. It would be a wonder if he could beat me. Without walking your own path, any art you cultivate is wasted effort.

" Shen Mu's heart stirred slightly. "This Senior Brother Niu Sanduo's insight and vision surpass many gods and demons by far. It seems the Farmer Heavenly Master truly deserves his title as the Martial Heavenly Master. Even an ox can be trained to this level, not inferior at all to a realm lord like Furi Rā. " They came to a small mountain village in the wasteland, about six or seven li from the rice paddies.

Shen Mu surveyed the village scenery. The little mountain village was graced with clear mountains and lovely waters, nestled against the hills, with a clear spring flowing down from the green mountain—most picturesque.

Yet though the village had a hundred or so households, there was not a single stone statue. "See for yourself whether the one lying in the ditch is your teacher. " The old ox swished his rear and walked into the village. Shen Mu came to the ditch at the village entrance.

Sure enough, in that stinking water ditch a man lay face-up, his face blanched white from soaking in the filth. The stench from the ditch was foul beyond words, enough to make one retch.

The man dressed as a woodcutter had both hands and feet broken, and from the look of it, who knew how many other bones in his body were broken too. Only his skull seemed relatively intact. Shen Mu watched for a moment.

The man lying in the ditch finally noticed him, and with a splash he turned over, burying his face in the stinking water. A few rotting cabbage leaves still clung to his hair, and a chicken bone, gnawed perfectly clean, was stuck in his backside. Shen Mu crouched by the stinking ditch, unhurried, and said leisurely, "Teacher, why are you in such a sorry state? To the point of capsizing a great ship in a ditch?

" The Woodcutter Sage turned over again with a plop. Even his stubble had soaked white. Slowly he said, "The heavens have unforeseen storms. The wind was strong and the waves high, and so the ship capsized. " Shen Mu smiled.

"Can teacher climb out of the ditch? " "Every bone broken, cultivation sealed. I cannot struggle.

" Shen Mu asked again, "Does teacher have a grudge with the Martial Heavenly Master? " The Woodcutter Sage said, "We have never gotten along. " Shen Mu nodded, stood up, and walked toward the village.

In a clear voice he called, "Shen Mu, Shen Fengqing, one hundred and seventh generation descendant of Kaihuang, requests an audience with the Martial Heavenly Master!

" In the village, the farmers and farmwives stopped their work and looked toward him.

An old farmer, broad and sturdy but somewhat short in stature, was brushing the mane on the old ox's neck.

Hearing this, his ears twitched, and he too looked toward Shen Mu.

Shen Mu walked into the village with the Dragon Qilin. There was no sound at all around them. Only a hundred or so people staring at them with wide eyes.

The Dragon Qilin was frightened out of his wits. He followed close behind Shen Mu with tiny quick steps, lowered his voice, and said, "Sect Master, there's something strange about this village. Except for that old farmer, there are no old people or children here. They're all young. .

. " Shen Mu looked ahead with a smile on his face and walked toward the old ox and the short but robust old farmer. In a low voice he said, "Fatty Long has grown up.

To notice such details. There are only able-bodied adults in the village, no old people or children. It is indeed strange. " "Could they have been eaten by the old ox?

" The Dragon Qilin shivered. Shen Mu peeled the willow leaf from his forehead and swept the area with the third eye at his brow. He shook his head. "Of course not. The reason there are no old people is that they never grow old.

Gods—how could they grow old?

" "Gods? " The Dragon Qilin was startled. He looked around timidly. The hundred or so people of the little mountain village were all staring at them.

Could everyone in this village be gods and demons?