Chapter 190 — The Old Master of My House

That the Youmo Cult should have such an expert besides the Grand Libationer — truly remarkable. Well worthy of being the first holy ground of the demon path. " Shen Mu shook his head.

"Your Eminence guesses wrong.

I was born in the Wild Wastes, so my home is naturally in the Wild Wastes. " The Emperor's Teacher was awed; he gave Shen Mu a deep look and said meaningfully, "So the Doctor of the Imperial Academy comes of a great and noble house, with a family learning of long descent. " Shen Mu was dumbfounded, and nodded with an effort.

The Emperor's Teacher said lightly, "Then — who summoned this demon god?

" "I do not know either," Shen Mu said gravely. "I had only just arrived here when I ran into this great chaos. I am wronged indeed — I nearly lost my life.

" The Emperor's Teacher nodded slightly.

"Pei Wujiu had you lead a party of scholars out to temper themselves; as I understand it your destination should have been Lizhou. This is Tianbo City; across the river lies Wuding Commandery, two hundred li from Lizhou.

Why has the Doctor of the Imperial Academy come here?

" "That…

" Shen Mu fished Xue Hu'er out of the bundle on his back and looked at the little white fox.

Xue Hu'er raised a paw and gnawed at it, her eyes darting swiftly this way and that; suddenly her eyes brightened and she said in a crisp voice, "We drifted here down the river! We ran into danger at Lizhou — the remnants of the Hongshan School summoned a demon god, so we fled out onto the river.

Is it all right to say it that way, young master? " The Emperor's Teacher's face did not change. "You may say whatever you like. In this great disorder at Tianbo City, the garrison has suffered countless dead and wounded.

The one who summoned the demon god has done a great service; I mean to recommend him to the emperor and have his office raised.

A merit like that would raise him to the fourth rank at the very least. " Shen Mu opened his mouth; Xue Hu'er said hurriedly, "It was our young master who did it! Our young master summoned this Dutian Demon King, or whatever he is! " The Emperor's Teacher ignored her and went on: "There is merit, yes — but the common folk of the city have also died in countless numbers, and the sin is great accordingly. On the battlefield, deaths are hard to avoid; but a whole city destroyed is too many dead.

Even if I wished to commend this man for his merit, the purists at court would raise a clamor, saying he has killed without number and coerced the emperor into condemning him. When the wars are settled, this man will surely be called to account — purged. I dare not say his whole household will be beheaded, but dismissal from office and exile will not be spared him. " Xue Hu'er hastily shut her mouth, feeling that whatever she said would be wrong.

A faint smile appeared on the Emperor's Teacher's face. "And so I mean to suppress the merit, and say only that it is unknown who did it.

Neither merit nor fault. What does the Doctor of the Imperial Academy think of that disposition? " Shen Mu let out a breath. "Your Eminence has handled it very well. " Behind them, the army of Jingping had already slaughtered the demon host in Tianbo City to the last man, and several great generals came over. The Emperor's Teacher turned around and said calmly, "The purists kill with the tongue, not the blade.

And even if you escape their tongues, you come away stinking.

" Shen Mu said, "Your Eminence speaks from experience? " The Emperor's Teacher nodded. "For the sake of my reforms I have killed I know not how many purists; but of such vermin, kill one batch and another comes — they cannot be killed off.

They have no abilities and do no real work, yet they cannot abide this and cannot abide that; all they can do is curse you.

Do you know what would become of me if my reforms failed? " Shen Mu shook his head.

"I would stink to all eternity. " The Emperor's Teacher said lightly, "Even if my reforms succeed, the purists will curse me for hundreds and thousands of years.

There was once a friend on the path who could soothe my heart…

" His face darkened a little. "But he is gone. I miss him greatly. "