Chapter 29: Feeling Sour |
[June 2, 2019] . . .
Later that evening Shěn Lí burned with a high fever. Ròu Yā fed her water and tried to cool her down with a damp towel but it was to no avail. Shěn Lí refused to wake up. This had never happened before; no matter how serious the injury, Shěn Lí was always conscious and clear-headed. This unconscious Shěn Lí left Ròu Yā worried beyond belief.
She didn’t know what to do. There were two immortals in the residence she could ask for help. It was inappropriate to disturb Immortal High God Xíng Zhǐ in the middle of the night, but Fú Róng was Shěn Lí’s fiancé. Ròu Yā reasoned it was appropriate to seek help from him considering their relationship.
She rushed over to his courtyard[notes] and banged on his door. It was no use though. Even after knocking for several minutes, no one came out. A now frantic Ròu Yā had no choice but to find Immortal High God.
. . .Xíng Zhǐ touched Shěn Lí’s cheeks. They were red and hot to the touch. He immediately sat down by her bedside and felt the pulse on her hand. The strange reading made his brows furrow.
“Immortal High God . . .will my master be OK?”
“It is but a fever.” Xíng Zhǐ released Shěn Lí’s hand. “Are there any medicinal compounds in the residence?”
Ròu Yā shook her head. “Master never gets sick. Us demon people rarely get sick. Medicinal plants don’t grow well here because the miasma is so dense, so they're rarely available at market.”
Xíng Zhǐ muttered some words under his breath as he placed a hand on Shěn Lí’s forehead. Immediately white light flashed between his palm and her skin. Even though Shěn Lí was still in a daze she appeared more comfortable.
Ròu Yā stared closely for a moment. She only relaxed once she saw Shěn Lí breathing more evenly and her complexion improved. It was only then that the worry in Ròu Yā’s heart lightened.
Now that she felt better, she was in a mood to complain. “What kind of husband is my master getting? Almost married and he stays out all night. Not around when needed either. If Immortal High God hadn’t been here, who knows how bad master’s condition could have gotten?”
Xíng Zhǐ didn’t say anything but his hand fell from Shěn Lí’s forehead to her cheeks. He rubbed the slightly hot skin with his fingers.
“Yesterday he started so much trouble, ruining master’s good name. Then this morning he was trying to find General Mò Fāng about a jade pendant. Who knows if he’s looking for General Mò Fāng right now!”
Ròu Yā was really dissatisfied with Fú Róng, but afraid of overstepping her bounds, she didn’t dare voice it in front of Shěn Lí. In front of Xíng Zhǐ however, she felt free to complain to her heart’s content.
“Her Highness will have to go to the Immortal realm after marrying. She won’t have anyone to rely on up there. Who will defend her if she is wronged? Her Highness is so stubborn, she won’t complain to the Demon emperor. If something happens . . .”
The more Ròu Yā thought about it the sadder she became. Her eyes turned red and she began tearing up. “Who will be there to sympathize with her?”
“Hm.” Xíng Zhǐ whispered unconsciously. “Who would?” These words made him consider his actions and he couldn’t help but lower his eyes. Gazing at her sleeping face, he ran his fingertips over the bridge of her nose and the hollows of her cheeks, before pulling his hand back.
“It’s not a problem.” He pulled his fingers away and remained quietly by her bedside for some time before getting up.
Distressed, Ròu Yā looked at him with red-rimmed eyes. “Immortal High God is leaving?”
“I will not be far. I will be in the courtyard should you need me.” Xíng Zhǐ left without a backward glance.
Ròu Yā looked at Shěn Lí then at Xíng Zhǐ’s retreating back. She muttered herself. “How’s that for you? Her Highness hasn’t even woken up yet and Immortal High God leaves. He couldn’t stay a little longer? The immortals in the Immortal realm are so detached and heartless.”
Detached and heartless huh?
Xíng Zhǐ stood in the courtyard looking at his hand. He could still feel the residual heat from her body on his skin. The scorching heat burned its way to his heart. Xíng Zhǐ wanted to disperse it but there was nowhere to send it. Rays of light radiated from his fingertips with nowhere to go. The feeling of being burned remained.
How could he know . . .
Ròu Yā soaked a towel in water, then after wringing it out carefully placed it on Shěn Lí’s forehead. Ròu Yā muttered to herself as she attended to Shěn Lí. “Oh Your Highness! If you really can’t escape marriage, if you really must go to the Immortal realm, Your Highness must be careful of those immortal gods. Just look at those two here. Both are no good.”
“This lord knows.” Shěn Lí’s voice was hoarse but audible.
Ròu Yā was surprised. “Your Highness is awake? Is Your Highness uncomfortable anywhere?”
Shěn Lí slowly opened her eyes but her gaze was not fixed on Ròu Yā. She repeated the same three words, “This lord knows.”
The immortal gods were naturally heartless.
Shěn Lí woke up early the next morning completely refreshed. Her blood sang through her veins with a newfound power. Her body was lighter too. She realized her discomfort from the past few days must have been because her body was adapting to the bead.
The Demon emperor had explained that she would likely suffer discomfort adjusting, because although she was born with it, it had been out of her body for over a millennium.
Shěn Lí held out her hand and pushed herself up into a seated position. “Ròu Yā, bring my armor! I will go to the training camp to practice!” Shěn Lí rarely wore her armor. Her skin was as strong as leather, so when fighting the lesser monster beasts it made no difference whether she wore armor or not.
Training was different however. She was not a minor soldier but a high ranked general; it was proper to dress appropriately.
Once she finished dressing, Shěn Lí stepped out of her room. She came face to face with Xíng Zhǐ who had just come in from the courtyard.
The usually taciturn Xíng Zhǐ actually showed a blank expression. He eyed her up and down. What he saw made him speak up. “Where is Your Highness going?”
“Training,” was Shěn Lí’s curt reply. She gave a fisted salute. “Immortal High God can tour the city. If there are any places that require payment, just tell them Immortal High God is from my household. Shěn Lí bids Immortal High God farewell.”
She turned around and promptly walked away, leaving Xíng Zhǐ alone in the main hall. Xíng Zhǐ narrowed his eyes as he stared at her walking away.
. . .[Military training grounds]
Because of her fever last night, Shěn Lí had completely forgotten the matter with Fú Róng trying to find Mò Fāng. But it all came back to her when she walked into camp and saw Mò Fāng’s gaunt face. Shěn Lí was stumped for words because right behind him, gasping for breath, was none other than Fú Róng. Shěn Lí sighed upon remembering yesterday.
Fú Róng called out after Mò Fāng. “Hey! Jade pendant! Don’t run away. This lord is trying to return something. This lord admits fault for breaking the pendant’s rope yesterday. Honestly how can a general by so mean-spirited about something like this.”
Mò Fāng made a face and refused to acknowledge the man behind him. He kept moving at the same fast pace. But he abruptly stopped when he caught sight of Shěn Lí. He bowed his head and gave her a fisted salute.
From behind, Fú Róng also saw Shěn Lí. The expression on his face froze, and he unconsciously took several steps back.
Mò Fāng was radiating anger, the resentment and humiliation still fresh in his heart. He didn’t say a word more to Shěn Lí. Instead, he turned around and walked back to the center of camp.
Shěn Lí chased after him. “Slow down.”
Mò Fāng glanced distractedly at Shěn Lí as she grabbed his wrist. His heart was in a frazzle but his emotions barely twinkled alive in his eyes before they retreated into the black abyss.
Shěn Lí pulled her hand back once she got his attention. In a low voice she asked, “He . . . is he causing you trouble?”
“Yes.” Mò Fāng couldn’t help but knead his forehead in frustration.
“Do you want to listen to him?”
“Your Highness –, I have never hated anyone so much in my entire life. He –,” Mò Fāng ground his teeth. “I just want to beat him up.”
Shěn Lí nodded. “Return to camp. Leave it to me.”
Mò Fāng stared a bit dazedly. He wanted to ask some questions, but ultimately couldn’t disregard Shěn Lí’s orders, so he silently obeyed and made his way back. Just as he was entering the grounds, he saw a white billowy shape make its way slowly toward Shěn Lí.
Although Shěn Lí turned in the direction of the shape, it didn’t seem like she noticed it.
An older general saw Mò Fāng standing and staring off at nothing. He swiftly grabbed Mò Fāng as he scolded him. “You youngsters! Always goofing off!”
Mò Fāng had no choice but let himself be dragged back.
In the meantime Shěn Lí had turned around and was now facing Fú Róng. He had finally managed to catch up. She eyed him up and down.
Fú Róng stubbornly suppressed the quiver in his voice as he spoke. “Yes? Is there something this lord can assist you with?”
“Frankly speaking my subordinate does not have the time to idle as freely as Your Lordship. Kindly do not toy recklessly with him.”
Unconvinced, Fú Róng raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think this lord is toying with him?”
“Lord Fú Róng is being sincere?” Shěn Lí couldn’t help but laugh as she spoke the words. “You know where you are right? I don’t care about what happens in the Immortal realm or who you have affections for. I don’t even care about our engagement; but remember this. The Demon realm army exists to battle and defend. Anyone who wishes them harm will suffer the wraith of my spear. I don’t care who.”
Fú Róng was so shaken by Shěn Lí that his throat constricted involuntary when he spoke. In a shaking voice he said, “This is Mò Fāng’s business. What does it have to do with you?”
Fú Róng was annoying Shěn Lí. “Oh? You didn’t know? Mò Fāng is mine.”
Fú Róng’s expression froze and the blood drained from his face. Shěn Lí looked at him disdainfully. She knew he was afraid of her, so she was confident he wouldn’t dare harass Mò Fāng any further. Later on, she would find more ways to bully him. She was certain he would run back to the Immortal realm if she made his life unbearable.
Just as Shěn Lí relaxed, happy to have the situation under control, Xíng Zhǐ walked up. She turned to see he was a mere three paces away. Surprised, she stared blankly as he approached.
Xíng Zhǐ . . .
His face was cold and expressionless. Shěn Lí dropped her smile and similarly cleared her expression, neutrally asking, “Why is Immortal High God here?”
“Your Highness permitted me to stroll as I pleased. As it turns out I want to look at the military training grounds.” A smile appeared on his lips but it didn’t reach his eyes. In fact, they seemed even frostier. “I couldn’t help but overhear Your Highness’s conversation. Strange. Why is it different from what Your Highness said at the army barracks? I clearly remember Your Highness firmly rejecting General Mò Fāng.”
You. You came to quarrel didn’t you?!
Fú Róng’s face regained some of its former color after hearing this. “Refused?” He stared. In a low voice he enthusiastically said to himself, “Then this lord still has a chance!”
Shěn Lí didn’t refute Xíng Zhǐ’s words. She disdainfully addressed Fú Róng. “Think you have the ability to fight me for him? Then try!” Finished, Shěn Lí turned and headed to camp without a single glance at Xíng Zhǐ.
Xíng Zhǐ stared at her from behind, his lips pursed in a frown, his eyes still cold.
https://www.patreon.com/justreads