Chapter 41: Reporting to the Emperor |
[February 6, 2020]
. . .
Shěn Lí had almost healed completely. Though physically she was fine, remnants of the poison still remained. Xíng Zhǐ wanted her to stay in the Mortal realm a few more days until it was fully purged, but Shěn Lí could barely restrain herself and remain. She knew the Demon emperor would need all hands available.
Ultimately left without a better option, Xíng Zhǐ allowed Shěn Lí to return early.
Fú Róng was still in the Demon realm and sticking to Mò Fāng like glue. He walked with the general everywhere and got in the way of Mò Fāng’s work. Shěn Lí ground her teeth in anger at the news; she couldn’t wait to teach that good-for-nothing playboy what was what!
Fú Róng wasn’t the only immortal in the Demon realm, there was another - the Divine Maiden, Goddess Luò Tiān.
The title was just a courtesy one given by the Immortal realm; she wasn’t actually a goddess. She was in fact Fú Róng’s older sister, another of the Immortal emperor’s grandchildren.
And she happened to really like Xíng Zhǐ.
This final bit of information wasn’t something Shěn Lí heard, but more something she inferred. The goddess was in the hall when she and Xíng Zhǐ walked in to discuss matters with the Demon emperor. It was obvious from a glance that the goddess was quite smitten with Xíng Zhǐ.
The goddess didn’t wait for Shěn Lí to finish nodding her head in greeting before turning to Xíng Zhǐ and bowing to him. She asked bluntly, “How is it that Immortal High God ended up travelling together with the Azure Sky king?”
Shěn Lí looked to Xíng Zhǐ to see how he'd reply. She wasn’t so foolish as to answer the question herself.
Xíng Zhǐ lightly smiled. “It is only returning together. What is so strange about that?”
The goddess’s face turned serious. “Azure Sky king is currently engaged by to my younger brother by royal decree. Immortal High God . . . it is inappropriate for the two of you to travel together.”
Xíng Zhǐ didn’t see it as a problem. “Had I not encountered miasma in Yáng Zhōu city, it was unlikely our paths would have crossed. I had originally planned to go sight-seeing before returning to the Immortal realm, but the miasma caught my attention. I was curious and so went to investigate. Incidentally the Azure Sky king was also there searching for Fú Róng, and thus did we meet by happenstance.
Miasma is an issue of grave importance, so naturally the Azure Sky king and I jointly investigated the matter. What happened afterwards, Fú Róng should have already explained.
Because the Azure Sky king was poisoned, it was imprudent for her to return, so I requested His Lordship return to the Demon realm and relay the news to His Majesty, meanwhile I would stay behind to help the Azure Sky king purge the poison. This is what caused our delay.”
He spoke in half-truths, completely unworried that Shěn Lí would contradict him. His smile, as he looked at the goddess, was soft and benign, but his eyes were unreadable.
“Does Goddess Luò Tiān still think it improper?”
The goddess blushed and she quickly looked away. “High God’s actions were above reproach; May High God can forgive Yōu Lán.”
Well . . . feminine charm was certainly effective.
Shěn Lí sighed, disdaining the whole situation. She wasn’t going to even bother. She turned her head to the side and snorted.
Xíng Zhǐ looked at Shěn Lí. He smiled and to the goddess asked, “What brings Goddess Luò Tiān here?”
“I’m here at Grandmother’s behest to deliver a feast invitation to the Demon emperor. The Hundred Flower feast is only thrown once every 300 years and the current one is set for the 18th of this month,” answered the Yōu Lán.
Xíng Zhǐ nodded. “I would have forgotten the matter had you not mentioned it.”
Yōu Lán [notes] smiled. “It is not a problem if High God forgets. I will return to the Immortal realm in a few days and properly send High God an invitation.”
“Your Majesty.” Shěn Lí’s voice was cold and it quickly broke the heartwarming atmosphere. “I beseech you, can we finish speaking of personal matters another time? I would like to report on the situation with the miasma in Yáng Zhōu city of the Mortal realm.”
Shěn Lí’s gaze was on the emperor as she spoke but her words pierced Yōu Lán, and made the goddess look at her askance.
Yōu Lán gave a deep bow as she spoke. “Is that so? Then Yōu Lán I will take her leave.” She quickly retreated but paused at the door to gaze sweetly at Xíng Zhǐ.
As the hall quieted, Shěn Lí turned toward Xíng Zhǐ. “Is High God not leaving? Does High God wish to pry into my Demon realm politics?”
There was a faint smile in Xíng Zhǐ’s eyes as he raised a brow at that. He could tell she was annoyed, but was restraining herself.
“I will not be leaving. As I said before, the situation with Yáng Zhōu ’s miasma is deeply concerning. Naturally, I will want to listen to this.”
It didn’t matter, Shěn Lí still wanted him to leave.
The Demon emperor waved his hand. “I wouldn’t dare conceal this matter from High God. Shěn Lí, speak.”
Shěn Lí bit back anger and adjusted her tone to properly address the Demon emperor.
“I’m afraid Lord Fú Róng may not have given a full report. In fact, before we ever uncovered the hideout for the mastermind behind the miasma, we discovered that land gods in the region were disappearing, kidnapped by the same villain for reasons unknown.
The gods suspect the kidnappers were from the Demon realm because of the demonic aura they all exuded.
When I was fighting against the villain, I felt he exuded demon aura as well. I know his given name is Fú Shēng. Your Majesty, are you aware of anyone in the Demon realm who goes by that name?”
The Demon emperor muttered the name to himself. “Fú Shēng . . .” He was quiet, lost in thought for some time. “I’ve never heard that name before. How strong was his magic? To injure you this grievously, he can't be ordinary.”
Shěn Lí shook her head. “Fú Shēng wasn’t the one who injured me. My injuries were from the monsters he raised. They resembled human form, but were monsters like the ya shou. There were three of them, and though they lacked intelligence, they were able to coordinate their attacks. Their strength was incredible. They can even reanimate after death in order to obey commands.”
Shěn Lí furrowed her forehead just thinking about it.
She continued. “A few of these monsters existing isn’t bad, but any more than that would be catastrophic.”
The Demon emperor was surprised by Shěn Lí’s wording. “Raised?” He tapped his fingers on the tabletop. “Raised . . .”
Xíng Zhǐ looked at the emperor. “Did Your Majesty think of something? Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts.”
The emperor stared blankly for a moment before replying with, “No . . . it is nothing.” He paused before continuing. “Is there anything else?”
“Not much more, just these few points. But we should be on guard based on these points alone.”
The Demon emperor nodded. “I will send someone to the Mortal realm to investigate this matter.” In a more relaxed tone he said, “You and High God must be weary from your journey. Go and rest. Resting is also a matter of great importance.” He rubbed Shěn Lí’s head. “Rest your body. You’ve been running around non-stop lately.”
She obediently let the emperor pat her head for a few seconds. “Your Majesty worries too much. I'll make the villain cry for daring to target the Demon realm.”
This made the emperor laugh. He shook his head and said, “Go back home.”
. . .Xíng Zhǐ and Shěn Lí were walking along the promenade after leaving the hall when he turned to look at her. Her hair was still a mess from earlier because of the Demon emperor.
He spoke in a neutral tone. “It’s clear how dearly His Majesty loves you, and just as clear how much you respect him.”
“He raised me. He treats me like his own child.” Shěn Lí continued more quietly. “He is my master and my father and my most trusted confidante. In court, there is no one I respect more than him. My keeping the Demon realm safe isn’t just for my sake, but also for His Majesty’s sake.”
Shěn Lí made it her purpose in life to guard the Demon realm. This purpose was what drove her to be so dedicated.
Xíng Zhǐ glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, but otherwise remained silent.
The Demon emperor sat silently as in front of him Qīng Yán and Chì Róng’s[notes] silhouettes appeared. They knelt with their heads to the floor.
The Demon emperor spoke. “Just now the Azure Sky king mentioned Fú Shēng’s matter. Why was I not informed of this?”
Qīng Yán and Chì Róng glanced at each other.
“Your Majesty, begging your forgiveness, this matter was not reported by anyone.”
“Catching this immortal and hiding it from the outside world will not be an easy feat.” His slender fingers tapped the table. “I want the two of you to investigate this matter personally.”
A firm, cold light shone in his eyes. “When you catch him, don’t bother bringing him back. Just execute him on the spot. Be sure to maintain secrecy. Understood?”
This shocked both men. Chì Róng raised his head. “But what about the Immortal realm . . .?”
“I will find a justification for it.” The Demon emperor waved his hand. “Dismissed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Both replied and promptly disappeared.
The Demon emperor leaned back in his chair after they left. His eyes behind the mask were grim and cold.
. . .Shěn Lí bumped into a few generals on her way out of the palace. They were heading in while she was heading out. Xíng Zhǐ excused himself while she chatted with them.
Shěn Lí asked about the situation at the Ruined Abyss.
“The air is cleaner than at the capital so these rascals,” he said referring to the young recruits,” really look forward to patrolling there.
Hearing this made Shěn Lí happy. It also reminded her of a certain somebody, so she asked, “Where is General Mò Fāng?”
The last time she saw him, he had kicked Fú Róng. As a result, he was punished by the Demon emperor. She hadn’t seen him at all since she returned, so she wondered if the punishment had been particularly harsh. She was worried.
At her question, the generals looked at each other and laughed. “We don’t know what they talk about, but Goddess Luò Tiān summons him to the garden every day.”
Shěn Lí’s face blanked out at that. The goddess called for Mò Fāng? She bade the men goodbye and reversed course, heading for the garden instead of home. The goddess seeking out Mò Fāng couldn’t be a good thing.
. . .“I admire General’s heroic spirit. I heard my younger brother has been quite an inconvenience to you recently.”
Shěn Lí hadn’t entered the garden proper when she heard the goddess’s voice through the thicket of bushes.
“I will bear the burden of this crime with you,” continued the goddess.
Following two steps behind her was Mò Fāng. “Goddess is too polite.” He cupped his fists in a salute. “There is no need for Goddess to do so. I will be grateful if Goddess can persuade Fú Róng to return to the Immortal realm as soon as possible.
Yōu Lán stopped to turn and glance back at Mò Fāng. “Of course. My younger brother is normally attracted to the opposite gender. Occasionally he will pursue men as well, however he will not pursue without reason. I hope General will remember to behave with decorum and not permit my brother to . . .”
“I applaud Goddess. Your younger brother is a lecher and like a mosquito that bites and nips at people. When he sees someone he likes, he nips at them relentlessly. There’s no escape,” said Shěn Lí as she stepped forward.
Mò Fāng’s eyes lit up when he saw Shěn Lí. He was about to salute but Shěn Lí pulled him behind her. She sneered at the goddess.
“Goddess came to persuade the wrong person. If you want to persuade anyone, it should be your brother.”
The goddess glanced at Shěn Lí. “Azure Sky king has a way with words. But regarding this matter, there would be no fire without smoke . . .”
“I have seen Lord Fú Róng become excited all on his own without anyone’s help. He can create his own smoke and fire.”
To Mò Fāng, Shěn Lí said, “Go on, don’t let that mosquito bite you later.”
“Stop!” Yōu Lán was aghast at Shěn Lí’s attitude. Agitated she said, “Is this what Demon realm hospitality amounts to?”
“This is my hospitality, respectable people, treat respectfully, cute people, treat lovingly, hateful people, why would I want them to stay? Goddess shouldn’t make presumptuous requests. I have a bad temper.” Shěn Lí didn’t bother to look at the goddess. She just grabbed Mò Fāng’s arm and dragged him with her as she did an about face and made to leave the garden.
“You!” She was the Immortal emperor’s granddaughter. No one treated her this way. On impulse, Yōu Lán grabbed Shěn Lí’s sleeve. “Who said you could walk away!?”
Shěn Lí turned to look at her. “Let go.”
Now Yōu Lán really was angry. “No! Not letting go!”
Shěn Lí narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Fine then.” She twisted the delicate hand holding onto her sleeve with just enough force to hurt but not injure.
“Let go! Let go of me you!” screamed out an aggrieved Yōu Lán. She felt angry and wronged, but then remembering the rumors about the Azure Sky king, she immediately paled and wondered if her hand was going to break. Her eyes filled with tears as she realized how barbaric the Demon realm was. “Let go of me right now! It hurts!”
Mò Fāng thought the situation was inappropriate. “Your Highness, stop twisting . . .”
Shěn Lí looked at the unexpectedly tearstained goddess. The image reminded her when her own people had been bullied.[notes] As she thought about letting the goddess go, a slight ache radiated from the back of her hand and she immediately released her grip.
A cool breeze blew by and Yōu Lán took three steps back. Xíng Zhǐ, clad in white, inspected Yōu Lán’s hand. His brow wrinkled in disapproval. He turned to Shěn Lí but saw she was holding onto Mò Fāng’s wrist. His brows stayed knitted. “How can you use your martial arts to take advantage of someone like that?”
Shěn Lí stared at Yōu Lán for a moment.
The goddess gripped Xíng Zhǐ’s robe with one hand as she hid behind him with her tearstained face. Quite the picture of a damsel in distress.
Shěn Lí: Oh . . . the hero saves the beauty, how nice. Only why was I shoved into the bad guy role?
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