Chapter 44: Shěn Lí’s First Visit to the Immortal Realm is Problematic |
[February 5, 2021] . . .
Nine days later.
The Immortal emperor was shaking his head and sighing profusely inside the immortal palace when a slight knock sounded and an attendant whispered, “Your Majesty, High God Xíng Zhǐ is here.”
“Please come in.” The emperor stood up to greet Xíng Zhǐ, clasping his fists in a salute and bowing as he did so. “High God has been away for some time.”
Xíng Zhǐ smiled slightly then returned the greeting. “I could hear Your Majesty sighing even through the doors. What could have upset Your Majesty so much?”
The emperor smiled. “The Immortal realm is safe and comfortable. The only issue of concern are the recent events in the Lower realm, which we will of course keep an eye on.”
The emperor led the way inside. He pointed to several jade pieces on a table. “No, I was sighing over a jade cup I saw the other day while visiting His Highness, Lord Tiān Yuán. I was so happy; to think I would find such a cup. I wanted to trade him for it, but alas, he was also quite fond of it and would not agree to my offer.” The emperor heaved another sad sigh.
Xíng Zhǐ smiled but did not say anything. Compared to the Demon realm, the Immortal realm was an incredibly easy place to live.
“I don’t care for many things; however I do love jade. But now I can’t get the piece I want. It would be unbecoming of me as an emperor to take it from Lord Tiān Yuán. So regrettable; I truly am distressed.”
The emperor smiled and shook his head. “Living as long as I have, I’ve always reminded myself to keep a clear heart. But to encounter something like this, I find it difficult to rein in my emotions. What a hopeless situation.”
Xíng Zhǐ became distracted, lost in thought. “Yes. Ruthlessly cutting away those feelings of attachment with an unwilling heart. Knowing you cannot have it, but still unable to let it go. The purer the emotion . . . the more difficult it is.” Xíng Zhǐ shook his head and his smile faded away. “Your Majesty’s feelings, Xíng Zhǐ understands.”
The emperor looked at Xíng Zhǐ. “This . . . what could High God have seen in the Lower realm to understand so?” Xíng Zhǐ’s smile earlier made the emperor hurry on. “This can’t be. If High God has these feelings, it will be the end of all three realms!”
“Your Majesty is overly worried.”
The emperor was relieved to hear this. “Truly I did overthink it; needless to say, the purity of ancient gods is incomparable to modern day immortals.”
Xíng Zhǐ smiled before changing the subject. “I came today to tell Your Majesty something.”
The emperor’s face became blue as he listened to Xíng Zhǐ tell him about Fú Róng’s behavior in the Demon realm. He immediately ordered someone to bring his grandson over.
Xíng Zhǐ knew he couldn’t stay much longer so he said his farewell, but before he could leave the emperor called out, “The Hundred Flower banquet is soon. If High God does not have anything pressing to do in the Celestial realm, why not stay in the Nine Heavens for a while?”
Xíng Zhǐ thought about it for a moment then nodded before speaking, “Alright. It’s been some time since I visited my old friends.”
. . .Fú Róng was forced to kneel as punishment.
He knelt for nine days and nine nights in front of the palace. The steps were cool jade and the air refreshingly chilled with wispy clouds. Though it was beautiful to look at, it was horrible to endure. Fú Róng passed in and out of consciousness. He called out, admitting his mistakes to the point his voice became hoarse, so now he was kneeling mutely.
The emperor relented a little after Fú Róng’s parents and siblings pled for leniency on his behalf. Fú Róng was finally allowed to return home.
Once home Fú Róng fumed about Xíng Zhǐ. He couldn’t hope for vengeance since the gap between them was impossible to bridge. Gnashing his teeth hatefully was the best he could do.
Fú Róng hadn’t even fully recovered when he heard news about Shěn Lí attending the banquet on the Demon emperor’s behalf. Both emperors had the same idea – get the two to bond by keeping them close to each other. But what could they bond over?! He’d be lucky if she didn’t kill him.
The thought kept him awake at night, and he sighed endlessly during the day. The people around him weren’t happy either.
But no matter how unhappy they were, it wouldn’t change Shěn Lí’s arrival.
. . .Shěn Lí showed up alone at the south gates. When the gatekeeper saw her, he knew right away who she was. He rushed to inform the emperor of her arrival; as a result, Shěn Lí was forced to wait alone until an escort was procured. Once an escort finally arrived, she was led to the emperor’s palace. She and the emperor exchanged the usual pleasantries before she was later escorted to Fú Róng’s residence.
It was Shěn Lí’s first time in the Immortal realm. Although she had heard about the Immortal realm’s beauty, she had not expected it to be so beautiful. Ethereal wispy clouds floated high up and floral fragrance accented the air, sometimes auspicious white cranes flew overhead, zither melodies played by immortals at leisure even floated to her occasionally.
Shěn Lí followed her escort brushing up against other immortals along the way. There was no wind, but their silks still danced fleetingly against her skin, leaving a lingering sweet fragrance behind. Her heart sank as she thought about the common people. The contrast was too big. She didn’t say anything as they walked.
A servant immediately came out to greet her once they reached Fú Róng’s residence. “Welcome, Your Highness. Please excuse my master for not coming in person to welcome you. He was punished recently and is still recuperating.”
Xíng Zhǐ. It was easy for Shěn Lí to guess what must have happened. “It is fine. Let Lord Fú Róng rest.” Him not showing up was even better. Saved her mood from souring at the sight of him.
Shěn Lí’s speech surprised the servant. Emboldened, he looked up. He expected to see a fierce, crazy, dominant woman but was unexpectedly surprised at the sight that greeted him. She was just a girl dressed like a man. He gazed confused before blinking a few times and collecting his thoughts.
“Your Highness, this way please. A place in the residence has already been prepared for your use.”
Shěn Lí nodded. As she followed the servant inside, the maid arranged to serve her spied on her from the side. She was a shy and pleasant looking clever maid.
But Shěn Lí was an experienced fighter, so how could she not detect the disguised ill-will aimed at her? She wasn’t fooled but she didn’t take it to heart either. She had been getting weird looks since she passed through the Immortal realm’s gate. Their expressions clearly showed either jealousy, disdain, or disgust. She knew it wasn’t aimed at her specifically, but at her race.
Just thinking of the Demon emperor being subjected to this kind of attitude made her immensely angry, so she was glad she attended instead.
She Li assumed the maid who came to serve her would be no different from the other immortals who disliked demons. Who would have expected the girl to have the guts to use poison?
The big-eyed maid was waiting by her side as she took a bite of her meal. She swallowed and took another bite before casually saying, “Does the Immortal realm sell inferior drugs?” She chewed some more then spoke in a flat voice. “It’s time to find the seller and demand a refund.”
Startled, the girl’s face blanched. She turned to run away, but before she could step out the door, a silver spear shot and stabbed into the floor right in front of her.
“Is that all the courage you have?” Shěn Lí kept eating her meal leisurely. “The Immortal realm raise some stupid children.”
The maid turned around, her face an image of fierce hate. “Who do you think you are?! You despicable demon; you aren’t worthy of His Lordship.”
Well there went Shěn Lí’s appetite. She put her chopsticks down and laughed angrily; she laughed for a long time. There were so many things wrong with that statement, she didn’t know where to start. In the end she only said, “Since you like him so much, why don’t go to the emperor and clarify the matter with him? Let the emperor give you the marriage since you are so much more worthy.”
The maid was startled when Shěn Lí got up and started walking toward her. She was hyperventilating when she noticed a strange scent in the air. It made her dizzy.
Shěn Lí also noticed the scent. The poison from earlier hadn’t affected her but the combination now made her eyes blur and her body heavy. She frowned and turned then caught a needle midair. A puff of air sounded somewhere nearby. Shěn Lí tried to reach and catch it, but she missed and a sharp jab pierced her finger instead.
Poison instantly spread from her finger to the rest of her body. Two women appeared. One went to help the maid up. Together all three glared at Shěn Lí like they were staring at a mutual enemy. “Someone like you doesn’t deserve to monopolize His Lordship.”
Shěn Lí’s mouth twitched at that statement. She pulled out the needle from her finger then massaged her temples. These immortal maids were asking for it. She rolled up her sleeves and approached them.
The three paled in fright. “So much poison, impossible! How can you still move?!”
With a cold smile Shěn Lí said, “You've been poisoned that effeminate sissy for so long, allow me to show you what a real man is."
Nearly everyone in the realm heard the women’s screams and cries that night. Fú Róng was no exception. He woke up with a start and called for his servant.
“What in the world is that?! A demon she-ghost?”
The servant opened Fú Róng’s door and answered. “My Lord, it sounds like it’s coming from the Azure Sky king’s courtyard.” He was trembling all over.
Fú Róng was surprised. He immediately ordered people to carry him over. When they got there, they saw that the door to Shěn Lí’s courtyard was open. Through it they could see three immortal ladies hanging from the beams in the ceiling. A vigorously burning brazier stood below them. All three were all crying horrendously.
Shěn Lí sat nearby and would from time to time poke at the embers to encourage them to burn more. “Go ahead, keep crying. Let’s see you put the flames out with your tears.”
Fú Róng couldn’t stand to see any beauty suffer. He was aghast at Shěn Lí’s behavior. “Shěn Lí! What are you doing!?”
Shěn Lí looked at him askance. “These three were willing to die for you for Your Lordship. This king is simply obliging them.”
“Your Highness! Save us! Save us!” The three cried out.
Fú Róng’s knees hurt too much for him to stand so he slapped a nearby servant on the head and cursed. “What are you just standing there for? Save them for this lord!”
Shěn Lí formed her spear and banged the tip against the floor, cracking the bricks and stones underfoot. The silver spear flashed when Shěn Lí spoke. “Who dares?”
They were shaken.
“Fight with this king.” Her glance around the courtyard frightened everyone. They trembled in fear and horror. Neither parties moved in the stand-off because no one in Fú Róng’s party dared.
The crying from the three women became sharper. The many immortals loitering outside the residence all wanted to know what was going on. In the end, even the emperor showed up.
Upon seeing the debacle, he scolded everyone. Then had Shěn Lí put out the fire and cut the ladies down.
After this was all done Shěn Lí finally spoke up. [notes]“Shěn Lí remembers when High God and Lord Fú Róng were in the Demon realm, though my Demon realm was not excessive, we were appropriately hospitable and treated our guests with due courtesy. Yet here Shěn Lí stands, my first evening and the Immortal realm has already tried to poison my meal. The food is still on the table, the scent still lingers, and the needle is there for all to see. Shěn Lí received such interesting gifts my first night here. Shěn Lí must ask Your Majesty, is this the Immortal realm’s idea of hospitality?”
The emperor was shocked at the revelation. Of course, he immediately sent someone to investigate. Upon hearing it was exactly as Shěn Lí said, the emperor got so angry his face turned purple. For the longest time he was at a loss for words, he just stood silently pointing at Fú Róng. At last he let out a sigh, “Azure Sky king has suffered because of my negligence. The three immortals are to be confined for a hundred years.”
“Shěn Lí thanks Your Majesty for this justice, however, Shěn Lí feels that more incidents will happen if Shěn Lí were to stay in Lord Fú Róng’s residence.”
The tricks the girls played wouldn’t hurt her, but who knew how many more Fú Róng lovestruck fools she would have to deal with. In just one night there was already three, even if she didn’t die, she’d be exhausted. She bowed as she spoke. “Shěn Lí hopes Your Majesty will find another quiet place for Shěn Lí to rest.”
She didn’t have to say her reasoning out loud for the emperor to understand.
The emperor thought about the problem, muttering to himself as he did so. A servant by his side whispered something, to which the emperor nodded his head.
“There is a quiet courtyard in the western sky but it’s somewhat inconveniently placed and the interior is also very simple. I wonder if the Azure Sky king will be offended by it?”
She used clouds to travel. What did distance matter? Considering how fancy the Immortal realm was, their idea of simplicity would no doubt be fine. She didn’t mind. “As long as it is quiet, Shěn Lí will move tomorrow.”
The emperor nodded. “That should work out. You have already made High God’s acquaintance earlier in the Demon realm so it shouldn’t be awkward living with each other.”
This Immortal realm . . . who else would they consider a high god other than that one guy. If it was that guy, why didn’t they say so earlier! She wanted to refuse but it was too late!
It would definitely be awkward to live together! Very awkward!
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