Accompanying the Phoenix

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Shen Li was almost completely healed. Physically she was fine, but remnants of the poison still remained so Xing Zhi wanted her to stay in the Mortal realm a few more days until it was fully purged. Shen Li could barely restrain herself knowing the Demon emperor would need to arrange affairs in her stead.

Ultimately left without a better option, Xing Zhi allowed Shen Li to return early.

Fu Rongjun was still in the Demon realm and sticking to Mo Fang like glue. He walked with the general everywhere and got in the way of Mo Fang’s work. The news made Shen Li grind her teeth in anger; she couldn’t wait to tell that good-for-nothing playboy what was what!

Fu Rongjun wasn’t the only immortal in the Demon realm, there was another - the Divine Maiden, Goddess Luo.

The title was just a courtesy one given by the heavens; she wasn’t actually a goddess. She was in fact Fu Rongjun’s older sister, another of the Heavenly emperor’s grandchildren.

And she happened to really like Xing Zhi.

This final bit of information wasn’t something Shen Li heard, but more something she inferred. The goddess was in the hall when she and Xing Zhi walked in to discuss matters with the Demon emperor. It was obvious from a glance that the goddess was quite smitten with Xing Zhi.

“This is the Azure Sky King, Shen Li,” the Demon Emperor said by way of introduction.

The goddess didn’t wait for Shen Li to finish nodding her head in greeting before turning to Xing Zhi and bowing to him. She asked bluntly, “How is it that High God ended up travelling together with the Azure Sky king?”

Shen Li looked to Xing Zhi to see how he would reply. She wasn’t so foolish as to answer the question herself.

Xing Zhi lightly smiled. “It is only returning together. What is so strange about that?”

The goddess’s face turned serious. “The Azure Sky king is currently engaged by to my younger brother by heavenly decree. High God... it is inappropriate for the two of you to travel together.”

Xing Zhi didn’t see it as a problem. “Had I not encountered miasma in Yangzhou city, it was unlikely our paths would have crossed. I had originally planned to go sight-seeing before returning to the heavens, but the miasma caught my attention. I was curious and so I went to investigate. Incidentally the Azure Sky king was also there searching for Fu Rongjun 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, Fu Rongjun 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.”[notes]

He spoke in half-truths, completely unworried that Shen Li would contradict him. His smile, as he looked at the goddess, was soft and benign, but his eyes were unreadable.

“Does Goddess still think this is improper?”

This made the goddess blush and she quickly looked away. “High God’s actions were above reproach; I spoke wrongly. I hope High God can forgive me.”

Well... feminine charm was certainly effective.

Shen Li sighed, disdaining the whole situation. She wasn’t going to even bother. She turned her head to the side and snorted.

Xing Zhi looked at Shen Li. He smiled and to the goddess asked, “What brings Goddess 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 goddess.

Xing Zhi nodded. “I would have forgotten the matter had you not mentioned it.”

Youlan[notes] smiled. “It is not a problem if High God forgets. I will return to the heavens in a few days and properly send High God an invitation.”

“Your Majesty.” Shen Li’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 Yangzhou city of the Mortal realm.”

Shen Li’s gaze was on the emperor as she spoke but her words pierced Youlan, and made the goddess look at her askance.

Youlan gave a deep bow as she spoke. “Is that so? Then I will take my leave.” She quickly retreated but paused at the door to gaze sweetly at Xing Zhi.

As the hall quieted, Shen Li turned toward Xing Zhi. “Is High God not leaving? Does High God wish to pry into my Demon realm politics?”

There was a faint smile in Xing Zhi’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 Yangzhou’s miasma is deeply concerning. Naturally, I will want to listen to this.”

It didn’t matter, Shen Li still wanted him to leave.

The Demon emperor waved his hand. “I wouldn’t dare conceal this matter from High God. Shen Li, speak.”

Shen Li bit back anger and adjusted her tone to properly address the Demon emperor.

“I’m afraid Fu Rongjun 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, the reason unknown.

The gods suspect the kidnappers were from the Demon realm because of the demonic aura all of them exuded.

When I was fighting against the villain, I felt he exuded demonic aura as well. I know his given name is Fusheng.[notes] Your Majesty, are you aware of anyone in the Demon realm who goes by that name?”

The Demon emperor muttered the name to himself. “Fusheng...” He was quiet, lost in thought for quite some time. “I’ve never heard that name before. How strong was his magic? To injure you this grievously he can't be ordinary.”

Shen Li shook her head. “Fusheng wasn’t the one who injured me. My injuries were from the humanoid 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 obey commands after death by reanimating to do so.”

Shen Li 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 Shen Li’s wording. “Raised?” He tapped his fingers on the tabletop. “Raised...”

Xing Zhi 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 just 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 Shen Li’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.”

...

Xing Zhi and Shen Li 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.”[notes]

“He raised me. He treats me like his kid.” Shen Li 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. So I’m keeping the Demon realm safe not just for my sake, but also for the sake of the His Majesty.”

Shen Li made it her purpose in life to guard the Demon realm. This purpose was what drove her to be so dedicated.

Xing Zhi glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, but otherwise remained silent.

The Demon emperor sat silently as in front of him Qing Yan and Chi Rong’s[notes] silhouettes appeared. They knelt with their heads to the floor.

The Demon emperor spoke. “Just now the Azure Sky king mentioned Fusheng’s matter. Why was I not informed of this?”

Qing Yan and Chi Rong 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. Chi Rong raised his head. “But what about the heavens...?”

“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.

...

Shen Li bumped into a few generals on her way out of the palace. They were heading in while she was heading out. Xing Zhi excused himself while she chatted with them.

Shen Li asked how the situation at the Burial Ruins were doing.

“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 Shen Li happy. It also reminded her of a certain somebody, so she asked, “Where is General Mo Fang?”

The last time she saw him, he had kicked Fu Rongjun. As a result, the Demon emperor had had to punish him for it. 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 the goddess summons him to the garden every day.”

Shen Li’s face blanked out at that. The goddess called for Mo Fang? She bade the men goodbye and reversed course, heading for the garden instead of home. The goddess seeking out Mo Fang 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.”

Shen Li 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 Mo Fang. “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 Fu Rongjun to return to heaven as soon as possible.

Youlan stopped to turn and glance back at Mo Fang. “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 Shen Li as she stepped forward.

Mo Fang’s eyes lit up when he saw Shen Li. He was about to salute but Shen Li 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 Shen Li. ~“Azure Sky King has a way with words. But regarding this matter, there would be no fire without smoke…”

“I have seen Fu Rongjun become excited all on his own without anyone’s help, creating his own smoke and fire.”[notes]

To Mo Fang Shen Li said, “Go on, don’t let that mosquito bite you later on.”

“Stop!” Youlan was aghast at Shen Li’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.” Shen Li didn’t bother to look at the goddess. She just grabbed Mo Fang’s arm and dragged him with her as she did an about face and made to leave the garden.

“You!” She was the Heavenly emperor’s granddaughter. No one treated her this way. On impulse, Youlan grabbed Shen Li’s sleeve. “Who said you could walk away!?”

Shen Li turned to look at her. “Let go.”

Now Youlan really was angry. “No! Not letting go!”

Shen Li 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 Youlan. 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!”

Mo Fang thought the situation was inappropriate. “Your Highness, stop twisting…”

Shen Li 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 Youlan took three steps back. Xing Zhi, clad in white, inspected Youlan’s hand. His brow wrinkled in disapproval. He turned to Shen Li but saw she was holding onto Mo Fang’s wrist. His brows stayed knitted. “How can you use your martial arts to take advantage of someone like that?”

Shen Li stared at Youlan for a moment.

The goddess gripped Xing Zhi’s robe with one hand as she hid behind him with her tearstained face. She really was the picture of a damsel in distress.

Shen Li: Oh… the hero saves the beauty, how nice. Only why was she shoved into the bad guy role?