The Legend of Shen Li (English Translation of Yu Feng Xing 与凤行)

Chapter 40 - Qing Ye's Godhead

The bare tree branches lent a desolate feeling to the forest. It felt like late autumn.

Throughout their walk though Shen Li remained silent, she kept looking askance at Xing Zhi. He couldn't help but finally laugh out loud.

"So hesitant. This is not the Azure Sky King I know."

Unable to hide her curiosity once the silence was broken, Shen Li asked,

"Heaven's matter I do not know much about. However, this I do know. Today in heaven, there is only one God. But just now with Jing Qing? what was that?

"I am the only one now... however a long time ago there were other gods in the Heaven Beyond the Heavens other than myself."

Xing Zhi's eyes became distant.

"For you, it would be considered the days of ancient antiquity. Even I, myself, can not to remember how long ago."

The smile on his lips became indifferent as he continued,

"Yan was the previous generations Prince Rui. He was the beautiful god, Silver Hair Silver Eyes, Qing Ye. He was my close friend."

Shen Li gave him a sidelong glance. She had been giving him many as they walked, but this time she was appraising his appearance. His beauty was the kind that would elicit envy in others. Without thinking she blurted, "How does high god compare?"

Xing Zhi tilted his head to the side and shot her a glance. An enchanting smile played on his lips. He answered in a smug, boastful voice.

"Naturally I am more beautiful."

Instead of offending her, his complacent tone only served to make her laugh.

"I also agree."

Her frank agreement surprised Xing Zhi. He stared at her, but she was already focused on another topic

"What happened? Why is your friend no longer a god?"

"He fell in love with a mortal." Xing Zhi's eyes dimmed again.

"He moved against the heavens and used his powers to save the person. His godhead was abolished because of it."

In surprise Shen Li asked,

"Who... who could possibly punish a god?"

"Gods are subject to the laws of the Heavenly Dao at birth. These laws are meant to keep balance and order. The world would fall into chaos if the gods used their power for personal reasons."

He turned to look at Shen Li.

"The heavens are no different from the rest of the world."

He continued walking as he spoke from the side.

"Qing Ye was stripped of his godhead and sent to live in the mortal realm, to suffer through the wheel of reincarnation, to tragically fail in love."

Shen Li thought of Prince Rui and his plight, of how in the end he couldn't be with either of the women he cared about. Now as Yan he also had two females by his side but . . . A sense of misgiving grew in her heart.

"Who did the person he loves reincarnate as?"

"He's the only one who knows that. All I did was awaken his divinity and cleared the obstruction in his spiritual force. If he can find the one, he's been searching for then all will be well." Xing Zhi looked skyward. I only hope the Heavenly Dao will not be excessive and terminate everything."

Shen Li stopped at looked at Xing Zhi.

"I do not believe the matter is as complicated as that. Qing Ye's godhead is gone but it does not mean the heavens will negatively interfere with the course of his lives.