THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 13

       “I can’t.” She looked around at the baby demons and the devastation they wrought. “There’re still some things I have to do here.”

Seeing Shěn Lí struggle made Mò Fāng wrinkle his brow involuntarily. He didn’t want to push her, but this matter could not be delayed! He decided to prioritize the latter. Saluting with his fists in front of him and his head bowed he said, “Your Highness, the matter of leaving can no longer be delayed! If Your Highness is caught, another escape will not be possible. The Immortal realm has already prepared for the marriage ceremony . . .”

You didn’t have to tell her twice. Shěn Lí understood this matter better than anyone else. It was just that she really couldn’t leave! She looked to Xíng Yún and watched as he used her spear to poke at a baby demon’s bottom. He reacted with surprise when it dissipated before it even had a chance to cry out. He sighed and turned the tip of the spear towards his face studying it closely.

Shěn Lí turned to Mò Fāng. With a complicated expression on her face she rubbed the space between her brow. Sighing she said, “I know, but I can’t leave right now.”

“Your Highness?” Mò Fāng was really confused. He didn’t think the Azure Sky king had the word “can’t” in her vocabulary. It was either “do” or “don’t.” Where did “can’t” even come from? His brain couldnt compute what she said. He couldn’t help but continue to stare at her with a blank expression.

“After spending time here in the mortal world . . . I have fallen for someone.” She looked at Xíng Yún as she spoke.

Mò Fāng turned to follow her gaze. What he saw was a distracted looking man, disorderly attired, pale faced, weak looking, and very importantly – mortal. The vision only made him more confused. This guy?! He’s so . . . I don’t get it.

The two watched as Xíng Yún lost his grip and dropped the spear. It rolled on the ground and hit several baby demons, immediately causing them to dissipate on contact while a few others dissipated simply by proximity. Xíng Yún chased after the spear but the constant coughing that wracked his body would make him stumble and accidentally kick the spear, making it roll away again. It took him three tries before he finally grasped it.

Mò Fāng couldn’t help but wonder. This person captured the king’s heart?

Shěn Lí sighed watching him. “Yes, he is the one. I would never have expected either . . .” She shook her head. Looking up she saw Mò Fāng’s frown. “He is different from us. His body is worn out and will not be able to withstand many ordeals. As things stand, it is not safe for him here. I must put things in order for him first before leaving. Although I have taken a fancy to him, I know that as a demon I walk a different path than him. A mortal’s life is short and their memories do not carry forth from one life to the next.” Shěn Lí’s voice was gentle but firm. “I won’t stay with him, but I will give him a safe life.”

Mò Fāng silently looked down averting his gaze. After hearing the resolution in her voice, he knew she had made her decision. Once she set her mind there would be no swaying her so he said, “This subordinate will share in Your Highness’s worries, and will do as commanded.”

“Half a day.” Shěn Lí walked to Xíng Yún. “Stall them for half a day. I will finish this matter then.”

“As Your Highness commands. I will try my utmost to do so.”

“Thank you!”

With the decision made Mò Fāng didn’t linger. He disappeared like the wind, intent on his mission.

Shěn Lí took the spear from Xíng Yún’s hand. When she did so he told her, “Your spear is really powerful.”

“That you could hold onto it for so long is impressive. You are also quite powerful.” Her spear was obviously no ordinary spear. It had taken countless lives with an aura that was enough to intimidate and instill fear in most creatures. Just seeing it would make people’s emotions fluctuate. Xíng Yún appeared utterly unaffected by it, so in a sense he was also a master.