THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 19

The marriage delay was a hot topic of discussion in both realms. In fact, it had practically become a joke. But on the tenth day of postponement, a shocking event occurred. General Zi Xià, who had been sent to the border by the emperor, had desperately ridden back and relayed news that frightened everyone. The seal over the Ruins ruptured and many minor monster beasts escaped.

Fortunately, the only major monster to escape the rift was a barely formed scorpion-tailed fox. However even with just the one, the army barracks and troops garrisoned suffered serious damage and injuries. General Zi Xià’s condition was so bad that he couldn’t even make it into the palace. He took his final breaths seated on his mount after passing on the information.

General Mò Fāng remained behind to defend the border, refusing to allow any of the monsters entrance into the Demon realm. The situation was grave and urgently needed to be dealt with.

After being informed, the emperor immediately gave the order to properly bury General Zi Xià. He also dispatched a messenger to notify the Immortal realm.

Shěn Lí was in the palace discussing official business and naturally overhead everything. She slapped the table in anger while saying, “Why wait and inform the Immortal realm! Our troops will suffer while we wait for that useless group. Shěn Lí requests permission to take troops for reinforcements!”

The emperor remained silent, not saying anything.

In the hall were also three veteran generals. One with white hair weighed in on the matter saying, “Your Majesty, I understand your misgivings about sending Her Highness out, what with the impending marriage, however the situation is urgent. Although there are many generals who can fight, not many of them have experience fighting the monsters. Her Highness is one of the few who does. I would ask that Your Majesty agree to her request to bring troops to guard the boundary.”

The emperor tapped his finger on the tabletop. “Shěn Lí.”

Shěn Lí immediately knelt down and saluted. “Yes!”

“You are not allowed to set foot out of your residence for this month.”

Shěn Lí couldn’t believe what she just heard. She raised her head and glanced at the three old generals hoping they would intervene. They looked back at her but remained silent. Still unwilling, she said, “Your Majesty, the border!”

“Regarding the chaos at the border, General Shàng Běi will go and investigate, and if the monsters can not be subdued, then they will delay long enough for the Immortal realm’s dispatch to arrive. . . ”

“Argh! he Immortal realm this! The Immortal realm that! Does Your Majesty really want to be the Immortal realm’s puppet?!” Shěn Lí exclaimed indignantly. Then, she completely disregarded etiquette and slammed the door on her way out.

The hall remained in shocked silence until the emperor asked, “Three generals, do you think I made an error?”

“Your Majesty has misgivings,” sighed one of the old generals. “Her Highness is young and reckless and does not take the time to consider things thoroughly, but Your Majesty should rest assured that Her Highness will one day understand.”

“Hm.” The eyes behind the mask were exhausted. “One day.”

. . .
Shěn Lí took the opportunity to look inside the still unsealed coffin of General Zi Xià’s. She saw blue greenish lines marking his face and black discoloration on his fingertips. The medical doctor said they were caused by the poison from the scorpion-tailed fox. With Zi Xià’s ability, it should not have been fatal, but because he refused to rest and had pushed his body to the brink in order to relay the information, the poison was able to reach his heart and turn fatal.