THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 23

A crisp refreshing wind blew down the hills into camp, cutting through the miasma and clearing the air, allowing the bright moon to shine gloriously down from the sky. Everyone in camp looked up in amazement at the sight. How long had it been since any of them enjoyed such a view?

Mò Fāng sat on the white stone training platform quietly gazing at the character imprinted on the hill. He was in a contemplative mood.

“Here.” Shàng Běi tossed a jug of wine at Mò Fāng. He jumped up on to the platform and made himself comfortable next to the other man. “Injured people shouldn’t drink liquor straight, so I cut it with some water. Hahaha!”

Mò Fāng shook the bottle. “No. Drinking leads to mistakes.”

“OK. Even if you won't drink it, just take it anyway.” Shàng Běi raised his head and poured a mouthful down his throat. Then he glanced at Mò Fāng and said, “Do you still think Immortal High God Xíng Zhǐ was bullying Her Highness?” Silence met his question. “Hahaha!” he laughed at Mò Fāng’s refusal to answer. “Immortal High God’s personality is really strange, but if you look at his aura, it’s insanely pure. An aura of that magnitude, neither you nor I would have been able to withstand it. I’m sure our legs would have turned to jelly had either of us switched places with Her Highness.”

Mò Fāng nodded. Even if he didn’t understand it then, he did now. The moon’s glow, the fresh clean breeze, he could feel Immortal High God Xíng Zhǐ’s consideration for them in these actions. It was just that. . .

“Hey! The moon’s been out for so long. Shouldn’t they have finished what they were doing and be back already?”

Mò Fāng gripped the jug and uncorked it. He chugged down the wine trying to drown his sorrow. The first mouthful was immediately followed by a second, then a third, until his face blushed red.

Shàng Běi laughed mischievously at the sight. Shàng Běi understood; after all he had felt the same way a long time ago. He wanted to say something heartfelt and wise, but what came out was, “What about Her Highness do you like?” Such a direct question. He wanted to slap his mouth the moment it came out.

The drunken Mò Fāng looked at the moon in a daze. “What I like?” he whispered as if to himself. “Is there anything I don’t like?”

“Oh. . . ” Shàng Běi, stumped for words, scratched his head at the tricky dilemma. “You’ve got it bad.”

As if on cue, a light streaked across the night sky landing somewhere on the other side of camp. Mò Fāng got up, leaving Shàng Běi behind as he walked over weaving around the tents. He saw Xíng Zhǐ grab a leaf from above Shěn Lí’s head in front of one of the tents.

She snatched the leaf back. “Another day, I will blow a melody from this leaf for you to hear.”

Xíng Zhǐ smiled and said, “I will await that beautiful melody then,” before turning to leave.

Shěn Lí was intent on doing the same. She turned around and was about to enter her tent when she caught a glimpse of Mò Fāng out of the corner of her eye. She paused. “Mò Fāng,” she called out.

With his head hung low, Mò Fāng obediently walked over. Shěn Lí said, “The Demon emperor doesn’t know I’m here. Return and report my presence and the events that happened here to the emperor. Returning early, it will also be good for your recuperation.”

This. . .  was this her way of making him leave? Clenching his jaw, Mò Fāng knelt on one knee to accept the order. “As commanded.”

Shěn Lí smelled alcohol on his body when he came over. She wanted to remind him not to drink while his body was still recovering, but with things the way they were, she changed her mind part way through. It was better to not say. She turned around to head back into her tent. After she left, Mò Fāng didn’t get up, but remained kneeling like that for a long time.