THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 28

“How long does Immortal High God wish to remain in the Demon realm?” Shěn Lí asked Xíng Zhǐ on their way back to her residence. She carried Parrot in his cage in one hand as she walked. “I can arrange things better if I have a general idea.”

Xíng Zhǐ was silent as he thought about it for a moment. “Mm . . . that . . . I will return to the Immortal realm with Lord Fú Róng when His Lordship leaves.”

Hearing the name made Shěn Lí’s head ache. She muttered under her breath, “Tomorrow would be great.”

She barely finished speaking when a figure rushed out as they neared the residence. “You Highness! Your Highness! Lord Fú Róng is in trouble!”

Though she was unaware what the trouble was, it was aggravating hearing the name Shěn Lí said, “He left to conduct his own affairs! What happens to him is none of my concern!”

“Ah! Your Highness, it’s no good! Lord Fú Róng went to the tavern on the east side of town and made the bar girls accompany him in drink. He drank all their wine then refused to pay! He was disrespectful to the bar girls too! He smelled like someone from the Immortal realm, so everyone knew he was connected with Your Highness. Just now even, someone came by the residence asking us to get Lord Fú Róng.”

Shěn Lí ground her teeth. Fú Róng having a lousy reputation in the Immortal realm she could overlook, but now he was in the Demon realm dragging her down with him.

Shěn Lí mentally cursed him out. She tossed Parrot’s cage at Ròu Yā as she said, “Hold this while I go and get that scumbag. I will tear him to pieces!”

Ròu Yā’s face was white with fear. “Your Highness no! You mustn’t do that!” Just as she moved to intercept Shěn Lí, a white billowy sleeve obstructed her path.

“Do not fret. I will stop your master.” Xíng Zhǐ smiled as he spoke.

Ròu Yā had never met anyone in the Demon realm with such a beautiful smile; she was dumbstruck and stared at his back as he left. When she came to her senses she yelled, “Your Highness!” after their receding figures, but they were already out of earshot. “Ah! I forgot to tell Her Highness that General Mò Fāng was at the residence when that person came by about Lord Fú Róng. He already left to see to it.”

Naturally Shěn Lí, as fired up as she was, didn’t hear Ròu Yā, and so had no idea Mò Fāng would be there as well.

. . .
When Mò Fāng got to the tavern he saw Fú Róng dead drunk at one of the tables. The barmaid wasn’t intimidated by Mò Fāng despite the sword at his waist and the armor on his body. She said, “I am a woman working in a tavern that serves alcohol, yes, but even as such I do not deserve to be disrespected! This guest’s demands are over the line! To be so salacious in broad daylight at someone’s workplace . . . it’s outrageous!”

Fú Róng lifted his head up and yelled out, “Miss with the tender soft pale skin! Another cup!”

Shěn Lí’s faced darkened and she clenched her fists. She was about to yell at Fú Róng for his behavior when another voice interrupted her.

“Enough!” Mò Fāng exploded as he dragged Fú Róng by the collar. His eyes were ice cold as he said, “What you do and how you ruin your reputation is none of my concern, however when your actions sully Her Highness’s reputation, that’s another matter altogether!”

The force of the words startled Shěn Lí so much she could only stare on at the scene blankly while her fisted hands loosened. A sense of powerlessness rose in her heart. She had already corrected Mò Fāng on this matter . . .

Shěn Lí wasn’t the only one shocked. Everyone else in the tavern was just as surprised by Mò Fāng’s outburst.

Fú Róng suddenly looked up and smiled at Mò Fāng. He raised his hand and laid it against Mò Fāng’s neck flirtatiously. “Mm . . . you are also very pleasing to look at. Such passionate eyes.” He pursed his lips after he finished speaking and suddenly pressed them against Mò Fāng’s, making a soft ‘mwuah’ sound.