THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 31

Shěn Lí was called to the Demon emperor’s palace early the next morning.

Upon entering the meeting hall she saw the emperor seated in his usual spot. Mò Fāng stood to his side while many other soldiers lined up in the hall.

The Demon emperor dismissed the soldiers with a wave of his hand and quickly got to the point. “Last night Lord Fú Róng ran to the Mortal realm using the Demon realm entrance.”

Shěn Lí glanced in surprise at Mò Fāng. He swiftly bowed his head and knelt on his knee.

“This is all my fault. I shall bear the full responsibility of bringing Lord Fú Róng back. Once back, I will accept whatever punishment is necessary.”

“Why did he suddenly run away?” Shěn Lí asked. There was a distinct silence in the hall. “Did you beat him up?”

She wasn’t serious about the question so was surprised when Mò Fāng nodded.

“I was drunk last night.” He rubbed at the space between his brows helplessly as though he had a headache. “I wasn’t paying attention and . . . I kicked him . . . a few times.”

Mò Fāng hadn’t changed out of the clothes he wore last night. The black steel boots he wore were specially made to handle harsh environments; they were incredibly tough and sturdy.

Shěn Lí thought about Fú Róng’s baby soft, tender skin and realized the silly immortal must have really felt it. “So, he was beat up a little.” Shěn Lí continued disdainfully. “What is he? A baby? He was beat a little and he ran away? Who does he think he’s threatening with this silly ploy? There’s nothing in the Mortal realm that can harm him. Just let him come back when he feels like it.”

“That won’t do.” The emperor handed Shěn Lí a letter. “Because of an urgent matter, the Immortal emperor has decreed that Lord Fú Róng must return to the Immortal realm in three days.”

Shěn Lí thought of the letter from the bar maid a few days ago and her stomach did a somersault. She had asked Xíng Zhǐ to send it to the Immortal emperor on her behalf, but he had been so unenthusiastic about it she thought it would take some time to see any results. Xíng Zhǐ must have sent the letter right away. Not only that, he must have added something else to it. Why else would the Immortal emperor react so quickly?

Shěn Lí cast her eyes down. She wasn’t sure what this feeling in her heart was.

“Lord Fú Róng must be found within the next three days,” repeated the emperor. “Fortunately, we have time on our side. Time in the mortal world is faster so three days here is the equivalent to many years there.”

Shěn Lí nodded. She looked at the remorseful Mò Fāng then at the emperor and said, “So you want me to find him?”

“Your Majesty! This is my fault. Please don’t involve Her Highness.”

The Demon emperor waved his hand at Mò Fāng’s outcry. “This delegation isn’t just to bring Lord Fú Róng back, but also to give the children time to get to know each other. Remember time proceeds faster in the mortal world. Li-er, do you understand?”

There was no way to avoid the marriage so of course she understood. She needed to consider his feelings more.

“I will get everything in order and set out immediately.”

Mò Fāng wanted to argue, but the emperor’s words echoed in his ears. He felt like a fishbone was stuck in his throat. Although he wanted to say something, he couldn’t.

“As for General Mò’s punishment for offending a superior . . .”

“Don’t punish him. I told him he could beat Lord Fú Róng. If anyone is to blame it would be me. I shall accept punishment once I return with Lord Fú Róng.” Shěn Lí saluted, turned, and left the hall immediately after saying this.