THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 38

He understood the importance of apprehending the mastermind, and he knew Shěn Lí wanted him to give chase as it would help prove the Demon realm’s innocence, and yet . . .

He couldn’t walk away.

His grip unconsciously tightened as he stared at the pale face of the woman in his arms. She never painted her lips red or lived her life like other women. She was strong and never hid behind anyone’s back. She was much like the red-tasseled silver spear she wielded, forceful and unyielding.

As she said, there was no Xíng Zhǐ before, no one who could protect her. She was used to relying only on herself, to fighting alone, to guarding and bearing the burden of the Demon realm.

To see such a formidable woman in such a weakened state was both strange and distressing. She was like a cat that liked to reach out and lazily scratch at his heart with her claws. By the time he noticed her lazy scratches, it was too late, and the scratches had become painful and itchy. The feeling was hard to describe.

“This person . . . so troublesome.” The four words drifted from his lips into the empty room. He remained where he was, cradling Shěn Lí against is chest.

. . .
Jǐng Xī carried the unused medicine box as she followed Fú Róng around the exterior of the temple. He had allowed her to be his personal attendant.

Jǐng Xī’s martial art skills were not great, so it took a lot of effort for her to keep her tail hidden. She quietly called out to Fú Róng.

At her call, he turned around with a bright smile on his face. He asked, “Tired sweetie? Want to rest?”

Jǐng Xī wanted to hand the medicine box to Fú Róng. “Great immortal, I very much want to help, but I’m afraid I might accidentally change into my true form . . .”

“That won’t happen.” Fú Róng replied, still beaming as he circled around her. “This lord’s power has imprinted on your body! It is absolutely impossible for your form to shift.”

Saying as much he opened up a broken fan and teasingly toyed with Jǐng Xī by puffing a bit of wind at her legs. It was an ambiguously playful motion that was suggestively flirty.

Jǐng Xī blushed in embarrassment and took two steps back.

Fú Róng wore a carefree smile as he advanced one step toward his target, his fan still open.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jǐng Yán wedged himself in between them with a black sword pointed at Fú Róng’s chest. This made Fú Róng take two steps back.

“Great Immortal Lord Fú Róng, please conduct yourself appropriately.” Jǐng Yán only said the single sentence before grabbing the medicine box in Jǐng Xī’s hand and hurling it to the ground. Then he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into the temple.

Fú Róng’s face turned green. “Ah! So you would let your lover touch you like that ha?”

The words stunned Jǐng Xī. She looked at Jǐng Yán only to see him barely turn his head to the side. In a cold voice he said, “I and Little Jǐng Xī have no such feelings for one another. I ask that Great Immortal not slander Little Jǐng Xī’s good name.” He tugged at Jǐng Xi’s hand to pull her back, but she refused to move. He was incredibly annoyed as he looked at her. “What are you still standing there for? Do you want to stay here and be taken advantage of?”

Jǐng Xī tucked her head down, feeling the reprimand was unfair. “You’re being too fierce.”

Jǐng Yán furrowed his brow. He was about to speak when a clamor by the temple gates caught his attention. He saw a white billowy figure hurriedly carrying a bloody figure into the temple. The man’s voice was low but it resonated loud and clear. “Where is Lord Fú Róng?”