THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 40

    The bare tree branches lent a desolate feeling to the forest. It felt like late autumn.

Throughout their walk though Shěn Lí remained silent, but she kept looking askance at Xíng Zhǐ. He couldn’t help but finally laugh out loud. “So hesitant. This is not the Azure Sky king I know.”

Unable to hide her curiosity once the silence was broken, Shěn Lí asked, “Matters of the upper realms I do not know much about, however this I do know. In all the realms, there is only one god. But just now with Jǐng Yán, what was that?

“I am the only one now . . . however, a long time ago, there were other gods in the beyond other than myself.” Xíng Zhǐ’s eyes became distant. “For you, it would be considered the days of ancient antiquity. Even I, myself, can not remember how long ago.”

The smile on his lips became indifferent as he continued, “Jǐng Yán was the previous generations Prince Ruì. He was the beautiful god, Silver Hair Silver Eyes, Qīng Yè, my close friend.”

Shěn Lí gave him a sidelong glance. She had been giving him many as they walked, but this time she was appraising his appearance. His beauty was the kind that would elicit envy in others. Without thinking she blurted, “How does Immortal High God compare?”

Xíng Zhǐ tilted his head to the side and shot her a glance. An enchanting smile played on his lips. He answered in a smug, boastful voice. “Naturally I am more beautiful.”

Instead of offending her, his complacent tone only served to make her laugh. “I also agree.”

Her frank agreement surprised Xíng Zhǐ. He stared at her, but she was already focused on another topic “What happened? Why is your friend no longer a god?”

“He fell in love with a mortal.” Xíng Zhǐ’s eyes dimmed again. “He moved against Heavenly law and used his powers to save the person. His godhead was abolished because of it.”

In surprise, Shěn Lí asked, “Who . . . who could possibly punish a god?”

“Gods are subject to the laws of the Heavenly Dao at birth. These laws are meant to keep balance and order. The world would fall into chaos if gods used their power for personal reasons.” He turned to look at Shěn Lí. “The Celestial realm are no different from the rest of the world.” He continued walking as he spoke from the side. “Qīng Yè was stripped of his godhead and sent to live in the Mortal realm, to suffer through the wheel of reincarnation, to tragically fail in love.”

Shěn Lí thought of Prince Ruì and his plight, of how in the end he couldn’t be with either of the women he cared about. Now as Jǐng Yán, he also had two females by his side but . . . A sense of misgiving grew in her heart. “Who did the person he love reincarnate as?”

“He’s the only one who knows that. All I did was awaken his divinity and clear the obstruction in his spiritual force. If he can find the one he’s been searching for, then all will be well.” Xíng Zhǐ looked skyward. “I only hope the Heavenly Dao will not be excessive and terminate everything.”

Shěn Lí stopped at looked at Xíng Zhǐ. “I do not believe the matter is as complicated as that. Qīng Yè’s godhead is gone but it does not mean Heaven will negatively interfere with the course of his lives.

As Prince Ruì, he and the princess shared a common fate. Naturally he was fond of the princess. But in this life, he is Jǐng Yán. And in this life, he grew up with Jing Jǐng Xī. It’s obvious he cherishes her. The two generations are not related. His destiny is mainly in the hands of fate; however he still has free will. And that free will’s influence will impact his fate.”

Xíng Zhǐ also stopped, turning to look at her. “That is a novel idea. But no matter how you phrase it, all of Jǐng Yán’s previous lives served to shape him into the person he is now. His feelings have evolved from that. Neither you nor I can influence the matter. We can only observe.”