Shen Li had almost healed completely. Though physically she was fine, remnants of the poison still remained. Xíng Zhǐ wanted her to stay in the Mortal realm a few more days until it was fully purged, but Shěn Lí could barely restrain herself and remain. She knew the Demon emperor would need all hands available.
Ultimately left without a better option, Xíng Zhǐ allowed Shěn Lí to return early.
Fú Róng was still in the Demon realm and sticking to Mò Fāng like glue. He walked with the general everywhere and got in the way of Mò Fāng’s work. Shěn Lí ground her teeth in anger at the news; she couldn’t wait to teach that good-for-nothing playboy what was what!
Fú Róng wasn’t the only immortal in the Demon realm, there was another - the Divine Maiden, Goddess Luò Tiān.
The title was just a courtesy one given by the Immortal realm; she wasn’t actually a goddess. She was in fact Fú Róng’s older sister, another of the Immortal emperor’s grandchildren.
And she happened to really like Xíng Zhǐ.
This final bit of information wasn’t something Shěn Lí heard, but more something she inferred. The goddess was in the hall when she and Xíng Zhǐ walked in to discuss matters with the Demon emperor. It was obvious from a glance that the goddess was quite smitten with Xíng Zhǐ.
“This is the Azure Sky king, Shěn Lí,” the Demon emperor said by way of introduction.
The goddess didn’t wait for Shěn Lí to finish nodding her head in greeting before turning to Xíng Zhǐ and bowing to him. She asked bluntly, “How is it that Immortal High God ended up travelling together with the Azure Sky king?”
Shěn Lí looked to Xíng Zhǐ to see how he'd reply. She wasn’t so foolish as to answer the question herself.
Xíng Zhǐ lightly smiled. “It is only returning together. What is so strange about that?”
The goddess’s face turned serious. “Azure Sky king is currently engaged by to my younger brother by royal decree. Immortal High God . . . it is inappropriate for the two of you to travel together.”
Xíng Zhǐ didn’t see it as a problem. “Had I not encountered miasma in Yáng Zhōu city, it was unlikely our paths would have crossed. I had originally planned to go sight-seeing before returning to the Immortal realm, but the miasma caught my attention. I was curious and so went to investigate. Incidentally the Azure Sky king was also there searching for Fú Róng, and thus did we meet by happenstance.
Miasma is an issue of grave importance, so naturally the Azure Sky king and I jointly investigated the matter. What happened afterwards, Fú Róng should have already explained.
Because the Azure Sky king was poisoned, it was imprudent for her to return, so I requested His Lordship return to the Demon realm and relay the news to His Majesty, meanwhile I would stay behind to help the Azure Sky king purge the poison. This is what caused our delay.”
He spoke in half-truths, completely unworried that Shěn Lí would contradict him. His smile, as he looked at the goddess, was soft and benign, but his eyes were unreadable.
“Does Goddess Luò Tiān still think it improper?”
The goddess blushed and she quickly looked away. “High God’s actions were above reproach; May High God can forgive Yōu Lán.”
Well . . . feminine charm was certainly effective.
Shěn Lí sighed, disdaining the whole situation. She wasn’t going to even bother. She turned her head to the side and snorted.
Xíng Zhǐ looked at Shěn Lí. He smiled and to the goddess asked, “What brings Goddess Luò Tiān here?”
“I’m here at Grandmother’s behest to deliver a feast invitation to the Demon emperor. The Hundred Flower feast is only thrown once every 300 years and the current one is set for the 18th of this month,” answered the Yōu Lán.
YOU ARE READING
THE LEGEND OF SHENLI
FantasíaAs the Azure Sky King, who was born a pearl in the Demon Realm, Shen Li's life was always bright and dazzling. However, on her upcoming thousandth birthday, the evil clutches of a political marriage came bombarding down, scratching at her. The ninet...
