THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 42

   Mò Fāng stepped forward pushing Shěn Lí behind him. With a cupped fist salute he said, “Her Highness did not mean to offend Goddess.”

Xíng Zhǐ narrowed his eyes. His tone was slightly raised when he spoke. “Oh, General Mò Fāng knows Her Highness’s mind? That is indeed rare.”

Hearing the ill-will in Xíng Zhǐ’s tone made Mò Fāng frown. He was about to reply, but Shěn Lí beat him to it.

“Why bother making things more difficult for yourself Mò Fāng?” Shěn Lí dragged Mò Fāng back by the wrist. She gave him a quick look of dissatisfaction. Mò Fāng stared blankly back for a moment, not understanding, however he dropped his eyes like an obedient child and quickly situated himself behind Shěn Lí.

“Goddess Lou spoke rudely to my general. I couldn’t bear it. How exactly did I bully her?” Shěn Lí looked at Xíng Zhǐ before continuing. “High God, it looks like you’re only here to criticize and help her bully me.”

Xíng Zhǐ’s voice became even more strange. "Is Your Highness angry for your general? You treat your men like they’re little children.”

“Better than High God who plays at being the hero for the damsel.” Shěn Lí didn’t hold back. She countered in a bitingly, cold tone. She expected him to get angry at her outburst, but he didn’t. Instead she could see an ever so slight upward quirk of his lips. With gloomy eyes, she retreated a step.

Xíng Zhǐ’s expression was unexpectedly cheery. It instantly reminded her of the past and anger burst in her chest. It was like before; he was playing her in the palm of his hand again. It was a two-man show with her being the puppet.

Damn it! Fine! She narrowed her eyes refusing to bite farther onto the bait he extended. This fish was going to swim away even if it meant tearing a bloody hole in her cheek to escape.

How treacherous! To harm herself just to get away. Xíng Zhǐ thought he had nailed her securely to the hook only to watch her escape.

Shěn Lí’s face cooled. “If High God wishes to avenge the goddess, then please report the wrong to the Demon emperor. I will accept whatever punish is called for. Now if you’ll excuse me, I will be leaving.” Shěn Lí dragged Mò Fāng away with her without waiting for Xíng Zhǐ to reply.

Yōu Lán, still feeling thoroughly wronged, stared at Shěn Lí’s retreating figure then at Xíng Zhǐ’s enigmatic expression as he too, looked at Shěn Lí leaving.

“The people of the Demon realm don’t know how to behave according to proper etiquette. For the Azure Sky king to treat a person from the Immortal realm this way . . . The allegiance she pledged is surely insincere. It will cause disaster one day.”

Xíng Zhǐ turned to her and nodded his head. Then he said, “That is the way she is. It may be bad, but she might squeeze your neck the next time you provoke her.” There was a chilly undertone to his voice. “Who knows, you may not even have an intact corpse."

Yōu Lán felt a sudden chill on her neck. She looked at Xíng Zhǐ weakly. “If that happens, will High God oversee justice for me?”

Xíng Zhǐ gave Yōu Lán a kind smile as he spoke but his voice was firm. “That is unlikely. The Demon emperor is very fond of the Azure Sky king and will likely defend her. It is also unlikely the Immortal realm will go to war, after all, maintaining a peaceful relationship between the two realms is very important, however, Goddess Luò Tiān may rest in peace; I will be sure to place some fruit as tribute for you.”

Yōu Lán remained standing in the garden. In a daze, she watched the fluttering movements of Xíng Zhǐ’s white robe as he walked away.

. . .
Shěn Lí’s pace was fast as she walked out of the palace. It wasn’t until Mò Fāng whispered, “Your Highness . . .” that she slowed down. He shot her a glance before asking, “Why are you angry all of a sudden?”