THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 43

    “Is it customary for people of the Celestial realm to eavesdrop on others?” Shěn Lí sneered, “to show up unannounced in the middle of the night?”

Xíng Zhǐ’s eyes dimmed but he didn’t say anything.

Fú Róng wasn’t as silent. “You – you. A man and a woman alone on a roof in the middle of the night . . . is this considered proper?! What looking at the sky?! A person would have to be blind to believe that!”

Shěn Lí didn’t say a word, instead she reached over as if to jab Fú Róng in the eyes.

He stared and used one hand as if to block. “What?! Trying to kill now?!”

“Since you’re not using your eyes, why not let me dig them out and give it to someone who will.”

“High God, look! Look! This is abominable!” Fú Róng said as he dashed to Xíng Zhǐ.

However, when Fú Róng did so, Xíng Zhǐ moved to the side, not letting Fú Róng near him. He stared fixedly at Shěn Lí as he spoke. “Your Highness, there is no need to refuse General Mò Fāng’s tender feelings. If it is your wish, then I, Xíng Zhǐ, will assist.”

His words were met with surprise, both men pleasantly so, Shěn Lí disbelievingly so. For whatever inexplicable reason, he’d denied her when she asked him to dissolve the edict previously. Based on what she knew of him, she could only assume he was speaking now out of anger.

It didn’t make sense. What could he be angry about? He was the one who pushed her away. He was the one who decided on the marriage. But now all of a sudden, he was angry? What? Because other people appreciated the toy he’d tossed aside so now he was miffed?

How childish.

She smiled. “How could I dare refuse? Wasn’t the marriage only because of High God’s edict? If High God wishes to revoke it, the only thing I can do is accept it.” Shěn Lí raised her hand in a respectful gesture. “I look forward to High God fulfilling his promises.”

The smile on Xíng Zhǐ’s face wilted and his eyes turned cold. Neither of them said a word as both tried to stare the other down.

He finally dropped his gaze. “Your Highness is so serious. Your marriage was decided by the Immortal emperor and his royal cabinet. How could I have any say over the matter? If Your Highness is fond of General Mò Fāng, considering Lord Fú Róng’s nature, it’s not impossible to undo.”

“Why is High God slandering my name so?” Fú Róng couldn’t help but interject.

Shěn Lí let out a cool laugh. Her voice came out hoarse when she spoke. “Many thanks to High God for pointing that out.”

She’d been played again. Turned out she was the only one taking anything seriously. She looked to the roof towards Mò Fāng. He stared back. What he felt was openly clear in his gaze.

Shěn Lí felt horrible. Her words earlier were extremely misleading. She’d used the engagement as an excuse to reject him so how could he not be hopeful now that the situation was like this? How could she have spoken so irresponsibly? She was just as childish as that guy.

“Well then that is the end of the matter. Tomorrow Fú Róng, Yōu Lán and I will return to the Immortal realm. We’ve spent far too long here.” Xíng Zhǐ gave a faint smile. “Your Highness, General Mò Fāng, I bid you farewell. It is unlikely we will ever meet again. Please, take care of yourselves.”

They’d fixed the seals and properly reported on the matter about the disappearing land gods. There was no reason for such a personage as him to remain in the Demon realm. For that matter, it was unlikely he’d stay in the Immortal realm either. Most likely he’d return to the Celestial realm. He’d sit and dispassionately observe the stars for another ten thousand years while time slipped away.