THE LEGEND OF SHENLI

CHAPTER 44

    Nine days later.

The Immortal emperor was shaking his head and sighing profusely inside the immortal palace when a slight knock sounded and an attendant whispered, “Your Majesty, High God Xíng Zhǐ is here.”

“Please come in.” The emperor stood up to greet Xíng Zhǐ, clasping his fists in a salute and bowing as he did so. “High God has been away for some time.”

Xíng Zhǐ smiled slightly then returned the greeting. “I could hear Your Majesty sighing even through the doors. What could have upset Your Majesty so much?”

The emperor smiled. “The Immortal realm is safe and comfortable. The only issue of concern are the recent events in the Lower realm, which we will of course keep an eye on.”

The emperor led the way inside. He pointed to several jade pieces on a table. “No, I was sighing over a jade cup I saw the other day while visiting His Highness, Lord Tiān Yuán. I was so happy; to think I would find such a cup. I wanted to trade him for it, but alas, he was also quite fond of it and would not agree to my offer.” The emperor heaved another sad sigh.

Xíng Zhǐ smiled but did not say anything. Compared to the Demon realm, the Immortal realm was an incredibly easy place to live.

“I don’t care for many things; however I do love jade. But now I can’t get the piece I want. It would be unbecoming of me as an emperor to take it from Lord Tiān Yuán. So regrettable; I truly am distressed.”

“If Your Majesty can’t get it, then it’s only natural to let it go. It is not good for Your Majesty to obsess over an object.” Xíng Zhǐ intended to comfort the emperor, but upon hearing his own words spoken out loud, an uncontrollable smirk rose on his lips. It was a coolly self-deprecating smile. “It is out of your hands.”

The emperor smiled and shook his head. “Living as long as I have, I’ve always reminded myself to keep a clear heart. But to encounter something like this, I find it difficult to rein in my emotions. What a hopeless situation.”

Xíng Zhǐ became distracted, lost in thought. “Yes. Ruthlessly cutting away those feelings of attachment with an unwilling heart. Knowing you cannot have it, but still unable to let it go. The purer the emotion . . . the more difficult it is.” Xíng Zhǐ shook his head and his smile faded away. “Your Majesty’s feelings, Xíng Zhǐ understands.”

The emperor looked at Xíng Zhǐ. “This . . . what could High God have seen in the Lower realm to understand so?” Xíng Zhǐ’s smile earlier made the emperor hurry on. “This can’t be. If High God has these feelings, it will be the end of all three realms!”

“Your Majesty is overly worried.”

The emperor was relieved to hear this. “Truly I did overthink it; needless to say, the purity of ancient gods is incomparable to modern day immortals.”

Xíng Zhǐ smiled before changing the subject. “I came today to tell Your Majesty something.”

The emperor’s face became blue as he listened to Xíng Zhǐ tell him about Fú Róng’s behavior in the Demon realm. He immediately ordered someone to bring his grandson over.

Xíng Zhǐ knew he couldn’t stay much longer so he said his farewell, but before he could leave the emperor called out, “The Hundred Flower banquet is soon. If High God does not have anything pressing to do in the Celestial realm, why not stay in the Nine Heavens for a while?”

Xíng Zhǐ thought about it for a moment then nodded before speaking, “Alright. It’s been some time since I visited my old friends.”

. . .
Fú Róng was forced to kneel as punishment.