The Priestess

II

Nu Shen carefully maneuvered her way in the crowded streets.

Black lanterns hang in every corner, swaying with the gentle breeze. The smell of plum cakes wafted into the air. People were chattering in excitement and the mood was weirdly festive.

Nu Shen heard from one of the folks that tonight was the celebration of the annual Demon Festival wherein people dress up as demons and eat plum cakes which symbolizes blood. This festival started when the Tianshin Priestess, Shennu, sealed the demons back in the underworld.

Hearing this, Nu Shen wanted to puke blood. Its only been a hundred years and people had already forgotten her name.

Shennu? Shennu your sister!

A young girl asked her grandfather, "Is it true that Shennu was a goddess?"

Nu Shen stealthily walked near the little girl, wanting to know what his grandfather would answer.

The old man laughed heartily, "Shennu was an old woman, wrinkly and white haired. She was far from a goddess."

Nu Shen coughed and blood splattered from her mouth.

The old man saw her and scolded her, "Young miss, I know that tonight is the Demon Festival. But don't go around spewing plum cakes!" The old man took his granddaughter's hand and led her away from Nu Shen.

Ungrateful mortals.

Nu Shen heard a laughter from behind her. She turned around to see the demon whom she met earlier. He looked unscathed, his clothes were neat and his long hair was tied in a single bun.

"You're alive." Nu Shen spatted and walked away.

The demon, still laughing, followed her around, "Priestess Shennu, please allow me to be your guide."

Nu Shen raised her palm when the demon reminded her, "Priestess, you can't do that here. There are audience everywhere." The demon pointed at the throng of humans surrounding them.

Nu Shen snorted. Since these petty humans can't recognize their savior, wouldn't be that enough reason to seize their lives?

As if reading her thoughts, the demon's mouth opened in disbelief, "Are you sure you're a priestess?"

Nu Shen ignored the demon and continued on her way. She entered a fancy inn in the corner of the street.

"Welcome, precious guests! Will you stay for the night?" The owner happily ushered Nu Shen and the demon inside.

"Give me your best room and send the most delicious food your kitchen can offer." Nu Shen stated without lifting her head, her face covered by the hood.

"Great!" The owner clapped his hands and summoned one of the servant girls to lead Nu Shen to her room.

Before Nu Shen could step on the stairs, she turned to look at the stunned demon. She raised her hand and motioned for him to come closer. The demon unconsciously did and approached Nu Shen.

"Pay everything." Nu Shen whispered and ascended to the upper floor of the inn.

The demon was left in awe as he stared at the disappearing back of the priestess.

Master, you've truly found your match. The demon thought.

Without any choice, he reached inside his sleeves and took out a pouch of money. The owner was ecstatic to grab the pouch and disappeared into his office.

In the best room of the the inn, Nu Shen removed her dress and slipped into the warm bath which the servant girl prepared for her. Nu Shen released a satisfied moan as her stiff muscles relaxed in the water.

With her closed eyes, she started to plan for her next move. She was sure that all of her retainers were dead. Its been a hundred years.

No mortals can live past that, unless they've been blessed by the gods or cursed by the demons. In her case, she was both. She was blessed by the gods. Then cursed by a certain demon.

Since everything has changed and no one seems to remember her but as the Tianshi Priestess Shennu, an old woman who had a wrinkly skin and white hair, this will be a new start for her. Her priestess status was officially over. No more appeasing gods nor condemning demons.

As for the demon who kept on following her, she will rid of him once she's done using him. The demon can help her start a business, call him a convenient sugar daddy.

She also needs to find out whether she can get back the power that she lost. Nu Shen can only sigh remembering the past. If she didn't acted like a pompous hero, she wouldn't be in this dilemma right now.

A light knock brought back Nu Shen from her thoughts.

"Come in."

"Miss, I've brought you food." The servant girl announced as she placed the tray of food in the table. She didn't dare look at the corner of the room where Nu Shen was taking her bath.

"Has the dem-" Nu Shen paused and corrected herself, "Has the man who was with me earlier left?"

Nu Shen doesn't have her power so she can't feel the demon's presence.

"Miss, the man took the empty room beside your room." The servant girl answered before exiting the room.

"Good." Nu Shen muttered to herself. It means she doesn't have to exert effort in looking for the demon when she needs money.

Nu Shen raised from the tub, pulling the thin cloth hanging from chair and wrapped it around her naked body. She walked towards the table, water dripping to the cold wooden floor.

She took the chopstick and picked a small piece of steamed potato. She plopped it in her mouth and slowly chewed. She spatted the food out and grimaced. She picked another piece of seasoned veal and put it in her mouth. She also spatted the meat out and drank the cold water instead.

"I told them to serve me their best food and they brought me bland food." Nu Shen scowled.

"Maybe your taste buds are adjusting. You haven't eaten in a hundre-" A voice echoed from the next room.

"Shut up." Nu Shen shouted to the demon in the next room.

"If you want, I can bring you fresh liver and raw me-"

"I said, shut up!"

"Why don't both of you shut up!" Another voice joined into the conversation.

Nu Shen stood up from her seat and exited the room. She went to the demon's room and knocked.

The door opened and the demon gaped in admiration. After a second, the demon exclaimed in pain as he clutched his bleeding sockets, "My eyes!"

Nu Shen was also surprised as she took a step back. Calming herself, she clicked her tongue and lashed at the demon, "I'm pretty sure that my appearance is not that unsightly."

Nu Shen harrumphed, turned on her back and went back to her room, ignoring the pitiful demon who lost his sight.

The demon cried in his heart, Master, it was not my fault that mistress appeared in nothing but a thin cloth.