Accompanying the Phoenix

Chapter 42: On the Rooftop

Mo Fang stepped forward pushing Shen Li behind him. With a cupped fist salute he said, "Her Highness did not mean to offend Goddess."

Xing Zhi narrowed his eyes. His tone was slightly raised when he spoke. "Oh, General Mo Fang knows Her Highness's mind? That is indeed rare."

Hearing the ill-will in Xing Zhi's tone made Mo Fang frown. He was about to reply but Shen Li beat him to it.

"Why bother making things more difficult for yourself Mo Fang?" Shen Li dragged Mo Fang back by the wrist. She gave him a quick look of dissatisfaction. Mo Fang stared blankly back for a moment, not understanding, however he dropped his eyes like an obedient child and quickly situated himself behind Shen Li.

~"Goddess Lou spoke rudely to my general. I couldn't bear it. How exactly did I bully her?" Shen Li looked at Xing Zhi before continuing. "High God, it looks like you're only here to criticize and help her bully me."

Xing Zhi'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." Shen Li 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.

Xing Zhi'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. Xing Zhi thought he had nailed her securely to the hook only to watch her escape.

Shen Li'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." Shen Li dragged Mo Fang away with her without waiting for Xing Zhi to reply.

Youlan, still feeling thoroughly wronged, stared at Shen Li's retreating figure then at Xing Zhi's enigmatic expression as he too, looked at Shen Li leaving.

"The people of the demon realm don't know how to behave according to proper etiquette. For Azure Sky king to treat a heavenly person this way... The allegiance she pledged is surely insincere. It will cause disaster one day."

Xing Zhi 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."

Youlan felt a sudden chill on her neck. She looked at Xing Zhi weakly. "If that happens, will High God oversee justice for me?"

Xing Zhi gave Youlan a kind smile as he spoke but his voice was firm. "That is unlikely. The demon emperor is very fond of Azure Sky king and will likely defend her. It is unlikely the heavenly realm will go to war, after all maintaining a peaceful relationship between the two realms is very important. However Goddess may rest in peace; I will be sure to place some fruit as tribute for you."

Youlan remained standing in the garden. In a daze, she watched the fluttering movements of Xing Zhi's white robes as he walked away.

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