Accompanying the Phoenix

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[June 2, 2019]

. . .

Later that evening Shen Li burned with a high fever . Rou-ya fed her water and tried to cool her down with a damp towel but it was to no avail . Shen Li refused to wake up . This had never happened before; no matter how serious the injury, Shen Li was always conscious and clear-headed . This unconscious Shen Li left Rou-ya worried beyond belief .

She didn’t know what to do . There were two immortals in the residence she could ask for help . It was inappropriate to disturb Immortal High God Xing Zhi in the middle of the night . On the other hand Fu Rongjun was Shen Li’s fiancé . Rou-ya reasoned it was appropriate to seek help from him considering their relationship .

She rushed over to his courtyard[notes] and banged on his door . It was no use though . Even after knocking for several minutes, no one came out . A now frantic Rou-ya had no choice but to find Immortal High God .

. . .

Xing Zhi touched Shen Li’s cheeks . They were red and hot to the touch . He immediately sat down by her bedside and felt the pulse on her hand . The strange reading made him furrow his brow .

“Immortal High God...will my master be OK?”

“It is but a fever . ” Xing Zhi released Shen Li’s hand . “Are there any medicinal components in the residence?”

Rou-ya shook her head . “Master never gets sick . Us demon people rarely get sick . Medicinal plants don’t grow well here because the miasma is so dense so they are rarely ever found at market . ”

Xing Zhi muttered some words under his breath as he placed a hand on Shen Li’s forehead . Immediately white light flashed between his palm and her skin . Even though Shen Li was still in a daze she appeared more comfortable .

He left his palm resting on her forehead and absentmindedly moved his fingers in her hair, slightly grazing the hairline, making a mess of it in one direction, then smoothing it back down in the other .

Rou-ya stared closely for a moment . She only relaxed once she saw Shen Li breathing more evenly and her complexion improving . It was only then that the worry in Rou-ya’s heart lightened .

Now that she felt better, she was in a mood to complain . “What kind of husband is my master getting? Almost married and he stays out all night . Not around when needed either . If Immortal High God hadn’t been here, who knows how bad master’s condition could have gotten?”

Xing Zhi didn’t say anything but his hand fell from her forehead to her cheeks . He rubbed the slightly hot skin with his fingers .

“Yesterday he started so much trouble, ruining master’s good name . Then this morning he was trying to find General Mo Fang about a jade pendant . Who knows if he’s looking for General Mo Fang right now!”

Rou-ya was really dissatisfied with Fu Rongjun, but afraid of overstepping her bounds, she didn’t dare voice it in front of Shen Li . In front of Xing Zhi however she felt free to complain to her heart’s content .

“Highness will have to go to the Heavenly Realm after marrying . She won’t have anyone to rely on up there . Who will defend her if she is wronged? Highness is so stubborn, she won’t complain to the Demon Emperor . If something happens...”

The more Rou-ya thought about it the sadder she became . Her eyes turned red and she began tearing up . “Who will be there to sympathize with her?”

“Hm . ” Xing Zhi whispered unconsciously . “Who would?” These words made him consider his actions and he couldn’t help but lower his eyes . Gazing at her sleeping face, he ran his fingertips over the bridge of her nose and the hollows of her cheeks, before pulling his hand back .

“It’s not a problem . ” He pulled his fingers away and remained quietly by her bedside for some time before getting up .

Distressed, Rou-ya looked at him with red-rimmed eyes . “Immortal High God is leaving?”

“I will not be far . I will be in the courtyard should you need me . ” Xing Zhi left without a backward glance .

Rou-ya looked at Shen Li then at Xing Zhi’s retreating back . She muttered herself . “How’s that for you? Highness hasn’t even woken up yet and Immortal High God leaves . He couldn’t stay a little longer? The immortals in heaven are so detached and heartless . ”

Detached and heartless huh?

Xing Zhi stood in the courtyard looking at his hand . He could still feel the residual heat from her body on his skin . The scorching heat burned its way to his heart . Xing Zhi wanted to disperse it but there was no where to send it . Rays of light radiated from his fingertips with nowhere to go . The feeling of being burned remained .

How could he know...

Rou-ya soaked a towel in water, then after wringing it out carefully placed it on Shen Li’s forehead . Rou-ya muttered to herself as she attended to Shen Li . “Oh Highness! If you really can’t escape marriage, if you really must go to the Heavenly Realm, Highness must be careful of those immortal gods . Just look at those two here . Both are no good . ”

“This lord knows . ” Shen Li’s voice was hoarse but audible .

Rou-ya was surprised . “Highness is awake? Is Highness uncomfortable anywhere?”

Shen Li slowly opened her eyes but her gaze was not fixed on Rou-ya . She repeated the same three words, “This lord knows . ”

The immortal gods were naturally heartless .

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[June 5, 2019]

. . .

Shen Li woke up early the next morning completely refreshed . Her blood sang through her veins with a newfound power . Her body was lighter too . She realized her discomfort from the past few days must have been because her body was adapting to the bead .

The Demon Emperor had explained that she would likely suffer discomfort adjusting, because although she was born with it, it had been out of her body for over a millennium .

Shen Li held out her hand and pushed herself up into a seated position . “Rou-ya, bring this lord’s armor! I will go to the training camp to practice!” Shen Li rarely wore her armor . Her skin was as strong as leather, so when fighting the lesser yao shou it made no difference whether she wore armor or not .

Training was different however . She was not a minor soldier but a high ranked general; it was proper to dress appropriately .

Once she finished dressing, Shen Li stepped out of her room . She came face to face with Xing Zhi who had just come in from the courtyard .

The usually taciturn Xing Zhi actually showed a blank expression . He eyed her up and down . What he saw made him speak up . “Where is Your Highness going?”

“Training,” was Shen Li’s curt reply . She gave a fisted salute . “Immortal high god can tour the city . If there are any places that require payment, just tell them immortal high god is from my household . Shen Li bids immortal high god farewell . ”

She turned around and promptly walked away, leaving Xing Zhi alone in the main hall . Xing Zhi narrowed his eyes as he stared at her walking away .

. . .

[Military training grounds]

Because of her fever last night, Shen Li had completely forgotten the matter with Fu Rongjun trying to find Mo Fang . But it all came back to her when she walked into camp and saw Mo Fang’s gaunt face . Shen Li was stumped for words because right behind him, gasping for breath, was none other than Fu Rongjun . Shen Li sighed upon remembering yesterday .

Fu Rongjun called out after Mo Fang . “Hey! Jade pendant! Don’t run away . This lord is trying to return something . This lord admits fault for breaking the pendant’s rope yesterday . Honestly how can a general by so mean-spirited about something like this . ”

Mo Fang made a face and refused to acknowledge the man behind him . He kept moving at the same fast pace . But he abruptly stopped when he caught sight of Shen Li . He bowed his head and gave her a fisted salute .

From behind Fu Rongjun also saw Shen Li . The expression on his face froze and he unconsciously took several steps back .

Mo Fang was radiating anger, the resentment and humiliation still fresh in his heart . He didn’t say a word more to Shen Li . Instead he turned around and walked back to the center of camp .

Shen Li chased after him . “Slow down . ”

Mo Fang glanced distractedly at Shen Li as she grabbed his wrist . His heart was in a frazzle but his emotions barely twinkled alive in his eyes before they retreated into the black abyss .

Shen Li pulled her hand back once she got his attention . In a low voice she asked, “He... is he causing you trouble?”

“Yes . ” Mo Fang couldn’t help but knead his forehead in frustration .

“Do you want to listen to him?”

“Your Highness- . I have never hated anyone so much in my entire life . He-“ Mo Fang ground his teeth . “I just want to beat him up . ”

Shen Li nodded . “Return to camp . Leave it to me . ”

Mo Fang stared a bit dazedly . He wanted to ask some questions, but ultimately couldn’t disregard Shen Li’s orders, so he silently obeyed and made his way back to camp . Just as he was entering the camp grounds, he saw a white billowy shape making its way slowly toward Shen Li .

Although Shen Li turned in the direction of the shape, it didn’t seem like she noticed it .

An older general saw Mo Fang standing and staring off at nothing . He swiftly grabbed Mo Fang as he scolded him . “You youngsters! Always goofing off!”

Mo Fang had no choice but let himself be dragged back .

In the meantime Shen Li had turned around and was now facing Fu Rongjun . He had finally managed to catch up . She eyed him up and down .

Fu Rongjun stubbornly suppressed the quiver in his voice as he spoke . “Yes? Is there something I can assist you with?”

“Frankly speaking my subordinate does not have the time to idle as freely as my lord . Kindly do not toy recklessly with him . ”

Unconvinced, Fu Rongjun raised an eyebrow . “What makes you think I am toying with him?”

“Fu Rongjun is being sincere?” Shen Li couldn’t help but laugh as she spoke the words . “You know where you are right? I don’t care about what happens in the Heavenly Realm or who you have affections for . I don’t even care about our engagement; but remember this: the Demon Realm army exists to battle and defend . Anyone who wishes them harm will suffer the wraith of my spear . I don’t care who you are . ”

Fu Rongjun was so shaken by Shen Li that his throat constricted involuntary when he spoke, making his voice shake . “This is Mo Fang’s business . What does it have to do with you?”

Fu Rongjun was annoying Shen Li . “Oh? You didn’t know? Mo Fang is mine . ”

Fu Rongjun’s expression froze and the blood drained from his face . Shen Li looked at him disdainfully . She knew he was afraid of her, so she was confident he wouldn’t dare harass Mo Fang any further . Later on she would find more ways to bully him . She was certain he would run back to the Heavenly Realm if she made his life unbearable .

Just as Shen Li relaxed, happy to have the situation under control, Xing Zhi walked up . She turned to see he was a mere three paces away . Surprised she stared blankly as he approached .

Xing Zhi...

His face was cold and expressionless . Shen Li dropped her smile and similarly cleared her expression, neutrally asking, “Why is immortal high god here?”

“Your Highness permitted me to stroll as I pleased . As it turns out I want to look at the military training grounds . ” A smile appeared on his lips but it didn’t reach his eyes . In fact they seemed even frostier . “I couldn’t help but overhear Your Highness’s conversation . Strange . Why is it different from what Your Highness said at the army barracks? I clearly remember Your Highness firmly rejecting general Mo Fang . ”

(You . You came to quarrel didn’t you?)

Fu Rongjun’s face regained some of its former color after hearing this . “Refused?” He stared . In a low voice he enthusiastically said to himself, “This lord still has a chance then!”

Shen Li didn’t refute Xing Zhi’s words . She disdainfully addressed Fu Rongjun . “Think you have the ability to fight me for him? Then try!” Finished, Shen Li turned and headed to the camp without a single glance at Xing Zhi .

Xing Zhi stared at her from behind, his lips pursed in a frown, his eyes still cold .