Chapter 68: Xíng Zhǐ Being Overbearing |
[December 2, 2023]
Some name changes:
Heavenly realm: Immortal realm (They aren’t gods nor do they live in heaven, but they are immortals who live in a higher realm. Higher ranked than the immortal land gods who live on earth.)
Heavenly emperor: Immortal emperor
Heavens Beyond: Celestial realm (This is basically the space beyond earth, so outer space and the stars.) ...
A solemn atmosphere hung over the gate. The immortals were kneeling in unison in front of Xíng Zhǐ, but Xíng Zhǐ did not ask them to stand up. Instead, he continued to hold Shěn Lí in his arms and said with a smile, “I understand the sufferings of the realms, and that life is hard for the common people, but I fail to see how I have harmed them. It is inappropriate for everyone here to judge my sins based on speculation.”
An impatient immortal raised his head and said in anger, “A few days ago, High God used the Water-stop spell to freeze the East sea in the lower realms for ten days and ten nights. This violated the laws of the Heavenly Dao and High God’s divine body was injured because of it. The Celestial realm[notes] became unstable and rocks fell down through the nine levels of the sky and onto the lower realm. Although no one was harmed, thousands of hectares of mountains and forests were destroyed! The fires in the lower realm burned for half a month! It took hundreds of land and mountain gods working together for days to extinguish the fire with their magic. I dare ask High God, is this matter not fit to be considered a crime?!”
The East sea was frozen for ten days and ten nights! Shěn Lí was stunned. Xíng Zhǐ had really lost his mind!
After a moment of silence, Xíng Zhǐ finally answered. “Regarding this matter, I am at fault, and I am guilty.”
Xíng Zhǐ’s gaze on the crowd turned cool. Seeing this, the Immortal emperor[notes] hurriedly said, “High God, please don’t take it too much to heart. Immortal Lord Wu Yuán has a fiery temper and speaks too impulsively. We hope High God will not be angry. It is just that what Lord Wu Yuán said isn’t without merit. We hope that High God will think deeply upon the matter.”
Shen Li turned to look at Xíng Zhǐ along with everyone else.
Xíng Zhǐ turned to the crowd and in a distinctly cold voice said, “This matter is my fault and has nothing to do with Shěn Lí, the Azure Sky king. I hope immortals will refrain from indiscriminate criticism. Moreover, my actions were wrong, but it was only wrong in that I used my powers and went against the way of the Heavenly Dao. It was not wrong to have my heart set on one person.”
As soon as he said this, the immortals immediately broke out in a clamor. With words like these, it was clear Xíng Zhǐ intended to get his way!
Sure enough, Xíng Zhǐ ignored everything they said. He stared at the Immortal emperor and decisively said, “I will remedy the instability of the Celestial realm later, and I will also take responsibility for the fires of the mountains and forests in the human realm; however, I will not compromise on Shěn Lí.” He lowered his eyes and gazed at Shěn Lí who was staring blankly at him. His eyes softened involuntarily for a moment.
“Neither you nor she can say no.”
This was just being overbearing and unreasonable!
“If anyone is dissatisfied,” Xíng Zhǐ glanced back up at the crowd, “as the Azure Sky king is want to say, feel free to fight me.”
Stunned silence fell.
Xíng Zhǐ took Shěn Lí back to the Celestial realm while everyone looked on in astonishment. Naturally, no one dared stop him.
The home of the gods was filled with stars and had a solemnity and tranquility that would last for thousands of years.
Xíng Zhǐ laid Shěn Lí down on his bed and covered her with a quilt. He looked at her and complained with a wry smile on his lips. “They’re always using the people of the three realms to coerce me. I wonder, who in the three realms is as burdened and shackled as I am?”
Shěn Lí stared at him intently and he seemed to understand her intentions. Her throat relaxed immediately after a slight movement of his fingertips. She said, “You stand at the highest place, are loved by all, and have the power of Heaven. Who is more worshipped than you? And who is cheap enough to take advantage of it?”
Xíng Zhǐ smiled. “I only complained a little and you’re already lecturing me?”
Shěn Lí looked at him for a while, then sternly said, “In the Demon realm, I have never done rough work or heavy labor. The food I eat, the clothes I wear, they are all provided to me by others. I have no skills, only my military prowess. I can only use my might to give a peaceful life those who provide for me.” Shěn Lí paused. “High God Xíng Zhǐ, perhaps everyone has something they were born to do, a responsibility, a mission.”
Xíng Zhǐ looked at her, and while the curve of his smile didn’t change, his eyes lost some of their luster. “Don’t you know that I already know that?”
Shěn Lí closed her eyes and cleared her emotions away. “I like you and want to be with you more than anyone else. I like sitting under the grapevines in the courtyard, basking in the sun, enjoying the breeze. I like you so much, I wish I could be a part of you. I wish I could breath you in every minute. Xíng Zhǐ, you don’t know. Sometimes I waver because of you. I’m not even sure I recognize myself anymore.” She said every word seriously, but they were stripped of all emotion. “I know I will never be able to love anyone else as deeply, but I also know that these feelings aren’t my only reason for living.
I have things I must do, and you have responsibilities you must bear, so please behave properly. . . ”
“I don’t have to be your only reason to live,” Xíng Zhǐ interrupted Shěn Lí. He smiled and touched her head. “Just being one of them is enough for me.”
He stood up to leave because he didn’t want to listen to Shěn Lí anymore. “I will shoulder my responsibilities, and if I have to do something, I will do it for you. So, you don’t have to think about battles and responsibilities anymore. I will help you with whatever you want.”
“If you do everything for me, then what’s left for me to do?” Shěn Lí was a little angry.
Xíng Zhǐ’s voice was a little cold. “Your magic isn’t recovered, and you can’t do anything yet. Just stay here obediently, take care of yourself, and we’ll discuss everything else later.”
“When my magic is restored, will you return my spear and let me go back to the Demon realm?”
There was silence to her question. “No.”
“That’s unreasonable!” Shěn Lí exploded. She was normally weak to coaxing but stubborn against coercion. Such tyrannical behavior was too much and she became furious. “Why do I need your consent to do anything. . . ”
“I’ll feel really distressed.” Xíng Zhǐ blurted out. “I’ll be deeply distressed.”
Shěn Lí was surprised and her hackles settled down.
“Let me take care of all the dangerous things. Just stay here and be safe.”
Shěn Lí’s expression softened. “Xíng Zhǐ, I’m not a bird to be played with. I can’t be imprisoned in a cage.”
Xíng Zhǐ paused and glanced back at Shěn Lí. “If you say so. . . ” He waved his hand and dozens of icicles emerged from the floor and slammed straight into the roof, transforming the bed into a cage that imprisoned Shěn Lí. Xíng Zhǐ smiled as he looked at her stunned face. “You’re angry, but this will make me feel more at ease.” He moved his fingers again and Shěn Lí was able to move freely again. “I will send food later.”
Seriously?! That bastard. He had intended to do things his way from the beginning! Ultimately Shěn Lí was imprisoned for three days. Xíng Zhǐ brought her meals every day, but he was busy the rest of the time and didn’t stop to talk. He would bring in her food and immediately turn to leave. Shěn Lí knew he was patrolling the Celestial realm checking for instability.
Shěn Lí spent her time meditating without worrying. The abundance of spiritual energy in the Celestial realm was an unexpected boon for her healing. She recovered around 70% of her magic, moreover the amount recovered was much purer than before. She was happy with this, but being stuck inside a cage not being able to use her power was frustrating.
She sighed thinking about the situation in the Demon realm the last time she was there. She didn’t know how things were now, whether the Demon emperor’s injuries were healed, whether the broken defense barriers in the capital had been repaired, and how Parrot and Ròu Yā were doing. They must have been extremely sad when they heard about her “death”. But news of her being found by Xíng Zhǐ should have spread to the Demon realm so it should have put them at ease. Still, until they saw each other face to face, there would always be lingering worry. Shěn Lí sighed.
Just then, she heard hasty footsteps walking in her direction, and it wasn’t Xíng Zhǐ’s. Xíng Zhǐ’s steps were always slow and steady. Shěn Lí frowned and was immediately alert.
The graceful figure of a woman burst into view. Shěn Lí frowned as she looked at Yōu Lán. “What are you doing here?” Yōu Lán walked in out of breath, but was happy to see Shěn Lí. She paled at the sight of the icicles however.
Yōu Lán stepped forward and said, “The emperor wants to make a move against you. I’m here to take you away.”
Shěn Lí frowned, thinking it was odd. Seeing this, Yōu Lán walked forward a couple of steps and said, “Yesterday, I happened to pass by the emperor’s chambers when I heard him discussing with several military generals. He plans on leading High God to the lower realm and then having people enter the Celestial realm to feed you the Heart pill.”
“What is that?”
“This medicine will destroy the soul but leave behind an intact body. This way the body can be possessed and commanded by someone else. The emperor wants to kill you then turn your body into a puppet.” Yōu Lán said anxiously. “Calculating the time, they should be here soon. But this. . . what should I do about these icicles?!”
Shěn Lí was silent, then she said, “I have two questions. One, isn’t there a barrier in the Celestial realm? How did you get in here? And two, why should I believe you?”
“The gods in ancient times promised that descendants of the Immortal emperor would have the qualifications to enter the Celestial realm. Many of our generals are my uncles with the same immortal blood as mine, so they will be able to enter as well. As for trusting me. . . ” Yōu Lán paused and lowered her eyes, then continued. “Your Highness, if you had seen how High God looked, you would perish the idea he would be fine without you. I just. . . don’t want to make the situation worse. . . ”
Shěn Lí was silent for a moment. “Where you the one who persuaded him?”
Yōu Lán’s eyes were a little red. “High God. . . his heart was shattered.” She sighed softly and closed her eyes, as though she couldn’t bear it. “But despite this, he wandered the East sea all day long, hopelessly searching. The closest person to Heaven, and yet, he looked like he’d been completely abandoned. Fortunately. . . ”
She raised her head and looked at Shěn Lí. A myriad of emotions flickered in her eyes. “Fortunately, Your Highness is healthy.”
Shěn Lí lowered her eyes and remembered the emotions she felt when she and Xíng Zhǐ reunited that day on the beach. She was afraid she would never fully understand it. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Step back.”
Yōu Lán stepped back obediently. Shěn Lí held one of the icicles in her hand. A line of flames suddenly burst out from her palm and swirled around the icicle. However, only a few drops of water fell after the flames extinguished. The water droplets dripped down but stopped melting. Shěn Lí frowned and Yōu Lán spoke up. “This must have been created by High God using the Water-stop technique. Ordinary flames will not do anything to it.”
Shěn Lí snorted. “Who said this was an ordinary flame.” Her palm holding the icicle turned red, and she let out a deep shout. The icicle gave off some white smoke before becoming limp enough for Shěn Lí to kick in half. It created a gap big enough for her to squeeze through.
Shěn Lí gazed at the cold air coming off her palm. She waved her hand and said, “This Water-stop spell is something though.” It was so difficult breaking through something Xíng Zhǐ created with just a wave of his hand. If he was serious, wouldn’t that mean she’d be locked up all the time?
“Let’s go,” said Shěn Lí. “It’s a trivial matter if we bump into an immortal general, but if Xíng Zhǐ comes back, we really won’t be able to escape.”
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