The dark clouds rumbled . There was no lightning, yet thunderclaps boomed loudly . For this abnormal phenomenon, the people were in a state of panic and anxiety .
Within the Rui Palace, the small room was overflowing with killing intent . Although Chi Rong’s face still held a smile, his hands have already waved open a folding fan . Qing Yan had also already unsheathed his sword . The atmosphere within the chamber was enough to start a battle with a mere dropping of a hair . Both sides knew that if it were to be started, the other party would not be met with mercy due to relationships . The battle will be fought as if it were a war .
“King,” Chi Rong waved his fan, laughing, “You’ve already caused a lot of trouble to the Demon Emperor, making him furious . Now, soldiers are prowling every inch of this world . ” He looked at the sickly Xing Yun behind her, “You as the Azure Sky King may be able to preserve your own life, but you definitely cannot save him as well . I hope that King will re-evaluate her own situation and not act rashly . ”
Chen Li paid no attention to him, only slightly leaning her body to turn her head at pale Xing Yun to shoot him a look, speaking, “Are you still alive?’
“Alive,” Xing Yun shook his head, laughing, “But may die soon . ”
“You cannot die . ” Chen Li’s right hand gripped the Hongying Spear, then roughly, with the sharp edge of the spearpoint, slashed the hollow of her palm . The Hongying Spear absorbed the blood, dazzling light immediately shining .
Qing Yan frowned, about to go forward in an attempt to seize Chen Li . Chen Li waved her left hand, splatters of blood landing 3 foot away in front of Qing Yan . When he stepped foot onto the bloodstain, he felt a red hot glowing flame was cooking him from head to toe! He used his magical power, forcing the flame to scatter . But unexpectedly, the broiling fire only seemed to get hotter! It was as if it had it’s own consciousness as it leaped, going so far as to even attack his 2 eyes . Qing Yan, to protect his eyes, had no choice but to retreat back to the door .
Chen Li spun the Hongying Spear, thrusting it straight into the ground in front of her . One could see the blood on the speartip moved along with the shaft, sliding down as it seeped into the earth . One could only see a golden flash as the blood condensed into a circle around 2 inco Chen Li’s hes wide, surrounding Chen Li . Another one appeared, circling Xing Yun . She then tore off off piece of her robe and bandaged her left hand as she turned to Xing Yun, speaking:
“If I’m here, you cannot die . ”
Xing Yun stared at her distractedly, the light behind her twinkling . Yet that dazzling ray couldn’t even be compared to Chen Li’s own vivid aura . It filled all of his sight, never ending, almost even making himself forget……… . .
Chen Li’s arm looped through his armpit, hauling his body onto her back . Their bodies were pasted together, her body heating his, blood coursing through his internal organs . * Xing Yun’s lips held a seldom seen curve, making it impossible for one to decipher his mood, only pitch black .
“King,” Qing Yan spoke solemnly, “A blood sacrifice technique will harm the soul . The wedding day is near, hopes King will treasure one’s health . ”
Chen Li sneered, “If hasn’t, then my feet and hands would’ve been cut off and I would’ve been bound and sent to marriage . This is just a soul wound, what’s to fear?” Her gaze examined the room, although she couldn’t see what was going on outside, she could still sense the general position of the soldiers outside . She wanted to find the direction with the least amount of people to force her way out .
But Qing Yan and Chu Rong both instantly understood what she planned to do . They shared a look with each other- This matter cannot be dragged on any further .
They both waved their weapons, and suddenly, 2 thunderbolts strook the golden circle, making a gap in the magic . Spotting it, the two charged in .
When such powerful supernatural powers collided, the remnants surged into the air, and after a loud boom, the little wing of the house disintegrated into ashes . Before the dust settled down, the dark clouds in the sky revealed themselves . The space was filled with innumerable rays of arrows . It was the pursuing soliders, who were hiding in the clouds and took advantage of the array to attack, magic boosting the arrows .
Among the rain of arrows, a black figure and a red figure lept from the derbis .
Qing Yan fell onto a knee, but he still couldn’t stop himself from sliding . Even with one hand gripping the floor, he still slid for quite a while before stopping . In the meanwhile, Chi Rong changed his palm into one of a paw, hitting the pole on the bridge . The push was so powerful that more than a few poles broke when contact was made . Losing the support of the pole, the bridge broke down and collapsed, causing ashes to fill the area . A red figure opened his hand, dropping the remnants behind him as he gently wiped his face that was scattered with blood . “This is the first time facing the Azure Sky King, the King’s power is really surprising, ah . ”
The remnants of golden light glittered in the ashes . At first, it looked as if it no longer had any use, but after a while, it once again shone brightly with powerful, golden light . It surrounded Chen Li, whose face was pale with blood trailing down her lips . Xing Yun’s hand was leaning on her shoulder, struggling to stand . Although his body held to injuries, the poison had already reached his heart . He could no longer speak well . He whispered into Chen Li’s ear, “Why……… . ”
Xing Yun’s breath made the hairs on Chen Li’s neck shiver, and she wiped the blood off her lips . “Don’t argue . ” She snapped, “I’ll make you continue to live . ” Her voice was hoarse, evidence of her injuries .
Xing Yun cracked a smile, “Chen Li, life and death are ruled by fate . You said you do not regard it, I too say no . ” He sighed, “You…… . . ”
Not giving time for him to finish, the sword that was in Qing Yan’s hands stood up, attacking once more . Chen Li saw the sword, one hand grabbing Xing Yun’s waist as she rotated the Hongying Spear . Her hoarse voice shouted loudly as magical qi began to surround her . It condensed into a sharp sword, turning to Qing Yan, wanting to hack him in two . Looking at such a blunt, frontal, untactful attack, he snorted in disdain, easily dodging . But unexpectedly, the blade unexplainably curved, changing directions . It attacked out to the horizon .
Qing Yan suddenly had a bad feeling and turned around, attempting to block, but it was too late . Golden light shot into the black robed soldiers . The survivors were caught unprepared, dispersing in a panic, finally revealing a way out .
Chen Li’s figure jumped, directly flying forcefully in that direction . Qing Yan sneered, “King really looks down on us!” As soon as he finished those words, his figure disappeared from his original position, only to appear once again blocking Chen Li’s path . “Carrying someone, you still hope you could be faster than me?” Qing Yan’s hand brandished a long, double edged sword, strong magical qi shooting towards Chen Li, causing the golden light around her to cave in slightly . Chen Li blocked, clenching her teeth . She was forced back by several feet .
When Xing Yun saw this, he silently let go of the hand clasped on her shoulder . His body had just started to fall, but suddenly, Chen Li’s hand grabbed him tightly . She spoke angrily, “Do not add to the chaos . ”
But Xing Yun just sighed helplessly, “It’s not I that wanted to add to the chaos, it’s just the……… Lower back pain . ”
Chen Li’s strength was big, and had no trouble grabbing him on the waist . However, she didn’t want to keep Xing Yun in such a tiresome position . Her grip was painful, but up in the sky, she had no time to put him down and switch . She could only clench her teeth and say in a low voice, “Hold on . ” In her hands, the Hongying Spear danced, piercing towards the sky .
Chi Rong shouted loudly, “Defend to the West! That as the direction the land spirit had left in, she also wishes to go there!”
Chen Li naturally wanted to go there- That was where the people that could save Xing Yun lived .
The dark clouds rapidly accumulated to the west . Chen Li did not hide nor evade . Rather, her body burst out with golden light, shining brightly, “Those who block the way shall die!” The Hongying Spear surged with murderous intent, blood from the demon soldiers still absorbing, But suddenly, the dark clouds released some sort of mysterious power, shoving Chen Li several feet back .
The golden light radiated by Chen Li seemed to be restrained by something, leaving her unable to move an inch .
Chen Li’s voice was filled with anxiety, “This strength……………” Before she could finish her words, the golden light around her body degenerated, and an incorporeal power fiercely hit her face, slapping her directly onto a large, open area in Rui Palace . The blue slab stones that were on the floor earlier had been crushed, only leaving a deep crater in the area she was in before . After the dust settled down, Xing Yun could be seen lying on Chen Li’s body . Although he had no wounds on him, he had fainted . However, falling from such a great height, Chen Li was badly injured as she laid passed out for a long time before slowly recovering .
At this time, Qing Yan and Chi Rong were standing at the edge of the pit . But after a closer look, one could see an additional figure standing near, sunlight blocked behind his back . The man was broad, gold embroided within his black robes which fluttered in the wind . 2 gold hair laces from behind him flew in front, “Nobility of the same nation, yet you’ve become increasingly more audacious . ”
His voice, calm as always, held a royal feeling of majesty, making one unconsciously want to submit . Qing Yan and Chi Rong cupped their hands and kneeled, “Demon Emperor, beseech to quell your anger . ”
D-Demon Emperor had actually came personally……………………
Chen Li sensed his breathing getting weaker and weaker, his body no longer as warm as before . Chen Li’s heart suddenly felt cold . A sense of helplessness grew in her heart . She had ran and struggled so much, but she could still not escape the grasp of destiny……… .
“Out . ” The Demon Emperor’s cold voice ordered .
Chen Li wiped the blood off her lips and holding Xing Yun, she jumped out of the pit . She placed Xing Yun on his side and checked his pulse- Weak, but alive .
“Do you know your wrongs?” Through his silver mask, the Demon Emperor sounded somewhat dull .
Chen Li looked at Xing Yun expectantly, “Do not know,” She spoke, “Choosing not to marry the one she does not love, Chen Li does not know of what wrongs she has committed . Not accepting the forced marriage, Chen Li does not know of what that wrong was . Not wanting for the people of the Demonic Realm to be restrained in Heaven, Chen Li does not know of what wrongs she has done . ” Her eyes held a cold light to them, looking at the eyes hidden behind a silver mask, “When the people of the Demonic Realm submits to Heaven and lives there, they only have 1000 remaining years to live . Those heavenly immortals may idle about, crossing each day carefreely . However, my demon people must live in the broken down ruins, adjacent to the deep space-time rip . Year by year, miasma invades the ruins, no hope for any vegetation . My demon people will be crossing their lives in a way that is miserable beyond description! As part of the Royal Family and Nobility, we still need to help those useless guys from heaven to suppress the monster under the space-time rip? Why should we still have to, living in those broken down ruins, risking our lives?”
Chen Li sneered, “I look down on that sort of heaven, not wanting to marry, what is the wrong I have committed?”
These words spoken out loud made both Chi Rong and Qing Yan silent . The Demon Emperor also quieted, but soon spoke again, “You are not wrong . But on this matter, you have still violated the imperial edict . ” He waved his hand, “Take her away by force, lead her back for the penalty . ”
Qing Yan made a move, wanting to grab Chen Li’s arm, but was scolded away by Chen Li, “This King will go!” Her static stare gazed attentively at Xing Yun . Her stare might’ve been a bit too hot, as Xing Yun opened his eyes, vision blurry . When he saw Chen Li looking at him, his pale lips cracked open, he chuckled like he normally did,
“Chen Li, you look even thinner than me . ”
“Yeah . ” Chen Li answered, “You can just think of it as me acting frivolously towards you . ” In front of everyone, she leaned over and planted a heavy kiss on Xin Yun’s lips, Chen Li’s golden coloured hair tie had snapped and her hair came undone, swaying next to Xin Yun’s cheeks, the interaction of the cool touch of the strands of hair and the burning touch of the lips brought about a strange sensation within his body, causing him to become dazed . Chen Li did not know how to kiss, so she could only roughly cover Xin Yun’s lips with her own, and it was done with so much force that Xin Yun felt pain .
In this moment, her hand clutched onto his, the index finger gently covering the charred wound . Her fingertip flashed with light, as a bead of light gradually formed within her chest . It slowly moved to her finger and melded with Xing Yun’s flesh, replacing and filling out the hole inside his hand .
“I had said that you cannot die . ” Chen Li’s lips left his, her voice somewhat quiet, “Although in the future, you may not feel better, you will at least be able to live in peace . ”
She was not skilled in the art of healing, so she couldn’t completely erase the toxins within his body . She could only entwine her own magical powers with Xing Yun’s blood and flesh, so the magic and the toxins in his body will battle, then suppress each other . Although this can prevent the toxins from reaching his heart and killing him, the unavoidable constant pain will still be there .
Chen Li straightened out Xing Yun’s robes, and standed up, gently patting his shoulder . “When I said I fancied you, it was true . But I am in an arranged marriage, and can no longer stay with you . ” A strong sense of nostalgia accompanied Chen Li as she left . The remaining 3 had also disappeared . Shortly after, the dark clouds above to capital city also left .
Xing Yun was left lying on the ground . His eyes held a distracted look to them . The 2 forces within his body constantly fighting back caused him to feel some discomfort, but his breath and temperature had recovered . The heat remained on his lips, and he was unable to help but look high up at the sky, touching it gently . After a long while, he laughed quietly, murmuring, “Speak as if…… . You wanted to be with me, I would be willing to do the same . ”
In the air, a long strand of hair landed on his face . Xing Yun held it in his hands . Unexplainably, he couldn’t smile . Not even a little .
Cannot be together with him…… . Huh……
Clouds flew fleetingly in the sky
~~~
“A mortal, who will re-enter reincarnation, and forget everything that had just happened and transpired here in just less than a hundred years . ” The Demon Emperor stepped into the clouds, speaking coldly, “Why waste 500 years of cultivation to repair his wound with such magical power?”
Hearing this, Chi Rong and Qing Yan both looked at Chen Li with shock- 500 years of cultivation, for them and their kind, was often just the tip of the iceberg . But what was important was, the Azure Sky King… . . Actually gave it to a mortal?!?
Chen Li’s hands were bound together by an iron chain, her hanging loose hair made her look somewhat distressed . However, her eyes were not at all dejected- Rather, they just looked into a distant place, “I like . ”
The Demon Emperor’s facial features contorted something like a sneer under the silver mask, “You are nothing but worried that I would send some men to kill him, to stamp out the source of trouble . ” His demeanor was chillingly cold, “Why should I bother to, when in just 1-2 years later, he will forget about you, get married, and have children . That man will live a life that has nothing to do with you . Your feelings would be but a fleeting dream . ”
Chen Li stayed silent, thinking at heart, if that were to be such, it’d really be good .
She recalled memories of the small courtyard, the cool breeze ruffling the grapevine lattice . The sound, it was so gentle . Xing Yun, that kind of gentle person should be living that kind of life . Ah, but one person living a life like that would be too lonely, someone should accompany him in that little courtyard . For someone to accompany him, is of course good, even though…… . . That person isn’t her… . .
Chen Li suddenly remembered of the day she had suddenly woken up in his yard . That was the first time she saw him, ripples of sun falling on him . The warm breeze was just right as he laid on the rattan chair, napping .
She hoped that throughout all his remaining years, everyday would be that tranquil .
Chen Li realised something- Looking at the distant palace, her heart had finally understood a little of how Little Lotus felt . Some matters, even if it is not worth it, it all consists of what you feel .
~~~
End of Chapter 16
In the phrase, Clouds flew fleetingly in the sky, it can be intercepted in 2 ways- Chen Li and the others in the clouds, or a word play on Xing Yun’s name . In chinese, Yun means clouds . So one can see it as his mind or heart is confused, or fleeting, or idk . View it as your own way!