Accompanying the Phoenix

Chapter 35.2

Though the sun was setting as they reached Yangzhou there was no beautiful sunset to behold . Black miasma fog shrouded the entire city . Shen Li felt like she was stepping into the Demon realm .

According to the girl, Xi, all the immortals around the city had been kidnapped . Miasma flowed out from the forest surrounding the mountains and settled in the city, leaving it in its current shrouded state .

The once vibrant city was a dead shell of its former self . Sickness pervaded, affecting both old and young . There were only a few hardy individuals able to walk the streets .

Shen Li frowned . “Those in the Demon realm have adapted to the miasma but for ordinary mortals, it would be unbearable . ”

The girl in Shen Li’s sleeve trembled in fear .

Shen Li stroked the snake’s head . “Don’t worry . We’ll find your family . ”

After walking along the streets for a bit Shen Li asked, “Is there a way to get rid of the miasma?”

“Yes, however the miasma comes from the mountain . Clearing it here would only address the symptom, not the root of the problem-” Xing Zhi was interrupted before he could finish .

“Fix the symptom first, take care of the cause later,” Shen Li cut in . “Slowing it down is better than nothing . ”

Shen Li barely finished talking when a person rushed out to her . His hair was poofy like he’d been electrocuted, while his entire body, from his clothes to his skin, were completely ashen .

“Finally! Someone came!” He was practically crying tears of joy . “Someone came at last!”

“Who are you?” asked Shen Li .

He wiped his face with one hand, nearly in tears again . “Ah?! I’m Fu Rongjun!” He used his filthy clothes to wipe his grimy face . It didn’t help . He only smeared the grime around more . He pointed to his face . “I’m Fu Rongjun . ”

Shen Li frowned in disgust . “Go away . I don’t have time for you . ”

Fu Rongjun looked around and saw Xing Zhi so he didn’t over do it, only saying, “That’s over line! How can you treat this lord like that?” Fu Rongjun patted his chest . “This lord risked his life to save the city . If it weren’t for this lord hurrying to Yangzhou, everyone here would have fallen to the miasma! This lord did what he could to control the situation and purify the city . How can you treat me like so?!”

Xing Zhi looked up at the sky . “There are traces of purification in the air . ”

The confirmation dissipated Fu Rongjun’s anger, but he still felt wronged . In a sad voice he said, “This lord encountered such a thing while strolling . How could this lord not help? This lord tried to purify the miasma to the best of his abilities, but it wasn’t enough . In less than a day the miasma returned and pervaded the city again . Then at the same time a great number of people fell seriously ill . It was too much to manage the miasma and the sudden eruption of sickness . Those not seriously ill, this lord gathered and brought to the temple in the northside of the city . This lord set up a boundary circle to keep the miasma out but lately the miasma has been so dense this lord has reached his limit . ”

“You could have reported this to heaven . The only reason you didn’t was because you were afraid they would take you back, so you figured you would just try to clean the miasma here on your own . But now that it’s beyond your abilities you’re trying to shove the responsibility onto someone else?” She shot him a glance after laying his motivation bare . “The nerve . To claim you saved the city . ”

Fu Rongjun nearly choked at her words . He was slightly embarrassed at having been called out .

There was a flash of green and a girl suddenly appeared in front of him . Her unstable legs caused her to stumble into Fu Rongjun’s arms . She hastily pulled back and asked . “Great immortal, inside the city, did you see a Taoist priest and his disciple?”

Such a soft sweet voice . Even if his eyes were filled with dust and the city dark and dimly lit, Fu Rongjun could recognize a beauty when he saw one . He gave her a quick once over to confirm .

“Of course . This lord set up the boundary inside the city after all . ”

“Can you bring me over to them please?”

“Of course . ” Fu Rongjun extended his hand toward her . “But the miasma is a hindrance . Take care where you step; it’s hard to see here . ”

Shen Li picked Xi up by the waist and tossed the girl over her shoulder . “Lead the way,” she said to Fu Rongjun .

Fu Rongjun resentfully glared at Shen Li’s cut, but he turned around and did as told .

. . .

Shen Li thought Fu Rongjun was just a useless skirt-chasing fool so she was surprised at the extent of the boundary he created . It was large enough to protect several hundred people . Those inside the boundary welcomed Fu Rongjun with big grateful smiles on their faces .

Fu Rongjun turned around proudly to look at Shen Li as if seeking affirmation of his accomplishment and virtuosity .

She turned her head away, refusing to indulge him .

Xi looked around the encampment distracted as the other people came over and bombarded Fu Rongjun with praise . “Great immortal is amazing! Great immortal is a such a good person!”

It made Fu Rongjun laugh in happiness with his hands on his hip .

Xi spotted two people in the corner of the temple . Running over she yelled, “Dad! Brother Yan!”

Shen Li looked over in their direction and was stumped at what she saw . Xi’s father was indeed an ordinary Taoist priest but Brother Yan bore an uncanny resemblance to King Rui . [notes] Laying prone beside him, was a sleeping sick woman; she looked remarkably like King Rui’s wife . They appeared to be the same people from the previous century .

Xi rushed excitedly over to them .

“Why are you so loud? Can’t you see people are sleeping?” Yan reprimanded her .

Xi stared in silence, feeling like she’d been wronged . She shifted from foot to foot before walking over to her father’s side, lightly tugging at his clothes .

The interaction between the three made Shen Li ask if their fates were bound to repeat .

Xing Zhi shook his head . “It’s just a coincidence . ”

The aggrieved look on Xi’s face reminded Shen Li too much of Xiao He . She couldn’t help but speak out . “I’m sure Prince Rui had many people in his life after he took the throne . What were the chances of him remembering a sharp-tongued woman who sacrificed everything to help him gain his desire?

“Let me think . ” Xing Zhi thought it over before answering . “After he became king and assigned an empress he planted lotus flowers all over the royal garden . ”

Shen Li gave him a quick glance in surprise . She didn’t expect him to answer . It made her sigh . “It’s useless now, but I’m sure Xiao He would have been happy if she knew . ”