Chapter 10.4: The Great Phoenix Feather Treasure (Part 4 of 5)

"If his Fire G.o.d Highness is able to do that, that will be best." The mist on the mountain disappeared and a strong stern voice echoed.

  I immediately bowed down my head and concentrated on the edge of my feet. 

  One pair of feet, two pairs of feet, three pairs of feet....... twenty four pairs of feet. Ah, this formation is quite big.

  Phoenix lightly laughed, his voice contained a thread of bitterness, "I am not an unreasonable person. Now that I know of my relationship with Jin Mi, naturally I will not burden her."

  "This is an old secret, and shouldn"t be interfered with by outsiders. Since your Fire G.o.d Highness understand it"s fine, but please guard this secret......"

  Before the Flower Leader"s finished speaking, she saw Phoenix flicked his robes and said, "I"m afraid that is too late". He appeared slightly helpless.

  The Flower Leader immediately stepped forward and asked seriously, "What does your Fire G.o.d Highness mean?"

  "Today was the Heavenly Empress" Birthday Banquet, Jin Mi had intruded and unwittingly revealed her real appearance. The Heavenly Emperor and the G.o.ds have become suspicious." Phoenix"s brow hid a sense of worry.

  "Jin Mi, you......" The Flower Leader held her forehead and gave a long sigh, "Ah fine, if you were able to be conscientious, even I would have the ability to remember everything I see."

  Suddenly, dark thick clouds gathered in the sky, lightning flashed and thunder roared, one flash of lightning cut open the thick clouds with a strong murderous intent. I looked at it intently and saw it was the Thunder G.o.d and Lightning G.o.ddess with a group of heavenly soldiers and generals.

  The Thunder G.o.d joined the gold bangles on his arm and roars of thunder echoed, "Where is the little demon heading! Quickly surrender yourself!"

  The voice of the Thunder G.o.d was too loud, I was almost deafened by his sounds. When I regained awareness, I saw Phoenix blocking me in the front, he said coldly, "What are you doing?"

  The Thunder G.o.d and Lightning G.o.ddess finally realised that Phoenix was present. They led the group of heavenly soldiers and bowed towards him. The Thunder G.o.d responded, "Greetings to his Fire G.o.d Highness, the Heavenly Empress ordered us to catch Jin Mi to face punishment in the Heavenly Court, we plead for his Second Royal Highness not to obstruct us."

  Phoenix"s face darkened and before he could speak, the Flower Leader coldly said, "How dare the Heavenly Realms try and catch the people belonging to the Flower World! Jin Mi is a sprite in our Water Boundary, the sprites in the Flower World will not let the Heavenly Realms humiliate us, I ask the Thunder G.o.d to speak carefully."

  The Thunder G.o.d"s huge face, hair and lips were all crow black, only his teeth were white and especially striking, "The Flower Leader has the Flower Leader"s reason, Yun Xiang has Yun Xiang"s own responsibilities. Since I have come here today under the orders of the Heavenly Empress, Yun Xiang will only leave after fulfilling his duties."

  Phoenix arched his eyebrows and spoke, "The thirty-six heavenly generals, the eight million and twelve hundred thousands of heavenly soldiers in the heavenly realm, if I did not remember wrongly, none of them are under the command of the Heavenly Empress. Yun Xiang Thunder G.o.d and Sheng Guan Lightning G.o.ddess, have your forgotten whose command you are under?!"

  The Thunder G.o.d was a blunt and straight man, but the Lightning G.o.ddess was smarter, she smoothly pulled the Thunder G.o.d"s robes, bowed and spoke, "Your Second Highness, please appease your anger. We are under the command of your Second Highness, naturally we will only listen to your Second Highness."

  "If so, I command the two of you to return to the Heavenly Court with the soldiers." Phoenix had a dominating aura as he swiped up his robes, "I will naturally handle the Heavenly Empress."

  "Yes," The Lightning G.o.ddess respectfully closed her hands into a fist in receipt of Phoenix"s command, the Thunder G.o.d opened his white teeth and seemed hesitant, but at a look of Phoenix"s expression, that last thread of hesitation immediately disappeared.

  At this moment, a timid voice rang out. "Greetings to his Fire G.o.d Highness, little G.o.d is not under your Second Highness" command but under his Night First Highness"s command..." One small heavenly soldier raised his hand and nervously replied.

  "Ah?" Phoenix"s gaze fell on him. 

  The small heavenly soldier trembled, but his resolve did not falter, it turns out that the new born calf is not scared of the lion, he had only started being a heavenly soldier for a few days. When I was Phoenix"s book boy, he frequently brought me around the military training camp, that scene... ah, extremely b.l.o.o.d.y!

  I was suddenly excited and prepared to watch how the little heavenly soldier would battle with the Fire G.o.d, but someone said calmly, "Since you are under my command, would you listen one line from me?"

  Ah, why is the Night G.o.d here too?

  The little heavenly soldier admiringly looked at Night, earnestly nodding his head, "I"m at your First Highness"s command."

  "Today"s matter is a misunderstanding, return to the military training camp, if the Heavenly Empress has any doubts, I will take on all responsibility." Night patted the little heavenly soldier"s refined shoulders.

  The little heavenly soldier looked at Night with shining eyes and happily bowed, "Yes! I will listen to your Highness" command!"

  Phoenix coldly watched and did not make a sound.

  The fierce battalion of heavenly soldiers and heavenly generals were so quickly resolved back by  Phoenix and Night, I couldn"t help feeling a little disappointed.*

  Night straightened out the sleeves of his robe and gave a respectful gesture to the twenty-four Flower Leaders, "Night greets the Flower Leaders."

  Ding Xiang, the little Flower Leader, carefully examined Night, suddenly she stretched out her hand to attack Night"s face, Night quickly rose up a boundary and avoided it. Ding Xiang, the little Flower Leader, pulled back her hand and said, "This boundary power... turns out it was Night who broke the boundary spell of the Water Boundary and took Jin Mi away!"

  The other Flower Leaders had the same expression, a little taken aback and hostilely looking at Night. 

  "The two great G.o.ds of the Heavenly Realms barged into my Flower World, I can understand the Fire G.o.d"s accidental intrusion, but what is Night"s motive?" The Flower Leader agitatedly furrowed both her brows and sharply stared at Night.

  Night gently smiled and looked at me, "Unlike my reclusive personality, Jin Mi"s personality is curious and likes new things and crowded places, she would not be able to bear being trapped in the boundary of the Twenty Four Flower Leaders. Since Jin Mi is my friend, it was only within my strength to release her."

  "Friend?" Ding Xian, the little Flower Leader, broke into laughter, "The Heavenly Realms is truly a superficial group of people, after seeing Jin Mi"s remarkable appearance, isn"t Night"s expression of friend being rather artificial? At least, the Fire G.o.d is honest, why does Night not speak straight from the heart?"**

  "Ding Xiang Leader can doubt my words, but my actions are aboveboard, and I have never breached any rules of proprieties. I have no guilt in my heart to use the "friends"". Night was completely indifferent to the Little Flower Leader"s provocation. 

*Haha, Jin Mi is bloodthirsty as always.

** Perhaps, one of the truest criticisms and comparisons of Phoenix and Night? 

Comments: Lots more secrets are going to be revealed soon! Ah, Phoenix and Night, Phoenix and Night, even now I cannot decide. 

The contrast between the little heavenly soldier and the huge troops of heavenly generals and soldiers is not just a funny joke in the novel, but I think Dian Xian"s very subtle commentary on the power imbalance between Night and Phoenix......