Page 98

Liwei and I soared over the Cerulean Mountains, a jagged ridge of peaks that lay to the north of the Cloud Wall and west of the desert. Sunlight gleamed across Liwei’s gold armor, while I wore just a dark blue robe, with my bow slung across my back. Behind us flew Shuxiao, along with my mother and father.

Wenzhi was already here with his soldiers, working to reinforce the wards ahead of the impending confrontation. As he flew toward us, the light danced off his black armor in glints of bronze. His great sword was strapped to his side, a green cloak swirling from his shoulders.

As his cloud drew alongside ours, he inclined his head in greeting. “We expect Wugang’s forces to strike soon. Tomorrow, or the day after.”

“Is there any news from the other kingdoms?” Liwei asked.

“No. Perhaps they will not come,” Wenzhi replied, the corners of his mouth tightening.

In the distance, the soldiers of the Cloud Wall had gathered, casting a shadow over the pale sands beneath. Such terror they had struck in me before, and now I wished there were more of them. Not enough, my mind whispered. Not enough to stand against Wugang’s deadly soldiers, the vast white-and-gold army that curled like a monstrous serpent along the edge of desert and cloud.

The wind strengthened, whipping my hair across my cheek. As I brushed it aside, I caught a brightness on the horizon. Soldiers in blue and silver armor, soaring toward us, led by Prince Yanxi. My chest caved at the memory of the last time I had seen him, bearing his brother’s body in his arms. While Prince Yanxi’s expression was somber, he greeted Liwei and me with warmth. However, he stiffened at the sight of Wenzhi.

“Your Majesty.” He spoke with cool formality, and it startled me to hear Wenzhi addressed so. “The Eastern Sea does not march on behalf of the Demon Realm. I am here to avenge my brother.”

Wenzhi inclined his head. “Nevertheless, we welcome your aid. We need not be friends to be allies.”

Shrill cries rang out, accompanied by the swish of air. Soldiers in bronze armor flew across the skies, mounted upon magnificent phoenixes. Crimson sparks trailed in their wake, their plumage so bright as though coated in flame, with rainbows fluttering from their tails. In their midst soared the Celestial Empress—she would always be that to me, whether she had a throne or not. I almost did not recognize her, the purpose shining upon her face, devoid of her habitual malice or tension. Was this a glimpse of who she was before? Had her bitterness been born from the disillusionment of her marriage, of having her wings clipped by life in the Celestial Kingdom? I did not like her any better, but perhaps I understood her a little more.

The empress halted by our cloud, sliding off her mount with ease. “Queen Fengjin will join our fight against the villain Wugang,” she announced with pride.

“We are grateful for her aid,” Liwei said, adding, “as we are for yours, Mother. You must have changed her mind, for the queen did not seem inclined to support us before.”

“Wugang must be stopped.” She cast a scathing look at Wenzhi. “I did not do this for you; they do not fight for the Demons. I could not care less what happens to your wretched kingdom.”

Wenzhi’s eyes flashed. “Neither do I care what happens to the Celestial Kingdom, for it has already fallen.”

As the empress’s red lips twisted into a snarl, Liwei cleared his throat. “There is nothing to be gained by insulting each other. We are glad for reinforcements.”

“Indeed.” A mocking smile tugged at Wenzhi’s lips. “How fortunate that while we are loathed by most of the Immortal Realm—they hate Wugang more.”

“As they should, for Wugang is the greatest threat we have ever faced,” my father said, alighting from Shuxiao’s cloud to ours. His bow lay across his back like a crescent of silver. My mother followed him, her face pale and drawn.

“Are you well enough to be here?” I asked Shuxiao anxiously.

“Well enough and bored enough. Anything would be better than another week of lying down and being fed vile herbal concoctions.” She shuddered, crossing her arms. “The dragons are wise and powerful, yet their medicines are foul.”

“Bitter medicines are preferable to fatal wounds.” I examined the armies, relieved at the sight—and yet my spirits had never been lower. How many would still stand after a battle? How many would return to their families? There would be no mercy from Wugang or his soldiers; I did not think they were capable of it.

My gaze shifted to the swath of clouds on the other side of the mountain range, those I had avoided examining too closely before. Wugang’s soldiers, a forest of them, glittering like sunlight upon snow. Alongside them were the turquoise-armored troops of the Southern Sea. Queen Suihe was said to have a talent for picking the winning side, and I hoped this time her assessment was flawed. There were other soldiers too, whom I did not recognize, clad in armor of copper and of green.

“The Northern and Western Sea will fight against us,” Liwei observed tersely. “They were not our allies, but this is a blow. I had hoped they would steer clear of the confrontation.”

“Queen Suihe must have won their support for Wugang during the gathering of the Four Seas,” I said.

“Before the battle commences, we must do one thing,” Liwei said. “We need someone familiar with the Jade Palace to rescue my father, General Jianyun, and the other courtiers imprisoned by Wugang. Otherwise, they will be in grave danger; they will be used as hostages.”

Shuxiao bowed. “I will go. General Jianyun has been kind to me, to all of us under his command.”

“A few of our soldiers can accompany you.” Wenzhi gestured to the immortal behind him, who stepped forward and bowed. As General Mengqi straightened, she cast a baleful look my way, no doubt recalling how I had duped her before.

“General Mengqi, assemble a group to head to the Jade Palace,” he instructed her. “Shuxiao, previously a lieutenant of the Celestial Army, will lead them.”

The general’s lips tightened as she studied Shuxiao. “Your Majesty, is she competent? I will not risk our soldiers’ safety recklessly.”

“She is as competent as you are,” I replied with an edge in my voice. “And not so easily fooled.” A petty taunt, but I would not stand by while my friends were insulted.

Shuxiao’s eyes narrowed. “After this is over, you may test my competence with any weapon of your choice.”