The heavenly empress went back to her chambers and seeing the recipe she prepared for the emperor before going to call him earlier, she felt more annoyed.
Come and throw this thing away, she said to one of her personal maid servants.
Your imperial majesty, you made this for the heavenly emperor, it would be a pity if you threw it away, the maid servant advised.
Just as she was about to think twice about it, the heavenly emperor came and overheard their conversation.
What did you want to throw away? He asked.
They immediately stopped their conversation and greeted him.
It's the sesame meal the empress prepped for you, the maid replied.
Bring it let me try it, you put your love into it, that will be wasted if you throw it away.
The emperor took it and tasted it.
Hmm, it's really good, not bad.
He took a deep breath and thought for a while.
Now the phoenix is dead and won't awaken any longer, very soon everything will return on track. So, you don't need to worry about all this folk prescriptions and recipes any longer.
Yes your majesty, the empress replied.
And also keep an eye on Alice, she will take your place sooner or later after she marries Stanley. It's not appropriate for her to behave like she is doing now. And Frank too...
Frank behaves fine, the empress chipped in. She had always backed him up, since he chose to be uninterested in the heavenly court matters.
You don't need to take responsibility for his actions, the emperor told her.
She nodded in reply and then he stood up and left.
Take care your majesty, she said.
In their farm land, Frank stood before dead plants, examining them. He is the rain god and worrying and caring for the plants are his duties.
Greetings red sun god, Jennie greeted Stanley immediately he arrived.
What's going on here Alfred, he asked.
This place is the most sensitive in the three realms, it is affected by the death of the phoenix.
Leave it to me, Stanley said without thinking.
You are the red sun god, you want to farm? Jennie asked.
Fine, Alfred agreed and gave him farming tools. He took it and started farming.
Alfred and Jennie shifted some distance away and watched him work.
Rain god, you tell me what is wrong with him? He just won an honor and was awarded but he doesn't seem happy.
How do you know he isn't happy? Everyone in the three realms knows Stanley keeps a poker face all the time. How will you know he is happy or not?
You taught me to feel it with my heart and master expressions. It can't be seen with only the eyes.
Then do you know if I am happy or not?
Jennie thought for a while, smiling as always.
Hmm, if the crops are doing well you are happy, if I did a good job you will be happy and if you see all beings having food to eat and celebrate all the time you will be happy too. Ain't I right?
Yes, there are things that make someone happy. But Stanley is different, he is the red sun god, a position he doesn't want. He can't feel happy for his happiness and also can't feel sad for his sadness. Sometimes he also has to do things he doesn't want to do, but has to do.
So he goes farming? I don't understand, Jennie said looking more confused.
You don't need to understand.
Stanley kept on working tirelessly, he worked till late in the night. He is an immortal, therefore he could work far more longer than an ordinary mortal. Frank came at little intervals to watch him.
After he had finished farming the entirely affected area he just dropped on the ground and fell asleep till it was dawn and prepared to leave.
Are you leaving? Frank asked him.
Yes, he replied.
Ok it's time to go, come back later to see if your work on the land paid off.
Okay, he replied and left.
Rain go, the land is refreshed now, why are you not happy? Jennie asked.
How do you know? He asked with a little frown.
Your eyes are foggy.
He sighed heavily and said "maybe it's because I am worried about Stanley".
Jennie thought for a while.
But why would you be worried about him? He is the red sun god, apart from the empress, his position is only under the emperor.
Frank thought for a while and nodded
Yes you are right!
Stanley stayed on the clouds up in the sky and viewed the sunset. It was very beautiful, a view so relaxing that anybody would crave for it. He remembered the time he brought Linda to see the view with him.
What a beautiful scene! No wonder everyone wants to be an immortal, Linda said.
You just said being an immortal is boring, Stanley reminded her.
Well, I just realized this scene is beautiful, it's so beautiful that I can do anything for it.
Stanley smiled and sighed.
Ordinary mortals will never see this scene in their lives. You are lucky.
This was when he was silently showing Linda he cared for her and the feelings grew stronger with time.
I'm lucky? She asked herself. Maybe I was lucky when I was little, at that time I had everything and everyone loves me, but later everything was gone because of me. After that, I am nothing, I have nothing. No matter where I go people don't like me.
Stanley looked at her with tenderness. He felt very satisfied relieving her of any worries, always being there for her.
For us deities, human lives are very short, life and death is just a moment. It's just like the sun, it has ups and downs. The sunset is short but the sun shines for a whole day.
Thinking back to the present, he thought;
So trying times are temporary.
In the demon realm, Linda woke up from what felt like a long sleep, she had been unconscious for some days. Cyrus had always been by her bedside watching her.
Sister, you are awake, he spoke.
Where am I? What am I doing here? She asked in a confused and hurried tone.
This is the demon realm. Have you forgotten? I brought you here that day to protect you from Stanley's chase.
So Stanley really wanted to kill me? She asked.
As she woke up she wanted to be thankful that all that was just a dream but it turned out to be reality.
You don't need to be afraid, me and Mark fought our hardest to resist the blue flame attack. You are safe here, it's just that Stanley took the purple rose to the heavenly realm which will make it difficult to restore the phoenix power. But don't worry, I am willing to accompany you to cultivate and restore your power.