As for Wukong's side...
Su Qing had already figured out how to mislead him!
Besides, she didn't even know if Wukong, inside that Eight Trigrams Furnace, could hear or sense what was happening outside!
She would just play it by ear.
There was no need to overthink it.
Seeing Su Qing agree, the little Daoist boy excitedly handed the Plantain Fan into Su Qing's hands.
He said, "Then I'll trouble the Immortal to watch the Eight Trigrams Furnace for a while. I'll be right back!"
Su Qing was stunned for a moment, truly not expecting this little Daoist boy to be so swift and decisive.
She gave a helpless smile, nodded, and said, "Then I'll trouble you."
"Leave it to me!" After the Daoist boy finished speaking, he dashed away in a flash.
Seeing this, Su Qing couldn't help but worry whether this fellow was reliable or not...
In any case, she hoped he would return quickly.
She shook her head slightly and then sat before the Eight Trigrams Furnace.
The flames within the Eight Trigrams Furnace surged; even without fanning, the fire still burned vigorously.
"The flames of this Eight Trigrams Furnace are truly fierce. I hope this monkey will really be fine after forty-nine days, just like in the original story."
Su Qing looked at the tumbling figure inside and thought to herself.
Suddenly.
She faintly heard a voice coming from within.
It called out, "Big Sister, Big Sister! Is that Big Sister outside?"
Hearing this, Su Qing was slightly stunned, somewhat surprised, yet it was also within her expectations.
Su Qing said, "Yes, it's me. Wukong?"
"It's me, it's me!" Wukong's voice said.
Su Qing raised an eyebrow and asked, knowing full well the answer, "Why are you inside this Eight Trigrams Furnace?"
Wukong didn't know that Su Qing already knew everything; he thought Su Qing's information was limited in the Moon Palace, so she didn't know he had caused a major incident.
He hurriedly began to explain to Su Qing...
After listening, Su Qing nodded slightly and asked, "Then, how are you faring, being locked inside?"
"Not well, not well! Although this True Fire cannot burn me to death, it makes my eyes sting from the smoke." Wukong said from within the Eight Trigrams Furnace, "Big Sister, can you let me out! Once I'm out, I'll definitely show those people what's what!"
Hearing this, Su Qing was not surprised; she had already guessed Wukong would say this.
So she said, "I cannot release you. This Eight Trigrams Furnace is Laojun's magical treasure; I cannot open it yet. However, I do have a way!"
When Wukong heard that Big Sister had no way to release him, he naturally didn't doubt her, but he couldn't help but feel it was a pity.
After all, in his impression, he was better at fighting than Big Sister; if he couldn't break the furnace after tumbling inside for so long, it wasn't very strange that Big Sister couldn't break it either.
However, upon hearing Su Qing say there was another way, he immediately perked up again.
He hurriedly asked, "What way does Big Sister have? Tell me quickly! I'm having a very hard time staying in here."
"Although there is a way... it's not exactly a good one, and I'm afraid you'll have to continue to suffer for a while."
Su Qing smiled and said:
"Since you say the fire of this Eight Trigrams Furnace cannot burn you, why not wait a bit!"
"This Eight Trigrams Furnace will be sealed for at most seven times seven, forty-nine days. Once those forty-nine days have passed, Laojun will inevitably open the furnace. At that time, you can take the opportunity to escape from the furnace, won't that be fine? You can also catch them off guard."
"Forty-nine days... it's not long, but it's not short either. I'm afraid it will be quite difficult to endure." Wukong couldn't help but feel vexed upon hearing this, saying:
"However, it seems this is the only way... Big Sister cannot break this pill furnace, and I cannot break it either, so we can only wait for the pill furnace to open on its own."
After speaking, Wukong remembered something else and said:
"Big Sister, I've caused a huge mess this time. You must also find a way to get away quickly! Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll be implicated by me..."
Hearing this, Su Qing gave a helpless smile and shook her head slightly, saying, "Don't worry. For now, those people haven't come to trouble me. Besides, I'm planning to return to the mortal world in a few days, so it's nothing."
"That's good, that's good." Wukong said, "By the way, I have one more thing to trouble Big Sister with. I'm trapped in this Eight Trigrams Furnace and cannot escape. Those tens of thousands of monkeys and grandchildren at Flower-Fruit Mountain will likely suffer. Please look after them after you return to the mortal world."
"Flower-Fruit Mountain is also my home; naturally, I will go and look after it. You don't need to worry about this..." Su Qing nodded and said.
Even if Wukong hadn't said it, Su Qing would still have gone to look after Flower-Fruit Mountain.
Setting everything else aside, she had actually treated Wukong unfairly in this matter...
Although many things were not entirely within her control, it had to be said that she had also played a role in pushing things along.
So she inevitably felt a bit guilty.
She felt that his eventually taking this old path was because of her.
"Later, when he is suppressed under the Five Elements Mountain, I'll go visit him then too." Su Qing couldn't help but think to herself.
"Thank you, Big Sister! Thank you, Big Sister!" Wukong said hurriedly.
Toward Big Sister, his attitude had never changed. Because for him, the fact that he had reached this point was never anyone else's fault...
If anyone was to blame, it was only himself for being careless and allowing someone to launch a sneak attack.
While they were talking, Su Qing suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
She raised an eyebrow, knowing it was likely the Daoist boy returning with Laojun, so she closed her mouth.
Seeing that the outside had suddenly gone silent, Wukong also knew that something had happened.
So he obediently shut his mouth, prepared to endure these forty-nine days, and then come out to show the people of the Heavenly Court what's what.
Although it was difficult to endure, having a definite time gave him more to look forward to.
Compared to enduring aimlessly, it was always a bit better.
Su Qing didn't know what Wukong was thinking at this moment.
She only turned her head to look after hearing the footsteps approach.
Just as she had expected, it was the Daoist boy who had returned, but unlike what she had imagined, Laojun did not return with the Daoist boy.
Su Qing opened her mouth, about to speak, but before she could make a sound, the Daoist boy beat her to it, saying:
"Immortal, Master is waiting for you in the side hall. Please follow me."
Hearing this, Su Qing was slightly stunned for half a second, then she likely understood Laojun's concerns.
So she nodded slightly and said, "I understand. However, this Eight Trigrams Furnace... does it not need to be tended?"
"This fire is the Six-Ding Divine Fire; it's not that easy to extinguish. It's only a few steps away; nothing will happen." The Daoist boy formed a Daoist mudra and answered.
After hearing this, Su Qing nodded and followed the Daoist boy away from the Eight Trigrams Furnace.
Wukong, inside the Eight Trigrams Furnace, felt it was a pity upon hearing this...
If only this fire were easier to extinguish, that would have been great.
Su Qing followed the Daoist boy to the side hall.
Before the door, the Daoist boy said, "I'll leave you here. Master is inside. Immortal, please go in and find him yourself."
After speaking, the Daoist boy didn't wait for Su Qing's reply and turned to leave.
Seeing the Daoist boy leave, Su Qing looked up at the plaque and then walked into the side hall.
This side hall seemed to be the place where Laojun stored his elixirs.
As soon as Su Qing entered, she smelled a strong fragrance of medicine.
Looking around, she saw many bottles and jars displayed on the shelves all around, most of which were likely elixirs refined by Laojun.
Just looking at the quantity of these elixirs, Su Qing was still somewhat surprised.
Thinking about it this way, Wukong stealing and eating so many of Laojun's elixirs earlier probably didn't count as a very large loss for Laojun.
Laojun was currently sitting in a Grandmaster's Chair, with a cup of clear tea by his side.
Seeing Su Qing's arrival, Laojun gave a light chuckle and said:
"Sit anywhere, no need for formalities. I truly didn't expect that you would come to find this old man at this time..."
Hearing this, Su Qing bowed in greeting and then found a seat to sit down.
"I am truly sorry for disturbing your drinking, Senior."
"No matter. We old fellows are quite idle on ordinary days. Resolving your matter first before going back to drink won't be a problem."
Laojun shook his head with a chuckle and then asked:
"Since you've come to find me, I assume you've decided to return to the mortal world?"
Hearing this, Su Qing nodded slightly and said, "Yes, it's time to return. I've reached a bottleneck in my cultivation now; the more I cultivate, the more I feel that progress has become difficult."
"Even comprehending the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra makes it hard to increase the speed of my cultivation... so it's time to try other cultivation methods. A multi-pronged approach will likely be better."
Laojun stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction, saying:
"This idea is naturally good. Although stubborn persistence doesn't mean you can't reach the rank of Heavenly Immortal, it is indeed too slow."
"Yes, I feel the same way." Su Qing said.
Laojun smiled and said, "Since you want to return to the mortal world, then according to our agreement, I should also find a mortal official position for you. However, what kind of official do you want to be in the mortal world? What kind of deity?"
Hearing this, Su Qing was slightly stunned.
She had thought Laojun would arrange it directly without asking for her opinion, so she hadn't thought about these things.
However, since he asked, she naturally had to answer seriously.
After all, Su Qing didn't want to end up with a troublesome and busy position.
She pondered for a moment.
Su Qing remembered her original ideal.
Once, her ideal was very simple.
It was nothing more than finding a mountain, being a minor deity, and protecting the local people.
To be an ordinary Willow Immortal, praised or not praised by others.
Although she had unknowingly drifted further and further from this original goal on this path of cultivation, if there was an opportunity now to be such a leisurely Willow Immortal, it seemed quite good.
So, Su Qing informed Laojun of this idea, saying, "Finding a mountain and being a mountain god of neither too large nor too small a size would be fine."
Laojun nodded slightly upon hearing this, also pondering how to arrange it.
After a moment, Laojun had a clear idea and said:
"In this Jambudvipa World, mountains and rivers are countless. Helping you find a suitable mountain is not difficult."
Seeing Laojun say this, Su Qing likely knew that this matter was mostly settled.
So she nodded and said, "I'll trouble you, Senior. Thank you very much for this."
"It's just a small favor." Laojun shook his head with a chuckle and said, "Go back to the Moon Palace first! I'll go speak with His Majesty... Once His Majesty agrees, I'll have someone notify you."
Hearing this, Su Qing didn't say anything more, just nodded and said, "I understand. Then I shall head back first?"
"Mm, go back." Laojun stroked his beard and said, "There are plenty of mountain god positions; His Majesty shouldn't be too nitpicky about this matter. You shouldn't have to wait too long."
After hearing this, Su Qing gave her thanks and then turned to leave Tushita Palace.
After Su Qing left, Laojun stood up and went to the Eight Trigrams Furnace.
He looked at the Eight Trigrams Furnace and, seeing that Wukong was quieter than usual inside, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Monkey, do you know your mistake now?"
"Hmph! Old man Taishang! What mistake have I, Old Sun, made? Just keep burning; I, Old Sun, am a stone monkey by nature. With just this little fire of yours, wanting to burn me to death is simply wishful thinking!"
Wukong naturally wouldn't admit his mistake before Laojun; instead, he spoke provocatively.
Laojun merely chuckled upon hearing this and said to the Daoist boy, "Good, increase the fire!"
Whether this fire could harm Wukong or not, he naturally knew in his heart.
The reason for burning was just to help him refine the elixirs in his body along the way.
This monkey would be of great use later; naturally, he couldn't really be killed.
Otherwise, some things would not be able to proceed.
After Laojun finished speaking, he handed the Eight Trigrams Furnace back to the Daoist boy.
As for himself, he hurried to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
Inside the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
Seeing Laojun's arrival, the Jade Emperor couldn't help but be curious and asked:
"Why has my dear official come today? Has some trouble arisen in the mortal world again, or has some trouble arisen in the Heavenly Palace?"
Laojun gave a hearty laugh, shook his head, and said, "Neither, neither. I've come today regarding another matter!"
"Oh? What matter?" The Jade Emperor raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Does Your Majesty still remember Su Qing?"
Hearing this name, the Jade Emperor also nodded.
For this person, he naturally had an impression, and a rather deep one at that.
However, he couldn't help but be curious and asked, "This matter is related to her?"
Laojun nodded and then smilingly informed the Jade Emperor of today's events.
At the same time, he also told the Jade Emperor his own thoughts.
After listening, the Jade Emperor nodded slightly and said, "This girl's ambition isn't large; she's actually satisfied with being just a mountain god."
"Then does my dear official have any suggestions? To which mountain would it be better to send her?" The Jade Emperor naturally knew that when Laojun came over, he had already made arrangements.
What was missing now was just his nod, a mere formality.
Regarding this, he wasn't very concerned.
A mountain god position was neither large nor small.
It mainly depended on what mountain it was and whether that mountain already had any immortals.
And whether to nod or not was also his decision.
Seeing the Jade Emperor ask, Laojun said with a smile, "How about letting her go to the Changbai Mountains to be a mountain god?"
"Changbai Mountains? That mountain indeed has no mountain god; letting her go there is also acceptable."
The Jade Emperor was slightly stunned when he heard the name of this mountain, then after calculating in his heart, he still nodded.
Laojun smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
"Alright, alright. Why has an old fellow like you also learned to flatter?" The corner of the Jade Emperor's mouth twitched slightly, then he took out an official decree, picked up a brush to write, and said indifferently, "However, by arranging for her to be at the Changbai Mountains, you probably have quite a few little schemes, don't you?"
Laojun merely chuckled upon hearing this and said, "What is Your Majesty saying? It's merely to cultivate a junior."
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