Leisurely life, time always flies.
In the blink of an eye, several more years had passed.
Exactly how many years, Su Qing, who disliked keeping track of dates, had long since forgotten.
This day.
It was deep winter, the weather was cold, and fine, dense snow fell from the sky as if salt were being sprinkled.
The streets of Huai County were covered in a thick layer of snow… it looked as though the streets had been draped in a new silver garment.
And Su Qing, walking on the street, was now dressed in winter attire.
This winter outfit had been given to her by Chang'e last year, said to be sewn by the Seven Fairies with considerable effort.
Although Su Qing didn't feel anything particularly special while wearing it… at least the style was pretty.
Su Qing came to the street not only because she had stayed on the mountain too long and, stirred by the quiet, wanted to go for a walk, but also to buy some things along the way.
While most things on the mountain were indeed self-sufficient, there were still many items that needed to be purchased from outside.
The streets of Huai County were bustling, likely due to the approaching New Year…
Shops selling New Year goods were everywhere, and lanterns and streamers adorned every corner, making it quite lively.
“It’s truly lively!” Gongsun Zhixue exclaimed, looking at the festive crowds.
Gongsun Zhixue, who had come out with Su Qing today, was also bundled in thick winter clothes.
After all, in the dead of winter, dressing as if it were summer would inevitably seem strange…
Even make people think they were mad.
So, to avoid being too “conspicuous,” everyone simply put on their winter attire.
“Well, it’s almost New Year, after all!” Su Qing said with a faint smile. “You’ve been in the Mortal World for so long, surely you know about New Year?”
“I know! I was just making a remark.”
Gongsun Zhixue nodded and said:
“Ah, I really wish I could stay down the mountain~ The mountain is far too quiet. Only a few Little Sparrows keep me company, and they still haven’t transformed, it’s terribly boring! I truly hope the mountain becomes as lively as down here.”
“Actually, it’s not this lively every day down the mountain… it’s just the New Year recently!”
Su Qing shook her head and said:
“But if you want to stay down the mountain, then cultivate diligently! When your strength is comparable to mine, you’ll naturally be able to stay down here. After all, by then, I won’t be able to control you.”
“Oh, forget it then. The gap between us is too vast. By the time I reach your current realm, who knows how old I’ll be. By then, I probably won’t even be interested anymore!” Gongsun Zhixue rolled her eyes, turning to make a funny face at Su Qing.
She had a very clear understanding of her own strength.
She knew the disparity between herself and Su Qing.
She used to loudly declare she would surpass Su Qing and give her a good thrashing.
But now!
She no longer thought that way at all.
After all, to catch up to Su Qing’s current realm, who knew how many years it would take.
Seeing Gongsun Zhixue’s concession, Su Qing naturally wouldn’t miss the opportunity to tease her.
However, just as Su Qing was about to speak, Leng Xiang suddenly pulled her back.
Su Qing, whose words were abruptly interrupted, couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Be careful not to bump into anyone,” Leng Xiang calmly replied.
It turned out that because Su Qing had been distracted, chatting with Gongsun Zhixue, she hadn’t noticed a pedestrian and almost collided with a child running wildly in the street.
Thankfully, Leng Xiang had been observing their surroundings, and just as Su Qing was about to collide, she pulled her back, preventing the accident.
However, even though they didn’t actually collide, the child was still greatly startled.
She looked at Su Qing and the others, froze for a moment, then quickly apologized.
She didn’t know if she was in the wrong.
And she didn’t care if she was, either…
Because in her opinion, those rich young ladies didn’t care about such things at all.
If they were displeased, a scolding was inevitable.
After all… she had personally experienced such things.
So, it was better to apologize as quickly as possible.
At least it could spare her some harsh reprimands.
Su Qing looked at the startled child, feeling a sense of familiarity. She smiled faintly, then squatted down and gently ruffled her hair.
“It’s alright, I wasn’t looking where I was going and almost bumped into you, no need for you to apologize,” Su Qing said with a beaming smile, her tone exceptionally gentle.
This gentle tone, combined with her soft, Jiangnan water-town-like appearance… naturally had a very good effect.
The child was quickly appeased.
After seeing the child calmed down, Su Qing continued, “Alright, here, take this copper coin! Go buy some snacks to eat. Consider it an apology from me, your elder sister.”
The money wasn’t much, just enough to buy a pancake.
It was merely meant to show goodwill, to let her know that Su Qing wasn’t a bad person.
The child stared blankly at Su Qing, her eyes full of doubt, seemingly greatly surprised by Su Qing’s tenderness.
But she quickly regained her senses.
She quickly said, “Thank you… thank you, Sister.”
“No need to thank me, off you go!”
Su Qing patted her shoulder with a smile, then stood up and left, not lingering by the child’s side.
And after watching Su Qing walk away, the child looked down at the copper coin in her hand…
She still felt that she was a strange big sister.
But she didn’t think too much about it; she just held the coin and quickly ran off.
After Su Qing and the others had gone a distance.
Gongsun Zhixue, who was beside Su Qing, teased, “I never expected you could talk like that~ So gentle! You’re always yelling at me on a normal day.”
“When was I not gentle?‘”
Su Qing rolled her eyes at her, then gave her head a hard tap, saying:
“As long as you don’t stir up trouble and act like a mischievous child, I’m exceptionally gentle with you too.”
Hearing this, Gongsun Zhixue stuck out her tongue and said, “I don’t believe a word of it! You just want to bully me! I haven’t forgotten what you said before I transformed.”
Su Qing couldn’t help but smile upon hearing this; she hadn’t expected this person to still remember those remarks.
However, Su Qing didn’t delve deeper into discussing those past events with her.
Instead, she turned to look back at the previous path, and after finding the child had vanished without a trace, she shook her head.
That child…
She actually knew her.
However, the person she knew was no longer the person she was now.
And of course, the child no longer knew her.
Reincarnation and memory cleansing were inevitable.
Su Qing smiled faintly, thinking to herself:
“It seems she still hasn’t been born into a much better life this time! But… at least this life, she should be more peaceful than her previous one, right?”
Soon.
Su Qing reined in her wandering thoughts and continued to lead everyone shopping.
The group strolled through the streets, looking here and there.
Before long, they had accumulated so many things…
They could barely carry any more.
After buying so much, Su Qing felt they had shopped enough, so she led everyone back to Changbai Mountains.
Today’s outing… she was satisfied.
Of course, what satisfied her most was probably seeing the reincarnation of an old friend doing quite well.
Back on Changbai Mountains.
Ao Ying, as usual, returned to Heaven Lake.
Su Qing, meanwhile, put away the things she had bought into the house.
After all these tasks were done, Su Qing sat under the eaves, watching the fine snow fluttering outside.
At the same time, she watched Leng Xiang sweep snow in the courtyard.
In the past, Su Qing might have picked up snowballs to have a snowball fight with Leng Xiang.
But after spending so much time in the north…
Things that once seemed interesting gradually became commonplace and boring.
Suddenly.
Leng Xiang, who had been diligently sweeping snow, suddenly stopped her work.
And with an excited expression, she called out, “Master!”
Startled by Leng Xiang’s sudden call, Su Qing was a little bewildered and asked:
“What’s wrong? You look so happy, did you think of something joyful?”
Hearing this, Leng Xiang quickly nodded, then asked:
“Master… do you still remember that short sword we got from the Old Dragon King?”
Su Qing nodded slightly, stroking her chin as she replied:
“Hmm, it was only a decade or so ago, of course, I remember.”
Su Qing’s memory had always been good…
Recent events certainly wouldn’t be forgotten like memories of a previous life.
However, as Su Qing recalled this matter.
She also remembered some less pleasant things.
She touched her forehead, dismissing some messy thoughts, and asked:
“Judging by how happy you look, let me guess, the sword spirit of that sword has been conceived, hasn’t it??”
This wasn’t hard to guess.
Leng Xiang suddenly brought up the short sword and was so happy.
Anyone who knew her even a little could easily connect it to this.
Hearing this.
Leng Xiang also nodded with a smile and said, “Master is so smart, the sword spirit of that sword has indeed been conceived! However, her intelligence isn’t very high, at most like a child who has just turned one.”
Su Qing was slightly surprised to hear this.
“I thought… once a sword spirit was conceived, it would be just like you!”
Hearing Su Qing’s words, Leng Xiang couldn’t help but smile and say, “Master, have you forgotten? Before I became a sword spirit… I was already a flower demon with several centuries of intelligence!”
“Ah, I certainly haven’t forgotten that…”
Leng Xiang looked at Su Qing, shook her head, and said, “Master, you’re lying. If you remembered, you wouldn’t have asked such a question. But never mind, I don’t blame you.”
Su Qing gave a helpless smile and didn’t argue further.
After lecturing Su Qing, Leng Xiang continued, “A newly conceived sword spirit, actually, is just like a human child; she needs to grow little by little! In fact, demons are the same; no one is born like an adult. So…”
“So?”
“Master can nurture her into whatever you desire,” Leng Xiang said with a smile. “In other words, she has infinite possibilities, it all depends on how Master plans to raise her.”
With that, Leng Xiang took the short sword from her embrace.
The short sword from before had now transformed greatly.
The hilt was carved with scales, emitting a faint azure glow, like emerald snake scales.
And the scabbard was a different sight entirely…
The scabbard seemed to be formed from intertwined vines, still bearing its original wood grain.
Adorned on the scabbard was a winter plum blossom.
It was so lifelike, as if freshly plucked from a tree.
Such a sword, though appearing somewhat strange, possessed an inexplicable harmony, as if suddenly one with its surroundings.
Su Qing looked left and right, nodding involuntarily.
“I can’t believe it’s changed so much after you nourished it for a few years,” Su Qing said in surprise. “It used to look so ancient, but now it’s exceptionally magnificent! The contrast is truly striking.”
“The sword’s transformation… is mainly due to my and Master’s aura,” Leng Xiang explained to Su Qing without concealment. “But… although its appearance has changed, its fundamental qualities remain the same. After all, the materials are still the same…”
Leng Xiang’s words made Su Qing nod slightly…
To put it simply, this new appearance didn’t mean its performance had changed; it was merely like a “skin.”
A skin without any added benefits.
How to put it?
It was reasonable, yet also unexpected.
“Still, it’s quite beautiful!” Su Qing said. “By the way, since the sword spirit has been conceived, does that mean I can summon the sword spirit of this short sword now?”
“Yes… you can definitely summon her. But because her intelligence isn’t high yet… she might be a bit silly,” Leng Xiang replied earnestly after stroking her chin and pondering for a moment.
“Children are like that! Isn’t it normal for them to be a bit silly?” Su Qing said nonchalantly. “Look at Gongsun Zhixue when she was little, wasn’t she a proper blockhead too?”
Gongsun Zhixue hadn’t gone far, so she naturally heard Su Qing and Leng Xiang’s conversation.
“You’re the silly one!” Gongsun Zhixue retorted, throwing a snowball.
It still didn’t hit Su Qing…
But landed squarely in Leng Xiang’s hand.
Su Qing glanced at her with a beaming smile, not paying it much mind.
She simply directed her gaze to the short sword in her hand.
She held the short sword in her hand, her spiritual consciousness connecting with the sword spirit within.
And as her spiritual consciousness seeped into the short sword.
A vague image of a little girl, appearing to be about four or five years old, emerged in Su Qing’s mind.
“Yudie?”
Su Qing remembered the name she had given the sword spirit back then, so she tentatively called out.
The sword spirit heard Su Qing’s voice, paused for a moment, then reached out its snow-white little hand towards her.
In the next instant, it appeared in her arms.
At this moment, Su Qing finally got a clear look at the sword spirit.
She was about four or five years old, with white hair and white eyes, like a child sculpted from white jade.
Her eyes gazed at Su Qing with a bewildered look, as if trying to figure out who Su Qing was.
Unable to comprehend it immediately, she leaned closer to Su Qing and sniffed her scent.
At that instant, she recognized who Su Qing was.
She wrapped her arms around Su Qing’s neck and, in a childish voice, called out, “Mama!”
Su Qing: “???”
Rate on N.U.
