Chapter 227 | I, Liu Xian, Am Not a Divine Dragon

Su Qing’s questions were mostly a collection of messy, minor issues she had accumulated recently.

Even so, the two seniors patiently answered them one by one.

After their brief conversation, Su Qing felt as though she had benefited immensely.

Naturally, Su Qing also inquired about Wukong’s Three Calamities. Since she and the monkey were practicing roughly the same cultivation technique, it stood to reason that she would eventually face the same trials.

However, the monkey was currently pinned beneath the Five Elements Mountain, unable to move or even perform a simple spell… so how was he supposed to evade the calamities?

Su Qing couldn’t help but be curious.

Unfortunately, Taishang Laojun and the Old Mother were remarkably consistent in their response to this question.

"Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed."

Faced with that, Su Qing could do nothing. If the seniors weren't willing to talk, she certainly couldn't force them.

Soon…

Su Qing had essentially finished everything she wanted to ask.

She exhaled a breath of clear qi and said, "Seniors, those were the only things I wished to know."

Seeing this, Taishang Laojun nodded slightly. "Mhm. Since that is the case, go back and prepare properly for the Three Calamities. If all goes well, these calamities will likely serve as a springboard for you to step into the Heavenly Immortal realm!"

Su Qing didn’t fully grasp the true meaning behind his words, so she simply nodded and said, "I will keep your words in mind."

At that moment, the Old Mother added, "There is still some time before your calamities arrive. You have plenty of time to prepare slowly, so there is no need to be overly anxious…"

"As for the fact that you won’t be able to visit Li Shan for a while, I will explain it to Bai Suzhen personally."

"You need not worry about that matter."

Su Qing was startled for a moment, but then she nodded slowly…

The Old Mother’s meaning was clear.

In short, she wasn’t supposed to come to Li Shan to see the White Snake until after she had weathered her calamities.

Though she was somewhat reluctant—she had wanted to say a proper goodbye to Bai Suzhen—the Old Mother’s tone left her no room for refusal.

So, what could she do besides nod?

"Well then, you should head back now." The Old Mother shook her head slightly and waved her hand, causing the side hall doors to swing open.

The intent to see her guest out was unmistakable.

Without another word, Su Qing cupped her hands in a respectful bow.

Then, she bid the two seniors farewell and walked out of the side hall of the Old Mother's Hall.

Outside the hall.

The little daoist boy returned the Cold Fragrance Sword to Su Qing, saying with a beaming smile:

"Seeing how happy you look, Big Green Snake, I assume you got the answers you were looking for from the Old Mother!"

Su Qing nodded slightly and said, "Yes! However, I probably won't be visiting Li Shan for quite a long time."

"Why?"

"To evade calamities."

"Ah~ I see! Well then, could you give me some more Pine Flower Cake? If you have any left, that is."

Su Qing smiled and asked, "Are you trying to claim your future years' worth of snacks in advance?"

"Of course!" the little daoist boy chirped. "After all, if you don't come, I won't have any snacks to eat."

Su Qing laughed. "I’m out of Pine Flower Cake… but I have some sticky rice cakes, maltose candy, and Tanghulu left. I’ll give them all to you."

"Heehee, thanks! You’re so generous, Big Green Snake!" Receiving the snacks made the little daoist boy quite happy.

"But, I also have a favor to ask of you."

"Just say the word, and I'll make sure it's done!"

"During these years when I cannot visit, please look after Bai Suzhen for me."

"Ah~ I understand! Consider it done. But… honestly, you don't need to worry about her too much. She's stronger than you think." The little daoist boy touched the lock of hair hanging by his ear and spoke with a grin.

"Regardless, thank you for your help."

"I know, I know! Rest easy!" the boy said, still smiling.

Su Qing nodded. "Well, I'll take my leave now. Until we meet again."

"Until we meet again!"

The little daoist boy waved his hand as Su Qing bid him farewell.

With that done…

Su Qing pinched a seal and recited the True Word Incantation.

Then, she stepped onto the Somersault Cloud and departed Li Shan, heading toward the Changbai Mountains.

Once Su Qing had left…

The scenery inside the side hall shifted.

The forms of the Old Mother and Taishang Laojun transformed into smoke, vanishing from the side hall only to reappear shortly after in another divine paradise.

This realm was the Old Mother’s actual Immortal Palace…

The true Blessed Land and Grotto-Heaven where she resided.

"Didn't you forget to tell her some things?"

The Old Mother held a teacup, casually picking up a white Go stone from the table as she spoke.

Laojun shook his head and played a black stone in response. "You didn't tell her either, did you? Why bother calling me out?"

"..." The Old Mother laughed and shook her head. "True, I didn't tell her."

"Isn't it better this way? There are things it is better for her not to know."

Laojun shook his head slightly and remarked:

"Even though that old stubborn fool is a bit arrogant and tsundere, he truly treats his disciple well… He even gave away the treasure he used to escape."

"And what about you? How do you plan to escape?"

"Me? I will live or die with the Heavenly Palace."

"Heh."

"Don't mind me. What are your plans?"

"I’ve lived long enough. My final wish is nothing more than to see my disciple complete her training before that day comes."

"No wonder you refuse to let that White Snake leave. It seems she is still far from the point where you would consider her finished with her studies."

"It’s not far, not far at all. It's more that I’m reluctant to let her go."

The Old Mother sighed with a helpless smile.

"After teaching her for so long, how could I not be reluctant?"

"Do you really not have a treasure prepared for escape?"

"No. I’m more at peace with things than you lot."

"Haha! Yes, but it feels more like you’ve given up rather than found peace."

"I told you, I’ve lived long enough. I’m a bit… tired of it all."

The Old Mother shook her head, then her gaze sharpened. She smacked Laojun’s hand away and snapped:

"Away with you! You old geezer, you’re cheating and sneaking extra stones onto the board again!"

"Hey now! When did I ever sneak a stone? We’ve been taking turns, one by one!"

"Don't think I didn't see it."

As she spoke, the Old Mother rolled up her sleeves, making a move to strike him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! We’re just playing Go! A gentleman uses his mouth, not his hands!"

"I’m not a gentleman! You pull this trick every time we play! You really are asking for it!"

Outside the Immortal Palace.

The little daoist boy ate his sticky rice cake, listening with a smile to the commotion inside the palace.

He muttered to himself, "Man, these rice cakes aren't that sweet!"

————

Atop the Changbai Mountains.

Su Qing sat in her chair, contemplating her future plans.

She had a way to evade the calamities.

But before she went to do that, there were quite a few matters that needed to be properly arranged.

"Still, I don't need to rush. There are still fifteen to twenty years before the Three Calamities. That's more than enough time for me to get everything in order."

Su Qing took a deep breath, pushing down her internal anxieties…

There was plenty of time; panicking was pointless.

Suddenly.

A gentle breeze swept by.

Feeling something, Su Qing turned to look at the Bodhi Tree, its leaves rustling softly… She couldn't help but smile.

"The Ancestral Vein is weak. Are you still eating as much as before?" Su Qing communicated with the Bodhi Tree via consciousness.

However, the Bodhi Tree didn't answer her question directly. Instead, it sent back: "The Three Calamities are exceptionally dangerous. You must evade them. Do not seek death."

"I know, I know! I cherish my little life more than anyone. How could I do something stupid?" Su Qing responded.

Satisfied with Su Qing’s answer, the Bodhi Tree brought up something else: "When you go to evade the Three Calamities, take me with you."

"Why? Leaving the Ancestral Vein like that to follow me into the mortal world… can you bear to do it?" Su Qing was somewhat surprised, confused as to why it wanted to follow her.

After all, she knew the Bodhi Tree had been quite obsessed with the Ancestral Vein before.

And now, it was proactively offering to accompany her as she fled her calamities? How could that not be strange?

"Don't worry about why… just take me. I can ensure you don't die." The Bodhi Tree’s message quickly returned.

"..." Su Qing smiled helplessly. "Honestly, I didn't think you would actually worry about my safety."

Su Qing sent her thoughts to the Bodhi Tree, but this time, the tree gave no response at all.

It had gone back to 'playing dead.'

Su Qing shrugged and chuckled…

She simply sent one last message to the Bodhi Tree: "Don't worry, I'll definitely take you along when the time comes. After all, Master once entrusted me with..."

However, despite saying that…

In reality, Su Qing hadn't initially planned to take the Bodhi Tree with her.

In fact, she hadn't just intended to leave the tree behind; she planned to leave Leng Xiang and Ao Ying on the Changbai Mountains as well.

After all…

Someone had to watch over the Changbai Mountains.

If the mountains were left unguarded, the honest demons living there would likely quickly turn unruly…

Even now, with Su Qing present, man-eating demons would occasionally pop up.

Once she was gone, those rule-breaking monsters would surely become even more common.

Therefore, Su Qing never intended to move her whole household or travel too far from the mountain.

The furthest she planned to go was simply the county seat at the foot of the mountain.

And in the end…

Even if she was going into hiding to avoid the Three Calamities, she was still the Mountain God of Changbai and had a responsibility toward the local people.

She couldn't just focus on her own survival and leave the people near Changbai to be ravaged by monsters.

As she was thinking,

The courtyard gate was pushed open.

Gongsun Zhixue walked in with a triumphant look and said:

"The task you gave me is done..."

"I reckon by now, all the mountain folk around Changbai know that 'Lady Azure Spirit' displayed her divine power and slew the tiger demon that's been eating people lately."

Su Qing's brow twitched. She asked, "Wait, how exactly did you do it?"

"Uh... I just threw the tiger skin right into your temple."

At the mention of her methods, Gongsun Zhixue’s cockiness instantly wilted. "And then I just left it there... let them imagine the rest for themselves."

Su Qing's mouth twisted slightly. "You really chose the simplest possible method, didn't you?"

"Ehe... heh heh. But it worked, didn't it?"

"It certainly worked, but I suspect you also scared those people half to death."

Su Qing shot Gongsun Zhixue a glare and said:

"Forget it, I won't blame you. But next time, don't use that kind of method... those people's hearts can't take those kinds of scares."

"Oh~" Gongsun Zhixue pouted and nodded.

Seeing her unhappy look, Su Qing sighed and reached out to pat her head. "You have to learn to think for yourself! I can't stay by your side forever."

"Are you going to die?" Gongsun Zhixue asked instinctively. "Wait, sorry, sorry! It’s just that you sounded like you were leaving a deathbed request for an orphan."

"...You're the one who's dying." Su Qing rolled her eyes and then explained that she was going away to evade her calamities.

Gongsun Zhixue nodded as she listened. "So that's how it is. Meaning you can't take us with you?"

"Exactly."

"Doesn't that mean you won't be around to boss me around anymore?"

"Technically, yes, but don't forget that Leng Xiang and Ao Ying will still be here to watch you. They're staying on the mountain."

"Tch… why can every single one of you boss me around!"

"Because you're the youngest, obviously."

"What about Yudie? Isn't she even younger than me?"

"Is Yudie not also being raised and disciplined by everyone? Besides, Yudie will be coming with me to the mortal world."

"Why does she get to go with you?"

"Because she's small," Su Qing said as if it were obvious. "After all, she's a short sword! Plus, I need a weapon for protection."

"Then why not take Leng Xiang?"

"She needs to guard the mountain," Su Qing replied, shaking her head.

"..." Gongsun Zhixue rolled her eyes. "You're probably going to have to spend a lot of effort to convince Big Sister Leng Xiang."

Su Qing shrugged helplessly.

She didn't actually think it would be that difficult to convince Leng Xiang and Ao Ying.

After all…

She wasn't moving very far away from Changbai.

Whenever they were free, they could simply come down the mountain to find her.

However, Su Qing didn't bother explaining this to Gongsun Zhixue…

She simply patted her head with a smile and said, "The mountain-man has her own clever plan!"

"Fine, fine, fine, you and your plans. Anyway, call Yudie out! I want to play Go with her." Gongsun Zhixue said with another eye-roll.

Su Qing laughed and nodded, calling out to Su Yudie.

Though Gongsun Zhixue had been left with a slight psychological trauma by Su Yudie in the beginning, enough time had passed that they had long since become very close friends.

After all, there weren't many people on the mountain who could play with her…

And of course, the most important reason she sought out Yudie for a game was that Yudie couldn't beat her. She could win whenever she wanted, which made for a great gaming experience.

"Mother?" Su Yudie asked, rubbing her eyes as she was summoned. "Is something the matter?"

Su Qing nodded, but before she could speak, Gongsun Zhixue grabbed Yudie and pulled her away.

"Let's go, time for a game!"

"Huh?"

Yudie was dragged away by Gongsun Zhixue, looking completely bewildered.

Watching this, Su Qing burst out laughing and shook her head.

Then, she stretched and turned toward the kitchen.

Today, she would be the one to cook!

Days passed by one after another…

True to her initial plan, Su Qing began sorting out all the tasks she needed to complete before the calamities, finishing them one by one.

It was a long and arduous process…

Often, a significant amount of time would pass between the completion of each task.