The Old Troupe Leader

Su Qing knew her recent actions were a bit reckless.

But sometimes, a reckless act is far more persuasive than hollow words.

She didn't regret what she had done...

She was simply following the dictates of her own heart.

To be honest, she used to ask herself questions often, but she would just as often choose to ignore the answers she found.

This time...

Perhaps she had the lightning tribulation and Yudie to thank.

They had made her realize one thing...

Escapism is never the solution. It merely shoves the problem into a corner, allowing it to fester until it becomes even more intractable.

As for...

Why she chose to act so impulsively.

Well.

Perhaps charging blindly ahead isn't the only way to solve a problem, but it is undoubtedly one of the most effective.

And it was true; many things simply require facing them head-on.

Besides...

Su Qing didn't want to leave any regrets behind.

Not for Leng Xiang or Ao Ying, and certainly not for herself.

Lost in thought, Su Qing suddenly heard Yudie's voice.

She snapped back to reality.

Stretching slightly, she stood up and headed back to the courtyard.

As for Ao Ying...

It was best to let her have some time alone to cool off.

That was the right thing to do.

In the courtyard, several Little Sparrows were 'heatedly' discussing Su Qing's return.

Of course, this 'heat' was strictly focused on the snacks Su Qing had brought back. For these little creatures, their minds could only hold so much, and snacks took up most of that space.

Watching the sparrows in their intense debate, Su Qing smiled helplessly and said, "I'm back. Aren't you going to welcome me?"

At her question, the little ones finally realized that Su Qing was standing right behind them.

Immediately, the clever ones switched into flattery mode, chirping over one another to welcome her back.

How enthusiastic they seemed!

If she didn't know their hearts were filled only with snacks, Su Qing might have actually believed them.

However, she didn't bother to expose them.

After all, if she did, she would be the one suffering from their noisy protests.

With a smile, she placed their favorite treats in front of them.

Then, she looked cheerfully at Gongsun Zhixue and asked, "And you? What do you want?"

Looking at Su Qing, Gongsun Zhixue initially wanted to act stubborn.

But before she could speak, Su Qing cut her off: "No contrary talk. If you say the opposite of what you mean, I'll take it literally."

"..."

Left with no choice, Gongsun Zhixue honestly stated what she wanted.

Over the past ten years, although Leng Xiang would occasionally take them down the mountain to shop, Leng Xiang was much stricter than Su Qing. She almost never allowed them to buy anything frivolous.

So, in a sense...

They had indeed had a bit of a tough time these last ten years.

Seeing her run off to the side with her treasures while grumbling about her, Su Qing couldn't help but chuckle.

Was complaining about her a daily quest for this girl?

Su Qing shook her head slightly, then sat in a chair with Yudie in her arms.

She turned to Leng Xiang beside her and said:

"I won't be staying on the mountain tonight. There are still some matters unfinished down below. I need to resolve everything there before I can return to stay for good. It won't be long, though; it'll all be over soon."

Leng Xiang nodded with a smile and said, "Whatever Master decides is fine. Leng Xiang will always support you."

To Leng Xiang, even if Su Qing used a commanding tone to make her do something, she wouldn't mind.

She was Su Qing's sword spirit, after all, and her loyalty was absolute.

If anything... she might even want to try being commanded like that.

But Su Qing remained as gentle as ever toward those close to her.

Seeing that Leng Xiang had no objections, Su Qing nodded with a smile.

Before long, Su Qing left the Changbai Mountains and returned to the world below.

She intended to wrap up her remaining affairs.

The theater was the result of her hard work, and she wanted to ensure it could continue operating smoothly after she left.

In the courtyard in Long County, Su Qing sat under the Bodhi tree, chatting with the Old Troupe Leader of the theater. Yudie was being a good girl, dutifully serving tea and water, looking like a child seeking praise.

Their conversation naturally revolved around the future of the theater.

Su Qing also informed the Old Troupe Leader that she would soon be leaving Long County to live elsewhere.

"Miss... you're leaving already?"

The Old Troupe Leader looked at Su Qing, her expression filled with reluctance.

"What's wrong with Long County? Why leave?"

"As you know, I'm not a local. I only came to Long County to escape infighting within my family. Now that those matters have been settled, it's time for me to return."

Su Qing used the excuse she had come up with years ago.

Hearing this, the Old Troupe Leader sighed softly. "But if you leave, Miss, what will become of the theater?"

"The theater will, of course, be left to you."

"I likely only have five or six years left in me. Leaving it to this old woman... I'm afraid it's not a good idea," the Old Troupe Leader said, shaking her head slightly.

Su Qing smiled helplessly. "Can't you just find a suitable successor and pass it on to them?"

"Hmph, you make it sound so easy, Miss. Where is such a person to be found? Back when Xu Xuan'er was still here, it would have been perfect to leave it to that girl. But now she's a wanted fugitive and her whereabouts are unknown... I fear the theater will have no heir."

The Old Troupe Leader took a puff from her pipe and shook her head with a chuckle, her face full of nostalgia.

Su Qing shook her head. "You shouldn't say that. There are plenty of suitable candidates within the theater. I'm sure you know that in your heart! As for Xu Xuan'er, it is indeed a pity. But didn't we both know long ago that she wasn't someone who could stay in a theater forever?"

"Sigh, you're right about that, Miss." The Old Troupe Leader shook her head helplessly. "It's just that I'm reluctant! Xu Xuan'er is gone, and now you're leaving too! If I'm the only one left in the theater, I'm afraid it will be quite dull."

"What are you saying? There are so many actors in the theater, and didn't you train them all yourself?"

"Them? Hmph, without the plays you wrote, Miss, they aren't worth a damn!" the Old Troupe Leader said, frustrated by their lack of progress. "After all these years, many of them still can't sing a part properly!"

Su Qing burst into laughter at those words.

Then, she composed herself and said seriously, "Alright, Yudie, go get the deed."

Yudie immediately snapped out of her dozing state, hurriedly fished the deed out of her pocket, and handed it over.

Su Qing placed the deed in front of the Old Troupe Leader. "I trust your judgment, and I trust your love for the theater. Therefore, I am entrusting this deed to you. From this day forward, you are the owner of Mingyin Hall!"

The Old Troupe Leader didn't reach for the deed. She simply set down her pipe and asked:

"Will you come back to watch a play in the future, Miss?"

"If the opportunity arises, I certainly will!"

"Then I hope that when you return, I will still be alive."

The Old Troupe Leader smiled and said:

"But... I ask that you come to the theater with me today. I wish to perform one last play for you! We shall perform the very same play my troupe performed more than ten years ago, on the day you took us in!"