The Invitation

After chatting with Wukong for a while, Su Qing bid him farewell and left Five Elements Mountain.

Afterward, she did not return to the Changbai Mountains but instead made another trip to Flower-Fruit Mountain.

Her reason for going there, naturally, was to search for the fine wine Wukong mentioned he had hidden...

As for whether she could find it, Su Qing wasn't particularly concerned. She had already prepared herself for any outcome.

However, her luck was evidently quite good.

The vintage hidden previously had not been taken; it remained tucked away exactly where it had been left.

Regrettably, that fine brew was now undrinkable. The wine of the Heavenly Palace was unique to begin with, and hiding it in the mortal realm without any preservation techniques meant it naturally wouldn't last long.

Thus, after a century or two, the spiritual energy within the wine had long since dissipated. The once-clear liquid had turned turbid, losing the flavor it was meant to have.

Su Qing felt a twinge of pity, but she wasn't particularly surprised. After all, how well could a monkey really hide wine?

She shook her head and tossed the wine jug aside.

"Forget it, let's head back."

Su Qing did not linger on Flower-Fruit Mountain. She simply turned and departed on her Somersault Cloud.

These days, Su Qing rarely showed her face on Flower-Fruit Mountain unless there was some major chaos or an important matter that required her personal oversight. Otherwise, for the most part, she allowed Flower-Fruit Mountain to develop freely.

Well, free to a certain extent.

Just because Su Qing didn't show her face didn't mean the Earth God was slacking off as well. He seemed truly enthusiastic about governing Flower-Fruit Mountain, though whether it was out of genuine passion or because the rewards were generous was anyone's guess.

In any case, with him there, Su Qing didn't need to worry much about the place. It was enough for her to contentedly play the role of a hands-off manager.

After all, managing the Changbai Mountains alone was already enough to keep her busy... adding Flower-Fruit Mountain to the mix would likely be the death of her.

Returning to the Changbai Mountains, Su Qing settled back into her languid pace, continuing her peaceful and happy daily life.

Though she was occasionally busy, most of her time was spent in leisure.

Over the following period, Su Qing sent out all the invitations she held. She didn't have many, so she only invited close friends and elders.

Since she had intended to keep everything simple from the start, she naturally had no plans for a lavish affair or a massive guest list. Furthermore, having too many people wasn't necessarily a good thing—especially for Su Qing.

The previous few immortal gatherings had certainly left a sour taste in her mouth.

The days flowed by one after another.

Before she knew it, another half-year had passed. With the date on the invitations drawing closer, Su Qing naturally had to start getting busy.

As the host, the preparations for the wedding banquet had to begin.

One day, within Tushita Palace above the Thirty-Third Heaven, Taishang Laojun patted the Green Ox's rump and said, "Let's go! We're going to pick up an old friend."

The Green Ox let out a low cry, nodded, and asked, "Are we going to the Old Mother of Mount Li's place?"

Hearing this, Taishang Laojun shook his head and said, "To that old fogey's place."

He didn't need to worry about the Old Mother of Mount Li; the only one who required his concern was Patriarch Bodhi. After all, that man had always been rather difficult. Who knew what he was planning this time?

The Green Ox simply nodded and didn't say another word. Once Taishang Laojun climbed onto its back, it stepped onto a cluster of auspicious clouds and left Tushita Palace, heading toward the Cave of the Slanted Moon and Three Stars.

Before long, Taishang Laojun, riding the Green Ox, arrived outside the cave where Patriarch Bodhi resided. Although the location of the cave was constantly shifting, it was an easy task for Taishang Laojun to find it.

He slid off the Green Ox, knocked on the door, and shouted, "Old fogey, come out! I've come to find you."

Inside the cave, Patriarch Bodhi, who was sitting cross-legged in the hall, heard Taishang Laojun's voice from outside. He couldn't help but roll his eyes.

He cleared his throat and sent a telepathic message: "If you're looking for me, just come in. Why all the shouting?"

Taishang Laojun laughed heartily upon hearing this. With a flash, he entered the hall and said, "Calling out is naturally to give you a greeting, lest I startle you."

"Hah? I think you're just bored out of your mind."

Patriarch Bodhi asked flatly, "Speak. Why have you come looking for me this time? Let's get this straight: if it's nothing important, I'll kick you out. I have vital business to attend to tomorrow; I don't have time for your nonsense."

Having associated with Taishang Laojun for so many years, he knew the man's temperament all too well. He instinctively assumed the old man was here for some trivial chat.

"Hey, look at you. Can't I have actual business when I come to see you?" Taishang Laojun said, sounding dissatisfied. Simultaneously, he was a bit curious and asked, "Actually, I'm quite curious. What is this 'vital business' you speak of?"

Patriarch Bodhi shook his head slightly and said, "It has nothing to do with you. It's just a matter concerning my disciple."

"Oh? So that's it? I thought you weren't planning on going!"

Taishang Laojun laughed and couldn't help but say, "After all, someone once said that the last time you met would be the final time. Oh, wait—you say that almost every time you see her. Then, as soon as there's a chance, you scurry off to see your disciple again."

He had originally come here intending to drag the old man along. Who would have guessed the old fogey was already planning to go on his own?

So his trip was for nothing?

Well, perhaps not entirely. At the very least, he had found another point to tease Bodhi about.

Patriarch Bodhi rolled his eyes and said, "Hmph. That was my original plan. But who could have known the girl was getting married? That girl has no parents; I am her only elder. If she is getting married and I don't go, it wouldn't be right. That is why I decided to make the trip."

Taishang Laojun looked at Patriarch Bodhi thoughtfully, chuckled, and said, "Oh, so that's how it is! I see, I see."

"What do you see?"

"Nothing."

"So, why did you come looking for me?"

"Naturally, it was also about your disciple's matter."

Taishang Laojun spread his hands with a smile and said, "But since you already planned on going, I have nothing left to say. We shall set out tomorrow morning! By the way, do you have a guest room? Let me stay the night! If I go back to the Heavenly Palace, I'm afraid I'll miss the hour."

Patriarch Bodhi looked at the shameless Taishang Laojun, his lip twitching slightly. He then summoned a disciple to arrange a place for the old scoundrel.

After Taishang Laojun left, Patriarch Bodhi looked at the prayer beads in his hand and shook his head helplessly.