Following the events surrounding the Bodhi Tree, Su Qing’s life settled back into a tranquil routine, with few noteworthy incidents occurring in her courtyard.
Life was quiet yet fulfilling.
Before she knew it, another ten years had slipped away.
Ten years might seem like an eternity to a mortal, but for Su Qing, who had grown accustomed to the rhythm of the mountains, it was but a fleeting moment.
After a decade, the Changbai Mountains remained unchanged, standing as they always had. Even within Su Qing’s courtyard, there were few remarkable developments.
The only thing truly worth mentioning was the addition of a new little member to the household.
As for who this little one was? Naturally, she was the daughter of Ao Ying and Su Qing.
While the concept might still sound absurd and fantastical, in a world where the Women's Kingdom existed and the Dragon Race could use secret methods to conceive children between women, it was no longer particularly strange.
Su Qing and Ao Ying’s daughter bore a striking resemblance to Ao Ying. It was as if she had been carved from the same mold. Whenever Su Qing watched the girl running around the yard, she often instinctively felt as though she were seeing a miniature version of Ao Ying.
The likeness was simply uncanny.
Regarding this, Ao Ying had explained the reason to Su Qing.
The innate talents and secret methods of the Dragon Race were not entirely perfect. When two women conceived a child together, the offspring was guaranteed to be a female dragon, but she would also inherit the mother’s traits to a significant degree. These traits could include appearance, personality, or various other aspects. In short, this draconic talent was like the water of the Mother-Child River—it wasn't without its quirks. Thus, such 'side effects' were to be expected.
However, despite their identical looks, the mother and daughter were distinct individuals, and their personalities were worlds apart.
Ao Ying’s daughter was significantly more mischievous than her mother. Especially after she started playing with the Little Sparrows and Gongsun Zhixue, she became positively unruly.
On this day, in the height of midsummer, the weather was clear and the sunlight was just right.
Having nothing better to do, Su Qing sat in the courtyard, engrossed in a book she had picked up. These books were collected from the mortal world, mostly filled with tales of the strange and supernatural. It had to be said that although the authors had likely never seen a real demon, their stories were nonetheless quite entertaining.
Su Qing was reading intently, but the people around her were being so noisy that it gave her a bit of a headache.
“Ying'er, stop fooling around with the sparrows and focus on your cultivation!” Su Qing said with a hint of displeasure.
The 'Ying'er' Su Qing referred to was, of course, Ao Ying’s daughter—Su Ying'er. Because the little girl looked so much like Ao Ying, Su Qing had taken a bit of a shortcut when naming her, settling on the name Su Ying'er. It was a lazy choice, perhaps, but the name wasn't unpleasant. At the very least, Ao Ying had no objections.
Hearing Su Qing’s call, Su Ying'er pouted and stuck her tongue out at her mother, grumbling, “Do I have to? The sparrows don’t have to cultivate, so why do I?”
Su Qing couldn't help but chuckle helplessly. “No! You must cultivate properly. You can't just follow their example.”
“But why? Can I really not skip it?” Su Ying'er asked, her face falling into a miserable expression.
“Oh? You really don't want to cultivate?” Su Qing asked with a wry smile.
“I don't... it’s too boring.” Su Ying'er nodded vigorously.
Su Qing sighed and said, “Well, if that's the case, I suppose there's no other way...”
“Since you don't want to cultivate, go study arithmetic with Yudie. It just so happens that Yudie has been bored lately; I’m sure she wouldn't mind teaching you.”
Su Qing knew Su Ying'er’s temperament all too well. Because she understood the girl, she knew exactly how to make her behave.
Sure enough, upon hearing that she would have to study arithmetic, Su Ying'er shuddered.
She shook her head frantically. “Never mind, never mind! I’ll cultivate properly! Cultivation is just boring, but arithmetic is lethal.”
“Oh?”
Su Qing shook her head with a smile. “Then if you don't want to do arithmetic, go cultivate!”
“Mother, you’re too much. If I don't cultivate, you make me do math! Isn't that just bullying?” Su Ying'er pouted, looking thoroughly displeased.
Su Qing smiled and replied, “I’m not bullying you. I gave you the right to choose.”
“You clearly know I’m terrified of arithmetic!” Su Ying'er grumbled. “So there wasn't really a choice at all!”
Su Qing ignored the girl’s protests and simply said cheerfully, “Alright, alright, go cultivate now! If there's anything you don't understand, come and ask me.”
“I know, I know,” Su Ying'er muttered, nodding reluctantly.
What else could she do? She knew full well which was more agonizing: arithmetic or cultivation. Ever since her last traumatic experience with the subject, Su Ying'er never wanted to touch that devilish thing called arithmetic ever again.
Watching Su Ying'er walk dejectedly into the house, Su Qing shook her head slightly.
This child truly left her at a loss. She looked exactly like Ao Ying, yet their personalities were polar opposites. This girl was lazy, mischievous, and loved to talk back. She had been completely led astray by Gongsun Zhixue and the sparrows.
Thinking of this, Su Qing sighed helplessly and cast a slightly annoyed glance at the sparrows flitting about in front of her, who were trying to plead for Su Ying'er.
“Alright, that’s enough. You lot too... can't you teach her something useful? You’re always filling her head with nonsense.”
“You can't blame us!”
“Exactly! We’ve already taught her what we’re best at!”
“That’s right! And Ying'er is still so small, there’s nothing wrong with playing a bit!”
“Yes, yes! Sister Xiao Qing, don't be too hard on her.”
The sparrows chirped and chattered away, leaving Su Qing speechless.
She said, “Fine, stop pleading for her. Once she finishes her cultivation for the day, you can go play with her again.”
“And as for you all, don't think only about playing. You should spend more time cultivating yourselves when you have the chance!”
As soon as Su Qing suggested they should cultivate as well, the sparrows fell silent. Instantly, they stopped pleading for Su Ying'er and made up random excuses to fly away.
These little fellows were the perfect definition of fair-weather friends.
Watching them scatter, Su Qing shook her head and muttered to herself, “What a bunch of lazy dogs.”
With peace restored to her surroundings, Su Qing picked up her book to continue reading. However, her peace was short-lived.
She had only been reading for a few moments when the voice of the Bodhi Tree echoed in her mind.
“Hmm? This is rare. You actually initiated a conversation! What is it? Has something happened?”
Su Qing wasn't angry about being interrupted; rather, she was surprised. Ever since the Bodhi Tree’s consciousness had settled into the tree within her Niwan Palace, she had become even more taciturn than before. If Su Qing didn't seek her out, she remained as silent as the grave. Thus, her sudden initiative today was quite startling.
Su Qing instinctively felt that something must be wrong.
The Bodhi Tree remained silent for a moment before replying, “It is nothing major... I simply sensed that some extraordinary fellows have arrived.”
“Extraordinary fellows? Who? My Master?” Su Qing asked, her brow furrowing in curiosity.
“Not your Master... he hasn't been here in a long time. The ones who have come this time... are those fellows from the West,” the Bodhi Tree replied after a pause.
“People from the West? Those Bodhisattvas? What are they doing here? I don't exactly have a deep relationship with them,” Su Qing mused to herself.
The Bodhi Tree replied flatly, “You will have to ask them why they are here. I am merely giving you a warning.”
Su Qing’s lip twitched. “Well, thank you... though that warning was rather unhelpful.”
“I am merely performing my duty,” the Bodhi Tree said. “To ensure you are prepared.”
Su Qing looked up at the sky. Seeing that the visitors had not yet arrived, she didn't rush. Instead, she took a moment to chat with the Bodhi Tree about other things.
“By the way, how is your recovery going?”
“Not particularly well...” the Bodhi Tree replied tonelessly. “A new consciousness is still gestating, and I cannot draw upon too much power. But it matters not; it doesn't affect me regardless.”
Su Qing nodded slightly. “Is the gestation of a new consciousness always this slow?”
“If I weren't here, it likely would have been born by now. But since I am currently occupying a portion of the power, her gestation has naturally slowed down.”
The Bodhi Tree didn't hide anything from Su Qing, nor did she deny that she was the reason for the delay. Su Qing wasn't surprised and simply nodded. “I see... you—”
Su Qing was about to continue when a knock at the gate interrupted her.
“It seems the guests have arrived,” Su Qing murmured. “We’ll talk more about the rest later.”
The Bodhi Tree was in her mind; they could talk whenever they wanted. The priority now was to greet the guests. Regardless of who they were, it was rude to leave them standing outside.
“Coming!” Su Qing called out as she rose to open the gate.
When she swung the gate open, she froze for a moment.
Looking at the three visitors before her, her mind went momentarily blank.
“Lord Buddha, Senior Randeng, Senior Maitreya... what brings you all here?” Su Qing asked in confusion.
“Hahaha, little friend, there is no need to be nervous. We have come to discuss an important matter with you,” Maitreya said with a jovial laugh.
Su Qing wasn't exactly nervous, just startled. Anyone would be surprised to find three Great Buddhas at their doorstep simultaneously.
“I’m not nervous, just a bit caught off guard since you didn't send word ahead of time.”
Su Qing offered a graceful smile and quickly regained her composure. “Ahem, this is no place for a conversation. Please, seniors, come inside to the courtyard.”
“Very well.”
The Buddha and the others did not refuse. They followed Su Qing into the courtyard and took seats around the stone table. Su Qing habitually poured tea for the seniors, fulfilling her duties as a host.
After a few brief pleasantries, Su Qing got straight to the point. “Seniors, what is the important matter you wish to discuss?”
The Buddha saw how direct she was and chuckled. “Little friend, do you still remember the promise you made to us?”
Su Qing fell silent for a moment, searching her memories before quickly recalling the agreement.
“Of course, I remember,” she said with a nod. “Do you need me to set out now, seniors?”
“It is not that urgent... we have come mainly to give you a reminder,” Randeng said, stroking his beard with a faint smile. “After all, his disciple has only just been reincarnated. It will be another twenty or thirty years before you are needed.”
“Just a reminder?” Su Qing asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Actually, it is more than that. Besides giving you a reminder, we also have a few other matters to discuss with you,” Maitreya added with a smile.
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