Preparations for Departure

Although Su Qing was bound to leave the Changbai Mountains sooner or later, she wasn't particularly rushed. Before her departure, she still had ample time to prepare and arrange various affairs in the Changbai Mountains. And this time, having gained experience from her previous departure to evade the Three Calamities, Su Qing found herself handling these matters with greater ease. Of course, comforting Leng Xiang and Ao Ying still required some time.

At night. Su Qing sat on the rooftop, gazing at the bright moon, lost in thought. Yudie lay in her arms. Sensing the unusual emotions in Su Qing's heart, she couldn't help but ask, “Mother, is something troubling you?”

Su Qing heard Yudie's words and smiled faintly, shaking her head. “To call it a trouble... not really. I'm just reflecting on a few things.”

Yudie looked confused and tilted her head, asking, “What is making Mother reflect?”

Su Qing looked down at Yudie and murmured to herself, “Once you have roots, you're no longer as carefree as before.”

“Hmm? I don't understand...”

“It's alright if you don't understand. Just know that I have more concerns now.”

“Then is Yudie one of Mother's concerns?”

“Of course... all of you are.” Su Qing smiled gently, saying. Yudie smiled at her words, feeling quite happy.

After a long while, she asked again, “By the way, Mother, do you really plan to take only Yudie to fulfill the agreement with the Buddha predecessors, and no one else?”

“I'd like to... but the Changbai Mountains cannot be left unattended. Besides... neither Gongsun Zhixue nor the Little Sparrows would be as useful as you, Yudie.”

“What about Su Ying'er?”

“She... let her focus on her cultivation for now.” Su Qing shook her head gently, saying.

Regarding Su Ying'er's cultivation... Su Qing was actually quite open-minded about it. After all, the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth was approaching... if one's cultivation didn't reach a profound realm, its significance wasn't very great. Su Qing still had Su Ying'er cultivate, partly to keep her occupied and well-behaved, and partly to give her some self-preservation ability before the tribulation arrived.

Yudie nodded thoughtfully at her words. Su Qing smiled and said, “How so? You don't want to come with me?”

Yudie shook her head, “Of course not...”

“Then that settles it, doesn't it?” Su Qing stood up and stretched, saying, “Alright, alright, that's enough for now! Time to go back and rest. You too, Yudie.”

Yudie hugged her arms and said, “Mother, I am a Sword Spirit; I don't need much rest.”

Su Qing smiled, said nothing more, and turned to leave the rooftop.

And so. Days passed one by one... In the blink of an eye, it was Mid-Autumn Festival again.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival. Su Qing, as per their annual agreement, once again arrived at the Moon Palace. She gathered with Chang'e to drink and chat. During their conversation, Su Qing naturally told Chang'e about her agreement with the Buddha, as the Buddha hadn't asked her to keep it a secret, and Su Qing didn't think it was something that couldn't be spoken of.

Upon learning of this, Chang'e, holding her wine cup, paused slightly. “I didn't expect... the Buddha to be so impatient!” Chang'e chuckled, saying.

“In fact, the Buddha had already entrusted me with this hundreds of years ago. His recent visit was merely a reminder...” Su Qing spread her hands, saying, “As for impatient? What do you mean?”

“What else could it be? Don't you already know?” Chang'e shook her head and said: “However, entrusting this matter to you was indeed the right choice, and for you, it's certainly not a loss.”

“In terms of compensation alone, I'm certainly not losing out... and I can even take a trip out of it.” Su Qing was very open-minded about the matter, saying with a smile.

“It's good that you can think that way...” Chang'e shook her head with a smile, saying: “But if you walk to Spirit Mountain, you're bound to encounter many troubles along the way! If you face any trouble you can't solve yourself, you can come to the Moon Palace to find me! If I have time, I'll help you out. If I don't... then I can only laugh at you.”

Su Qing rolled her eyes at her words, saying, “I am now at the Heavenly Immortal Realm of cultivation; there aren't many people in this world I can't handle.”

“Oh? You're quite confident, aren't you! But don't forget... the world today is still very chaotic!” Chang'e smiled and said, “However, since you're so confident, I won't say more. I just hope you won't feel embarrassed when you come to find me later.”

“How could I feel embarrassed asking for help from Big Sister Chang'e?” Su Qing shook her head gently, saying.

“...” Hearing Su Qing's words, Chang'e opened her mouth, then said helplessly, “I really don't know what to say about you. When it comes to thick skin, you're quite formidable.”

Su Qing couldn't help but smile at that. When dealing with thick-skinned people, one's own skin must also be thick.

“However... it seems that the Heavenly Court still hasn't managed to restore peace to the Mortal World.”

“You yourself are in the Mortal World; aren't you clear about how complicated the situation there is?” Chang'e spread her hands, saying, “Besides, the Heavenly Court is quite busy with various matters right now. As for the Mortal World's affairs, they can only try their best to manage them!”

“By the way... speaking of which, I'm a little curious, how are the preparations for the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth going in the Heavenly Palace?”

Chang'e heard her, took a sip of wine, and after a moment of silence, said: “How to put it? Although many preparations have been made, overcoming the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth is still somewhat difficult. Moreover, the most challenging part of the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth is not its beginning, but what comes after it begins... In short, regarding the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth, the Heavenly Court will certainly not give up on finding a solution. As for you, doing your own part is enough. You don't need to worry too much about the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth.”

Chang'e wasn't worried about whether Su Qing could overcome the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth... because she knew very well that Su Qing's cheap master had long made thorough preparations for her.

“I'm not particularly worried about the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth... I'm just worried about you, Big Sister Chang'e.” Su Qing shook her head, saying, “Then I'll rephrase my question: have you made preparations to overcome the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth, Big Sister Chang'e?”

“Me? You don't need to worry about that...” Chang'e smiled and said, “Besides helping the Heavenly Court prepare, I've also made complete preparations myself. At the very least, getting through the first wave won't be a big problem.”

Hearing Chang'e say this... Su Qing nodded thoughtfully, then didn't press further. If someone didn't want to be asked more, continuing to ask would be somewhat impolite.

“Is that so? That's good.” Su Qing nodded and said with a smile, “Alright, let's leave this matter here! Let's talk about other things! Always talking about such heavy topics is truly too boring.”

Although the topic of the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth couldn't be discussed further, it didn't mean Su Qing intended to return home just yet. It was still early, so Su Qing and Chang'e chatted about other things. Su Qing and Chang'e had many topics to discuss. Aside from serious matters, there was still plenty to talk about... Just like that, the two drank wine and talked about everything under the sun, chatting for a very long time, as usual.

Time passed quickly. Before they knew it, the sky had already darkened. And by this hour. Su Qing naturally had to leave. After bidding farewell to Chang'e. Su Qing left the Moon Palace.

However, after leaving the Moon Palace, Su Qing did not return directly to the Changbai Mountains but made a detour to the Five Elements Mountain. The purpose of going to the Five Elements Mountain was not only to see Wukong but also to inform the monkey that she would be visiting him less frequently in the coming years. The reasons for this were not only that Su Qing would be busy fulfilling her agreement with the Buddha but also a more important reason. That was, the monkey's 500-year sentence was drawing closer.

Before long. Su Qing arrived at the foot of the Five Elements Mountain. At the foot of the Five Elements Mountain. Wukong still looked dusty and disheveled, appearing particularly downcast, completely lacking the former grandeur of the Handsome Monkey King. Wukong was bored out of his mind when he suddenly saw Su Qing, and immediately became excited, shouting: “Big Sister, Big Sister, you're here to see me again so soon?”

Su Qing saw the monkey's excited expression, smiled slightly, nodded, and said: “Yes! However, I have something to tell you this time.”

Wukong was stunned, reached out and scratched his head, saying, “What is it, Big Sister? Just say it!”

Su Qing nodded and simply explained the matter to the monkey. After listening, Wukong quickly shook his head and said, “Big Sister, don't be fooled by those bald monks. Those bald monks are all secretly wicked; who knows what evil intentions they have for sending Big Sister on a scripture-seeking journey.”

Su Qing chuckled, looking at the excited Wukong, and said: “You don't need to worry about that, Wukong. I have my own considerations. Besides, I promised them a long time ago, so I can't go back on my word. But besides this matter, I also have some good news to bring you.”

“Good news?” Wukong paused slightly and asked, “What good news does Big Sister have?”

Su Qing smiled at his words and told Wukong about his impending release from prison and that she would be visiting less often in the future...

“So that's what Big Sister was talking about? I had already calculated this... I've been counting the days all these years, so I have some idea of when Big Sister says it will be.” Wukong chuckled, saying proudly.

Su Qing was a little surprised to hear this. She smiled and said, “I didn't expect you to actually be counting the days...”

Wukong scratched his head and said, “After all, it's terribly boring staying under this mountain... I can only count the days and ponder life. But more than that, Big Sister must be extra careful... those bald monks are very bad, don't let them trick you.”

In Wukong's eyes, his Big Sister was too naive and didn't realize how truly wicked those monks were... Therefore, he couldn't help but worry about Su Qing.

Su Qing merely smiled at his words, saying, “Don't worry, I know.”

Afterward, Su Qing chatted briefly with Wukong. When she felt it was enough, Su Qing left some fruits, snacks, and a pot of fine wine, then departed from the Five Elements Mountain. This trip to the Five Elements Mountain would likely be her last for a long time. So, she left Wukong a little extra food.

After returning to the Changbai Mountains. Su Qing's life returned to peace. However, the peaceful life did not make Su Qing lazy... During this time, in addition to her daily cultivation, Su Qing also arranged future matters. Thus, time passed quickly. Before she knew it, another seven or eight years had gone by.

Eight years is a short time... It passed in the blink of an eye. Su Qing had actually already arranged the subsequent matters properly... The reason she remained in the Changbai Mountains after eight years was partly because there was no rush, and partly to spend time with Leng Xiang and the others. However... While the departure wasn't urgent, it couldn't be postponed indefinitely. Eight years had now passed. Su Qing naturally had to depart.

On this day. In the early morning. Su Qing had already packed her luggage, ready to set off for the Mortal World.

“I'm about to leave? Leng Xiang, aren't you going to say something?” Su Qing asked with a smile, looking at the silent Leng Xiang.

Leng Xiang sighed slightly at her words, saying, “What more can I say? Master has made her decision, and as Master's Sword Spirit, I naturally must obey Master's decision. However, Master must remember... the things Master promised us.”

The things Leng Xiang referred to that Su Qing had promised them weren't anything special... It was simply that Su Qing had promised them she would return to the Changbai Mountains once a year, stay for a period, and spend quality time with them.

“I know, how could I forget that?” Su Qing smiled and nodded, saying, “You can rest assured.”

“Since Master hasn't forgotten this... then Leng Xiang has nothing more to say.” Leng Xiang said seemingly calmly, “I wish Master a smooth journey.”

Su Qing nodded slightly, saying, “You take care too!” Leng Xiang said nothing more, just nodded.

Seeing this, Su Qing wordlessly formed a hand seal, then turned to look at Su Ying'er, saying, “You're not allowed to be lazy either.”

“Hmph! I will!” Su Ying'er was originally a bit reluctant, but after Su Qing said that, she suddenly wished Su Qing would leave sooner.

Su Qing chuckled, silently recited an incantation, and a cluster of crimson auspicious clouds rose beneath her feet, carrying Su Qing away from the Changbai Mountains and towards Chang'an City in the Mortal World.