Encountering the Scorpion Spirit Again

In the peach forest not far away, a woman in palace attire was strolling and admiring the flowers.

The woman was beautiful, her figure graceful, her looks comparable to Xi Shi.

And Su Qing knew this woman...

It was none other than the Scorpion Spirit.

Su Qing couldn't help but feel it was quite a coincidence...

After she drove the Scorpion Spirit away last time, she never expected to encounter her again, nor did she ever think of seeking her out.

But things were just that coincidental...

So coincidental that Su Qing couldn't help but wonder if encountering the Scorpion Spirit today was a coincidence or if the other party had intended it.

Su Qing didn't know.

She decided to treat this chance encounter as a genuine coincidence.

Su Qing looked at the Scorpion Spirit and said to Jingyue, "You have sharp eyes; I hadn't even noticed anyone there."

Jingyue pouted and said, "If you weren't so busy gazing at the setting sun, you would have noticed long ago."

Su Qing smiled at this, neither refuting nor confirming.

Seeing this, Jingyue merely rolled her eyes at her and said nothing more, just stroking her chin, seemingly deep in thought.

Chaoyan saw that Jingyue and Su Qing made no move.

So she knew that the task of speaking had fallen to her again...

She pouted, patted her monastic robe, and then walked forward, intending to ask the woman if there was any place nearby where they could lodge.

And Su Qing, seeing Chaoyan set off, also smiled and followed.

As Su Qing and her companions walked towards her, the Scorpion Spirit, unless blind, would naturally have noticed them long ago.

Upon seeing Su Qing and her group, the Scorpion Spirit was actually very surprised... even a little bewildered.

Today, she had merely been in a leisurely mood, coming here to admire the peach blossoms in the forest...

But just as she was enjoying herself, she ran into Su Qing and the others.

This made the Scorpion Spirit a bit unexpected... and also somewhat confused.

From her perspective, Su Qing had become the Queen of Women's Kingdom, and naturally, she should be staying within that kingdom...

But now, why had she come here?

She truly couldn't understand.

Just as she was pondering.

Chaoyan had already walked up to her.

"Greetings, Benefactress."

Chaoyan clasped her hands together in a Buddhist rite towards the Scorpion Spirit, Jin Xin, and said:

"I am a traveling monk from the Eastern Land of Great Tang, on my way to the Western Heaven to retrieve scriptures. I wish to ask if there is any lodging nearby? We are looking for a place to stay for the night."

Hearing Chaoyan's words.

The Scorpion Spirit snapped back to reality.

With her usual temperament, she would probably have already attacked by now.

But with Su Qing watching...

She naturally couldn't act on her impulses.

After learning Chaoyan's origin and purpose, the Scorpion Spirit didn't rush to answer, merely glancing up at Su Qing.

Seeing Su Qing's expression was normal, without any indication...

After a brief thought, she returned a Buddhist greeting to Chaoyan and said:

"So you are indeed eminent monks from the East. My apologies for the disrespect."

"However, if you are asking about nearby households... I'm truly sorry, there are no households within a ten-mile radius."

"But, if you don't mind, you are welcome to stay a night at my humble abode."

Chaoyan paused at her words...

After a moment of thought, she nodded slightly.

She smiled and said, "That would be excellent, many thanks to the Benefactress."

Chaoyan didn't realize that the Scorpion Spirit was a demon...

Firstly, the Scorpion Spirit's transformation technique was formidable.

Secondly, Chaoyan's cultivation was weak, and she hadn't trained her eyesight, so she naturally couldn't see through the Scorpion Spirit's disguise.

Furthermore, the Scorpion Spirit had once listened to scriptures and cultivated her mind before the Buddha, acquiring a trace of Buddhist aura that concealed her demonic energy.

That wisp of Buddhist aura even made Chaoyan feel a sense of familiarity.

Making it even harder to see through the disguise.

The Scorpion Spirit, Jin Xin, shook her head slightly and said, "No need for thanks, it's merely a small favor... Please, follow me."

As she spoke, she again looked up at Su Qing.

Seeing Su Qing remained silent, she felt relieved.

However, she never spoke directly to Su Qing...

Because she was a smart person. Seeing that Su Qing hadn't immediately shown any sign of recognizing her.

She knew Su Qing was pretending not to have met her, so she wasn't foolish enough to directly reveal that she knew Su Qing.

After exchanging a few words with Chaoyan, she led them to her dwelling in the mountains.

Just like that, the group followed Jin Xin into the mountains.

Along the way.

Jingyue suddenly transmitted a message to Su Qing, saying, "Sister... that woman isn't an ordinary person, is she?"

"Oh? You noticed too?"

"No... just a guess."

Jingyue shook her head slightly and transmitted, "It's just that there's no one in this ten-mile radius, only her household, which feels a bit strange, so I asked you. But since you answered like that, I suppose she truly isn't human."

Su Qing smiled faintly at this and transmitted, "Indeed... she is not human. However, you don't seem worried that she isn't human, do you?"

"If Sister isn't worried, why should I be?"

Jingyue smiled faintly, then said, "I'm more worried that Sister might go wild and capture that woman too."

Su Qing rolled her eyes at the girl and transmitted, "What kind of person have I become in your eyes?"

At this, Jingyue merely chuckled without answering.

Su Qing's mouth twitched. She felt her image in Jingyue's eyes had become somewhat distorted.

Just as she was thinking, Jingyue suddenly spoke to Su Qing again, "Don't worry, Sister will always be a good person in my heart~"

Su Qing chuckled, indicating she didn't believe it.

Jin Xin led the way, continuing to walk.

Suddenly, she heard a voice transmission.

She couldn't help but be slightly startled.

The transmission said, "Don't you live in Pipa Cave? Why did you come here?"

She turned her head and indeed, it was Su Qing's voice transmission.

Seeing this.

After a brief thought, she transmitted back:

"I was idle, came out to admire the flowers, and just happened to run into you, Sisters."

"Oh? You didn't come here to wait for us?"

"Sister worries too much. I truly didn't know you would come here. After all, you are the Queen of the Western Liang Women's Kingdom. Logically, you should be in the imperial palace. How could I have expected you to come here?"

At this, Su Qing's expression remained unchanged. She merely nodded slightly and said, "So that's how it is... I misjudged you then. By the way, what about that small house in the mountains?"

"That was a wealthy person's summer retreat. Later, the rich person died, and I occupied it. I thought it was quite close to this peach forest, so in spring, after seeing the peach blossoms, I could just stay there," the Scorpion Spirit explained to Su Qing with a smile.

Su Qing listened, giving her a deep look.

Su Qing couldn't tell how much truth or falsehood was in the words of this person...

But she wasn't very concerned...

Even if she spoke falsely, it didn't matter.

Because the Scorpion Spirit was no match for her...

Even if she were to use poison... she still wouldn't necessarily be her match.

She was a scorpion, but don't forget Su Qing herself was also a venomous creature, and a Bamboo Leaf Green at the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

"I see... it truly was me overthinking things," Su Qing chuckled and transmitted.

At this, the Scorpion Spirit smiled faintly, muttering about Su Qing in her heart, and then asked, "Speaking of which, I'm also curious, Sister, why did you suddenly come here?"

Su Qing heard her and transmitted back, "Didn't that nun answer you earlier? We are going to the Western Heaven to retrieve scriptures."

"To the Western Heaven for scriptures? Isn't Sister the Queen of the Western Liang Women's Kingdom? Why would you still need to go to the Western Heaven for scriptures?"

Seeing the other party's curiosity, Su Qing took the opportunity to explain.

After the Scorpion Spirit learned of Su Qing and her companions' purpose, she nodded and asked no further questions.

After that, on the road.

The atmosphere remained relatively relaxed.

Although Su Qing and Jingyue both knew the Scorpion Spirit was a demon, they showed no outward signs.

After all, the other party currently harbored no ill will, so there was no need to act as if facing a formidable enemy.

Making everyone tense.

Before long.

The Scorpion Spirit led Su Qing and the others to the small house in the mountains.

This 'small house' was actually a very large courtyard...

With carved beams and painted rafters, it was quiet and luxurious.

Clearly, it was not something an ordinary family could build.

Upon seeing this large courtyard.

Even the slow-witted Chaoyan sensed something was amiss.

But when she looked at Su Qing, wanting to see what Su Qing thought, Su Qing merely gave her a slight smile, reassuring her.

Seeing this, Chaoyan had no choice but to put her suspicions aside.

Walking into the courtyard.

The Scorpion Spirit said, "Please wait a moment, I'll go prepare some food for you all."

Su Qing heard her and gave the Scorpion Spirit a deep look.

The Scorpion Spirit left without a word.

Before long.

Dinner was prepared.

However, it was all vegetarian dishes, not a single meat dish.

As for why there was no meat, this was naturally not only because Chaoyan was a nun, but also for some other reasons.

In short...

Because Su Qing was present, the Scorpion Spirit was exceptionally well-behaved at this time, not daring to do anything bad.

The Scorpion Spirit was also exceptionally clever...

She knew very clearly... that Su Qing was not someone she could deal with.

After dinner.

Chaoyan and Jingyue had already gone to sleep.

Su Qing and Yudie, on the other hand, sat in the courtyard, admiring the bright moonlight.

As the two were enjoying the moon.

The Scorpion Spirit, Jin Xin, walked over and sat beside them.

She spoke, "Sister still can't quite trust me, can she?"

Su Qing smiled faintly at this and said, "You've come to see me at this hour, surely not just to say that?"

The Scorpion Spirit shook her head slightly and said, "Of course not... I came to find Sister because I have some questions I want to ask."

"Oh? Tell me? If I can answer, I naturally won't refuse."

The Scorpion Spirit smiled and said, "I want to ask, Sister, when will I be able to find a destined partner like you?"

"Oh? Aren't you unfamiliar with human affairs?"

"Since I last met Sister, I took a trip to the mortal world and naturally gained an understanding of human affairs. I also want to know when I will meet my destined partner."

"Then you've asked the wrong person," Su Qing shook her head and said, "How would I know your destined partner? I don't even know what kind of person you like."

"Actually... I don't know either," Jin Xin said with a smile. "If possible, I'd hope to find someone like Sister."

Su Qing's mouth twitched slightly. She shook her head and said, "Is that so? Then I can only wish you an early discovery of your destined partner."

Jin Xin smiled, thanked her, and chatted with Su Qing for a few more moments.

But as they chatted, she realized that Su Qing wasn't very keen on idle conversation with her.

So she then said:

"Since Sister doesn't wish to chat idly with me, I won't disturb you further. I'll take my leave now... Tomorrow morning, Sisters can depart on your own! I won't see you off."

Su Qing looked at the Scorpion Spirit and nodded slightly.

"That's fine."

Jin Xin shook her head at this, then turned and rode a cloud away.

After the Scorpion Spirit left.

Su Qing and Yudie admired the moon for a while longer.

After a long time...

Yudie, who was beside her, couldn't help but rest her chin on her hands, asking curiously, "Mommy, do you think~ she might have feelings for you?"

Su Qing rolled her eyes at the girl beside her and said, "I've only met her twice, and she has feelings for me? Do you really think your mommy's charm is limitless!"

"But the Queen of Women's Kingdom~"

"Alright, I see now, you've also learned to tease me."

Su Qing pouted and said, "The Queen of Women's Kingdom was an exception! We've known each other for three lifetimes! You naughty girl."

As she spoke, Su Qing still felt unsatisfied, so she pinched the girl's cheek, finally feeling completely appeased.

Then, Su Qing stood up and stretched.

She said, "Since the Scorpion Spirit has left, let's go rest too! Originally, it was just for safety's sake, but now that she's gone, our 'insurance' can also rest."

"Eh? So Mommy wasn't just simply admiring the moon!"

"Of course not, though the moonlight tonight was indeed beautiful. Hmm, after the scripture retrieval is over... I'll go find Sister Chang'e to play with. It's been a long time since I played with her."

Su Qing and Yudie chatted idly, and before long, they returned to their room.

A night without dreams.

The next day.

At dawn.

Su Qing and her companions woke up early.

After washing up, Chaoyan prepared to find the Scorpion Spirit to bid farewell and thank her for her hospitality last night.

However, she searched the entire large courtyard but couldn't find the Scorpion Spirit anywhere...

Confused, she couldn't help but seek out Su Qing to ask about it.

And Su Qing unhesitatingly informed Chaoyan about the Scorpion Spirit.

"So, that Benefactress really was a demon..." Chaoyan gasped, then said to Su Qing with some dissatisfaction, "Since Godmother, you already knew she was a demon, why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Su Qing smiled at this and said, "It was Godmother's fault~ However, whether I told you or not, it wouldn't have mattered. She didn't harbor any ill will."

Chaoyan pouted and didn't argue further with Su Qing, merely bowing towards the sky and saying a few words of thanks.

Although she knew the other party couldn't hear...

She still had to say it.

Su Qing saw this and didn't stop her.

Only after she had finished those things.

Did she continue to lead Chaoyan on their journey, heading west.