“Godmother? You’re back?”
Morning Glory came out and saw Su Qing, calling out in surprise.
Morning Glory was overjoyed…
She hadn't expected to see Su Qing return right after waking up. Su Qing hadn’t come back yesterday, and she had already prepared herself to shamelessly stay here for another day or two. Who would have thought Su Qing would return so early this morning?
Su Qing looked at Morning Glory and nodded slightly, saying, “Yes, I’m back. Also, we can cross the Flaming Mountain today!”
Hearing Su Qing’s words, Morning Glory couldn’t help but smile, saying, “I knew it! With Godmother acting, there would be no mishaps.”
When Morning Glory saw Su Qing return, she already knew Su Qing had obtained the item. After all, when her Godmother took action, how could she ever fail? In this regard, Morning Glory had immense trust in her Godmother.
Su Qing smiled upon hearing this, “You little girl, you really trust me, don’t you?”
“Of course, Godmother, how could I not trust you?” Morning Glory said confidently.
The two were just talking like this.
The old man who was staying there also overheard them.
Seeing Su Qing and Morning Glory speak this way…
The old man, who had been somewhat dazed, now snapped back to his senses. He couldn’t help but excitedly kneel before Su Qing.
He spoke words like “Immortal is truly powerful.” This left Su Qing a bit bewildered, unsure what was happening with the old man. She quickly helped him up to prevent him from continuing to bow.
Morning Glory, seeing this, looked slightly helpless. She then explained the situation to Su Qing, who had no idea what was going on.
After Morning Glory’s explanation, Su Qing finally understood. It turned out that when she left yesterday, the old man happened to see her, and thus mistook her for an Immortal from the heavens… And because she brought back the Plantain Fan, he was now kneeling in worship.
Upon learning the reason.
Su Qing felt a bit helpless.
However, she could understand why the old man was so excited…
After comforting the old man and seeing his emotions calm down.
Su Qing ascended on a cloud into the sky.
Then, she chanted an incantation, transforming the shrunken magic treasure back to its original size and fanning it towards the Flaming Mountain. With a single wave of the Plantain Fan, the flames of the Flaming Mountain truly extinguished instantly… At the same time, the surrounding temperature also dropped, no longer feeling like standing before a blazing furnace.
Seeing this, Su Qing couldn’t help but marvel at the power of the Plantain Fan.
However, despite her awe, Su Qing didn't stop. She fanned the Flaming Mountain two more times.
With these two waves.
The Flaming Mountain immediately began to receive a sweet rain.
As the rain fell, Su Qing vaguely heard people on the ground cheering and shouting something. Su Qing shook her head, not bothering to listen closely. She simply turned and left, returning to the courtyard.
In the courtyard.
The old man, who had been calmed earlier, was now even more excited. Upon seeing Su Qing return, he knelt again in gratitude.
Helplessly, Su Qing shook her head and said, “Old man, please get up! Instead of thanking me, you should do something else. After all, the flames of the Flaming Mountain are not extinguished forever.”
Su Qing naturally knew how to extinguish the Flaming Mountain’s flames permanently. But she couldn’t do that. If she extinguished the flames of the Flaming Mountain, one of the Eighty-One Tribulations would likely be reduced. So she couldn’t do it. She could only let the local people endure a few more years of hardship. However, after a few years, when the true pilgrim arrived, the people near the Flaming Mountain would no longer have to suffer so much. But by then, Su Qing would also be quite busy.
Of course, the future is for the future; for now, she had to deal with current matters. The old man finally came to his senses upon hearing Su Qing’s words. After a few more meaningless thank-yous, he immediately grabbed his farm tools and headed out. He wasn’t at all worried that Su Qing and the others would steal anything from his home.
Seeing the old man leave.
Su Qing smiled helplessly and said to Morning Glory and Jingyue, “Wait for me here for a moment. I’ll go return the Plantain Fan, and then we’ll set off.”
Morning Glory and Jingyue naturally had no objections. Both knew that the Plantain Fan was borrowed… and now that it had been used, it should, of course, be returned.
Seeing that neither said much.
Su Qing bade them farewell and then flew on a cloud towards the Plantain Cave.
Before long.
Su Qing returned to the Plantain Cave and returned the Plantain Fan to Rakshasi.
“Sister, you finished so quickly?” Rakshasi was surprised to see Su Qing return so soon.
Su Qing nodded slightly and said with a smile, “Yes! This Plantain Fan is truly a divine artifact. With just three waves, it extinguished the flames of the Flaming Mountain. Now that the flames are out, we can resume our journey, so it’s only right to return the fan to you, Sister.”
Rakshasi nodded upon hearing this, “I see… but I suppose, Sister, you won’t be staying long after returning, will you?”
“That’s right! I only came back to return the fan. If I want to catch up with you, Sister, I’ll have to wait until I’ve obtained the scriptures and have some free time before I can chat with you more,” Su Qing said with a regretful expression.
“No matter, no matter. Since you are busy, Sister, please go quickly,” Rakshasi didn’t insist, merely saying.
Su Qing nodded and bid farewell to Rakshasi.
Afterward, Su Qing set off again.
She returned to the large red courtyard near the Flaming Mountain.
In the courtyard.
Morning Glory, Jingyue, and Yudie had already packed their belongings. They were just waiting for Su Qing to return the fan so they could depart immediately.
They didn’t wait long.
Su Qing soon returned…
Landing in the courtyard.
She said to them, “Alright, I’ve returned the fan, and it’s time for us to set off! Now that the Flaming Mountain’s flames are extinguished and the weather is no longer as hot as before, let’s move on and cross the Flaming Mountain!”
Upon hearing this, the others naturally had no objections. They had already packed everything. Now that Su Qing was back, they just needed to lead out the horses, and they could depart.
Leaving the courtyard.
Su Qing and the others headed towards the Flaming Mountain, making their way to the Western Heaven.
Su Qing and her companions journeyed westward.
Along the way.
Su Qing saw many people working in the fields. These were the families near the Flaming Mountain, taking advantage of the extinguished flames to plant crops! Su Qing watched these scenes, feeling a slight sigh in her heart. But she did not stop.
They did not linger, simply continuing their westward journey. As they traveled, Su Qing and the others felt that without the scorching summer heat, the journey was much easier and more relaxed. They traveled quickly. In a few days, they passed the Flaming Mountain.
Once past the Flaming Mountain, the road ahead became even more leisurely. Walking was much easier. As they walked, autumn imperceptibly drew to a close. Wild chrysanthemums withered, and new plum buds sprouted. Villages harvested their crops, and everywhere, the aroma of delicious soup filled the air.
Another day.
Approaching noon.
After Su Qing and her companions finished their lunch on the spot, they set off again. However, they hadn’t walked long when they suddenly saw a city in the distance. The city’s buildings were majestic, truly a magnificent city.
Morning Glory, seeing the city, instinctively asked Su Qing, “Godmother, what kind of city is that? What’s its name?”
Su Qing heard this and smiled helplessly. Had this girl gotten used to asking her whenever she didn’t understand something? Though helpless, she still thought carefully and calculated before answering:
“That city should be a national capital! Look, it has over a dozen gates on all four sides, and it’s over a hundred li in circumference, with towering platforms and colorful mists. It must be a capital city without a doubt.”
“As for its name… honestly, I really don’t know.”
“However, judging by the distance, we are currently in the Jinsai Kingdom.”
“So, this must be the capital of the Jinsai Kingdom.”
Morning Glory’s mouth slightly opened upon hearing Su Qing’s words. Although she knew her Godmother was knowledgeable, she hadn’t realized her Godmother could even deduce this. She could only say, “Godmother is truly learned, to know even this.”
Su Qing rolled her eyes at her, saying, “I just said it offhand. We’ll only know the specifics once we enter the city and ask. But no matter which country’s capital it is, or if it’s a capital at all, for us, it’s just a place to rest temporarily.”
“Alright, stop standing there dumbfounded, let’s keep going! Once we enter the city, we’ll resupply properly.”
Morning Glory chuckled and scratched her head when Su Qing said this. Then she continued towards the city.
Su Qing naturally knew where this city was… And she was even more aware of the troubles within it. However, regarding the tribulation of the Nine-Headed Worm, Su Qing clearly had no intention of intervening… So, even if Morning Glory wanted to meddle, Su Qing would stop her. After all, if they didn’t interfere, it wouldn’t affect their onward journey. Moreover, if they did interfere, it would certainly impact one of the future pilgrim’s tribulations… Therefore, not interfering was the most correct approach.
Su Qing and her companions walked.
Before long, they arrived at the city gate. After their identities were verified, the city guards did not make things difficult for Su Qing and her companions and quickly let them pass. Entering the city, Su Qing walked through it. The city was prosperous, its people dressed in rich attire, and its figures were grand, truly a scene of a capital city.
However, as they walked.
Su Qing and her companions suddenly encountered several monks dressed in rags. These monks were all wearing cangues and shackles, begging along the street. It was truly a strange sight.
Morning Glory, seeing this, couldn’t help but shake her head slightly, feeling a sense of empathy, like a fox grieving for a dead rabbit. After all, she was also a nun, and nuns were part of the Buddhist cultivators. Seeing these monks reduced to such a state, she couldn’t help but feel sorrow for her kind.
Morning Glory sighed softly, looking at the monks, and couldn’t help but say, “Godmother… do you think this city is like the Chechi Kingdom?”
Su Qing heard this and shook her head slightly, saying, “I don’t think so! The Chechi Kingdom was a special case. I haven’t heard of any other country besides the Chechi Kingdom where monks suffered so terribly. As for why these monks are like this, there must be other reasons. But I guess they simply made a mistake and were punished by the king.”
Hearing Su Qing’s words, Morning Glory still sighed. Then she couldn’t help but walk up, wanting to understand the situation. She thought that if she could help a little, she would; if not… then she could only offer her sympathy. At most, she would give the monks some money and dry food. As for why she didn’t ask Su Qing for help, if she wanted to meddle and didn’t have the ability to do so, what face did she have to ask her Godmother for help? If her Godmother wanted to help, she would naturally do so herself. If not, asking would only displease her Godmother.
“Senior brothers, where are you from? Which temple are you from, and why are you wearing cangues and shackles, reduced to this state?” Morning Glory inquired.
The begging monks, hearing this, all shed tears and said, “We are the culprit monks of the Golden Light Temple.”
“So, what crime did you all commit?” Morning Glory frowned, asking again.
One of them sighed deeply and said, “We dare not speak of this matter here. Please, follow us to the temple.”
Morning Glory nodded helplessly. Su Qing, however, frowned slightly, lost in thought. But she didn’t stop Morning Glory there and followed them to the Golden Light Temple.
Before long, they arrived at the temple gate. They saw seven characters written horizontally on the temple gate, though covered in dust, they could still vaguely make out ‘Imperial Protector of the Nation Golden Light Temple’. Su Qing looked at these seven characters and curled her lips slightly. She followed the others into the temple. Inside the temple, they saw: The ancient hall’s incense lamps were cold, the empty corridor swept by leaves. A thousand-foot tower reached to the clouds, a few pine trees cultivated one’s nature. Fallen flowers covered the ground with no visitors, spider webs clung freely to the eaves. Empty drum stands, useless hanging bells, painted murals obscured by dust. The lecture hall was quiet, no monks seen; the meditation hall was still, birds often met. How lamentable the desolation, endless the bitter loneliness. Though incense burners were set before the Buddha, the ashes were cold, the flowers withered, all was empty.
Seeing this scene, Morning Glory couldn’t help but feel moved, shaking her head slightly. Such a temple, yet reduced to having no incense power… it was truly regrettable. This only made Morning Glory more curious. What great crime had these monks committed? So much so that even the temple suffered such a fate.
Upon arriving at the temple, the monks performed a Buddhist salute to Morning Glory. Then, the monks asked, “Are you eminent monks from the Eastern Land of Great Tang?”
Morning Glory nodded slightly but explained, “Only I am a nun; the others are merely my companions. Speaking of which, how do you know we are from the Eastern Land of Great Tang? I don’t think I’ve introduced myself yet, have I?”
Morning Glory’s words made the monks pause… They couldn’t help but exchange glances with the monks beside them. They seemed to realize they had made a mistake. This was slightly different from what the Bodhisattva in their dreams had told them. It should have been four monks… But now, not only were there not four monks, the number didn’t even match. Could it be… that the Bodhisattva made a mistake? Gave them the wrong information? Or did they themselves make a mistake? Bring back the wrong people?
Su Qing’s thoughts flashed as she saw this. Then she couldn’t help but shake her head helplessly, sighing inwardly, “I knew it…”
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