The Wooden Man and the Heavy Fog

Chang'e had been feeling quite restless staying in the Moon Palace lately. She had long been looking for an opportunity to leave and enjoy herself for a few days. However, she was the mistress of the Moon Palace, after all... she couldn't simply abandon her duties and walk away. At the very least, she needed a legitimate excuse. Otherwise, it would invite gossip... Of course, the primary reason was that when her superiors lectured her, she didn't quite know how to talk back. While she could be thick-skinned, her superiors could be even more so.

Su Qing wasn't surprised by Chang'e's words. Did she not know Chang'e well enough by now? Looking at her, Su Qing knew she had been dying to leave the Moon Palace and have some fun for a long time. In truth, Su Qing had considered this when she came to find her. After all, Yuer wasn't in the Moon Palace right now. Still, Su Qing asked, "Is it really okay to leave all these official documents unfinished?"

"It matters... but not that much." Chang'e leaned back in her chair, stretching lazily as she said, "There's still a long time before the deadline. Even if I rest for a bit and deal with them later, I'll be able to finish."

Hearing this, Su Qing gave her a skeptical look. "Really?"

"Of course it's true." Chang'e averted her eyes. "It'll just be a bit of a rush job at the end, that's all. It’s no big deal!"

Su Qing curled her lips at that; this was exactly what she had expected. She shrugged and said, "Fine, since you put it that way, let's go together. I originally only intended to borrow a few treasures from you."

Chang'e chuckled, then leaned over the table. "So, can you tell me exactly what this is about? If I'm going to help, you have to tell me what I'm supposed to do, right?"

Su Qing nodded. She had nothing to hide from Chang'e and explained the situation to her. Upon learning what needed to be done, Chang'e couldn't help but smile. "Oh, is that all? That's not difficult. But to deal with those guys, couldn't you do it yourself?"

Su Qing nodded. "Yes, of course I could! But didn't I come to find you, Sister, so that you could come out and play too?"

"Heh, you certainly have a way with words," Chang'e said with a laugh. "Even though I know you're saying that on purpose, I'm still quite happy. After all, I finally have an excuse to go out!"

Su Qing spread her hands. "As long as you're happy, that's what matters! But Sister Chang'e, are you sure you can take those people down?"

"If you can, why couldn't I?" Chang'e said indifferently. "Since you've come to me this time, don't you lift a finger. Let me handle it! It's been a long time since I've had some exercise."

"Alright then... but don't kill those demons. Just give them a lesson! As long as they don't die, you can beat them within an inch of their lives, Sister." Su Qing had no objections to letting those demons suffer a bit. Besides, the Buddha only meant to spare their lives... He didn't say they couldn't be beaten half to death! As long as they didn't die, wasn't that enough?

Hearing Su Qing's words, Chang'e wasn't surprised. She simply nodded and said, "That's good. I can play for a bit longer then."

Seeing Chang'e agree, Su Qing felt slightly relieved. She wasn't worried about Chang'e bullying the demons too harshly. After all, her original plan had been to kill them. Soon, Su Qing and Chang'e reached an agreement on the matter... Once they had, the two prepared to set out.

Just before they left, Yudie, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, suddenly spoke up, "I've been wanting to ask... where did Yuer go? I was hoping to play with her!"

Yudie's question made Chang'e pause for a moment. Then she curled her lips and said, "Her? I don't know where she's run off to now. But she's definitely not in my Moon Palace." "If she hadn't left, would I be stuck doing all this work myself?"

Hearing this, Yudie sighed helplessly... she had held onto a sliver of hope, but Chang'e had just snuffed it out. It seemed she really wouldn't be able to find Yuer to play. Seeing this, Su Qing smiled and patted Yudie's head. "Don't worry, there will be a chance to meet in the future."

Su Qing knew exactly where Yuer was and what she was doing. She knew even better that they would be meeting again very soon. After all, they were currently on the path to see her. Of course, before they saw Yuer... They still had quite a journey ahead of them!

Seeing Su Qing say this, Yudie nodded obediently and didn't say anything more... Although she hadn't seen Yuer and couldn't play with her, as long as there was a chance to see her later, it didn't matter much. To Yudie... Time passed quickly. Moreover, time passed even faster when traveling.

Seeing how obedient Yudie was, Su Qing couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth. Yudie was exceptionally well-behaved in these matters, which made Su Qing quite satisfied. After resolving Yudie's concern, the group set off. Although someone questioned them as they left with Chang'e, Chang'e was the Palace Mistress after all. If she had business that required her to leave the Moon Palace, the staff couldn't stop her, nor did they dare to. So, she followed Su Qing out of the Moon Palace with ease.

Chang'e rode an auspicious cloud, carrying Su Qing and Yudie toward the small, dilapidated temple where Chaoyan and the others were. Before long, they arrived. Su Qing didn't ask Chang'e to transform into another appearance. After all, Chaoyan likely wouldn't see Chang'e again after this, so even if Chang'e showed her true face, it wouldn't cause any trouble. The group landed in front of the small temple.

Chang'e looked around with slight surprise, then sent a mental transmission: "What pseudonym should I use?"

"Up to you," Su Qing said nonchalantly. "Just don't tell anyone you're Chang'e."

Su Qing didn't care if Chang'e chose a strange name, as long as she didn't expose her identity. After all, while there was a huge difference between the portraits of Chang'e in the world and the woman herself, the name "Chang'e" was known to everyone. She certainly couldn't use it directly. Chang'e nodded and followed Su Qing into the temple.

Before Su Qing could speak, Chang'e saw Chaoyan and spoke first: "So you are Su Qing's... goddaughter? The pilgrim who is to accompany the journey to the Western Heaven for scriptures?"

Chaoyan stared at Chang'e, her expression somewhat dazed. She never expected that in the span of just an hour or two, her godmother would bring back such a stunningly beautiful fairy. Hearing the woman's words, she quickly nodded and said, "Yes, that is I! Amitabha, this poor monk greets the senior."

"Aren't you a nun? Why do you call yourself a 'poor monk'?"

"Amitabha, it is the same. Monks and nuns are both followers of the Buddha," Chaoyan replied.

Chang'e nodded and didn't make things difficult for Chaoyan. She simply said, "You're quite a cute girl... it's a pity you became a monastic."

Chaoyan just smiled and said, "It is no pity..."

Seeing this, Chang'e said no more. She realized she felt a bit embarrassed to tease this girl. Firstly, the girl was a disciple of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Secondly, she was Su Qing's goddaughter. Thirdly, she was a Buddhist practitioner. With all these factors combined, even Chang'e felt it was inappropriate to tease her. And because she couldn't tease her, Chang'e felt rather bored. She lost interest in small talk.

Chaoyan, unaware of what Chang'e was thinking, asked, "By the way, I have yet to ask for Senior's name."

"My name? You can just call me Immortal Juyue!" Chang'e thought for a moment, rubbed her chin, and said casually.

Hearing this name, Su Qing's mouth twitched. Well, this woman was even worse at naming things than she was. However, she couldn't be bothered to criticize. As the saying goes, the pot shouldn't call the kettle black; they were both in the same boat. Chaoyan didn't doubt the name at all and gave a respectful greeting. Chang'e seemed to enjoy this and patted the girl's head.

Then, her gaze fell upon Jingyue, who hadn't spoken and looked a bit dazed. "And who is this?" Chang'e asked Su Qing.

Su Qing turned and introduced Jingyue. After hearing the explanation, Chang'e nodded slightly. So it's her, I understand. Jingyue didn't know Chang'e, but she could tell the woman was very powerful, so she bowed respectfully. After all, if Su Qing said she was going to find a senior, she had certainly brought back a senior.

After the introductions and a brief exchange, they finally got to the point. Su Qing said, "Immortal Juyue and I will deal with those demons together. Chaoyan, you, Jingyue, and Yudie should head through Lion Camel Ridge first. When the time is right, we will catch up with you!"

"Although there are many lesser demons in these mountains besides those few demon lords, they are nothing to fear. With Jingyue with you, you'll be able to handle them! Therefore, we won't help you with the small fry."

"However, if you find yourselves unable to win, remember to give a signal, and we will pull away to help." As Su Qing spoke, she placed a signal firework in Chaoyan's hand. She said, "If necessary, remember to light this. This thing can be seen from far away. When I see it, I'll naturally come to help!"

Although Su Qing had confidence in their strength, some necessary insurance was still required. After all, the number of lesser demons was immense... if something unexpected happened, this item would be crucial. Of course, if Jingyue performed normally and Chaoyan and Yudie weren't careless, the lesser demons in the mountains would be no threat. In all honesty, while there were many demons, they were all weaklings. Even with Jingyue's lack of combat experience, she was an Earthly Immortal. Dealing with those small demons would be like mowing down weeds—effortless.

Chaoyan took the firework and nodded seriously, thinking to herself that she must not light it and trouble Su Qing unless it was a dire emergency. After all, the strength of those demon lords must be terrifying. Su Qing and this fairy would likely have a difficult time dealing with them. She should avoid adding to their burden if possible.

"Don't worry, Godmother!" Chaoyan said.

Seeing Chaoyan's resolve, Su Qing felt relieved. "Good! Just remember, even if the enemies aren't strong, you must never be careless."

"I understand, Godmother!" Chaoyan said with a smile.

With that, Su Qing said no more. "Then we shall set out first. You, Yudie, and Jingyue should move as soon as possible!" Finishing her instructions, Su Qing didn't delay any further. She turned and led Chang'e toward Lion Camel Ridge.

On the way, Chang'e said teasingly, "You really do worry about her!"

"I am a bit worried," Su Qing smiled. "After all, she's a junior I've spent so much time with. How could I not be?"

"You're acting more and more like those old crones as you get older."

"I suspect you're finding a roundabout way to call me old."

"I didn't say that! Besides, in terms of age, I'm countless years older than you."

Su Qing rolled her eyes. One couldn't believe everything that came out of Sister Chang'e's mouth. After all, this woman was just like her—a master of deception.

"Lion Camel Ridge is ahead. Let's head down!" Su Qing pursed her lips, stopping the banter. She pointed toward the long ridge ahead, which was shrouded in dark clouds and a sinister aura. "Heh, it really is a demon mountain!"

Chang'e's eyebrows twitched. "The evil aura here is truly thick. These demons must have committed many atrocities."

"Sister Chang'e, you're up in the heavens; did you not know about the situation at Lion Camel Ridge?"

"Aparagodaniya isn't under my jurisdiction. How would I know?" Chang'e shook her head. "Besides, you know my personality... I leave most of the work to Yuer."

Su Qing rolled her eyes. She had forgotten about that. You're quite proud of your laziness, aren't you?

"However, even if I handled the Moon Palace's affairs personally, I wouldn't necessarily know about things in Aparagodaniya. This is the territory of the Buddhists. Everyone tends to mind their own business and doesn't usually interfere."

Chang'e curled her lips and continued, "For this place to become like this, it's likely the result of the Buddhist sect turning a blind eye... as for their purpose, who knows? Xiao Qing, do you have any idea?"

Hearing this, Su Qing's mouth twitched. "Who knows?" She couldn't help but feel that Sister Chang'e was playing dumb while knowing perfectly well what was going on. Su Qing kept the thought to herself and didn't expose her. They simply descended into Lion Camel Ridge.