The Child of Human and Demon

Of course, Su Qing hadn't gone through all this trouble just for a saucer of vinegar. It was merely a casual dip along the way while eating dumplings.

Before long.

Su Qing and her companions arrived at the foot of the Changbai Mountains. Having reached this point, there was naturally no need to ride clouds anymore... they prepared to walk into the city instead. After all, such a large group, leading a horse, suddenly appearing in town, would certainly be a bit startling.

Su Qing mounted the horse. She found that the horse beneath her seemed somewhat disinclined to be ridden. Su Qing pondered for a moment, then suddenly recalled what Ao Ying had said earlier... she couldn't help but pat the horse's head, speaking a few words to it in a threatening tone.

The horse was indeed a coward; after being threatened once or twice by Su Qing, it immediately settled down. Su Qing didn't blame the horse, though, as her current self and her original self were essentially two different bodies. If she didn't say anything... almost no one would be able to tell that she was actually Su Qing. Of course, if it were a mighty being like Ru Lai, she would naturally pretend she hadn't said that.

After resolving this minor issue with the horse, Su Qing led the others towards the county town.

“Once we're in the city, we should get a carriage and let this cowardly horse pull it,” Su Qing suggested, seeing Ao Yiyi and Hu Lin'er walking, and suddenly thinking of this.

Ao Yiyi heard this, glanced at the horse, and said, “There's only one horse. Can it pull it?”

“Of course, it can pull it... I've raised it for so long; this fellow is no longer a mere mortal horse. If it can't even pull a carriage, then we'll just turn it into horse meat soup later. I haven't tried horse meat soup yet!”

Su Qing said with a chuckle, simultaneously taking the opportunity to threaten the horse beneath her. Originally, the horse had felt a slight displeasure upon hearing it would be pulling a carriage... but after hearing the latter half of Su Qing's sentence, it immediately behaved itself. It only regretted that it couldn't speak. Otherwise, the horse would probably have declared its loyalty on the spot.

“Isn't that a bit... harsh?” Ao Yiyi, being a Buddhist disciple, thought Su Qing was serious and couldn't help but try to dissuade her.

Seeing this, Su Qing merely smiled and didn't offer much explanation... Why explain? Wouldn't a little suspense be more fun? And it would make the horse take it even more seriously.

Indeed, for the short distance that followed, the horse was extremely well-behaved, not daring to show any disobedience.

Su Qing, her two companions, and the horse soon entered the county town. In the early morning, the people in the town were already bustling about. The streets were packed with pedestrians and traffic, extraordinarily lively. All sorts of stalls lined both sides of the road, filled with shouts, haggling, and laughter.

Su Qing and her companions walked along the street, picking up some snacks along the way to munch on. They passed through the noisiest market and eventually arrived outside a shop.

Su Qing wasn't in a hurry to find the demon, as she had calculated that the demon's wife still needed some time to give birth, so there was no need to rush. Thus, she still had time to look around and to buy a carriage.

Su Qing entered the shop and simply explained her requirements to the shopkeeper... The shopkeeper, however, showed a troubled expression and said:

“We do have carriages, but to meet your requirements, Miss, is quite difficult. You want a large space and for it to be pulled by a single horse. Setting aside whether your horse can pull it, we don't even have one like that here. However, if you insist, we could modify one... but the price would be significantly higher than the original.”

Su Qing naturally wasn't particularly concerned about the price... As a cultivator, she certainly wasn't short on money. Even if she were, she had plenty of ways to acquire it.

“Price isn't an issue. I just want to know how long it will take. Can it be modified by tomorrow?” Su Qing asked.

Hearing Su Qing's words, the shopkeeper immediately smiled. As a merchant, his favorite customers were naturally those who weren't concerned about money.

“It probably can't be finished by tomorrow; the earliest would be the day after tomorrow,” the shopkeeper replied to Su Qing after a moment's thought.

“The day after tomorrow? That works too.” Su Qing pondered briefly, then nodded. This trip didn't require too much haste... Besides collecting Incense Power, it was also a casual journey to enjoy life... so a day or two wasn't a rush.

After agreeing on a pickup time with the shopkeeper, she paid a portion of the deposit. Once all that was done, Su Qing led the horse and headed towards the residential area.

Su Qing had already calculated the family's location, so she could go directly to them.

“Sovereign Yuanjun... ah, Sister Su, where are we going? Shouldn't we find an inn first? After all, the carriage won't be ready until the day after tomorrow,” Ao Yiyi asked curiously, watching Su Qing lead the horse down the road, not looking like she was heading for an inn.

She didn't know that Su Qing was going to find the child of a human and a demon; Su Qing hadn't mentioned it.

Su Qing smiled faintly, shook her head, and said, “No need for such trouble. We'll just stay at someone's house.”

“Huh?” Ao Yiyi looked utterly dumbfounded. Not just Ao Yiyi, but Hu Lin'er was also confused... she had no idea what Su Qing's plans were. She only knew that whatever her plans, she just needed to follow along.

Su Qing didn't explain further, simply leading the two quickly to the door of a house... This family's home was in a relatively secluded part of the county town and didn't look particularly large. It was clear that the family's circumstances weren't very good. This surprised Su Qing a little... After all, as a demon, one should have many ways to acquire wealth. Yet, this demon's family lived here. However, this was also a good thing... at least it indicated that this demon hadn't committed any illegal or unruly acts, fully abiding by the rules of the Changbai Mountains.

Su Qing knocked on the door. Before long, a pregnant woman came out and opened the door for Su Qing and her companions.

“Who are you?” The woman looked ordinary, and due to her pregnancy, she seemed a bit haggard. She looked at Su Qing and the others, who were beautiful and dressed in no simple attire, feeling a bit strange as to why they were knocking on her door. At the same time, a hint of wariness arose in her heart.

Although Su Qing appeared quite aloof, she herself wasn't truly cold. She smiled faintly and said, “I'm a distant relative of your husband. I was passing through the county town recently and came to visit her.”

Su Qing's casually spun lie was naturally not very elaborate. However, she wasn't worried that the other party would see through it, because she only needed to subtly use a hint of suggestion to gain their trust.

“Oh, so you're relatives? My husband never told me he had such beautiful relatives. Please, come in!”

The woman indeed believed her, letting Su Qing and her companions into the house, and said, “My husband is currently working at Steward Li's house; he probably won't be back anytime soon, likely not until noon.”

“If you don't mind, we have some simple tea at home. I'll go brew some for you.”

As the woman spoke, she moved to boil water and brew tea for Su Qing and the others. Seeing this, Ao Yiyi quickly stopped her, insisting on doing the task herself. Hu Lin'er also hurried forward to help.

“Madam, you're pregnant; there's no need for you to do these things. We can manage ourselves.”

“How can I let guests pour their own tea? Besides, it's just pouring tea; it's no trouble...”

“No, no!” Ao Yiyi insisted firmly. Hu Lin'er, however, looked a bit bewildered, merely following Ao Yiyi's lead.

Su Qing also pulled the woman to sit down. After all, she hadn't come here to drink their tea or eat their food.

“Madam, you should rest. It wouldn't be good if you caused complications for the baby.” Su Qing said softly, subtly giving a hint to make the woman more compliant. Her sudden arrival was indeed a bit rash. But fortunately, her magical suggestions always worked...

After a brief exchange, the woman stopped trying to do anything, settling down quietly and chatting with Su Qing and her companions.

It had to be said, the woman, bored from idleness, was indeed quite talkative; for a moment, even Su Qing almost couldn't keep up. However, during their chat, Su Qing also subtly revealed her identity as a doctor, which the woman didn't doubt.

“Miss, you're also a doctor?”

“Yes, my ancestors were physicians, so I naturally inherited the skill.” Su Qing said with a smile, “By the way, I see your complexion isn't very good. How about this, I'll take your pulse and see if I can help you.”

“This... wouldn't that be too much trouble?”

“We're all family, what are you saying!” Su Qing began her usual charming persuasion, making the other party trust her even more.

The woman heard this and instinctively extended her arm, saying, “Then... then I'll trouble you, Miss. Lately, I don't know why, but I'm always resting poorly...”

The woman prattled on, saying a great deal, and Su Qing listened attentively, as if she truly were a doctor, all while not forgetting to take her pulse. Su Qing certainly wasn't a real doctor, but she had dabbled a bit in medicine; she definitely knew how to take a pulse. This medical skill might not be able to treat difficult and complicated diseases, but common symptoms could still be treated. Moreover, Su Qing, when practicing medicine, hadn't intended to rely entirely on medical skills. After all, she was an alchemist.

Su Qing was taking the pulse, while Ao Yiyi watched her blankly from the side. She was somewhat baffled by Su Qing's series of actions... because she had no idea how Su Qing had managed to sweet-talk the woman, nor did she know when exactly the woman had suddenly started to trust Su Qing so exceptionally. She just felt that Su Qing seemed to have used some extraordinary means. Of course, what surprised her even more was that Su Qing actually knew medicine. And she was exceptionally skilled at pretending to be someone's relative... as if she had practiced it countless times. Or perhaps... she hadn't expected Su Qing to be so thick-skinned. Unlike herself, who was always worried about the other party noticing something amiss.

As for Hu Lin'er, she was even more astonished at this moment... she simply couldn't understand why Su Qing, who had always been so high and mighty, would lower herself to speak to an ordinary mortal in such a way... even claiming to be a relative. For a moment, her perception of Su Qing underwent a slightly strange change.

Su Qing, of course, didn't know what her two little followers were thinking at the moment... she merely frowned as she took the woman's pulse.

When the woman saw Su Qing frown, she also grew worried... After all, when seeing a doctor, one fears not a cheerful doctor, but a frowning one. With that frown, life or death truly became unpredictable.

The woman couldn't help but ask, “Miss, nothing's wrong with me, is it?”

Su Qing heard this and shook her head faintly, saying, “Actually, it's nothing major. It's just that Madam's body is too weak and needs to be properly nourished. Also, judging by her pulse, Madam will likely give birth in the next two days. You can start preparing...”

“It's good that nothing's wrong, it's good. Just now, when you frowned, Miss, you really scared this humble woman.”

The woman sighed in relief, then continued, “But what you said, Miss, is true. My husband has always said I have a weak constitution and told me to take more tonics. But ever since I got pregnant, he's often stewed nourishing tonics for me, yet for some reason, my body just doesn't seem to recover. I wonder if it will affect the baby in my womb...”

Seeing her worry, Su Qing said with a smile, “Don't worry, the baby in your womb is very healthy. However, after giving birth, you must replenish your strength well. Furthermore, you shouldn't get pregnant again for the next few years; the vital essence you've lost will take at least several years to recover. If you were to conceive again, it would likely result in a miscarriage. In severe cases, you might lose both mother and child.”

Su Qing wasn't exaggerating; although her medical skills weren't top-notch, she could still deduce this. A mortal woman carrying a demon's child was almost certainly going to suffer a severe loss of vital essence... It was fortunate that her husband had noticed this and had been replenishing her vital energy ever since she became pregnant. Otherwise, the woman's condition would be even worse... it was even possible she might have lost her life.

Su Qing couldn't help but think to herself, “It seems a mortal woman carrying a demon's child is indeed a dangerous matter. No wonder that demon came to ask for my blessing for his wife back then.”

“But it looks like this demon truly loves his wife.”

“Hmm, speaking of which... I suppose I'm helping that demon fulfill his wish, aren't I? After all, I truly am here to bless his wife.”

“I hope this fellow remembers to pay respects to me often in the future and offer me more incense.”

“However... given this woman's current condition, childbirth will likely be another major ordeal.”

“It's a good thing I came... otherwise, during childbirth, they would probably have had to choose between saving the mother or the child.”

Su Qing's thoughts drifted, contemplating what would happen next. At the same time, she casually chatted with the woman.

The woman had a lot to say... as if she had an endless supply of topics. From major events in the county town to the trivial matters of daily life, she always found peculiar entry points to strike up a conversation with Su Qing...

Su Qing handled the woman's chatter. Ao Yiyi, on the side, was glad she hadn't joined the conversation. Otherwise, with her eloquence, unless she discussed Buddhist teachings, she wouldn't be able to converse with the woman for long. She couldn't help but admire Su Qing even more. Perhaps... this was the power of a Heavenly Immortal expert.

As for Hu Lin'er, under Su Qing's instructions, the girl had already obediently gone to cook. After all, Su Qing couldn't leave, nor could she ask Ao Yiyi or the pregnant woman to do it, so she sent Hu Lin'er, who was now her maidservant. Hu Lin'er didn't have any particular thoughts about this, only feeling that her ears could finally have some peace.

Time slowly passed. Before they knew it, the sun was high in the sky, and it was noon. At this moment, the previously closed main gate was pushed open. A sturdy man walked into the courtyard. He looked at the horse in the yard and couldn't help but frown, especially after noticing it was a spiritual horse, which gave him a feeling of unease.

He ignored everything else and rushed to go inside to check on his wife. But just as he was about to move, he found his body frozen as if by ice, unable to budge an inch. At the same time, a woman's voice appeared in his mind.

Hearing the voice, the sturdy man couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. At the same time, he gave up struggling.

Indeed, all of this was Su Qing's doing. After all, she was staying there as a relative, so once the demon returned, he would naturally expose them. Therefore, to avoid being exposed and causing unnecessary trouble, Su Qing simply controlled him the moment he entered the door. She also took the opportunity to reveal her true identity to him, making him completely compliant and cooperate obediently.

Clearly, Su Qing's method was effective. Although a bit simple and crude, it was absolutely useful. Sure enough, the sturdy man immediately settled down. He even took a few deep breaths, feigning an air of calm and unconcern as if nothing had happened, and walked into the house.

Upon meeting, he warmly greeted Su Qing and her companions, as if they were truly long-lost relatives. The sturdy man's acting skills were remarkably high, so much so that even Su Qing was a little surprised. This also put Su Qing at ease... at least this fellow wouldn't become a weak point, saving Su Qing a lot of trouble.

And so, with the demon's cooperation... the woman, who had already deeply believed in Su Qing and her companions' identities, now had even less doubt. She was just a little annoyed with her husband for not having told her about these relatives... and for claiming he had no relatives. She was utterly exasperated with him.

However, despite her annoyance, she also found a plausible reason for her husband, explaining to herself why he hadn't wanted to tell her about these relatives. It was simply that he felt he hadn't done well enough... too embarrassed to mention these relatives, and even more embarrassed to associate with them. After all, men always had their pride!

Everything proceeded in such an orderly fashion. Before long, lunch was over. After lunch, the man didn't rush out to work. Instead, he helped his wife into the room to rest, telling her to take a good nap... Although his wife found it a bit strange, she was indeed tired, so she obediently went to rest. She must have been truly exhausted, for she fell asleep shortly after lying down.

And once she was asleep, the man, who had just been cheerfully addressing Su Qing as a relative, quickly dropped his smile, bowed respectfully to Su Qing, and said, “This humble demon greets Bi Ling Yuanjun.”

“No need to be so nervous...” Su Qing saw his anxious demeanor, knowing that the pressure she had exerted when he first entered was too great, so she offered a word of comfort.

However, even though Su Qing appeared calm and unconcerned, the man dared not relax. After all, the person before him could easily control their lives.

Seeing this, Su Qing could only sigh helplessly and simply stated her purpose for coming.

“Do you remember the wish you made before my divine statue?”

The man froze for a moment upon hearing this. He instinctively looked up at Su Qing, then quickly lowered his head, saying, “This humble demon... this humble demon remembers.”

Hearing Su Qing's words, the man immediately guessed the purpose of her visit... but he found it hard to believe. When he had sought Su Qing's blessing, it was merely for psychological comfort; he never truly expected to receive her help. After all, Su Qing was an Orthodox Deity of the Changbai Mountains, a great god revered by the common people, while he was just an obscure little demon. How could Su Qing possibly hear his wishes and prayers?

Su Qing looked at the man, casually sitting on a long bench in his house. She said, “Just as you thought, this deity heard your plea, so I came to see... and to help you fulfill your wish. You wouldn't think that this deity is merely one who enjoys Incense Power but doesn't bless her believers, would you?”

Su Qing knew that there was no way she could make this little demon face her as calmly as Ao Yiyi did. In fact, the more approachable she acted, the more fearful he would become. So Su Qing simply adopted a high and mighty demeanor. Perhaps this would even make him relax a little. After all, it was just putting on airs! Who couldn't do that? Su Qing, however, felt rather awkward doing it. After all, Ao Yiyi and Hu Lin'er were watching from the side... It was a good thing she was thick-skinned enough; otherwise, she really wouldn't be able to bear it.

It was rather amusing. Su Qing's impromptu method, though a bit outlandish, did indeed ease the little demon's mind. Because such a deity, such a Mountain God of the Changbai Mountains, was more in line with the celestial being he imagined in his heart. However, Su Qing's words still made his mind go blank for a moment.

After a moment of stunned silence, he quickly bowed to Su Qing and said, “This, this humble demon naturally wouldn't dare to think such things of Lord Bi Ling Yuanjun. But... but Yuanjun, can you truly bless my wife for a smooth delivery?”

Su Qing looked at him calmly, nodded, and said, “Otherwise, what do you think I'm doing here? Since I've come, your wife will suffer no mishaps. Your wife will likely go into labor tonight. While there's still time, go and fetch a midwife!”

Su Qing had originally intended to make a cameo as a midwife. But after thinking about it, since she had already played the role of a doctor and also put on airs as a deity, playing a midwife too would somewhat lower her status. So she simply told the little demon to find a midwife himself. This would also save her a lot of trouble. After all, Su Qing merely intended to observe the child of the human and demon and ensure the woman's safety; she didn't necessarily have to deliver the baby herself.

Upon hearing Su Qing's words, the little demon suddenly came to a realization. He quickly bowed several more times to Su Qing, then repeatedly excused himself and went to find a midwife.

After the man left, Ao Yiyi on the side said, “Sister Su... you...”

“What about me?”

“It's just that Sister Su feels different from how I remember you.”

“More like different from what you imagined, right?”

“Mm.”

“Don't worry, you'll get to know me better during our future travels.”

Su Qing stretched, saying, “Also, you can learn these things too; they might be useful in the future.”

Ao Yiyi nodded blankly, then changed the subject and asked, “By the way, Sister Su, should I recite some scriptures and ask my master to bless them too?”

“Huh?” Now it was Su Qing's turn to be dumbfounded. She smiled helplessly and said, “What are you thinking! Having us here is enough. There won't be any more accidents...”

Ao Yiyi nodded after thinking about it... Her mind was a bit muddled now. She simply decided not to think too much and just listen to Su Qing.

Time passed quickly. The sky soon darkened. And as the sky grew dim, accompanied by a cry of pain from the woman... Su Qing knew everything was about to begin.

Su Qing stayed in the delivery room with the midwife... watching the midwife assist with the birth, while also paying attention to the woman's condition. As soon as she noticed anything amiss with the woman's state, she would intervene to help...

Time passed, minute by minute. Just as Su Qing had anticipated... the woman's condition made it impossible for her to safely deliver the child of human and demon... During the birth, she lost all strength several times and nearly fainted. However, with Su Qing present, tragedy naturally wouldn't occur... she intervened several times, stabilizing the woman's condition. Finally, before dawn, the woman safely, though with a fright, gave birth to the child...

However, after giving birth, the woman immediately fainted. Fortunately, it was merely due to excessive exhaustion, and her life was not in danger. But Su Qing couldn't simply feed the woman an elixir to make her recover instantly. The woman's body was too depleted; rashly over-replenishing her would surely backfire and harm her instead. Moreover, the potency of elixirs was not something mortals could easily withstand. So, the little demon would have to take good care of her afterward, slowly helping her replenish her vital essence.