Wukong naturally had no reason to hide anything from Bai Yuhe.
He explained, "Sigh, it's my disaster-prone Master! He's been snatched by a demon again!"
Bai Yuhe was slightly surprised to hear this. Was Tang Sanzang really that unlucky? Su Qing had only just left, and he had already been taken by a demon?
Though surprised, Bai Yuhe didn't let it show too much. She simply nodded and said, "I see... Don't panic, Wukong! Let me think about what powerful demons are in the vicinity."
Wukong didn't dare to rush her and could only wait anxiously while Bai Yuhe searched her memory.
After a short while, once Bai Yuhe had finished recollecting, she told Wukong about the demons she knew.
Su Qing had told Bai Yuhe about all the great demons within the borders of the Women's Kingdom...
However, because of Su Qing's presence, those demons were exceptionally well-behaved.
Those who weren't had already been conveniently eliminated by Su Qing... The ones remaining were naturally the honest ones.
But as the saying goes, wealth moves the heart, and legend had it that eating Tang Sanzang's flesh would grant immortality.
It wasn't strange for a demon to risk their life for such a prize.
As for how Bai Yuhe knew about the legend of Tang Sanzang's flesh, Su Qing had told her, of course.
After all, it wasn't exactly a secret, so Su Qing didn't hide it from her. She even treated it as casual gossip over tea.
Of course, while she knew the legend, she had no designs on Tang Sanzang's flesh...
Su Qing had long since told her it was just a myth. To achieve immortality, one truly needed to cultivate diligently.
Once Bai Yuhe had shared everything she knew, Wukong couldn't wait to set off.
"Thank you, Brother-in-law! I'll go search for them one by one. I must rescue Master."
Bai Yuhe nodded and said, "Go on then!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Wukong had already soared away on a cloud.
"That monkey really cares about his master... Mm, he truly is a monkey of sentiment and righteousness," Bai Yuhe nodded slightly.
"Still, I wonder if he'll be able to find his master."
Bai Yuhe thought to herself, then stopped worrying about it. These matters were beyond her capabilities, and she couldn't help anyway.
Although she was a cultivator, her current realm was far too low. Even if she tried to help, she would only be in the way.
Besides, she had other matters within the kingdom to attend to!
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Tianzhu.
Su Qing had also woken up early, finished her breakfast, and bid farewell to Yuer.
She was currently riding her Somersault Cloud toward Great Thunder Monastery!
With the speed of the Somersault Cloud, she arrived at the monastery in no time.
Su Qing had arrived very early.
The vegetarian banquet hadn't officially begun, but many people had already gathered in the banquet hall.
However, something caught Su Qing by surprise...
She had assumed this banquet would only consist of members of the Buddhist sect, perhaps with a few Buddhist seniors. She hadn't expected to see not only Buddhists but also many people from the Heavenly Court.
There were not only the Four Heavenly Kings and Lao Jun—immortals who loved a good gathering—but even Yuelao and the God of Wealth were present...
This vegetarian banquet at Great Thunder Monastery was likely going to be very lively.
Naturally, the immortals noticed Su Qing's arrival.
However, everyone seemed a bit surprised to see her.
Lao Jun, on the other hand, laughed heartily, stood up, and walked over to Su Qing.
"Haha! When Sakyamuni told me yesterday that you were coming, I didn't believe him! It seems he didn't dupe me after all. I just didn't expect you to show up. Aren't you usually uninterested in these sorts of things? Why the sudden appearance today?"
Facing Lao Jun's inquiry, Su Qing answered truthfully.
"I'm only here to attend in place of Guanyin Bodhisattva... she's been far too busy lately. If I didn't come, I might end up causing her more trouble, so she sent me here," Su Qing said, spreading her hands.
"You troublesome girl, you really are a handful! Hahaha! But it's a good thing you came. Many people have only heard of your name but never met you. I'm sure many will get to truly know you today," Lao Jun said with a chuckle.
"I just came to have a meal..." Su Qing said, shrugging. "But I'm not opposed to socializing."
"Hahaha! Socializing more is a good thing. Look at how many friends I have! Come! Let's find a place to sit. There's still quite a while before the feast begins. Sitting down to chat is the proper way to spend the time."
"I'll follow your lead, Senior," Su Qing said nonchalantly.
Lao Jun nodded, then led Su Qing toward a group of old immortals.
These elderly deities included both men and women; some Su Qing recognized, and some she didn't.
Undoubtedly, Lao Jun bringing her here to sit was likely so she could meet the seniors she didn't know and expand her network.
"Come, let me introduce everyone... This is the Azure Spirit Sovereign, Su Qing, who has been making quite a name for herself lately!" Lao Jun introduced Su Qing with a laugh.
One of the men, wearing general's armor and looking very dignified, glanced at Su Qing and spoke with a serious expression. "Oh? This is the Su Qing the immortals speak of? The young woman who won't let a single female escape her clutches?"
Although the general looked exceptionally stern, the words he spoke made Su Qing nearly lose her composure.
Su Qing quickly waved her hands. "Those are all false rumors... I don't have that kind of ability! I don't know why it spread like that... I'm quite distressed by it as well. By the way, I haven't asked how I should address you, Senior!"
While Su Qing did know many seniors... she couldn't say she knew them all. She had never met many of the truly powerful ones.
The ones she was truly familiar with were mostly Lao Jun's inner circle.
Thus, Su Qing really didn't recognize the senior before her.
Seeing Su Qing didn't know him, Lao Jun explained with a grin, "This is the Heavenly Venerate who guards the North, the Nine Heavens Demon-Subduing Heavenly Venerate... but he has many titles. You can also call him the Dark Heaven Supreme Deity, Great Emperor Zhenwu, or Great Emperor Xuanwu."
Hearing Lao Jun's explanation, the Demon-Subduing Heavenly Venerate shook his head and said, "There's no need for such formal titles. If you don't mind, since you are Lao Jun's disciple, you can just call me Taixuan."
"I think I'll still address you as Heavenly Venerate, Senior. Calling you by your given name would be somewhat impolite."
"I don't mind, so why are you so concerned? But as you wish! Call me whatever makes you happy!" Taixuan said with a wave of his hand.
"Thank you, Heavenly Venerate," Su Qing nodded, saying with a smile.
In truth, Su Qing felt as if ten thousand alpacas were stampeding through her mind...
She never would have imagined it.
This general, who spoke such improper things with such a serious face, was actually Great Emperor Xuanwu... the legendary Nine Heavens Demon-Subduing Heavenly Venerate who guarded the Northern Continent of Purvavideha.
Su Qing had a strange feeling...
Probably not a single person at this table was a simple existence.
And the ones she didn't recognize were likely even more extraordinary.
Seeing Su Qing looking a bit stiff, Lao Jun couldn't help but say:
"You girl, you usually dare to pluck even my beard, so why are you acting so stiff today? Don't think of these people as ten-thousand-year-old monsters; just treat them as ordinary elders. No need to be so constrained... They are all very easy to talk to! Especially that Taixuan—don't let his serious face fool you. When this fellow acts foolish, he can make you die of laughter."
Hearing Lao Jun speak like this... Su Qing's lip twitched slightly, and Taixuan, beside her, couldn't help but facepalm...
He quickly spoke up, "Lao Jun... you promised that if I came, you wouldn't bring up those past embarrassments!"
Lao Jun laughed and said, "Naturally, naturally. How could I break my word? I was just mentioning it in passing; I didn't plan on actually telling the stories."
Taixuan rolled his eyes inwardly. He was very familiar with Lao Jun and knew better than anyone how unreliable he could be...
If he hadn't spoken up just now, Lao Jun would have definitely started sharing.
As for Su Qing...
She only wanted to sip her tea in silence and complain internally, When did I ever pluck your beard? That's slander!
"Hey! You troublesome girl!" Lao Jun laughed and scolded. "How about it? Are you less stiff than when we started?"
"I wasn't exactly stiff; I just felt like there's a bit of a generation gap between us, and I didn't know what to say."
"Generation gap? What generation gap?"
"You wouldn't understand; that's the generation gap."
"I don't quite understand either," Taixuan muttered to himself. "Am I old too?"
"It's fine, Heavenly Venerate. You look much younger than Lao Jun."
"Hey, you girl really don't know how to say anything nice."
Su Qing had indeed been a bit stiff at first, but after Lao Jun's banter, she relaxed.
She actually understood...
Most of Lao Jun's friends had personalities similar to his. Aside from her own master, who was an outlier, few had vastly different temperaments.
Besides, her master was actually quite similar to Lao Jun deep down; he was just more of a closet eccentric...
Ahem, ahem, I shouldn't speak of Master like that behind his back.
If Master sensed it, he would definitely sneeze.
While the three of them talked, the other old immortals didn't interrupt.
They just watched the group with smiles.
And during their conversation, a familiar voice rang in Su Qing's ear.
"Isn't this Xiao Qing? It's been a long time! Why did you come to attend the vegetarian banquet too?"
The one speaking was none other than Palace Mistress Chang'e.
At this moment, Chang'e also had a serious expression, looking like someone not to be trifled with.
However, Su Qing knew this was just an act.
She was even overacting a bit.
As for why she was overacting, it was likely because Taiyin was watching her, forcing her to perform seriously.
But truth be told, Chang'e in this state had a certain charm to her.
Su Qing nodded and said, "Guanyin called me to attend in her place; she's been a bit busy lately."
"Oh? That is rare," Chang'e nodded slightly and said, "Xiao Qing, you don't mind if I sit next to you, do you?"
"Since Sister Chang'e is here, of course I don't mind..." Su Qing nodded.
With that, Chang'e sat down beside Su Qing.
As for Taiyin, she sat with Lao Jun.
Lao Jun was still smiling as he said, "Tsk tsk tsk, quite a lot of people have come to this banquet at Great Thunder Monastery! Even you two showed up?"
"Moonlight Bodhisattva invited us," Taiyin said with a smile.
"Originally, we probably weren't invited, but for some reason, they made a special trip to invite us yesterday, saying it was the Buddha's wish. We couldn't very well snub the Buddha, so we came for the meal. We didn't expect to find an unanticipated gain!"
"Unanticipated gain? You mean the girl, Su?"
"Yes. I didn't expect her to come either."
"I suspect it's because she was coming that they invited so many people from the Heavenly Court."
"But you were the one who called Taixuan, weren't you?"
"That's true. He's always staying in the North and rarely comes out. I was afraid he'd grow bored to death, so I dragged him out."
"Heh, I think you're just restless."
The two seniors chatted happily.
Su Qing and Chang'e naturally didn't interrupt, choosing instead to chat via Sound Transmission...
However, even through Sound Transmission, Su Qing could tell that Chang'e found her performance extremely uncomfortable... It was clear she wanted to let loose, but unfortunately, out here she had to maintain the dignity of a Palace Mistress and couldn't lose face for the Moon Palace.
So she could only chat with Su Qing through Sound Transmission.
Time passed quickly.
Before they knew it, it was noon, and the vegetarian banquet officially began.
During this time, Su Qing had finished meeting everyone at the table...
Just as she had predicted, not a single person at this table was simple.
Every one of them was an extraordinary senior.
Fortunately, also as she had expected, the seniors were exceptionally kind and easy to communicate with.
So, after the initial awkwardness, Su Qing was able to converse normally with them.
Of course, except for when they asked about that rumor.
That thing had truly been blown out of proportion.
Especially when Yuelao ran over halfway through to ask Su Qing if she needed any more red threads... it only made her reputation darker.
If it weren't for her status and the setting, Su Qing would have loved to give that meddlesome Yuelao the middle finger.
You're an old man; how can you have so little emotional intelligence!
Su Qing was ready to cry but had no tears...
In short, her image was likely beyond repair.
Fortunately, it didn't affect much, other than making people think she was a bit lecherous... and specifically toward women. Aside from that, there wasn't much else.
Su Qing felt she was close to coming to terms with it.
At this moment, the banquet had begun.
The food had naturally been served long ago.
The dishes at the vegetarian banquet were mostly light, but the flavors were truly excellent... even though it was all vegetarian, everything was prepared with great zest.
The chefs at Great Thunder Monastery were worthy of praise.
And just as everyone was enjoying the banquet, an uninvited guest arrived at Great Thunder Monastery.
Rate on N.U.
