Treating the Illness?

The woman did not trust Su Qing.

Seeing Su Qing dressed in Daoist robes, looking like a profound Daoist nun, and having just witnessed her daughter’s pair of cat ears, she was even more on guard. After all, in her eyes, the most likely reason for Su Qing to approach her daughter was to take her away under the guise of being a 'righteous cultivator.'

Although she had never encountered such a Daoist before, she had envisioned this scene countless times in her mind. So, when Su Qing appeared dressed like this, how could she not be wary? The fact that she hadn't immediately driven her away was already a sign of great restraint.

Su Qing, seeing this reaction, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

She remembered that this woman had been very easy to talk to years ago—one might even say she was trusting of everyone. While that was partly due to the spells Su Qing had cast, it was also due to the woman's own personality. Seeing such a drastic change in her character now left Su Qing feeling both surprised and a bit melancholy. Time and a suddenly changed environment could truly change a person with ease.

Even if it had only been a few years.

After all, not everyone was like Su Qing, possessing the ability to handle everything in life with ease. They were mortals, and there was a distinct difference between them and immortals.

After a silent exchange of gazes, Su Qing answered her earlier question. "That is your daughter, isn't it? Her ears... well, don't worry, I mean no harm. If I truly intended to take her away, she wouldn't even be able to return to your side, and you would have no way to stop me."

Facing the woman, Su Qing chose not to use illusions or trickery, opting instead for blunt honesty. At a time like this, telling her the reality of the situation was something the woman would likely understand better.

However, Su Qing's words did not put the woman at ease. She simply said, "If the Daoist means no harm, could you please leave this place... and stop disturbing my daughter's and my life?"

Su Qing smiled and looked at the timid little girl. "I have no problem leaving... however, her father made a wish to Lady Azure Spirit. I have been commissioned by the Sovereign to help your daughter. If I leave without doing anything, it would be a bit improper."

Su Qing felt a bit awkward saying this, but fortunately, she was thick-skinned and didn't show a hint of hesitation. She looked up at the woman with a smile and saw the surprise and shock in her eyes—though the wariness had not yet faded.

The woman and her husband had indeed gone to the temple to pray to Lady Azure Spirit... but though she had prayed, she never truly expected to receive help. After all, that was a deity; how could she easily cast her gaze down to notice people at the bottom of society like them?

Therefore, when Su Qing claimed to be sent by Lady Azure Spirit, the woman was first surprised, then suspicious and untrusting. There was no helping it; this concerned her daughter, so she could not believe it easily.

"You... can you really help my daughter return to a normal life?" the woman asked skeptically. "Furthermore... how can you prove that you were truly sent by Lady Azure Spirit?"

Su Qing felt a bit helpless; convincing this person was proving to be quite a chore. She nodded and said, "Naturally, I can help her return to a normal life. As for proving it, that is indeed difficult to do, but..."

Su Qing opened her hand slightly, and a streak of azure flame flickered in her palm.

"I can at least prove that I have the ability to help your daughter. Whether you choose to believe me or not is your own business. After all, Lady Azure Spirit commissioned me to come, but she didn't say I had to help you if you didn't want it. I've said my piece; the choice is yours. For the sake of your daughter's cuteness, I can wait a little longer."

Su Qing's simple display of power was enough to leave the woman thoroughly stunned. Su Qing's words then left her in silent contemplation.

Should she believe her, or choose not to?

In the silence, she looked at her daughter, who still didn't understand what was happening. Seeing those fearful yet pure eyes made her heart ache. She desperately wanted her daughter to have a normal life—to be like a regular child, not having to hide every day, unable even to play with other children.

After a long time, she made her choice. She decided to trust the Daoist woman before her. The other party had been reasonable and had shown her power; she had to seize this opportunity. If she missed it now, there might never be another chance in the future. She didn't want her daughter to grow up and resent her for this, even if the little girl understood nothing right now.

She patted her daughter's head, then knelt before Su Qing and kowtowed. "I beg the Daoist to forgive my previous rudeness. Please, help my daughter."

The woman hadn't learned much in life, so she didn't know how to say anything more elaborate. She could only show her sincerity through her actions; after all, she was the one asking for a favor.

Seeing this, Su Qing remained calm. She felt that as long as the woman wasn't a fool, she wouldn't make the wrong choice. She looked at the woman and said, "In that case, bring your daughter over."

The woman patted the girl's head and said, "Yatou, come with me. That Daoist sister is a good person."

The little girl looked up at her mother and asked, "Really?"

"Really... that sister is a good person," the woman repeated.

The little girl nodded and looked cautiously at Su Qing. "Sister... are you really a good person?"

Su Qing looked at the girl, feeling a bit of pity for her cautious and timid manner. She didn't know what the family had been through, but she felt for the little one. At the same time, she felt a bit helpless. Clearly, moving back to the town deep in the Changbai Mountains was the best choice, so why were they unwilling to go? What was so good about staying in the mortal world? It was nothing but tragedy.

Shaking her head inwardly, Su Qing said to the girl, "Of course I'm a good person. Yatou, do you want to become like a normal person? Just like the other children?"

The little girl looked at Su Qing, her dark eyes exceptionally beautiful. She nodded and said, "I... I do. I don't want everyone to hate me anymore... and I don't want to be treated like a monster."

Su Qing nodded. "Since you want to, then eat this. It can make you look like a human."

"Can it... can it really? Sister isn't lying to me, right?"

"I never lie to people, and I certainly won't lie to a child."

The little girl looked at her mother. The woman nodded. Only then did the girl ask hesitantly, "Is this medicine bitter?"

"It's not bitter; it's sweet."

"Really?"

"Really."

Gulp. The little girl swallowed the Spirit Pill in one go.

Seeing this, Su Qing took out a gourd and said, "Drink some water so you don't choke."

The girl had swallowed too quickly and was indeed choking; she hurriedly took the gourd and gulped down several mouthfuls of water before feeling better. Su Qing watched with a helpless expression; the little thing had really downed it in one breath. She had thought the girl would nibble on it bit by bit! Su Ying had been like that back then, and because she couldn't stand the bitterness, Su Qing had started adding sugar to the medicine later. She had added sugar this time too, but who knew the girl would just bolt it?

After finishing, the little girl touched her head and asked, "Why are they still there?"

"You'll be fine after a nap."

"A nap? But I'm not sleepy right now."

"No, you are sleepy," Su Qing said, tapping the girl's forehead.

In an instant, the little one fell into a deep sleep. Su Qing said to the woman, "Carry her back. When she wakes up, she will be no different from a normal person."

"Thank you... thank you for saving her life, Daoist!" the woman said.

Su Qing shook her head. "Don't be so quick to thank me. This is not a permanent solution. While this pill can allow your daughter to take human form, it won't necessarily last forever. Once she turns eighteen, the medicinal potency will be exhausted, and she will revert to her original appearance."

The woman immediately grew anxious and asked, "Does the Daoist have any remedy? Please, tell me..."

Su Qing nodded. "The method is not difficult; the difficulty lies in how to begin."

"Please speak freely... as long as there is a way, we are willing to try."

"Just have your daughter practice cultivation."

"Does the Daoist mean... you wish to take my daughter as a disciple?" the woman asked, startled.

Su Qing shook her head. "I do not take disciples. You're overthinking it."

The woman's face flushed red as she hurriedly apologized. "Then what does the Daoist mean?"

"Exactly what I said. When your daughter grows up, let her seek her own immortal affinity. If she has the affinity, she will succeed. If not, there is nothing I can do."

Su Qing stroked her chin, then said with a smile, "However, you can ask your husband; perhaps he might have some ideas."

"This..."

"Alright, my work here is done. The rest is none of my concern." Su Qing waved her hand, clearly not intending to say more. "I must go. Take care of yourselves."

The woman didn't dare ask further and could only nod, bowing to Su Qing as she watched her depart.

Once Su Qing was gone, the woman sat blankly on the ground, letting out a long breath of relief. "Finally... you finally..."

Even if it was only temporary and she would revert one day, at least the child could live like a normal person for now.

"But... what did the Daoist mean by those last words? What does my husband know?"

She thought for a long time but couldn't come to any conclusion. She looked at her daughter, eventually propped herself up, and carried her back into the house. She couldn't let her child sleep on the ground, even if the bed wasn't much more comfortable.

After carrying her inside, she stayed quietly by her side, hoping to see her turn back into a human.

Time passed quickly.

Before long, her husband returned. She didn't hide anything from him, but she wasn't in a hurry to ask that question yet. When the husband learned of the day's events, he was momentarily stunned, then bowed toward the direction of the Changbai Mountains for a long time. Finally, he brought out the statue of Lady Azure Spirit and bowed again.

He didn't doubt whether it was truly Lady Azure Spirit's messenger, for no one would dare to impersonate such a figure. The woman watched him, remaining silent for a long time. Perhaps she felt that now was not the time to ask. In the end, she simply continued to watch over her daughter.

Minutes and seconds ticked by.

The woman grew anxious seeing no movement from her daughter. She began to wonder if she had been tricked, and her heart started to race with panic. However, amidst her panic, she somehow fell asleep after a while. When she and her husband woke up again, the little girl had already taken on a human appearance.

The two furry little ears on top of her head had vanished. She looked just like an ordinary child. At that moment, the woman cried tears of joy, holding the waking girl and weeping for a long time. She only stopped when the little girl started comforting her.

"It's okay now, it's okay. You're fine..."

The little girl looked blankly at her mother, confused about what was 'fine.' Then, under her mother's guidance, she touched the top of her head. Finding that the little ears were gone, she too became very happy. For a time, the whole family was immersed in this joyful atmosphere.

On the other side, Su Qing sat in her chair and yawned.

She stretched and muttered to herself, "Honestly... that girl Jin Xin is such a handful. To think she'd launch a night attack on my clone. Luckily I reacted quickly, otherwise she really would have succeeded. Good grief, I never see that girl reading books normally! How does she always learn such strange things? I'd better not find out who sold them to her; if I do, she's definitely going to have a bad time."

As Su Qing was talking to herself, Leng Xiang finished making breakfast and walked over. "Speaking of which, Master, have you finished handling that family's business?"

"When have I ever failed?" Su Qing spread her hands. "However, I didn't handle it perfectly this time. I intentionally left a few things behind."

"Does Master have some other strange plan?"

"What do you mean, 'strange plan'?"

"Is it not?"

"No, absolutely not."