Should I Just Mute Her?

Su Qing sighed and nodded. "Rest assured, I’m not that reckless. I know where to draw the line. Besides, you know me—I’m not the type who enjoys punishing others. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, why would I ever chant that tight-fillet spell?"

As she spoke, her gaze fell upon the Six-Eared Macaque, whose face was filled with resentment, though a deep-seated fear lurked in her eyes.

Su Qing knew that the Six-Eared Macaque likely understood her predicament by now. Her previous ferocity and arrogance had significantly diminished.

Looking at her current pitiful state, Su Qing found it difficult to reconcile this image with the overbearing figure from before. Especially since she had previously looked exactly like Wukong, the contrast was even more jarring.

Su Qing said helplessly, "By the way, what’s your name? You can’t just be called 'Six-Eared Macaque' forever, can you?"

Facing Su Qing’s inquiry, the Six-Eared Macaque looked away, refusing to meet her eyes. She knew she was now a prisoner. The last shred of pride in her heart made her unwilling to acknowledge this reality.

Seeing this, Su Qing said with a sigh, "If you don't tell me, I’ll have to start chanting. I still don’t know exactly how effective this tight-fillet spell is."

Hearing those words, the Six-Eared Macaque instantly panicked. She hurriedly turned back to Su Qing and shook her head, signaling her not to chant.

Although she didn't know how powerful the hoop around her neck was, she had witnessed how much Wukong suffered under the spell. She had absolutely no desire to experience that herself!

At the same time, she was full of silent criticism toward Su Qing.

Didn't you just say you weren't the type who liked to curse people? And now you're directly threatening me with the spell? You really flip your lid the moment it suits you, don't you?

The Six-Eared Macaque felt helpless, but there was nothing she could do. Her entire cultivation was currently sealed. Even if she could use it, she wouldn't be a match for the person in front of her. And even if she somehow won by a fluke, there was an even more powerful existence standing right behind her.

Though she hadn't seen the Buddha take action, seeing Su Qing’s respectful attitude toward him told her that his strength was definitely not inferior to Su Qing's.

The Six-Eared Macaque was filled with infinite melancholy and frustration.

Su Qing, unaware of the macaque's internal monologue, simply said, "Since you don't want me to chant, tell me your name."

In response, the Six-Eared Macaque rolled her eyes and made a few "ah, ah" sounds.

Only then did Su Qing remember that the Buddha had sealed the macaque’s voice. She looked up at the Buddha.

The Buddha looked back at Su Qing with a smile and said, "I thought you would unseal her yourself."

"I forgot you had her muted," Su Qing said, shrugging. It was a bit embarrassing, but it was fine; she wasn't the one suffering.

Seeing this, the Buddha smiled and lightly pinched a hand seal, releasing the creature's voice. However, he also added, "Six-Eared, you must be careful with your words and actions. Both of us know the tight-fillet spell."

To prevent the Six-Eared Macaque from launching into a tirade, the Buddha didn't hesitate to use a direct threat, giving her no chance to start cursing.

The Six-Eared Macaque felt incredibly stifled. If I can't curse out loud, surely cursing in my head is fine?

"Oh, I can read minds."

"..."

The Six-Eared Macaque completely gave up. What kind of monsters had she run into? Who said the Buddha was just an old monk who lectured on scriptures?

She was depressed to the point of death, but she finally resigned herself to being honest.

Su Qing looked at the Buddha with admiration. The Buddha really had a way with things; a few words were enough to make this unruly creature behave.

"I have been the leader of the Buddhist sect for many years; I have at least this much capability." The Buddha looked at Su Qing with a beaming smile and said, "Rest assured, I didn't read your mind. I just guessed based on your expression."

Su Qing: "..."

Only a fool would believe that.

However, Su Qing didn't bother to argue. She looked down again and asked, "Alright, you can speak now. Can you tell me your name?"

The Six-Eared Macaque remained silent for a moment before saying, "I’ve forgotten my name... I was always transforming into other people, so I didn't pay much attention to it. Over time, I forgot. I only remember that people used to call me Pointy Ears."

"..." Su Qing shook her head. "That’s not a name, it’s a nickname at best. Though I suppose it is quite fitting."

The Six-Eared Macaque looked at Su Qing calmly, not bothering to argue, just watching her silently. She knew Su Qing would surely give her a new name. She had never cared much for names; if she had, she wouldn't have forgotten her original one. As for 'Pointy Ears,' she had forgotten who gave her that name, she just happened to remember it.

Su Qing said, "Forget it. Since you've forgotten your name, I’ll give you a new one."

Su Qing fell silent, thinking for a good while, but she couldn't come up with a particularly beautiful name. In the end, she decided to work with the concept of the Six-Eared Macaque.

"Hmm... I’ll call you Nianxin! Chen Nianxin... yes, that will do." Su Qing was quite satisfied with the name she chose.

This name wasn't without reason. The surname Chen is often described as 'Ear-East Chen,' which incorporated the 'ear' part of her nature. As for Nianxin—'Longing for the Mind'—it was because Wukong was known as the Mind Monkey. The Six-Eared Macaque had impersonated the Mind Monkey, hoping to replace him on the journey to the West to achieve enlightenment. Thus, 'Nianxin' was born.

Su Qing didn't know if anyone else would be satisfied with the name, but she was.

Upon hearing the name, the Buddha thought for a moment and nodded. "That name is actually quite good."

The Six-Eared Macaque didn't reject the name either, mostly because she felt she had no right to. She was a prisoner; if they wanted to call her 'Cat' or 'Dog,' she couldn't say anything. Besides, the name was actually decent. There was no need to be contrary. Having a normal name was enough to satisfy her.

"It’s a good name. I’ll listen to you..." the Six-Eared Macaque said, sitting on the ground with a pout.

Su Qing looked at her and said, "Since you have no objections, that will be your name from now on. Chen Nianxin... or just Nianxin for short."

Speaking of Nianxin, Su Qing was reminded of someone else—the Scorpion Spirit, Jin Xin. That woman was the biggest trouble back in Linzhou City. Ever since the Scorpion Spirit arrived, Su Qing had to sleep with one eye open. After all, that woman was truly something else.

Of course, that was a digression.

Su Qing looked at Chen Nianxin and said, "Alright, now that you have a name, you are a member of my Changbai Mountain. But let me be clear: although I am very nice and gentle, if you are disobedient or try to do something bad, I will not show any mercy."

Su Qing was telling the truth. She didn't want this girl doing anything outrageous that would end up causing her trouble.

Hearing this, Chen Nianxin hurriedly nodded. Could she even have an objection? No! So what was the point of saying anything? Her life was in Su Qing’s hands; how could she dare to be arrogant?

Looking at the now-obedient Six-Eared Macaque, Su Qing didn't let down her guard completely. Although the girl looked pitiful and weak right now—as if she would burst into tears with a single pinch—Su Qing remembered the Six-Eared Macaque from the original story. That character was extremely troublesome. Even with her strength sealed, she still had to be careful. What if she was a silver-tongued manipulator?

Chen Nianxin looked at Su Qing and said, "I will be obedient."

"Good," Su Qing nodded.

She then looked at the Buddha and said, "Then, Buddha, I shall take my leave!"

"Yes, I’ll leave this in your hands!" As he spoke, the Buddha seemed to remember something. "By the way, do you need a chain?"

"???" Su Qing was stunned. "What kind of chain?"

"Don't look at me like that. Before I became a Buddha, I was a prince of a kingdom. I’ve lived a far more 'colorful' life than you..." the Buddha said calmly. "But I wasn't talking about that... I meant a Binding Immortal Rope. I happen to have one here. If you don't trust this girl, you can put it on her. It’s quite effective."

Su Qing was speechless. "I know what you're talking about, Buddha... Also, I’m not afraid of her strength returning and her attacking me. I’m just worried about her talking too much."

"Then I have no solution for that. Perhaps you should just mute her when the time comes."

"..."

"Alright, since you don't need it, you should go! I must continue my lecture."

Su Qing said, "Who said I don't want it? Even if I don't use it to bind Nianxin, it might have other uses in the future."

"..." The Buddha was silent for a moment before saying, "If you need it, then it’s yours."

He had thought Su Qing would refuse, but to his surprise, she intended to take it anyway. However, the Buddha didn't mind. He had planned to give it to her anyway; he was just slightly surprised she changed her mind.

The Buddha opened his palm, and a bundle of something fell into Su Qing’s hand. It was indeed a Binding Immortal Rope, not some kind of dog leash.

It seems I really did misunderstand... but I truly didn't expect the Buddha to be so knowledgeable, let alone that he was a prince before his enlightenment.

Su Qing didn't know much about the history of Buddhism. If she had looked into it, she would have discovered that the Buddha even had several sons! But Su Qing certainly couldn't be bothered with such things.

After taking the Binding Immortal Rope, she led the Six-Eared Macaque toward Changbai Mountain.

On the way, Su Qing had a bit of a headache. How was she going to explain the origin of this weak-looking little girl to her family?

"Forget it, I’ll just tell the truth... I just don't know how much they’ll believe."

Su Qing felt quite helpless. After all, if her reputation hadn't been getting worse and worse, she could have just told the truth without anyone doubting her. Unfortunately, her current reputation wasn't exactly 'good'—it was 'rotten.'

Even though Su Qing didn't know what she had supposedly done, her reputation continued to plummet. Most of the bad rumors were regarding her romantic life. She didn't know who was spreading such increasingly ridiculous stories. If she ever caught them, she definitely wouldn't let them off easy.

Su Qing sighed inwardly. Now that she had taken on this trouble, she had to explain it, no matter how much of a headache it caused. As she was thinking, she unknowingly arrived back at Changbai Mountain.

Now that she was home, she stopped worrying about how to phrase things and simply led Chen Nianxin into the courtyard.

At that moment, everyone was gathered in the yard. Although a few people were absent for various reasons, most were there. Ao Ying, Leng Xiang, Yudie, Su Ying, Red Boy, and the little Feijiu were all present, preparing for dinner together.

Su Qing’s lips curled into an awkward smile. "Everyone, I’m back."

Ao Ying and Leng Xiang looked at Su Qing, then at Chen Nianxin behind her. They remained silent, not in a hurry to speak.

It was Yudie, the most carefree of them all, who spoke first. "Is this the third... fourth? Ah, forget it. Is this a new mother that Mother brought back?"

Su Qing’s brow twitched. She flicked a burst of air with her finger, giving Yudie a brain flick. "You girl, stop talking nonsense! What kind of person do you take me for? You think I can just kidnap a new mother for you every time I step out of the house? You're overthinking it!"

Yudie rubbed her head, sticking out her tongue. "But... Mother is just that amazing! So, who is this little sister, anyway?"

"She’s... not a little sister. She’s much older than you," Su Qing said helplessly. "Besides, this is the Six-Eared Macaque—the one who transformed into Wukong and fought him for several days."

Yudie tilted her head. "But... why is she here with Mother now? Did Mother conquer her?"

"It seems I really do need to teach you a lesson later. You're getting more and more outrageous..."

Yudie quickly covered her mouth.

Su Qing said, "The Buddha handed her over to me! He asked me to keep an eye on her for a while. Forget it, I’ll give you a brief explanation of what happened."

Su Qing naturally knew what could be said and what couldn't. She gave a simplified explanation of the events without changing the actual outcome.

"That’s basically how it went. So, it’s really not what you think."