The Pipa

Su Qing felt a bit helpless...

She reached out and gave Jin Xin's forehead a heavy flick.

Then, she turned and left.

She knew that if she continued to bicker with her, this girl would only get more worked up, and it would never end.

So, it was better to leave quickly...

But before leaving, Su Qing instructed, "I'm a bit tired, so I'm going to rest now... Go tell Li Yichou and the others to finish up their work and get some sleep early. Also, keep an eye on Su Qingyu. Even though the sword isn't sharpened, it's still somewhat dangerous. Don't let her hurt herself."

Jin Xin naturally nodded at Su Qing's words and replied, "Mhm, I understand, Sister. Is this your way of reminding me to raid your room tonight?"

"..." Su Qing's lips couldn't help but twitch, but in the end, she could only say, "Don't overthink it... and you'd better not do that."

Jin Xin didn't reply again because Su Qing had already walked into the house.

After Su Qing's figure vanished, Jin Xin didn't rush to find Li Yichou and the others.

She simply sat on a stone stool, cradling the pipa, and leisurely played a tune.

Jin Xin knew how to play the pipa, and she played it very well...

Indeed, her favorite instrument was the pipa.

If she didn't love it, she wouldn't have immersed herself in it for so many years.

As the song ended, Jin Xin gave a rare smile.

Clearly, she truly liked this pipa Su Qing had given her.

And when she came to her senses and felt this emotion, she couldn't help but be secretly surprised.

"What... is this?" Jin Xin was a bit dazed, but she didn't dwell on it further.

She stood up, put away the pipa, and went to find Li Yichou and the others.

She still had to do what Su Qing had instructed!

Su Qing went to sleep early today not because she was truly tired, but simply because things were a bit busy on the other side.

Her main body's side wasn't as relaxed as Linzhou City.

After all, her main body was leading a large group of people!

Even the Queen of Women's Kingdom from the mortal realm had been brought to the Moon Palace by Su Qing.

Naturally, since the Queen was there, Bai Suzhen had followed along as well...

However, due to various reasons, when Bai Suzhen came, the Old Mother of Mount Li and her Daoist boy had also come along.

So, for a time, the Moon Palace was quite lively.

However, Chang'e, the mistress of the Moon Palace, didn't dislike this liveliness.

Chang'e, who had always preferred excitement, was actually incredibly happy.

Because today was a gathering of friends, there was no need to put on a facade or maintain her dignified palace mistress aura as she did at usual banquets.

Therefore, she could be happy, casual, and enjoy herself to the fullest today.

Even the Lunar Deity wouldn't say anything to her.

At the dinner table, Su Qing was naturally pulled into drinking by Chang'e.

Chang'e's alcohol tolerance was as poor as ever. Once drunk, she clung to Su Qing, draping an arm over her shoulder, drunkenly drinking and babbling nonsense.

Su Qing was a bit helpless but had no choice but to keep her company, drinking and chatting.

She didn't know how many times she had criticized Chang'e, but Chang'e was as thick-skinned as a fortress wall; no matter how many times she was told, it had no effect.

Eventually, Su Qing couldn't even be bothered to say anything.

While some found this scene amusing, naturally, someone also crushed their wine cup.

One was the jealous Little Bai...

If it weren't for her master, the Old Mother of Mount Li, sitting beside her, Little Bai probably wouldn't have been able to sit still.

Little Bai lacked composure, but Leng Xiang, who used to be a jealous one herself, was much calmer. Having seen this scene many times before, she was quite steady.

Aside from Little Bai crushing her cup, the other person was naturally the Lunar Deity.

She wasn't jealous; she was purely furious. Chang'e was being far too disgraceful, which made the Lunar Deity quite angry.

Although she didn't mind Chang'e having a good time, she didn't want to see her making a fool of herself here.

Even if everyone there was one of Su Qing's people—or rather, all acquaintances—it was still inappropriate to be this embarrassing.

However, since it was a festive occasion and an old friend was watching, it wasn't easy to directly discipline Chang'e... she had to leave this unreliable girl some dignity.

Though a few incidents occurred during the meal, overall, it was very lively and joyful.

However, outside of this liveliness and joy, there was someone else...

And she wasn't quite so happy or cheerful.

This person was none other than the Six-Eared Macaque, Chen Nianxin.

The Six-Eared Macaque didn't sit with Su Qing and the others... she sat alone to one side.

In fact, Su Qing had originally wanted to invite her to join them, but she had refused...

Her reason for refusing wasn't anything special. These acquaintances belonged to Su Qing, not her. Furthermore, she was a prisoner; how could she possibly fit in?

Just sitting there was already strange enough.

Moreover... she wanted to stay as far away from Su Qing as possible.

After all, if Su Qing hadn't brought her here, she would probably be on the run by now.

Regardless of how to break the seal on her magic power, at the very least, she wouldn't have to suffer Su Qing's grievances or hear those unsettling sounds every few days.

At this moment, Chen Nianxin sat calmly at her separate table, watching Su Qing and the others like she was watching a play.

In front of her, besides a pile of delicacies, was a large assortment of mooncakes in various flavors, along with several busy Moon Rabbits...

The role of these Moon Rabbits was none other than to make mooncakes for Chen Nianxin.

One could only say that magic was convenient... even for cooking, one didn't necessarily have to go to a kitchen.

Chen Nianxin took a bite of a mooncake while watching the busy Moon Rabbits.

She truly had never eaten mooncakes before; that was no lie.

Coming to the Moon Palace this time, the only thing she was somewhat interested in was these mooncakes.

So, she hadn't touched the delicacies at all, instead trying every flavor of mooncake...

"What a pity... my magic is sealed. Otherwise, I could just transform into one of those Moon Rabbits and leave quietly."

Chen Nianxin took a bite of mooncake and thought helplessly to herself: "But... just how many more flavors of mooncakes are there? Is it never going to end?"

At that thought, she glanced at the Moon Rabbits who were working their hardest to make mooncakes, and for a moment, her head began to ache.

No matter how delicious mooncakes were, after eating so many in one go, anyone would get sick of them!

Having eaten so many mooncakes, Chen Nianxin now roughly understood why Su Qing had stuffed all those mooncakes into her hands back then. It was because there were simply too many to ever finish.

Time flowed by; after three rounds of wine, everyone was full and satisfied.

Su Qing had already taken her family members to the guest rooms to rest.

Having lived here for many years, she was very familiar with the place and could find her way without anyone's guidance.

After settling everyone in, Su Qing didn't rush to rest. Instead, she sought out the Lunar Deity and Chang'e again...

However, Chang'e had already passed out drunk, so it made no difference whether she was there or not.

"Instead of accompanying your wives and daughters, why have you come looking for me?" Seeing Su Qing approach, the Lunar Deity casually tossed aside the drunk Chang'e, whom she had just helped up to carry back to bed, and asked calmly.

Su Qing glanced at Chang'e but didn't pay her much mind. This souse had fallen down countless times and was long since durable enough that there was no need to worry about her.

Su Qing explained, "I wanted to ask Senior for a certain magic technique."

"If you want a technique, just go to the Moon Palace Library and find it yourself."

"That's too slow. It's much simpler to ask Senior directly."

"..." The Lunar Deity was speechless for a moment before saying, "Then tell me, what kind of technique do you want?"

Su Qing briefly explained her needs, saying, "Something like this: a technique that allows me to split more of my mind to control my clones without affecting my daily life."

"To put it plainly, you just want a Mind-Splitting Method, right?" The Lunar Deity rolled her eyes.

Su Qing had made it sound quite profound, but in reality, she just needed a technique that allowed her to multitask.

"While such techniques are rare, they do exist. However, no technique is perfect... I don't know to what extent it can go," the Lunar Deity said. "After all, I don't know any Body Outside Body techniques... so I've never tested how effective it is in that regard."

Mind-splitting techniques weren't as precious as Body Outside Body techniques; they were just relatively few in number.

Coincidentally, the Lunar Deity herself knew a few such techniques. She had learned them in the past to make it easier to multitask while handling official business.

As for how useful they would be for a clone, the Lunar Deity wasn't sure.

"It doesn't matter, as long as such a technique exists. As for the testing, I'll do it myself." Su Qing didn't mind at all.

If this technique didn't work well, she would just switch to another one.

Seeing that Su Qing was set on having such a technique, the Lunar Deity didn't say more. She simply explained, "This technique was originally one for controlling puppets... I imagine it should be of some use to you. I will transmit the incantation to you now... as for the rest, it depends on how much you can comprehend. Never mind, I'll give you some of my own cultivation experience as well..."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing nodded and committed the incantation to memory. The incantation wasn't very long, and Su Qing quickly memorized it.

Then Su Qing said, "Thank you, Senior, for your generous teaching."

The Lunar Deity shook her head and said dismissively, "If you were willing to be a bit more diligent, you could find even better ones in the Moon Palace Library... so it's nothing special. You don't need to thank me."

"But Senior also taught me so much experience!"

"It's all just outdated stuff. Just look through it; don't learn everything blindly. Discard the dross and keep the essence."

"I understand, Senior."

"Alright, alright. I don't know why someone like you, who is already at the Heavenly Immortal stage, is still so humble. Anyone else would have lost that temperament long ago. But whatever, do as you please..."

The Lunar Deity didn't intend to continue criticizing Su Qing. She stretched her wrists and said, "Go on back! I have to get this souse back to her room."

As the Lunar Deity spoke, she pointed at the drunkard Chang'e on the ground.

Su Qing nodded and said, "Then I shall take my leave."

The Lunar Deity didn't speak again; she picked up Chang'e and departed.

Cleaning up messes had already become a habit for the Lunar Deity. However, it was clear that once Chang'e woke up, she would inevitably face the Lunar Deity's judgment. Of course, that had nothing to do with Su Qing. Chang'e had brought it on herself. Besides, hadn't she faced such judgments many times before? After all, if she hadn't, she wouldn't have remained completely unchanged until now. She was a classic case of a dead pig not fearing boiling water.

Su Qing watched the Deity depart and couldn't help but shake her head, silently mourning for Chang'e for a few seconds. Of course, it ended there. In any case... that girl would surely be lively and energetic again in a while; there was no need to worry too much about her.

On the way back, Su Qing recalled the technique, and her heart couldn't help but feel a bit joyful; her steps became much lighter.

"I really didn't expect such a technique to be obtained so easily, and with the Deity's personal experience to boot. Yes, it's indeed much easier than trying to figure it out on my own. It's truly great to have seniors who can help..."

With a senior's experience, her future cultivation was destined to be much simpler... but mastery would still depend on her own efforts.

Su Qing thought to herself, then stretched and looked at the magnificent palace, murmuring, "But if that's the case, then some future matters can be put on the agenda."

"No, I should still master the technique first before talking about refining more clones."

"Well, I have plenty of time anyway; I'll take it one step at a time."

"I just hope no more accidents happen in Linzhou City... so I can completely calm my mind to practice the technique and refine clones."

"Oh well, the world is unpredictable! Let's hope things go smoothly!"

Su Qing was very open-minded and not in a rush. Since she had plenty of time, there was no need to be too anxious; steady and sure was the right way.

On her way back, Su Qing passed the osmanthus tree...

At this moment, the osmanthus flowers were in full bloom, and their fragrance was intoxicating. Su Qing looked up; the osmanthus tree emitted a faint glow. Though it couldn't compare to the surrounding lights, it was exceptionally charming.

Shaking her head, Su Qing prepared to leave and return to rest. But just as she was about to move, she heard a voice enter her ears.

Su Qing turned to look; she knew it was the osmanthus tree calling her.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Su Qing thought for a moment and sat on the railing, looking at the osmanthus tree as she asked.

The leaves of the osmanthus tree rustled, and the phantom of Wu Gang slowly stopped his woodcutting. He turned to look at Su Qing and said, "You... haven't brought that Ginkgo tree up here in a long time."

Su Qing nodded and said, "Yes! She's currently in seclusion, so how could I bring her up? Besides... I can't exactly dig her up and bring her here, can I?"