Why Can't Wukong Borrow the Fan?

Su Qing was utterly exhausted.

After such a long period of working without rest, even as an immortal, she was at her limit.

"Ah, I forgot... Now that I can control my clone without needing to dedicate too much focus to it, I should just go straight to sleep. I can let the clone handle the explanations."

With that thought, Su Qing turned and went back into the house to rest.

In just a few moments, she was fast asleep.

However, even though Su Qing’s original body was asleep, her clone remained active.

The clone Su Qing, sensing the main body had fallen asleep, sat in the courtyard to drink tea.

"While the fatigue in the clone isn't as intense as the main body's, I'm still yawning constantly! Tsk, it seems that even with the Mind-Splitting Method, if the main body falls into a deep sleep or is too exhausted, it still affects the clone."

As she sipped the refreshing tea, she analyzed the situation mentally:

"However, the impact is limited compared to direct control. Although I'm still tired, at least the clone can still move."

"I wonder if this influence will decrease once the Mind-Splitting Method reaches mastery."

Su Qing’s main body going to sleep was partly an experiment—though mostly, she was indeed just exhausted.

Time passed quickly.

Before long, Yudie returned with Leng Xiang.

"Are you another one of the Master's clones?" Leng Xiang asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she saw the woman sitting in the courtyard.

Su Qing looked up and gave a gentle smile. "I am. What do you think? This one is quite good, isn't she? She's much better than the previous one."

Leng Xiang nodded. "Indeed, she is more powerful than the last one... By the way, where is the Master?"

"Asleep," the clone Su Qing said, leaning back in her chair. "I'm very tired too, so I'll have to go rest in a bit as well."

Leng Xiang looked thoughtful, then nodded. "I understand..."

"Right, Leng Xiang, Yudie wants to follow this clone of mine and leave the Changbai Mountains to travel the mortal world... Did she tell you?" Su Qing asked.

Leng Xiang replied, "She did."

"And what is your plan?"

"I listen to the Master."

"Is that so?" Su Qing nodded. This girl was the same as ever, following her every word.

After a moment of silence, Su Qing asked, "What about you? Why don't you come along?"

"No need... I want to stay on the Changbai Mountains to accompany the Master."

"Ah? I see." Su Qing nodded. "But, I am also your Master, aren't I?"

"You are the Master's clone; you cannot be counted as my Master," Leng Xiang said after some thought.

Su Qing nodded, understanding that Leng Xiang’s attitude toward the clone was distinct from her attitude toward the original self, so she didn't press the issue further.

As for why Su Qing had suddenly suggested bringing Leng Xiang along, the reason was simple: Leng Xiang had mentioned she hadn't faced an enemy in a long time. Su Qing thought she could bring her along to handle any demons they encountered on the road.

But since Leng Xiang felt that following the clone wasn't the same as following Su Qing... she wouldn't force it.

After all, having her stay on the Changbai Mountains was also a good thing.

Of course, for Su Qing herself, the clone was just an extension of her own being, as it contained a portion of her soul.

"Since you aren't going, then stay on the Changbai Mountains."

Leng Xiang nodded. "Then you should go rest as well. I will explain your situation to Sister Ao Ying later."

Su Qing didn't say anything more. She nodded and went back into the room to sleep.

However, when she walked to the bedside, she realized...

Someone was already lying on the bed.

And that person was herself.

"Whatever, sleeping next to myself isn't a big deal... it just feels a bit weird." Su Qing shook her head and climbed into bed. Before long, she was sound asleep.

Su Qing slept very deeply this time.

She slept for several days straight.

As a result, even her body in Linzhou City slept for several days.

During those days, nothing particularly special happened.

When she finally woke up and opened her eyes to see another version of herself, it was still a bit surreal.

Fortunately, Su Qing had plenty of experience with this by now.

So while it was surreal, she mostly found it amusing.

"As expected of me... I really am beautiful." After complimenting herself, Su Qing got out of bed.

She didn't plan to lounge around.

She knew she had been asleep for a long time.

In the courtyard, Leng Xiang was practicing swordplay with Su Ying.

Su Ying's swordsmanship was very average—one could even say it was quite poor.

Although there were few occasions to use a sword on the Changbai Mountains, Leng Xiang would still teach Su Ying whenever she was free and then have her spar with Yudie.

As soon as Su Qing walked out, she saw Su Ying being defeated, which didn't surprise her at all.

"Big Green Snake, you're awake?" As Su Qing was watching Su Ying and Leng Xiang, a sparrow's voice came from beside her.

The sparrow was the same as ever.

Although she had lost some weight, it was very limited.

Especially recently, since Red Boy had returned to Water Cloud Cave, there was no one to force them to exercise, and their weight was showing signs of rebounding.

"Mhm, I'm awake." Su Qing glanced at the sparrow. "Where are your other friends?"

"They went to the vegetable patch to catch bugs! The bugs lately are very plump and delicious!"

Su Qing raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you go?"

"I'm full..." the Little Sparrow said with a cheeky grin. "And besides, it's almost time for lunch."

Su Qing rolled her eyes. This little thing wasn't full; she was clearly just saving space for lunch.

But Su Qing didn't bother teasing her.

The Little Sparrow, however, was full of energy. Looking at the gentle-looking girl beside Su Qing, she asked, "Big Green Snake, Big Green Snake... is this another one of your clones?"

Su Qing nodded. "Mhm."

The Little Sparrow chatted away tirelessly while Su Qing gave casual responses, her mind mostly focused on watching Su Ying and Leng Xiang spar.

As for the clone, since the main body was right there, the clone had nothing to do and simply stood silently to the side, also watching the duel.

Soon, it was noon.

Ao Ying had already prepared lunch.

Su Qing and the others brought the dishes to the table.

However, just as Su Qing sat down... she suddenly felt someone approaching.

Her brow twitched. She walked out the door, looked up, and her mouth couldn't help but pull into a grimace.

That damn monkey really knew how to pick his timing!

He didn't come early, he didn't come late—he arrived exactly when she was about to eat.

However, after complaining in her head, Su Qing suddenly remembered something.

She had been so focused on refining her clone that she had forgotten a pressing matter that needed handling.

Thinking of this, Su Qing frowned and quickly performed a divination with her fingers.

After the calculation, her brow finally relaxed.

The tribulation of the Flaming Mountains hadn't passed yet.

Although it was nearly halfway through, it wasn't completely over, which meant she still had room to intervene.

Su Qing let out a sigh of relief.

As long as there was still room to act, there was still hope.

It was a stroke of luck that she hadn't missed it.

"Sigh, although I don't care that much about the brotherhood between Wukong and the Bull Demon King, I can't let Red Boy's parents suffer such a great grievance! After all, that girl hasn't been unkind to me. Besides... Rakshasi and I are good friends."

Su Qing shook her head and began to ponder how to deal with the situation.

Her divination and thoughts took only a few breaths. By the time she snapped out of it, Wukong had already arrived in her courtyard.

After landing, Wukong said with a grin, "Big Sister, Big Sister, I've come."

Su Qing turned to look at Wukong and nodded slightly.

Beside her, Chen Nianxin looked at Wukong with a face full of resentment.

Wukong naturally noticed Chen Nianxin’s gaze, but because her current appearance was completely different from what he had seen before, he didn't recognize her immediately.

However, Wukong was clever after all.

Though he didn't recognize her at first, after a moment of thought, he immediately realized who she was.

"Hmph, back then you transformed into me to harm my Master, and now you're wearing a collar. How laughable, truly laughable," Wukong mocked. He knew Chen Nianxin couldn't move against him now, but that didn't stop him from throwing a few insults to vent his past frustrations.

Chen Nianxin gave a cold laugh and said, "Sun Wukong, you aren't much better off than me. How is your Tight-Fillet any different from my collar?"

Wukong was instantly enraged, glaring at her with fury.

But as angry as he was, he didn't dare to strike. He had come to ask for his Big Sister's help, after all.

Now that Chen Nianxin had submitted to his Big Sister and become a watchdog, even if he was unhappy and wanted to hit her, he had to respect Su Qing's wishes.

As for Chen Nianxin, she dared to provoke Wukong precisely because she understood this logic.

Seeing this, Su Qing clapped her hands and said, "Alright, alright, the two of you stop fighting. The grudges between you are in the past. Now, this person is here at the Buddha's request to receive an education from me, so let's not bring up past matters for now. More importantly, Wukong... why have you come to see me this time?"

Su Qing didn't want the two monkeys fighting here, especially since there was a more important matter to resolve!

Listening to them bicker was no fun at all.

Besides, if things really got serious, Su Qing wouldn't know who she was supposed to side with.

Su Qing’s words calmed them both down.

Chen Nianxin simply couldn't resist Su Qing, while Wukong was genuinely obedient to her—plus, he really did have a favor to ask.

Wukong scratched his head, weighed his words for a moment, and then spoke:

"I've come because I have a matter I need Big Sister's help with."

Su Qing nodded, walked over to the large stone table in the courtyard, and sat down. "What do you need help with? Sit, tell me slowly."

Wukong wasn't used to sitting properly, so he just half-squatted on the stool and said, "It's like this. My Master and I passed a place called the Flaming Mountains. That place has no spring or autumn; it's hot all year round. We want to cross those mountains..."

"The Flaming Mountains? I've passed through there before. That's easy enough. Just go find Red Boy's mother," Su Qing said calmly, picking up a cup of tea brought by her clone and taking a sip.

Wukong glanced at the clone. Although he didn't realize it was Su Qing’s clone, he wasn't surprised.

He knew his Big Sister's personality well.

Big Sister was great in almost every way and had basically no flaws, except for her one hobby: women.

While a woman liking women might seem strange in the mortal world, his Big Sister was an immortal, so it wasn't that odd.

Therefore, seeing an extra woman in Su Qing’s home didn't surprise Wukong.

He just assumed she was another one of Su Qing’s lovers.

After all, were there ever few women around his Big Sister?

Wukong withdrew his gaze and looked at Su Qing. "I... actually already went to find her once."

"And? Let me guess, you couldn't get the Plantain Fan?" Su Qing asked with a chuckle.

Wukong scratched his head and nodded. "Yeah, that Rakshasi refused to lend me the Plantain Fan no matter what I said."

Su Qing nodded. She wasn't surprised by that.

What she didn't understand, however, was why.

In this timeline, Red Boy hadn't become Guanyin's disciple, nor had he become a monk. Why was Rakshasi still unwilling to give Wukong the fan?

Could it be that Guanyin was interfering again?

That was very likely... after all, Guanyin loved adding difficulties to the pilgrimage team.

Su Qing’s brow arched. "I'm curious. Rakshasi isn't some wicked person; even mortals can get her to extinguish the fire if they ask. Why can't you? Didn't you tell her you're my brother, and the Bull Demon King's brother?"

Wukong scratched his head, hesitating whether to tell Su Qing the truth, because the reason was inextricably linked to her.

After a moment of silence, Wukong decided to tell her honestly.

He said, "Well... I did say that. But after I said it, Rakshasi became even angrier."

Su Qing’s brow shot up in confusion. She and Rakshasi might not be sisters who shared every secret, but their relationship wasn't bad either.

Why would this happen?

"So you're saying the reason you can't borrow the fan is related to me?" Su Qing asked. "Fine, tell me then. What exactly did Rakshasi say? And why does she get so fired up at the mention of my name?"