Ruan Shuxiang

Su Qing couldn't help but chuckle at Chen Mei’s question.

"I can't exactly tell if someone is lying just by looking at them. However... I don't think she's lying. She seems truly terrified of you!" Su Qing replied with a shrug and a smile.

Chen Mei scratched her head and said, "Fair enough! I also think this girl is a total coward. Still, it’s better to be careful. Ghosts and demons can be incredibly cunning."

Su Qing nodded and said with a smile, "You’re the expert in these matters, so I’ll follow your lead. After all, we’re counting on you to protect us two weak women!"

Chen Mei’s smile widened at those words. She nodded vigorously. "Don't you worry. I definitely won't let anything happen to you, Big Sister Su."

Beside them, Yudie looked up at Su Qing with a look of utter disbelief, her eyes practically screaming, You really are a great actress.

Su Qing naturally reached out and turned the girl's face away.

She had grown accustomed to her daughter’s daily silent critiques. If it weren't for the fact that it was inconvenient to discipline this 'patient' right now, Su Qing really would have liked to pull her over and give her a good swat on the backside.

Unaware of the silent exchange between the two, Chen Mei looked at the woman in red. "Stay right there! Before we decide whether to help you, you have to answer our questions."

The woman in red didn't dare move an inch. She nodded frantically.

Chen Mei turned back. "By the way, Big Sister Su, do you have anything you want to ask?"

Su Qing smiled. "Naturally, I have a few questions."

"Then... why don't you handle the questioning?" Chen Mei scratched her head. "I’m not very good at this... I’m better at casual chatting."

Chen Mei deferred to Su Qing because she believed Su Qing would do a better job. After all, Su Qing had a gentle face and a smile that could charm the soul out of anyone; it would likely help the woman in red calm down.

As for whether the woman would lie, Chen Mei didn't know. But she planned to keep her spear pointed at her the whole time as a deterrent.

She figured that if the woman was truly a coward, she wouldn't dare lie with a spear leveled at her.

Seeing Chen Mei’s insistence, Su Qing nodded. "Me? Very well, I’ll do it."

Su Qing didn't mind taking the lead. She had things she wanted to know anyway. This Plum Blossom Demon piqued her interest.

Chen Mei stepped to the side, giving Su Qing a clear view of the woman in red.

Su Qing remained seated and looked at her. "First question: what is your name?"

"Huh?" Both Chen Mei and the woman in red were stunned.

Neither had expected the first question to be something as simple as a name.

Seeing their expressions, Su Qing gave a faint smile. "We have to establish a name before we can move on to other things!"

The woman in red swallowed hard and nodded. "My... my master gave me the name Ruan Shuxiang, so that is how I have always referred to myself. Ruan was my master's secular surname... her dharma name after she became a nun was Qing Nian."

Su Qing nodded and said pleasantly, "That is a very lovely name. Your master must have been a very cultured person."

A brief smile flickered across Ruan Shuxiang’s face as she nodded. "Yes, yes! My master was incredibly cultured! She was an amazing painter... she taught me how to paint and how to read. Unfortunately... she is no longer with us."

Su Qing asked, "No longer with us? Did she pass away, or did she simply leave this place?"

Ruan Shuxiang shook her head. "Master was a mortal... she has passed away."

"That is a pity... I would have liked to meet such a remarkable person," Su Qing said with a smile. "By the way, why did you only let my daughter and me see you earlier?"

"Because you and the little girl didn't look scary at all. You look so gentle and easy to talk to... that’s why I thought I’d try asking you for help."

"Oh? Then why did you wait until we were asleep to come? If we were asleep, wouldn't your coming here be useless?"

"Actually... I know a bit of dream-walking magic," Ruan Shuxiang said, lowering her head. "The one with the spear was too terrifying while you were awake, so I thought I’d wait until you fell asleep and then use the dream-walking spell to beg for your help in your dreams."

Beside them, Chen Mei could only scratch her cheek. She didn't understand—did she really look that scary?

Su Qing, however, found it quite amusing. This girl hadn't sensed her or Yudie’s true strength at all. She had thought Ruan Shuxiang fled because she had seen through them!

But this was for the best. It prevented the girl from accidentally revealing Su Qing’s true power.

Su Qing was curious, though, about how she had escaped so quickly and avoided detection. Could it be that she had put all her 'skill points' into fleeing and hiding?

Su Qing looked at Ruan Shuxiang and smiled. "I see... Tell me, why are you so timid?"

"Because... because I can't afford to offend anyone!" Ruan Shuxiang said awkwardly. "And Master always said that cultivators and martial artists are very terrifying."

Su Qing couldn't help but glance at Chen Mei. Was this woman really that terrifying? Su Qing didn't see it, but Ruan Shuxiang’s fear didn't seem faked.

Su Qing didn't dwell on it. She said, "I see. So... what is your true form?"

"My true form? I... I am a plum tree bonsai!" Ruan Shuxiang said. "It was only after I became a demon that my master transplanted me into her courtyard."

Ruan Shuxiang didn't lie at all. She answered whatever Su Qing asked. Her master had told her that when asking for help, one must be honest; only then would people feel comfortable helping.

Su Qing simply nodded, not asking her to transform back into her original form to prove it. She now had a general idea of what kind of existence she was dealing with.

This demon wasn't strong; she hadn't even reached the realm of full transformation. If she had, she wouldn't be afraid of Chen Mei. Her weakness was undeniable.

As for her appearance, it wasn't hard to guess. Most tree demons could manifest like this eventually; it was just a matter of time. Gongsun Zhixue had achieved it early because Su Qing’s Lightning Tribulation had accidentally struck her. As for this one... Su Qing wasn't sure of the reason, but it likely had something to do with her master.

Su Qing looked at her with a smile. "Well, those were all the questions I had... but before we decide whether to help you, can you tell me exactly what you want us to do?"

Hearing this, Ruan Shuxiang’s face lit up with joy. She nodded hurriedly. "Actually, I want to ask you to help me deliver my master's belongings to her descendants."

"Wasn't your master a nun? Where did these descendants come from?" Su Qing asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ruan Shuxiang nodded and explained, "My... Master had a family before she became a nun. She had a daughter and a son. After she passed away, I wanted to give some of her relics to her descendants. Also... I hope they can know where she is buried."

"When she passed away... did her descendants not come to see her off?" Su Qing asked.

Ruan Shuxiang didn't speak. She only shook her head sadly.

"Master... was always very lonely. This place is remote, so few people come... and Master's relatives never visited," Ruan Shuxiang said. "So, after she passed, I was the only one to clean her body and bury her."

Su Qing felt a touch of admiration for this Plum Blossom Demon. She nodded and said, "Something must have happened in your master's past. You are quite loyal."

"So, can you please help me?" Ruan Shuxiang asked urgently.

Su Qing didn't answer immediately. Instead, she looked at Chen Mei. "What do you think? Do you plan to help?"

Chen Mei scratched her head. "To be honest, I can't decide. If it’s on our way, it’s no problem, but if it’s out of the way, it’ll be a bit troublesome."

"In fact, she probably doesn't even know if it's on the way or not..."

"That’s true." Chen Mei nodded helplessly. "Forget it, Big Sister Su, you make the decision! I don't mind either way."

"I’m making the decision?" Su Qing rubbed her chin. "Very well then."

She looked up at Ruan Shuxiang. "How many relics do you want to send? How big are they?"

"Not many, and not big! It’s just a small box. It contains some jewelry from before Master became a nun, and some trinkets I don't understand. But Master cherished these things deeply... that’s why I want to give them to her descendants."

Ruan Shuxiang added hurriedly, "I... I’ll go get them for you to see."

Su Qing nodded slightly and let her leave without stopping her.

Chen Mei scratched her head. "Big Sister Su, you’re practically best friends with her already!"

To be honest, Chen Mei was surprised by Su Qing’s communication skills. Was it really that much easier to gain trust when you were beautiful?

Thinking of this, Chen Mei rubbed her chin. It seems so... I think that’s why I trusted Big Sister Su right away. But she really is stunning... It’s a pity I’m a girl; otherwise, I’d really want to take her home with me.

As Chen Mei’s thoughts began to wander, Su Qing noticed her gaze and felt a bit uneasy. She had no idea what the woman was thinking.

She simply said with a smile, "That girl was so nervous and scared. If I didn't use this approach, the conversation would have been incredibly difficult."

"Big Sister Su really has a way with words..." Chen Mei nodded. She couldn't very well admit she hadn't quite followed the logic.

"It’s not that I have a way with words; it’s just that you happened to intimidate her," Su Qing said with a laugh.

"But... I’m curious, what are your plans? Are you going to help her?" Chen Mei changed the subject.

Su Qing shook her head. "I’m still considering it... If the items aren't large, we can certainly help! It would be even better if we could find out where her master's descendants are."

Chen Mei nodded. Her thoughts were largely in line with Su Qing’s.

Neither of them spoke further, waiting quietly for Ruan Shuxiang to return.

Before long, Ruan Shuxiang was back.

She hadn't taken the opportunity to run away. Clearly, she truly wanted their help.

"This is the small box." Ruan Shuxiang held a small box in her arms; it didn't look like it could hold much.

Su Qing nodded slightly. "It does look small... and not particularly difficult to carry."

"Yes! There isn't much inside... actually, to sustain herself, Master sold some jewelry before, so what’s left are the things she cherished most," Ruan Shuxiang said quickly. "So, can you help me?"

"Helping you isn't a problem, but do you know exactly where your master's descendants are?"

"I... I don't know," Ruan Shuxiang said after a moment of thought. "However, if I saw them, I would recognize them... but I can't leave this courtyard."

"Are you bound here?"

"Yes! My roots are here. I am a tree demon... so until my cultivation reaches the stage where I can fully transform, I cannot leave. But even though I can't go with you to find them, I can tell you about their general situation and their names."

Fearing that Su Qing and Chen Mei would refuse, Ruan Shuxiang said, "Master never said why she became a nun, but she told me a lot about her daughter and son. So I know at least that much..."

Su Qing nodded. "Then let’s hear it! I’ll accept this task... but I cannot guarantee that we will find them."

Hearing this, Ruan Shuxiang’s face lit up with joy, her expression completely unguarded. She poured out her thanks repeatedly.

Such genuine happiness was not easily faked.

Seeing her like this, Su Qing said, "Instead of that... you should tell me about your master's descendants first."

Ruan Shuxiang nodded and began to tell Su Qing everything she knew about them.

Su Qing listened intently.

Soon, Ruan Shuxiang had shared every detail she possessed.

"I’ve remembered it all," Su Qing said with a nod. "Alright, it’s late... we’ve agreed to help you, so let’s get some rest!"

Chen Mei felt tired as well and agreed.

Yudie, as usual, simply nodded in agreement.

Ruan Shuxiang didn't dare say anything. She just nodded quickly. She was already satisfied that they were helping; what could she say if they wanted to rest?

Su Qing said with a smile, "You go back for now. Keep the items with you. You can give them to us tomorrow morning!"

"Okay! I understand," Ruan Shuxiang said, not refusing. "Thank you, Big Sister Su..."

Su Qing replied, "I’m actually not as old as you!"

Ruan Shuxiang chuckled and apologized quickly.

"Alright, go and rest now!"

"Okay, okay." Ruan Shuxiang clutched the small box and returned to the courtyard.

Standing in the yard, she looked at the flickering firelight inside, stroking the box in her hands. Her face was flushed, and her smile remained.

"Master... your relics will definitely return to your descendants."

As she spoke, she looked up at the moon, trying to keep her tears of longing from falling.

Inside the temple, after Ruan Shuxiang left, Su Qing and the others lay down to rest.

Su Qing wasn't tired... she didn't strictly need rest. This clone’s vitality was exceptionally abundant; she wouldn't feel much fatigue even if she didn't sleep for a very long time.

The reason she had sent Ruan Shuxiang away and said she was resting was partly to let Chen Mei sleep, and partly because she had things to do.

Once Chen Mei was asleep, Su Qing used Sound Transmission to speak to Yudie. "Yudie... can you perform soul projection?"

Yudie turned to look at Su Qing and tilted her head. "Mom, do you think so little of your daughter?"

Su Qing couldn't help but smile at her indignant expression. "How could I think little of my own daughter? Since you can do it, come with me to the Underworld!"

"What are we going to the Underworld for?" Yudie didn't understand. Why run to the Underworld for no reason? Weren't they supposed to be sleeping?

Su Qing explained with a smile, "To ask about Ruan Shuxiang’s master's descendants."

"Why? Didn't we just hear so much from her?" Yudie was still confused.

"It was just a performance," Su Qing replied via Sound Transmission. "You have to understand that a demon's sense of time is different from a human's. She thinks decades have passed, but in reality, who knows how long it’s been? In a deserted place like this... even if you count the seasons, you’ll eventually lose track."

"How do you know that so clearly, Mom?"

"Because I never keep track of the days either," Su Qing said, reminiscing. "I once tried to remember how many years had passed, but after enough repetitive days, I couldn't remember exactly how long it had been. So, naturally, I understand..."

"Did you have lonely days too, Mom?"

"Yes, for many years. Was it a hundred years, or just a few decades? I can't even remember anymore," Su Qing said with a smile. "Anyway, come with me to the Underworld! Since we’ve promised to help, we have to do it right."

Yudie didn't ask further and nodded. "I understand, Mom."

Having successfully convinced Yudie, Su Qing didn't hesitate. Leaning against the base of the Buddha statue, she formed a hand seal and projected her soul to the Underworld.

Yudie followed immediately.

In her soul form, Su Qing naturally didn't look like her clone; she looked like her true self.

Even though this was only a part of her, it didn't change the fact that this was Su Qing. It was just that this version of Su Qing felt a bit weaker.

Yudie wasn't surprised to see Su Qing’s true form; after all, the soul was one's most truthful state.

Su Qing looked at Yudie and said, "Why did you turn back into the Fish Gut Sword after projecting your soul?"

Yudie was speechless. "Because I am a sword! But wait a moment, Mom, I’ll change."

With a thought, the Fish Gut Sword distorted and transformed into the same appearance Yudie had on the outside.

Su Qing smiled and said, "Let’s go! We’re already at the gates of Fengdu. We’ll go straight to see the King of Hell."

Yudie said nothing and simply followed Su Qing toward Fengdu.

At the entrance to Fengdu, many people were slowly lining up to enter. Su Qing chose to reveal her identity and go straight in. If they queued, who knew how long it would take?

The ghosts of Fengdu didn't dare stop her; they knew who they could and couldn't afford to offend.

Thus, Su Qing smoothly entered Fengdu.

Not long after entering, she saw Black and White Impermanence hopping toward her.

Yes, hopping, not walking. Because of this, the long tongues lolling out of their mouths looked somewhat comical.

Even Yudie couldn't help but chuckle.

Black and White Impermanence were a bit unhappy about being laughed at, but they didn't dare say anything. After all, the one laughing at them was the daughter of the Lord of Changbai Mountain. They were just ordinary officials; they couldn't afford to offend her.

"Ahem, ahem. What brings you two to the Underworld so suddenly? Sovereign Su, just give us your orders. As long as the Underworld can help, we will certainly do our best," Black Impermanence said with a bow and a face full of smiles.

Even though he was smiling, his tongue was still lolling out, making him look quite ridiculous.

Su Qing really wanted to laugh, but given her status, she couldn't be as reckless as her daughter. She said seriously, "I’ve come because I hope the Underworld can help me look up a person and her descendants."

"Why do you wish to investigate this person, Sovereign?" Black Impermanence asked instinctively, but he quickly realized his mistake. "My apologies, I shouldn't pry into your affairs."

Su Qing had intended to answer, but seeing him back down, she didn't bother. She asked, "Can you help me look it up?"

"It shouldn't be difficult, but it will take a bit of time. Allow me to go and report to the Kings of Hell," Black Impermanence said.

Su Qing nodded, and Black Impermanence vanished.

After he left, White Impermanence said, "Sovereign, please follow me into the hall... Now that you’re here, we can't have you standing around."