Are They Still Alive?

Su Qing nodded slightly and followed the official into the hall to wait.

Although she could have gone directly to King Yama, she felt it was better to follow the rules to avoid any unnecessary friction. Besides, there was still plenty of time before dawn.

And the tea in the Underworld was actually quite good...

It was rather fascinating. In the vast world, there were countless wonders. Normally, souls found it difficult to interact with objects from the mortal realm, and drinking mortal tea or wine was impossible. However, in the Underworld, there were specific teas and wines brewed for the inhabitants of the afterlife.

Their flavor was not inferior to those of the mortal world at all... though, of course, they couldn't compare to the offerings in the Heavenly Court.

She didn't have to wait long.

Once King Yama learned of Su Qing's arrival, he hurried over immediately.

Although he had some business to attend to, meeting an honored guest was far more important than his less-than-critical daily tasks.

"It has been a long time, Azure Spirit Sovereign!" King Yama said with a hearty laugh as he entered. "I heard you wish to look up a few people?"

The Impermanence had already informed him of her purpose.

Su Qing nodded. "Indeed. I'll have to trouble you with this."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all." King Yama shook his head, then paused. "By the way, Sovereign, your primordial spirit feels a bit... well, weak? Has your spirit been injured?"

"Oh, this isn't my main body's spirit; it's just a Primordial Spirit Projection," Su Qing explained with a shake of her head. "You should already know that I'm practicing the Body Outside Body Technique."

"I am aware of that, of course..."

King Yama nodded, though his mouth twitched slightly.

He didn't quite know how to react. While he knew the Body Outside Body Technique was a profound magic, he had never heard of someone casually learning Primordial Spirit Projection while simultaneously practicing clones. Both of these techniques required an immense amount of wealth and energy to master!

Wealth was one thing; officials of the Heavenly Court were rarely poor, and she was the Mountain God of the Changbai Mountains, after all...

But learning such techniques wasn't something that could be done quickly. Let alone mastering both.

'Then again, she reached the Heavenly Immortal realm in just a few centuries, while I'm still an Earthly Immortal after tens of thousands of years. With that kind of talent, I suppose nothing is surprising.'

King Yama felt a wave of envy wash over him.

Envy aside, they still had business to discuss.

Seeing King Yama fall silent, Su Qing took the initiative. "Could you help me check, Senior Yama?"

"It's simple enough. Just tell me the names of the people you're looking for, and I'll have their information brought to you!" King Yama nodded.

Su Qing thanked him and gave him the names she was searching for. "I'm counting on you."

"A small matter."

With that, King Yama turned and left.

Su Qing sat back and continued sipping her tea.

Beside her, Yudie asked, "It's really that simple?"

"Your mother has at least some reputation," Su Qing said with a smile. "And of course, it's because this isn't a difficult task for King Yama. Tell me, how hard did you think this would be?"

"At least a bit more troublesome than this," Yudie said, pouting. "If it's this easy, was there even a point to me coming along?"

"Of course. At the very least, I have company."

"Spoken like a true mother," Yudie said, speechless.

Su Qing just chuckled and went back to her tea, waiting for King Yama to return from his investigation.

King Yama was indeed fast.

Su Qing hadn't even finished half her cup before he returned with a ledger in hand.

"Sovereign, the people you're looking for are all in here. Since you didn't know their birth dates and times, I've transcribed all the entries that match the names. Please, take a look." King Yama smiled and placed the ledger on the table.

"So fast?" Su Qing was surprised.

"The Ledger of Life and Death is a supreme treasure of Heaven and Earth, so naturally, it's quick... this ledger is a copy of a portion of it," King Yama said without concealment.

This was common knowledge among the high-ranking officials of the Heavenly Court and the Underworld, so there was no harm in saying it.

Su Qing smiled. "In that case... the Ledger of Life and Death that Wukong crossed out back then wasn't the real one?"

"Ahem, ahem. It was half-real, half-fake. The monkeys whose names he crossed out did indeed become immortal," King Yama said with a shrug.

Su Qing glanced at him and nodded with a smile.

She wasn't surprised by this. After all, if they had truly let Wukong run wild with the actual Ledger of Life and Death, it would have been an act of reckless disregard for all living beings.

Su Qing didn't dwell on the matter. She simply smiled and began reading the ledger.

Seeing that she didn't intend to press him, King Yama breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't rush her, sitting quietly to the side as she scanned the pages with incredible speed.

Su Qing finished the entire ledger in a few moments.

By the time she closed it, she had a general idea of the situation regarding the people Ruan Shuxiang was looking for.

She sighed and asked, "By the way, do you know of any way to allow a tree demon to leave its land without harming its foundation? Ideally, something that doesn't require my clone to do too much work."

King Yama, who had been dazing off and enjoying the break, was startled by the question.

He couldn't see any direct connection between the two matters. However, since Su Qing asked, he felt obliged to answer.

He thought for a moment.

"I'm afraid there isn't much of a way... unless you simply move the entire plot of land, Sovereign," King Yama said, shaking his head. "However, if you're looking for a method with minimal damage, I do have one."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Let her go from being a tree demon to being the artifact spirit of something else," King Yama suggested after another moment of thought.

"Hmm?"

"Doesn't the Sovereign have a sword?"

"You mean Leng Xiang?"

"Yes! Her situation is similar," King Yama nodded. "Though she likely evolved from a part into a complete artifact spirit over time, rather than directly possessing an object."

"I see... that is indeed a method."

"However... there are downsides to doing this this way," King Yama added. "For one, the object must be able to withstand the demon's spirit. Secondly, it must be compatible with the spirit. And finally... someone must be willing to nurture that artifact spirit, otherwise her path of cultivation will be cut off."

Hearing this, Su Qing's brows twitched as she considered the options. Finally, she nodded helplessly.

After a moment, King Yama asked, "By the way, Sovereign, why do you ask?"

"It's nothing, just curiosity. I've met someone I'd like to help out a bit," Su Qing said, shaking her head. "But since that method isn't ideal, I'll let it be. I already have another plan in mind."

"I understand. Since the Sovereign has made a decision, I won't say more," King Yama replied.

Though he was curious, he knew how to restrain himself. He could see Su Qing wasn't particularly keen on sharing the details, so he didn't press for them.

Su Qing smiled. "Thank you for your help this time, Senior Yama."

"A small matter. It is my honor to be of assistance to the Sovereign."

Su Qing shook her head. "You are the senior; the honor is mine. If you ever need help with anything in the future, Senior, feel free to find me. I will do my best."

King Yama simply nodded. How could he know what the future held? But making a powerful friend was always a good thing.

"Of course, of course."

"Then I shall take my leave."

"Safe travels!" King Yama said, not trying to keep her longer. "I wish you every success."

"I'll take those kind words to heart, Senior." Su Qing smiled, then took Yudie's hand. With a hand seal, she returned to her body.

Back in the mortal realm, Su Qing slowly opened her eyes. Yudie, who had been sleeping on her lap, sat up as well.

"When you were asking Grandpa Yama those things, Mom, I thought you were planning to take Ruan Shuxiang with us! I didn't expect you to give up in the end."

Yudie rubbed her chin, her voice echoing in Su Qing's mind via Sound Transmission.

"I've got it! It must be because you didn't think Ruan Shuxiang was pretty enough, so you gave up! What a shame; I thought I was going to get another concubine!"

Yudie was as loose-lipped as ever, causing Su Qing's expression to sour slightly. She reached out and pinched the girl's cheek. "Shut your mouth, you brat! What kind of person do you think your mother is?"

"What kind of person are you? Don't you know that yourself, Mom?" Yudie replied, her voice muffled by the pinching.

Su Qing was speechless. She knew—she knew very well—but would anyone believe her if she said it out loud?

Feeling helpless, she decided to ignore the girl. She stood up and stretched. "It's almost dawn, isn't it? Let's not go back to sleep. Let's move around a bit! Sleeping here all night has made my bones ache."

Yudie gave her a look of pure disbelief.

'You're an immortal, Mom. How can your bones ache after one night of sleeping here?'

She didn't believe it for a second, but she stopped teasing her mother. Her mother was thick-skinned anyway; teasing didn't do much good.

As the two of them got up, Chen Mei was also startled awake. Only after realizing there was no danger did she pretend she was just waking up and climbed to her feet.

Chen Mei had always been a light sleeper. Any movement from the outside world while she slept would alert her and trigger a reaction... that was why she had responded so quickly when Ruan Shuxiang appeared the previous night.

This ability was, of course, the result of years spent sleeping outdoors. After all, if she didn't have at least this much skill, how could she have survived until now?

The world was not a peaceful place. It was filled with demons and monsters everywhere.

The ability to fall asleep and wake up quickly was a necessity.

After waking up, Chen Mei looked at the two of them. "You're up early today, Big Sister Su!"

"It wasn't comfortable sleeping here, so naturally I woke up early."

"I see! I thought you'd be used to this kind of life after traveling so far!"

"We've traveled a long way, but we don't actually have to sleep outdoors that often. Most of the time, we can find a place to stay," Su Qing said with a smile.

Chen Mei nodded, not suspecting anything. After all, some people were just born lucky.

Su Qing was definitely the lucky type... because if she weren't, how could she have met someone like her?

Su Qing and Yudie were unaware of Chen Mei's self-congratulation. At the moment, Su Qing was busy bickering with her daughter via Sound Transmission.

"Since everyone is awake, let's go find... who was it again? Oh, Ruan Shuxiang! Let's get the things she wants us to deliver and hit the road!"

Chen Mei stretched and said with a smile, "The early morning is the best time for traveling..."

Su Qing nodded in agreement. "Well said... I'll go find her. You go and wake yourself up."

Su Qing didn't mind; they had to leave sooner or later. The earlier they started, the sooner they would reach their destination.

Seeing this, Chen Mei picked up her spear from the ground, wrapped it up, and slung it onto her back.

Su Qing walked out into the courtyard.

As she stepped outside, Ruan Shuxiang, who had been waiting all night, hurried over.

She was a demon—a tree demon, specifically—so she didn't strictly need sleep. Waiting for a night was no hardship for her.

In fact, even if waiting all night had exhausted her, she still would have done it. She didn't want any accidents to happen with this matter.

Su Qing wasn't surprised to see Ruan Shuxiang approach. She hadn't been hiding; Su Qing knew exactly where she was just by paying a little attention.

"It looks like you've been waiting all night. Are you that worried?"

"No, it's not that I'm worried. It's just... I wanted to give these to you at the first possible moment," Ruan Shuxiang said, shaking her head. "If I had missed you... I might have made you wait."

Ruan Shuxiang's words made Su Qing chuckle.

She shook her head and said, "I see. I'll take the items, then... and I will certainly do my best to deliver them to your master's descendants."

At Su Qing's words, Ruan Shuxiang nodded happily. "Yes! I believe you."

"However... I'll say it again..."

"I know... if you really can't find them, I'll accept that fate... and these pieces of jewelry will be yours," Ruan Shuxiang said with a smile. "Oh, please wait a moment! You're helping me, and I haven't given you your reward yet! I'll go get it."

Su Qing was a bit surprised. This girl actually had a reward prepared? No, wait—this girl could actually afford a reward?

With a curious heart, Su Qing waited for a short while.

Soon, Ruan Shuxiang reappeared, clutching a painting.

She handed the painting to Su Qing. "This was painted by my master... it's the only thing I have that's worth anything. Please take this as your reward."

"The only thing worth anything? Or the only thing you have left?" Su Qing muttered to herself as she looked at the painting.

She then unfurled it.

It was a painting of the same subject as the one hanging in the temple... but this one was clearly more vibrant, more lifelike.

It was obvious that Ruan Shuxiang's master had possessed extraordinary skill in painting.

Su Qing looked at the painting and nodded slightly. "It truly is a work of great spiritual resonance."

This painting wasn't just spiritually resonant; it even showed faint signs of birthing a painting spirit. Su Qing suspected that because Ruan Shuxiang had hidden the painting among her roots, it had been imbued with the residual aura of her cultivation.

That was likely why these signs had appeared.

However...

Signs were just signs. To truly birth a demon would take centuries of work, and it would require the right combination of time, place, and people. If it were that easy for demons to be born from objects, there wouldn't be so few of them in the world.

So, while Su Qing was a bit surprised, that was as far as it went. After all, objects with signs of birthing spirits weren't rare in Su Qing's home... in fact, there were quite a few of them.

But as for the painting itself, it was indeed a fine piece of art.

Unfortunately, it wasn't convenient to carry. And she couldn't exactly use her Sleeve Universe right now.

So, Su Qing could only say, "You should keep this for yourself. This is something your master left for you; it would be a pity to give it to me. A demon's life is long; one day in the future, you might slowly begin to forget your master. Keep this painting so you don't forget her image so quickly."

Su Qing's words were, of course, meant for the girl's sake. After all, even she herself could no longer remember many things. A demon's memory capacity was limited, and they were prone to forgetting.

Furthermore, a demon's life was long, and there were many things to remember; naturally, many things would be forgotten.

Hearing this, Ruan Shuxiang shook her head frantically. "I... I will never forget Master! She... she's the only person I've ever known. How could I forget?"

"It's good that you have such confidence," Su Qing said with a smile. "However... I really can't accept this. Besides, I truly can't carry it. This painting is too large; I have no place to put it."

"Ah... ah?! I-I see..." Su Qing's words left Ruan Shuxiang's mind reeling for a moment.

She paused before nodding. "I-I'm sorry... I didn't notice that... but I-I don't have anything else to give you as a reward. I-I'm sorry."

Su Qing shook her head. "It's fine... I don't care about a reward. Besides, you said it yourself—if I can't find them, these things belong to me! In a sense, those are my reward, aren't they? Tell me, aren't you worried that I'll just take the things and run once I agree?"

Ruan Shuxiang shook her head and looked at Su Qing. "I'm not worried... I believe you!"

"Why?"

"Why? Hmm, because you're beautiful? You just don't look like that kind of person."

Ruan Shuxiang thought for a moment before adding, "Besides... I don't have any other choice but to believe you. Very few people come here. To have met you... is already very lucky."

Su Qing smiled and shook her head.

As they were talking, Chen Mei came out from inside, stretching. "Did you get the things? We're ready to go!"

Su Qing nodded. "Yes, I've got them. We're finished talking."

She then turned to Ruan Shuxiang with a smile. "Alright, we're ready to leave."

Ruan Shuxiang nodded blankly. "Yes, goodbye. I'm sorry I can't see you off."

Su Qing shook her head to show it was fine, then followed Chen Mei and took Yudie with her as they departed.

Leaving the ruined temple, Su Qing and the others continued their long journey.

On the road, Chen Mei asked, "So, how are we going to deliver the things?"

Su Qing smiled. "We'll leave it to luck. After all, she didn't say we absolutely had to deliver them!"

"Is that so?" Chen Mei nodded. "So our next destination remains unchanged?"

"Why would we change it?" Su Qing said with a laugh. "There's no need! Our priority is still to find the medical immortal you mentioned. After all, treating Yudie is the most important thing..."

As she spoke, Su Qing ruffled Yudie's hair. "So... I'll deliver the things, but I'll wait until after we find the medical immortal and then look for her master's descendants when I have the chance. But if I really can't find them, I won't obsess over it."

Chen Mei nodded thoughtfully. "I didn't expect you to be so open-minded about it!"

Su Qing just smiled.

In reality, she had other plans!

However, those plans weren't for this clone to carry out; she had handed them off to her true self. After all, this clone couldn't leave the group, but her true self was as free as could be.

Meanwhile, on Changbai Mountain...

Su Qing took a few Transformation Pills from the medicine room.

Looking at the pills, she couldn't help but think, 'A plum blossom demon... she really is like Leng Xiang.'

With a thought, Su Qing formed a hand seal, summoned her Somersault Cloud, and headed toward the location of the plum tree.

The Somersault Cloud was incredibly fast.

In just a few moments, Su Qing arrived outside the courtyard where the plum tree and Ruan Shuxiang were.

Su Qing stepped into the yard and looked around, quickly spotting Ruan Shuxiang.

At that moment, Ruan Shuxiang was sitting under the plum tree, lost in thought... just like in the painting. It was impossible to say what she was thinking about.

Seeing her so distracted, Su Qing chuckled softly, then gave a light cough to alert her to her presence.

However, the alert backfired.

Instead of being a gentle reminder, the cough startled Ruan Shuxiang.

She took one look at Su Qing and, realizing she couldn't see through the other woman at all, was overcome with terror. She stared at Su Qing with a face full of dread.

Then, with a soft 'poof', Ruan Shuxiang vanished.

Unfortunately for her, such tricks were completely useless before Su Qing.

Su Qing simply formed a seal with her hand and plucked Ruan Shuxiang right back out of hiding.

"I say... why are you running?" Su Qing asked with a beaming smile.

Yes, she was about to start acting again.