The Reason

Meanwhile, on the other side.

After two days of travel, Su Qing, Chen Mei, and Yudie had arrived at a small town along the road.

The town was not large, nor was it particularly prosperous. Fortunately, it wasn't impoverished either. As a place to stop and rest, it was quite decent.

Walking down the street, Su Qing rubbed Yudie's head. She turned to Chen Mei and said, "Why don't we rest here for two days? We’re nearly out of rations anyway; it would be good to restock."

Chen Mei looked at Su Qing with a hint of confusion. "Stop for two days?"

"Yes. We've been traveling for so many days straight, and we've encountered quite a few incidents along the way. It’s best to take a break. Besides, you know Yudie’s condition. I don't want her to become too exhausted from the journey," Su Qing said with a gentle expression.

Indeed, Su Qing was using Yudie as an excuse again.

She couldn't help it; she had accidentally given the girl such a useful persona. It would be a waste not to use it. After all, this was her daughter!

However, hearing Su Qing’s words, Yudie was momentarily speechless.

Yudie knew exactly what was going on without even having to think. This was absolutely her mother using her as a shield. How could she be so concerned about her on a normal day? She was a sword spirit, for goodness' sake!

She felt somewhat depressed. Why did her mother always use her as a scapegoat?

Still, she didn't dare refute or expose her mother. Her persona was that of a sickly child, after all.

Furthermore, Yudie suspected that Su Qing likely had something she needed to do. She knew her mother all too well. Unless there was a specific reason, her mother wouldn't stop for no cause.

She just wondered what her mother was planning this time.

On the side, Chen Mei was unaware of these internal dynamics. Hearing Su Qing’s explanation, she didn't think much of it and simply nodded.

In her eyes, this was just a mother doting on her daughter. Moreover, the journey had indeed been tiring; braving the elements was something a small child might not be able to endure. Thus, Chen Mei had no suspicions.

To Chen Mei, Su Qing was a kind-hearted, devoted mother who was easy to talk to and a very charming, beautiful woman.

"In that case, let's rest here for two days," Chen Mei said with a smile. "I'm not in a hurry anyway. It'll be nice to enjoy the local customs and culture."

Su Qing smiled and nodded.

She wasn't surprised that Chen Mei was so easily convinced. It was precisely because she understood Chen Mei’s personality that she had chosen such an excuse.

"Then let's find an inn to stay in first." Su Qing patted Yudie’s head and led her forward.

Chen Mei followed quickly, her long spear on her back.

As for why Su Qing suddenly decided to stay here, the reason was naturally to wait for the Plum Blossom Demon, Ruan Shuxiang.

Her original body had already given the pill to Ruan Shuxiang, and two days had passed. Calculating the time, the girl should have successfully transformed by now and was likely on her way to find them.

Therefore, Su Qing decided to wait for two days. Given a demon’s travel speed, two days should be enough for her to reach this place.

However, she didn't rule out the possibility that the girl might be a total airhead. Even with a map, she might take the wrong route.

"Forget it. When I have some free time over the next two days, I'll just do a deduction on her situation," Su Qing thought, feeling a bit worried.

While deduction wasn't omnipotent, confirming a general situation was no problem.

Although the town was small, there were several inns. After making a few inquiries, Su Qing and the others chose one with a reasonable price and settled in.

Inside the inn, Yudie finally asked Su Qing why they were staying.

Su Qing didn't hide the truth from her.

"So, basically, Mother, you really do fall for everyone you see? You’re even trying to kidnap a Plum Blossom Demon you just met?"

Upon hearing Su Qing’s reason, Yudie covered her mouth in shock.

"Mother, you always say you aren't like the person in the rumors, but you're clearly even more formidable than the rumors suggest."

Yudie didn't forget to make a face as she spoke.

Her words weren't just meant to tease Su Qing; she truly felt her mother was being a bit ridiculous. They had only met once!

And yet, she had already set her sights on the girl.

Thinking of this, Yudie added, "If the other Mothers find out about this, you'll definitely get scolded!"

Su Qing couldn't help but roll her eyes. She was almost tired of explaining herself, but since the girl was getting more and more absurd, she couldn't help but clarify.

Su Qing covered Yudie’s mouth to force her to be quiet, then said, "What are you thinking? In your eyes, is your mother that kind of person?"

"Aren't you?" Yudie mumbled through her fingers.

Su Qing rolled her eyes and explained, "Who told you I've 'fallen' for her? I just want her to come with me to see what happened to her master's descendants."

Su Qing’s words naturally didn't win Yudie’s trust. She continued to look at Su Qing with a face full of disbelief.

Su Qing felt quite helpless. When had her credibility sunk so low? Oh, it had been this low ever since the rumors started. Never mind then.

Su Qing sighed and then told Yudie the full story of what she had discovered.

After listening, Yudie looked at Su Qing and said, "So... the descendants of the master she's looking for are actually all dead? And they were already dead before she even met her master?"

Su Qing nodded. "That's how it is."

"Then isn't what you're doing even more cruel, Mother? You're going to shatter the only hope she has left?" Yudie was stunned and couldn't help but say, "This is even worse than lusting after her body!"

Su Qing shook her head. "Look at what you're saying... I'm not simply trying to destroy her hope. I want her to have a clearer understanding of her master's past. Besides, who said I only plan to take her to see their graves?"

"Then what do you plan to do, Mother?" Yudie asked.

"When I take away one hope, I will naturally give her a new one," Su Qing said mysteriously. "Besides, it would be a pity to waste a long lifespan on a vague and ethereal hope."

"Is the new hope you, Mother?"

"Why are you circling back to that?" Su Qing gave the girl a dirty look. "It's still about her master's descendants. The Ledger of Life and Death King Yama gave me doesn't just have information about her master's descendants; it also has information about their reincarnations."

"I see... I think I understand what you're trying to do now, Mother," Yudie nodded, looking enlightened. "But I still feel like... it's a bit much."

Su Qing shrugged. "That's why I gave her a Transformation Pill!"

Yudie looked at Su Qing with a speechless expression. "Mother, you really are wicked!"

Su Qing was exasperated. How was she wicked now?

"But I'm still curious, Mother. Why are you doing all this?" Yudie tilted her head and asked. "We've only known her for a day, right? Even if you aren't trying to kidnap her after one meeting, doing all this makes it hard not to be suspicious."

Su Qing rubbed her chin, thought for a moment, and then said, "Actually, I mainly feel that she's quite similar to your Mother. They’re both Plum Blossom Demons, after all..."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Not entirely. Mostly, I just found something to do along the way!" Su Qing stood up and said with a beaming smile, "Besides, don't you think these things are quite interesting?"

"I don't... I just think you like looking for trouble when there is none, Mother."

Hearing her daughter’s words, Su Qing was momentarily stunned, then smiled slightly.

"It's fine if you don't understand. In any case, just know that I'm not doing this to kidnap her."

Yudie pouted, then walked over to the bed and sat down. "Still, there isn't much difference between this and kidnapping her, Mother."

Su Qing threw up her hands. "As long as it isn't literally that, it's fine. You should trust your mother more than anyone else."

"Of course I trust you, Mother, but I also trust what I see with my own eyes," Yudie said, hugging her arms. "You're always flirting with girls everywhere!"

Su Qing sighed. It seemed she wouldn't be able to talk her way out of this today. She didn't bother explaining further.

As long as the situation with Ruan Shuxiang was clear, that was enough.

Su Qing stretched and decided to go out for a stroll. Although they were staying for two days, staying in the room the whole time wasn't an option.

Seeing Su Qing about to leave, Yudie naturally followed her.

"You should just stay in the inn. Why are you following me?"

"I'm worried you'll flirt with girls on the street, Mother! You're too dangerous; I have to keep an eye on you at all times!"

"If you just want to go out and eat snacks, just say so. Why use me as an excuse?"

"Didn't you just use me as an excuse too, Mother?"

"So you're holding a grudge, are you?"

After a brief bicker, the two left the inn to wander the streets.

The streets of the small town weren't as bustling as a city, but they weren't bad either. Su Qing and Yudie had a very pleasant time.

As for Chen Mei, after settling into the inn, she had headed out with her long spear. It wasn't clear what she was doing.

However, while Su Qing and Yudie were wandering, they ran into her again. She was carrying a large wild boar. Clearly, she had gone hunting.

"You caught such a big wild boar so quickly?" Su Qing asked curiously.

Chen Mei scratched her head. "I just got lucky. Besides, my martial arts are decent."

Su Qing nodded. Perhaps Chen Mei had some special method, but it was none of her business. Everyone had secrets, and she didn't intend to pry.

She simply asked, "Are you going to sell it? We'll go with you!"

Chen Mei didn't refuse, nor did she say much.

And so, time passed bit by bit.

In the blink of an eye, two days flew by.

During these two days, Su Qing and Yudie had a very relaxing time. Chen Mei, however, went out hunting every day or found other things to do.

When asked why, Chen Mei said she wanted to earn some travel money while she was idle, mentioning that this was how she had spent her entire journey.

Su Qing didn't say much in response. She didn't feel pity for Chen Mei, nor did Chen Mei need it. Besides, for a martial arts master like Chen Mei, these tasks weren't difficult.

"Mother... Chen Mei is truly an interesting person," Yudie said after some thought.

Su Qing nodded. "She is indeed interesting. At the very least, she lives a very clear-headed life."

"By the way, has Ruan Shuxiang arrived?"

"Yes, she should be close!" Su Qing nodded. "If we're lucky, we'll see her today."

"And if we're unlucky?"

"We won't be unlucky!" Su Qing gave her a look. "I'm here, aren't I?"

Yudie was silent for a moment, then nodded. She knew that if Ruan Shuxiang truly got lost, her mother would just cheat. So, there was no need to say more.

"Alright, let's go out for a stroll! We didn't finish listening to the storyteller at the tea house yesterday. Let's go listen some more today. Also, keep an eye on the street and see if you can find Ruan Shuxiang."

"Mother, can't you just calculate her exact location?"

"What do you think deduction is? How could I possibly calculate everything so precisely?" Su Qing gave Yudie a look, then pushed open the door and went out.

Yudie pouted and followed her.

At this moment, Ruan Shuxiang had indeed arrived at the small town.

After two days of continuous travel, Ruan Shuxiang wasn't particularly exhausted. As a tree demon, even after transforming, her physical constitution was quite good; she was just a bit mentally fatigued.

Walking down the street of the small town, Ruan Shuxiang had a bit of a headache. She muttered to herself, "I wonder when I'll be able to run into Big Sister Su and the others... Still, my pace is faster than theirs, so it should be fine. I'll catch up soon!"

"Then again... I didn't take a wrong turn, did I?"

Ruan Shuxiang didn't know where Su Qing and the others were at the moment, so she could only comfort herself. The note Su Qing left didn't state their current location; it only marked their general direction and included a simple map.

So, whether she could catch up was indeed a bit of a gamble on luck.

Of course, that was assuming Su Qing wasn't deliberately waiting for her.

"Right, there are so many people in this town. I'll just go around and ask. Big Sister Su is so beautiful and striking; anyone who has seen her would surely remember."