Again?

Morning.

After confirming that she hadn't missed anything, Su Qing prepared to set off.

At that moment, the Little Sparrows spoke up. "We want to go to the Northern Continent too! Can you take us with you?"

Su Qing pondered for a moment before nodding slightly. "Taking you along shouldn't be a problem, provided you don't cause any trouble for me."

"We won't cause trouble!"

"Exactly, exactly! We're very well-behaved."

"We won't be a bother at all!"

"That's right, that's right!"

The Little Sparrows chirped and chattered, sounding as if they truly were the most obedient creatures in existence.

Su Qing merely chuckled at this.

However, she nodded and said, "If you can truly stay well-behaved and avoid causing trouble, then I can certainly take you along."

"We guarantee it!"

"Yes, indeed!"

The sparrows flew about joyfully. Their plump bodies looked like little meatballs floating through the air, quite adorable in their own way.

The sparrows hadn't actually gotten any fatter lately...

However, their weight hadn't exactly gone down either.

Without Red Boy's high-pressure training regimen, these little guys were never going to exercise seriously on their own. As for Su Qing, she couldn't bring herself to pressure them like Red Boy did.

What could she do? She was simply too soft-hearted.

Su Qing watched the dancing little birds and shook her head helplessly.

"Leng Xiang, after I leave, remember to keep an eye on Chen Nianxin... she seems settled for now, but once I'm gone, she'll likely start acting up again. Also, don't let her education fall behind... After all, this is something I promised the Buddha."

Although Su Qing had mentioned this a few days ago, she gave one last reminder before departing.

Leng Xiang nodded. "Rest easy, Master... I won't forget the tasks you've assigned."

Su Qing nodded slightly. "In that case... I'm off! Once my clone's current business is finished, I'll come back to fetch you all."

Upon hearing this, Leng Xiang suddenly looked up toward the sky.

"Mhm. However, Master... you might not be able to leave just yet."

Su Qing blinked, startled by Leng Xiang's words.

She followed Leng Xiang's gaze and saw a familiar figure in the sky. Seeing him, Su Qing felt a wave of speechlessness.

How was it that just as she was about to depart for the Northern Continent... this guy happened to show up?

Talk about impeccable timing.

However, despite her annoyance, Su Qing wouldn't simply ignore Wukong and leave.

"Fine, I'll deal with him first. I can head to Great Emperor Zhenwu's place afterward... Being a little late shouldn't be a major issue," Su Qing thought helplessly as she watched Wukong fly into the courtyard with a wide grin.

Wukong landed and said, still beaming, "Big Sister! Old Sun has come to visit you again."

Su Qing shook her head. "You didn't come to visit me. You've encountered another demon you can't handle and came to ask for help, didn't you?"

Seeing his intentions seen through, Wukong scratched his head awkwardly.

"I won't hide it from Big Sister; I have indeed run into a demon I can't defeat. It's not that I wanted to trouble you from the start, but all the helpers I found were useless against that monster. That's why I had no choice but to seek you out."

Su Qing glanced at him and said flatly, "Alright, alright. Just tell me the specifics of the situation."

Wukong breathed a sigh of relief at her words. He chuckled and scratched his head, explaining:

"It's like this... On the way to the West, my Master and I came across a temple called the Little Great Thunder Monastery. Seeing the name, my Master thought a Buddha must reside there and insisted on going in to pay his respects."

"I felt something was wrong with that place and tried to stop him."

"But my Master's heart is far too sincere... He felt that even if there was no Buddha, there were still statues to worship, so he insisted on entering."

"I couldn't stop him, so I had to follow him inside."

"Who would have guessed that there really was a Buddha inside that monastery, along with all the other various Buddhas of the Great Thunder Monastery?"

"Never mind my Master—even Bajie and Wujing were fooled by the display."

"I saw through the fake Buddha, but we had already fallen into their trap. Even though I knew he was a fraud, Master and the others were still captured."

"I invited many experts to help me capture the demon... but the monster has several supreme treasures that make him invincible, even when we all attack at once."

"Originally, I planned to ask Great Emperor Zhenwu for help."

"But the Emperor had business and had to leave, so he couldn't help me personally. He only sent a few little dragons to assist..."

"As it turned out... the five little dragons were no match for the demon either and were captured by that Yellow Brow King along with the rest."

"I only managed to escape because of my speed... I'm truly at my wit's end, which is why I came to find you, Big Sister."

"Do you have any ideas? If I don't rescue my Master soon, I'm afraid he'll end up as the demons' dinner."

After listening to Wukong's long explanation, Su Qing had a general grasp of the situation...

She just hadn't expected him to have already reached Yellow Brow King's Little Great Thunder Monastery.

However... since it was Yellow Brow King, there was no need for her to act personally.

"Tell me, what kind of treasures does this Yellow Brow King use?" Su Qing asked, rubbing her chin.

She couldn't simply tell Wukong the demon's identity directly; she had to find a way to lead him to it himself. The treasures used by the demon were a perfect lead.

Hearing Su Qing's question, Wukong explained seriously despite his anxiety.

"The monster uses a short, soft wolf-tooth club, a very capacious bag, and a pair of Golden Cymbals," Wukong said simply.

Su Qing rubbed her chin. "A very capacious bag? I've heard of such a treasure... Hmm, you might want to try asking the Future Buddha, Maitreya. Perhaps he happens to have a way to deal with this demon."

Wukong was stunned and asked in confusion, "Big Sister, why do you say Maitreya can deal with him?"

"That bag you mentioned is likely the Acquired Human-Sack, a treasure belonging to the Future Buddha. As for those Golden Cymbals... I seem to recall seeing them when I was a guest at his place," Su Qing explained, making up a plausible excuse.

Her reasoning was fabricated on the spot, but Wukong didn't doubt her for a second.

While he was surprised she knew so much, it made sense given her excellent connections with so many seniors.

Wukong nodded. "So... you're saying this Yellow Brow King might actually be one of Maitreya's attendants who escaped and transformed?"

Having experienced so much, Wukong naturally made the connection after hearing Su Qing's words.

Su Qing smiled. "Exactly. It's a possibility. After all, as you know, Maitreya is quite lax with his disciples. If one of them had a crooked heart, such a thing could easily happen. Besides, since those items are his treasures, it's hard not to think in that direction."

Wukong nodded. "I understand what you mean, Big Sister... I'll go find Maitreya and ask him right away."

Su Qing nodded with satisfaction. "Then hurry along! I have to leave as well."

"Where are you going?" Wukong asked, pausing as he was about to set off.

Su Qing smiled. "To the Northern Continent..."

"I see... Does that mean if I need to find you in the future, I have to go to the Northern Continent?" Wukong asked, scratching his head.

He was a bit embarrassed by how often he asked for her help, but what could he do when she solved his problems so smoothly every time? Even if he was embarrassed, he would still seek her out when necessary.

Su Qing's lip twitched as she nodded slightly. "You can find me at Great Emperor Zhenwu's palace. He has business and needs to be away for a while, so he asked me to fill in for him."

Wukong stood frozen in place.

Even for him... this was unexpected. He hadn't realized Su Qing's status had reached such heights.

"Alright, stop guessing. I'm just going there to help manage things for a bit—and to pick up some benefits while I'm at it! With my strength, I certainly couldn't hold an entire continent on my own!" Su Qing shook her head. "I can't say much more... Wukong, stop dazing and go find Maitreya! Your Master is still in the demon's hands!"

Wukong snapped out of it at her reminder.

He nodded hurriedly. "Then, Big Sister... I'm off!"

Su Qing nodded. "Go on!"

She couldn't wait for him to leave. Normally it would be fine, but she had a destination to reach today!

Wukong bowed to Su Qing and then took off on his Somersault Cloud, turning into a fiery red whirlwind as he vanished. Judging by his direction, he was indeed heading for Maitreya.

Once Wukong was gone, Su Qing turned back to Leng Xiang and the others.

"I'm really leaving now... Oh, right, when Chaoyan comes looking for me, remember to tell her where I've gone."

"We know, we know!" Ao Ying walked up to Su Qing and gave her a quick kiss. "Just remember to miss us."

Su Qing smiled. "Of course I'll miss you... You'd better remember to miss me too."

"Naturally," Ao Ying said with a smile.

Leng Xiang didn't speak, merely watching Su Qing. Understanding her meaning, Su Qing gave her a parting kiss as well.

Though they could technically see each other whenever they wished, they still acted out the motions of a long farewell.

Only Su Ying sat to the side, curling her lip in disdain at her mothers' 'sentimentality' and 'mushiness.'

After the brief farewell, Su Qing performed a hand seal and set off on her Somersault Cloud, taking the Little Sparrows with her.

The speed of her Somersault Cloud went without saying; before long, she had reached the borders of the Northern Continent.

She didn't stop there, continuing toward Great Emperor Zhenwu's monastery...

Although the Emperor also had a place at Mount Wudang in the Southern Continent, since he was the guardian of the North, it was most appropriate to find him at his Northern Continent residence.

Soon, Su Qing arrived above the monastery.

Looking down, she felt that her own residence compared to this was like the difference between heaven and earth.

"It seems I've been far too low-key," Su Qing shook her head helplessly, though she didn't truly care about such things.

She lowered her cloud and landed within the monastery grounds.

As soon as she touched down, several female officials approached her.

"Greetings, Bi Ling Yuanjun. The Great Ancestral Emperor has been expecting you for some time. Please, come with me." The official bowed respectfully.

Su Qing nodded. "Thank you for your trouble."

"It is my duty," the official replied, shaking her head.

She then led Su Qing deeper into the monastery. Su Qing followed, observing the grounds closely. The more she saw, the more it felt like a true immortal realm.

However, while she found it beautiful, she had no immediate plans to create such a place for herself. Su Qing was a utilitarian at heart; such a grand estate held little meaning for her.

After all, there were only a few people in her household. Even if she added more, a simple expansion would suffice.

While she was lost in thought, the official led her before Great Emperor Zhenwu.

Su Qing snapped back to reality and bowed. "I've kept Senior waiting. Something came up just as I was leaving, which caused a delay."

Great Emperor Zhenwu shook his head and smiled. "No matter, no matter. I have a rough idea of what delayed you."

Su Qing smiled and nodded. "Still, I apologize for the wait."

"I told you, it's fine. Come... sit! Treat this place as your own home. Actually, once I leave, it will be your home." The Emperor remained as casual as ever. "Here, this tea is a specialty of the Northern Continent. Have a taste."

Su Qing gave a helpless smile and nodded. "Thank you, Senior."

"Haha, no need to be so formal," the Emperor said cheerfully. "By the way, I called you here today not just to go over some matters, but also to introduce you to the female official who will be assisting you during this time."

With that, the Emperor clapped his hands and called out, "Liu Xixi, come in!"