The Banquet

“Indeed, I am a bit surprised…” Su Qing nodded and said, “I didn’t expect you to come looking for me.”

Su Qing and Chang’e had a good relationship, so there was no need for excessive politeness.

Chang’e chuckled at this, saying, “I knew you’d be surprised.”

Su Qing spread her hands. “Alright, Sister Chang’e, please have a seat!”

“Do you have any wine?”

Chang’e certainly didn’t stand on ceremony with Su Qing. She walked straight to the stone table, sat down, and immediately asked for wine.

Su Qing was somewhat speechless.

“Why do you always ask me for wine as soon as you arrive? Don’t tell me you came to me because the Lunar Deity is keeping too strict a watch on you, and you can’t drink in the Moon Palace?” Su Qing asked.

Chang’e pouted, saying with a confident expression, “How could that be? If I want to drink, can the Lunar Deity stop me?”

Su Qing spread her hands. “She really can.”

“…” Chang’e was speechless. “You just love to undermine me, don’t you?”

Su Qing smiled, then asked, “So, Sister Chang’e, what brings you here to see me?”

Chang’e propped her head up. “Actually, it’s nothing much. I just came to invite you to a banquet.”

Su Qing tilted her head. “A banquet? What kind of banquet?”

“The Lunar Deity wants to host a banquet, so she sent me to invite you.” Chang’e smiled. “Don’t be so quick to refuse… there will be some rather special guests at this banquet!”

Su Qing shook her head upon hearing this. “I wasn’t planning on refusing! Although I’m currently the Acting Guardian here, I’m not particularly busy. Attending a banquet is no problem… but you said some special people will be coming? Who? The Buddha and his disciples?”

Chang’e chuckled. “If you give me wine, I’ll tell you~”

Su Qing couldn’t help but roll her eyes at that.

Why was everything always about wine?

“Sister Chang’e, you really are a complete drunkard,” Su Qing grumbled.

Chang’e, however, didn’t mind at all. She laughed and said,

“So what if I’m a drunkard? I just like to drink. So, do you have any?”

Su Qing was a little helpless, but she did want to know who these special guests were. As for wine, she certainly had some.

After all, she was also a connoisseur of fine wine, just not to Chang’e’s extent.

She would at most have a small drink, while this one wouldn’t stop until she was thoroughly drunk.

“There’s really no helping you, Sister Chang’e.” Su Qing took out a jar of fine wine from her sleeve. “This is Monkey Wine from Flower-Fruit Mountain… while it can’t compare to immortal wine, it’s definitely excellent fruit wine. How about it? Can you tell me now?”

Chang’e’s eyes lit up at the sight of the wine jar. She immediately peeled off the mud seal and said, “I knew you’d have wine~”

Su Qing rolled her eyes, but didn’t retort. She was certain that Chang’e’s main purpose, besides inviting her to the banquet, was to get some wine.

After all, anyone could have delivered the invitation.

After pouring herself a cup, Chang’e said,

“The Lunar Deity invited many people this time. Besides the Buddha and Guanyin Bodhisattva, your master will also be there… although it took a lot of effort for the Lunar Deity to get him to come, he finally agreed. Hehe, guess how she convinced him?”

Su Qing was surprised. She hadn’t expected her reclusive master to agree to attend a banquet. But she was also happy, as it meant she could see her master again.

“Heh, it’s a bit funny. Every time Master says it’s the last time we’ll meet, there’s always another chance,” Su Qing thought, amused. “But I hope this isn’t the last time again!”

Su Qing naturally didn’t want this to be their final meeting. Master, master… a teacher for a day is a father for life. Su Qing had deep affection for her master. After all, he had taught her immortal techniques and helped her achieve her current accomplishments. To her, her master was no different from a father. He was one of her few relatives. So, she naturally hoped for more opportunities to meet in the future, even if it was just to catch up.

As for Wukong… he was also like family to Su Qing. However, because they saw each other so often, Su Qing was almost annoyed by him. The main reason was that every time they met, he would ask her for help. It would be strange if she wasn’t annoyed.

Getting back to the point, Su Qing asked with a hint of curiosity,

“So, how exactly did the Lunar Deity manage to get my master to come?”

Chang’e smiled mysteriously and said,

“Actually, she didn’t use any particularly special methods. At first, she tried asking him herself, but when that didn’t work, the Lunar Deity asked Taishang Laojun and Lingbao Tianzun to drag your master out of the Cave of the Slanted Moon and Three Stars!”

“You know your master’s temperament. If they can get him out of the cave, half the battle is won. So, if Tianzun and Laojun bring him out, he most likely won’t go back.”

“Huh?” Su Qing was stunned.

She had considered many possibilities, but she certainly hadn’t imagined such an eccentric way of inviting someone. It sounded less like an invitation and more like he was being escorted by two people.

“Hahaha, you look quite surprised.”

Seeing Su Qing’s astonished expression, Chang’e’s cheeks, flushed from the wine, curved into an especially alluring smile. She said,

“Actually, there’s no need to be surprised… those old folks have very good relationships. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. I remember another time, Taishang Laojun and Lingbao Tianzun dragged Yuanshi Tianzun to a feast, didn’t they? Anyway, the old guys always get along well. So don’t be surprised!”

Su Qing rubbed her temples, feeling as if she had just heard something rather scandalous. Su Qing would bet that this woman was already a little drunk; she was starting to lose control of her tongue, which was a clear sign of her intoxication. Because Su Qing was so familiar with Chang’e, she knew exactly when Chang’e started to get drunk. However, Su Qing was also a bit speechless. This Monkey Wine was a fruit wine; although fragrant, its alcohol content wasn’t very high. Yet, even so, this woman was already drunk. Unable to hold her liquor but still loving to drink, bad at playing but insisting on playing—that was Chang’e, alright.

“Is that so?” Su Qing couldn’t be bothered to complain about Chang’e.

She just exhaled, saying,

“I didn’t expect him to be invited that way… but the Lunar Deity seems to have invited quite a few people this time! Even Lingbao Tianzun is going.”

“Hahaha, the Lunar Deity did invite many people this time, but most of them are her good friends. Also, Lingbao Tianzun, like Taishang Laojun, enjoys a good crowd.”

Chang’e took a sip of wine, smiling. “It’s just that Lingbao Tianzun isn’t as idle as Taishang Laojun, nor does he like to slack off as much as Laojun. Alas, throughout the entire Heavenly Court, Taishang Laojun is the one who loves to wander around the most. Sometimes, even if his true body can’t go, he’ll send his clone! He just loves joining in on the fun so much. I really don’t know why he likes it so much.”

Su Qing’s mouth twitched, but she didn’t join Chang’e in complaining about Lingbao Tianzun and the others. Regardless, Su Qing definitely had to attend this banquet. After all, her master would be there. Moreover, it was a good opportunity to meet senior immortals. So, it absolutely couldn’t be missed. Getting to know more seniors would surely bring benefits in the future.

Seeing that Su Qing hadn’t spoken, Chang’e asked, “So, what do you say? Are you going?”

Su Qing nodded. “Of course, I’m going… but when is it? It can’t be today, can it?”

Chang’e shook her head. “If it were today, I would have dragged you there directly… instead of drinking here and chatting idly with you. The banquet is tomorrow, so you can come early tomorrow morning. But you can also stay a night in the Moon Palace if you like… it’s quite spacious anyway. You can play with me when you come, and if you get tired, you can just sleep.”

Su Qing’s eyelids twitched at that. Sister Chang’e, do you know what you’re saying?

Su Qing smiled helplessly. “Then I’ll go early tomorrow morning.”

“That works too.”

Su Qing nodded slightly and asked, “By the way, Sister Chang’e, you didn’t just come here to tell me this one thing, did you?”

Chang’e shook her head, saying seriously, “Besides telling you all this, the main reason was to freeload your wine. Hehe, surprised, aren’t you? I volunteered to notify you specifically so I could drink some wine here!”

Alright, this woman really didn’t hold back once she was drunk.

Su Qing: “…”

Well, that wasn’t surprising at all. It was completely within Su Qing’s expectations.

Seeing Su Qing’s speechless expression, Chang’e chuckled foolishly, then stood up and stretched. “Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore! I should head back now. I’ve been wandering around on the way here for a while, and if I don’t go back soon, the Lunar Deity will scold me again. Honestly, I’m the mistress of the Moon Palace, yet I’m still being confined by the Lunar Deity.”

Su Qing’s mouth twitched. If the Lunar Deity didn’t keep an eye on you, who knows what strange things you’d get up to!

Su Qing exhaled, then didn’t retort, only asking, “Are you really going back? But is it really okay for you to go back looking so drunk? If the Lunar Deity sees you, it probably won’t be just a simple scolding, will it?”

Chang’e paused at this, then nodded. “You have a point there…”

With that, Chang’e touched her face, cast a spell, and instantly returned to her normal appearance.

“Now no one will know!”

“Perfect!”

“Alright, I’m leaving. Remember to come tomorrow!”

“…”

Su Qing couldn’t be bothered to say anything more.

She just said, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely come. After all, it’s a rare chance to see Master again.”

Chang’e nodded in satisfaction. “Good, I’m off!”

With that, Chang’e rode her auspicious cloud and departed.

Watching Chang’e leave, Su Qing rubbed her temples. “Sister Chang’e is as troublesome as ever!”

Then, Su Qing said to Liu Xixi outside the door, “Alright, the guest has left, you can come in now.”

Liu Xixi, who had been waiting outside, pushed the door open and entered.

“What did Palace Mistress Chang’e come to see you about, Yuanjun?” Liu Xixi subconsciously asked.

Su Qing glanced at her. “Nothing much… just to invite me to a banquet tomorrow.”

“I see.” Liu Xixi said, “Then Yuanjun, you can go with peace of mind. We’ll handle tomorrow’s work. However, anything that requires your personal attention will have to wait until you return.”

Su Qing wasn’t surprised and nodded. “Mm, that’s fine.”

Liu Xixi smiled at this, then nodded, preparing to discuss the day’s official business with Su Qing. But just then, Liu Xixi suddenly sensed another guest arriving and said helplessly,

“Yuanjun, another guest has arrived. It seems they’re looking for you…”

Su Qing was slightly surprised to hear this.

What day was it today? Why were guests coming one after another?

Su Qing asked, “Who is it?”

Liu Xixi replied, “It’s the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong.”

Su Qing’s mouth twitched at that.

That fellow sure had impeccable timing. Chang’e had just left, and Wukong arrived.

However, since it was Wukong, she definitely had to see him. After all, if he came to her, it must mean his master was in some danger again. She nodded and said, “Please bring Wukong over!”

Liu Xixi nodded and went to receive the guest. As Su Qing’s assistant official, and Su Qing being the current Acting Guardian of the Northern Continent, even if temporary, there was still a protocol for receiving guests, and Wukong was no exception.

Before long, Wukong arrived in the courtyard outside Su Qing’s sleeping quarters. Seeing Su Qing, he grinned and said, “Big Sister, I’ve come to see you.”

Su Qing rolled her eyes. “Are you here to see me, or to ask me to save your master?”

Wukong chuckled. “Nothing can be hidden from Big Sister!”

Su Qing said helplessly, “When you come to me, it’s either because you’ve been wronged, or you’ve encountered trouble you can’t solve…”

“Hehehe… I’m out of options, aren’t I? If I had a way, I certainly wouldn’t keep bothering you, Big Sister.”

Su Qing waved her hand. “No matter, no matter. More importantly, tell me what kind of trouble you’ve encountered. You need to tell me what happened so I can help you, right?”

Wukong felt extremely touched. Only Big Sister would be willing to help him, no matter how many times. Wukong was very moved and secretly vowed that after obtaining the scriptures, he would repay his Big Sister properly. Of course, he clearly couldn’t offer himself in marriage. Not only was she his Big Sister, which was ethically impossible, but Big Sister didn’t like stone monkeys anyway! So, the repayment Wukong envisioned was to find many beautiful women for his Big Sister after he obtained the scriptures, achieved Bodhisattva status, and regained his freedom. After all, his Big Sister loved beautiful women the most. If he sent a few more beautiful women to his Big Sister, she would surely be happy. But all that was for after the pilgrimage. The immediate priority was to save his master. Wukong scratched his head, squatting on the stone stool, and gave Su Qing a rough account of the situation.

After listening, Su Qing understood which tribulation they had reached. They had now passed the tribulation of Baoxiang Kingdom and were currently at Yellow Flower Temple, encountering the Multi-Eyed Monster.

Su Qing stroked her chin, thinking, “I didn’t expect the Multi-Eyed Monster, whom I beat up, to still be on duty… and at Yellow Flower Temple, no less. However, if it’s the Multi-Eyed Monster, he should be quite easy to deal with.”

Su Qing put on a thoughtful expression.

Then she said, “The Multi-Eyed Monster is easy to deal with… as for your master’s poison, I can also cure it.”

Wukong immediately grew excited. “Big Sister really has a way?”

Su Qing glanced at Sun Wukong. “Don’t you see what kind of demon your Big Sister is? I’m a venomous snake! What poison can’t I solve?”

“Thank you, Big Sister, thank you, Big Sister!” Wukong said happily, “Now my master is saved.”

Su Qing nodded. “But don’t get too happy too soon… you know my current situation. I can’t go with you to deal with the Multi-Eyed Monster; I can only give you some antidote pills.”

“Then what should I do? Big Sister really can’t come with me?”

“No…” Su Qing casually bluffed, “I’m currently the Guardian of the Northern Continent, and I have very important matters today, so I can’t leave.”

“Then what should I do?! If I can’t defeat the Multi-Eyed Monster, I can’t save Master. Even if I have the antidote pills, they’ll be useless.”

Su Qing smiled helplessly and shook her head. “Don’t worry! Although I can’t go with you personally, I can direct you to someone. She can help you deal with the Multi-Eyed Monster!”

“Big Sister, stop keeping me in suspense, please tell me quickly who I should look for!”

Su Qing saw his anxious expression and smiled. “If you go south from Yellow Flower Temple, there’s a Purple Cloud Mountain, and on Purple Cloud Mountain, there’s a Thousand Flowers Cave.”

“In that Thousand Flowers Cave lives a sage named Pilanpo Bodhisattva. She is the mother of the Pleiades Star Lord, and she can help you deal with that Multi-Eyed Monster. But remember, don’t say I sent you…”

“This? Why?” Wukong was puzzled. Did his Big Sister have some grudge with Pilanpo Bodhisattva?

“Don’t ask why, just remember this one thing.” Su Qing smiled. “Pilanpo Bodhisattva is kind-hearted; she certainly won’t stand by and watch your master suffer. If she says she doesn’t want to help, just say Guanyin Bodhisattva told you to find her.”

Wukong nodded at this. Although he didn’t know the meaning behind doing so, if Big Sister said so, there must be some profound reason. After all, his Big Sister never did anything without reason.

“I understand!” Wukong said.

Su Qing smiled. “Good that you remember! Alright, take these few pills! These pills can detoxify.”

Wukong took the pills, grinned, and said, “Thank you, Big Sister, thank you, Big Sister!”

Su Qing waved her hand. “Alright, go quickly and save your master!”

“Then I’ll be off.” Wukong nodded. “After I save Master, I’ll return to properly thank Big Sister.”

Su Qing said indifferently, “You should just focus on taking good care of your master!”

Wukong said no more, simply cupped his hands to Su Qing, bowed, and then departed.

After Wukong left, Liu Xixi, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke. This time, she hadn’t waited outside as she had when Chang’e came, because neither Sun Wukong nor Su Qing had asked her to leave, so she naturally stayed. She had only waited outside before because Chang’e had asked her to.

“I never thought that the mighty Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, would be so respectful to you, Yuanjun,” Liu Xixi couldn’t help but say.

Su Qing smiled. “You know the rumors about me being ‘fond of beautiful women,’ so how could you not know he’s my little brother?”

“I know he’s your little brother, Yuanjun… I just didn’t expect him to be so well-behaved in front of you,” Liu Xixi shook her head and said.

Su Qing stroked her chin, joking, “Perhaps it’s because of my personal charisma?”

Liu Xixi thought about it seriously, then replied, “Indeed, Yuanjun, your personal charisma is quite high.”

Su Qing: “…”

I was just kidding, don’t play the straight man!

That makes me so awkward!

“Ahem, no more jokes. Actually, it’s not my charisma; this monkey is naturally quite polite,” Su Qing coughed twice and said.

“Alright, alright, the guests are gone, so let’s get down to business! Oh, there shouldn’t be any more guests, right?”

Liu Xixi nodded. “Yes, Yuanjun, there are no other guests.”

Su Qing, seeing that Liu Xixi didn’t bring up the previous topic again, nodded. “That’s good.”

Afterward, Su Qing and Liu Xixi naturally went to attend to their official duties. As for Wukong’s matters, Su Qing naturally didn’t worry about them.

Meanwhile, Wukong, having received Su Qing’s antidote pills, immediately rode his Somersault Cloud at top speed towards Purple Cloud Mountain’s Thousand Flowers Cave. The Somersault Cloud was fast enough, and with Wukong’s anxious heart, his speed was naturally even greater. Before long, he arrived at the peak of Purple Cloud Mountain and found the Thousand Flowers Cave.

Outside the Thousand Flowers Cave, a Female Immortal was trimming flower branches. The Female Immortal wore a Five-Flower Brocade Hat, a Gold-Woven Robe, Cloud-Tipped Phoenix-Head Shoes, and a Gathered-Silk Double-Tassel Sash. Her face was like autumn after frost, and her voice was as delicate as a spring swallow before the festival.

It was none other than Pilanpo Bodhisattva.

Wukong quickly straightened his clothes and respectfully walked over. Before Wukong could speak, Pilanpo Bodhisattva spoke first, saying, “So it is the Great Sage. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner.”

Wukong clasped his hands together, bowed to Pilanpo Bodhisattva, and said, “Greetings, Bodhisattva… How did Bodhisattva know it was I, Old Sun?”