The Conclusion

Hearing Yudie's words, Su Qing was left somewhat speechless.

This girl really knew how to bring up such things.

To be fair, she had only been interacting with people normally. How could that be considered flirting?

Su Qing reached out and gave her a light tap on the head.

"Alright, since everything is arranged, we just have to wait for tomorrow. Once it’s all over, we can head back."

"Is Mother really in such a hurry to go back?" Yudie couldn't help but ask curiously when she saw Su Qing's attitude.

She had actually thought her mother quite enjoyed traveling.

After all, while wandering outside, she could meet many girls... and perhaps even bring one back?

Like Bai Rou'er, for instance.

Su Qing glanced at her and said, "What are you thinking? Have you forgotten the purpose of my journey? I came here to develop my Incense Power. But now, due to various circumstances, that goal has been completely sidelined. There’s no point in this clone continuing the journey..."

"Besides, I’m currently acting as the guardian at Great Emperor Zhenwu's Daoist field. The management of the entire Changbai Mountain has fallen onto Ao Ying and the others. I need to go back and handle the affairs there."

"That way, I can eventually move Ao Ying and the others to the Great Emperor's field to accompany my true body."

"So, how could I not be in a hurry?"

"Your mother has many things to do!"

"Unlike you, who does nothing but eat and sleep all day!"

Su Qing had actually mentioned these things to Yudie before, but clearly, the girl had either not taken them seriously or had forgotten them entirely. Thus, Su Qing had to explain it all over again.

Hearing Su Qing's words, Yudie was momentarily stunned.

However, she quickly regained her usual expression. A look of contemplation flashed through her eyes for a moment before she returned to her normal self, breaking into a smile.

"Then I really did misunderstand Mother!" she said.

Su Qing reached out and patted her head, further messing up the hairstyle that was already disheveled from sleeping.

"It’s good that you know!" Su Qing said with a helpless pout.

Yudie just chuckled in response. It was hard to tell if she was truly apologetic.

Su Qing didn't mind. She stretched her arms and said, "Alright, let's go outside for some fresh air. I’m quite tired after talking with Liang Yueru for so long."

Yudie nodded quickly; she wasn't one to sit still for long either.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon the next day.

At this time, Bai Rou'er and her group arrived at Liang Yueru's house once again to ask about Yudie's condition.

When questioned, Liang Yueru put on a sorrowful expression.

"I’m sorry," she said. "Yudie's illness is truly too strange... I’ve never even heard of such a thing. Although I enjoy researching rare ailments, it doesn't mean I can cure every one of them. Yudie's condition is beyond my capabilities. I’m afraid I cannot cure her."

Hearing this, Chen Mei was completely stunned.

"Even Divine Doctor Liang cannot cure her?" Chen Mei asked in disbelief. "Can you at least suppress the condition? Even if it can't be cured, if you could just keep it from worsening... that would be enough."

Liang Yueru didn't speak; she only shook her head silently, her face full of apology, as if she had truly exhausted all her efforts.

Seeing Liang Yueru's silent headshake, Chen Mei stood there dazed, falling into a long silence.

Among all the doctors she knew, Divine Doctor Liang was the most miraculous. Even those with terminal illnesses were able to linger on under her skilled hands. For those with treatable conditions, she could even bring about a full recovery.

In Chen Mei's mind, even if the Divine Doctor couldn't cure Yudie, she should at least be able to suppress the illness. She never expected Liang Yueru to state that she was completely powerless.

This was why Chen Mei was so shocked.

Su Qing watched Chen Mei's reaction with a touch of helplessness.

"You," Su Qing said, "Yudie isn't even your daughter. Why are you more shocked and saddened than I am? Relax. Even if she can't be treated here, it's not the end of the world. At worst, we’ll just continue to other places to find a doctor. The world is vast; there will always be someone who can cure her."

Su Qing didn't show much disappointment or grief. Instead, she maintained a calm expression, as if she had already accepted the outcome.

Seeing Su Qing like this, Chen Mei didn't think she was genuinely unbothered. She assumed Su Qing had simply accepted reality—or perhaps she hadn't allowed herself to hope for much in the first place.

After all, Yudie was her daughter. If Yudie couldn't be cured, Su Qing had to be the most heartbroken one.

Chen Mei let out a long sigh. "Sister Su, you are truly calm... and resilient."

Su Qing shook her head. "Me? I’ve just learned to accept things."

"Do you know how many doctors I’ve sought out on this journey? I’ve lost count. But I remember that without exception, they all gave me the same answer."

"After hearing it so many times, I’m no longer surprised to hear it again, nor am I that sad."

"Since she can't be cured here, I’ll just look elsewhere."

"I believe that as long as I keep searching, I will eventually find an answer."

"That’s why I’m so calm about Doctor Liang being unable to help."

"After all, if my heart were that fragile, I wouldn't have made it this far, nor would I have been able to spend all these years searching for a doctor for this girl."

Su Qing spoke with a smile, not intentionally trying to act sad. She needed this to feel natural.

The more peaceful she appeared, the more Chen Mei would overthink it and the more she would believe Su Qing's words.

So why bother with the superfluous act of pretending to be sad?

Chen Mei listened to Su Qing and remained silent for a while. Then, she shook her head and exhaled a breath of turbid air.

"I underestimated you, Sister. I thought you would break down at such a result."

Su Qing chuckled. "If I were going to break down, I would have done it yesterday. After all, I knew the result before any of you."

"..." Chen Mei gave a bitter smile. "True. I was being foolish."

Seeing this, Su Qing knew her plan had succeeded. The performance had gone even smoother than expected.

Of course, the play wasn't over yet. Su Qing still had to keep acting, though the remaining parts were just the closing details.

Time ticked away.

Su Qing and the others stayed for another hour or two. It wasn't until late afternoon, when the sun began to set, that they finally left Liang Yueru's courtyard and returned to High Eagle City.

In a flash, it was late at night.

Once Chen Mei and the others were sound asleep, Su Qing rode a cloud back to Liang Yueru's courtyard.

This was something she and Liang Yueru had agreed upon.

When she arrived, Liang Yueru had already prepared tea and was waiting for her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Su Qing said with a hint of apology.

Liang Yueru shook her head dismissively. "You’re joking, Sister. I haven't been waiting long."

Su Qing knew this was just politeness. It was already very late, and the tea seemed to have been steeped several times; the tea leaves in the pot weren't even dry yet.

"Alright, since you’ve waited so long, I won't waste words. Let's get straight to the point." Su Qing sat down and looked at Liang Yueru's plain face. "Have you decided what kind of reward you want?"

Hearing the question, Liang Yueru nodded. "I thought about it for a long time. In the end, I think a favor from you, Sister, would be more meaningful."

Su Qing wasn't surprised by this answer. "That is indeed a wise choice. Within ten years, you can find me at Great Emperor Zhenwu's Daoist field. After ten years, you can find me directly at Changbai Mountain. Here is a map to both places; keep it safe."

Since Liang Yueru had played along with her, Su Qing naturally wouldn't be stingy with the reward.

Since the other party chose to save the favor for future help, Su Qing told her how to find her.

When Liang Yueru saw the jade plaque Su Qing handed over, she was momentarily stunned. Clearly, she hadn't chosen a favor because she actually wanted one; she simply hadn't dared to ask for a tangible reward and chose the favor because it sounded like an empty promise.

But now that Su Qing had handed over the jade plaque, she understood.

Su Qing was serious.

In that moment, Liang Yueru realized she had completely misjudged Su Qing. She really seemed to be a good person—perhaps even too good.

However, she didn't dare to apologize. Apologizing would mean admitting she had suspected Su Qing. It was better to keep that to herself; speaking it aloud would only cause unnecessary unpleasantness.

So, Liang Yueru simply said sweetly, "Thank you, Sister Su~".

Su Qing smiled at the voice, which was so gentle it was almost cloying. Who didn't like hearing such pleasant gratitude?

"By the way, I’m a bit curious... Is your current appearance your true transformed form?" Su Qing asked while looking at her.

Demons, especially female ones, rarely chose to look plain. Most transformed into stunning beauties, or at the very least, average beauties. After all, what woman wouldn't want to be beautiful?

Liang Yueru was slightly surprised by the question.

"Of course not. This look is mainly for the convenience of seeing patients. Since most of them are mortals, appearing too beautiful would only bring trouble. So, I usually show this plain face to the world. It has indeed saved me a lot of hassle."

Su Qing wasn't surprised by the answer. She rested her chin on her hand and asked, "Then what do you actually look like?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Yueru performed a hand seal, revealing her true form.

Instantly, the plain Liang Yueru, who would have vanished in a crowd, transformed into an incredibly seductive woman.

She had a slender waist like a willow in the wind, skin like cream, and hands as soft as young sprouts. Even her elegant robe couldn't hide her proud figure and enchanting face.

This appearance was a match for Su Qing's current clone. If a winner had to be picked, Su Qing, as the judge, would naturally think herself more beautiful... but with such looks, it was no wonder Liang Yueru chose to look plain to avoid trouble.

Changing one's face could indeed dissolve many problems.

Take Su Qing, for example. Many of the troubles she had encountered on this journey were caused by her beauty. It was a shame her clone was just too good-looking. And she was loath to change her appearance while walking the world—after all, she had spent a long time sculpting this face!

Of course, it was also because she didn't have the chance. Who told her to play the part of a mortal? What mortal could change their appearance at will? At most, they could use makeup. So of course there would be trouble along the way.

Returning to the point, Su Qing nodded after seeing Liang Yueru's true form, showing no sign of surprise.

"Alright, I’ve memorized this face. Whether you come to see me like this or the other way in the future, I’ll recognize you."

"So... Sister had that in mind. But how did you know that wasn't my real face?"

"I just figured you love beauty too, so you wouldn't have chosen an ugly transformation," Su Qing said, shaking her head.

Liang Yueru was stunned, then burst into laughter. "I didn't expect it to be for such a simple reason..."

"Does it need to be complicated? Should I make up a complex reason on the spot for you?" Su Qing pouted. "Alright, enough chatting. We’ve said what needs to be said, and it’s getting late. I should head back."

Having finished the necessary business, Su Qing didn't want to linger for idle chatter. Besides, they didn't have much to talk about.

Liang Yueru didn't try to stop her. She simply nodded and said, "Understood. Safe travels, Sister!"