A Heartfelt Return

After Yudie finished speaking, she flashed another smile.

'Actually, I’m also quite curious to see if you’ll get scolded by Mother and the others...' she thought to herself.

Of course, she couldn't say that out loud. If she did, Su Qing would surely snap back with a sharp remark or two. After all, Su Qing herself had a pretty good idea of whether she was in for a lecture.

However, Su Qing didn't say much to Bai Rou'er at the moment. Seeing that Yudie was also ready to return, she simply nodded.

"In that case, let's not waste any more time. We’re leaving now!"

Su Qing had already delayed quite a bit here. She didn't want to linger any longer. The sooner they returned, the sooner she could wrap up the matters waiting for her.

Hearing this, Yudie tilted her head and looked at Su Qing, her smile never fading. She nodded and cheered, "Hooray! We’re going home!"

Su Qing glanced at the girl, feeling a bit helpless. Why did it feel like this child had suddenly become a bit eccentric?

Still, Su Qing didn't say anything. She performed a hand seal and summoned her Somersault Cloud, carrying both of them toward Changbai Mountain.

Su Qing's Somersault Cloud was incredibly fast. Even with two passengers, its speed remained blistering. In the blink of an eye, the three of them had already left the borders of the Northern Continent.

Feeling the terrifying speed, Bai Rou'er was utterly shocked. This was simply too fast! Was this the power of a Heavenly Immortal?

No, the current strength of this clone was only at the peak of the Earthly Immortal realm. It was still a long way from the Heavenly Immortal realm.

But even so, Su Qing's cloud-soaring speed was absurd. When Bai Rou'er had traveled from her home to the Northern Continent, it had taken her a full three days of flying. At Su Qing's pace, they would reach Changbai Mountain in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

'Is this the strength and foundation of my benefactor sister?'

Amidst her surprise, Bai Rou'er couldn't help but feel that this was only natural. After all, this was the clone of a Heavenly Immortal.

Su Qing had no idea what Bai Rou'er was thinking. She was focused on piloting the cloud. She didn't seem worried about any potential trouble that might arise from bringing Bai Rou'er back.

In truth, Su Qing wasn't particularly concerned. She could more or less predict what would happen upon their return; even in the worst-case scenario, she had a plan. Before they had departed—shortly after Bai Rou'er had made her proposal—Su Qing's main body had already made a quick trip back to Changbai Mountain to inform Leng Xiang and the others about Bai Rou'er.

Therefore, she was fairly certain of their attitudes. While they certainly wouldn't like Bai Rou'er, it was highly unlikely they would do anything excessive. Neither Leng Xiang nor Ao Ying were impulsive people, especially since they had been given advance notice.

Thus, Su Qing wasn't nervous at all.

The Somersault Cloud continued its rapid transit, drawing closer and closer to Changbai Mountain.

While the clone was bringing Yudie and Bai Rou'er home, Su Qing's main body, still at Great Emperor Zhenwu's Daoist field in the Northern Continent, summoned the Spider Spirits to her side.

"Good, you’re all here." Seeing how quickly they had gathered, Su Qing nodded in satisfaction.

These Spider Spirits possessed a good deal of self-awareness. Although Su Qing had loosened her management of them, none of them had shown the slightest inclination to escape. Su Qing didn't know exactly what they were thinking, but she was pleased with their performance so far. Since her clone was already on its way back to Changbai Mountain, she planned to move to the next step: sending these girls to the demon town at the foot of Changbai Mountain to become tailors.

After all, while these Spider Spirits were easy on the eyes and each had her own charm, they didn't do much living here other than helping with occasional chores or weaving a garment for her. Those minor tasks could be handled without them, and as for dressmaking, they could do that just as well at Changbai Mountain.

Since they weren't serving much purpose here, it was time to send them away. Keeping them here was becoming more of a distraction than anything else.

"Sovereign, do you have instructions for us?" Zhu Yu looked at Su Qing and asked, "Does the Sovereign wish for a new set of clothes?"

Su Qing calling them all together for no apparent reason surely meant something. Zhu Yu didn't know what it was, but she hoped it wasn't anything bad.

Su Qing understood their anxieties, but she didn't bother to tease them. She said calmly, "I don't need clothes. I’ve simply decided to move you to a new home."

"Move us?" Zhu Yu was even more confused. What did that mean? Was it literal, or was she talking about their heads moving from their shoulders?

Zhu Yu felt a twinge of fear, but she didn't dare show it. She could only stand there respectfully and cautiously ask what Su Qing meant.

Leaning back in her chair, Su Qing glanced at Zhu Yu, knowing the girl was likely overthinking again. Her lips curled into a soft smile as she said, "Relax, I mean it literally. I plan to have you move to Changbai Mountain instead of staying by my side. In a sense, you’ll have more freedom there."

Leaving her side would indeed grant them more freedom. However, it wasn't true freedom. Even though her main body wouldn't be at Changbai Mountain, her clone would be, and it could still manage them. At the very least, it would ensure they didn't go out and cause trouble for mortals.

When Su Qing finished, a look of surprise flashed in Zhu Yu's eyes. She hadn't expected Su Qing to send them to Changbai Mountain.

"The Sovereign intends for us to go to Changbai Mountain?" Zhu Yu asked, still finding it hard to believe.

She didn't know the reason, but for her, this was indeed a stroke of good luck. It meant they would have more breathing room. Although she knew there was still no chance of escape, at least the pressure wouldn't be as immense as it was here.

Su Qing nodded naturally. "Of course. Why would I lie to you? As you should know, I am the Mountain God of Changbai Mountain and a Bodhisattva of the Western Heaven. Sending you to Changbai Mountain is not meant to mistreat you. However, you won't be staying on the mountain itself, but at its foot. There is a town where demons gather. In the future, you can open a tailor shop there."

"Open a tailor shop there?"

"Correct." Su Qing nodded slightly, offering no further explanation for her reasoning.

She wanted them to imagine her purpose for themselves. After all, nothing is more convincing than one's own mental gymnastics.

Zhu Yu saw Su Qing nod but offer no explanation. She didn't dare ask further. As a subordinate, if the Sovereign didn't wish to explain, she had no choice but to obey and guess the underlying intent.

"We understand..." Zhu Yu nodded, asking no more questions.

For Zhu Yu and the others, even if they didn't know Su Qing's ultimate goal, this was undeniably a positive development. Naturally, they had no reason to refuse. More importantly, they couldn't refuse.

As the saying goes, this was an assignment from the top boss. Who would dare say anything? Furthermore, Su Qing wasn't just any boss; she was more like a warden. Who knew what would happen if they refused?

"Good that you understand." Su Qing nodded and produced the basket given to her by Pilanpo Bodhisattva. Reciting an incantation, she drew the sisters into the basket.

"I knew this thing would come in handy again," Su Qing chuckled, looking at the flower basket. Keeping it had been the right move. The main reason she hadn't discarded it was that it could hold living creatures. A spatial treasure that could store life was bound to be useful eventually.

To Su Qing, the real gift from Pilanpo Bodhisattva hadn't been the Spider Spirits, but this basket. The spiders were a hassle, but the basket was genuinely practical.

With the Spider Spirits packed away, Su Qing prepared to leave the Northern Continent and return to Changbai Mountain. Before departing, she sent word to Liu Xixi so the girl wouldn't panic if she couldn't find her.

With those preparations complete, Su Qing performed a hand seal and set off for Changbai Mountain.

Just as the main body was starting its journey, the clone carrying Yudie and Bai Rou'er arrived at the mountain.

Su Qing stood in mid-air, looking down at the snow-covered peaks of Changbai Mountain. There was no deep sense of longing in her eyes; she hadn't been gone that long, and her main body could return whenever she wished. However, seeing it snowing again made her feel a bit exasperated. She used to enjoy the snow, but after seeing so much of it, she now found it rather annoying.

"It’s already starting to snow on Changbai Mountain?" Bai Rou'er asked, watching the thin flakes drift down.

Su Qing nodded. "Changbai is a high mountain; the snow starts earlier here than elsewhere. Alright, there’s nothing special about the snow. Let's go home first. My main body is also on the way back; we can meet her shortly."

Su Qing lowered the cloud and descended into the mountain, landing gently in the courtyard of her manor.

The courtyard wasn't empty. Red Boy and Morning Glory were currently playing a game of Gomoku, while Chen Nianxin was once again fussing over the potted plants. However, whereas she used to destroy the flowers and plants, she was now carefully pruning them. It seemed she really had changed.

But Su Qing knew the truth: the girl was only pruning them because Leng Xiang had ordered her to. It certainly wasn't of her own volition.

"Oh?! You’re back again!" Chen Nianxin saw Su Qing's clone and wasn't surprised at all. Instead, she said with a mocking grin, "You really did bring a strange woman back with you!"

Chen Nianxin had overheard Su Qing discussing these matters with Yudie earlier, so she was well aware of Bai Rou'er's situation. Seeing Su Qing actually bring her back, she immediately put on an expression of someone watching a comedy. It seemed she was quite delighted to see Su Qing in a potentially awkward spot; it made her own recent frustrations feel a bit more bearable.

Su Qing didn't get angry at Chen Nianxin's words, nor did she answer her. She simply gave her a brief glance and performed a quick hand seal, instantly silencing the girl.

Chen Nianxin: "..."

Finding herself silenced, Chen Nianxin was instantly furious. This person couldn't find a comeback, so she just plugged her mouth! It was absolutely shameless. So what if she could use magic? Back when Chen Nianxin could use her own powers, Su Qing might not have been her match!

Even though she couldn't speak, it didn't stop her from grumbling furiously in her head. She was truly incensed. What kind of behavior was this? It was pure cheating! And unfortunately, there was nothing she could do. Su Qing could use magic, and she couldn't. The winner was clear.

After shooting Su Qing a hateful glare, Chen Nianxin went back to pruning the troublesome plants, though the force behind her shears had increased significantly out of pure spite.

After silencing Chen Nianxin, Su Qing turned to introduce her. "This is the Six-Eared Macaque, Chen Nianxin. She has a habit of making strange comments and being foul-mouthed, but she can't use magic right now, so you don't need to pay her much mind."

Bai Rou'er's mouth twitched slightly. She nodded and said, "I... I see."

On the other side, the two playing Gomoku noticed the clone. They froze for a moment, not recognizing her at first. After a few seconds of thought, they realized it was Su Qing's clone and quickly put down their game pieces to walk over.

"Godmother! / Sister Su, you’re back?" the two said in unison.