Su Qing found it hard to believe this answer.
She tilted her head to look at the other girl and asked, "Is that really all there was to it?"
"Does there need to be any other complex reason?" Bai Rou'er looked at Su Qing with a face full of confusion, as if she truly didn't understand why Su Qing would think otherwise.
Su Qing remained silent for a moment before letting out a helpless smile.
"Fine, it seems I really was overcomplicating things."
Although Su Qing told herself that as long as everything went smoothly, nothing else mattered... in reality, she was still quite curious.
But now, she truly gave up on the matter.
After all, both of their stories were consistent.
Even if Su Qing kept asking, she wouldn't get a different answer.
Therefore, there was no point in pressing further.
Seeing Su Qing's response, Bai Rou'er tilted her head and beamed at her, looking somewhat silly.
Just moments ago, she had seemed so clever in front of Ao Ying.
Now, she looked like a simpleton again.
Su Qing didn't say much more upon seeing her like this.
She simply led the girl in silence toward the demon town at the foot of the mountain.
Though they weren't traveling at full speed, they weren't slow either.
In a short while, they arrived at the demon town.
Su Qing hadn't been gone for long, and the town hadn't changed much; it was still as bustling as ever.
However, the moment Su Qing arrived...
Every demon immediately dropped what they were doing.
The entire place fell silent.
It was as if mortals had just laid eyes upon an emperor.
They were filled with both respect and fear.
Su Qing didn't pay much attention to the demons; she had long since grown accustomed to this attitude.
As the Mountain God of the Changbai Mountains, in a sense, she truly was the emperor of these demons.
She held the power of life and death over them, as well as the authority to command them as she pleased.
Even though Su Qing usually didn't interfere as long as they didn't do anything out of line, the power was there, and so the demons still feared her.
Of course, besides her authority, there was also the factor of her overwhelming strength.
Su Qing didn't stop to chat with these demons, nor did she have anything to say to them. After all, she hadn't come here for the affairs of these minor spirits.
She simply led Bai Rou'er straight to the front gate of the White Deer Old Monster's home and knocked firmly.
The White Deer Old Monster, who was sitting inside enjoying a leisurely life, instinctively swept his Divine Sense out to see who was at the door when he heard the knocking.
If he hadn't checked, he would have been fine, but that one scan nearly made him choke on his own saliva.
He hadn't expected Su Qing to show up without a word, and it gave him a genuine fright.
However, now was not the time for shock.
He scrambled up from his rocking chair, not even pausing to tidy his messy hair, and rushed out of the house to open the courtyard gate for the two of them.
"There's no need to be in such a rush... I'm not some demon. I'm not going to take a blade to you just because you were a little slow."
Su Qing couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the White Deer Old Monster's frantic state. Was she really that terrifying?
He was acting as if she were some horrific monster.
Hearing Su Qing's words, the White Deer Old Monster smoothed his appearance and said with a fawning smile, "The Sovereign is naturally not a terrifying person, but since we work under the Sovereign, we must maintain the proper attitude."
The White Deer Old Monster was being sincere.
After all, if one didn't even show the proper attitude...
Then even the most easygoing boss would eventually become difficult to deal with.
When a superior speaks to you kindly, they are giving you face.
It wasn't an invitation to become arrogant and ignore the superior's status.
This was a bit of life wisdom the White Deer Old Monster had gained over his many years. After all, he had once suffered for this very reason while serving the South Pole Immortal.
Su Qing laughed at his words. "Having worked in the Heavenly Court for so many years, you've certainly learned a lot about these things."
The White Deer Old Monster laughed along. "The Sovereign is joking! This is merely our little way of survival. Sovereign, please come inside. Speaking here at the gate is somewhat inconvenient."
Su Qing shook her head. "There's no need to go inside. I didn't come here for small talk. Once I've handed over the task, I need to head back up the mountain."
Hearing this, the old deer naturally didn't dare say more. He simply nodded and said, "This subordinate understands. Whatever the Sovereign requires, please just give the order."
The White Deer Old Monster didn't know what Su Qing needed.
But no matter what it was, as long as it was within his power, he would certainly do his best.
He wanted to stay here on Changbai Mountain for the long term.
To do that, he had to work hard...
He had to prove his value.
Only then would he continue to be needed.
Only then would Su Qing keep him here.
If he couldn't stay here, his only option was to return to being a mount for the South Pole Immortal.
Compared to going back to being a mount, the White Deer Old Monster much preferred his life here with Su Qing.
Although Su Qing often gave orders that made him run his legs off, life here was far more free than it had been with the South Pole Immortal.
Therefore, to avoid going back to being a mount, the White Deer Old Monster would naturally do his utmost to complete whatever task Su Qing gave him.
Su Qing didn't know how complex the old deer's internal monologue was, nor did she care to know.
She simply said calmly, "I need you to keep an eye on a few people for me... Make sure they stay settled and work here in this town. Don't let them cause trouble, wander off to mortal towns to stir up mischief, or bully the weaker demons here."
The White Deer Old Monster was a bit dazed and quickly asked, "Who are these people the Sovereign wants me to watch over?"
Su Qing didn't beat around the bush. She performed a hand seal and released the people from the flower basket.
"These people..." Su Qing pointed at the Spider Spirits beside her. "They will be living in this town from now on. Help them set up a tailor shop... Let them be good tailors. As for the rest, I assume I don't need to say more?"
The White Deer Old Monster looked at the three Spider Spirits and was momentarily stunned.
But a moment later, he seemed to understand everything.
This was the Azure Spirit Sovereign, after all. As someone who had once been a mount for the South Pole Immortal, he knew exactly what her 'preferences' were...
Since he had even handed over his own daughter to the Sovereign, how could he not understand the reason these few were sent here?
Thus, the White Deer Old Monster quickly bowed to Su Qing and said, "This is not difficult. I will certainly handle this beautifully for the Sovereign, and I will never let these ladies suffer any grievances."
Hearing this, Su Qing felt for some reason that this man had misunderstood something.
However, she couldn't quite put her finger on what exactly he had misunderstood.
She decided to stop thinking about it.
She said calmly, "Good. Since you feel you can do it well, then it's settled. I'll leave these people in your hands."
The White Deer Old Monster nodded hurriedly. "This old man will give his all to the Sovereign's command!"
Seeing his serious expression, Su Qing nodded in approval.
The White Deer Old Monster might have issues in other areas, but when it came to carrying out her tasks, he handled things beautifully every time. He had basically never disappointed her.
Therefore, Su Qing trusted his ability quite a bit.
This was one of the main reasons she had kept him around.
After finishing her instructions to the old deer...
Su Qing turned to look at the Spider Spirits.
"Follow his arrangements for now... After some time, my clone will come to check on your progress," Su Qing told the Spider Spirits briefly.
The Spider Spirits had no objections and could only nod repeatedly. "Please rest assured, Sovereign. We will be on our best behavior."
Su Qing merely chuckled at those words, neither confirming nor denying if she believed them.
However, she didn't say anything else.
She simply nodded and said, "In that case, that's all! I'll be heading back with Bai Rou'er now."
"Safe travels, Sovereign," the old deer was the first to speak as Su Qing prepared to leave. "Should I escort the Sovereign part of the way?"
"This Changbai Mountain is my home. Do I really need you to escort me?"
Su Qing chuckled and rolled her eyes at the White Deer Old Monster.
As the Mountain God of the Changbai Mountains, this entire mountain was her territory. She hadn't even left her own front door, so why would she need an escort?
The White Deer Old Monster gave an embarrassed laugh. "This subordinate misspoke."
Su Qing shook her head, indicating she didn't blame him, and then pulled Bai Rou'er along as they departed on a cloud.
Watching Su Qing disappear, the White Deer Old Monster let out a small sigh of relief.
'I've finally sent that great deity on her way,' he thought.
Even though he wanted to stay on Changbai Mountain forever, the pressure he felt when facing Su Qing was still immense.
The reason was nothing more than the gap in strength and status, as well as the constant possibility of being sent back.
Naturally, the pressure was enormous.
Now that Su Qing had left, he could finally breathe.
'However, I must complete the task the Sovereign assigned properly.' Although he was glad Su Qing was gone, he didn't dare neglect her orders.
And so...
He turned to look at the Spider Spirits.
He said to them, "You few, come with me! There's still plenty of time today. If we're lucky, we can find a place for your shop before the day is out."
The Spider Spirits looked at each other and then nodded.
In truth, a stray thought had crossed their minds...
For instance, killing this White Deer Old Monster and fleeing this place.
But the moment they remembered this was Su Qing's home territory, they immediately tossed such a ridiculous idea out of their heads.
After all, a Mountain God's power is at its peak when standing on their own mountain.
And they were currently at the foot of Su Qing's Changbai Mountain.
If they really dared to cause trouble...
They would likely be reporting to King Yama the very next second.
In fact, they might not even get the chance to report to King Yama.
For an expert of Su Qing's caliber...
Crushing a soul so it could never reincarnate was as simple as breathing.
So, unless they had lost their minds, it was better not to do anything that would cost them their lives.
Seeing that the Spider Spirits were being obedient...
The White Deer Old Monster let out a small sigh of relief as well.
He had been worried that because the Sovereign had taken an interest in them, they would become arrogant, ignore his words, and put on airs. He hadn't expected them to be so compliant, without a hint of arrogance.
'It seems the Sovereign has trained them well! That saves me a lot of trouble,' the White Deer Old Monster thought. 'This way, arranging things and watching over them will be much easier.'
With that thought...
The White Deer Old Monster wasted no more time.
After a few brief words...
He led the Spider Spirits into the town to search for a suitable shop.
While the White Deer Old Monster was beginning his busy work...
Su Qing had already returned to the courtyard on the mountain.
However, because she had handled the matter so quickly, lunch wasn't ready yet when she returned.
"It seems I worked a bit too fast... I thought that by the time I finished settling the Spider Spirits, I'd return just in time for the meal!" Su Qing watched the two busy figures in the kitchen and scratched her head. "Well, since it's not ready, I'll help out. It's been a while since I've shown off my own culinary skills!"
Ao Ying turned to glance at Su Qing. "Did you just dump them there and come straight back?"
Having lived with Su Qing for so many years, Ao Ying naturally understood her well and knew exactly why she had returned so quickly.
Seeing that Ao Ying had seen through her, Su Qing didn't feel embarrassed at all.
She simply walked up behind Ao Ying, rested her head on her shoulder, and said, "Since I have subordinates available, naturally I'll leave the work to them! After all, what kind of leader does everything personally?"
Ao Ying was in the middle of chopping vegetables. Being disturbed like this by Su Qing threw off her rhythm, so she pushed her away with a hint of annoyance.
"Is that so? So that's why you've been a hands-off boss all these years?" Ao Ying chuckled, teasing her.
Su Qing felt a bit of embarrassment at that and could only scratch her head as she began to make excuses.
Nearby...
Watching the two of them interact so intimately, Bai Rou'er's eyes took on a subtle, unreadable glint.
Rate on N.U.
