Bai Qing

Su Qing looked at the Old Mother of Mount Li, a hint of awkwardness on her face.

She said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior… However, at present, I truly don't need this item anymore."

The Old Mother of Mount Li, hearing this, paused, then asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Because Little Bai already has a similar cultivation method… so…" Su Qing gave an embarrassed smile.

Seeing Su Qing speak this way, the Old Mother of Mount Li was silent for a moment, then chuckled, saying, "After all my calculations, I missed this one detail. I truly didn't expect you to have already found such a similar cultivation method. I underestimated you. However, I am also a little curious… how did you and Suzhen obtain that cultivation method?"

The Old Mother of Mount Li was indeed quite surprised.

It wasn't that she couldn't calculate Su Qing's affairs, or hadn't calculated them.

It was just that apart from occasionally calculating when Su Qing would arrive, she rarely calculated anything else about her.

After all, she wasn't satisfied only by monitoring Su Qing.

Even calculating her arrival time was merely to know in advance and send someone to wait for her.

So, she was still somewhat curious about how Su Qing obtained this cultivation method.

She could naturally calculate this, but there was no point…

She still wanted to hear Su Qing tell her herself.

Whether it was a lie or the truth, she preferred to hear Su Qing explain it herself, rather than secretly deducing it behind her back.

They were friends, and senior-junior…

Doing that would be rather off-putting.

Facing the Old Mother of Mount Li's inquiry.

Su Qing did not hide anything, explaining the reasons one by one.

The Old Mother of Mount Li nodded upon hearing this, saying, "I didn't expect Yuelao's Marriage Tree to grow such a thing again… But since you have already obtained such a cultivation method, there is indeed no need for me to give you this anymore."

"Still, thank you for your kindness, Senior…" Although Su Qing no longer needed the secret technique, it was still a kind gesture, and she had to express her gratitude.

Facing Su Qing's thanks, the Old Mother of Mount Li accepted it graciously, without the slightest embarrassment.

She continued, "No need to thank me. I only hope that you and Suzhen can achieve a positive outcome. But since you already have a similar secret technique, I don't need to give this to you anymore."

Su Qing nodded. She truly only needed one such secret technique.

More would be meaningless.

And seeing Su Qing nod, the Old Mother continued, "Alright, since everything that needed to be said has been said, I won't disturb you from going to see Suzhen."

The Old Mother seemed to have finished, and Su Qing was about to nod in farewell.

But before Su Qing could speak, the Old Mother continued, "Oh, right, I almost forgot about this. Your current speed of collecting Incense Power is very good; just maintain this pace. Again, you will need a lot of Incense Power in the future… so, you absolutely must not slow down!"

Hearing the Old Mother's words, Su Qing paused slightly, then nodded and said, "I know, Senior, don't worry. I definitely won't slow down…"

Su Qing had heard different seniors emphasize this matter more than once.

So, even if she were disobedient, she had already taken this matter to heart and naturally wouldn't forget it.

Seeing Su Qing say this, the Old Mother of Mount Li nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Good, as long as you remember. Alright, go see your Little Bai!"

The Old Mother of Mount Li saw Su Qing nod, looking as if she understood the stakes, so she also nodded and said no more.

Su Qing bowed to the Old Mother of Mount Li, then excused herself.

After leaving the side hall.

Su Qing saw the Daoist boy still waiting outside the door.

She immediately looked at her with a smile and said, "You're waiting for me here, but I don't have any snacks to give you!"

The Daoist boy pouted upon hearing this, looking at Su Qing with dissatisfaction, and said haughtily, "I'm not waiting here for you just for a few snacks…"

The Daoist boy spoke with such confidence, yet the expression on her face clearly revealed her true thoughts at a glance.

Seeing this scene…

Su Qing found it quite amusing.

"Alright, alright! I believe you." Su Qing smiled helplessly, then said, "Well, since you're waiting here, are you planning to come with me to find Little Bai?"

The Daoist boy nodded naturally upon hearing this, saying, "Of course! I definitely want to see Little Bai. I miss her a lot!"

"Hmm? You've been back for so long, haven't you gone to see her?"

Hearing the Daoist boy's words, Su Qing was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but ask.

"How long do you think I've been back? I haven't had time to see her!" The Daoist boy put her hands on her hips and said.

But as for how long she had been back, the Daoist boy didn't say directly.

Su Qing thought of this and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Her words were probably a lie.

But it didn't matter; Su Qing didn't care if it was a lie or not.

After all, it didn't affect her.

And Su Qing didn't intend to ask any more questions… she just smiled and nodded, saying:

"Alright, alright! Let's go."

Seeing Su Qing no longer pressing the issue.

The Daoist boy visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then she happily set off with Su Qing.

"Hehehe, oh right, oh right, you didn't bring me anything delicious this time, but can you bring some next time? For example, make up for this time too?"

Halfway through their walk, the Daoist boy, as if she had been building up to this, tugged at Su Qing's sleeve, revealing a shy expression, and asked.

Hearing this, Su Qing wasn't surprised at all…

In fact, she had been wondering if this girl would make such a request.

It seemed her guess was indeed correct.

Su Qing looked down at her, narrowing her eyes… and said, "Oh? I thought you wouldn't want any more?"

"I never said I didn't want any!" The Daoist boy immediately put her hands on her hips and said, "I'm always looking forward to delicious food!"

Su Qing nodded and said, "Is that so? Well, since you want it, I'll bring it for you. But you have to do me a favor!"

Hearing this, the Daoist boy was stunned for a moment, then said cautiously, "What do you want me to help you with? If it's to help you solve romantic desir! That's absolutely not allowed!"

Su Qing was taken aback, truly surprised by her words.

Why was even this one bringing up such a thing?

It made her sound like she was being overly perverted.

Su Qing pouted and said, "Who needs you to help me solve that kind of thing? You're so small, no chest, no figure, no fun at all."

Hearing this, the Daoist boy was even more stunned, so angry she almost jumped up to bite Su Qing.

"How detestable!" The Daoist boy was furious.

Although she had always been small, being evaluated like this was quite infuriating!

She had always thought that with her cuteness, Su Qing would definitely be aroused by her! But in the end, Su Qing gave her such a remark.

Seeing the Daoist boy's angry look, Su Qing couldn't help but laugh, then said, "Alright, alright, actually, being small is also quite cute."

"…"

The Daoist boy was even more depressed.

For the first time, she felt that 'cute' was an insult.

But she couldn't find a way to retort.

Because Su Qing was indeed saying she was cute, not directly insulting her, so she could only grit her teeth and let out a cold snort.

Su Qing saw this, smiled without speaking, and continued walking forward.

And although the Daoist boy was depressed, she still chased after her, continuing to ask the previous question. After all, heads can roll, blood can flow, but snacks are essential.

So, a little embarrassment was nothing at all!

"What kind of favor do you need me to help you with? You can't just not say! How will I know how to help you if you don't tell me?"

And when Su Qing saw the girl bring up the matter again.

She didn't tease her anymore.

After all, she was a 'senior'; she had to give her some face.

"Well, it's nothing much, I just want you to help me say good things to the Old Mother of Mount Li more often, so Little Bai can leave the mountain sooner." Su Qing said with a smile, stating this not-so-difficult request.

Hearing this, the Daoist boy was stunned for a moment, then immediately agreed with a smile.

To her, this was no difficult task at all…

Anyway, it didn't say she had to succeed.

Just that she had to help say it.

If she didn't agree to something like this, she would be quite foolish.

She had originally thought it would be a very difficult matter!

It almost scared her.

"Alright, alright! I promise you. See, I've promised you, shouldn't you promise me too?" The Daoist boy asked eagerly after nodding.

Su Qing smiled and nodded, saying, "Alright! Then I promise you too."

It was just a small matter; Su Qing naturally wouldn't keep teasing her.

After receiving Su Qing's affirmative answer, the Daoist boy immediately smiled…

It was as if all the unpleasantness from Su Qing's teasing earlier had vanished.

This one was easier to please than anyone.

Su Qing looked at her happy expression, just smiled, and then continued towards Bai Suzhen.

Not long after.

Su Qing also arrived at her destination.

And the Daoist boy had achieved her goal, happily preparing to return.

She naturally couldn't follow Su Qing to Bai Suzhen's place to sit.

Because if she went, her previous lie would be exposed… so it was better to wait until Su Qing left, then go play with Bai Suzhen.

For now, it was better to leave them alone.

After all, one shouldn't disturb a couple's reunion!

Su Qing didn't care about the Daoist boy's thoughts…

She wasn't surprised that the Daoist boy didn't come into the courtyard with her.

Su Qing walked into the bamboo courtyard.

At this moment, Bai Suzhen was not practicing her sword, but kneeling by the stream, washing clothes.

She wore a plain indigo dress, her hair simply tied up with a hairpin, slightly messy, indicating it was done casually, looking quite languid.

In this attire, Bai Suzhen's inherent charm was reined in, replaced by the ethereal detachment of an immortal maiden.

This scene was truly beautiful.

Su Qing paused for a moment, then walked forward, greeting Bai Suzhen with a smile.

Hearing Su Qing's voice, Bai Suzhen looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, and she casually tossed the dress in her hand into the wooden basin.

"Big Green Sister, why are you here?"

"To see you and tell you some things." Su Qing replied, "But why do you still prefer to wash by hand? Why not just use magic?"

"Of course I could use magic, but that would be too boring. It's just a way to pass the time~" Bai Suzhen tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, glanced at the clothes in the wooden basin, and said with a smile, "Big Green Sister, what did you come to tell me this time?"

Su Qing paused, organized her thoughts, then told her about the previous events…

And also apologized to her for the matter.

Although Su Qing could have completely hidden this matter—if Bai Suzhen didn't know, nothing would happen, and she wouldn't have to apologize—Bai Suzhen was her wife, and Su Qing hoped to be as open with her as possible.

So, apart from some things that absolutely couldn't be said, she still hoped to be completely transparent with her.

Therefore… this matter had to be told.

If Bai Suzhen got angry because of it, Su Qing had no choice but to patiently endure it and then find a way to comfort her.

This might be a bit troublesome, but at least it was sincere.

After Bai Suzhen heard Su Qing's words.

She first paused slightly, then smiled and shook her head, saying, "I don't particularly care about New Year's Eve… If I can't go, then I can't go! I won't get angry over it. Besides, aren't you here to accompany me today, Sister? It's a compensation for yesterday, isn't it?"

"But…"

"But what?" Bai Suzhen said with a chuckle, "My inability to go isn't your fault… It's just that Master won't let me leave Mount Li! If I could leave Mount Li, how could Big Green Sister not call for me?"

Su Qing nodded and said, "If I could, I certainly wouldn't forget you."

"Then that's good!" Bai Suzhen nodded with a happy smile, saying, "That's just fine!"

The things Su Qing had anticipated didn't happen, which greatly surprised and equally pleased her…

Little Bai was indeed very understanding!

The only thing that wasn't really a flaw, was perhaps still her lustful nature.

After telling Bai Suzhen about yesterday's events.

Su Qing and Bai Suzhen were just as they had been when they first met…

Thus, imperceptibly.

It was already evening.

The orange-red sun hid behind the clouds, casting the entire sky in a golden-orange hue. Today's sunset was also exceptionally beautiful.