Niu Mowang's words left Su Qing completely bewildered.
She had considered many possibilities, but she truly hadn't expected this one.
Su Qing rubbed the space between her eyebrows before asking, "You said you calculated that you would face a great calamity in the future. Do you know what this disaster actually is?"
Regarding the catastrophe Niu Mowang mentioned, Su Qing was more or less curious—not about what it was, but whether it matched what she was thinking.
Unfortunately, Niu Mowang was unable to give her the answer she wanted.
He simply said, "I don't know exactly what that calamity is, but I can be certain that I haven't miscalculated. I've checked many times, and the result is always the same... Moreover, when I met Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Buddha, he gave me the same answer. He seemed to know exactly what tribulation I'm meant to undergo, but he didn't tell me..."
"Have you considered that you're being scammed?" Su Qing asked curiously.
Niu Mowang looked at Su Qing, feeling in his heart that she truly treated him as a friend. She was a member of the Buddhist Court herself, yet here she was questioning if he was being deceived by Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Buddha. If such sacrilegious words reached the Medicine Master's ears, she would likely face a harsh reprimand.
At this thought, Niu Mowang couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
He had truly met a good brother and a good sister!
However, after a brief moment of sentimentality, Niu Mowang answered her question.
"I don't feel like I'm being cheated... Even if Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Buddha did lie to me, the conditions he offered are indeed excellent and won't have much of an impact on me. Besides, I don't want to gamble with the lives of my wife and child on the chance that a very likely calamity might not exist." Niu Mowang shook his head, his fierce and ugly face showing genuine concern for his family.
He was unwilling to gamble because he didn't want his wife and child to be harmed by his wager.
If he were alone, it wouldn't matter either way...
But now he had a family, so he couldn't afford to take the risk under any circumstances.
The current Niu Mowang was indeed a good husband and a good father—though this version of him differed even more from the one in her memories.
Of course, this wasn't a bad thing.
After all, her relationship with Red Boy and Rakshasi was excellent, so she naturally didn't want them to encounter the same Niu Mowang from the original story.
Su Qing pulled her wandering thoughts back and said, "In that case, regardless of whether it truly comes to pass, you indeed need to prepare properly."
"Exactly! So, what is your opinion?" Niu Mowang returned to the original question.
Su Qing nodded slightly before continuing, "My advice is... you should go! Regardless, the requirements aren't excessive. For you, it just means a few more restrictions at most."
Su Qing didn't oppose Niu Mowang joining the Buddhist Court because it was indeed a good thing. The reason she had asked so much was simply out of curiosity regarding his motives and reasons.
After hearing Su Qing's answer, Niu Mowang fell silent for a moment before nodding. "So, even you think it's a good choice?"
Hearing this, Su Qing leaned back in her chair and said, "When you came to ask me, you already had the answer in your heart. Even if I gave a different answer, you would have continued to hesitate and sought out others for validation. Besides, this is indeed a good position... You can go with peace of mind. I have some influence within the Buddhist Court; with me there, people will show me respect and won't make things difficult for you. Furthermore, your strength is impressive. If you join the Buddhist Court, even if you aren't given a vital role immediately, they certainly won't mistreat you."
Su Qing's analysis was based on logic.
She understood Niu Mowang's current psychological state well, so she knew exactly what kind of answer he wanted to hear.
Coincidentally, her actual opinion matched the answer he desired.
Therefore, she simply spoke the truth.
Niu Mowang was stunned for a moment before letting out a hearty laugh, not at all annoyed by being seen through.
He chuckled and said, "Hahaha... As expected of my sister, impressive! Since you have no objection to me joining the Buddhist Court, then the matter is settled. Thank you for your advice. I'll definitely treat you to a grand meal later!"
Su Qing didn't take it too seriously, simply smiling and nodding. "It's a small matter. In the end, I didn't really advise you on anything, since you had already reached a conclusion yourself."
"No, no, no... Having a conclusion is one thing, but I also needed someone to support that conclusion. And you, my sister, are that person! So I naturally must thank you properly."
"I see... But I didn't think the great Niu Mowang would need someone else's support."
"Of course, of course... I am a Demon King after all. Suddenly deciding to join the Buddhist Court made me a bit unsure of myself." Niu Mowang laughed. "So how could I not need some support?"
Su Qing couldn't help but laugh along with him.
There was indeed some logic to those words.
"I see, I see... I didn't think Brother Bull would have such concerns."
"Alright, alright, stop laughing." Niu Mowang shook his head. "It's about time for me to head back."
Su Qing couldn't help but say, "Leaving so soon? Why not stay for a meal before you go?"
"Hahaha, no, no. Now that I've made my decision, I should go give my reply to Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Buddha..."
"In such a hurry?"
"Yes, hurry! Things might change if I delay!"
Su Qing was taken aback for a moment before smiling and nodding. "Since Brother Bull must go, I won't stop you. Have a safe journey."
Niu Mowang stood up and nodded, then thanked Su Qing again. "Thank you truly! I won't disturb you any longer. I'm off!"
With that, Niu Mowang wasted no more words. He turned and departed on a cloud.
Su Qing sat there, watching the dark cloud drift away until it completely vanished from sight.
Only then did she slowly stand up and stretch. She muttered to herself, "In the end... Niu Mowang still joined the Buddhist Court. Is it the self-correction of the world, or did the Buddhist Court do something to ensure the variables remain within their control? Regardless, Niu Mowang joining the Buddhist Court isn't a bad thing. The Buddhist Court, like the Heavenly Court, must undergo tribulations, and they will surely protect their own when that happens... At the very least, they'll protect the important and powerful ones. With Niu Mowang's strength, his status won't be too low even after joining, and the Buddhist Court will certainly ensure his family's safety."
Once her analysis was complete, Su Qing stopped thinking about it.
Niu Mowang joining the Buddhist Court was now set in stone.
There was no need for her to worry.
However, Su Qing was a bit curious about what kind of expression Sun Wukong would have if he found out Niu Mowang had joined the Buddhist Court.
It would surely be quite interesting.
Su Qing gave a light laugh, then turned to leave the courtyard to buy some wine at the foot of the mountain.
However, just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered Chen Nianxin, who had been staying on the mountain and almost never went down.
She turned to look at Chen Nianxin, who was sitting under the eaves staring blankly, looking completely idle. "How about it? Do you want to come down the mountain with me? You haven't really gone down to play yet, have you?"
"Hmm? You're willing to let me go down?" Hearing Su Qing invite her, Chen Nianxin asked curiously, "I thought you were going to keep me locked up here forever!"
Chen Nianxin's resentment toward Su Qing had always been significant, so her tone remained quite sharp.
Su Qing wasn't annoyed, merely saying with a smile, "As long as you behave yourself, why would I keep you forever? Besides, the one locking you up isn't me, it's the Buddha! I'm just doing work for the Buddha. If you want to hate someone, hate the Buddha! Don't go hating the wrong person!"
Su Qing unhesitatingly shifted the blame to the Buddha.
Besides, it was originally the Buddha's fault anyway.
So, the Buddha was the one to blame... what did she do wrong?
She was just an employee!
Chen Nianxin curled her lip and said without hesitation, "What does that matter? I hate both of you anyway."
Chen Nianxin hated everyone equally, so whether it was Su Qing or the Buddha, she detested them both!
Therefore... no matter what Su Qing said, she still hated her.
Su Qing smiled indifferently at those words. "Fine, it looks like I'm being hated equally."
Seeing Su Qing's unbothered expression, Chen Nianxin suddenly felt things were much less interesting.
Seeing this, Su Qing laughed even more happily.
She knew Chen Nianxin wanted to make her upset...
But if she didn't care, then Chen Nianxin would be the one who was upset.
"So, are you coming or not?" Su Qing asked again.
Hearing Su Qing speak once more, Chen Nianxin stared at her for a short while...
Finally, after considering it for a moment, she nodded.
She had truly had enough of staying here and didn't want to remain any longer.
Even if it was just going out for a stroll and didn't mean she was actually being set free, it was still better than staying cooped up here.
So, if she could leave, she was naturally willing to go.
"Since we're going, let's go together!" Su Qing said with satisfaction. "However, you aren't allowed to wander too far from me! And no running off, understood?"
Chen Nianxin was being kept here under her watch, so she naturally couldn't let her actually slip away.
Moreover, Chen Nianxin's magic was currently sealed, making her no different from an ordinary woman. If she truly got lost... the consequences would be unpredictable.
Of course, she wouldn't let Chen Nianxin get lost in the first place.
Chen Nianxin naturally heard Su Qing's words. She gave a light snort and tilted her head slightly, putting on a cold and aloof expression. "I don't even have magic right now, how could I escape?"
Su Qing nodded in satisfaction. "That's good then."
After saying that, Su Qing didn't bother chatting with her further. The main purpose of this trip was to buy wine; letting her out for some fresh air was secondary.
Su Qing formed a hand seal, and an auspicious cloud rose from the ground, carrying the two of them toward the foot of the mountain.
On the other side, in the Northern Continent.
Ao Ying and Leng Xiang were preparing to set out to continue helping Su Qing manage the Incense Power.
Su Qing was naturally unwilling to see them go. She said, "Why not stay for a few more days? There's no need to be in such a hurry. Gathering Incense Power is a matter of long-term accumulation; there's no point in rushing!"
Hearing this, Leng Xiang remained silent. Since she didn't know how to answer, she chose not to—she would just do the work.
Ao Ying, however, said, "It's precisely because it's a matter of long-term accumulation that we can't waste too much time. Besides, you're so fast; can't you find us whenever you want? Why worry?"
Hearing this, Su Qing felt a bit helpless. Why did these words sound like something she had said before?
"Fine, I know I can't stop you! Since you're determined to go, then go! But again, if there are any problems, remember to tell me."
Su Qing knew she couldn't stop them, so she didn't bother trying further and let them go.
However, the necessary words still had to be said.
"Also, even if you're leaving, stay for dinner first. I'll see you off afterward."
Su Qing had already put it that way.
Ao Ying and Leng Xiang naturally couldn't say much more. Both nodded and said, "Fine, it's a deal then."
Su Qing nodded in satisfaction. "What do you want to eat tonight?"
To this question, their answers were surprisingly consistent: "Whatever."
However, "whatever" was precisely the hardest thing to handle...
Fortunately, this didn't trouble Su Qing at all—after all, she knew exactly what these two loved to eat.
"Alright, alright, whatever it is then!" Su Qing spread her hands and laughed.
With that, Su Qing pulled the two of them along to do other things...
Since they were leaving sooner or later, they might as well play a bit more now.
Even though she could see them whenever she wanted even after they left, the feeling wasn't the same.
And so, time slipped away like sand through one's fingers.
In the blink of an eye, another half a year had passed.
Rate on N.U.
