After seeing the two of them off, Su Qing was finally alone again in the backyard of the clinic.
She stretched lazily, sighing with relief that the affairs in Xingyang City had finally come to a temporary close.
While it wasn't a complete conclusion, she could at least enjoy a period of leisure. As for the temple Ye Qingyu had promised to build for her... Su Qing wasn't in a hurry, nor was she worried about the Empress breaking her word. In fact, Su Qing suspected the woman had already begun helping her build temples in secret.
After all, she didn't believe for a second that the commoners' temples could have been erected so quickly without official support.
However, Su Qing didn't truly care about the details. For her, as long as the Incense Power was rolling in, nothing else mattered.
"Time to call that little brat Su Qingyu back to practice her sword! There have been too many distractions lately, and her training has grown lax. I won't be staying here much longer... I can't let her keep slacking off."
Now that Su Qing had more or less settled the matter of Incense Power, her only remaining concern was Su Qingyu.
Once she handled Su Qingyu's future, she would leave this kingdom and continue her journey. She had stayed here for a long time and couldn't afford to linger any further.
Time was running out for her as well.
With the world in chaos and the Heavenly Tribulation looming, she needed to travel to more places and gather even more Incense Power.
Su Qing quickly rounded up Su Qingyu.
The girl, who had been having the time of her life playing, was understandably a bit grumpy about being dragged back to train. However, training was mandatory. If she didn't practice diligently now, she would only suffer more later.
Su Qing was incredibly strict—far stricter than Li Yichou.
Especially now that Li Yichou had gone to work with Rendong, Su Qing was the only one left to supervise her cultivation. Naturally, the level of strictness was off the charts.
Su Qing sat nearby, watching Su Qingyu practice with focused intensity, and nodded in satisfaction. As the girl grew older, she was becoming more obedient and clever. Su Qing hoped that by the time she left, the girl would be capable of standing on her own.
Time flowed on, and in the blink of an eye, another month passed.
While things had quieted down in Xingyang City, Su Qing's original body in the Northern Continent welcomed a familiar guest.
It was that Model Worker Bodhisattva... no, Puxian Bodhisattva.
She wasn't exactly an uninvited guest, as she had followed the proper protocols upon arrival. Thus, Su Qing wasn't surprised to see her.
Su Qing received her formally in the main hall of the domain. Only Su Qing, Puxian, and Liu Xixi were present.
"To what do I owe the honor of your visit, Bodhisattva?" Su Qing asked, cutting straight to the chase without wasting time on pleasantries.
Puxian Bodhisattva was very close to Guanyin Bodhisattva and usually acted on her behalf. Therefore, if she wasn't here to deliver a message from the Buddha, she was likely here as a messenger for Guanyin. Beyond that, Su Qing couldn't imagine why Puxian would come all this way to see her.
Hearing this, Puxian Bodhisattva pressed her palms together, chanted "Amitabha," and said, "Tang Sanzang and his three disciples are about to reach Spirit Mountain. The Buddha asked me to inform you, Sovereign, and request that you make your way to Spirit Mountain as soon as possible."
"If they've arrived, they've arrived. Why do you need me there?" Su Qing asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Puxian Bodhisattva smiled kindly. "The Buddha said he is inviting you, Sovereign, to come and watch a play."
"Uh..." Su Qing was momentarily speechless.
She had been wondering what grand reason the Buddha would use to summon her. She hadn't expected the reason to be so simple. It didn't feel like the style of a top leader at all.
And yet... it was the perfect way to talk to Su Qing. She preferred this directness over talking in circles.
"He's calling me over to watch a play?"
"Indeed."
"What kind of play?"
"A monkey play."
"..." Su Qing was at a loss for words. That phrasing...
"So he wants me to go watch my little brother be made a fool of?"
"Not at all. It is to watch your brother achieve Buddhahood."
"What's so interesting about that?"
"To bear witness."
"How dull," Su Qing said, waving her hand. "Still, since the Buddha himself has spoken, I suppose I should go. I'll do it as a favor to him."
Su Qing knew exactly how things would unfold, so she wasn't particularly interested in watching the 'play.' However, since the Buddha had personally sent someone to invite her, it would be quite disrespectful to refuse. After all, the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist Court were societies built on favors and social relations.
Upon hearing Su Qing's agreement, the compassionate Puxian smiled. "Since you have agreed, Sovereign, let us depart immediately. If we leave now, the master and his disciples will arrive shortly after we do."
Puxian didn't care about Su Qing's reasons for going, as long as she went. Her mission was simply to bring Su Qing there; the justification didn't matter.
"So soon?" Su Qing was slightly surprised. "The Buddha waited until they were almost there to tell me?"
"Amitabha. If he had told you too early, there would have been too many variables. Thus, the Buddha waited until the last moment," Puxian answered.
Su Qing didn't ask further. She simply nodded and said, "Fine, let's leave now. But wait a moment while I arrange a few things."
"Amitabha. Please be quick, Sovereign," Puxian said, nodding. She didn't refuse, though she urged Su Qing to hurry. It seemed time was indeed tight.
Su Qing didn't mind. Her flying speed was far beyond what Puxian could imagine, so a slight delay wouldn't matter. She turned to Liu Xixi, who had been silently watching the exchange.
"You heard that. I have to go out for a while. I'll leave the affairs of the domain to you. Also, keep an eye on those two little ones in my private quarters. Don't let them get into any trouble."
Liu Xixi bowed. "I understand. You can leave it to me, Sovereign."
When it came to work, Liu Xixi always maintained a professional attitude. She wouldn't grow lax just because she was familiar with Su Qing. This was her way of conducting herself.
Knowing exactly how Liu Xixi would respond, Su Qing nodded. "Good. I'll be counting on you then."
Liu Xixi bowed her head and said nothing more.
Su Qing stood up and walked over to Puxian Bodhisattva. "Alright, shall we go?"
Puxian was a bit surprised. She had expected Su Qing to have a long list of instructions, but it was over in just a few sentences. Still, this was for the best; the sooner they left, the sooner she could complete her task.
Puxian smiled mercifully, pressed her palms together, and said, "Very well. Let us depart."
Su Qing said, "I'll summon a cloud then. No need for you to trouble yourself, Bodhisattva."
Puxian didn't refuse. Everyone knew the speed of Su Qing's Somersault Cloud. It was certainly faster than her own cloud-soaring speed. Besides, not having to expend her own power was a welcome convenience.
"Then I shall trouble you, Sovereign," Puxian said.
Su Qing smiled thinly, then pinched a hand seal to summon the Somersault Cloud. Once they were both standing on it, Su Qing said, "Hold on tight, Bodhisattva."
"?"
Before Puxian could react, the Somersault Cloud transformed into a streak of light and shot forward. The sudden acceleration caught Puxian off guard, causing her to stumble slightly. Fortunately, her cultivation was profound and her mental fortitude was strong, so she didn't let her loss of composure show too much.
Clearly, the speed of Su Qing's Somersault Cloud had exceeded Puxian's expectations. However, what surprised her more was likely the sudden burst of speed. She was certain that Su Qing had included a bit of personal pique in that acceleration.
It was obvious that Su Qing was somewhat annoyed about being summoned. Puxian felt rather helpless; it wasn't her fault, it was the Buddha who had told her to come.
Fortunately, no further 'surprises' occurred during the rest of the journey. Despite the incredible speed, Puxian was far too capable to be truly frightened.
In a short time, Spirit Mountain appeared before them.
"Amitabha. Your magic power has improved again recently, Sovereign," Puxian said. She couldn't very well complain about Su Qing's prank at the start, so she chose to praise her progress instead.
Su Qing shook her head slightly. "My magic power hasn't improved; I simply found a good treasure. Spirit Mountain is right there. Shall we go to the Buddha first, or what?"
Since Su Qing didn't mention the earlier incident, Puxian certainly wouldn't bring it up. She nodded and said, "Let us see the Buddha first. After all, he is the one who invited you... and the master and his disciples have not yet arrived."
Su Qing had no objections, so they went together to the Hall of Great Might to see Ru Lai.
"Greetings, Senior Buddha," Su Qing said with a bow.
Buddha laughed heartily. "You arrived quite quickly, little friend. I thought you would take a bit longer."
Su Qing smiled and shook her head. "You know how fast I am, Senior. Besides, I recently acquired a good treasure, making me even faster."
"You have indeed found a good treasure..." Buddha nodded, clearly knowing what she was referring to.
Su Qing nodded and moved on from the topic. "Senior, where are the Tang Monk and his disciples now?"
"They have just reached Lingyun Ferry. It will still take some time for them to arrive here. Why don't you wait here with me for a while?" Buddha said, still smiling.
Su Qing didn't mind. "Then I shall wait. By the way... are their tribulations over?"
Buddha knew what she was asking. Though he didn't say it aloud, he shook his head slightly.
Su Qing's mouth twitched. She thought to herself, 'So it really has to follow the fixed fate.'
She found it rather dull. If she were allowed to act freely, she wouldn't care about fate or destiny, but since the Buddha insisted on following the script, she found the whole thing a bit pointless. Still, since she was here, she would watch the play. And while she was watching, she might just find something to do.
Time passed quickly. Soon, Su Qing heard a monk announce that Tang Sanzang and his disciples had arrived.
Buddha said with a smile, "They are here. Please take your place, little friend."
"There's a seat for me in the Hall of Great Might?" Su Qing asked, amused.
"Since you are a Bodhisattva, naturally there is a place for you," Buddha replied with a nod.
"It seems you were well-prepared, Senior," Su Qing said helplessly.
Buddha said nothing, merely pointing to a spot not far from him, close to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Understanding his meaning, Su Qing pursed her lips and used a spell to change into simple, plain robes. She stood quietly near Guanyin.
When Guanyin saw her, she maintained her gentle smile. "Little friend, have you been well?"
"Everything is as usual," Su Qing said simply. "I just didn't expect that a Bodhisattva in name only like myself would be involved in this."
"Your status is unique, so you naturally have this right," Guanyin said calmly. "Furthermore, your presence here allows you to do certain things... as for what you wish to do, that is up to you, as long as you don't go too far."
Su Qing rubbed her chin. She was tired of following the rules and now only cared about having a bit of fun. Since Guanyin had said as much, it meant the Buddha shared the same sentiment.
Su Qing now knew what to do.
"Those are your words, Bodhisattva."
Guanyin said nothing, only nodding before standing with dignified compassion, waiting for the master and his disciples to enter.
Soon, once the Eight Bodhisattvas, Four Vajras, Five Hundred Arhats, Three Thousand Jiedi, Eleven Great Luminaries, and Eighteen Garan had all assembled, the golden decree was issued to summon Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
The Buddha's decree was passed down level by level. Before long, Tang Sanzang and his disciples walked into the Hall of Great Might.
Although Wukong was following the rules and not acting out, his eyes were darting around, checking to see how many familiar faces were among the Bodhisattvas. To his shock, he saw his Eldest Sister standing right there among them.
He immediately sent a silent transmission, asking why she was there.
Su Qing rolled her eyes inwardly. She wanted to ask why she had been forced to come too! However, she explained, "Though I'm only a Bodhisattva in name, I am still a Bodhisattva, so I came! I'm also here to bear witness for you."
Hearing this, Wukong understood and felt relieved. He stopped the transmission and followed his master to stand before the Buddha, bowing in worship.
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