A Sigh

Su Qing’s tone was far from polite.

However, the two Water Yaksas didn't show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction. On the contrary, they became even more humble and respectful, as if terrified of offending her.

The two of them hurriedly nodded and said, "We shall go and inform the Dragon King at once..."

They lowered their posture to the absolute minimum.

To Su Qing, there was nothing strange about this scene. Given her strength and status, it was only natural for these ordinary Water Yaksas to behave this way.

Su Qing nodded and said, "Go on then. I’ll wait for him in the main hall of the Dragon Palace for a while. Tell the Dragon King not to keep me waiting too long... I have some important matters to discuss with him."

Hearing this, the two Water Yaksas dared not delay.

They nodded quickly and then hurriedly swam off to report to the Dragon King.

To the side, Bai Zhu took all of this in. She wanted to say something, but she was so shocked she was momentarily speechless.

Although these two were just Water Yaksas, and their status wasn't particularly high, they were still Yaksas of the Dragon Palace. In the water, they were usually the type to walk with their heads held high.

It was a classic case of a dog acting fierce based on its master's power.

Even as servants of the Dragon King’s household, they considered themselves a head above everyone else.

Even when her own father visited, he wouldn't dare treat the Yaksas with such blatant disregard as Su Qing did—let alone show such a lack of face to the Dragon King himself.

And yet, these two Yaksas didn't have a temper about it at all.

In fact, they had become increasingly respectful.

This was what she found most unbelievable.

After all, in Bai Zhu's eyes, Su Qing was just a Mountain God.

She shouldn't have that much power.

Even if the mountain she guarded looked exceptionally beautiful and majestic, it was still just a mountain on a small island. Furthermore, it was an island in the East Sea, which technically fell under the jurisdiction of the East Sea Dragon Palace.

How high could the status of a Mountain God in such a territory possibly be, no matter how powerful they were?

Yet, this very Mountain God, whose status she thought was unremarkable, had the Water Yaksas of the Dragon Palace acting with such subservience and had even bluntly told the Dragon King to come out and see her...

So...

Was this Mountain God really just a Mountain God?

Wait... those two Yaksas had addressed Su Qing as 'Sovereign Su'...

What exactly was her status?

Noticing the shock on Bai Zhu’s face, Su Qing looked down at her and gave a subtle, meaningful smile.

Seeing that smile, Bai Zhu’s heart tightened. She felt like she had been played.

Even if being played meant she didn't have to marry someone else, it also meant she had fallen into someone else's hands. And this person was a powerful, scheming woman with strange intentions...

It was hard to say if this was good or bad.

The good part was she didn't have to get married.

The bad part was that the one who had rescued her from the wolf's den was a tiger.

Seeing the shifting expressions on Bai Zhu’s face, Su Qing felt a sense of amusement, experiencing the satisfaction of a successful prank.

Su Qing let out a light laugh and spoke casually, "You should go out and see more of the world instead of being a frog at the bottom of a well. You actually think the Dragon Palace is some kind of incredible power? Hmph... they're nothing but a... forget it, I won't say it."

Su Qing really wanted to complain that the Dragon King was the type of person who would sell his own daughter for a bit of profit, but considering Bai Zhu’s situation, she ultimately held her tongue.

Seeing Su Qing stop halfway through her sentence, Bai Zhu couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration.

This was truly too much.

She had piqued her curiosity only to stop mid-sentence.

Didn't she know how much it gnawed at a person’s heart when someone did that?

Involuntarily, Bai Zhu seemed to dislike this 'tiger' in front of her even more.

Su Qing didn't know what Bai Zhu was thinking. With a cold snort, she led Bai Zhu into the Dragon Palace.

Su Qing’s progress into the palace was completely unimpeded.

Whether it was the Water Yaksas or the shrimp soldiers and crab generals along the way, none dared to block her path. They didn't even dare to look her in the face.

Following beside Su Qing, Bai Zhu felt a flicker of secret satisfaction at the sight of their fear, but at the same time, her confusion and anxiety deepened.

Who exactly was this person named Su Qing?

And so, Su Qing brought Bai Zhu to the main hall and sat down.

Not long after she took her seat, the East Sea Dragon King finally arrived.

He walked over with a booming laugh, saying, "A rare guest indeed! My dear son-in-law, what brings you to my East Sea Dragon Palace today? Ah, you should have informed me beforehand so I could prepare properly. Your sudden arrival has left me with no time to even prepare a gift."

The Dragon King’s words left Bai Zhu stunned. She looked up at Su Qing, her eyes filled with disbelief and even a trace of despair.

She never imagined that Su Qing would be the Dragon King’s son-in-law!

She had considered many possibilities for Su Qing’s identity.

But she had never expected this.

She had thought that even if she fell into this 'tiger's' mouth, her status would at least allow her to avoid the situation of marrying a Dragon Prince.

But now it seemed that was impossible.

Since Su Qing was the Dragon King’s son-in-law, they were naturally on the same side.

With such an identity, how could she possibly help her cancel the engagement?

As expected... she really had lied to her.

However...

In her despair, Bai Zhu also caught a glimmer of hope.

After all, the relationship between Su Qing and the Old Dragon King didn't seem to be very good...

Perhaps... there was still a sliver of hope?

In that brief moment, countless thoughts and ideas flashed through Bai Zhu’s mind.

Her expression changed again and again—even a face-changing performer couldn't have moved that fast.

Su Qing naturally noticed Bai Zhu’s state.

However, she had other things to attend to, so she didn't pay her much mind, letting her indulge in her own wild thoughts.

Regardless of how much she thought, it wouldn't influence Su Qing’s decisions.

Hearing the Old Dragon King’s words, Su Qing chuckled and shook her head. "I didn't plan this visit in advance. I simply had a small matter to discuss with you."

Su Qing didn't speak with the warm, amiable tone expected of a son-in-law, but she didn't maintain a sour face either. She remained calm and composed, with a polite, standard smile on her lips.

She was still giving the Old Dragon King some face.

She didn't want to push things to the extreme.

After all, while she and Ao Ying both disliked the Old Dragon King, Ao Ying’s biological mother still lived in this Dragon Palace.

If she pushed things too far, it would inevitably have a negative impact on Ao Ying’s mother.

Because of these considerations, she naturally wouldn't make things too difficult.

The Old Dragon King knew Su Qing didn't like him, but he also knew she was a reasonable person who followed the rules. As long as he treated her well, she wouldn't say much about 'correct' matters, no matter how much she disliked him.

The Old Dragon King said with a smile, "Very well, very well. So, my dear son-in-law, what is this matter you’ve come for?"

In truth, the Old Dragon King had already guessed why Su Qing was there.

After all, Su Qing had brought Bai Zhu along. How could he not know why she had come?

As for why he didn't bring it up first?

It was mainly because he didn't know what Su Qing’s intentions were.

Did she plan to hand the girl over to him, or did she have other plans?

Although Su Qing currently had the girl tied up, making it look like she was going to hand her over, who could say for sure? How could he know Su Qing’s plans? He wasn't a mind reader.

Because of this, the Old Dragon King deliberately avoided mentioning it, waiting for Su Qing to bring it up herself.

That way, he could follow her lead.

Su Qing looked at the Old Dragon King, knowing his mind was full of schemes. She laughed softly and shook her head. "With such a large person standing right here, do you really not know why I’ve come?"

The Old Dragon King stroked his beard and laughed. "Hahaha, I’m getting old, and my mind is getting slow. I truly didn't realize. So, what are your plans, son-in-law? Do you intend to hand her over to me? Or..."

Su Qing glanced at the Old Dragon King and shook her head with a smile. "I certainly didn't bring her here just to hand her over to you."

This answer didn't surprise the Old Dragon King.

He knew Su Qing’s personality well. She had no resistance when it came to cute and beautiful girls, so it wasn't strange that she wanted to take Bai Zhu away.

While this would likely leave his son dissatisfied and cost him a daughter-in-law with a special bloodline, it wouldn't be a loss if he could make Su Qing owe him a favor.

After all, Su Qing was always one to follow the rules and placed great importance on debts of gratitude.

Thus, the Old Dragon King gave a troubled smile and asked, "Then what are your plans?"

"Naturally, I’m taking her with me," Su Qing said, crossing her arms. "However, she seems to have an engagement with your son? I’ve always been one to follow the rules. Since she has an engagement with your son, I couldn't just take her away without a word. That’s why I came to ask you for her directly."

"This..." The Old Dragon King fell silent for a moment before saying, "I naturally have no objection to you taking her... As for the engagement, I can help cancel it. However, the wedding is tomorrow. Canceling it so suddenly is somewhat inappropriate..."

Su Qing shook her head helplessly. "Just consider it as me owing you a favor... I know that’s exactly what you were waiting for, isn't it?"

His thoughts seen through, the Old Dragon King didn't get angry. Instead, he nodded with a chuckle, admitting to Su Qing’s guess.

"As expected of my son-in-law, you are truly brilliant. It is a stroke of luck for my daughter to marry someone as exceptionally clever as you," the Old Dragon King said with a laugh.

Su Qing rolled her eyes inwardly. "I don't know what you're thinking... but even if I owe you a favor, I still won't help you with things I can't or won't do."

"Hahaha, if I ever have a request for you, it certainly won't be something that makes things difficult for you. I know my limits..." Having been an official for so many years, how could the Old Dragon King not know how to handle boundaries?

He knew very well that a single favor couldn't accomplish too much, nor could it be used to force someone into a truly difficult situation.

Unless it was a life-saving debt...

Otherwise, one couldn't use it to ask for impossible things.

Nevertheless, a favor from Su Qing was still extremely valuable.

Even setting aside her special identities, her status as a Heavenly Immortal alone made it worthwhile.

Su Qing didn't know what the Old Dragon King was thinking at that moment. She just glanced at him and said, "Whatever, do as you please! In any case, I’m taking this person."

"Very well, very well. Since you want Bai Zhu, then you may take her," the Old Dragon King said helplessly. "I’ll handle the remaining mess! By the way, since you want this girl, why don't you marry her tomorrow instead?"

"Huh?" Su Qing was stunned, her mind failing to process the suggestion.

"Hahaha, I was only joking."

Su Qing’s mouth twitched. "That wasn't funny."

The Old Dragon King nodded in agreement. "Aside from that, is there anything else you need my help with? As long as you speak up, I will do my best to assist you if I am able. After all, you are my son-in-law. I cannot sit idly by while you are in trouble."

Listening to the Old Dragon King, Su Qing simply shook her head. "Nothing else... I only came here to have you cancel Bai Zhu’s marriage."

"I see. Haha, you didn't even need to come in person for such a thing. If you had just sent someone to tell me, I naturally would have helped you."

Su Qing couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The Old Dragon King’s skin was truly thick beyond measure.

Even Su Qing felt she couldn't compare.

She shook her head and said, "Alright, alright. I have no other business besides this... so let's leave it at that! I should be heading back."

Hearing this, the Old Dragon King quickly nodded. "Then, shall I see you out?"

"That won't be necessary. You should get back to your own work. After all, you have quite a mess to clean up."

Su Qing shook her head with a smile. With a wave of her hand, she led the dazed Bai Zhu away.

Su Qing’s departure was unimpeded, and the Old Dragon King indeed didn't see her out, merely watching as she left the palace.

Once Su Qing had left the Dragon Palace...

The Old Dragon King let out a long, deep sigh.

It was unclear whether he was sighing over the loss of a daughter-in-law or over his own past foolish actions.