Su Qing led Bai Zhu out of the Dragon Palace.
Their path was completely unimpeded...
In no time at all, they had returned to the beach where they had first met.
Su Qing looked at Bai Zhu with a beaming smile and said, "There. I’ve already helped you cancel the marriage. And now... you belong to me."
Su Qing’s words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, jolting Bai Zhu out of her dazed state. She looked up at Su Qing, her eyes filled with a sense of deep mistrust.
"You... you did that on purpose, didn't you?" Bai Zhu said. "That was too insidious. You clearly have such a high status—you're even the East Sea Dragon King’s son-in-law—yet you claimed you were just a Mountain God!"
Bai Zhu was thoroughly dissatisfied with the way Su Qing had misled her...
As soon as she regained her senses, her first instinct was to complain.
Hearing the complaint, Su Qing didn't look the least bit embarrassed. Instead, she replied in a teasing tone, "When did I ever lie to you? I have many identities; Mountain God is just one of them. I am indeed the Mountain God of this Flower-Fruit Mountain! So, how can you say I tricked you? If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being so dim-witted."
Bai Zhu bit her lip, stuttering, "You... you..."
She sputtered for a long while, but she was so angry that she couldn't find the words to form a proper retort.
By the time she had organized her thoughts on how to describe Su Qing's behavior, Su Qing cut her off again.
Su Qing asked with a grin, "What? Are you planning to break your promise? If you go back on your word... then I’ll have no choice but to send you back! As long as I say the word, the Old Dragon King will retract his decision, even if it’s already a decree. Besides, the news of the canceled engagement probably hasn't spread yet. It would be all too easy to take it back."
Su Qing didn't actually know what the Old Dragon King’s specific process would be...
She was only saying this to scare the girl, ensuring she would honestly stick to their agreement.
"You... you bully!" A string of insults swirled in Bai Zhu's throat for a long time before she finally spat out the 'dirtiest' word she could think of.
The girl had, after all, received a proper palace education. Even if her palace belonged to a weak little kingdom, she was still a person of great breeding... consequently, her repertoire of insults was somewhat underwhelming.
It was so underwhelming that Su Qing couldn't help but stifle a laugh.
Amused, Su Qing shook her head and said, "Yes, I’m a bully! So, what’s your plan? Will you follow me obediently as my Little White Dragon, or would you rather go back and be that prince’s concubine?"
Hearing this, Bai Zhu glared 'viciously' at Su Qing for a good while.
Finally, she gave a light huff and said, "I... I understand. I’ll be your dragon!"
The smile on Su Qing’s face widened...
While bullying a young girl felt a bit shameful, she couldn't deny that it was truly entertaining...
Oh, wait. Bai Zhu wasn't exactly a 'young girl' anymore.
She was over a thousand years old.
She wasn't that much younger than Su Qing herself.
At most, she was like a younger sister.
"Then... how should you address me?" Su Qing asked curiously, watching Bai Zhu.
Bai Zhu’s face flushed. She turned her head away, and after agonizing over it for a long time, she finally whispered in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Ma... Master."
Bai Zhu felt a wave of sorrow and immense shame...
As a princess of the Dragon Clan—no matter how minor a princess she was—she had never suffered such an indignity.
To actually have to call someone 'Master.'
Even if this person was incredibly powerful and held an exalted status, it still made her feel humiliated and aggrieved.
Uttering that word felt like she was completely throwing away her dignity... how could she not feel wronged?
The only comfort she could find was that this 'master' was a woman. Although this woman apparently had a wife, it was still better than being owned by a man. At least her purity would remain intact.
However...
Bai Zhu had actually misunderstood Su Qing.
Su Qing was quite surprised to hear the word 'Master'...
She had initially expected the girl to call her 'Sister,' but who would have thought she’d blurt out 'Master' instead?
While it certainly had a certain ring to it, Su Qing decided to clarify...
After all, she didn't want the girl to hold a grudge against her forever.
Su Qing spoke up, "Actually... you can just call me 'Sister.' Calling me 'Master'... is a bit too embarrassing."
Hearing this, Bai Zhu, who had been filled with anger and indignation, froze on the spot...
A moment later, her already red face turned a deep crimson.
She looked like a ripened fruit ready to burst.
At this moment, she was beyond embarrassed. She had been seething with resentment because she thought Su Qing was forcing her to call her 'Master,' only to realize she had completely misread the situation.
She wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into and never come out again.
She truly couldn't handle such a humiliating blunder...
Su Qing watched Bai Zhu’s beet-red face, her smile remaining as thick as ever...
Although she hadn't intended to pull a prank this time, the final result seemed even better than her usual tricks!
It was an unexpected bonus.
Su Qing chuckled inwardly, then said, "In any case, you’ll be following me from now on. There’s no need for a strict hierarchy between us; just call me 'Sister.' I’m not that much older than you anyway... if you calculate it carefully, I’m only a hundred or two hundred years older than you at most. You’re not losing out by calling me 'Sister.'"
Bai Zhu was currently unable to think clearly. After hearing Su Qing’s words, she simply nodded mechanically...
However, once she regained her composure...
She didn't entirely believe Su Qing’s words.
She didn't think someone with such formidable strength could be only slightly older than her. Su Qing had to be at least ten thousand years older... after all, the East Sea Dragon King was around twenty thousand years old and was only at the Earthly Immortal realm. Thus, she felt it was impossible for Su Qing to be only a thousand-plus years old.
As for why Su Qing claimed she was only a thousand or so...
Bai Zhu figured it was probably because women were sensitive about their age.
Being a girl herself, she understood that perfectly.
Therefore, she didn't find it too strange.
Nor did she speak out to correct her.
She wasn't a fool, after all; she wasn't going to do something so asking for a beating.
Seeing that Bai Zhu didn't speak for a moment, Su Qing wasn't in any hurry. She just said with a smile, "Alright, since you've made your choice, it's time for us to head back. We've been out for so long that those two girls must be getting worried."
Hearing this, Bai Zhu asked curiously, "Head back? To where?"
"Back to Flower-Fruit Mountain, of course. My town is there, and my people are there too," Su Qing answered with a grin.
"Are you really the Mountain God of Flower-Fruit Mountain?"
"Why don't you believe me? I told you before, didn't I? I have many identities... Mountain God of Flower-Fruit Mountain is one of them." Su Qing spread her hands helplessly.
She was a bit frustrated. She had said so much, yet this girl hadn't believed a single word!
Was her credibility really that low?
It shouldn't be.
Among the immortals, her reputation was definitely top-tier.
Bai Zhu looked at Su Qing, curled her lip, and said, "I’m curious—just how many identities do you have?"
Su Qing didn't hide anything. She began counting on her fingers. "A Buddhist Bodhisattva, the Mountain God of the Changbai Mountains, a part-time Mountain God of Flower-Fruit Mountain, the Dragon King's son-in-law, and the disciple of several formidable seniors. In short, I have quite a few identities. You don't need to be too shocked or find it strange..."
Listening to this list, Bai Zhu’s mouth fell open. She felt as if she had a mountain of things to say, but in the end, not a single word came out...
After a long silence, Bai Zhu sighed.
"You certainly have a lot of identities! So... just how strong are you? When I first met you, I thought you were somewhat powerful, but I didn't realize exactly how powerful..."
"Me? Actually, I’m not that strong... just a little bit stronger than the East Sea Dragon King," Su Qing said, holding up a finger with a playful smile. "In any case, protecting my subordinates isn't a problem."
Su Qing found it difficult to explain exactly how strong she was...
Abstract concepts would surely be beyond Bai Zhu’s current level of understanding. So, Su Qing chose not to explain in detail, simply stating she was 'decent.'
As for saying she wasn't strong...
It was because there were so many powerful people around her that she felt she wasn't that impressive...
But if one looked at the bigger picture, she was already part of the elite few at the top.
However, Su Qing couldn't be bothered to brag about it.
Bai Zhu listened to her words, fell silent for a moment, and then sighed softly. "I have a feeling you're definitely not as 'not strong' as you say you are..."
Su Qing gave a light laugh. "Who knows? Just consider my strength to be 'passable.'"
Bai Zhu was silent for a moment, then nodded, dropping the subject of Su Qing’s power.
However, she clearly had another question. "Right, since you're so powerful, I probably can't help you much. Why did you decide to take me in?"
Su Qing rubbed her chin at the question. "That is indeed a good question... Simply put, I’m interested in your... well, your bloodline. Plus, I think you're cute, so I decided to keep you."
"Just because of that?" Bai Zhu was visibly stunned, clearly surprised by the answer.
Su Qing chuckled. "What other reason could there be? It’s not like I’m interested in your body while you look like a little girl, right?"
"In a sense, you are interested in my body," Bai Zhu retorted stubbornly.
Su Qing laughed. "Put that way, I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that."
"Hmph, you really are a capricious person."
"That’s true..." Su Qing looked at her and asked with a smile, "What? You're not afraid of me anymore?"
"I... hmph." Bai Zhu gave a light snort and fell silent.
To be honest, after chatting with Su Qing for a while, she wasn't that afraid of her anymore...
This short time was enough for her to understand what kind of person Su Qing was. She knew Su Qing wouldn't hurt her, so why be afraid?
Besides... she was one of Su Qing’s own now.
There was even less reason for Su Qing to harm her.
In fact, the main reason Bai Zhu had been afraid before wasn't Su Qing’s strength, but the fear that Su Qing would send her back...
After all, if she were killed, everything would be over.
But if she were sent back, the true suffering would only just begin.
Seeing Bai Zhu’s reaction, Su Qing gave another light laugh, then stretched her arms. "Alright, alright. I’ve wasted enough time chatting with you. It’s time to go back... follow me."
Su Qing didn't plan to keep standing there talking to Bai Zhu...
Fortunately, there was no one else around; otherwise, standing there chatting like idiots would have been a bit embarrassing.
Bai Zhu nodded, naturally not refusing the suggestion.
Su Qing was her boss now; she had to listen to her.
Besides... what else could she do?
It wasn't like she could go back.
She had worked so hard to escape and finally get the marriage canceled. If she went back now, wouldn't everything she’d done become a ridiculous joke?
She didn't want her efforts to become a laughingstock—not for anything.
"So, how are we getting back?" Bai Zhu suddenly asked.
Su Qing blinked, then said helplessly, "Don't tell me you can't fly?"
Su Qing was a bit confused. This girl, who had seemed quite clever before, had suddenly become so dense. Where had her previous wit and schemes gone?
Bai Zhu was also taken aback. Of course she could fly... she just didn't know if she was supposed to fly alongside Su Qing or if Su Qing was going to carry her...
Bai Zhu sighed helplessly. "I... of course I can. Never mind, I just didn't ask clearly..."
Su Qing shook her head, then grabbed Bai Zhu by the back of her collar. "Let's go. It’s not far anyway; I’ll carry you over."
Su Qing’s movements seemed rough, but they were actually very gentle and didn't hurt Bai Zhu at all...
Being lifted like that, Bai Zhu felt a sudden sense of despair... she felt she had lost enough face today to last a lifetime; she’d probably never be able to hold her head up again.
Su Qing didn't care about that. Holding Bai Zhu, she flew swiftly back to the town at the foot of Flower-Fruit Mountain...
Before long, they arrived in front of Liu Jingyue’s house.
Before she even landed, she spotted the two girls, Red Boy and Chaoyan.
The two of them waved at her, calling out, "Godmother!" "Sister Xiao Qing! Over here, over here!"
Su Qing shook her head with a smile and landed in front of them...
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