Victorious Fighting Buddha or Great Sage Equal to Heaven?

Su Qing and Jingyue went off to cook together...

Meanwhile, Chaoyan and Red Boy continued to get acquainted with Bai Zhu. Red Boy was no longer as confrontational as she had been at the start. Perhaps it was because Chaoyan had given her a quiet warning, or maybe she had simply thought things through herself. Regardless, her attitude had softened considerably.

The three of them got along reasonably well, so Su Qing didn't worry too much about them.

And so, the first day of their arrival at Flower-Fruit Mountain came to an end.

Over the next few days, Su Qing followed through on her promise to take the girls around the markets of Flower-Fruit Mountain. They also explored other parts of the mountain to fully experience the local life. While Chaoyan and Red Boy were having the time of their lives, Bai Zhu always seemed a bit morose. It was unclear whether she was having trouble fitting in or if there was some other reason.

Su Qing wasn't entirely sure, but she didn't pry.

Aside from accompanying the girls, Su Qing also spent time helping Jingyue with some of her official duties. Although she had come to Flower-Fruit Mountain to relax and avoid the Bodhisattvas looking for her, seeing Jingyue so busy made her feel guilty about just idling around. She figured it was better to help out where she could.

Moreover, she was technically the Mountain God of Flower-Fruit Mountain. Even if she was only a nominal deity who rarely participated in management, she was still the Mountain God, and helping out was only right.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, the day arrived when the Eight Great Vajras were set to escort Wukong and the others back...

At the same time, a guest arrived at Great Emperor Zhenwu's domain in the Northern Continent.

"Greetings, Guanyin Bodhisattva." Since Su Qing was absent, the person receiving Guanyin Bodhisattva was naturally Liu Xixi. As Su Qing's assistant official and the highest-ranking person beneath her, it was perfectly appropriate for her to host the guest.

"Amitabha. Benefactor Liu, where is Sovereign Su? Why are you the one meeting me?" Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, her eyebrows arching slightly in surprise at the sight of Liu Xixi.

"Um... to answer the Bodhisattva, the Sovereign is currently not at the domain." Seeing that the Bodhisattva was looking for Su Qing, Liu Xixi honestly informed her that Su Qing was not there.

"Then could you tell this poor monk where Sovereign Su has gone?" Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, her brow twitching imperceptibly.

Liu Xixi shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure where the Sovereign went. She only said she was taking a few children out for a trip. As for the specific location, I don't know... After all, I am only her assistant official. She doesn't always tell me her itinerary in great detail."

Liu Xixi made it very clear: she didn't know, and asking further wouldn't help.

Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva felt a bit speechless regarding Su Qing's antics, but she didn't show any emotion. She simply said with a smile, "In that case, I shall look elsewhere. I apologize for the intrusion."

"No intrusion at all," Liu Xixi said, shaking her head. "Shall I see you out, Bodhisattva?"

"That won't be necessary." Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled, shook her head, and departed on a cloud.

Once Guanyin Bodhisattva was out of sight, Liu Xixi scratched her head.

'I wonder what business Guanyin Bodhisattva has with the Sovereign,' Liu Xixi thought to herself as she watched the direction the Bodhisattva had gone. 'Oh well, I can't interfere too much in the Sovereign's affairs, especially things involving the Western Heaven. It's beyond my pay grade anyway. With Guanyin Bodhisattva's power, finding the Sovereign shouldn't be difficult. I shouldn't worry myself... I might as well use that energy to finish the remaining work. Now that the Sovereign is gone, all the work has landed on my desk.'

With Su Qing away, Liu Xixi had to handle almost all the official business. While she would leave the tasks that required Su Qing's personal touch, she handled everything else herself. In her view, as an assistant official, this was her duty.

Meanwhile, after leaving the domain, Guanyin Bodhisattva performed a quick divination with her fingers.

While it was difficult to calculate Su Qing's exact movements directly, tracking the people around her was no problem at all. Su Qing had taken Chaoyan with her this time, so by calculating Chaoyan's location, she could essentially find Su Qing.

It didn't take long for Guanyin Bodhisattva to pinpoint Su Qing's location.

Without wasting any more time, she headed straight for Flower-Fruit Mountain.

'No wonder the Buddha sent me this time... It seems he already knew Su Qing would be hiding,' Guanyin thought, shaking her head helplessly. 'But even if I find her and ask her personally, she might not necessarily agree to come...'

Guanyin had a fair understanding of Su Qing's personality. She knew that even if she found her, Su Qing might not follow her to Spirit Mountain. To be honest, she wasn't particularly keen on looking for her either. But she had no choice; the Buddha had given the order, so she had to make the trip. Such was the life of a subordinate.

Back at Flower-Fruit Mountain, Su Qing—who was currently strolling through the streets with Red Boy, Chaoyan, and Bai Zhu—had not yet realized the gravity of the situation. She hadn't expected Guanyin Bodhisattva to come looking for her even after she had clearly signaled her desire to avoid the matter by leaving the Northern Continent.

"Godmother, this looks quite nice! I didn't realize the craftsmen on Flower-Fruit Mountain were so skilled. They've actually captured your likeness quite well! It's not as beautiful as you are, of course, but it definitely has your charm."

As Chaoyan passed a woodcarving stall, she suddenly spotted a figure carved in Su Qing's likeness. Chaoyan wasn't surprised to see a carving of Su Qing; after all, Su Qing was the local Mountain God and held immense prestige here. Having wood carvings of her was perfectly normal. What surprised her was the quality—the craftsman had managed to capture her essence. Aside from Bai Suzhen, she had never seen a woodcarver capable of such a feat.

Su Qing looked at the carving and chuckled. "It is indeed well-carved."

"Hehe, thank you for the praise, Lady Willow Immortal! My shop carves your heroic figure more than anything else, which is why I've managed to get it just right," the woodcarver said with a beaming smile.

"You carve me the most?"

"Well, carvings of Lady Willow Immortal sell the best! Everyone on Flower-Fruit Mountain likes to buy one to take home and offer incense to."

"I see..." Su Qing nodded. "Then I'll take this one!"

After a moment's thought, she decided to buy it. She didn't exactly need a carving of herself, but since it was so well-made, she felt like keeping it as a collectible.

"Oh, please! This carving is a gift for Lady Willow Immortal! You've arrived in person; how could a commoner like me, who lives under your protection, dare to take your money?" The woodcarver hurriedly shook his head, refusing to accept payment.

Su Qing ignored his protest and said, "If I'm buying something, I must pay. I can't just take things for free because of who I am... So, how much?"

"This... Well, since you insist, Lady Willow Immortal, let's say twenty wen," the woodcarver said after a brief silence.

This price was clearly a mere formality, barely covering the cost of the materials. In reality, a woodcarving of this quality, one that seemed to possess a soul, would be worth at least three or four taels of silver. But since it was for Lady Willow Immortal, charging too much was out of the question. After all, she had protected Flower-Fruit Mountain for so many years; everyone remembered her kindness. Even now, the heads of the great demons she had slain still hung by the city gates!

Su Qing fell silent for a moment, then nodded with a smile. She knew this wasn't the actual market price, but since the woodcarver clearly didn't want to profit from her, she let it be. She had already made her point about paying.

After paying, Su Qing led Chaoyan and the others away from the stall.

However, just as she stepped out, she spotted a familiar figure floating on a cloud in the distance—the very person she didn't want to see.

Indeed, it was Guanyin Bodhisattva. Su Qing saw her the moment she came out.

Su Qing rubbed the bridge of her nose, feeling a wave of frustration. Was her desire to avoid the trip not obvious enough? Why did they have to track her down like this?

Su Qing knew that no matter where she went, the people of the Buddhist sect would have a way to find her. Whether it was the Buddha or Guanyin, their power was supreme; calculating the location of her or those around her was as easy as turning over a hand. The reason she had left Great Emperor Zhenwu's domain despite knowing they could find her was simply to signal that she was busy and didn't want to go.

And yet, despite that, Guanyin Bodhisattva had come anyway.

Su Qing sighed inwardly and prepared herself to meet her. As for hiding or pretending she wasn't home... that was out of the question. For one, the Bodhisattva had already seen her, and for another, it would be a breach of etiquette. Since the guest had arrived, she had to meet her, regardless of the circumstances. How she would eventually refuse her was a separate matter.

As she pondered this, Guanyin Bodhisattva descended from the clouds and landed in front of Su Qing. The inhabitants here were either demons or mortals accustomed to seeing them, so there was no need to hide her divine descent.

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's head to my residence and chat over tea," Su Qing said with a light smile.

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded. Although she wanted to deliver the message quickly and return to report, she suspected Su Qing wouldn't agree easily, so she was prepared to accompany her back and talk it through.

"You three go on and keep exploring the streets. I'll come back and join you once I've finished my business," Su Qing said with a smile to the three girls.

She was speaking to the girls, but the message was also for Guanyin Bodhisattva—the implication being that she had no intention of leaving with her.

Guanyin caught the subtext but said nothing for the moment, intending to follow the proper procedures first.

Shortly after, Su Qing and Guanyin Bodhisattva arrived at Jingyue's home and sat down in the courtyard.

"I assume the Bodhisattva isn't here for her disciple this time?" Su Qing asked with a smile.

"Why act like you don't understand? I certainly didn't come for Chaoyan. I've accepted that I can't control that girl anymore. While I worry for her virtue staying with you, at least her safety is guaranteed." Guanyin gave Su Qing a mock glare before continuing, "I've come to invite you to Spirit Mountain. Tang Sanzang and his disciples are returning today to receive their titles. We would like you to be there to witness it."

Su Qing smiled and shook her head. "I'm a bit tied up here, so I think I'll pass."

"Tied up?" Guanyin looked at Su Qing and chuckled, shaking her head. "If you don't want to go, at least find a better excuse than that."

"Is this excuse not good enough? I have to take my two girls around, and I also need to educate the little white dragon girl I just picked up..." Su Qing spread her hands, looking completely unshakeable.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was moved to laughter by her stubbornness. "Fine, fine. If you won't go, you won't go. I didn't expect you to agree anyway; I'm just here as a matter of routine."

Guanyin had already given up on convincing her. She might as well let her stay here rather than waste any more breath.

Su Qing chuckled. "Thank you, Senior."

Guanyin Bodhisattva rolled her eyes. "So, here's the real question: why don't you want to go?"

"Well, I already told you!"

"I want the truth."

"I just don't want to see the moment he becomes a Buddha and gets bound by those constraints," Su Qing said, spreading her hands. "I've always preferred the unrestrained Great Sage Equal to Heaven... but since I can't change or stop what's happening, I'd rather just stay away and keep my peace of mind."

It wasn't just Su Qing; in the era she came from, the vast majority of people didn't love the Victorious Fighting Buddha. They loved the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—the one who feared nothing between heaven and earth.