Seeing Su Qing’s question, Bai Zhu looked at her face. A flicker of worry flashed through her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it and replied with a hint of embarrassment:
“I’m not familiar with the people here. Aside from Morning Glory and the Holy Infant, who I just met, I don’t know anyone else. Staying at the banquet felt a bit awkward. So, rather than just sitting there, I thought I’d come out for a stroll to get some fresh air… I just didn’t expect to run into you here, Sister.”
Although Su Qing had been extremely kind to her lately, Bai Zhu had only recently come to her side and didn’t truly understand her. These past few days, she appeared to have opened up in her speech and actions, but in reality, she carefully weighed everything she did and said. She was cautious to avoid conflict or displeasing Su Qing; one could even say she was walking on eggshells.
While Su Qing usually appeared kind and treated those around her well, Bai Zhu’s experience at home taught her that such people were often the most terrifying—just like her Mother Queen.
Of course, beyond that…
What Bai Zhu feared even more was Su Qing’s strength.
After all, crushing her would be no harder than crushing a fly.
Even if Su Qing didn’t kill her, sending her back to her clan or handing her over to the Dragon King would be a fate worse than death…
That was why she felt a prickle of fear upon encountering Su Qing here.
She was afraid Su Qing would think she was trying to sneak away.
However, she didn’t let it show, simply explaining her original reason.
Su Qing possessed truth-detecting spells; she would know instantly if Bai Zhu was lying. As long as she told the truth, there was no need to worry too much…
It was just that she was instinctively afraid.
Su Qing looked at Bai Zhu and, upon reflection, realized she was right.
“Mmm, I did forget that you aren’t familiar with the people on this mountain. It’s normal that you can’t quite fit in.” Su Qing nodded, having no intention of blaming Bai Zhu for coming here.
As for the fact that she had interrupted Su Qing’s thoughts…
Su Qing was naturally not petty enough to care about that.
Hearing this, Bai Zhu breathed a small sigh of relief, though she didn’t relax completely.
She stepped closer to Su Qing and asked, “And why are you here, Sister?”
“The banquet was noisy. I just came out to feel the sea breeze,” Su Qing said with a light chuckle and a shake of her head.
Bai Zhu pondered for a moment and said, “You seem to have a quiet nature, Sister… Seeing how much fun you have with those two girls usually, I thought you must love banquets! I wonder why you prefer peace and quiet so much, yet the two people by your side love excitement so much.”
Bai Zhu naturally didn’t want the awkwardness to continue, so she proactively struck up a conversation.
Su Qing didn’t seem intent on pursuing the topic deeply. After Bai Zhu spoke, she simply said, “Perhaps it’s because I like the quiet too much that they like the noise!”
With that, Su Qing patted the stone beside her. “Come, sit by me.”
Bai Zhu hesitated for a fraction of a second before moving to sit beside Su Qing.
The stone was large, more than enough for two people, especially since Bai Zhu was petite—hardly different from a child.
Once she sat down, there was still plenty of space.
Bai Zhu stretched out her small feet, shaking off the sand clinging to them.
However, because she was already nervous, being called to sit right next to Su Qing made her forget what she had planned to say next.
Helpless, she could only endure the awkwardness with a sheepish giggle.
“Sister, the moon is truly beautiful tonight. Such a moon over the sea is a rare sight,” Bai Zhu said awkwardly, searching for a topic.
Perhaps because she knew Su Qing’s strength and had been tricked by her once before, she felt Su Qing was incredibly calculating and prone to setting traps. Consequently, she didn’t dare use any of her little cleverness and became even less adept at chatting.
Su Qing glanced at her, then at the horns on her head, before chuckling. “This sea moon is indeed rare and beautiful. But more importantly, do you know where you are going with me next?”
Su Qing had mentioned this in front of Bai Zhu before, but it hadn't been directly to her face—she had been speaking to Jingyue. She didn't know if the girl had taken it seriously or remembered it…
Upon hearing this, Bai Zhu immediately felt relieved.
She had been worrying about what to say to avoid sitting here in awkward silence for a long time.
She’d rather go back to the banquet and watch those monkeys and mortals drink and chat.
Now that Su Qing had proactively brought up another topic, her tension eased. At least the awkwardness was gone, and having something to talk about kept her from overthinking.
After a moment of thought, Bai Zhu said, “I know… You intend for me to go to the Changbai Mountains to assist your clone. But what exactly is a clone? And… what should I do?”
Seeing that she had listened to the previous conversation, Su Qing nodded. “A clone is a type of projection, just more powerful. As for what you should do… well, my clone will teach you when the time comes. Oh, right—you don’t need to treat the clone as someone else. Just treat her as me. I’ll be controlling her personally anyway. It’s just that I have too much to do, so I have to split my focus to be in several places at once.”
The matter of her clones was no secret, so she didn't mind telling the girl.
Bai Zhu couldn’t help but gasp. “How magical… You are truly amazing, Sister.”
She couldn’t help but marvel, her heart filled with curiosity. Just what realm was Su Qing in to possess something as wondrous as a clone and be able to control multiple bodies at once?
Su Qing shook her head. “Not that amazing. Among the immortals of the Heavenly Court, I’m barely in the upper-middle tier.”
Su Qing estimated her own strength; she could indeed be considered upper-middle. After all, the Heavenly Court was vast, mostly filled with minor deities. The middle tier consisted of Earthly Immortals who weren't particularly powerful, while the upper tier… they were formidable indeed.
Whether it was the Jade Emperor or the other celestial gods, none of them were to be trifled with.
Su Qing’s words left Bai Zhu stunned. She thought to herself, ‘Strength like hers is only upper-middle? Just what kind of colossus is the Heavenly Court… I thought the Dragon Palace was already very powerful.’
Seeing Bai Zhu fall silent, a smile touched Su Qing’s face.
She reached out and rubbed Bai Zhu’s head. “You haven’t even reached the level of an Earthly Immortal yet, so don’t overthink these things. It’s pointless. Just follow me and do your work faithfully. I will naturally teach you powerful techniques and make you strong!”
Bai Zhu’s head felt warm, and her silver-white hair was exceptionally soft and smooth, like the finest silk. But the most unique part was her pair of jiao-ears; they felt like fish fins to the touch, which was quite interesting.
Although Bai Zhu was dazed, she wasn't senseless. She naturally felt Su Qing rubbing her head and even touching her ears.
Though she didn't know the intent behind it, if Su Qing wanted to pet her, she certainly wouldn't stop her.
After all, Su Qing was her elder sister and superior. Willingness to pat her head meant she liked her.
As for why she was touching her ears and dragon horns…
She didn't know the reason.
But she was too lazy to think deeply about it. As long as she was safe and didn't have to worry about being sent back, nothing else mattered.
Bai Zhu looked up into Su Qing’s eyes and said with a beaming smile, “Since you’ve said so, Sister, I definitely won’t let you down. I’ll assist your clone well and do a good job.”
Su Qing knew Bai Zhu was a clever person. She was over a thousand years old; even if she looked young, a princess raised in the depths of a palace could never be a fool.
“Very good,” Su Qing said, nodding with satisfaction.
Bai Zhu smiled, the weight in her heart finally lifting.
It was worth calling Su Qing ‘Sister’ so saccharinely, even pretending to be a real child.
Although playing the child was a habitual tactic for her, doing it always made her feel a bit embarrassed and cringey. After all, she was an old soul over a thousand years old.
She still had some sense of dignity.
But unfortunately, she was just built small.
Thinking of this, Bai Zhu felt helpless. She didn't know where the problem lay, but she simply wouldn't grow.
Even her chest was as flat as could be… she really did look exactly like a little brat.
She withdrew her gaze and looked up at the white moon, swinging her legs. She thought, ‘I wonder if I’ll be able to grow taller once my cultivation improves. At least… at least so I don’t look like a child anymore.’
She didn't expect to become as ‘broad-minded’ as Su Qing, but at the very least, she didn't want to look like a kid forever.
Unaware of the girl’s thoughts, Su Qing stretched and said, “It’s about time. I’m heading back! If you want to keep watching the moon, feel free.”
Just as she finished speaking and before Bai Zhu could reply, Su Qing seemed to remember something. “Oh, right, I almost forgot. One more thing! Since you’re leaving the East Sea, you won’t be back for quite a while. Do you want to go back and see your parents? To say a proper goodbye?”
Su Qing wasn't a monster. Taking this girl away meant she wouldn't see her family for many years, so she intended to take her back for a visit.
However, considering the girl’s situation, she might be like Ao Ying and not like her family much.
So, she decided to see what the girl thought.
Upon hearing Su Qing’s words, Bai Zhu’s open mouth froze, and the words she was about to say were swallowed back down.
After a moment of silence, Bai Zhu said, “There’s no need to go back and see my parents… After all, I just saw them a few days ago.”
She recalled her father’s ‘good riddance’ expression and her mother’s habitual coldness, her heart entirely focused on her eldest brother. After thinking for a long time, she decided not to go back. Returning might only invite more disdain.
It was better not to do something so superfluous.
Besides, thinking of the worst-case scenario…
What if this was a test from Su Qing?
Who knew what this smiling senior was really thinking?
Su Qing glanced at Bai Zhu with a hint of confusion, but seeing the look in Bai Zhu’s eyes, she understood.
She said, “Since you don’t plan to go back, we’ll drop the matter. If you ever want to go back in the future, just tell me. If I’m free, I can escort you.”
“I understand, Sister,” Bai Zhu said with a smile and a nod.
Seeing this, Su Qing said no more and turned to leave.
A moment later, Bai Zhu smoothed her wind-tousled hair and followed in Su Qing’s footsteps.
A night of celebration passed.
The next day, a festive atmosphere still lingered in the city.
However, after the celebrations, things quieted down significantly.
Then, everything returned to normal.
Everyone went about their business as usual, with little change.
Except…
In the yamen, there was now a monkey.
That monkey was the Handsome Monkey King, Sun Wukong.
At this moment, Sun Wukong was squatting on a chair, reviewing recent official documents.
A monkey’s nature was naturally impatient.
But now that he had become a Buddha, he was actually able to settle his mind.
This sight made Su Qing marvel, yet also feel a bit of a sigh.
However…
No matter what.
Flower-Fruit Mountain would certainly not get worse in the future. It might even welcome a formidable and wise ruler.
In this way, a portion of the burden on Su Qing’s shoulders was lifted.
Su Qing smiled, then entered the yamen to join Jingyue in teaching Wukong how to manage the current Flower-Fruit Mountain.
Of course, their teaching was one thing, but much depended on Wukong’s own comprehension.
Fortunately, Wukong’s comprehension had always been excellent.
A few more days passed.
Everything in Flower-Fruit Mountain progressed in an orderly fashion.
Nothing unusual happened.
Wukong was eager to learn, as polite as the monkey who had first set out across the sea to seek knowledge.
After these few days, Su Qing felt she had stayed long enough.
Today, she planned to leave.
At the same time, the time limit for Chen Chaoyan and Red Boy’s excursion was nearly up.
It was time for everyone to return home.
So when it came time to leave, neither of them had any objections.
Wukong, however, felt quite reluctant when he heard Su Qing was leaving.
Still, he wasn't the type to get teary-eyed.
He simply came to see Su Qing off, saying, “Big Sister, once I’ve mastered the way of governing this city, I’ll come find you for a good drink… Sigh, I planned to find my old friends for drinks as soon as I got back, but now I have to learn this and that. My original plans have to be postponed until I have some free time.”
Su Qing smiled and said, “It’s fine. The big picture comes first! When you have time, come find me for a drink. Alright, I should be going! Take care.”
“You too, Big Sister! Take care!” Wukong performed a Buddhist salute and spoke seriously.
Seeing this, Su Qing felt helpless, thinking, ‘This monkey has truly become so much more polite…’
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