Su Qing smiled faintly, then led her group away with a sense of relief.
After Su Qing departed...
Jingyue sighed softly, then turned to the Earth God and said, "I have some matters to attend to. Stay here and accompany the Great Sage!"
The Earth God did not refuse, nodding slightly. "I understand."
Wukong did not ask Jingyue where she was going. He didn't have much authority over her affairs. Although everyone had called her "Macaque Little Sister" hundreds of years ago, she was actually older than him. In his heart, she was like an elder sister, though not as close as Su Qing. Therefore, he naturally wouldn't interfere with what Jingyue did. As long as she didn't harm him, Flower-Fruit Mountain, or do anything immoral, she was free to do as she pleased.
Wukong smiled, scratched the fur on his face, and turned back to review the remaining official documents. It was fortunate that his mind had settled significantly. If it had been the him from before—even the him from the early stages of the journey to the West—he wouldn't have been able to sit here for half a day, let alone a whole day. He wouldn't have lasted an hour.
After reading for a while, Wukong couldn't help but sigh. "I didn't expect the small city of Flower-Fruit Mountain to have so many affairs every day. Most are trivialities, but they are quite daunting when they pile up... I truly don't know how you handled all this so systematically before. It seems I still have much to learn now that I'm back!"
"It is nothing but practice, Great Sage. Furthermore, you needn't worry. Once you are familiar with the current affairs of Flower-Fruit Mountain, you won't need to handle these minor matters personally. We subordinates will handle them. You should focus on the major issues," the Earth God said. "You are the ruler of Flower-Fruit Mountain. It would be a great waste for your time to be consumed by such trivialities."
"That... sounds good." Wukong paused, then smiled and touched the spot where the Tight-Fillet used to be. Feeling that it was gone, he let out a long breath. "Then, Old Earth God, you must assist me well in the future... I don't want my Big Sister's years of hard work to be ruined in my hands."
"This subordinate understands," the Earth God replied seriously.
The Earth God had finally relaxed. Although he still feared Wukong, he could at least teach him how to manage the current Flower-Fruit Mountain without reservation.
'Sovereign Su was right... the current Great Sage has a completely different personality from the one who caused havoc in Heaven,' the Earth God thought with a smile, feeling that he might actually leave a name for himself in this world.
On the other side, after Su Qing left Flower-Fruit Mountain, she first visited the South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove to return Morning Glory to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Although the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth was approaching, one's cultivation could not be neglected. After all, who knew if the world would descend into chaos in these final years? Thus, sending her back to cultivate was the right thing to do.
Seeing Su Qing, Guanyin Bodhisattva chuckled. "You are quite interesting, personally delivering my disciple back to me."
"She is your disciple, but she's also my goddaughter. I certainly don't care for her any less than you do," Su Qing said, pouting slightly.
Guanyin Bodhisattva merely smiled, then looked at Bai Zhu behind Su Qing. "You really do love girls from the Dragon Clan... Hmph, speaking of the Dragon Clan, I'm still a bit annoyed with you."
Whenever Guanyin thought of the Dragon Clan, she thought of her own dear disciple, the Pearl-Bearing Dragon Girl. She truly didn't know what kind of charm Su Qing possessed to lure her away with just a few words, and she still hadn't returned.
Hearing Guanyin bring this up, Su Qing knew that if she stayed any longer, she would inevitably be nagged. She hated Guanyin's nagging more than anything. So, after returning Morning Glory, she said, "It's getting late. I should take the Holy Infant back to her home. I won't overstay my welcome, Bodhisattva..."
Guanyin Bodhisattva set down her prayer beads, a hint of exasperation in her beautiful eyes. "You girl, you kidnapped my disciple, and you won't even let me nag you for a sentence or two? Hmph, how truly unlikable. Fine, if you want to leave, then leave! It's not as if I can stop you."
Su Qing gave an awkward smile, bowed to the Bodhisattva, and then rode her Somersault Cloud to take Red Boy home.
On the way, Bai Zhu gasped repeatedly, contributing significantly to the world's greenhouse effect as she thought, 'Sister... you're truly a hidden dragon. You actually know Guanyin Bodhisattva. And judging by the way she spoke to you, your relationship is excellent... she even lets you take her disciple.'
Although Bai Zhu's mind was racing, she remained relatively calm on the surface, showing nothing more than those few gasps.
"What is it? My Somersault Cloud is fast, but it blocks the wind and doesn't harm the body. Are you cold?" Su Qing asked with a laugh, glancing back.
Bai Zhu was right beside her; Su Qing couldn't have missed those heavy gasps.
Bai Zhu shook her head with a smile. "I was just startled by seeing Guanyin Bodhisattva."
"Haha, although the Bodhisattva and I don't always see eye to eye, she isn't a bad person. She is exceptionally fond of the younger generation... As long as you don't provoke her, nothing will happen. If you met her alone, you might even get a reward. It's just a pity that since you were with me... she couldn't bring herself to give anything."
Su Qing had known Guanyin for a long time and understood her well. Her personality was multifaceted—sometimes mischievous, sometimes compassionate, sometimes fiery—but it was certain that she loved juniors. Otherwise, she wouldn't have nagged so much about the Dragon Girl.
Bai Zhu was quite confused. They seemed to have a great relationship, so why did Su Qing say they didn't see eye to eye? After all, that was Guanyin Bodhisattva... even such a peerless existence spoke to Su Qing as an equal without any air of superiority. How could that be a bad relationship?
Bai Zhu didn't understand. Perhaps this was a special way Great Immortals spoke to each other? Regardless, she didn't dwell on it. She was just a little dragon who hadn't even reached the Earthly Immortal realm; the affairs of great deities were beyond her concern.
Seeing that Bai Zhu had fallen silent, Su Qing smiled and stopped talking as well.
Beside them, Red Boy looked at the scenery flying past with a calm expression, lacking her usual excitement. It was likely because she was going home, which made her a bit unhappy. Although she didn't object to returning, it wasn't something she wanted; it was merely a promise to her parents. A bit of frustration was inevitable.
Su Qing knew Red Boy didn't want to go back, but she couldn't say much. After all, she had promised the girl's parents to return her when the time came.
Su Qing's Somersault Cloud was incredibly fast, and in no time, they arrived outside the Banana Leaf Cave.
Su Qing walked to the entrance and knocked. Within moments, the stone doors opened on their own. Inside, Rakshasi was already waiting.
"Thank you, Sister, for bringing this girl back," Rakshasi said, pulling Red Boy to her side. "Come in and sit for a while. Have a cup of tea before you go."
Since Su Qing had rarely visited, Rakshasi naturally didn't want her to leave so soon. At the very least, they had to share some tea and chat for a while.
Su Qing didn't refuse. She nodded and followed her into the manor, with Bai Zhu following behind.
"And this is?"
"Bai Zhu, a girl from the Dragon Clan."
"Oh, a girl from the Dragon Clan. She's quite cute... she truly looks lovable."
"Yes, I also think she's quite pretty. But don't let her cute looks fool you; she's actually not that young. She's over a thousand years old," Su Qing said with a laugh, revealing her age.
Hearing this, Rakshasi was stunned for a moment. "Truly? That is quite remarkable."
"By the way, where is your husband?" Su Qing didn't intend to dwell on Bai Zhu and shifted the topic to the Bull Demon King. "I remember he went to seek a position in the Buddhist court?"
"Mmm, that fool of mine indeed found a decent position there. Although the offerings aren't much, it's peaceful and leisurely... Speaking of which, I should thank you for helping him make up his mind!"
"Why thank me? I merely helped him firm his resolve."
"Regardless, you helped him. You deserve the thanks."
"Hehe, since you put it that way, Sister, I'll shamelessly accept it." Su Qing smiled, and they moved on to other topics.
Su Qing chatted with Rakshasi for about half an hour. Feeling it was enough, she expressed her intention to leave. Rakshasi didn't insist on her staying but saw her to the door with a smile, telling her to remember to come back for tea next time. Su Qing nodded and said she understood, though whether she would actually come was another matter.
After leaving the Banana Leaf Cave, Su Qing wasn't in a hurry to see Bai Suzhen. There was still plenty of time. She planned to drop Bai Zhu off at the Changbai Mountains first. For one, the Changbai Mountains weren't far from Mount Li. Secondly, it wasn't quite appropriate to bring Bai Zhu along while she went to see Bai Suzhen for... intimate matters. Although she could have left her at Mount Li with the Daoist boy, it still felt a bit off. So, she decided to take her to the Changbai Mountains.
On the Somersault Cloud, Su Qing said, "Next, we're going to the Changbai Mountains. There, you'll be able to see the clone I mentioned..."
"Are we going to the Changbai Mountains?" Bai Zhu nodded, feeling a bit of anticipation.
Su Qing smiled. "Mmm. Oh, speaking of which... there's another person in my courtyard at the Changbai Mountains. She's not easy to talk to, so don't provoke her too much. Although her magic is sealed, she has a sharp tongue... she's very good at scolding people; you likely won't win an argument with her. Also, since she can't use magic, don't use yours to bully her... though if she scolds you too harshly, you can retaliate a bit."
Su Qing was, of course, talking about Chen Nianxin. Although Chen Nianxin was much more obedient now, her temper was still quite bad. Su Qing was largely responsible for this. Life on the Changbai Mountains was extremely boring; aside from handling chores, Su Qing's favorite pastime was teasing her. Over time, while Chen Nianxin had improved in some ways, her temper had only worsened because of Su Qing's antics. In the end, it was all Su Qing's fault.
Bai Zhu was a bit bewildered by this, but she nodded obediently. She would see this person Su Qing spoke of once they arrived.
It didn't take long for the Somersault Cloud to reach the vicinity of the Changbai Mountains. Su Qing stood in the sky for a moment, looking down, then lowered the cloud and landed in the courtyard.
Su Qing's clone was here. She looked at this place every day, so she was long tired of the view. To her, it was just the same as always.
Upon entering the courtyard, they saw Chen Nianxin boredly pruning a potted plant. Seeing Su Qing return with a young girl, she immediately sneered, "You're truly something. You stay away for so long, and the moment you return, you bring back a pretty little girl. Did you find yourself another child bride? Planning to raise her and then... marry her? You really do have a thing for the Dragon Clan. With so many dragon girls around you, you still haven't had enough! Tsk tsk... no wonder the heavens are always spreading rumors about you."
After all this time, Chen Nianxin knew Su Qing wouldn't do anything serious to her. She had been sent here by the Buddha to cultivate her mind, so she wouldn't be killed. At most, she'd face a bit of punishment. But if she could see Su Qing's face turn red with rage, even a beating would be worth it. In fact, she quite wanted to see Su Qing lose her cool.
Unfortunately, Su Qing never gave her the satisfaction.
Su Qing said with a smile, "Who told you this is a little girl? Don't let her small stature fool you; she's already a thousand years old. By calculation, she's even older than you."
Bai Zhu: "..."
'Can you please not mention my sore spot to every single person we meet? I know I'm small, I know I look like a brat, but you don't have to announce it everywhere!' Bai Zhu wanted to cry but could only vent her frustrations toward Su Qing in her heart. After all, it wasn't as if she chose to look like a child. Who wouldn't want a curvaceous, immortal-like figure?
Chen Nianxin was stunned. She looked closely at Su Qing, then at Bai Zhu. Seeing that Su Qing didn't appear to be lying, she let out a cold snort. "Hmph, so she's just a shorty who won't grow up... I see. Since she's already a thousand years old, you're planning to just marry her straight away, aren't you? Tsk tsk, I didn't think someone with your transcendent appearance would have such tastes..."
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