Su Qing wasn't actually too surprised by Chang'e's question.
The Lunar Deity could sense most things in the Moon Palace, and as the Mistress of Guanghan Palace, Chang'e naturally should have sensed it as well.
Besides... she was Guanyin Bodhisattva, one of the Five Elders of the Five Regions, with a massive background...
It would be stranger if she hadn't noticed.
So Su Qing nodded slightly, admitting that Guanyin had indeed come to find her.
Seeing Su Qing nod, Chang'e's expression immediately became serious.
She then hurriedly asked Su Qing what exactly Guanyin wanted with her.
Although Su Qing was a bit confused as to why Chang'e's reaction was so strong.
But she didn't hide anything and told Chang'e about the previous encounter with Guanyin.
It was better than letting Chang'e guess blindly... which would only give her a headache too.
After hearing Su Qing's words, Chang'e couldn't help but grit her teeth and say:
"I knew that old nun didn't have good intentions coming to the Moon Palace. She actually wanted to kidnap you to Buddhism and even lied, saying you wouldn't have to become a nun. Hmph, simply despicable! You didn't agree to her, did you?"
Hearing this, the corner of Su Qing's mouth twitched slightly.
She thought Chang'e was concerned about something special... but it turned out she was just worried about her being kidnapped!
This left her not knowing whether to laugh or cry...
Su Qing shook her head helplessly and said, "I didn't agree. I found an excuse to reject her."
Chang'e finally nodded and threw an arm around Su Qing's neck, saying:
"Phew, that's good... Xiao Qing, I'm telling you, even if you don't stay in the Heavenly Court, you must never go to Buddhism."
"Those old baldies are wicked! Don't be fooled by their smiles; you've no idea how filthy their hearts are behind their backs!"
Hearing these words, Su Qing couldn't help but give a helpless smile.
Su Qing wasn't sure if the hearts of those monks in the West were filthy or not; she only knew that Chang'e truly loathed those monks from the West.
"Don't worry, Sister Chang'e... I'm quite happy staying here and have no intention of going to Buddhism." Su Qing nodded and said.
Hearing this, Chang'e finally felt completely at ease.
She was truly afraid that Su Qing would agree and be lured away to the West to become a nun.
After all, if Su Qing was tricked into going to the West, there would be no one to drink and play with her.
A companion like this might not be encountered once in several millennia.
Naturally, she would rather be a bit selfish than lose her.
So, for both emotional and practical reasons, she didn't want it to happen.
"Since you have no such intention, then I can rest easy!"
Chang'e patted her proud chest and said with a chuckle:
"Those people from the West are wicked! They're far worse than me, not even a ten-thousandth as good as I am. You just stay here with me obediently!"
Su Qing looked at her and said half-jokingly, "Yes, they are indeed far from Sister Chang'e."
"Of course!" Chang'e said with a laugh. "Alright, I'm in a good mood today, it's worth celebrating! Xiao Qing, how about having a few drinks with me?"
"I don't mind, but Sister Chang'e, given your alcohol tolerance, maybe we should forget it? I'm afraid that after you get drunk, you'll start getting handsy with me again!"
"Hmph, what are you thinking! When have I ever done such things?" Chang'e curled her lip, shamelessly denying it. "Just say if you'll join me or not!"
Su Qing: "...Fine, since I have nothing to do today anyway, I'll accompany you, Sister Chang'e."
"That's more like it!" Chang'e was suddenly as happy as a child.
Su Qing only gave a helpless smile and humored Chang'e's antics.
This time, Chang'e drank her fill, and Su Qing also ended up quite full of wine.
After Chang'e fell asleep, muttering strange things.
Su Qing naturally left Guanghan Palace and returned to her own residence.
Just as she returned to the courtyard, Su Qing saw the Lunar Deity sitting there waiting for her.
"Has the Deity come regarding the matter of Senior Guanyin?" Su Qing thought for a moment and couldn't help but ask.
The Lunar Deity was slightly surprised, seemingly amazed that Su Qing knew her purpose for coming, and couldn't help but think more highly of her.
The Lunar Deity nodded slightly and said:
"Yes, that's right. However, I am only here at her request to give you something."
The Deity didn't waste words with Su Qing and simply took out the item Guanyin had entrusted her to give to Su Qing.
It was a bamboo plaque made of purple bamboo, engraved with several Sanskrit characters.
Su Qing was not proficient in Buddhist teachings, but fortunately, her master practiced all three paths, so as his disciple, she had learned a bit of Sanskrit.
After looking closely, Su Qing recognized what was written on it—it was the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra, 'Om Mani Padme Hum'.
The Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra was widely known and wasn't considered anything particularly special.
Yet, for some reason, when Su Qing saw these six characters.
She unexpectedly had a slight realization, as if these six characters contained great wisdom and profound mysteries.
Clearly, this Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra carved on the purple bamboo plaque was not ordinary.
Seeing Su Qing staring blankly at the bamboo plaque, the Lunar Deity said calmly:
"It seems you've recognized what this is. Do you know the origin of this Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra?"
Su Qing snapped out of it and nodded slightly.
She knew this...
Legend had it that Guanyin Bodhisattva attained Buddhahood by practicing with this mantra, and this mantra was her subtle original heart.
Seeing Su Qing nod, the Deity continued:
"Guanyin knows you are unwilling to enter Buddhism, and she doesn't intend to force you. So she asked me to give this to you, saying she wants to form a karmic bond."
"This mantra was hand-carved by Guanyin herself, so it contains the mysteries and wisdom she has learned."
"Although this mantra is a product of Buddhism, all laws return to one; all mantras and techniques share a single origin."
"So just go ahead and comprehend it, turning the wisdom within into your own."
Unlike Chang'e, the Deity didn't have much hostility or dissatisfaction toward Buddhism; her attitude was more one of equality.
However, Su Qing was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but say, "This item is too precious... I don't dare to accept it lightly."
Su Qing understood one thing: if you accept someone's gift, you naturally have to repay it in the future...
Especially something so special.
If she had to return the favor later... it would probably be difficult.
Besides, she wasn't very familiar with Guanyin yet.
Hearing this, the Deity was quite indifferent and said:
"This thing isn't precious. Just take it."
"Don't overthink it. She simply hopes to pass this thing down."
"This Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra contains the supreme wisdom of Buddhism. It's not so simple to comprehend, so she has given out countless identical items. Currently, she's completely in a state of casting a wide net."
"So just keep it. If you can comprehend it, then do so. If not, leaving it aside to ward off evil is just the same."
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