Laojun didn't get angry at being glared at; he was well-acquainted with this fellow's temperament.
Everything was fine with him… except for the fact that he was stubborn and awkward.
He simply chuckled and said, "Fine, fine, I’ll shut my mouth now."
"You two have a good chat, master and disciple. As for me, I'm heading inside to get some wine."
With that, Laojun patted Patriarch Bodhi on the shoulder, turned around with a laugh, and strolled into the main hall.
Su Qing saw that her master and Elder Laojun had finished their conversation.
She stepped forward and said:
"Master… it's been so long. Your disciple has missed you terribly! I wanted to find a chance to seek you out, but I was worried you wouldn't want to see me, so… I never went."
Patriarch Bodhi’s Daoist academy never remained in a single location…
Even if she wanted to calculate its position, she could never deduce where it might be.
If her master didn't wish to see her, she could search the five lakes and four seas and still never find him.
Patriarch Bodhi cleared his throat and said:
"There's no need for you to seek me out. When I wish to see you, I will come to you naturally! However, this time I was dragged here by that shameless old rogue, Laojun."
Patriarch Bodhi didn't forget to glance at Su Qing as he spoke, saying grumpily, "Though I didn't expect that you, girl, have learned to find others to help you now. You even roped in those two old fellows, Laojun and Maitreya."
Su Qing smiled at his words but didn't offer a rebuttal.
Although Laojun could be a bit of a pitfall sometimes, overall, he was an exceptionally kind elder.
"Isn't it because I missed you, Master?" Su Qing replied.
"Hmph, you silly girl…" Patriarch Bodhi didn't scold Su Qing, merely saying, "Forget it. Since I'm here, I might as well have a proper chat with you. Come with me, we'll talk to the side. Staying here will only invite disturbances."
Patriarch Bodhi knew that his presence there would inevitably attract many interruptions, so he decided to take the girl aside for a private chat.
Su Qing didn't refuse; she nodded slightly and followed Patriarch Bodhi into the banquet hall.
The old Dragon King didn't block them, nor did he even speak a word.
He recognized Patriarch Bodhi and knew this wasn't someone he could afford to provoke, so it was best not to go looking for trouble.
Su Qing had just followed Patriarch Bodhi into the hall when she saw Ao Ying walking toward them.
Seeing an elderly man beside Su Qing, Ao Ying couldn't help but ask, "Sister Xiao Qing… who is this elder?"
She didn't know who the person before her was, nor what Patriarch Bodhi looked like, and she certainly didn't know that Su Qing’s master was this very Patriarch.
After all, Su Qing had always remembered her master's instructions, so she had never proactively mentioned her master's identity to anyone.
Thus, Su Qing felt some hesitation about whether she should explicitly state that Patriarch Bodhi was her master.
She couldn't help but cast her gaze toward her master.
Seeing this, Patriarch Bodhi nodded slightly and then said:
"I am her master. I presume you must be the Dragon King's daughter, Ao Ying?"
That fat monk, Maitreya, had already explained many things in the letter he sent him.
Including, but not limited to, the matter of his disciple wanting to marry the Dragon Palace princess, Ao Ying, as her wife…
Though Patriarch Bodhi didn't intend to meddle in his disciple's romantic affairs, nor did he mind that she had chosen a woman.
But since they had happened to cross paths this time, it was only natural for him to get to know her and have a chat.
In passing, he also wanted to understand what kind of person this woman his disciple wanted to marry was, to vet her on his disciple’s behalf.
In any case, he simply couldn't let his disciple be at a disadvantage.
Ao Ying was momentarily stunned by Patriarch Bodhi's words, then asked with a look of confusion, "The Elder is Sister's master? Why have I never heard Sister mention it?"
"It was I who forbade her from mentioning me to outsiders," Patriarch Bodhi said indifferently.
Su Qing nodded slightly at that and said, "It's true! My master being Patriarch Bodhi is something he always insisted I keep quiet. But since Master has already told you, little sister, there's no need for me to hide it anymore."
Hearing Su Qing's words, Patriarch Bodhi shot her a brief look but said nothing.
After all, if the two of them were truly going to be together in the future…
There was no sense in keeping these matters hidden.
As long as they didn't go around shouting it to everyone, it was fine.
When Ao Ying heard the name 'Patriarch Bodhi,' she froze in place for a long time.
After a long while, she nodded blankly and said, "I… I see."
She had always known her sister's sect wasn't simple…
But she had never imagined that her sister's master was actually someone so formidable.
Though she had never met Patriarch Bodhi, she had heard the name and knew exactly what it signified.
After a brief moment of daze, Ao Ying quickly snapped back to her senses.
She then performed a respectful salute and said, "Ao Ying greets… Master."
For a moment, Ao Ying didn't know what else to call him, so she simply switched to 'Master' as well.
Patriarch Bodhi didn't care about the form of address; he just nodded slightly and said, "Since we’ve happened to meet, you should come with me as well. I have some things to discuss with both you and Yingqing."
Ao Ying hurriedly nodded at his words.
Although she didn't know what Patriarch Bodhi wanted to say to her… she was still incredibly nervous.
She wasn't nervous because she was facing a legendary elder of such high standing…
But because Patriarch Bodhi was Su Qing's master.
As the saying goes, 'A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime.' Patriarch Bodhi was effectively Su Qing's father or grandfather.
And since her sister didn't have parents in the traditional sense!
So, by that logic… chatting with Patriarch Bodhi was essentially meeting the parents!
How could she not be nervous?
What if… what if she didn't live up to the Patriarch's expectations for his disciple’s spouse? Wouldn't that be the end of it?
After all, matters of marriage usually had to pass through the parents and elders.
Su Qing saw Ao Ying's nervous expression and couldn't help but smile, patting her shoulder as she said, "Don't be afraid. Don't look at how serious Master seems; he's actually quite easy to talk to!"
She understood her master's temperament better than anyone.
He only appeared difficult to get along with.
In reality, he was quite a lovely old man.
Ao Ying shook her head slightly upon hearing that.
She said, "No, I naturally know the Patriarch is easy to talk to. That isn't what I'm worried about…"
Su Qing tilted her head and asked, "Then what are you worried about, little sister?"
"It's… it's nothing." In the end, Ao Ying didn't directly say what was bothering her.
After all, Patriarch Bodhi was right there listening!
One couldn't exactly speak ill of someone to their face, could they?
Su Qing looked puzzled, but since Ao Ying wouldn't say, she didn't press the matter further.
The three of them entered the banquet hall, found a corner, and sat down.
Once they were seated, the Patriarch naturally began to question Ao Ying on various matters.
He looked for all the world like an overly concerned father.
From a distance, Laojun saw this scene and couldn't help but find it rather amusing.
"That old fellow probably hasn't even noticed the change in himself, has he? Hahaha, seeing that old fossil make a spectacle of himself is truly entertaining," Laojun thought cheerfully.
However, as Laojun thought about it, he looked up at the ceiling of the Dragon Palace.
A touch of melancholy flickered in his heart.
"A pity, the time we old fossils can stay by these youngsters' side isn't much longer!" Laojun shook his head helplessly.
In truth, if it were in the past, he certainly wouldn't have bothered dragging Patriarch Bodhi here to see his disciple.
But as 'that day' gradually approached… Laojun knew that such opportunities to meet would become fewer and fewer in the future.
So, to leave no regrets…
Naturally, he would do whatever he could, while he could.
He would follow his whims a bit more!
To one side.
Su Qing propped up her face with her small hands, watching her master question Ao Ying about every little detail.
She couldn't help but find it a bit funny.
Her master always claimed he didn't care, but when he actually did something, he was often the most serious and meticulous of all.
It was as if he were deathly afraid of missing even the slightest detail.
After a long while, the Master finally finished his questioning, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.
"A fine girl," Patriarch Bodhi nodded, quickly tucking away his satisfied look as he spoke.
Ao Ying breathed a sigh of relief at his words and said, "Thank you for the praise, Master!"
"That wasn't exactly praise… Very well, you may go about your business now. I won't disturb you further. I still have some important matters to discuss with Yingqing in private."
Patriarch Bodhi was naturally satisfied with Ao Ying, so he didn't intend to keep questioning her.
Nor did he intend to meddle further in the affairs between her and Su Qing.
This girl… was indeed a good girl.
Ao Ying nodded at this, looked at the smiling Su Qing, and said, "Then I shall take my leave."
With that, Ao Ying performed a respectful salute and departed.
After Ao Ying left the banquet hall, the old Dragon King sought her out and couldn't help but ask, "What did the Patriarch say?"
The old Dragon King was naturally concerned about the Patriarch's evaluation of Ao Ying.
After all, he didn't want the Patriarch to oppose this marriage.
Ao Ying let out a long sigh and said, "He didn't say much… only that I was 'fine'."
Hearing this, the old Dragon King finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He nodded and said, "That's good then! In that case, your matters can be considered settled."
Ao Ying saw the way the old Dragon King exhaled in relief and gave a small smile before turning to resume her duties.
After Ao Ying left.
Su Qing looked at her master in confusion and asked, "Master, what is it that you needed to discuss with me alone?"
Patriarch Bodhi didn't speak immediately; he merely cast a spell to eliminate all surrounding noise and ensure his own voice wouldn't leak out, while casually sealing Leng Xiang's senses as well.
Seeing her master act this way, Su Qing grew even more confused.
What could be so important that even Leng Xiang had to be shut out?
In her confusion, Patriarch Bodhi spoke calmly, saying:
"I imagine you have already noticed that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has surged significantly."
Su Qing nodded upon hearing this and said, "Your disciple has indeed noticed."
"This spiritual energy will likely continue to grow for some time. It will be quite a while before it gradually levels off and stabilizes!"
"And when it does stabilize, many more demons and monsters will likely emerge… you must remember to pay closer attention then."
"If you encounter evil demons causing trouble, simply slay them. If you meet virtuous spirits, you may guide them according to your own methods."
"Regardless of which path you choose, we will not interfere with you! So long as you can ensure they do not create chaos, it will suffice."
Patriarch Bodhi stroked his beard and said:
"In the few centuries to come, there may be a bit of disorder between heaven and earth, but it will be of no great consequence… you just continue living according to your own ways."
Su Qing felt slightly puzzled by these words, as she didn't hear any hidden meaning behind them.
She only understood the surface meaning her master had stated.
She didn't rush to analyze it, merely saying, "Your disciple understands!"
Patriarch Bodhi looked at Su Qing and nodded slightly, saying:
"I do not know if you truly understand or not. Regardless, you only need to remember one thing: the next five hundred to one thousand years will be extremely important."
Su Qing's mind was a bit muddled, but she simply nodded and said, "Your disciple knows."
At this, Patriarch Bodhi said, "Actually, that is all I had to say. Well, now that I’ve said it, I should be going! After this meeting, it may truly be a very long time before we see each other again! However… I will try my best to find time to attend your wedding banquet in the future…"
Patriarch Bodhi originally had much more to say…
But once the words reached his lips, he didn't know how to voice them.
He lacked all the speed and sharpness he had shown when questioning Ao Ying earlier.
Since he couldn't find the words, he simply decided not to speak them.
In any case, now that he had seen her, whether he said them or not didn't matter anymore…
It was merely a bit of a pity.
As Patriarch Bodhi spoke, his voice grew softer and softer, and before one knew it, he had suddenly vanished.
It was as if he had never been there at all…
Su Qing was stunned, staring at the empty chair as her lips twitched slightly.
She sighed and murmured to herself, "Master is still the same as ever… he didn't even give me a chance to say goodbye."
She felt it was a bit of a pity…
She had thought she could have a good catch-up with her master.
In the end, before they could even exchange many words, her master had already departed.
But she was content; at least she had seen him.
Furthermore, her master had promised that he would do his best to attend her wedding feast in the future.
That was enough.
After a short while, Ao Ying returned.
Seeing that the person across from Su Qing was gone, she couldn't help but ask, "The Elder has already left?"
Su Qing nodded slightly.
"I see… I was actually planning to invite him to stay for the meal!"
"Master doesn't like large gatherings, so that's likely why he left," Su Qing explained helplessly.
"I see, what a pity…" Ao Ying didn't know what else to say, so she offered a few words of comfort before saying, "By the way, Sister, the banquet is about to begin. Come with me!"
Su Qing nodded at her words and followed along.
On the other side, at Laojun's side, an old man and a fat monk had appeared out of nowhere.
This old man looked utterly ordinary, the kind of person you wouldn't be able to pick out in a crowd.
And as for who that fat monk was, it went without saying.
Laojun looked at the old man and chuckled, saying, "I thought you really intended to just leave! If you stay here, aren't you afraid the girl will find you?"
The fat monk also laughed heartily and said, "At the end of the day, you're still worried about that girl, afraid she might suffer some loss at this banquet!"
"Both of you shut up! Don't blow my cover." The old man rolled his eyes at the two of them, then silently took a sip of wine.
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