The hot spring, of course, couldn't be enjoyed forever. Once everyone had soaked sufficiently, they prepared to return to the mountain courtyard.
After Gongsun Zhixue handed Yudie back to Su Qing, she kept grumbling about the little one… It seemed Gongsun Zhixue had experienced profound frustration in the realm of child-rearing. Still, this was somewhat to be expected. After all, parenting was never easy. Even while still in the hot spring, Su Qing could already hear Gongsun Zhixue's exasperated roars echoing from a distance.
“Next time, whatever you do, don't let me teach this little rascal again! I'm going mad,” Gongsun Zhixue told Su Qing.
Su Qing merely smiled faintly and nodded at the remark. What she truly had in mind, however, no one knew. Leng Xiang glanced at her mistress, smiling helplessly; she knew her mistress was probably concocting another mischievous scheme.
Everyone chatted and laughed as they quickly returned to the mountain courtyard. Ao Ying also bid farewell and headed back to her own residence at Heaven Lake. Everything was as it usually was.
Gongsun Zhixue must have been truly exhausted, for she went straight to her room to sleep shortly after returning home. Su Qing, however, wasn't feeling particularly sleepy. She sat in the courtyard, watching the delicate snow drift down under the moonlight, still a little lost in thought.
“Mistress, you've been absent-minded today. Is something on your mind?” Leng Xiang asked, approaching Su Qing from behind and draping an outer garment over her shoulders.
Su Qing chuckled softly at her words. “Nothing, just reminiscing about the past.”
“Something from the past? Would you like to talk about it with Leng Xiang?” Leng Xiang wasn't sure what the best course of action was, so she chose to be a listener. She believed that speaking one's troubles aloud might bring a little comfort.
Hearing Leng Xiang's words, Su Qing let out a soft laugh and said, “Of course…” Su Qing didn't intend to share the memories that truly troubled her; she simply wanted to chat about the past. Although the past was past, what harm was there in occasionally recalling it? She had, after all, never regretted any of her past decisions.
Meanwhile, Ao Ying at Heaven Lake was also unable to sleep. Her thoughts were rather complicated, leaving her tossing and turning in bed, unable to find rest. After a long while, she got up from the bed. She then pulled some items out from underneath—things her Mother Queen had given her upon her last return. Inside… there were indeed many useful things and pieces of knowledge that might come in handy. Clearly, she wouldn't be getting much peaceful sleep that night.
Days flowed by. Life went on as usual, with no major differences from before. Su Qing continued her daily cultivation of alchemy and talisman arts. Beyond that, she would also teach Yudie a little, and, when she had leisure, play pranks on Gongsun Zhixue and Ao Ying. In short, she always found something to occupy herself. Throughout these years, Leng Xiang also remained diligent, only occasionally, when Su Qing was busy, finding time to look after Yudie. She taught her essential things, helping her grow faster… at least so she wouldn't stay clumsy and childish forever. As for Ao Ying… after that day at the hot spring, she seemed to become a little more proactive. And so, the days passed quickly. Spring faded to winter, and in the blink of an eye, another twenty years or so had passed.
One particular day, in the height of midsummer, the weather was clear and the sunlight exceptionally bright. On Changbai Mountain, the incessant chirping of cicadas rose and fell like a chorus of singers… The cicada calls were somewhat noisy, yet… they had the distinct taste of summer. However… this “taste” was not what Gongsun Zhixue desired. All she wanted right now was a good nap… but… the overly loud cicadas kept her from falling asleep. She tossed and turned on her lounge chair for a long time, unable to drift off… This left her feeling incredibly annoyed. Unable to bear it any longer, she sat up and grumbled: “Honestly… have these cicadas become spirits? Why are they so incredibly loud? They've been chirping for so long without stopping. It's utterly maddening!”
“Well, it is summer, after all! They've burrowed underground for so many years, only to finally have a chance to come out, so of course they'll chirp for a long time,” Su Qing replied good-naturedly, as she tidied some things in the courtyard, seeing Gongsun Zhixue complain. “Just imagine they're singing, and then you won't find it so noisy.”
“It's no use. If it were, I wouldn't be unable to sleep,” Gongsun Zhixue said glumly.
“If you can't sleep in the courtyard, why not just go back inside? Why are you torturing yourself by insisting on lying out here?” Su Qing asked, rolling her eyes in exasperation.
Gongsun Zhixue looked slightly embarrassed. “I just wanted to try it out… You always seem to sleep so soundly in the courtyard. Cough, cough, cough. Anyway, let's not talk about that anymore. What are you doing? Are you going out?”
Seeing Gongsun Zhixue change the subject, Su Qing didn't bother to press her further. She merely nodded and said, “Yes! I'm planning to go out for a while.”
“To do what? Where are you going?” Gongsun Zhixue asked hastily upon hearing this. Gongsun Zhixue had grown tired of staying on the mountain, and if the destination was interesting, she definitely wanted to tag along.
“To visit someone in jail,” Su Qing replied after a moment's thought.
“Visit someone in jail?” “Yes! Remember Sun Wukong from Flower-Fruit Mountain?” “Of course, I do!” Gongsun Zhixue stroked her chin. “What happened to him? Was he locked up?”
“More accurately, he's trapped under a mountain.”
“???” Gongsun Zhixue looked utterly bewildered. “In that case, I'll pass… it sounds like it would be a terrible experience. But what on earth did he do to be trapped under a mountain? And just how big is that mountain, anyway?”
Su Qing had never spoken to Gongsun Zhixue about Sun Wukong, so naturally, Gongsun Zhixue was completely ignorant of these matters. Now, hearing it from Su Qing, while she didn't want to visit, she was quite curious about what had happened. However, Gongsun Zhixue's question truly stumped Su Qing. Because it was her first time going to Five Elements Mountain, she naturally didn't know how big it was. After a moment's thought, Su Qing answered truthfully, “How big the mountain is, I don't know. But I can tell you about the mistake he made.”
There was still some time now, so she could chat with Gongsun Zhixue while tidying up, which would make the process less tedious. Hearing this, Gongsun Zhixue nodded slightly, and then Su Qing began recounting Sun Wukong's glorious deeds. Gongsun Zhixue listened with interest at first, but as she continued to listen, her mouth couldn't help but twitch. After a long pause, Gongsun Zhixue remarked, “That guy is even more troublesome than me…”
“Uh… I suppose you're remarkably self-aware?” Su Qing said with a laugh.
“But he didn't die even after all that, which just goes to show how truly benevolent the Heavenly Court is.” “Who knows?” Su Qing shrugged, speaking with a hint of deeper meaning.
Gongsun Zhixue glanced at Su Qing, about to say something, but she was interrupted by Leng Xiang suddenly pushing open the door and entering. Seeing this, Gongsun Zhixue decided it wasn't worth saying anything more… She simply reclined on her chair and fell into a daze.
“Mistress… everything has been purchased; we can go,” Leng Xiang said. She had naturally noticed Gongsun Zhixue, but seeing that she said nothing, she ignored her. Hearing this, Su Qing replied, “I'm almost ready here too, so let's go! Let's go see that monkey who's so good at causing trouble!”
Su Qing stretched, putting all her things into her Sleeve Universe. Then, she walked to Leng Xiang's side and formed a spell sign with her hand. Instantly, a crimson Somersault Cloud soared up from the ground, carrying them away like a streak of light, vanishing into the horizon.
Gongsun Zhixue watched them depart, first marveling at the speed of the Somersault Cloud, then rolling over, ready to try and see if she could fall asleep again.
Su Qing's Somersault Cloud was still incredibly swift, and in no time at all, they had arrived near the Five Elements Mountain. Su Qing had long since learned the location of the Five Elements Mountain from Chang'e. This, of course, saved her the trouble of searching. Su Qing circled overhead once or twice, and after locating the half-exposed monkey, she guided the cloud downward, descending.
After landing, Su Qing surveyed her surroundings, preparing to walk directly to find the monkey. But just then, the Earth God suddenly appeared… “Immortal Su, please halt!” the Earth God exclaimed hastily.
Hearing the Earth God's voice, Su Qing couldn't help but frown. “Elder, why do you stop me?” The Earth God bowed. “Ahead, a demonic monkey is trapped under the mountain. That demon caused a great ruckus in the Heavenly Palace decades ago and was suppressed here by Ru Lai Buddha. Should Immortal Su approach, she might be harmed by that demon! So please, Immortal Su, quickly return!”
Su Qing raised an eyebrow slightly. “Elder, do you not recognize me?” “This… I certainly do.” “If you recognize me, you should know that the one trapped down there is my younger brother. How could he possibly harm me?” Su Qing turned her head to look at the Earth God, asking.
“…” Seeing this, Su Qing shook her head helplessly and said calmly, “Elder, there's no need to worry. I'm not here to rescue anyone; I'm merely here to pay a visit. He committed a transgression and should naturally suffer the consequences. How could I, as his elder sister, pervert justice and release him?”
Su Qing, of course, understood perfectly why the Earth God had stopped her and asked her to turn back. So, without waiting for the Earth God to explain himself, Su Qing immediately stated that she wouldn't be releasing Sun Wukong. After all, waiting for his explanation would only waste her breath.
“This…” Hearing Su Qing's words, the Earth God was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. After a long moment, he sighed softly, then bowed respectfully and said, “Then, Immortal Su, please honor your word…” After speaking, the Earth God transformed into a wisp of green smoke and vanished. Although the Earth God knew Su Qing had a good temper, he didn't dare to continue speaking. If he were to cause any displeasure, a small Earth God like himself could not possibly withstand her anger. He was merely a humble Earth God. Besides, he had already appeared to try and stop her, even if he hadn't succeeded. Therefore, he had fulfilled his duties. Even if his superiors were to question him… he would have an explanation. At the very least, he wouldn't be accused of dereliction of duty.
Seeing the Earth God disappear, Su Qing gave a helpless smile… She hadn't expected the Earth God to be so ‘dutiful’ or that she herself would be viewed with suspicion. But she didn't care either way… After all, she genuinely wasn't going to release Sun Wukong. Because… the Journey to the West still required Sun Wukong! Su Qing shook her head, reined in her wandering thoughts, and then headed towards the foot of the mountain.
Soon, Su Qing arrived at the foot of the mountain. There, she saw a monkey's head trapped under the vast mountain. A small part of the monkey's upper body protruded from beneath the mountain, with only one hand capable of slight movement. The latter half of its body, however, was pinned firmly beneath the mountain, unable to stir. The one suppressed beneath the mountain was, naturally, the once invincible Monkey King… But now, the Monkey King was filthy and bedraggled, incredibly disheveled. Even the fur on his body, unwashed for years, had become grimy and matted, even growing moss like a koala.
At that moment, the Monkey King was listlessly sprawled at the base of the mountain, a dried twig clutched between his lips, his only mobile hand picking at the ground… On the earth before the Monkey King, not a single living weed could be seen. It was evident that he had plucked the nearby grassy patch bald during his usual idle boredom. If not for that, he wouldn't be reduced to picking at the bare soil.
The Monkey King had, naturally, noticed that someone was approaching. However, he didn't realize the newcomer was Su Qing… So, as Su Qing drew closer and the Monkey King caught sight of her, he immediately cried out in excitement. “Big Sister? I didn't expect Big Sister to come! Hehe, forgive Big Sister for seeing me in such a state of disgrace.”
Su Qing looked at Wukong, shaking her head slightly and sighing. “Wukong! Look at the state you're in… you truly give me so much worry. Didn't I tell you not to cause trouble after you came out of the Eight Trigrams Furnace? Why did you stir up such a mess again?”
Rebuked by his Big Sister, Wukong dared not speak until she had finished. Only then did he explain: “I… I didn't mean to! When I first emerged from the Eight Trigrams Furnace, my temper was blazing hot.”
“And then that old Jade Emperor lectured me right in front of my face, and even scolded Big Sister for poor discipline! I couldn't stand it for a moment longer, so I simply wrecked the Heavenly Palace, wanting to seek justice, and incidentally, snatch a seat as the Jade Emperor… After all, he's been sitting in that position for so long; wouldn't it be just the same if I took over?”
“You cheeky monkey, don't make so many excuses for yourself!” Su Qing said, looking at Wukong, as she helplessly picked up a twig and lightly tapped him twice on the head. “Besides, you must consider the consequences of everything. Your reckless rampage then, this is now your consequence.”
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