Chapter 211 Su Yuyao Sets Off

Crowds filled with curiosity and admiration for Su Yuyao gathered on both sides of the mountain path leading to the Endless Peak. Looking at Su Yuyao, who was simple yet exuded an air of dignified elegance, everyone exclaimed in amazement, "Is this the legendary ruthless Su Yuyao?"

With a smile on her face, Su Yuyao gently lifted her skirt with one hand and lightly supported Bai Er's forearm with the other, slowly stepping onto the bluestone steps. Behind her were Xuanmiao riding Renshen and Hu Lingli holding Xuanhe, while Ruixue and Longjing carefully protected her on both sides.

Su Yuyao calmly swept her gaze over the crowd gathered on both sides of the steps. Following the gazes of many, she walked to the mountainside of Buqiong Peak. She slightly raised her eyes and looked at Zheng Qing, who was waiting in front of her.

Zheng Qing was dressed in a light gray coarse linen robe, his gray hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, exuding a gentle aura and a composed demeanor. Behind Zheng Qing stood his long-lost friend!

Having undergone trials, the White Tiger had acquired some of the imposing presence of the Monument King. He released a paper figure and calmly and unhurriedly blocked the crowd surrounding Su Yuyao, loudly proclaiming, "Stop watching! Go about your business! Don't delay things!"

Bang! Zang Mao transformed into a giant cow cat, wagging its tail and running towards Su Yuyao, rubbing against her skirt while making purring noises.

Whoosh! A whirlwind swept by, and a pair of white wings swept over Su Yuyao's head, like a white cloud hovering in the air.

"Miss Yao'er!" Zheng Qingmai stepped forward, clasped his hands in a slight bow, and said with a smile, "I've been waiting for you for a long time, please come in!"

Although Su Yuyao and Zheng Qing had only met once, she didn't feel like strangers. She bowed slightly in return and replied with a smile, "Okay, do you have any good food here?"

Zheng Qing stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "Yes! The finest wine and dishes have been prepared! Please come in!"

...

Although Buqiong Peak is a thriving place, its main hall is not luxurious. A stone wall taller than a person and a cliff halfway up the mountain enclose a courtyard, with the four characters "Buqiong Mountain Villa" written on the gate. Stepping through the gate, you can see a huge incense burner in the center of the courtyard. Incense burners flicker inside, and golden powder occasionally drifts out. Several simply dressed women use cotton cloth to catch the falling gold powder and collect it into a pottery jar next to them.

Passing the incense burner, you'll see two rows of simple covered walkways built against the cliff face, with about a dozen rooms in total. Each room has a seating area where people communicate with the disciples of Shiyuan using their own methods. Runners hurry through the various rooms in the courtyard.

Unlike the people on the hillside, the people in the courtyard were focused on their tasks and were not distracted by Su Yuyao's arrival.

Su Yuyao was filled with surprise and admiration. No wonder Baihu, Zangmao and Fengzhan had made such great progress. It seems that Lord Zheng Qing is truly an extraordinary person!

Xuanmiao rode on Renshen's neck, blinking her big, round eyes with curiosity as she looked at everything in the hall. Xuanhe also leaned on Hu Lingli's shoulder with a serious expression, blinking her small eyes and scanning back and forth.

Passing through the covered walkway, you reach a steep cliff. There is a cave entrance in the cliff, with the words "Hollow Cave" carved above it.

“Empty?” Su Yuyao said with a smile, “Empty may seem useless, but it is actually very useful!”

"Hahahaha!" Zheng Qing stroked his beard and laughed loudly, "Miss Yao'er is really joking!"

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the cave. At the cave ceiling, thousands of fireflies gathered and swirled like starlight, resembling a golden galaxy suspended high above. Following the galaxy to its end, they saw several simple stone houses, each like a giant Buddhist shrine, without doors or windows, containing only a large stone bed inside.

Passing through these stone houses, you will find a larger and more dilapidated stone house built against the cave wall. The vermilion plaque above the door is already mottled, but the three large characters "Buqiongtang" are still clearly visible.

"Miss Yao'er, please don't take offense!" Zheng Qing said as he ushered Su Yuyao into the house. "Although this house is old, it is my only possession!"

Su Yuyao stepped lightly into the stone house, glanced around, and found that it was only different from the newly built stone house outside, with an extra stone table and a few stone stools.

"Hehehehehe!" A mysterious laugh echoed inside the cave.

Su Yuyao turned around and saw that Xuanmiao and Xuanhe, who were following behind her, had already started playing with the fireflies in the cave.

Su Yuyao gently patted Bai Er's hand, and Bai Er understood, silently retreating. Only Zheng Qing and Su Yuyao remained in Buqiong Hall.

Looking at the empty stone table, Su Yuyao teased, "Lord Zheng Qing, where are the fine wine and dishes you promised?"

"Hahahaha!" Zheng Qing stroked his beard and laughed, pointing to a depression in the center of the stone bed, and said, "Miss Yao'er, why don't you sit there and take another look?"

Following Zheng Qing's guidance, Su Yuyao sat cross-legged on the stone bed, the indentation of which perfectly nestled her in the middle.

"Lord Zheng Qing, this is where you meditate and cultivate." Su Yuyao said admiringly, stroking the stone bed where she had sat on it.

"This is my branch, and no matter how the world changes, I will do everything in my power to protect everyone in the branch and the disciples of Shiyuan!" Zheng Qingyi said righteously. "However, Shiyuan is currently in chaos, with evil prevailing and no good showing up. My strength alone is really too little! Lord Guan Xiao has some experience and methods and has already transformed the other two branches. Although it has some effect, it has not been long enough to become a significant force! Lord Xuanfeng is also deep in the Heavenly Palace, and his situation is unknown!"

With that, Zheng Qing clasped his hands in a deep bow and remained prostrate. "I have always disdained factionalism and power struggles, but upon hearing that Miss Yao'er is returning to the Heavenly Palace, I dare to ask you for help! Not for myself, but for the sake of my poor disciple in Shiyuanli, who has no way to be saved!"

Su Yuyao listened to Zheng Qing's words with her eyes lowered, then sighed and said, "Lord Zheng Qing, I am just a woman. If I am different in any way, it is only that I have given birth to Xuanfeng's child and caused a few major disasters. As for the affairs of Shiyuan... how can I possibly help?"

Zheng Qing slowly stood up, looking at the now completely different Su Yuyao with a resolute gaze, and said, "Miss Yao'er, please rest assured, I am by no means a treacherous person!"

“Lord Zheng Qing,” Su Yuyao said slowly, “I trust your character, but… I really don’t know how to help.”

Zheng Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Miss Yao'er, your changes are obvious to all. You can't hide them even if you want to! I believe you can... regain your yang energy!"

"The first yang returns?" A red aura slowly surged in Su Yuyao's eyes. "Lord Zheng Qing, is this what you meant by... the finest food and wine? I don't have such a big appetite."

Looking at Su Yuyao, whose body was radiating a golden aura, Zheng Qing knelt down excitedly and said, "Miss Yao'er, you are the chosen one! You should be the Mother of Limitless!"

Su Yuyao's red eyes flashed, her aura ignited, and her expression was serene, like a golden statue forged in flames.

“Lord Zheng Qing,” Su Yuyao said in a soft yet firm voice, “you must not… speak recklessly.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the golden Qi flames around Su Yuyao suddenly exploded, turning into a wave of Qi that swept across the boundless area!

The wind howled and the cranes cried, the whistling sounds never ceasing; the rocks and vegetation trembled slightly before ceasing; the ripples on the flowing water flashed and then stopped, their golden light dazzling, like a woven net, endless…

"Mother! Mother!" Xuanmiao kicked her little legs and rushed into Buqiong Hall with excitement. She climbed onto the stone bed, sat in Su Yuyao's arms, and looked up with her flushed little face, shouting, "Mother! Look!"

After saying that, Xuanmiao solemnly extended a finger bearing the camellia mark, pointed to the door, frowned slightly, and pouted with a serious expression, "Beep—beep! Beep!"

Before the words had even faded, a golden streak of light, formed from tiny fireflies, staggered into the stone house and hovered in mid-air, like a newly hatched snake peeking out and staring at Xuanmiao.

Xuanmiao grabbed Su Yuyao's fingers, pulled her off the stone bed, and walked step by step towards the outside, "Beep! Beep! Beep!"

The small snake in the air followed behind, darting and leaping, in response to the mysterious sound.

Su Yuyao knew perfectly well about Xuanmiao's origins and extraordinary abilities, but she was still stunned by the sight before her. She looked at the small yet powerful Xuanmiao before her with pity, her heart aching with a mixture of pain and sorrow. She would rather Xuanmiao were just an ordinary child, so she could protect her and raise her safely, even if it meant a simple life, than let her be in danger because of her extraordinary abilities…

"Waaah—! Ah—!" Suddenly, Xuanhe's aggrieved sobs interrupted Su Yuyao's heartache.

Su Yuyao's heart trembled upon hearing this, and she hurriedly rushed out of the stone house. Only then did she discover that a giant ghost-faced spider made of fireflies had completely covered Hu Lingli, who was holding Xuanhe. Ren Shen and Long Jing carefully used their Qi to drive away the fireflies, but they could not get rid of this spider that looked exactly like Lang Zhi!

Normally, Langzhi favors Xuanmiao, and because Xuanhe's birth caused her precious daughter great suffering, she naturally cannot love Xuanhe. As a result, Xuanhe is somewhat afraid of Langzhi.

Now, Xuanhe looked at the giant spider, exactly like Langzhi's, covering his head, feeling both scared and wronged. He could only cling tightly to Hu Lingli's chest, pursing his lips and holding back his tears. When he saw Xuanmiao run into the stone house with another small snake to show off to Su Yuyao, he finally couldn't hold back anymore, and tears streamed down his face. "Waaah—!"

While comforting Xuanhe who was wailing, Hu Lingli moved toward the stone house, but her path was blocked by the chelicerae.

Su Yuyao's eyes narrowed as she looked at the scene before her, and the fireflies surrounding Hu Lingli scattered in a panic.

"Waaah—!" Xuanhe cried as she leaned forward and stretched out her little hand to Su Yuyao.

Su Yuyao quickly stepped forward, hugged Xuanhe in her arms, and gently comforted her. Xuanhe leaned against Su Yuyao's chest and finally calmed down.

Su Yuyao coaxed Xuanhe, glanced around, and only saw Renshen and Longjing. She asked in confusion, "Where's Bai'er?"

"Oh, Lord Zheng Qing has prepared a carriage and luggage for us. Bai Er, go and check them!" Hu Lingli replied with a smile.

Su Yuyao took out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from Xuanhe's face, whispering, "Go tell Bai'er that there's no need to bring too much stuff, so as not to add any burden to Lord Zheng Qing."

"Yes!" Hu Lingli replied and left.

Su Yuyao slowly turned around while holding Xuanhe, and glared sternly at Xuanmiao. Xuanmiao pouted somewhat unconvinced, and the little snake in the air landed on Xuanmiao's head with a "poof," transforming into a little ghost-faced spider that obediently clung to Xuanmiao's little hair.

Su Yuyao then looked at Zheng Qing, whose face was full of surprise, and said with an embarrassed smile, "Lord Zheng Qing, the children are ignorant and have made you laugh."

"Not at all!" Zheng Qing stroked his beard and waved his hand with a smile. He glanced at Xuanmiao, who looked indignant and aggrieved, and then at Xuanhe in Su Yuyao's arms, his eyes gradually filling with surprise.

"A few months ago, I heard that the Wolf Clan had a new son, Sa Yuchen! I never imagined that he was your and Lord Xuanfeng's child!" Zheng Qing said, bowing with clasped hands. "Congratulations! Congratulations!"

Su Yuyao bowed slightly in thanks, "I just heard from Aunt Hu that you prepared a carriage and luggage for us, thank you so much!"

Zheng Qing stroked his beard and thought for a moment before saying, "Miss Yao'er, you should see one more person before you return to the Heavenly Palace!"

"See someone else?" Su Yuyao asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Or rather... two..."

"two?"

...

Not far from the mountain villa, there is an ordinary farmhouse where an extraordinary bond is being formed.

Beside a simple yet grand carriage, Ruixue, Baihu, Zangmao, and Fengzhan were taking inventory of the items.

The sturdy horse harnessed to the carriage held its head high, its gaze fixed firmly on the mountain road outside the courtyard. Its limbs were strong, its body robust, its coat smooth, and its tail bushy. The greyish-white fur, reflected in the sunlight, resembled a deep, flowing ink wash, like a painting of a moving landscape!

White Ears, stroking the horse's back which was as tall as him in disbelief, choked out, "This...is really white rice cake?!"

“That’s right, it’s Bai Mi Gao!” Yu Qing came out of the house carrying a bundle, smiling as she said, “Miss Yao’er entrusted Bai Mi Gao to me. I’ve never raised a horse before, and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to take good care of it. Who would have thought that the area around the Mountain God’s Tomb would be so spiritual? The grass that grows here has nourished Bai Mi Gao so well! I heard that Miss Yao’er wants to see Young Master Guan Yue, and I’ve been thinking about how long it’s been since we last met… so I thought I’d come along to see him…”

Bai Er stroked the horse's back with a look of delight, but when he turned his head and saw Yu Qing, his smile froze awkwardly on his face again. "Oh, that's true. We're going back to the Heavenly Palace with Miss, and we probably won't have many chances to see each other again."

Yu Qing placed the bundle she was carrying on the carriage, revealing her prominently protruding belly. "Inside this bundle are a few little clothes I made for Miao'er, but I don't know if Miao'er will be able to wear them..."

“It’s wearable!” Hu Lingli rolled up her sleeves and followed Yu Qing out of the house, taking her hand and saying, “I’ve checked it all, and you’re so skillful! The fit and length are just right!”

As she spoke, she leaned close to Yuqing's ear and whispered, "It's a boy!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Qing's eyes lit up. She pursed her lips and slightly curtsied, saying, "Thank you, Aunt Hu. Of course, it would be best if it were a boy! Lord Langzhi has found his precious daughter, and now he has a son. He finally has both a son and a daughter!"

Looking at the delighted Yu Qing, Hu Lingli hesitated before asking, "Does Lord Langzhi know?"

Yu Qing pursed her lips and shook her head.

Hu Lingli sighed deeply and said earnestly, "Yuqing, why are you doing this? You could have given birth to the child at the Mountain God's Tomb and let everyone know after it's fully developed! You could give birth at any time now, what if something goes wrong...?"

Yu Qing smiled, lowered her head and stroked her belly, saying, "Aunt Hu, although I don't know the situation in the Heavenly Palace, I do know a little about the outside world. I heard that there are floods in the south again, four cities in the extremely cold north have been submerged by glaciers, and the perpetually spring-like climate of Yiguo Garden has been inexplicably swept by yellow sand! All forces are showing their strength, and Miss Yao'er's return to the Heavenly Palace this time must have a purpose! If we fail, how many lives do we have left to survive?"

Yu Qing slowly raised her head, her eyes glistening with resolute tears, and said with a hint of sorrow, "If I succeed, but they won't accept this child, even if I secretly give birth to him, who can guarantee that this child will live a long life?! It's better to let everyone know about this child's existence now. Whether he lives or dies, I'll accept it!"

"Miss Yuqing!" Bai Er said somewhat displeased upon hearing Yuqing's words, "Miss isn't the kind of person who holds grudges..."

Bai Er glanced at Yu Qing's stomach and suddenly felt a little guilty. While her young mistress was indeed carefree about other things, this child...

"Ah! A great horse!" Mysterious, excited voice came from afar, "Mother! There's a great horse!"

Yu Qing hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the round Xuanmiao was riding on the neck of a tall, thin man. Its head was covered with snow-white beads and a small, golden ghost-faced spider on its head. This ghost-faced spider was somewhat similar to Lang Zhi!

"Miao'er!" Yu Qing stepped forward and extended her hand to Xuan Miao. "Miao'er, do you still remember Granny Yu Qing?"

Xuanmiao stared at Yuqing for a moment, then patted Renshen's head. Renshen understood, squatted down, and put Xuanmiao on the ground.

Xuanmiao stood on the ground, her little belly protruding, and looked Yuqing up and down. "Grandma Yuqing?"

Yu Qing bent down, supporting her belly, and looked at Xuan Miao with a smile, "Yes, I am Grandma Yu Qing!"

Xuanmiao blinked at Yuqing's belly, tilted her head and asked, "Are you having a baby too?"

Yu Qing smiled and nodded.

Ren Shen silently stood up and stepped aside, a wisp of golden skirt swaying lightly behind Xuanmiao.

Yu Qing clutched her stomach, slowly straightened up, and looked down at the hem of her skirt. Ah?! What's this?!

She looked at Xuanhe in Su Yuyao's arms in surprise, then looked at Xuanmiao in disbelief. Although they looked slightly different, their features were extremely similar, especially their deep blue eyes...

Yu Qing looked at Su Yuyao again, at her indifferent aura, her cold and beautiful expression, and her eyes that pierced the depths of her heart…

Yu Qing's heart skipped a beat again. "Miss Yao'er?! Are you... alright?" The unfamiliar Su Yuyao before her made Yu Qing feel flustered. She suddenly regretted coming here; she should have given birth to the child first...

Su Yuyao held Xuanhe, glanced indifferently at Yuqing's belly, and slowly turned to walk towards the long-unseen Baimi Gao.

The white rice cake was also stunned when it saw Su Yuyao. It tried hard to recognize the elegant woman in front of it. It slowly straightened its body, spread its front legs, and lowered its head deeply.

Su Yuyao gently stroked the horse's back, which was as smooth as silk. She wasn't exactly happy, but rather felt a little helpless. "Baimi Gao, I've changed. I never expected that you would change too."

"Big horse!" Xuanmiao excitedly lunged at Baimigao's head, straddled the horse's nose, and blinked her clear eyes as she shouted, "Agan! Ride the big horse!"

Ren Shen glanced at Su Yuyao, and seeing that Su Yuyao did not stop him, he picked up Xuanmiao and placed him on the horse's back.

Xuanmiao gripped the horse's neck tightly with her short, stubby legs and clutched its mane with her chubby little hands. Looking seriously at the mountain path, she shouted, "Let's go!"

"Ah! Ah!" Xuanhe excitedly stretched out her little hands and tried to reach for the white rice cake.

“Aunt Hu,” Su Yuyao handed Xuanhe to Hu Lingli, “you two go down the mountain and wait for me. I want to talk to Yuqing.”

“Yes…” Hu Lingli took Xuanhe, still somewhat uneasy, “Miss, things have come to this…after all…”

Knowing Hu Lingli's concerns, Su Yuyao smiled and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Hu, I know what I'm doing. White Tiger!"

"Here! Sister Yao'er!" the white tiger replied loudly.

"You stay! Everyone else, go down!"

"Yes!" the crowd replied.

Soon, the farmhouse fell silent. The white tiger silently retreated to a distance, giving Su Yuyao and Yu Qing enough space.

“Yuqing, you’ve had a tough time these past few days,” Su Yuyao finally spoke. “Logically, my father should have returned to Jiujiao Mountain. But the situation is complicated right now, and I need someone reliable to look after the snow mountain for me, so… you probably won’t be able to see him for the time being…”

"I heard that you intend to let Young Master Guan Yue take over the Snow Mountain. Why are you also trapping Brother Lang Zhi here?" Yu Qing asked neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Su Yuyao was not surprised by Yu Qing's question and patiently said, "Yu Qing, you know Yue'er's personality better than I do. The wolf clan is simple and honest and very loyal to their master. With my father around, he can help Yue'er manage the wolf clan better. Once Yue'er has completely taken over the wolf clan, I will let my father go back."

Knowing she wouldn't see Lang Zhi this time, Yu Qing lowered her head, clutched her stomach, and knelt on the ground with a thud. She said, "Miss Yao'er, I've come here for two reasons. First, to bring you rice cakes and help you out! Second... I need your permission for this child! Back in Hidden Deer Mountain, Lady Qingyue agreed to let Brother Lang Zhi take me in. Now that I'm pregnant, please, Miss Yao'er, spare my life!"

“Yuqing,” Su Yuyao lowered her eyelids, looked at Yuqing kneeling at her feet, and slowly asked, “When Mother agreed to let you into my father’s family, she did not agree to you having children for him, did she?”

Yu Qing clutched her stomach and said resolutely, "Yes! Lady Qingyue was afraid that Brother Langzhi would be distracted by you, so she said that as long as I promised not to have any children, Lady Qingyue would let Brother Langzhi take me in! I agreed... but I never expected... that it would happen in one go..."

"Alright!" Although Su Yuyao has grown up a lot, she still can't accept the emotional communication between her parents and grandparents.

She adjusted her breathing, steadied her emotions, and said, "Yuqing, I can't interfere with the agreement between you and my mother, but I can assure you that I will not harm you or the child in your womb!"

Yu Qing was deeply moved upon hearing this and said with tears in her eyes, "Thank you so much, Miss Yao'er!"

Su Yuyao, herself a mother, understood Yuqing's reluctance and courage in becoming a first-time mother. While her own pregnancy and childbirth were perilous, she had support and her two children received the adoration and attention of everyone. Yuqing, however, wouldn't face such risks, but she would bear everything alone, including gossip and rumors, including her mother's…

"My father... doesn't know, does he?" Su Yuyao helped Yu Qing up with pity and asked softly.

Yu Qing dabbed a tear from her chin with her sleeve and shook her head. "I was called away early this morning..."

"Oh." Su Yuyao guessed it. Judging from Lang Zhi's current state, he really didn't know that Yu Qing was pregnant.

"White Tiger!"

"Yes, Sister Yao'er!"

"You, Zang Mao, and Feng Zhan will escort Yu Qing back. Please ask Granny Zhong to take good care of her. During the delivery, your mother will also need to help look after Yu Qing and the baby!" Su Yuyao instructed.

"Yes!" the White Tiger replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"Also," Su Yuyao paused, then said, "don't forget to send a message to my father when the time comes."

"yes!"

"Thank you... Miss Yao'er!"