Yuebai was living in the side courtyard with Xiaoshan. But in the past few days, she had been on tenterhooks because Qingqing hadn't come back for several days.
She had asked the God of Wealth, and he also hadn't seen Qingqing for a long time.
Qingqing was the most lively and active. For decades, she had pestered the God of Wealth. Although the God of Wealth had always rejected her, she had never been so heart - broken as to leave without a word.
So, Yuebai suspected that she was in danger.
Just then, the Black Leopard came to visit Yuebai. She pleaded with him to find out Qingqing's whereabouts.
"The past few days have been turbulent. There are several evil demons in the demon realm who are collecting the demon cores of weak demons everywhere to become powerful and be the king of the demon realm," said the Black Leopard, Xuan You, with a solemn look. He handed the children's clothes he bought from the street to Yuebai. "Don't be anxious. I'll go and check it out."
Although Yuebai knew that the Black Leopard wouldn't refuse, she knew that his visit today wasn't entirely for her.
"If you happen to meet Qingqiu's family, you can ask them. Maybe Qingqing went home for something," she said indifferently, holding Xiaoshan in her arms. "You don't need to come and see me anymore. I'll take Xiaoshan back to Qingqiu."
The Black Leopard frowned. "Why are you leaving? Didn't we agree to take Xiaoshan to the Great Green Mountain?"
"What for? Your heart doesn't belong to me. Should I go back and watch you be absent - minded every day, adding to my own troubles?" Yuebai tightened her grip on the book in her hand. Her heart was cold, and her words were filled with chill. "You fancy Yang Xue, but she doesn't have a place for you in her heart. That's why you just remembered my goodness."
"Yuebai, you know it's not like that," the Black Leopard walked up to her. "How can I make you believe that I'm sincere to you?"
"For nearly a thousand years, don't I know what you're thinking?" She casually shook off his hand and turned to look out of the window at the colorful little flowers in full bloom. "Moreover, you're so fickle. As the saying goes, it's hard to change one's nature. Do you think you'll turn over a new leaf just because of my goodness?"
"Yuebai, as you said, we're so old. Even if I had the intention, I don't have the strength," he reached out and stroked her cheek, smiling tenderly. "This time, you really didn't guess what I'm thinking."
Yuebai frowned. "Do you want to be the demon king?"
"Sort of, but not exactly."
She was surprised. She might not know much about the Black Leopard in other aspects, but she was sure that it was impossible for him to want to be the demon king.
"You're not that kind of person. What on earth are you up to, going around like this?" She had a bad hunch. "You're not trying to stir up trouble in the Three Realms, are you?"
"Smart. But it's not just that. I want Sun Wukong to be the demon king. As long as he becomes the demon king, the Three Realms will never be at peace."
"Then won't Miss Yang suffer?" Her heart skipped a beat. But the Black Leopard was not a meddlesome person, unless he had other motives.
"Humph," the Black Leopard pulled her into his arms. His deep voice was as if it had a bewitching charm. "They can never be together. Yang Xue is not an ordinary demon. To the whole Three Realms, she's a threat and a miracle."
"What on earth are you trying to say?" Yuebai was puzzled. "My contract..."
"Just follow her well. Now you belong to her first before you belong to me," his gaze seemed to cross mountains and rivers, back to the ancient times. "Following her will do you good."
"But..." She just wanted to go home and live a peaceful life with Xiaoshan.
"I'll take Xiaoshan. It's better than you taking her back to Qingqiu," he patted the back of her hand. "Don't worry. I'll have someone take good care of her."
"No," Yuebai pushed him away. "Leaving her with your people is like pushing her into the fire pit. I must take her back to Qingqiu and hand her over to my mother. Maybe Xiaoshan can still cultivate and attain the Dao."
The Black Leopard didn't insist anymore. "Fine. Go and come back quickly. Stay by Yang Xue's side."
Yuebai felt bitter in her heart, but she didn't refuse.
When Yang Xue came back, she saw Yuebai crying in Xuan You's arms.
"What's going on?" She carried a basket of fresh ingredients and walked towards the kitchen. "Did Brother Leopard make his little wife cry?"
The two immediately separated and walked out of the room.
"Did you go to see Sun Wukong?" Xuan You was calm and composed. He took out a fan from somewhere and fanned it leisurely. "I thought you went to the Flower - Fruit Mountain."
"Come on!" Yang Xue rolled her eyes. "Aren't you guys waiting for Tang Seng? I have to wait for Sun Wukong. If I go to the Flower - Fruit Mountain and just wait, who will cook for you?"
Yuebai was lost in thought. Finally, she handed Xiaoshan to the leopard and went to the kitchen to help Yang Xue.
Just as the meal was ready, the God of Wealth appeared.
"The God of Wealth is just in time. I made spicy diced fish head today. Come and have a taste," Yang Xue waved at him when she saw him. She took off her apron and sat down.
The God of Wealth looked solemn. He quickly walked up to her, grabbed her arm, and said, "Come on. Leave here with me."
"Why?" She was hungry. The few dishes just cooked were her favorites. She sat on the chair and refused to get up, muttering discontentedly, "Let me finish eating first."
"What's going on, God of Wealth?" The Black Leopard curled his lips and looked at him meaningfully, holding Xiaoshan in his arms. "Is the sky about to fall?"
The God of Wealth ignored him and pulled Yang Xue up. "I'll tell you on the way. Come with me quickly."
"Where are we going?" Xuan You let out a cold laugh. The atmosphere instantly froze. "You're just sending her to her death by taking her out."
"..." Yuebai stopped.
"Plop~"
Xiaoshan had just picked up a mouthful of rice, and it dropped into the bowl. Her big eyes darted back and forth among the people.
Yang Xue was completely confused. What did that mean? Why was she going to die?
The God of Wealth stood still with a dark face, and his hand drooped weakly.
"Now the Kingdom of Women is surrounded by wolves. They're not just waiting for Tang Seng. The gods from the Western Heaven and the Heavenly Court probably also know that Sun Wukong is with the White - Bone Demon now. They probably want to wipe them out here. The demons are also taking the opportunity to cause chaos to gain some benefits. They're happy to watch the show," Xuan You handed Xiaoshan to Yuebai and calmly stood up.
The God of Wealth's sharp eyes swept towards Xuan You. "You knew this all along?"
"You were sent by the Heavenly Court to capture the White - Bone Demon, but now you've fallen in love with her. Do you think you can hide it?" Xuan You shook his head and sighed in an annoying way.
Yang Xue listened attentively, but her mouth never stopped. It was as if she was listening to someone else's story and wasn't worried about her own safety at all.
"Do you think the people in the Heavenly Court are really easy - going? You weren't such a kind - hearted and wandering person before. Now you often hang around Yang Xue. Don't you think they'll notice something?" Xuan You walked up to him and patted his shoulder. "You've been tricked."
"Hey, it's not a big deal. Let me finish eating first," Yang Xue put down her chopsticks and walked towards the kitchen. "I made chicken soup. You guys sit down first. I'll bring it out for you to taste."
"Yang Xue, do you really believe that Sun Wukong will give up the Buddhist pilgrimage for you and continue to oppose the Heavenly Court?" The God of Wealth exploded at Yang Xue's attitude. "Do you think they'll let him go? Come with me. You'll be safe."
"..." Yang Xue stopped. A string in her heart snapped. Sun Wukong must be in danger!