After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

Nezha glanced down at her but didn't say anything.

Sun Wukong snorted, then changed the subject, looking at Nezha: "Third Prince, are you planning to continue this clandestine surveillance? Following that slow-moving monk?"

Nezha replied calmly, "It's my duty."

"Alright then." Sun Wukong seemed indifferent. His eyes darted around, and his gaze returned to Bai Yeying. "Little mouse, you've got some nerve, daring to join the fun on the journey to the West? Aren't you afraid of being eaten alive by some demon?"

Bai Yeying said awkwardly, "I...I was just curious and wanted to see you, Great Sage, and the pilgrims...I'll leave after I'm done, I promise I won't cause any trouble!"

"Come on!" Sun Wukong scoffed. "I know your temperament too well. You finish one thing and want to see the next, it never ends. But..."

He abruptly changed the subject, a sly glint in his golden eyes: "Since the Third Prince is catching rats here, how about I, Old Sun, ask you for a favor?"

Nezha raised an eyebrow: "Speak."

"On this journey to the West, there will be no shortage of demons and monsters. I, Old Sun, am protecting my master, so there are some places where I may not be able to protect him completely."

Sun Wukong pointed at Bai Yeying with his golden cudgel: "This little mouse, although her skills are mediocre, is quite clever and familiar with the terrain of the lower realm. If the Third Prince occasionally takes her to a safe place when he is not supervising, so that she is not really snatched away by some blind monster, it would be doing me a favor and saving me from having to worry about this familiar mouse."

Bai Yeying was taken aback. Was the Great Sage speaking up for her? Or was he making excuses for Nezha?

Nezha was silent for a moment, then shook Bai Yeying's hand again, as if weighing some troublesome object. Just when Bai Yeying thought he would refuse outright or utter some harsh words, she heard him give a faint "hmm".

"Let's see how she performs."

Is that considered an agreement?

Sun Wukong chuckled, "Then it's settled! Little mouse, behave yourself and don't cause trouble for the Third Prince, understand?"

"I heard you, I heard you!" Bai Yeying nodded vigorously.

"I'm off!" Sun Wukong said no more. With a somersault, his golden figure vanished into the sky in the blink of an eye, leaving only a single sentence carried on the wind: "Third Prince, let's have a drink sometime!"

The forest fell silent again, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the sound of Bai Yeying swallowing.

She remained in the position of being lifted up, not daring to move, and secretly glanced at Nezha.

The boy's face was expressionless; he simply looked down at her, his beautiful phoenix eyes reflecting the dappled light of the forest, making it impossible to discern whether he was happy or angry.

"Performance?" He suddenly spoke, repeating his previous words, his voice rising slightly at the end, "Tell me, how do you plan to perform?"

Bai Yeying's mind raced, her survival instincts kicking in instantly: "I promise I won't run around! I'll just stay right behind you. If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west! If you tell me to watch the show, I'll never get involved! I can help you gather information! I know this area very well! I can also... I can help you..." She hesitated. What could she possibly help Nezha with? It seemed like she couldn't help with anything.

Nezha watched her frantically flailing her claws, a smile playing on his lips.

"Shut up." He interrupted her, finally releasing his grip on the back of her neck.

Bai Yeying fell to the ground with a "plop," landing on her bottom. She quickly got up, transformed back into human form, dusted off her skirt, stood properly, and stared expectantly at Nezha with her almond-shaped eyes, awaiting his judgment.

Nezha didn't look at her again, turned around and walked into the woods in the opposite direction from Tang Sanzang, only leaving behind the words: "Stay close. If you run off again, I'll tie you to the Universe Ring."

Bai Yeying's eyes lit up, and she quickly jogged to catch up.

After walking a few steps, she couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Third Prince, where are we going now? Aren't we going to follow Tang Sanzang?"

Nezha didn't even turn his head: "I won't follow him. He has his own tribulations. My duty is to supervise, not to be a babysitter."

He paused, then added, "Besides, that monkey is very clever; I don't need to worry about it."

"Oh." Bai Yeying nodded, then thought for a moment, then asked curiously, "Where are we going?"

Nezha continued walking, his voice carried on the wind, carrying a hint of nonchalance: "Let's find a place and wait for your performance."

Bai Yeying: ".................."

She suddenly realized that following this man around and behaving accordingly was probably no easier than wandering aimlessly on her journey to the west alone.

Nezha said he would find a place to wait for her to perform, and Bai Yeying was feeling quite anxious, wondering what kind of test this would be. Just then, she saw the red-clad youth in front of her pause, turn to look into the depths of the woods, and ask in surprise, "Hmm?"

Bai Yeying also stopped and followed his gaze. In the distance, hidden among the trees, a cluster of green-tiled roofs and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, looking completely out of place in this desolate wilderness.

"How come there are people here?" Bai Yeying was also puzzled. She remembered that the surrounding area was surrounded by deep mountains and forests for dozens of miles, with few villages.

Could it be a monster in disguise?

Nezha didn't answer, but simply walked over. Bai Yeying quickly followed.

As she walked through a small patch of bushes, the sight before her made her pause for a moment.

It was an extremely elegant little courtyard in the mountains. There were several bamboo houses, with vines climbing the fence. Neat vegetable plots were cultivated in the yard, planted with some lush green vegetables, and there was also a small flower garden with some unknown wildflowers.

A mountain spring was even channeled to the back of the courtyard, collected in bamboo tubes, and gurgled into a stone-built pool. The entire courtyard was clean and tidy, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding wild mountains and forests.

A person was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard.

The man was dressed in a moon-white long robe, appearing to be around thirty years old. He had a lean face and clear, bright eyes. He was holding a small copper kettle, slowly and deliberately warming the teaware. He had a gentle and peaceful demeanor, and there was no trace of demonic aura or spiritual energy fluctuations around him, just like an ordinary scholar who lived in seclusion in the mountains.

However, Nezha raised an eyebrow the moment he saw this person.

A warning bell rang in Bai Yeying's heart. To be able to live peacefully in such a place, and to elicit such a reaction from Nezha, this ordinary person was no ordinary person.

The man seemed to sense someone's arrival, looked up, and gazed at them with a gentle look. When he saw Nezha, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes. He then put down the copper pot, stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said in a clear, melodious voice, "I was unaware of your arrival, sir. My humble abode is simple; if you do not mind, please have a cup of coarse tea."

Nezha crossed his arms, sized him up for a moment, and then stepped into the courtyard, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "This place is indeed tranquil."

Bai Yeying quickly followed him inside, her heart pounding. What kind of development was this?

"We're just country folk, seeking peace and quiet." The man smiled slightly, inviting the two to sit down and reheating the teacups. His movements were fluid and graceful, exuding a pleasing ease. He pushed the two cups of tea towards Nezha and Bai Yeying, saying, "Please."

The tea soup is emerald green and has a delicate aroma.

Bai Yeying glanced at the tea, then at Nezha, and didn't dare to touch it.

Nezha picked up the teacup, ran his fingertips lightly along the rim, and then brought it to his lips, taking a small sip: "The tea is good."

He put down his cup and looked at the man's face: "May I ask how you are addressed?"

"My surname is Liu, and my given name is Mo."