Volume 2, Chapter 104 – Thank Heaven, My Son is Safe

“Hongling, little sister! I found out, I found out! My father indeed knows about this!”

Young Master Dong rushed over excitedly, eager to claim credit.

“Well? What did you learn?”

Even Qi Huang couldn’t remain seated, standing up impatiently.

“As you suspected, this Qi-Leaking Powder was indeed concocted by a heretical sect called the Severed Immortal Sect. However, it has never appeared in our prefecture before. The reason my father knows about it is that during a recent meeting at the provincial office, the higher-ups mentioned it. They said a man secretly peddling Qi-Leaking Powder was caught in the Golden Autumn Prefecture. Originally, he was imprisoned in the government office for interrogation, but later—for some unknown reason—he mysteriously died. The authorities suspect he was silenced, so they’ve ordered all prefectures to remain vigilant.”

Young Master Dong spilled everything he had uncovered.

“Golden Autumn Prefecture?”

Qi Huang’s willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly. That prefecture was miles away from Huangtian Prefecture, and she had no acquaintances there. How could she investigate further? She couldn’t just break into the government office to check the case records—that would seriously damage the Honghua Sect’s reputation.

“Little Sister Hongling, are you facing some difficulties? Why not share them with me?”

Young Master Dong took the opportunity to flash a sleazy grin.

“Well, the truth is, our Honghua Sect once had disciples fall victim to the Qi-Leaking Powder. As a disciple of the Immortal Alliance, I can’t bear to see such tragedies repeated. So I want to investigate this matter and root out any heretical sect members lurking in the prefecture. But I don’t have any connections in Golden Autumn Prefecture…”

Qi Huang could only offer a vague explanation.

“If that’s the case, you needn’t worry. Right now, every prefecture in Yongning Province is investigating this matter—including our Huangtian Prefecture.”

Young Master Dong spoke soothingly, trying to reassure her.

“The government is the government, and the immortal sects are the immortal sects. Eradicating heretical cults is a duty we cultivators must also shoulder. Besides, do you really think ordinary constables can compare to me?”

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Qi Huang remained stubborn. Her pursuit of this matter wasn’t just for the truth—more importantly, she needed to find her master.

“If you insist on handling this personally…”

Young Master Dong hesitated before finally saying, “Fine. I’ll give you a token. With it, you can represent our Governor’s Office and inquire about the matter at the Golden Autumn Prefecture’s government office. Just say we need to clarify some details.”

“Then I must thank Brother Dong.”

Qi Huang expressed her gratitude sincerely.

Not long after, Qi Huang obtained the token and immediately left the Governor’s Office without delay.

Once on the street, she didn’t act rashly. Instead, she spent thirty or forty taels of silver to buy three “Kinship-grade” protective talismans and over a dozen ordinary “Master-grade” ones from a roadside stall. Only then did she hurry toward her hometown. She hadn’t forgotten that her parents and family were still in constant danger. Now that she had the means, it was time to fulfill her filial duties. Besides, she hadn’t visited since her grandfather fell ill.

As for why she only bought Kinship-grade and Master-grade talismans—the reason was simple. “Kinship-grade” was already the best available on the market, costing ten taels per talisman, which was the limit of what she could afford.

“This won’t do. I’ll have to find ways to earn more silver in the future. A major expert at the Incarnation Realm being this poor is downright embarrassing for the immortal cultivation world.”

Qi Huang silently plotted as she used her divine sense to lift herself into the air, flying southward. Even as night fell, she made no effort to conceal herself. She refused to believe that, with her current strength, she’d encounter some monstrous demon or ghost she couldn’t handle just by traveling at night.

As it turned out, Qi Huang was right. Most wandering spirits had at least some intelligence—who would dare provoke a cultivator capable of flight? That was the hallmark of an Incarnation Realm expert.

In just half a night, Qi Huang arrived at Ping’an County—a journey that would’ve taken her three days in the past. The speed was staggering, though it came at the cost of immense divine sense consumption.

She checked into an inn, first asking the innkeeper for paper and a brush before retreating to her room to recover her divine sense with the Tongming Comb. Sleep was out of the question.

Once somewhat restored, she began writing a letter home. She knew all too well that her male identity had been missing for far too long—her parents must be frantic with worry. She had to reassure them.

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After finishing the letter, Qi Huang resumed cultivation. After all, idle hands were the devil’s workshop.

Before long, the true qi in her dantian filled two layers and began advancing toward the third—meaning her physical cultivation had officially reached the third level of the Spirit-Gathering Realm.

Qi Huang wasn’t particularly excited. Compared to the growth rate of her divine sense, this was snail-paced. She couldn’t even be bothered to care now.

As dawn broke outside the window, Qi Huang left the inn, bought a cloth bundle from the street, stuffed the letter and talismans inside, and headed to Ping’an County’s courier station.

“I’d like to hire a courier to deliver a letter home.”

She stated her purpose upon arrival. As for why she didn’t deliver it herself—the reason was simple. Her current identity as the “daughter-in-law” couldn’t face her parents anymore. Too much time had passed, and meeting them now would demand explanations—like the veil over her face. She couldn’t keep pretending to have a toothache.

Money made the world go round, and a courier was soon arranged.

“Remember, when you deliver it, tell them you’re from the prefectural courier station, hired by a tall, lean young man in his late twenties. If they ask for a name, say it’s Huang Qi.”

After handing over a few mace of silver, Qi Huang gave her instructions.

Though the courier didn’t understand why the young woman wanted him to lie, it wasn’t his concern, so he readily agreed.

Soon, the courier rode out of the station, heading toward Huatian Village.

Qi Huang took to the skies again, following like a ghost. On one hand, she had to ensure his safety. On the other, she still wanted to see her family—especially her grandfather.

The courier, clearly terrified, whipped his horse relentlessly, speeding along at a shocking pace. Yet even so, halfway through, he was targeted by a vengeful spirit.

A male ghost, moving far faster than any horse, appeared behind the courier in the blink of an eye. His pale face twisted with glee—all he needed was to possess this man, and he’d have a fresh vessel.

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But the ghost never expected that while he stalked the courier, he was being watched by a pair of phoenix-like eyes.

“Seeking death!”

Qi Huang’s formidable divine sense surged forth, manifesting as two massive hands that seized the ghost’s head and feet, tearing him apart before he could react. His soul scattered into nothingness.

“From now on, as long as I’m here, no demon or ghost will be allowed on this road.”

With that resolution, Qi Huang deliberately began hunting nearby malevolent spirits. This was the only path between Huatian Village and the county town—she had to clear it for her family and fellow villagers.

A few hours later, the courier arrived at Huatian Village and knocked on the Huang family’s gate.

Qi Huang landed soundlessly on a nearby tree, observing. Soon, she saw her mother open the courtyard gate. Compared to before, Li Fen had visibly aged, her face haggard.

Qi Huang knew why. A son gone missing, a daughter-in-law vanishing without a trace—what parent wouldn’t be worried?

Guilt gnawed at her. She wanted to rush over and reveal herself, but reason held her back. She’d sworn not to speak until her grandfather passed—otherwise, all her sacrifices would be meaningless.

“Is this the home of Huang Kairong? A letter for your family!”

The courier handed the bundle to Li Fen.

“What? A letter?”

Li Fen froze, ignoring the package as she stared at the courier with desperate hope. “Who—who hired you?”

“A man in his late twenties, tall and thin.”

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The courier lied as instructed.

“You must be from the prefectural station, right? Was the man’s name Huang Qi?”

Li Fen pressed for confirmation, her eyes brimming with anticipation.

“Yes.”

The courier nodded.

“Heaven be praised! My son is safe!”

Tears of joy streamed down Li Fen’s face as she called into the courtyard, “Husband! Our son is fine—he sent a letter!”

“What? My grandson’s back?”

Old Man Huang Xinghu had misheard. Leaning on his cane, he stumbled out of the side room.

Huang Kairong hurried to support his father.

Seeing her grandfather’s condition, the boulder in Qi Huang’s heart finally eased.

“Grandfather, Father, Mother… Don’t worry. The next time I return, I’ll make sure you live in comfort, free from want.”

Wiping her reddened eyes, Qi Huang took one last look at her family before soaring into the sky, heading straight for Golden Autumn Prefecture.