Volume 5, Chapter 292 – I’ll Make Sure She Can’t Even Become a Concubine

“What? Incarnation Realm?”

The old steward stood dumbfounded, almost convinced he had misheard. Incarnation Realm cultivators weren’t like cabbages in a field, easily plucked at will. Such individuals were, at the very least, high-ranking elders or higher in major cultivation sects.

“What? Is there a problem?”

Liu Biao narrowed his eyes slightly as he interrogated.

“Master, you overestimate this old servant. Aside from you, who else could possibly know such a grand figure?”

The steward replied meekly.

“Indeed, Master. An Incarnation Realm cultivator could easily become a sect elder upon joining any immortal sect. They’re certainly not the kind of people you’d just stumble upon on the streets.”

Madam Liu chimed in from the side.

“Useless trash. I suppose I’ll have to rely on myself after all.”

Liu Biao’s face darkened as he cursed, then dismissed the steward with a wave of his hand.

“Master, I can’t help but feel that you’re weaving a cocoon around yourself with this plan. Securing the clan leader’s position should be simple, just send someone to kill Liu Yingyue. Since she’s already shown you such disrespect, why bother being merciful?”

The dignified Madam Liu proposed. Though her appearance was elegant, her words reeked of malice, as if Liu Yingyue weren’t her own niece.

“What do you know?”

Liu Biao frowned and retorted, “Liu Yingyue has a face that could topple cities. Her suitors include not just nobles and officials but even imperial relatives. Keeping her alive for a political marriage would bring immense benefits to me as the clan leader. So, we can suppress her, but we can’t kill her—or even harm her, because that would depreciate her value.”

“Master’s foresight is truly impeccable.”

Madam Liu nodded repeatedly before offering another ill-conceived suggestion: “Then why not just kill your elder brother?”

“Are you a butcher? Why is your first instinct always to kill members of my Liu family?”

Liu Biao’s anger flared. “Didn’t I just say it? I’m counting on her marriage to bring us benefits. If I kill her father, she’ll become an irreconcilable enemy. So unless absolutely necessary, we must never take that step.”

“Ah! I hadn’t considered that thoroughly enough.”

Madam Liu apologized awkwardly.

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“No need to worry, my dear. I do know an Incarnation Realm expert. With his help, what’s there to fear from a mere little girl?”

Liu Biao reassured her.

“That’s a relief. Who knows where that wretched girl keeps getting her cat’s tears from? She auctions them off every now and then, and her reputation has even reached the main family. If we don’t suppress her soon, she might actually complete her mission by year’s end.”

Madam Liu sighed helplessly.

“I suspect some lovesick fool is supplying her. Otherwise, how could she manage it alone?”

Liu Biao speculated.

“That little vixen! She claims she’ll decide her own marriage, yet she’s clearly playing the field, eating from one bowl while eyeing another. Shameless!”

Madam Liu muttered under her breath.

As days passed, the entire Western Radiance Dynasty turned its attention to Qi Huang, speculating how many days she had left to live, after all, the fates of the four previous Imperial Consorts served as grim precedents.

Those around Qi Huang caught wind of the rumors and began covertly protecting her. Several of her close senior sisters even abandoned their cultivation to camp outside her residence daily.

Cheng Hongling, suspecting ulterior motives, tried to stop them. Yet even when barred from entering, the sisters stubbornly stood guard around the courtyard, leaving her at a loss.

Qi Huang was touched but also somewhat amused. What could a few low-level cultivators possibly achieve? If a real threat came, they wouldn’t even be able to protect themselves.

‘Sigh. At least I’ve reached the Pseudo-Divine Ability Realm now. It’s time to think of ways to boost their cultivation.’

She pondered silently. Of course, she knew the one who truly needed advancement was her main body, Cheng Hongling. Proud as she was, Cheng Hongling would never place her hopes on a mere doppelgänger.

‘Once she expels the Qi-Leaking Powder from her system, I’ll gather some rare elixirs for her to snack on.’

Qi Huang clenched her fist resolutely. Now that she and her main body had laid their cards on the table, and weren’t enemies, it was time for a little… nurturing game.

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For now, though, Qi Huang had to deal with her overprotective sisters. She stepped out to address them directly.

“I appreciate your kindness, but I truly don’t need protection. What you should focus on is cultivating harder, only then can you really help me in the future.”

She spoke earnestly.

“Junior Sister, do you think we’re too weak? It’s fine, we can at least take a sword strike for you!”

Ruan Lingyu declared confidently.

“Exactly! I’ve heard that battles between experts are decided in an instant. Maybe while the enemy is busy cutting us down, you can turn the tables!”

Yun Fei analyzed with flawless logic.

Qi Huang smiled wryly. At her level, killing intent alone is enough to end lives. Who needs a sword?

“This passive defense isn’t a solution. It’s creating unnecessary panic and still carries risks.”

She returned to discuss the matter with her main body.

“Do you have a better idea?”

Cheng Hongling asked.

“How about this, I’ll issue a public declaration stating that my true qi has been restored and I won’t be entering the palace as an Imperial Consort.”

Qi Huang laid out her plan.

“But will anyone believe it? Everyone knows Qi-Leaking Powder has no antidote. If you do this, those with ill intentions might assume you’re trying to muddy the waters.”

Cheng Hongling raised an objection.

“No matter. My goal isn’t to convince the masses, it’s to draw the Immortal Alliance’s attention.”

Qi Huang revealed her true intent.

“You mean…?”

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A thoughtful glimmer flashed across Cheng Hongling’s fair, delicate face.

“Once the rumor spreads, the Immortal Alliance will surely investigate. If they confirm and announce it themselves, wouldn’t that lend credibility?”

Qi Huang’s lips curled into a faint, confident smile.

“True! If they do nothing and allow the Emperor to drag you into the palace, the entire Immortal Alliance would lose face.”

Cheng Hongling’s eyes brightened.

“Exactly. This is what you call ‘driving a tiger to swallow a wolf’.”

Qi Huang grinned triumphantly.

Soon after, Qi Huang presented her plan to the Honghua Sect’s higher-ups, receiving unanimous support.

The next day, she personally posted a public notice: Her true qi had been restored, and she would not enter the palace.

Qi Huang waited patiently for the fallout. As Cheng Hongling predicted, the declaration barely caused a ripple. Most who saw it dismissed it as a desperate lie to save herself.

But Qi Huang wasn’t worried. As she had said, the notice was merely bait for the Immortal Alliance.

Days later, Liu Yingyue sent good news, all the requested items had been gathered.

Overjoyed, Qi Huang rushed to the prefectural office to retrieve the three herbs and the spatial ring. The total cost? A staggering 130,000 taels of silver, with the ring alone accounting for 100,000, given its spacious interior that was equivalent to a courtyard house.

Naturally, Qi Huang didn’t have that kind of money on hand. Fortunately, her endless supply of cat’s tears allowed her to buy on credit.

With the items secured, she promptly delivered the herbs to her main body.

The visible relief on Cheng Hongling’s face was unmistakable. Just as Qi Huang had anticipated, her main body was far too proud to rely entirely on someone else.

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The imperial palace glittered like an immortal realm amidst the mortal world’s desolation.

Emperor Lin Tu was reviewing memorials in his study, with Chief Steward Zhong standing dutifully by his side.

“Your Majesty, this old servant heard that Qi Huang posted a notice claiming her true qi has been restored and she won’t be entering the palace as an Imperial Consort.”

Steward Zhong reported cautiously.

“Oh? Is that so?”

Lin Tu set down the memorial, his expression freezing over. The declaration was nothing short of a slap to the imperial face.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I believe she’s only doing this out of self-preservation. After all, everyone knows the fate of the previous Imperial Consorts you selected.”

Steward Zhong hurriedly placated.

“Is that so? Or perhaps she genuinely believes being Cheng Hongling’s doppelgänger is better than becoming this emperor’s concubine?”

Lin Tu’s voice was icy.

“Your Majesty, Qi-Leaking Powder has no antidote. She can never cultivate again. Even a fool would know that entering the palace offers a far brighter future than remaining in the cultivation world.”

Steward Zhong reasoned logically—unaware, of course, that Qi Huang had once been a man.

“A fair point.”

Lin Tu smirked thoughtfully. “But she has still humiliated Us. How do you suggest We punish her?”

“This old servant dare not presume.”

Steward Zhong bowed deeply.

“They say an Imperial Consort is destined to become empress.”

Lin Tu’s laughter was cold. “Very well. We shall make her the first in history to fail—not just as empress, but even as a concubine. Let her become a laughingstock for all eternity.”