Volume 5, Chapter 301 – She Pulled Out a Psychiatric Diagnosis

Hearing this, Chief Steward Zhong’s expression darkened further. He didn’t understand why the Immortal Alliance had sent someone now. Even if he wanted to forcibly take this Imperial Consort away, the opportunity had already slipped through his fingers.

‘Just as I expected, they still came. Though a step late, at least I can still catch the climax of this spectacle.’

A faint smirk curled at the corners of Qi Huang’s lips. From this point onward, this was no longer a matter between her, the emperor, and the Immortal Alliance—it was now a confrontation between the emperor and the Immortal Alliance.

The onlookers exchanged uneasy glances, silently wondering: Had Fairy Qi truly not been afflicted by the Qi-Leaking Powder? Then why had she lied about it before?

A moment later, Steward Cai arrived at the plaza with four or five subordinates in tow.

“Steward Cai gracing us with your presence truly brings honor to our humble mountain sect!”

Qin Quan greeted him with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Sect Master Qin is too modest. Any sect capable of nurturing a genius like Fairy Hongling is worthy of respect. It is my privilege to visit the Honghua Sect!”

Steward Cai returned the hollow flattery with equal insincerity.

Beside them, Cheng Hongling clenched her delicate fists, a faint trace of killing intent flickering in her beautiful eyes. The reason she had been eliminated at the state-level Evergreen Conference last year was precisely because of this old bastard who had altered the rules. Coldly, she retorted, “Steward Cai jests. Last year, I didn’t even qualify as a state-level Immortal Seed, how could I possibly be called a genius?”

“Your failure to qualify wasn’t due to lack of skill, but because you stood alone. Everyone still remembers your performance vividly.”

Steward Cai replied calmly.

“Oh? Then does Steward Cai mean to imply that the rules of Yongning Province’s Evergreen Conference are flawed?”

Qi Huang suddenly cut in.

The moment these words left her lips, the surroundings fell deathly silent. Some even shivered involuntarily. No one had expected someone to openly challenge the Immortal Alliance’s authority in broad daylight.

Cheng Hongling’s breath hitched, and she stared at her doppelgänger in shock before hurriedly transmitting a mental message: “I appreciate your goodwill, but for the sake of the Golden Fate Blossom seeds, it’s best we don’t openly antagonize him.”

“Relax, I know what I’m doing!”

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Qi Huang replied with breezy indifference.

Steward Cai was caught off guard. After scrutinizing Qi Huang for a moment, he asked, “Judging by your appearance, you must be the Imperial Consort Qi Huang? Openly questioning the Immortal Alliance’s rules, not even the imperial family can save you from the consequences.”

“I don’t care. I’m a certified psychiatric patient, here’s the doctor’s note if you don’t believe me!”

Qi Huang proudly brandished her psychiatric diagnosis like a trophy.

The people beside her twitched at the sight.

Steward Cai froze. So did Chief Steward Zhong. No one had anticipated such a response.

“Ahem…”

Steward Cai cleared his throat awkwardly before putting on a perfunctory tone. “In that case, I won’t hold it against you. As for the rules, I’ve explained them countless times in public, for an immortal sect to thrive, it cannot rely solely on a single genius disciple. The collective strength of the younger generation must be considered. Your main body’s failure last year is proof. Had that been a life-or-death battle instead of the Evergreen Conference, she wouldn’t have returned. What future would the Honghua Sect have then?”

“A fair point. But doesn’t that mean geniuses from minor sects are forever doomed? If so, where does the Evergreen Conference’s proclaimed fairness come into play?”

Qi Huang pressed further.

“Of course they have a chance. They can always seek refuge in a stronger sect, why cling to a sinking ship?”

Steward Cai replied without thinking.

“Oh? So am I to understand that Steward Cai is encouraging cultivators to betray their own sects?”

Qi Huang immediately slapped a damning label onto his words.

“N-No! Don’t twist my words!”

Only then did Steward Cai realize he had walked into a trap and hurriedly backpedaled.

“No? Everyone here heard you loud and clear.”

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Qi Huang pressed her advantage relentlessly. She was a psychiatric patient, what did she have to fear?

Steward Cai dared not engage further and quickly turned toward the military squad. “Who is Chief Steward Zhong? I am Steward Cai of the Immortal Alliance!”

“That would be me.”

Chief Steward Zhong responded impatiently, his mood already foul.

“Greetings, Chief Steward. I’ve come on behalf of the Immortal Alliance to verify whether Qi Huang has truly been reduced to an ordinary mortal. After all, this concerns a cultivator.”

Steward Cai softened his tone, not wanting his words to jeopardize their collaboration.

“Verify what? She was dosed with Qi-Leaking Powder, isn’t that obvious? Why bother with unnecessary formalities?”

Chief Steward Zhong kept his voice low, trying to brush him off.

“Indeed, but the Immortal Alliance must fulfill its duties. This girl recently claimed to have recovered her True Qi. If I don’t personally expose her lies, it may lead to criticism later.”

Steward Cai explained.

“You, do as you please! But I’d like to know, if she still possesses True Qi, would you allow me to take her away today?”

Chief Steward Zhong probed.

“…”

Steward Cai fell into deep contemplation before finally answering hesitantly, “My apologies… should that be the case, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have the authority to decide.”

“Heh…”

Chief Steward Zhong let out a cold laugh. It seemed this matter wouldn’t be resolved peacefully.

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A sense of foreboding crept into Steward Cai’s heart, but he didn’t dare delay his task any longer and approached Qi Huang.

Meanwhile, Chief Steward Zhong retrieved his Thousand-Mile Communication Tube and immediately reported the situation to Lin Tu. Given the gravity of the matter, he, too, lacked the authority to make decisions.

“What? She still has True Qi in her body?”

Lin Tu was equally stunned by this turn of events.

“Yes, Your Majesty! Though faint, it is undoubtedly True Qi.”

Chief Steward Zhong confirmed.

“How is this possible? With her cultivation level, once hit by Qi-Leaking Powder, it should be impossible to recover True Qi in such a short time.”

Lin Tu muttered to himself.

“Indeed. Even cultivators at the Incarnation Realm or above would require doppelgänger transference to achieve such a feat. Since she is already a doppelgänger with low cultivation, it’s simply implausible. However, she just claimed she was never afflicted by Qi-Leaking Powder in the first place. I suspect our intelligence was flawed.”

Chief Steward Zhong analyzed.

“Useless fools!”

Lin Tu roared in fury, smashing his teacup to the ground.

“Your Majesty, what should this servant do now? Steward Cai from the Immortal Alliance has arrived. The man couldn’t be stopped, he insists on testing Qi Huang personally, likely to save face and avoid criticism. If he discovers the truth, we’ll have a problem.”

Chief Steward Zhong steeled himself and asked.

“Troublesome how? Qi Huang belongs to me, not even the heavens can take her away!”

Lin Tu’s tone was unyielding as he commanded, “Stay there and observe how Steward Cai handles this. Report back immediately once there’s a result. If they dare renege on our agreement after accepting our benefits, then don’t blame me for tearing off the veil of courtesy.”

“As you command!”

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Chief Steward Zhong bowed, though he hesitated before adding, “One more thing to report, Your Majesty. Qi Huang produced a psychiatric diagnosis from a physician. Its authenticity is unclear.”

“Even better. The dumber she is, the easier to control.”

Lin Tu replied indifferently.

“Your Majesty is wise.”

Chief Steward Zhong fawned obsequiously.

On the other side, Steward Cai returned to Qi Huang and declared, “Qi Huang, as a cultivator, being afflicted by Qi-Leaking Powder is truly unfortunate. Fortunately, you’ve caught the Emperor’s eye, a blessing in disguise. However, before entering the palace, the Immortal Alliance must verify whether you’ve truly become an ordinary mortal. This matter is too significant to be handled carelessly.”

“Understood. But Chief Steward Zhong already had someone test me earlier. Did he not inform you of the results? Or do you distrust him?”

Qi Huang seized the chance to sow discord.

“He represents the Emperor, not the Immortal Alliance.”

Steward Cai replied dismissively before demanding Qi Huang extend her hand.

“Steward Cai, as a personally selected Imperial Consort, allowing you to touch me would be improper, no?”

Qi Huang refused under a flimsy pretext, she had no intention of letting this disgusting old man take liberties.

Steward Cai sighed helplessly before ordering a female cultivator behind him to step forward and inspect Qi Huang instead.

The female cultivator extended her True Qi to probe Qi Huang’s meridians, only to recoil moments later as if scalded.

“How… how is this possible?”

She murmured in disbelief.