Volume 6, Chapter 341 – Wait, How Did I Become the Stand-In?

“You’re asking me? I should be asking you! Our employment agreement ends here, but you still have to pay me. Consider it compensation for my mental distress.”

Immortal Bao spoke with an unyielding tone.

“But—”

Liu Biao, unwilling to accept this, tried to argue.

“But what? The fact that I’m not holding you accountable is already an act of mercy. Do you want to keep your money or your life?”

Immortal Bao’s words carried a clear threat.

“Yes, yes… Whatever Immortal Bao says goes.”

Liu Biao was startled and immediately backed down.

“At least you know your place.”

Immortal Bao snorted coldly, then added greedily, “Oh, and if you ever need help in the future, don’t hesitate to come find me.”

“Yes, yes, of course…”

Liu Biao didn’t dare refuse. But the moment the conversation ended, he slammed the communication tube onto the ground and roared, “Yes your damn head! You think I’m some kind of fool? You didn’t even get the job done, yet you still demand payment? And now you want to swindle me again? What, do you think I’m your father, obligated to shower you with unconditional love?”

“Husband, what happened? Why are you so angry?”

His wife, Madam Liu, was startled and quickly stepped forward to ask.

“It’s that old bastard Bao Shan! He didn’t accomplish anything, yet he still insists I pay him. Maybe he’s about to kick the bucket and needs money for his coffin!”

Liu Biao’s fury was far from subsiding.

“He failed? But didn’t you say he was at the early Incarnation Realm?”

Madam Liu frowned in confusion.

“That old fraud claims there’s a cultivator at the late Incarnation Realm overseeing the auction house in Yongning Province.”

Liu Biao let out a cold laugh.

“How is that possible? That brat Liu Yingyue has only been gone for a few years. Even we don’t know anyone that powerful, how could she?”

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Madam Liu was equally skeptical.

“I’ve been wondering the same thing! In all my years traveling, the strongest cultivator I’ve ever met is that bastard Bao Shan.”

Liu Biao gnashed his teeth in frustration.

“Maybe she wrapped some wild man around her finger with her pretty face.”

Madam Liu sneered disdainfully.

“She’s not that kind of person. If she were, she wouldn’t have chosen to leave and endure hardship.”

Liu Biao, however, was firm in his belief.

“Who knows? The year’s end is approaching. If she doesn’t resort to extreme measures, not only will she be dragged back for a political marriage, but your elder brother’s position as clan head will also be forfeited.”

Madam Liu’s voice dripped with cold mockery.

Unable to refute her, Liu Biao could only stew in silent rage, his face darkening.

“Husband, what’s our next move? The Yongning branch has been selling cat’s tears these past few months and has gained quite a reputation. I’ve heard business is booming lately. If we don’t do something, she might actually meet the year-end target.”

Madam Liu sounded anxious, her mind in disarray.

“Wife, what else can we do? With a late Incarnation Realm cultivator guarding the place, we can’t possibly interfere.”

Liu Biao let out a bitter laugh, his spirit deflated.

“There is a way. You’ve just never had the heart to do it.”

A sinister glint flashed in Madam Liu’s eyes.

“I know what you’re implying. But he’s still my elder brother.”

Liu Biao hesitated.

“Elder brother? He’s your brother now, but what about four or five generations down the line? Who will even remember? Even if you don’t care about yourself, shouldn’t you think of our son? Or are you expecting Liu Yingyue to take care of you in your old age?”

Madam Liu continued to press relentlessly.

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“Let me think about it.”

Finally, a crack appeared in Liu Biao’s resolve.

“Then you’d better hurry. In three months, it’ll be the year’s end. There’s no medicine for regret in this world.”

Madam Liu’s warning was stern.

On the other side, Qi Huang was also preparing to visit the Golden Fortune Auction House. But before that, she had one more thing to do—she couldn’t just go to the provincial capital empty-handed. She had to bring back gifts for those around her.

That evening, Qi Huang gathered her nominal master, Xu Mei, and her close senior sisters at her home.

“Master, senior sisters, I need to know your exact cultivation levels. Please be honest with me.”

Qi Huang looked earnestly at the room full of women. After all, cultivation was a private matter, and few were willing to reveal their true strength.

“You already know mine, Body Refinement Ninth Layer. I should break through to the Unity Realm soon.”

Xu Mei was the first to speak.

“Mine too, I just reached Body Refinement Third Layer not long ago.”

Ruan Lingyu, the eldest senior sister, followed up.

“I’m at Body Refinement Second Layer.”

Yun Fei, the second senior sister, chimed in.

“Body Refinement First Layer.”

Shen Yuan stated plainly.

“Body Refinement First Layer!”

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Su Qingying’s response was brief.

“I’m only at Spirit Gathering Ninth Layer…”

Miao Xiang, the youngest, spoke weakly, her voice barely audible.

“Sigh…”

Qi Huang opened her mouth but then sighed in self-reproach. She realized how neglectful she had been over the past year. She hadn’t done nearly enough to help her senior sisters. With such low cultivation, it was a miracle they had survived this long.

‘If anything happened to any one of them, I would regret it for the rest of my life.’

She had no doubt about that.

“Little Junior Sister, I know I’m weak and can’t help you much, but I’ll work harder. Don’t worry!”

Ruan Lingyu misunderstood and quickly tried to reassure her. The other senior sisters also voiced their support.

“That’s not what I meant. I just feel like I’ve failed as a junior sister. Despite having the means, I haven’t done enough for you all this past year.”

Qi Huang’s eyes reddened. She didn’t want to cry, but her current body was too sensitive, her tear ducts were far too active.

“How could you think that? You’ve not only provided us with cat’s tears for free but also gifted each of us a Blue Scale Stone sword. Those are priceless treasures!”

“Exactly! Without them, with our low cultivation, we’d have died long ago.”

“I’ve been wondering how to repay you. Hearing you say this only makes me feel even more ashamed.”

The senior sisters rushed to comfort her.

“Don’t worry. I promise I won’t neglect you again.”

Qi Huang wiped the corners of her eyes, then swiftly pulled out the prepared ink, brush, and paper.

The women exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of her intentions, except for the Cheng family trio, who remained calm.

Taking a deep breath, Qi Huang turned to her nominal master.

“Master, what kind of rare treasures would help you reach the Unity Realm as quickly as possible? And I mean the very best.”

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“Huh? What are you planning?”

Xu Mei was caught off guard.

“Now that I have the means, it’s only right that I show my filial piety.”

Qi Huang stated her reason plainly.

“You want to buy those treasures for me? That’s unacceptable! Those things are far too expensive, and as your master, I’ve given you so little in return.”

Xu Mei’s voice trembled with emotion.

“But I know you’ve done your best. As your disciple, I haven’t.”

Qi Huang’s tone was resolute.

“Senior Sister Xu, don’t stand on ceremony. A disciple honoring her master is only natural. If you refuse, wouldn’t you be rejecting her sincerity?”

Cheng Yuan, who had been silent until now, spoke up in persuasion.

Xu Mei struggled internally before finally relenting.

“Fine. Then this master will… shamelessly accept.”

She then listed the rare materials she needed, even estimating their costs in an attempt to dissuade Qi Huang.

But Qi Huang remained unmoved. How expensive could Body Refinement-level treasures be? At most, a thousand taels of silver, a drop in the bucket for her now.

She then proceeded to ask her senior sisters the same question, meticulously recording their needs.

Cheng Hongling watched quietly, her delicate face gradually twisting in confusion.

‘Wait a minute… That’s my master and my senior sisters. Shouldn’t I be the one honoring my master and caring for my sisters? Why is she the one doing it?’

It finally dawned on her—strictly speaking, the person before her wasn’t entirely her doppelgänger.

‘How did I end up becoming the stand-in?’

Frustrated, Cheng Hongling opened her mouth, determined to reclaim her dignity.