Volume 1, Chapter 42 – What to Do, She Really Is an Underage Girl (Part 1)

The Bronze Zombie, having tasted blood, had been tearing through the area like a rabid dog. Yet, the moment it heard Huang Qi’s voice, it froze as if struck by lightning, its entire body stiffening.

Qin Quan, covered in blood, didn’t let this opportunity slip. Flames erupted from his right palm as he struck forward, landing a solid blow on the Bronze Zombie’s chest.

“Boom!”

The Bronze Zombie was sent flying backward, carving a deep trench into the ground as it crashed. It scrambled up in fury, a clear palm print now seared into its chest.

“Walking on all fours and biting people—is that what your parents taught you?”

Qin Quan sucked in a sharp breath, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

The Bronze Corpse roared in rage, its maw gaping wide as it prepared to lunge forward again.

“Hongling! Now you see where he comes from, right? If you want to find his descendants, it’s simple—just slaughter any stray dog on the street. Who knows, you might even kill his parents while you’re at it!”

Qin Quan glanced at Huang Qi, his words laced with mockery.

‘My dear Sect Leader Qin! If you want to court death, don’t drag me into it!’

Huang Qi’s heart pounded in panic. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Sect Leader Qin could be so viciously sharp-tongued.

The Bronze Corpse shot Huang Qi a fearful look before finally retreating, glancing back every few steps as it fled into the distance.

Having narrowly escaped death, Huang Qi felt a cold breeze brush past him. Only then did he realize his robes were drenched in sweat.

“Hongling! If you’d been any later, I would’ve—”

Qin Quan’s eyes suddenly rolled playfully as he straightened his back, adopting an imperious tone.

“—I would’ve slaughtered that beast myself! It’s all your fault for scaring it away!”

“Huh?”

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Huang Qi blinked, unsure if he had heard correctly. Old man, aren’t you in pain? How can you still care about saving face in this state?

“Are… are you alright?”

Huang Qi hurried forward to check on him.

“It’s nothing, just superficial wounds. The corpse poison is a bit troublesome, though—I’ll need to deal with that. For now, I’ll leave the Honghua Sect in your hands. I trust you’ll handle things well.”

Despite his casual tone, Qin Quan’s legs seemed to have a mind of their own as he bolted away at top speed.

‘Leave it to me? You overestimate me way too much!’

Huang Qi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. His survival so far had been sheer luck—he wasn’t about to recklessly take on more responsibilities.

Fortunately, with the Bronze Zombie gone, the remaining lackeys wouldn’t dare linger for long. They’d likely scatter soon enough.

Worried about his master, Huang Qi quickened his pace toward the back mountain, soon arriving at the Yangchun Courtyard—the residential area for male disciples.

Though called a disciples’ quarters, many of the sect’s male elders also lived here, much like how the female disciples resided in the Orchid Courtyard. Space was limited in the Honghua Sect, and private estates were a luxury few could afford.

Huang Qi didn’t even bother maintaining his disguise as Fairy Hongling, striding in openly. Luckily, the place was in chaos, and no one noticed a female disciple suddenly entering.

Then again, knowing men, even if things weren’t chaotic, they probably wouldn’t mind a female disciple walking in.

Following a familiar path, Huang Qi reached his master’s dwelling—only to find the small wooden door wide open, the faint scent of blood drifting out.

“No…”

His heart sank as he rushed inside. A man lay sprawled on the floor, blood oozing from two puncture wounds on his neck, pooling beneath him.

“Master!”

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Huang Qi’s vision nearly went red with panic as he ran forward—only to realize the man was in his twenties, definitely not his master, Hu Bing.

“Thank goodness…”

He exhaled in relief, patting his chest—only to feel an unexpected softness. Flushing, he quickly lowered his hand.

“Where is Master, then?”

Stepping back outside, Huang Qi scanned the area but saw no sign of his master. Knowing he had no time to waste, he turned to leave, intending to ask another disciple.

Before long, he spotted a familiar figure—Shi Wan, a fellow disciple from his outer sect days.

“Shi Wan! Have you seen… uh, Senior Hu?”

Huang Qi nearly slipped up in his haste.

“F-Fairy Hongling?! No, wait—Junior Sister? Y-You know me?!”

Shi Wan stammered in shock, his mind reeling at the thought that the sect’s prodigy, the untouchable Fairy Hongling, actually recognized him.

“Cut the nonsense. Where’s Senior Hu?”

Huang Qi snapped impatiently.

“My master left the Honghua Sect three years ago. You… didn’t know?”

Shi Wan blinked in confusion, hastily straightening his disheveled robes in an attempt to look presentable.

“He left? Why?”

“No idea. After becoming an inner disciple, I was assigned a new master.”

Shi Wan scratched his head awkwardly.

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‘Good… that’s good. If he’s already gone, then he’s safe.’

A weight lifted from Huang Qi’s chest as he immediately turned to leave. Now, it was time to focus on the real task at hand.

“She… she actually knows me! Heh… Junior Sister Hongling… heheh…”

Shi Wan watched Huang Qi’s retreating figure with a dazed, lovestruck grin.

Huang Qi descended swiftly toward the Orchid Courtyard. Pausing outside the gates, he hesitated for a long moment before stepping in—his heart a mix of nervousness and curiosity.

After all, this was the female disciples’ quarters. Though he had visited many times in his dreams, those were just dreams.

Inside, the chaos was even worse than elsewhere. The sounds of battle echoed everywhere—unsurprising, given that a fairy’s value far exceeded that of an ordinary woman. Most of the invaders’ elites had targeted this place.

Suppressing his curiosity, Huang Qi hurried toward a familiar small wooden house. From afar, he could see a group of invaders surrounding a cluster of female disciples, taunting and probing.

“Elder Xu is said to be over forty, but she looks like a fair-skinned young matron in her thirties! Damn, I almost can’t bring myself to strike her.”

“That’s how cultivators are—they age much slower than us martial artists.”

“So if I marry a fairy, I’ll get to enjoy a youthful wife even in my old age?”

“Of course! But that’s just the bonus. If she can cultivate, your descendants will likely inherit that talent. That’s why fairies are worth dozens—no, hundreds—of times more than ordinary women!”

“Hah! Then I’m definitely snatching one today. I’ll make her bear ten kids until one can cultivate!”

The invaders laughed crudely, confident in their victory.

“In your dreams! Go ask your mother to birth them for you!”

The female disciples spat back, their faces flushed with anger as they brandished their swords, ready to fight to the death.

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Huang Qi’s gaze swept over them, landing on their leader—Xu Mei, who stood protectively in front despite her injuries, shielding the disciples like a mother hen.

Among the group were a few family members, and Huang Qi’s breath hitched when he spotted a painfully familiar-yet-strange face—Jiang Linian.

Familiar… because she was the mother of the body he inhabited in his dreams.

Strange… because in reality, he had never met her.

‘She… she’s real. She really exists!’

A storm of emotions raged inside him. Every figure from his dreams was appearing before him, confirming one thing—those weren’t just dreams. They were memories.

Specifically, the childhood memories of Cheng Hongling.

Because of those dreams, Huang Qi felt an inexplicable closeness to Jiang Linian and Xu Mei—especially the former, as if they were connected by blood. Without thinking, he rushed forward and bellowed:

“What, do I not exist? You all have a death wish?!”

“Junior Sister! It’s Junior Sister Hongling! She’s back! We’re saved!”

The female disciples erupted in cheers, their despair vanishing instantly.

The invaders turned pale, their bravado crumbling as they scattered like frightened birds.

Xu Mei collapsed in relief, her disciples rushing to support her.

Huang Qi hesitated. These were Hongling’s closest people—if he approached, he risked exposure. But staying back would be even more suspicious.

Before he could decide, Jiang Linian, overwhelmed with maternal worry, sprinted forward and pulled her “daughter” into a tearful embrace.

“My daughter! You’re finally back! Your mother was so worried!”