Volume 1, Chapter 43 – What to Do, She Really Is an Underage Girl (Part 2)

Jiang Linian, the mother of Fairy Hongling, was proof enough of her own striking beauty—how else could she have birthed such a peerless daughter? If not for the crimson birthmark on her face, she might never have ended up with a small-time merchant like Cheng Yuan.

The Jiang Linian before Huang Qi now was even more mature and alluring than the one from his dreams. Behind her veil, the soft curves of her fair, oval face were faintly visible. Her voluptuous figure strained against the thin fabric of her dress, like a ripe gourd unwilling to be contained, while her long, slender legs betrayed seductive curves that even the skirt couldn’t hide.

Age-wise, Huang Qi was only a few years younger than Jiang Linian. Had this been the past, being embraced by such a stunning woman would have set his heart racing. Yet now, strangely, he felt no improper thoughts—only an indescribable sense of familiarity. Almost unconsciously, he wrapped an arm around his “mother’s” shoulders and gently patted her in reassurance.

“I’m fine. All of you, come with me—we need to check if those demons have truly left.”

Xu Mei seemed to hesitate, but in the end, she chose not to disturb the “mother-daughter reunion”, leading the other disciples away instead.

Huang Qi exhaled silently in relief. These were all people close to Fairy Hongling—the more of them around, the higher the risk of exposure.

Jiang Linian, after all, was a mother. She quickly composed herself and ushered her “daughter” into the wooden house.

As Huang Qi took in the furnishings, he was struck by how similar they were to those in his dreams. The déjà vu was so strong it felt like revisiting a past life.

“Little Ling, tell me—did you make it to the Changhe Sect?”

Jiang Linian’s sudden question caught him off guard.

‘The Changhe Sect? Isn’t that the largest cultivation sect in the neighboring province? Why would Hongling go there?’

Huang Qi had no clue, scrambling internally for a plausible answer.

“You didn’t go, did you? I knew it!”

Jiang Linian stepped forward, dusting off her “daughter’s” robes as she continued, “When you first said you wanted to join the Changhe Sect, I knew you wouldn’t have the heart to go through with it. That’s why I told you to settle in before sending for me.”

‘What? Hongling really was planning to defect to another sect?’

This was completely unexpected. The fairies’ earlier claims had been lies—while the rumors spread by those martial arts ruffians turned out to be true.

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‘Under those circumstances, the fairies had no reason to lie. That means only one thing—they genuinely didn’t know Cheng Hongling had planned to leave. Someone must have covered it up with the ‘secluded cultivation’ excuse.’

Huang Qi quickly pieced it together. The reason was simple: Cheng Hongling was the Honghua Sect’s top genius and strongest fighter. If word got out that she had defected, morale would plummet—and worse, disasters like today’s attack might occur. It made sense that someone would lie to conceal it. The only question was—who?

‘But why would she want to join the Changhe Sect?’

Huang Qi burned with curiosity. He knew better than anyone how much the Honghua Sect had invested in Cheng Hongling. With such privileges, why would she betray them?

“Since you couldn’t bring yourself to do it, let’s never speak of this again. Your master already lied and said you were in seclusion, but someone leaked the truth and nearly got the entire sect wiped out.”

Jiang Linian’s warning confirmed Huang Qi’s suspicions.

“Mm.”

He responded vaguely, his mind still racing.

“Your father said he’ll do everything he can to secure the resources you need for cultivation. Don’t worry.”

Jiang Linian added softly.

‘Wait—was Hongling trying to get more cultivation resources by joining the Changhe Sect?’

Huang Qi suddenly understood. Given the Honghua Sect’s limited means, it simply couldn’t meet the demands of a once-in-a-generation talent like her.

And Cheng Hongling? After mistakenly consuming the Golden Fate Flower, she had only a few years before being used as bait. To survive, she had to grow stronger—fast.

Huang Qi had no intention of digging deeper. He wasn’t here to pry into others’ secrets—he had his own mission.

With that in mind, he pushed open a side door. In his dreams, this had been Hongling’s bedroom—where the identity tablet and Tongming Comb were kept.

The moment he stepped inside, an intoxicating fragrance enveloped him. The scent of Golden Fate Flowers was unmistakable, but it paled next to another, subtler sweetness—a scent that bypassed his nose entirely, flooding his mind with warmth.

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This… this must be a maiden’s natural fragrance.

Though he’d entered this room countless times in dreams, reality was different. His heart pounded with nervous excitement.

Jiang Linian, suspecting nothing, followed her “daughter” inside.

Huang Qi’s conscience prickled. What he was about to do wasn’t exactly honorable—what if he got caught?

‘Wait—right now, I am Cheng Hongling. Taking things from my own room is perfectly normal.’

The realization steadied him. Boldly, under Jiang Linian’s watchful gaze, he walked to the dressing table and pulled open a drawer.

Inside were several small boxes—exactly as in his dreams.

“Good… her habits haven’t changed.”

He exhaled in relief, opening the smallest wooden box. There, nestled inside, was a chestnut-colored comb carved with delicate, unnamed flowers.

‘The Tongming Comb—my lifeline.’

His hands trembled with excitement. With this treasure, the Feminization Mask would finally submit to him completely.

“Why are you shaking? Are you cold?”

Jiang Linian’s puzzled voice made him jump.

“N-no, I just… remembered the disciples who died today. It’s unsettling.”

He forced a somber tone.

“Oh, my child… you’re not a deity. You can’t save everyone.”

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Jiang Linian immediately softened, reaching out to comfort her.

Huang Qi smiled weakly. To test the comb’s effects, he lifted it and ran it through his hair.

With each stroke, a refreshing coolness spread from his scalp, clearing mental fatigue like mist under sunlight.

‘Just like in the dreams—it sharpens spiritual awareness and dispels exhaustion.’

Thrilled, he was about to pocket the comb when he felt Jiang Linian’s gaze.

Wouldn’t that look suspicious?

“Where did you get these clothes? From the back, you look like a village woman.”

Jiang Linian teased, eyeing her “daughter’s” outfit.

“Clothes?”

An idea struck him.

“Mother, could you step out for a moment? I need to change.”

“Oh? Since when are you shy? I’ve seen every inch of you.”

Despite her words, Jiang Linian chuckled and obligingly left.

“Not this part of me, you haven’t.”

Huang Qi muttered, quickly shutting the door.

Alone at last, he placed the comb on the table and opened another box. Among its contents was the item he truly needed—the identity tablet.

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Seeing it, the weight on his chest finally lifted. With these two items, every problem he faced would be solved.

Picking up the tablet, he studied it eagerly.

Identity tablets were standardized—name, birthdate, ethnicity, and hometown engraved on the front, with a small portrait carved on the right.

Name: Cheng Hongling

Birthdate: Year 208, 3rd Month, 22nd Day (Western Radiance Calendar)

Ethnicity: XX

Hometown: Huangtian Prefecture, Huangtian County, Yongning Province, Western Radiance Nation

Huang Qi read slowly, savoring each character. Every word was priceless—missing even one would ruin his plans.

“Year 208? I was born in 195… that’s a thirteen-year gap. Heh, an old bull grazing on tender grass, am I?”

He smirked, smug at the thought. At nearly twenty-eight, landing such a young, beautiful wife was definitely something to boast about.

Then—

“Wait. Twenty-eight minus thirteen is…”

His grin froze.