Volume 1, Chapter 48 – Little Ling, Why Are You Wearing Such Big Shoes?

“No problem at all!”

Dong Yu waved grandly, immediately summoning artisans from the prefecture’s official workshop to craft a counterfeit identity tablet for Huang Qi.

Standing nearby, Huang Qi provided specifications—the name had to be “Qi Huang” to avoid complications later.

Meanwhile, Cheng Hongling pursued the impostor for dozens of miles, tracking all the way to the prefectural city outskirts before losing the trail. Worried about the Honghua Sect’s safety, she reluctantly turned back.

Returning to the sect, she sought out her master to report.

“What? That earlier Hongling was fake? How could that be?”

Xu Mei’s initial shock gave way to skepticism. “Ling’er, you’re not joking, are you? She looked and sounded exactly like you!”

“Master, no two people are truly identical. I saw the impostor—there were subtle physical differences upon close inspection.”

Hongling’s tone remained measured.

“Physical differences?”

Xu Mei’s confused expression gradually cleared. “Now that you mention it… her legs weren’t as long as yours, and her… ahem… posterior wasn’t as lifted. The proportions were slightly off. No wonder something felt strange when I first saw her. Even loved ones might miss such nuances.”

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A faint blush colored Hongling’s cheeks at her master’s blunt assessment.

“Then she must have been wearing a human skin mask, with voice imitation…”

Xu Mei muttered before gasping. “Could this be the same impostor Lingyu encountered in Ping’an County? Such masterful deception explains how she fooled even her!”

“Ping’an County?”

When Xu Mei finished recounting the incident, she sighed. “I assumed the impostor would flee after being exposed. Never imagined she’d dare come here! What was her goal? Could she have genuinely intended to rescue us?”

“The Tongming Comb. She came for the comb.”

Hongling’s face darkened with guilt. “Forgive me, Master. She stole it.”

“What?!”

Though not a supreme treasure, the comb ranked among Honghua Sect’s few valuable artifacts.

“That impostor did save many sect members, earning some goodwill. But now it’s clear she merely seized an opportunity. With such formidable disguise skills, she remains a latent threat.”

Xu Mei’s expression turned icy.

“Master, I swear to retrieve the comb intact.”

“I don’t doubt your capability.”

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Xu Mei smiled wryly. “Truthfully, its purpose was already fulfilled by nurturing your talent.”

“No. It was your gift to me.”

Hongling remained adamant.

“Your devotion warms this old heart.”

Xu Mei’s smile faded. “Weren’t you joining the Changhe Sect? How went that?”

“I changed course to investigate medicinal herbs, then heard rumors of demonic attacks on our sect and rushed back.”

“Just as I thought. That icy exterior hides the warmest loyalty.”

Xu Mei sighed. “Yet as your master, I wish you were colder. Our sect can no longer aid your cultivation. Leaving would be wisest, especially before the deadline—”

“What will be will be. The Honghua Sect sheltered me all these years. It’s time I repaid that debt. One cannot only take.”

Hongling’s gaze sharpened. “But before I go, I’ll eliminate every threat to our sect—starting with that impostor.”

“The cultivation world is vast. Where to begin?”

Xu Mei pondered briefly. “Let’s inform the sect leader. Mobilize all disciples to hunt her down.”

Their decision made, they sought Sect Leader Qin.

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Though privately grateful to the impostor for saving him from the Bronze Corpse, Qin Quan recognized the danger of such a skilled infiltrator. Soon, hundreds of disciples fanned out in a systematic manhunt.

Back at the prefectural mansion, Huang Qi’s counterfeit tablet was completed within half an hour. He scrutinized it like rare treasure:

Name: Qi Huang

Gender: Female

Birthdate: Year 207, 3rd Month, 22nd Day (Western Radiance Calendar)

Ethnicity: XX

Hometown: Huangtian Prefecture, Huangtian County, Yongning Province…

“Does it please you, Hongling-meimei?” Dong Yu simpered.

“Exceedingly!” Huang Qi grinned ear-to-ear.

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“You’re breathtaking when you smile—I’ve never seen it before.”

Dong Yu’s innocent comment doused Huang Qi like icy water.

‘Cheng Yuan said his daughter always keeps a cold expression. Fairy Hongling must have an icy demeanor—I need to be careful!’

Schooling his features back to impassivity, Huang Qi stated, “The tablet alone isn’t enough. I’ll need this ‘Qi Huang’ identity properly registered with complete records.”

“Consider it done!”

Dong Yu thumped his chest emphatically.

Mission accomplished, Huang Qi prepared to flee as rain began falling. Though Cheng Yuan was enjoying his chat with the prefect’s family, his “daughter’s” insistence cut the visit short.

As they departed with farewell umbrellas, Huang Qi walked ahead, planning his escape—once the entire Honghua Sect mobilized, slipping away would become impossible.

Just as he prepared to bid Cheng Yuan farewell, the older man’s voice came from behind:

“Little Ling… why are you wearing such big shoes?”

Huang Qi’s vision darkened, knees nearly buckling.

How? After being so careful!