Volume 1, Chapter 49 – No! I Absolutely Cannot Pass Out

Huang Qi was acutely aware that his feet were currently his biggest vulnerability. For this entire period, he had hidden them carefully—walking with dainty, feminine steps and sitting properly without spreading his legs, using his skirt to cover them.

He thought he’d been cautious enough, but his “father’s” sudden accusation completely threw him off balance.

“W-what?” he stammered in response.

“I asked why you’re wearing such large shoes?”

Cheng Yuan’s smile stiffened slightly, displeased that his daughter seemed to be ignoring him.

“Are they big?”

Huang Qi desperately kept his feet hidden under his skirt, playing dumb.

“Look at your footprints—they’re nearly as big as mine. I remember your feet being smaller than your mother’s.”

Cheng Yuan pointed at the wet footprints on the ground.

Looking down, Huang Qi saw the trail he’d left and immediately understood—the rain had betrayed him.

I was too careless.

Frantically scrambling for an explanation as his “father’s” expression darkened, Huang Qi blurted, “Oh, I injured my feet practicing movement techniques recently. Wearing larger shoes prevents friction on the wounds.”

“Is that so?”

Cheng Yuan’s face relaxed into a concerned smile. “Is it serious? Do you need me to take a look?”

“It’s fine, almost healed.”

Huang Qi exhaled deeply in relief.

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“Good. I know you’re under pressure, but you must practice moderation in training—overdoing it backfires.”

Cheng Yuan advised kindly.

“Understood.”

Huang Qi nodded distractedly before making excuses: “Father, I have urgent business to attend to. I’ll visit again when I can.”

“Go ahead, your matters take priority.”

Cheng Yuan said understandingly—aware of what his daughter would face in a few years, he dared not delay her.

Like a pardoned criminal, Huang Qi hastily donned his veil and fled.

Turning a corner, he spotted a large apothecary and slowed his steps. After some hesitation, he entered.

“Young miss, what do you need?”

The shopkeeper hurried over, eyes shining with admiration.

“Shopkeeper, I’d like some medicine to aid sleep.”

Huang Qi phrased his request delicately.

“Sleep aids? Of course! One moment!”

As the shopkeeper turned to fetch the medicine, Huang Qi clarified: “The kind that knocks you out immediately.”

The shopkeeper froze. “Y-you mean… knockout drugs?”

Huang Qi nodded subtly. As a cultivator with heightened vitality, ordinary sleep aids wouldn’t work on him.

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“Apologies, we don’t carry those! They’re prohibited—selling them is illegal!”

The shopkeeper shook his head vehemently.

“Truly none?”

Huang Qi placed two taels of silver on the counter. He refused to believe such a large apothecary wouldn’t have what he needed—and if they didn’t, enough money would make the shopkeeper “remember” some stock.

The shopkeeper’s eyes gleamed as he discreetly pocketed the silver. “Now that you mention it… we might have a small amount left. Wait here.”

Moments later, he returned with a small pouch of powder. “This is very potent—someone your size would only need one-fifth to fall asleep instantly. But please keep this discreet.”

“Thank you.”

Huang Qi took the drugs and left.

Exiting the shop, he felt somewhat relieved. His biggest flaw had been discovered by his “father”, and soon everyone would know. To survive, he’d have to fully commit to the feminine disguise—just like in Ping’an County.

Of course, he wouldn’t take that step unless absolutely necessary—he had no margin for error now. But if pushed to the brink, he’d have to choose between gender and survival. Hence the knockout drugs—without them, he might not even get the chance to “become” a woman.

I hope I never need to use you.

Stashing the drugs, Huang Qi headed for the city gates. Overall, this trip had been successful—he’d obtained everything he wanted without directly stealing Fairy Hongling’s identity tablet, easing his conscience somewhat.

As for the Tongming Comb? Having risked his life to save the Honghua Sect, borrowing it temporarily seemed reasonable. He’d return it once his cultivation advanced enough to forgo sleep. Everything would work out perfectly—provided he wasn’t caught by the sect first!

By the time Huang Qi exited the city, darkness had fallen. Despite the danger, he chose to travel at night—staying near the Honghua Sect and Fairy Hongling’s hometown was simply too risky.

As he journeyed further from the capital, the heavy yin energy blotted out both sunlight and starlight, plunging everything into pitch blackness. Even with his enhanced senses, Huang Qi had to light a prepared torch.

While the torch dispelled darkness, it couldn’t ward off supernatural entities. Eerie noises occasionally echoed from the shadows.

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Knowing he wouldn’t encounter other travelers, Huang Qi removed his veil—hoping Fairy Hongling’s beautiful face might scare away any lurking spirits, as it had at Honghua Sect. This was his primary confidence in traveling at night.

For added protection, he took out his guardian talisman and wore it against his skin. Only when its warmth enveloped him did he feel truly secure. With these two safeguards, if disaster still struck, it would simply be fate.

Torch in hand, Huang Qi pressed onward along the mountain path. When tired, he circulated the Guihai Technique to replenish his energy before continuing. His sole focus was reaching the county office to register—he couldn’t let his family suffer for his actions. His own survival could wait.

After walking most of the night, his legs moving mechanically, numbness set in. As dawn’s first light appeared, his vigilance waned—until an icy wind struck, plunging him into bone-chilling cold.

Why so cold suddenly?

Rubbing his arms, Huang Qi looked around—he stood beneath an ancient locust tree.

Shrugging it off, he continued.

Soon, he slowed his pace. The path ahead looked familiar—especially that crooked locust tree he swore he’d just passed.

An illusion?

Pressing on to save time, Huang Qi soon froze, heart pounding—the same crooked tree appeared ahead again. This time he was certain.

What’s happening?

No answer came from the darkness, only more icy winds.

Shivering violently, Huang Qi realized his guardian talisman had gone cold.

Supernatural encounter?

His years at Honghua Sect had taught him something—the talisman’s drained energy indicated overwhelming yin presence.

Terrified, Huang Qi waved his torch wildly. Shadows seemed to move everywhere yet nowhere—every bush potentially hiding threats.

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I took double precautions yet still encountered ghosts! What rotten luck!

As a mere second-level Spirit Gathering cultivator who couldn’t even see spirits, Huang Qi stood no chance against this phenomenon. But refusing to surrender, he trudged forward hoping to escape.

Yet the same locust tree kept reappearing ahead.

Ghosts walling me in!

Huang Qi recalled what he knew about such phenomena—illusions created by possessing spirits, with endless loops being the most common manifestation.

So… a ghost has possessed me?

The realization made his soul tremble. Examining himself revealed nothing—malevolent spirits were invisible to the naked eye.

Refusing to give up, Huang Qi broke into a sprint. The locust tree flashed by repeatedly like a nightmarish carousel, the monotony torturing his psyche.

After what felt like hours of running, just as exhaustion overwhelmed him, the tree reappeared—this time with a shadowy figure dangling beneath it, swaying in the wind.

Terrified, Huang Qi turned back—only for the tree to reappear shortly after, the figure now clearly visible: a woman in red robes, long disheveled hair obscuring her face, stark against the torchlight.

Trapped in this horrifying loop, Huang Qi’s strength failed. Staggering, he collapsed.

Simultaneously, overwhelming dizziness crashed over him like a tidal wave.

His vision darkened, consciousness fading.

No! I can’t pass out! Even if I survive, I’ll lose my manhood!

Struggling desperately, Huang Qi knew—if the Feminization Mask seized this opportunity, his male identity would be lost forever.