Volume 9, Chapter 588 – Do You Believe Her?

When someone comes with sincere intentions to pay a visit, Qi Huang can only “reluctantly” invite her in. This isn’t a royal palace, after all; there’s no such thing as a gate pass here.

Qi Huang looked at the young woman carefully. She seemed about twenty-four or twenty-five, tall and willowy, her curves set off by a close-fitting white ruqun. Glossy black hair fell to her waist; a few strands at her temples were tucked behind her ears, revealing a noble oval face. Her delicate features were a touch more defined than most women’s, and with those crimson lips, she radiated head-to-toe femininity.

Qi Huang stared a little despite herself. For men, that kind of feminine allure is irresistible. And even for someone like her, a man at heart in a woman’s body, it was no different.

Cheng Hongling, however, showed no warmth. She went straight to the point: “Miss, I don’t believe we know each other, do we?”

“The little me is named Xue Jing. I only recently settled in Honghua Sect. I’m just an ordinary person. It’s normal that Fairy Hongling doesn’t know me.”

The woman in white introduced herself modestly.

“You’re far too modest, miss. There aren’t many ‘ordinary’ people as beautiful as you.”

Jiang Linian praised from the side.

Cheng Hongling refused to let it slide and pressed on: “In that case, may I ask what brings you here?”

“Fairy Hongling doesn’t know me, but I know you! Honghua Sect… no, nowadays we should say the entire cultivation world of the Western Radiance Dynasty, you’re its number one prodigy. Honghua Sect’s growth rests on your shoulders. Since I intend to settle here, it only makes sense to pay my respects.”

Xue Jing explained.

“You really do think of everything.”

Cheng Hongling smiled noncommittally.

“Don’t just stand out in the courtyard, come sit inside.”

Jiang Linian invited.

“Many thanks, Auntie. I brought a few small gifts for you.”

Xue Jing handed over the bundles she carried.

“You’re too polite.”

Jiang Linian shook her head helplessly; since the gesture was so earnest, she accepted them.

As for Qi Huang, she didn’t dare say a word. Even a fool could tell the main body was in a foul mood.

And so, the three, mother and daughters, led Xue Jing into the main room.

“Fairy Hongling, to think the foremost immortal seedling of Honghua Sect actually lives in a place like this. Be it your talent or your conduct, this little me truly admires you!”

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Once seated, Xue Jing offered another compliment.

“Miss Xue, you flatter me. I think a house isn’t about size; it’s about whether it’s comfortable. If it’s too big, the emptiness is actually unpleasant.”

Qi Huang answered modestly. As the words left her mouth, she noticed the main body shoot her a glance, and guilt pricked her at once.

“Is that so? Then if you marry into the Lü family in the future, won’t you be terribly unaccustomed to it? I hear their residence is even larger than the imperial palace.”

Xue Jing asked blandly.

“Didn’t Miss Xue just say she only recently settled in Honghua Sect? You know about this too?”

Cheng Hongling’s tone grew icier.

“Fairy Hongling jests. You’re already a sensation across the Western Radiance Dynasty. Even peasants in remote backwaters know about this. How could I not?”

Xue Jing smiled calmly.

“Is that so? But I’m hearing an accent that doesn’t sound like you’re from the Western Radiance Dynasty.”

Cheng Hongling’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.

“True, I’m not from the Western Radiance Dynasty. But doesn’t that only prove how far your influence reaches? Even foreigners come to settle in Honghua Sect.”

Unruffled, Xue Jing continued to flatter.

“Heh…”

Cheng Hongling’s smile was dry and thin.

“My daughter’s name carries that far now? Even foreigners have heard?”

As she poured tea, Jiang Linian asked with interest.

“Of course. Fairy Hongling’s talent is astonishing. And the Lü family is one of the Nine Immortal powers. As their future young madam, there can’t be many in the cultivation world who haven’t heard your name.”

Xue Jing seized the moment to heap on praise.

“Is that so?”

A hint of pride showed on Jiang Linian’s face.

“Who’s the Lü family’s ‘future young madam’? I have no intention of marrying into the Lü family.”

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Qi Huang hurried to clarify.

“Oh? Truly? The Lü family is one of the top three clans in the cultivation world, and Lü Yi is one of the Nine Great Monsters. Even he doesn’t meet your standards, Fairy Hongling?”

Xue Jing sought confirmation.

“So what if he doesn’t? I’m not someone who likes to cling to power.”

Cheng Hongling snorted coldly.

“And you, Auntie? What’s your view?”

Xue Jing turned to probe Jiang Linian.

“I disagree as well. They say Lü Yi is a shameless womanizer. Before even taking a principal wife, he already found hundreds of concubines. If my daughter marries a man like that, there’ll be no good days ahead.”

Jiang Linian said without hesitation.

“Heh…”

Xue Jing suddenly looked relieved and then added, “Auntie, your principles truly earn my respect. But I’ve heard Lü Yi has already carved Fairy Hongling’s name upon the Immortal Stele. If she doesn’t show up on the day of the wedding, she’ll be struck by Immortal Might immediately.”

“It’s just a little Immortal Stele. I don’t spare it a thought.”

Qi Huang said with disdain. With the Huarong Sect’s Immortal Stele shielding her now, what was there to fear?

“Is that so? Your talent may be shocking, but that thing isn’t something mortal strength can resist. Shuiyu Valley fell under the Lü family’s Immortal Stele. You should know that better than anyone.”

Xue Jing’s tone held curious inquiry.

“I have my own countermeasures. Come the sixth day of the sixth month next year, you’ll see whether I care to give the Lü family the time of day.”

Qi Huang said mysteriously.

“Heh…”

Xue Jing flashed a bright smile.

“Miss Xue seems very interested in whether I’ll marry into the Lü family.”

Cheng Hongling probed without a ripple.

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“Oh, no harm in telling you the truth.”

With an awkward look, Xue Jing explained, “The Lü family is one of the Nine Immortal powers, with reach that pierces the heavens. Any girl would want to step through their gates. I’m no exception, just as mortal girls want to settle in Honghua Sect.”

She glanced at the faces of the three before going on: “So when I learned you were to marry into the Lü family, I decided to join Honghua Sect, hoping to ask you to take me along into the Lü residence. I’d do as a dowry maid, or a servant. So long as you agree, I would have no complaints.”

Hearing this, Qi Huang felt a twinge of disappointment. ‘What a waste of such a beautiful face, so mercenary.’

“Girl, you heard what I just said, didn’t you? Lü Yi is a womanizer. You mustn’t throw yourself into the fire pit.”

Jiang Linian urged earnestly.

“Don’t worry, Auntie. Since Fairy Hongling is unwilling to marry, I naturally won’t be able to go either.”

Xue Jing soothed casually.

Before long, Xue Jing found a pretext to take her leave.

“Do you two believe what that woman said?”

Cheng Hongling asked her mother and doppelgänger.

Qi Huang and her nominal mother exchanged a look, then shook their heads in unison. After all, no one likes to assume the worst of a girl so lovely.

“Then why are you still standing there? Use the Shadow-Retaining Mirror and take a look.”

Cheng Hongling reminded Qi Huang.

“Oh…! Got it!”

Qi Huang hurriedly pulled out the Shadow-Retaining Mirror to spy. Since that woman had tested the waters with her and her family, she was bound to act next.

Just as Qi Huang expected, Xue Jing returned to her quarters, set up a Divine Sense barrier, and immediately took out the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube.

“Father Emperor!”

Once the other end connected, Xue Jing spoke respectfully.

“‘Father Emperor’?”

The three, mother and daughters, looked at one another. In the cultivation continent, only a princess would address her father that way.

“Little Xue, how are things? You’ve been in Honghua Sect three or four months now, haven’t you?”

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An aged male voice sounded from the other end.

“‘Little Xue’?” ¹ 雪 (Xuě)

Qi Huang blinked again. So “Xue Jing” ² 薛静 (Xuē Jìng), sounds nearly identical with her real name, just different intonations was a false name as well.

“Your daughter was just about to report this. I met Fairy Hongling today. She said she doesn’t want to join the Lü family.”

Xue Jing laid out the situation.

“Is that true?”

The old voice spiked with excitement.

“Most likely. She had no reason to lie to me.”

After a moment’s thought, Xue Jing replied.

“But isn’t she afraid of the Lü family’s Immortal Stele?”

the aged voice asked, puzzled.

“She said she has a way to handle the stele.”

Xue Jing answered truthfully.

“In that case, hurry back. So long as Cheng Hongling doesn’t marry, the sixth day of the sixth month next year, Lü Yi won’t forcibly summon you to be a concubine.”

The old voice proposed.

“Concubine?”

Qi Huang and Cheng Hongling exchanged glances, relief crossing both faces.

“Better to wait. First, I can’t be one hundred percent sure she’s telling the truth. Second, people can change their minds; what if she flips halfway? I need to stay and keep watch until the sixth day of the sixth month next year.”

After a pause, Xue Jing made her decision.

“If so, I won’t force you. But if Cheng Hongling lied or changes course midway, do not act rashly. I will send people to help you kill her. I will never allow my daughter to marry as another man’s concubine. This can only succeed, not fail.”

The aged voice instructed.