Volume 11, Chapter 742 – Can I Regain My Manliness?

“Ah, yes, yes, yes, I was thinking the same thing.”

Qi Huang spoke instinctively. Not that she truly believed herself capable, but simply because having once been a man, she reflexively wanted to shoulder more responsibility.

“What are you agreeing with?”

Cheng Hongling cast Qi Huang a sidelong glance, then explained to her parents: “It’s exactly because she’s strong that she must become my live-in “husband”. Otherwise, how could I keep her under control?”

Hearing this, Qi Huang pursed her lips, lowered her head in grievance, and thought, ‘Am I really that disobedient?’

Cheng Yuan and his wife exchanged looks, both wearing helpless expressions. With indulgence, they said: “As long as Qi Huang doesn’t object, the two of you can decide for yourselves.”

“Then it’s happily decided.”

Cheng Hongling took matters into her own hands, then turned and “sought” Qi Huang’s opinion: “You don’t have any objections, do you?”

“Mhm, mhm, mhm!”

Qi Huang nodded like a pecking chick, docile as a little puppy.

“My husband is so good!”

Cheng Hongling, satisfied, gently tapped Qi Huang’s little nose.

“We have no objections, but Little Ling, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Because Little Huang’s true identity cannot be revealed, in the eyes of others it’ll seem like you’re marrying your own doppelgänger. That’s something most people won’t understand. Gossip is inevitable.”

Cheng Yuan’s tone shifted.

“It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s not made public. Isn’t it perfectly natural to be close with one’s own doppelgänger?”

Cheng Hongling’s expression was relaxed.

“But you can’t keep it hidden forever.”

Cheng Yuan reminded.

“Who cares? If they find out, then let them. I don’t mind.”

Cheng Hongling remained unmoved.

“But as your parents, we still hope the two of you can be together openly and honorably. Otherwise, we cannot grant Qi Huang any rightful status.”

Cheng Yuan spoke earnestly.

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Qi Huang fell into silence. She could, like Cheng Hongling, live freely without caring for others’ opinions… but she could not disregard her adoptive parents’ feelings.

“Don’t worry, I’ll find the opportunity to reveal my true identity to the world.”

After a moment of thought, Qi Huang spoke resolutely.

“Are you sure? Do you understand how much trouble that would bring?”

Cheng Hongling asked in shock.

“It doesn’t matter. Once my Divine Sense ascends to the Immortal Realm, there will be no opponents left for me in the cultivation world. Even if I reveal myself, who would dare scheme against me?”

Qi Huang explained.

Cheng Hongling thought about it and found some logic there. Encouragingly, she said: “Then work hard! I’ll be waiting for that day!”

“Mhm, mhm!”

Qi Huang forced a smile. Yet inside, she couldn’t feel happy. Even if she revealed her identity, what then? It was still just self-deception. With her current personality, could she really shoulder the responsibilities of a man?

‘Do I want to be a woman, or do I want to be Cheng Hongling’s husband?’

Qi Huang asked herself. The answer was clear: it didn’t matter if she was man or woman, but she had to be Cheng Hongling’s husband.

With that thought, a plan began to form in her mind. She needed to recover her male mindset.

“Um, wife, this Character-Shifting Art. Can it only be used between the main body and a doppelgänger?”

Qi Huang sent her voice to Cheng Hongling through intent. The so-called Character-Shifting Art was a spell necessary whenever she and her main body used the Doppelgänger Method. Its effect was to exchange the “soul character” at the center of their brows, thereby swapping identities.

“It can also be used between the three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls of the same person. But the effect only lasts six hours, after which another six hours are needed to recover.”

Cheng Hongling answered truthfully.

“Why?”

Qi Huang was first excited, then disappointed, and asked again.

“Darling, the identities of the three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls are predetermined by the Heavenly Dao at birth. Using the Character-Shifting Art is going against the heavens. If the exchange lasts too long, backlash is inevitable…”

Cheng Hongling explained patiently. Ever since becoming the “wife”, she understood responsibility more deeply and treated Qi Huang with far more patience.

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“I see!”

Qi Huang felt relieved after hearing this. She even tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in an unconsciously feminine gesture.

“Why are you asking about this?”

Cheng Hongling frowned slightly, sensing a vague unease.

“Hehe, nothing much!”

Qi Huang smiled evasively, then hurried back to her room.

“Why do I feel like Little Huang seems different since coming back this time?”

Cheng Yuan said, puzzled as he watched Qi Huang’s retreating figure.

“Yes, she feels more feminine than before. If I didn’t know her background, I might think she was born a girl.”

Jiang Linian agreed.

Then Qi Huang summoned back the three male doppelgängers she had sent out.

“Um, Big Brother… no, Big Sister, did you call us back for something?”

Huang Tian asked cautiously.

“Do you remember what I once told you? If one day I truly become a woman, I hope you will save me.”

Qi Huang said word by word.

“Yes, yes! Big brother, do you want to become a man again?”

Huang Tian asked excitedly.

“Big sister, what are you planning? Don’t do anything rash!”

The female souls hurried over in alarm.

“Don’t worry. I’m not Cheng Ling. Whether my mind is male or female, I’ll treat you all equally.”

Qi Huang reassured them.

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The female souls, though unwilling, could only fall silent.

“Since I’ve decided to be with Cheng Hongling, I must take responsibility. With my current personality, I’m unfit to bear such a role. Strength alone isn’t enough. That’s why I’ve decided I need to find a way to turn back.”

Qi Huang explained.

“Great! Wonderful! Just say what you want to do, Big Brother. We’ll fully support you.”

Huang Tian trembled with excitement. The other two male souls were the same. They knew if the Life Soul returned to its male state, they’d no longer have to live in constant fear.

“Hearing you say that, I feel relieved.”

Qi Huang exhaled, then said in a tentative tone: “So, brothers, which one of you is willing to substitute as the Essence Soul?”

“What?”

The three male souls shuddered and stepped back in shock.

“Big Brother… no, Big Sister, what do you mean?”

Huang Tian stammered.

The Essence Soul, Huang Jing, also stared in confusion: “Big Sister, our identities were fixed at birth. How could someone else become me? Even if that were possible, what would happen to me?”

“You? Whoever takes your place, you’ll just swap identities with them!”

Qi Huang calmed her, then explained: “As you know, assimilation of the Essence Soul is irreversible. But don’t forget, I know the Doppelgänger Method. The Character-Shifting Art can move and swap the soul characters at the brow, not only between main body and doppelgänger, but also among the three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls.”

“That’s right!”

The three male souls’ eyes lit up.

“If the three of us swap brow characters with her, that would mean the Essence Soul becomes male again! And completely untouched by assimilation.”

Huang Tian slapped his thigh.

“Yes, yes! That way you’ll regain a male consciousness, Big Brother. And we won’t be affected, only our identities will shift a little.”

Huang Di agreed.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s start! I’ll exchange with her!”

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The Humanly Soul, Huang Ren, volunteered eagerly.

“Let me finish. Though this method is clever, it goes against the heavens. There’s a limit. Each exchange can last no more than six hours. If it exceeds that, the soul and soul character will fuse permanently, and there will be no way back.”

Qi Huang warned.

“So what? If it can’t be undone, then let it be. As long as you can maintain male consciousness, that’s all that matters.”

Huang Ren said generously.

The Essence Soul, Huang Jing, hesitated. Logically, as a female soul, she should object. But this also meant she could rise from an Essence Soul to a Humanly Soul, a rare opportunity.

“It’s not that simple. If the soul character isn’t your own, once it begins merging with your soul, conflict will arise. The result will be complete annihilation.”

Qi Huang laid out the risk.

“It’s fine. Isn’t there still six hours? We can help you regain male consciousness during the day, then rest at night. You don’t need to interact with anyone in the middle of the night anyway.”

Huang Ren suggested.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking!”

Qi Huang’s eyes shone with excitement. Six hours of male awareness per day was far better than living forever like this.

She then taught the Character-Shifting Art to Huang Ren and Huang Jing, letting them practice.

“Oh, and Huang Jing, since you’re a girl now, calling you Huang Jing sounds awkward. From now on, you’ll be called Huang Jing ¹ 黄静 (Huáng Jìng) with the ‘quiet’ character.”

Qi Huang renamed her Essence Soul.

“Thank you for the name, big sister.”

Huang Jing expressed gratitude without objection. She and Qi Huang were not only bound as main and doppelgänger but also as assimilator and assimilated. Together, it was no different than master and servant.

The male and female souls quickly mastered the Doppelgänger Method. Next came the real test.

“All right, exchange the soul characters at your brows now!”

Qi Huang commanded, her heart pounding wildly. Whether she could reclaim her former “manly spirit” depended on this moment.