Volume 11, Chapter 745 – Come, Let’s Hurt Each Other

“Is that so? Then congratulations to Elder Zuo. I wonder, what do you plan to do?”

Cao Hong asked coolly, clearly already disappointed in Elder Zuo.

“Follow the original plan, see if I can take it away. If not, I’ll find a way to destroy it.”

Zuo Bo reiterated his plan.

“Very well. Then this Alliance Leader will await good news. Remember, under no circumstances can Honghua Sect be allowed to have Golden Fate Blossom seeds for sale next month. And do not tarnish the Immortal Alliance’s reputation!”

Cao Hong reminded him.

“As you command!”

Elder Zuo answered with vigor.

At the Cheng family courtyard, Qi Huang had laid out some fruits and snacks, then reclined in a chair to bask in the sun. Since the Yin energy in Huangtian County had diminished by eighty to ninety percent, sunbathing was no longer a rare luxury.

“You’re lying here napping? Aren’t you afraid Elder Zuo will steal all of your Golden Fate Blossoms?”

Cheng Hongling walked over helplessly, giving a reminder.

“If he had that ability, he wouldn’t just be an Elder. Right now across the entire cultivation continent, no one can touch your husband’s belongings!”

Qi Huang replied lazily.

“Not afraid of thieves stealing, but you’re not even afraid of thieves coveting? If you’re so confident, why don’t you just destroy the Immortal Alliance already? I really don’t know what you’re thinking!”

Cheng Hongling retorted, a little exasperated.

“Because I am benevolent.”

Qi Huang sat up and reached to hold Cheng Hongling’s jade-like hand.

Rеаԁ оո КаtRеaԁіnɡCаfе

“Move aside, can’t you be serious for once?”

Cheng Hongling struggled symbolically.

But Qi Huang shamelessly pulled Cheng Hongling into his arms, hugging her slender waist tightly, as if afraid she would escape.

“You dare treat me so rudely? Aren’t you afraid I’ll get revenge tonight?”

Cheng Hongling smiled mischievously. After three years together, she understood her beloved completely. In the daytime she looked every bit the decisive ‘man’s man’, but at night she would transform into a soft little lamb.

“Come then, let’s hurt each other, what am I afraid of?”

Qi Huang’s hands grew even more restless. Since she knew there would be consequences anyway, why not seize the chance to take advantage?

“Stop fooling around, let’s talk business first.”

Cheng Hongling, flustered, grabbed his mischievous hand.

Qi Huang straightened his expression and said, “All things must have just cause. If I inexplicably stormed off to annihilate the Immortal Alliance, how would that show my grandeur?”

“So what you mean is you’ll wait until the Immortal Alliance reveals its true colors, then use the excuse of standing up for the people of Huangtian County to strike at them?”

Cheng Hongling instantly guessed his intention.

“Exactly. I worked myself half to death to obtain the Golden Fate Blossom seeds, watered them with blood for so long, and now I sell each for just one or two taels of silver, practically giving them away. Since there’s a chance to earn some fame, why not?”

Qi Huang grinned proudly.

“Your vanity is just too strong.”

Cheng Hongling glared at him helplessly.

“Everyone has vanity! I’m doing this to bring honor to you and my in-laws. I’m an ambitious son-in-law, after all!”

Qi Huang declared confidently.

“Son-in-law? More like daughter-in-law!”

Rеαԁ оn KatReaԁіngСαfе

Cheng Hongling corrected with stubborn pride, then continued, “And after you destroy the Immortal Alliance? Who will maintain order in the cultivation world? As evil as the Immortal Alliance is, they still deter many malicious beings and petty criminals. We can’t just wipe them out without replacement.”

She spoke with concern.

“If not the Immortal Alliance, there can be another alliance. A ‘Divine Alliance’, a ‘Ghost Alliance’, whatever. If my lady doesn’t feel at ease, then you can be the leader. That way you can wholeheartedly serve the people.”

Qi Huang calculated aloud.

“I’ll be the leader? And you?”

Cheng Hongling arched her brows.

“Me? I’ll naturally take care of our greatest hidden danger. The Lü family’s Immortal Stele should be uprooted soon.”

Qi Huang’s eyes sharpened.

“Not just the Lü family, but also the Cao family. If they keep coveting the Holy Maiden of Huarong Sect, they’ll be trouble for us too!”

Cheng Hongling added.

“Hmph, Lü family or Cao family, anyone who dares scheme against us shall be eradicated. At worst, I’ll rip out all the Immortal Steles in the cultivation world. They’re not worth keeping anyway.”

Qi Huang said with vigor.

“And after that?”

Cheng Hongling’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

“After that? I’ll reveal my true identity. Then we can be together openly and honorably.”

Qi Huang knew her heart well, and buried her head against her neck affectionately, greedily inhaling her scent.

“You… you’re not afraid the whole continent will come after you?”

Cheng Hongling’s breath quickened slightly.

“Who dares? Whoever shows themselves, I’ll cut them down instantly!”

Rеαⅾ οn КatRеαⅾіnɡСаfe

Qi Huang said with domineering force.

“You said it!”

Cheng Hongling’s pretty face blushed faintly.

“By the way, what about that fragment in your body? Has it behaved?”

Qi Huang suddenly raised his head to ask.

“It’s fine. I can still suppress it, but it’s incredibly stubborn, impossible to purge.”

Cheng Hongling composed herself and explained.

“Good. As long as it causes no trouble, we’ll find a way eventually.”

Qi Huang felt a bit relieved.

Late at night, Qi Huang sat proudly before the dressing table, legs together with graceful poise, lightly pressing a rouge paper to lips already rosy, and slid a hairpin into her hair. She looked like a secluded young lady, utterly different from his daytime self.

And indeed it was so. At night, when the Character-Shifting Art entered its cooldown, she was forced to return to being wholly a woman. The main consciousness remained, but her temperament transformed entirely.

Soon after, Cheng Hongling entered the room, a teasing smile on her face.

“Husband… what… what are you planning?”

Qi Huang suddenly stood up, startled.

“Why make such a fuss? After how you treated me during the day, you should have prepared yourself to pay the price!”

Cheng Hongling rubbed her fists together, ready to reclaim her authority as ‘husband’.

“Spare me, husband! That wasn’t me during the day!”

Qi Huang shivered and shrank into a corner.

“If not you, then who? Why act bold if you can’t bear the consequences?”

Rеad on KаtRеаⅾiոɡСαfе

Cheng Hongling sneered, pouncing like a phantom.

Qi Huang closed her beautiful eyes in resignation. She could defeat Cheng Hongling, but now she was just a pitiable weak woman. How could she be disrespectful to her husband?

In truth, for three years this little couple had lived just so: by day Qi Huang, with her higher cultivation, was the stronger one. By night, she would show her true form, and Cheng Hongling seized the chance for payback. Thus they took turns being ‘husband’.

The next day, Qi Huang once again sat lively in the courtyard sun, her collar faintly revealing pinkish marks on pale skin. Though she seemed entirely unaware.

Her Divine Sense expanded and contracted at will, covering the entire cultivation continent. Sometimes she watched the Immortal Alliance headquarters, sometimes Huarong Sect, sometimes her Golden Fate Blossom trees. After the infiltration of Cheng Ling’s thoughts, her Divine Sense fluctuations had already become completely different from ordinary cultivators beneath the Five Elements Heavenly Dao, so she no longer feared discovery.

Another day passed. Night fell, and Qi Huang transformed back into the delicate ‘feminized’ self, yet still continued daytime tasks.

Suddenly, several rapidly flying figures crossed into Yongning Prefecture, heading straight for Huangtian County. Though their bodies were wrapped in clothes made of Nine Nether Demon Cat pelts, none of their movements could escape Qi Huang’s eyes. Leading them was Zuo Bo, and among them was the old enemy, Steward Cai.

“They’re finally here!”

Qi Huang retracted her Divine Sense and vanished like a ghost. In the blink of an eye she appeared near them. Though her Divine Sense now naturally carried concealment, she still brought out the Shadow-Retaining Mirror to gather evidence.

“Master, Qi Huang’s Divine Sense reached the Divine Realm seven or eight years ago. Cheng Hongling too is a solid Divine Realm cultivator. At their speed of cultivation, can we really handle them?”

Steward Cai’s face showed dread.

“Don’t forget, we’re wearing specially-made clothes. However strong her Divine Sense, what of it? It’s no threat. As for Cheng Hongling, she’s yours to deal with.”

Elder Zuo made his arrangements.

“What? Me? Master, you think too highly of your disciple!”

Steward Cai cried bitterly.