Chapter 88: Breakthrough, Yin to Yang, Regaining Masculinity! - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 88: Breakthrough, Yin to Yang, Regaining Masculinity! [As your most significant male characteristic returns, the other traits quickly follow suit.] [Height, beard, Adam’s apple, and everything else.] [You've completely transformed back into a man.] [Fei Lingxue is dumbfounded, her previously soft body tensing up in disbelief at the scene before her.] [At this moment, she is mentally lost, her once-mighty martial skills now half ineffective, her alabaster skin prickling with goosebumps.] [Seeing her reaction, you cease to pretend any longer.] "Lady Fei, wasn’t it always your desire to have me?" "This time, I shall grant you that wish!" [With those words, you overpower Fei Lingxue with no resistance from her.] In the scene, Fei Lingxue looks into the camera with hopeless eyes, tears flowing, while her mature and voluptuous body is marked with red welts... ... [The commotion you caused was so loud that Su Jin and the others outside heard everything clearly.] [However, having never heard Fei Lingxue scream like that, they instinctively thought it was you making the noise.] [They could only feel sympathy for your plight.] [Due to the yin-to-yang transition, your accumulated yang energy lasted three full hours before depleting.] [Faced with the now blood-streaked bed and the unconscious Fei Lingxue, you predict she won’t be getting out of bed for at least a month.] [After dealing with Fei Lingxue, you escape the dungeon through a ventilation shaft.] [Now that you've mastered the Imperial Concubine's Divine Skill, your internal energy has transformed from acquired to innate, intertwining with the world’s vital forces.] [It's as if your internal energy is endless, like an infinite sea.] [You don’t intend to kill indiscriminately; with the skill’s mastery, the Frost Sword is no longer needed, so you decide to leave it behind.] [Perhaps out of guilt, you flee quickly.] [The headquarters of the Crimson Robe Pavilion is located in a valley. Using the Eight Steps of Misty Sunrise, you ascend to the mountain top.] [Although you don’t know where you are, heading east should eventually lead you to a town.] [As you proceed, signs of human activity increase.] [Because you are still in women’s clothing, you steal some rough cloth garments from a town tailor.] [But even the simple cloth can't conceal your handsome figure.] [With the skill’s mastery complete, your appearance has taken on a slightly devilish allure, incredibly effective against young women.] [Continuing your journey, you reach a remote county town named Linjiang City. As soon as you enter, you notice everyone on the streets is wearing white mourning clothes.] [You have no idea what has happened in this city.] ... Linjiang City! Su Mo was taken aback as he watched the familiar streets unfold in the simulation. He had actually arrived at Linjiang City! Having stayed at the headquarters for nearly two years, the timeline should be close to his current reality. Hoping to gain more real-time information, Su Mo watched the scene intently. ... [You find a local to inquire about recent events in the city.] [Seeing you’re not from around here, the person does not hold back.] "This is all because of General Guo." "Recently, an imperial decree ordered the entire family of General Guo to be executed. I secretly witnessed it; they died horribly, not a single living rat escaped." "But only days later, another decree arrived, saying it was all a mistake and that General Guo should be exonerated." "It’s just playing with people's lives!" "Now that they’re dead, what’s the point of saying this?" "So we spontaneously mourned for General Guo's family, to at least bring solace to their spirits." ... When Su Mo learned of this, a chill ran down his spine. The entire family was really executed! But now he couldn't be sure if the emperor knew of General Guo's innocence. What if the emperor knew beforehand but wanted an excuse to execute the family? It was entirely possible. After so many simulations, Su Mo knew the mindset of those in power. Sometimes, even knowing someone is innocent, they still have to die to fulfill certain objectives. Right now, no one knows what the emperor is truly thinking. At that moment, an idea struck Su Mo. What if this news became widely known? What if everyone learned that General Guo had died seven years ago, and the current one was a Manchu impostor? The more Su Mo thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed. But spreading this information remained a dilemma. Given his current status, he couldn’t do it himself. It must be done by an outsider with significant status. For a moment, Su Mo was torn. But then he remembered the monk who had gone to seek Fahai. If Fahai arrived, he could certainly inform him. Despite previously deceiving Fahai in simulations, Su Mo acknowledged Fahai's righteous and just nature. Relaying this to him would be fitting. Resolute in his decision, Su Mo continued watching the simulation. ... [Hearing the man’s words, sympathy wells up within you.] [You've also experienced the agony of losing everyone around you.] [That feeling as if the entire world collapses in an instant.] [Just as you prepare to leave, you hear the man issue a warning.] "It's getting dark soon; you shouldn't leave the city as a stranger." "Why is that?" [Curious at the man’s words, you wonder if there’s a threat outside the city walls.] [Seeing your confusion, the man reveals more.] "It’s because this Linjiang City is plagued by demons. These creatures devour people — entire villages have been wiped out." "I'm warning you because I can't bear to see a good-looking young man like you die." [At the mention of demons, your curiosity piques.] [Since mastering your martial arts, you haven’t encountered any demons.] [And you haven’t tested their strength.] [Now, you choose?] [Option 1: Ignore the reminder, leave the city, and hunt the demon.] [Option 2: Heed the warning and find an inn to stay in the city.] [Option 3: Slaughter the entire Linjiang City.] ... Seeing the options appear, Su Mo is taken aback. Good heavens, even a city massacre option is available. But he’s striving for higher ratings, so that option is off the table. That leaves only the first and second choices. Su Mo is unfamiliar with the true strength of the demon and unsure if he can defeat it. If it's too strong and he ends up as mere food, that'd be disastrous. But this could be a pivotal chance to change fate. Su Mo doesn’t want to miss it. Given the simulation’s developments, opportunities for fate-changing due to high status were scarce. Missing this could mean losing anything later on. Su Mo then remembered the Three Heroes of Mount Heng. Their martial prowess wasn’t high, and against the demon, a monk barely escaped. Even if he couldn't win, surely he could escape. After careful consideration, Su Mo decides to test the demon. [You chose the first option.] [You find the unknown demon fascinating.] [But you want to verify the man’s truthfulness first.] "You, sir, don't trick me." "In these peaceful times, under the broad daylight, where could demons possibly run rampant?" [Appalled by your skepticism, the man responds angrily.] "I'm advising you out of goodwill, yet you take it as deceit." "You should know, the County Magistrate Wang Qinghe's beloved daughter has been abducted." "Plus, many mages sent after the demon were devoured." [The man sighs as he speaks.] "Forget it. I won't bother with you anymore." "A wise warning doesn’t lead a fool from the gallows." [Without another word, the man departs in anger.] [Realizing that the magistrate's daughter’s disappearance suggests the validity of the man’s words, you head for the county office.] [If the magistrate’s daughter is missing, the bounty must be substantial.] [Currently, you are penniless but you could take on this bounty.] [As you arrive at the county office, it is already dusk, the clouds edged with a golden hue.] [Upon seeing you, two guards immediately stop you.] "Where did this young lad come from? If you have something to say, come back tomorrow!" [Not deterred, you promptly state your purpose.] "I am here regarding the demon outside the city." [With that, you walk to the stone lion at the entrance of the county office, perform a qi movement, and effortlessly lift the stone lion with a single hand.] [You do this to circumvent many potential hassles.] [People often judge by appearances; showcasing some true skill speeds up the process.] [Indeed, seeing your display, the eyes of the county office guards widen in disbelief.] "Hero, hero!" "Please stay, we’ll report to the magistrate immediately!" [With those words, the two guards rush into the county office.] [Meanwhile, you gently place the stone lion back in the center at the entrance.] [Now, Wang Qinghe hurries out with a cohort of officials, including the assistant magistrate and constable. Upon seeing the stone lion has been moved, he immediately greets you with a bow.] "This hero, I am Wang Qinghe, apologies for the delayed reception." [Seeing you've achieved your goal, you casually kick the stone lion back to its original position.] "I came to inquire about the bounty for the demon outside the city." "What price are you offering?" [Hearing you inquire about the bounty, the officials visibly relax.] [A bounty seeker is good news; the previous mages who didn’t seek rewards all ended up as demon food. Those who ask for rewards surely possess genuine skills!] [Wang Qinghe then extends five fingers.] "Hero, five thousand taels!" "But I have a personal vendetta against this demon!" "If you can vanquish it, I can personally offer an additional thousand taels as a token of gratitude!" [Upon hearing the total of six thousand taels, you are satisfied with the number.] [Those six thousand taels will be more than enough for you to live on.] "Good! In that case, I shall meet this demon!" (End of Chapter)