The Chromosomal Conundrum

Her words made me pause, slightly stunned. It took a long moment for me to vaguely recall some natural science I had barely learned in junior high.

I remembered that, according to medical texts from the West, the human body contains substances responsible for hereditary lineage, which Western medicine refers to as chromosomes.

Specifically, there are twenty-three pairs of these within the human body. The first twenty-two pairs are known as autosomes, loosely aligning with the ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches. The final pair, called s*x chromosomes, directly determines one’s biological s*x. Males possess a peculiar pair of one long and one short chromosome, whereas females have a symmetrical pair of two equally long chromosomes.

According to Associate Professor Wu’s recent statement, did this mean the damned chromosomes within my body still indicated a male identity? In other words, the incredibly profound and divine Innate Yin and Yang Qi, which Master had lauded so dramatically, had indeed transformed me into a girl, yet it remained powerless against these particular structures?

Was it perhaps a case of ‘the Dao is a foot high, but the devil is ten feet high,’ suggesting these chromosomes were somehow on a higher plane than the Innate Yin and Yang Primordial Qi? Or was it merely that the two phenomena belonged to entirely different cultural paradigms, existing within separate systems and thus bearing no relation to each other?

While I remained lost in my own wild conjectures, unable to make sense of anything, Principal Dugu on the other side subtly narrowed his eyes.

“You… what you just said, is it true?” he asked, his aged voice imbued with a notable solemnity.

Associate Professor Wu, however, showed him no deference. She brusquely tossed the recently acquired lab report directly towards Principal Dugu.

“If you don’t believe it, see for yourself!” She paused, then immediately pressed further. “You old man, you still haven’t answered me! Why is this girl in such a state?”

At this pointed question, Principal Dugu seemed intent on evading. He stared intently at the flung lab report, completely disregarding Associate Professor Wu’s words.

It was the slender assistant standing nearby who timidly spoke up. “Master, could it be that the Western s*x-change surgery research, which was mentioned by the Imperial Hospital during the previous seminar, has finally succeeded?”

Upon hearing this, Associate Professor Wu immediately rolled her eyes at the seemingly very young assistant. “Ping’er, did a medicine box fall on your head?” she snapped. “Those old good-for-nothings at the Imperial Hospital are only capable of performing routine check-ups for the court and, perhaps, occasionally concocting aphrodisiacs for the emperor. At most, they can castrate a few eunuchs for the palace! Such a high-difficulty surgery? If they were in charge, I doubt every man in the entire Heavenly Dynasty combined could produce a single successful case like this!”

The young assistant, having been lectured so vehemently, looked even more timid and visibly fearful. They meekly mumbled a response, then fell silent.

Associate Professor Wu didn’t bother to scold her further. She turned back to Principal Dugu, her brow furrowed, and demanded, “Old Man Dugu, are you going to speak or not? You eagerly called the dean, insisting I personally receive you here, only for you to end up playing coy like this?”

Her words carried a distinct hint of anger, compelling Principal Dugu—who typically held absolute sway at Tianwu University—to dutifully set down the lab report that had so captivated him.

“Well… Director Xue,” he began, “why don’t you just ask her directly?” With that single sentence, he kicked the ball squarely into my court, instantly leaving me, who was still trying to grasp the situation, drenched in sweat. After all, I was about to face a formidable senior figure—a ‘grandmother-level’ expert whom even the renowned Principal Dugu conceded three points to!

However, Associate Professor Wu seemed entirely unimpressed. “Hmph, Old Man Dugu, you’ve got guts!” she spat. “You’ve learned to play games with me now! This girl was brought by you; without your permission, Principal Dugu, would she dare to speak up? I bet she wouldn’t even dare to fart!”

Although her Master was renowned throughout the world, his constant travels and wanderings through mountains and wilderness meant he had encountered many rough-and-tumble individuals. Consequently, he was accustomed to street slang, vulgarities, and curses, uttering them without hesitation. As they were of the same lineage, Associate Professor Wu had naturally inherited this trait completely!

“So that’s how it is,” Principal Dugu replied blandly. “Then don’t you think her current situation—inherently male, yet with innate Yin and Yang reversed—easily brings to mind an old acquaintance? It’s just that in her case, it has gone a step further; as you said, she is already a complete girl!”

Associate Professor Wu, however, was visibly moved. “Are you talking about Dongfang?” she said in disbelief. Before Principal Dugu could answer, she immediately turned her head, narrowing her eyes and staring intently at me. Whether it was due to being influenced by her assistant, or perhaps a natural apprehension towards this profoundly authoritative figure—this ‘Soul Ferryman of Misty Gauze’ who dared to disregard Principal Dugu—the feeling was utterly uncomfortable.

“Little… little girl,” she began, after watching me for a long moment, “do you have a significant connection with someone named Dongfang?”

“I, I…” Although I was momentarily unsure whether to tell the truth, I felt utterly compelled by the intimidating gaze in her eyes. I immediately answered honestly, “He… yes… he… he is my Master…”

“Then what is his name, little girl? Do tell Grandma!” Her expression instantly softened considerably.

“He, he said his name is, Dongfang Bubai…” I immediately answered, then, after a moment’s thought, added, “The Twelfth Generation Dongfang Bubai… he… he also said…”

“What else did he say?” Grandma Xue immediately pressed.

“He also said that I, I am the Thirteenth Generation, Dongfang Bubai!” I answered softly.

“Thirteenth generation… So that’s how it is… So you are his disciple… So that’s how it is… He really did it…” Grandma Xue murmured to herself, a hint of daze clouding her expression. She then turned to Principal Dugu, asking with a slight sigh, “Dugu, this is why you insisted I come personally, isn’t it? Because this girl is that person’s disciple, inheriting not only his mantle but also his very name, am I right?”

Principal Dugu shook his head slightly. “Originally, I wasn’t entirely certain myself,” he replied, “which is why I needed your expertise for verification. However, if, as you say, she truly is a complete female, and then, according to this report, her s*x chromosomes are male, then I am about seventy to eighty percent sure. Therefore, I need to repeatedly confirm with you: are your statements accurate?”

Hearing his last sentence, Grandma Xue’s expression immediately became complex. What was initially a myriad of emotions and a sense of profound bewilderment, morphed into a touch of indignation due to Principal Dugu’s final doubt. “Since you don’t believe me,” she retorted, “then please, Old Man Dugu, feel free to examine her yourself and determine whether this girl is male or female!”