Herta #3156 led millions of Herta puppets as they slowly advanced toward Herta Ninety-Nine. Herta Ninety-Nine froze instantly. Staring at the endless sea of puppets, she finally understood what Silver Wolf must have felt.
How the tables turn. Fortune and misfortune truly depend on each other.
Herta #3156 easily captured Herta Ninety-Nine, along with Herta #33 and a handful of other puppets who had remained loyal to Madam Herta.
"Lord Lingsha, what are your orders?"
"From now on, this city will be renamed Lingruan City."
Herta Ninety-Nine glared at Lingsha, her expression fierce and desperate. "Lingsha, these puppets may be millions, but they're still just a rabble. I'll warn you one last time—give up. Don't provoke Madam Herta further. I might be able to put in a good word for you."
Lingsha yawned, barely glancing at her from the throne. "Arrogant. Take her away. Give her the treatment."
Herta #3156 nodded and led Herta Ninety-Nine away. Herta Ninety-Nine's composure finally cracked.
"Lingsha! This is Herta City! Herta City! Madam Herta will never forgive you!"
Her voice faded, replaced by the sound of magic hammers administering "persuasion through reason."
Lingsha smiled. There was something in that smile that resembled the former occupant of this throne.
Sitting here, she understood: No one in this world can make me suffer. And when you strike, aim for the face.
She murmured to herself, "Madam Herta, this time, I will become your true rival. I'll make you understand what it means to feel threatened. What it means to regret."
She began to imagine the future—winning Ruan Mei and Herta's despair like a pathetic loser.
She closed her eyes. Beyond that vision, her thoughts drifted to the past.
She and her master, framed by the Dragonfang and others, had been exiled to the Zhuming. And what had General Jing Yuan done? Nothing. He had turned a blind eye, allowing the Dragonfang and certain Abundance remnants within the Alchemy Commission to run rampant.
She had never dared speak out. She had simply accepted it.
But now? Millions of Herta puppets at her command, enough to crush a Stellaron Hunter's pride.
Perhaps she could replace Jing Yuan. Inherit the Lightning Lord. Restore her master's honor. Avenge past wrongs.
Two goals.
First: defeat Herta, win Ruan Mei.
Second: with millions of puppets and Ruan Mei's support, make Jing Yuan retire. Leap from Cauldron Chief—one of the Six Edicts—to the new General of the Luofu.
"Lord Lingsha, Herta Ninety-Nine and Herta #33 have been beaten unconscious."
Lingsha nodded absently. "Continue the treatment. Give her back everything I suffered."
"Yes."
After Herta #3156 left, Lingsha sat on the throne, stunned at her own thoughts. What was I thinking? Winning Ruan Mei and becoming the next Luofu General? Even in my wildest dreams, I never dared imagine such things.
---
At the same time, Herta—who had just left the Lovers' Lock with Ruan Mei—sneezed suddenly. A strange unease prickled at her chest.
Ruan Mei asked softly, "What's wrong, Herta?"
Herta shook it off. "Nothing. Aren't we going to the Scalegorge Waterscape to set the ocean lanterns? Let's go."
Ruan Mei nodded and followed.
Asta watched them walk away. Only when she was sure they wouldn't look back did she return to the lock and add three more names.
"Asta?! What are you doing? The Scalegorge is this way!"
"Coming!"
She took one last look at the lock, then hurried after them.
Passing the Alchemy Commission, they saw healers and alchemists searching frantically. One approached them, anxious.
"Excuse me, have you seen our Vidyadhara Dragon Lady, Bailu? Or Cauldron Chief Lingsha?"
Asta stepped forward. "Bailu is at Changle, watching Sushang and Guinaifen's lion dance performance. As for Cauldron Chief Lingsha... she's probably somewhere quiet, far from the noise, resting."
The healer looked skeptical. "And what brings you three here?"
"Just passing through on our way to the Scalegorge to set ocean lanterns."
The healer didn't press further. He sent half his people to Changle to find Bailu. The others stayed to search for Lingsha.
---
At the Scalegorge Waterscape, Asta gazed at the ancient sea. She could make out shadows beneath the waves, and faint dragon roars echoed across the water.
"So this is the Ancient Sea. One of the Vidyadhara sacred sites. Truly extraordinary."
Not far away, Yukong and Feixiao had already arrived, laughing as they set their lanterns afloat.
They noticed the group and walked over.
"Madam Ruan Mei, Madam Herta, and Miss Asta—you're here to set lanterns too?"
Ruan Mei nodded. Yukong and Feixiao exchanged a glance. It made sense for Ruan Mei and Herta. But why bring Asta?
Neither asked.
"Madam Ruan Mei, how is Tingyun?"
Ruan Mei paused—just long enough for Asta and Herta to notice.
"She's stable. Out of danger."
Yukong smiled, relieved. "Then Feixiao and I will take our leave. Give her our regards."
"Yes."
After they left, Herta stood lost in thought. Tingyun didn't come to the wedding. Or the festival. Did she not have an invitation? No—she's too skilled at navigating people. And the Xianzhou still think well of her.
Where is she? And Wisteria Cake—no word from her either.
Ruan Mei glanced at Herta from the corner of her eye. She knew what she was thinking.
"Herta. Asta bought the lanterns. What are you standing there for?"