Still, she was not willing to give up.
Lingsha glanced at Herta and Ruan Mei, then turned her gaze to Fu Xuan. "Grand Diviner, I'd like to speak with you alone."
Fu Xuan blinked. She was just a conduit, a go-between. How did Lingsha come to her?
"Madam Herta, Madam Ruan Mei, I will have a word with Cauldron Chief Lingsha. Please wait a moment."
Herta nodded slightly. Fu Xuan quickly followed Lingsha to a nearby teahouse and sat down.
"Owner, two cups of Fanghu's Tianxue Ming."
"Right away, honored guests."
For a moment, only silence stretched between them. Fu Xuan, seated across from Lingsha, broke it first.
"Lingsha, I understand your situation. But Madam Herta's alliance with the Xianzhou is—one could even say—above the Interastral Peace Corporation. Her methods of longevity, her many research projects, her curio collection, and her connections can easily influence half the universe."
Lingsha merely sipped her tea in silence, ignoring Fu Xuan.
"Don't worry, Lingsha. I will find you a more perfect estate to compensate."
Hearing this, Lingsha let out a faint, knowing smile. "Grand Diviner, you want to gain Madam Herta's support as soon as possible, then persuade Jing Yuan to hand over the Lightning Lord, don't you?"
Fu Xuan gritted her teeth and slapped the table with pride. "Nonsense! Madam Herta is a genius outside the Xianzhou. How could she interfere in internal Xianzhou affairs? When I first met Madam Herta, I also disliked her personality. But after spending more time with her, I realized she is merely a bit flawed in character. As a genius, she is still great."
Lingsha's smile did not fade. "Sigh, Grand Diviner, you're just too eager to advance. I can move out, but I have a condition."
Fu Xuan paused and set down her teacup. "Speak. But if it concerns Madam Herta or Madam Ruan Mei, I probably cannot decide on my own."
"Grand Diviner, this condition concerns you."
"Ah?!"
"I want to move into your Star-Gazing Manor. Additionally, after you inherit the Lightning Lord, you must bring my master back to the Luofu with full honor. And by tomorrow, I want to hear news that the Dragonfang has been eliminated in the Shackling Prison."
Fu Xuan frowned. "Those are three conditions, aren't they?"
Lingsha yawned lazily and replied unhurriedly, "Then I won't move out. Madam Herta's impression of your competence will take a serious hit. And I might even compete with you for the inheritance of the Lightning Lord and bring my master back myself."
Fu Xuan stared at Lingsha for a long moment. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. I agree. But if the higher-ups investigate the Dragonfang's elimination in the Shackling Prison, what then?"
Lingsha took a bite of a pastry, a mocking smile on her lips. "A traitor like him, dead is dead. Those old fools are ridiculous—talking about making him atone for seven or eight lifetimes. His crimes warrant execution a hundred or a thousand times over."
Fu Xuan remained silent. The punishment of Dragonfang Taoran had been decided by the higher authorities. Even if he were eliminated quietly in prison, the Ten-Lords Commission might still find some clues. But that wasn't the key issue. The key was that even if she became the Luofu General, this matter would always be known to Lingsha.
Very well. Eliminating a crime-ridden Dragonfang is just overdue justice.
"Grand Diviner, it's getting late. I should go prepare for the move. Remember, Taoran must be eliminated. Otherwise, I will oppose Herta again. Goodbye."