Chapter 1072: Underhanded Moves
Zhang Yuelu sat behind her writing desk and laid her license across it. A shimmering curtain of light arose, projecting the upper half of Qi Xuansu’s body.
On the other side, Qi Xuansu was also seated. So in a sense, the two now faced each other across the light.
“Second Deputy Qi, how do you find time to contact me in your busy schedule?” Zhang Yuelu joked.
Qi Xuansu replied, “Why do I hear a hint of resentment in your tone? That doesn’t sound like the Second Deputy Zhang that I know.”
Zhang Yuelu said, “It’s not resentment, just a fact. I’ve heard things are rough on your side. I wanted to ask about you several times, but I restrained myself. You never contacted me either.”
Communication through the mother-child mirrors or talismans was never completely secure, as they connected multiple lines of communication that were crisscrossed like a vast web. Thus, they were vulnerable to eavesdropping. Madam Qi could even slap Qi Xuansu through the mother-child talisman, which was proof of how easily manipulatable the system was. However, the license offered true privacy because it was a one-to-one connection, functioning much like the single-line channels used by spies.
Qi Xuansu chuckled. “Well, I’m contacting you now, aren’t I? It’s nothing serious. Right now, I’m in full control. Every Spirit Guard in Poluo answers to my command. I wouldn’t trade this for even the position of Chief Deputy Mansion Master.”
Zhang Yuelu’s mind was razor sharp. She immediately caught something off. “Why would the Spirit Guards be under your command? Even if Great Sage Lan meant to delegate power, it wouldn’t be done that way. Has something happened to him?”
Qi Xuansu could not help but admire her keen insight. “You’re as sharp as ever. Since the day we met, I’ve never been able to hide anything from you. Yes, Great Sage Lan was in an accident, but it’s nothing severe. He’s in seclusion right now, so I’m temporarily acting in his stead, carrying some of the duties fit for a Mansion Master. That’s what I meant by being in full command.”
He secretly mused that if he ever took on any mistresses, Zhang Yuelu would probably see through it in an instant and storm straight to his door.
Zhang Yuelu asked, “What kind of accident?”
Qi Xuansu replied, “Great Sage Lan didn’t want to make a spectacle of it, so he didn’t report it to the Golden Tower Council. But I’ll tell you only this much. He encountered both Wu Luo’s and True Lord Siming’s joint divine descent. They used the Southern Dragon Qi to create their divine vessel, allowing them to manifest their full power. Though Great Sage Lan has defeated both incarnations of the Ancient Immortals, he suffered a severe backlash and is now recuperating in seclusion.”