Chapter 1073: Settling Accounts
Qi Xuansu had failed to contact Madam Qi last time because their method of communication was not through the Daoist license but through the Qingping Society’s fish talismans. These talismans had one major limitation—a shorter range of function.
If both parties were outside the Central Plains, such as in Nanyang, the connection could still be established.
His previous failed attempt meant that Madam Qi had not yet reached Nanyang. She was still somewhere within the Central Plains back then.
But this time, Madam Qi did not disappoint him. The fish talisman pulsed with light, and her projection appeared.
She looked the same as always, with her coin-patterned robe, the ever-present large sunglasses that seemed to be permanently attached to her face, and the tobacco pipe emitting faint wisps of smoke.
By then, Qi Xuansu had already activated the privacy barrier in his office to prevent anyone from eavesdropping, blocking even the Earth Qi Recall Technique and image recording stones.
He held the fish talisman in his palm and paced back and forth in the chamber out of habit.
This quickly drew Madam Qi’s annoyance. “Stop pacing like that! You’re making me dizzy.”
Ever since Qi Xuansu had become Second Deputy, few people had spoken to him in this tone. Not even his superiors were so blunt. Only Madam Qi remained true to herself.
Qi Xuansu had no choice but to halt his steps. “Madam Qi, when did you arrive in Nanyang?”
Madam Qi scoffed. “You don’t even know when I arrived? Clearly, you don’t think of me anymore. All you think of now is your wife—”
Qi Xuansu hurriedly interjected. “Nuh-uh! I tried to reach you as soon as I arrived in Nanyang, but you weren’t in range. Then everything spiraled into chaos. You have no idea how hard it’s been for me. I was alone and outnumbered, surrounded by local tyrants, battling both internal and external enemies. You never once asked about me and acted as though I didn’t exist! Clearly, you’re the one who doesn’t care about me!”