"The Abundance must be opposed, but not completely eradicated, not entirely destroyed. This has nothing to do with so-called right or wrong, black or white. If one day the Abundance were completely eliminated, what meaning would the Xianzhou's noble families, its long-life species, and even the Hunt's arrows have left? Am I right, Fu Xuan?"
Fu Xuan clenched her fists, then slowly released them. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said softly, "Madam Herta, please do not repeat these words outside. Take them as jokes, not truth. Of course, we Xianzhou people will always be locked in an unending struggle with the Abundance remnants."
Seeing that the genius was about to argue further, Fu Xuan quickly changed the subject. "Madam Herta, didn't you say you wanted to buy an estate as your new home? Suiyuan's conditions are difficult to fulfill, but there is another one, isn't there?"
Herta crossed her arms, a brief sneer crossing her lips. "Didn't you say only Xianzhou noble families could buy and sell?"
Fu Xuan blinked and quickly waved her hand. "Madam Herta, Madam Ruan Mei, you are both friends of the Xianzhou. An exception can be made."
"Oh? An exception? I don't particularly like that word."
Faced with Herta, who refused to yield an inch and seemed ready to strike at any offense, even the Grand Diviner of the Divination Commission found herself forced to compromise. "Not an exception. A special condition reserved for the great Madam Herta."
Herta nodded, pleased. "Good. What are the conditions for the other estate?"
Fu Xuan glanced at Herta, then stole a look at Ruan Mei, before explaining with some helplessness. "Madam Herta, that estate is located in Starskiff Haven, close to the Sky-Faring Commission. As a token of friendship between you and the Xianzhou, I, as the Acting General of the Luofu, offer it to you as a gift."
Herta frowned, clearly displeased. Fu Xuan froze. Even Ruan Mei asked with a hint of confusion, "Herta, what's wrong?"
Herta pulled out her purple gold card and tossed it to Fu Xuan, speaking sternly. "A free estate? No charge? How can that be? If word gets out, people will think I, Madam Herta, have no money. Besides, I've lived long enough to know there's no free lunch. On the contrary, free things are the most expensive."
She added, "Also, I hate owing favors."
A flicker of resentment and frustration crossed Fu Xuan's eyes. If it were anyone else, she would have refused outright, walked away in displeasure. But she had witnessed Herta's terrifying Emanator power, and the Xianzhou's higher-ups valued their cooperation with her.
To become the next Luofu General, she must establish a friendship with these two. The Yaoqing has the IPC, the Fanghu has the Family, the Zhuming has... Each Xianzhou ship has its reliable allies. The Luofu must continue its friendship with Herta, representing the Genius Society—and, of course, the less-publicized Ruan Mei.
Having weighed these interests, even the strict Fu Xuan forced a smile. "Madam Herta, the estate near the Hall of Karmic Clouds is called Star Abyss Manor. It's another Fu family residence on the Luofu. Usually uninhabited, it has thousands of cold plums, orchids, and bamboo—quite serene and elegant. As for the price, we'll sell it at cost."
Herta pressed further. "And who are the neighbors?"