Kafka's anonymous account was deleted again in no time.
Well, it wasn't the first time anyway. Sylvia didn't pay it much mind, pocketed her phone, and left the park.
Just as she was considering dropping by the parlor for a game of Celestial Jade or catching Little Gui's street performance, a rather unremarkable-looking woman suddenly approached her. Speaking in a hushed, conversational tone, she asked:
"Excuse me, are you Miss Sylvia?"
"Who's asking?"
Sylvia raised an eyebrow, turning to look at the woman.
With a polite, low voice, the woman offered a greeting:
"The Sanctus Medicus shows mercy... Some days ago, during an operation, we inadvertently offended you. Our leader wishes to invite you for a discussion, hoping to clear up some misunderstandings."
They sure moved fast. Dan Shu must be itching to figure out where I stand.
Wonder if she'll show her face herself today.
Or maybe she'll send an underling to talk with me.
Thinking this, Sylvia didn't show her hand right away. Instead, she looked at the woman curiously and asked:
"You've got quite the nerve. Aren't you afraid I'll just take you down right now and hand you over to the Cloud Knights?"
"Uh..."
The woman's face stiffened, then she replied with a hint of defeat:
"...To be honest, our leader told me that even if you were going to act, it wouldn't be now. Of course, I'm still pretty scared myself, but the reward for this job was quite generous..."
Having said that, she looked at Sylvia with hopeful eyes, as if wishing Sylvia would let her off.
Being the one sent to make contact with Sylvia, she was well aware of Sylvia's strength.
Even the elites of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus couldn't last more than a few rounds against her. She was just a small fry—if a real fight broke out, she'd be spun around like a top.
After listening, Sylvia nodded in agreement. If she really wanted to make a move, she'd wait until she got to their hideout and take them all out in one go.
What good would catching just this one do?
"Lead the way."
The woman looked as if she'd been granted a pardon, nodding repeatedly.
"Right this way, Miss Sylvia—"
Following the woman through a maze of twists and turns, they arrived at a secluded courtyard in the Exalting Sanctum.
Pushing the door open, another person came forward to greet them.
"Hello, Miss Sylvia. You may call me Mauve Moon. I am the person in charge of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus in the Exalting Sanctum."
The grey-haired man first nodded to the woman who led the way, then turned a smiling face to Sylvia, offering his greetings.
Sylvia studied the man with curiosity. Among the high-ranking Disciples of Sanctus Medicus who appeared in the game, Mauve Moon seemed to be one of the very few.
The man was burly, his broad muscles faintly visible beneath his robe.
And this guy... the look in his eyes when he first saw her wasn't nearly as friendly as his expression suggested.
So Sylvia just gave a light chuckle, crossing her arms as she regarded the local leader:
"You're not exactly a beautiful maiden, so there's no need to keep up that fake smile. Even though you say you're here to resolve misunderstandings, those misunderstandings haven't actually been cleared up yet, have they."
Mauve Moon's face stiffened for a moment, uncertain how to gauge Sylvia's attitude.
"...Miss Sylvia, you jest. As they say, an eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind. Today, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus come with good intentions."
"Oh really? So when do I get to meet your leader?"
Mauve Moon's expression visibly darkened.
The reason the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus had managed to lie low for so long without being discovered was largely due to the secrecy surrounding their leader.
Almost none except the upper echelons had the chance to meet them, and even among them, few had ever seen the leader's true face.
The Inner Alchemist that Sylvia had killed outside the Xianzhou was a high-ranking and capable member within the Disciples—skilled, intelligent, and considered a key figure for cultivation within the sect.
Coupled with the fact that it was a secret mission for an Emanator, nearly all those sent were elites.
It should have been a sure win, but they all ended up falling into Sylvia's hands.
This incident had already stirred up significant emotions within the Disciples.
Most followers clamored for retaliation, and the leaders themselves harbored little goodwill toward Sylvia.
If not for the leader's order to negotiate with Sylvia, Mauve Moon would never have shown her a friendly face.
But now...
Sylvia's sheer arrogance, demanding to see the leader right off the bat, treating him—a regional leader—with such dismissiveness, instantly ignited Mauve Moon's fury.
Just as Mauve Moon couldn't hold back any longer, about to draw his weapon and confront Sylvia,
a graceful figure suddenly arrived, light as a feather.
"Calm yourself, Mauve Moon."
A clear, feminine voice rang out in the courtyard, accompanied by a faint scent of medicinal herbs.
A woman, clad in feathered robes and silk slippers, descended as if stepping on air. A thick eye patch covered half her face.
"Leader?! Why have you come in person? Didn't you say..."
The moment Mauve Moon saw the woman appear, he was visibly shocked. He hurriedly bowed while urgently trying to voice a warning.
In Mauve Moon's view, Sylvia clearly didn't come with good intentions. Even though the leader had already decided to seek peace, this woman showed no appreciation for the gesture.
For the leader to appear now—wasn't that dangerous!
"That's enough. Say no more."
The woman looked toward Mauve Moon through her veil, reprimanding him with a single sentence that silenced the burly man.
Once everyone quieted down, the woman addressed Sylvia:
"Miss Sylvia, allow me to introduce myself. I am the current leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. If you don't mind, Miss Sylvia, would you care to step inside for further discussion?"
Sylvia glanced at the bowing Mauve Moon, then nodded to the leader.
"Of course."
The leader gestured an invitation, and Sylvia followed her figure as the two of them entered the inner room alone,
leaving everyone else outside the walls.
Inside the room, the leader gracefully settled into a seat by the table, where a cup of sweetened medicinal tea had already been prepared, its sugary aroma pleasant and inviting.
Sylvia took the seat opposite, studying the leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus carefully.
From her makeup to her hairstyle, even her demeanor—everything had changed.
If taken individually, each element might not seem too drastic, but combined, it made it incredibly difficult to associate her with that Head Alchemist.
And honestly, this attire of the Sanctus Medicus leader, upon closer inspection, really did carry a certain mature charm—far more captivating than the Head Alchemist's long robes.
"Miss Sylvia, regarding the incident from the other day, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus have no intention of making an enemy of you. We will also cease targeting that Foxian guide. I hope you can believe in our sincerity."
Right from the start, Dan Shu positioned herself humbly.
Even though both sides had an Emanator backing them, Sylvia somehow seemed to hold a higher ground in terms of presence.
Sylvia didn't expose her identity either. Instead, she waved a hand dismissively:
"The conflict between me and the Disciples isn't that big a deal. I don't think you necessarily have to go all-out against me, so there's no need for such talk."
"Miss Sylvia certainly sees things clearly."
Faced with Dan Shu's flattery, Sylvia took a sip from her cup of medicinal tea, then suddenly shifted the topic:
"But this matter does involve an Emanator of Destruction. The Antimatter Legion has no credibility to speak of, and you, Leader, don't even follow the Path of Destruction. Do you really have any say when dealing with them?"
"..."
Hearing this, Dan Shu remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, her thoughts were anything but settled.
'She really does know many secrets!'
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.