The Second Priest's words had made her stance clear.
The Li Family had to pay a price for this affair. At the very least, they had to give the Southern Wasteland a way to step down with its dignity intact.
"What sort of accounting does the Second Priest want?"
Zhao Wujiu asked in a low voice.
The Second Priest chuckled. "Very simple. First, hand over the murderer who killed Balu and let the Southern Wasteland deal with him as we see fit."
"Second, sever one of your own arms and apologize to Yan Kui. Then we can let this matter rest, and the Southern Wasteland and the Li Family can remain as well water that never intrudes upon river water."
Before Zhao Wujiu could respond, Yan Kui below grew anxious. His face full of resentment, he said, "Second Priest, how can we let them off so lightly? Zhao Wujiu humiliated me beyond endurance. I must make him..."
"Silence!"
The Second Priest's gaze abruptly sharpened. She swept a glance over Yan Kui, and he shuddered. The rest of his words caught in his throat, and he dared not utter another syllable.
Yet his venomous eyes remained fixed on Zhao Wujiu.
Zhao Wujiu was so furious that he laughed instead. "Hahaha! Deal with him as you see fit? Sever my own arm? Second Priest, are you joking? A member of the Li Family—never mind that he did nothing wrong—even if he had, only the Li Family's patriarch and its family laws could punish him. As for this arm of mine..."
He chuckled. "If you want it, Second Priest, come take it with your own strength."
"Stubborn fool. I gave you a chance."
The Second Priest shook her head, showing little surprise, as though she had expected this outcome all along.
She gently