Kaisei nodded and turned to Jeevika, speaking in Oskian, "Master Jeevika, it seems that His Eminence is indisposed. Allow me to escort you to your quarters."Jeevika didn't know Japanese and had zero idea what just happened. But since Kaisei is going to escort him, he knows he can't argue his way out and passes Korra to Yoichi, while nodding. "I will see you later, brother Korra."After he and Jeevika left, Yoichi was about to leave too when Korra told him, "Remember, Yoichi. Just treat the lady like a guest as you bring her in. Understand?"Even now, he clearly remembered why Vera valued her anonymity.With guests who would hang about at the front gates to take pictures and whatnot—even when the temple was closed for renovations, Yoichi might attract attention if he received Vera with more politeness than necessary.And in the years Korra spent with Vera, he learned to pay attention even to the smallest detail.Yoichi was uncertain, but still nodded responsively. "Yes, Your Em

Seeing that Ashley made up her mind, Jeevika, Suzanne and Stephen didn't argue.It surprised them that Vera found them, but she had proved herself an ally already—or at least, not a threat.Putting away the pieces of the broken teacup, she poured Jeevika a new cup and smiled, "It's alright—no need to get discouraged over this one. Losing to someone with Vera's wisdom and experience is only normal, so let's just wait for her invite."Jeevika, Suzanne and Stephen traded glances and sat down again.-Meanwhile, Vera had arrived at the entrance of the main hall.Korra, exhausted but thrilled, was leaning against the doorframe and waiting.When he saw Vera, a childlike smile grin promptly showed over his wrinkled face.Vera smiled when she saw him too—but not her usual girly smile, but a smile that's at once mature, kind, and dignified.As she walked toward him, she removed her face mask and deftly loosened her pigtails, tying her hair into a neat high ponytail again.Even her gaz

Soon, Vera watched as a tall, slender, and beautiful middle-aged woman entered with a stride of determination.The rest were all faces Vera recognized, as Stephen Thompson—longtime butler of the Wades, following the middle-aged woman closely behind.After him was the fake abbess whom Vera herself had met at Quiant Monastery, and the last to enter was Master Jeevika himself, the famous young Buddhist monk.That begs the question: Who was the middle-aged woman?Vera actually found her face familiar as well, but couldn't remember, for the life of her.That's one of the downsides of immortality despite all the other perks—you've simply experienced so much and met so many other people. And with all the other troubles bugging your mind, maintaining a decent memory over everything is a challenge.Even the best extroverts would have made the personal acquaintance of thousands at best in a single lifetime.On the other hand, Vera had herself been running, hiding, and making the persona

Ashley nodded modestly despite Vera's praise, "You flatter me, Ms. Lavor. I'm really quite far from hurting Fleur's regime, and setting the stage for her downfall is all I can do. In fact, it was my husband who put together a team of experts before Fleur's lackeys got him—if I were on my own, I most definitely wouldn't even make it out."Vera smiled faintly. "Well, what have you got out of those sympathizers?" Ashley said, "I won't lie—they're not high enough in the hierarchy to help. The Griffins are just as guilty as Fleur for aiding and abetting her atrocities over centuries, receiving wealth and power as rewards. It's only natural that the bottom feeders are dissatisfied—or actually grow a conscience. Sure, they can provide some information, but they are simply in no position to help in significant ways, and certainly can't help to overthrow Fleur."Vera nodded, suddenly coming up with an idea. "Actually, you just inspired me, Mrs. Wade! While most of the Griffins happily serve

Ashley was astounded by Vera's plan, writing her own history with Fleur vaporizing into dust at the end of her 500-year reign. It would drive a wedge between the Griffins and Fleur while crushing morale, which just illustrated the sheer brilliance of the plan.Most of all, she was providing a reward for a contest hosted anonymously and not investing capital into a creative project, which kept the risk of being traced minimal.If it were an investment, no matter how many shell companies were used to disguise it, the money trail would always inevitably expose the person who made the investment. Who produced the show, and whose money did the production crew receive? Such details were impossible to hide entirely.Even if the money trail could be hidden, anyone who was determined could simply make the production crew reveal their benefactor and how they stay in touch.However, Vera directly bypassed the investment—by offering a sizable amount of Bitcoins as the reward, they also had t