She pondered briefly before saying, "This is the second time we've met, Cardinal Hui Wai-Wing. I believe the first time was during the battle with Emperor Lianghu more than a year ago."
"That's correct," he replied unfetteredly. His confidence was enough to unnerve Elizabeth. Did this man have a trick up his sleeve?
"Do you want to kill me? I did kill Emperor Lianghu after all." Upon seeing his silence, she continued, "Back then, when we were recuperating from the battle, you were the one that stopped the Xingyuu Empire's forces from pursuing us. Why? You shouldn't have a reason to." However, regardless of what she said, the man remained as silent as a rock. Her words fell on deaf ears. His attitude irritated her, and she shouted, "Cardinal Hui Wai-Wing, which side are you on? Why did you help the Imperial Princesses against the Imperial Council? What are you planning?"
She tried to get a reaction, any reaction, from him, only he replied curtly, "I have no obligation to tell you anything. Do what you will."
"You think I wouldn't dare?" Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and nocked an arrow.
Cardinal Hui looked at her with a cold gaze as the monstrous pressure of a Perception Realm Master burst forth like a tidal wave! In an instant, Elizabeth was submerged in an icy cold embrace that threatened to suffocate her. It felt like a thousand weights piled on her chest, making it hard to breath. She was being suppressed! He planned to intimidate her! Yet, Elizabeth gritted her teeth and braved the pressure. How many insane battles had she gone through already? Not to mention, her encounters of super powerful beings like Lord Wenmord, Rena, or the Featherwind Sect… A mere Perception Realm Master did not faze her anymore! She loosed her arrow! Thud! The arrow landed a hair away from Cardinal Hui's head, grazing his cheek. Despite the daring attack though, the man held his gaze on her. How could he not notice what she planned to do? He was surprised not because of the attack that he could have dodged, but because of her unyielding spirit! It was rare to find that in someone. Thinking so, he retracted his aura, allowing Elizabeth to breath again.
"I am no longer affiliated with the Imperial Council. I have severed my ties."
"What?"
"You mean you're no longer the Captain of the Imperial Sentinels?" Imperian Qiang chimed in.
"That's correct."
"Why?"
The cardinal closed his eyes and said, "I neither serve the Imperial Council nor the Four Great Nobility Families. I only serve the Imperial Family. Since they're targeting the Imperial Princesses, why should I support their cause? This is the natural outcome."
"You mean your actions thus far have been to protect them?" Elizabeth questioned.
"You can interpret it that way." Though her face showed doubt, he made no further comment. He was not interested in convincing her.
"I don't understand. The Li Family would have welcomed you with open arms if you showed up. Why the need to… act covertly?" Imperian Qiang added. He wanted to phrase it as respectfully as possible since Cardinal Hui was a living legend in the empire. He should not be attributed to 'sneaking around' like a common thief.
"…After His Majesty's death, I was scrutinized for letting the heir apparent escape, and later letting the Imperial Princesses reunite with the Li Family's forces. I was imprisoned on charges of treason by Prime Minister Pon-Wai. I managed to escape with some help and made my way north towards the Samfeng Province; however, I was pursued by multiple assassination groups. They seemed to have two objectives: one was myself, and another goal in the north. I wanted to learn about their true goal, so I deceived and reverse-tracked them to Guanhuang. That is why I appeared there. As for Liguang, I decided to hide my presence in the belief that any assailants would act more boldly, knowing that I was not present. This would allow me to deal with any threat accordingly. Unfortunately, I could not predict that the entire town would be attacked in that manner…"
"I see… That would explain your abrupt absence from the Imperial Council's side," Imperian Qiang rubbed his chin in thought. "I now have a rough understanding of the situation."
"I don't," Elizabeth glared at the cardinal. "How are we supposed to believe everything you say? You could be making it all up."
He returned the glare and replied, "My proof is that I could have captured you after you killed His Majesty, but I did not. Similarly, I could have acted to keep the Imperial Princesses away from the Li Family, but I did not. I believe my actions speak for themselves."
She frowned at his attitude but realized that he was right. His actions went against the Imperial Council's goals. Even if his explanation was a lie, it could not be far from the truth. She decided to switch topics. "Do you know anything about the Imperial Council's plans? Or anything about the Featherwind Sect or those Perception Realm soldiers wielding Martial Energy? Did the Li Family ally themselves with the Imperial Council? What about their ultimate goal?"
"You want me to betray the empire?" His voice turned frosty. No matter what, he was still from the empire, and she was the heir apparent of the kingdom. He would rather die than betray his people!
"Princess Elizabeth, can I hear why you think the Li Family allied with the Imperial Council? I believe our intentions to negotiate were genuine and we were attacked just like the Alzar Kingdom," Imperian Qiang cut in.
"The Imperial Council's forces are barred from entering the Samfeng Province by the Quiton Gates, a key passage that the Li Family is holding. A small detachment might break through elsewhere, but with a force that big, that becomes unlikely. Since neither of us have heard news of a breakthrough at the Quiton Gates, then the most logical conclusion must be that the Li Family had a hand in it."
However, this caused Imperian Qiang's face to darken. "As the patriarch of the Li Family, does Your Highness not think I should know that? Why would I willingly endanger my subordinates or myself? I demand an apology!"
"Even I know that the Li Family is not monolithic and there must be growing dissatisfaction in the Li Family because of your negotiations with the Alzar Kingdom. It is possible that a faction decided to contact the Imperial Council without your knowledge," Elizabeth eloquently explained.
"By that logic alone, your subordinates could do the same. It does not have to be from my family."
Although he said that, he knew he was only arguing for the sake of it. He had a subtle feeling that Elizabeth was right and his previous conversations with Lady Hong-Lan Li and the other family heads confirmed this. How could they be happy with negotiating with the kingdom, especially since they believed that the kingdom was responsible for killing both Empress Mei and Emperor Lianghu? They would obviously be furious! By contrast, the Alzar Kingdom's forces were more unified as a military organization, so the chances of factional disputes would be vanishingly low. When he thought about who set this meeting up, he subconsciously frowned. The elder council… In other words, Lord Foshan and Fengji Li… Were they behind this?
"What about your next move? Are you planning to return to the Li Family?" Elizabeth asked.
"That's what I intend to do."
"I see… I'll let you two rest then. You don't have to worry about your safety for the time being. We can continue this discussion when the others wake up." She felt a headache dealing with them, so she decided to end the conversation there. She also needed to figure out her attitude going forward.
Imperian Qiang watched her leave with a gloomy expression. He had too many questions and not enough answers. For example, who saved them and why? What was their motive? Did Elizabeth do anything? During the battle with Emperor Lianghu, she revealed a shocking power to reverse the odds and kill the emperor, and there were also rumors that she was responsible for the Lannisail explosion in Algard. Not to mention, in this current battle, she showcased a power that rivalled or surpassed the Ten Dawns! Elizabeth seemed to be enshrouded in more and more mysteries, which made her all the more unsettling to Imperian Qiang. He sighed inwardly. Elizabeth was truly not easy to handle!