As the dust settled, everyone waited for their eyes to readjust to the light. They soon found themselves in a well-furnished and high-class tavern. It was quite wide and tall, adorned with tables and chairs that could accommodate close to a hundred people. The size alone was enough to hint where they were, as only establishments in the rich Inner City could afford it. However, what drew their attention was not the tavern itself, but the ten or so patrons glancing in their direction! Everyone's faces immediately darkened. They had not expected to emerge from a busy tavern. How were they supposed to keep a low-profile when they started like this? This was a disaster! Xiuying looked aghast, but her sister and uncle kept their gazes steady. They foresaw this happening. Similarly, the patrons did not show shock at several dozen people appearing behind a broken wall. A very affluent-looking man walked up to Imperian Qiang and extended his hand in greeting.
"Welcome to Yongtein, Imperian Qiang. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance again."
"Likewise, Lord Zhugong. It's good to see you four too, Lady Ting, Lord Zihao, Lord Cai, and Lady Xiulan. I apologize for meeting under such circumstances."
"You got that right," Lady Ting waved her fan. "We were shocked to hear that you not only survived Liguang, but you're allied with the Alzar Kingdom too. Are these…" She glanced at the girls beside him only to freeze. "Your Highnesses!" Her voice went one octave higher as she dropped to her knees.
"What?"
"It's Her Highnesses!"
The sound of ten people kneeling reverberated throughout the tavern. This was not surprising. In the core provinces, the loyalty towards the Imperial Family was much greater, especially for the capital city. It was incomparable to the attitude in the frontier provinces. That was why when the Imperial Princesses denounced the Imperial Council, things grew hectic in the city, and it took much effort on the council's part to quell everyone's anger. However, that was only for the fools that dared to bare their fangs openly. Of course, the council would snip them clean. The truly cunning would hide their cards close to their chest and wait for the opportune moment to strike. Such a moment was now!
Ming shook her head. "We don't have much time, so I'll spare the formalities. Uncle, did you tell them about the specifics yet?"
"I have."
"Then that simplifies things. What information have we gathered?"
Lord Zhugong cleared his throat. "We've confirmed the presence of two military divisions around the Emperor's City, Your Highness. According to their banners, they're the Dragon and Tiger Divisions."
"The Dragon and Tiger Divisions…" Ming muttered. The kingdom had some information stating they could be another experimental unit for Martial Energy training. If that were true, then things became much more problematic.
"This should confirm the Imperial Council's inside the Imperial Court, no?" Lady Xiulan asked.
"Have we spotted Prime Minister Pon-Wai or any other ministers?" Imperian Qiang returned.
"No… that we haven't."
"It's a trick. We won't find the Imperial Council there," Ming concluded. "What other information do we have?"
"Sister, I'm confused about something," Xiuying whispered. "If they know we're aiming for them, then they wouldn't stay in Yongtein, right? Wouldn't they have fled already?"
"Some maybe, but not all. Yongtein is the crown seat of power in the Xingyuu Empire, and it has significant symbolic meaning. Losing it would deal a heavy blow to the Imperial Council. They would lose the support of the people and the means to exercise their authority. Suffice to say, their days are numbered if Yongtein falls."
"What about the prime minister? Do you think he'll stay in Yongtein?"
"I believe the prime minister is the one person least likely to leave. We should find him here, wherever he is."
"We have this information, Your Highness," Lord Zihao interrupted. He spread a map of the city on the table. The hundred different markings across the Outer and Inner City were particularly eye-catching. Continuing, he said, "Here are where we've spotted heavy military presence. There's the city gates and the Imperial Court, but there's some unusual places too. For example, here in Mongwan Marketplace."
"I don't think that's unusual," Ming disagreed. "The city is under siege for the first time in a hundred years, so people must be panicking, which makes looting a major concern. The army must be there to stabilize the situation. We can exclude anywhere easily accessible to the public."
"Then what about here? Yuling Temple," Lady Ting said.
"A temple? Why would the army be there?" Xiuying wondered.
"It's not well known, but some important national artifacts are kept there. The army is most likely there to deter theft," Qiang explained.
"Still, we cannot rule out the possibility," Ming said. "Here, I've finished."
Everyone looked back to see the map completely transformed. Every point of interest was now marked by a likelihood that their target was there, while complex paths were drawn throughout the city to demarcate possible guard routes or escape routes. Everyone was rendered speechless. In the short time they were talking, Ming had analyzed every single spot and plotted out optimal routes to them all. Her speed, efficiency, and insight were unimaginable! She was certainly worthy of her reputation as a genius. None could compare to her! Even her sister, Xiuying, felt slightly embarrassed. Before anyone could properly digest the changes, Ming had already moved on.
"I will start by assigning routes. Lord Zhugong, you and your subordinates will take route one. Lady Ting, route two. Lord Zihao, route three. And so on…"
"But Your Highness, what are we supposed to do when we get there?"
"Your role will be to guide the soldiers behind me to their destinations, nothing more. I will not ask you or your subordinates to endanger yourselves."
"Well, I suppose that's fine…"
"In that case, let's get started. We don't have much time."
Yet, the ten 'helpers' drew oddly quiet, causing the air to tense up. Lady Xiulan eventually broke the silence by asking, "What do Your Highnesses intend to do?"
"…What do you mean?"
"Allying with the Alzar Kingdom to defeat the Imperial Council will only lead to more destruction and chaos… Many more people will suffer and die because of it. It won't be a good outcome for anyone. So, we want to know… what does Your Highness intend to do?"
"I've always kept the empire's best interests at heart. Whether in the past, the present, or the future, that's always been true. I've never once thought about harming the empire or its citizens. I am simply… trying to end this war in the most efficient, quickest, and painless manner possible. Nothing more," Ming declared.
"Even if it means betraying the empire?" the woman replied with a sharp gaze.
"What is betraying worth if it ultimately means saving the empire?"
"Does Your Highness really believe that?"
"I do."
"Does Imperian Qiang and Princess Xiuying think the same?"
Xiuying smiled. "My sister has an awkward way of saying things, but yes, I do. This war is something that our parents, our grandparents, our great-grandparents, and even our distant ancestors have fought in. It's something that affected entire generations for so long. We have shed sweat, blood, and tears. We have anguished, cried, and died for this. Yet, for what? An endless cycle of pain and suffering? I wouldn't want to live in that kind of bleak and desolate world. Our parents ended the first war and now, it's our turn to do the same. We'll end the Second Great Kingdom War… We'll carve out our own future with our own two hands!"
"I'll stand by their decisions," Imperian Qiang stated firmly.
Throughout this time, he had been feeling guilty towards his brother-in-law and sister. The Li Family took Xiuying and Ming in, not because they were kind, but because they could use the title of the Imperial Princesses for their own twisted goals. Because they wanted to overthrow the Imperial Family and become the new Imperial Family! He allowed them to tarnish his sister's legacy, despite knowing it. He could not control the elder council. This was his sin. Therefore, one could say this was his way of repaying those debts. Still, he was not blindly letting them do as they pleased. He had judged the pros and cons, weighed them on a scale, and accepted this was the better option. He wanted to convince himself of this and erase all doubt.