The Chronicles Of New Havens

"It's an honor to have the current head of the Li Family visit on such short notice," Linshi said. "May I have the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e in knowing why you decided to come all this way?"

"I'll cut to the point. My nieces, the Imperial Princesses, will be under my protection."

"Then I take it that you're acting on behalf of the Li Family? You should understand the consequences of such actions, correct? If you're planning on betraying the Xingyuu Empire and the other three Great Nobility Families, then it'll be war," she threatened.

"Nonsense. I do not plan on betraying the Xingyuu Empire in the slightest. In fact, all my actions have been in the interest of the empire. Princess Ming provided the Li Family with key information related to my sister, the former late empress, and about you. I rushed over here as soon as I could to detain you."

"And what information did the princess provide you?" Linshi wondered.

"For decades now, the Li Family has been standing alongside the reigning Tzu Family. Ever since the Mad Emperor decided to kill Empress Yin Li, we've been deeply investigating the circ.u.mstances behind the Mad Emperor's descent into madness. Recently, we've found that Emperor Lianghu acted in nearly the same way."

"Perhaps the Tzu Family has a tendency for madness?" the minister laughed.

"While I cannot disprove your theory, evidence points to the Imperial Council and you," Qiang continued. "The Imperial Council changed significantly between the Mad Emperor and Emperor Lianghu. You were one of the few members that transitioned between rulership. Alongside the various pieces of evidence that we've gathered over the years and the information from Princess Ming, I am sure of it. You are the culprit behind everything so far! I am here to bring you to justice!"

"Uncle, you're saying that Minister Linshi was responsible for the Mad Emperor?" Xiuying repeated in disbelief.

Qiang's face softened a bit after seeing that his two nieces were fine. After his sister died and his brother-in-law started the war, his relationship with the Tzu Family grew strained. Qiang pleaded to the emperor on multiple occasions to end the war, but the emperor was firm. Qiang was rightfully angry. After all, his sister d.e.s.i.r.ed nothing but peace, and the man who she loved was destroying everything she worked towards! Ever since King Harth was executed, Qiang focused entirely on handling his family's matters. He had not spoken to his brother-in-law or his two nieces in years. However, he kept a close eye on them. If anything befell on them, he would act. Especially for his two beloved nieces! They were the last remaining symbol of his older sister!

"Yes, from what we've concluded, there's a high chance that Minister Linshi is behind it."

"Are you sure, uncle? The implications of this…" Ming hesitated. If Minister Linshi was truly capable of manipulating two emperors to achieve her own goals, then she was beyond dangerous! Such a threat could not be allowed to continue!

"You've investigated well," Linshi clapped in amazement. "I must admit that the Li Family's information network is truly fearsome, second only to my information network."

"You're not going to defend yourself?" Qiang was stunned.

"In any case, your Li Family will clash with the Xingyuu Empire. Wasting any more words seems pointless, does it not?" Linshi sighed and muttered under her breath, "To think I wasted all my time here with nothing to show for it. How humiliating!"

"Well… Then I hope you don't regret saying those words. The Li Family will be bringing you to justice!" Qiang openly declared.

"Imperial Sentinels heed my command! Besides Imperian Qiang and the Imperial Princesses, kill everyone else!" Linshi shouted.

The tension in the room erupted as the auras of all the Perception Realms soared. The air felt incredibly viscous as enormous pressure weighed down on everyone! Before anyone could tell, the situation already reached critical! Everyone's hands were twitching to reach for their weapons, glaring anxiously at the opposition. Their heightened senses were constantly searching for danger. A lapse in focus meant instant death! A fight between Perception Realms was incomparably rare, especially a fight of this magnitude.

The most recent and famous one was two years ago during the Battle of the Millennium where Sir Winstin faced off against the Four Cardinals! The Four Cardinals were four elite Imperial Sentinels serving as the emperor's personal guard. To fend off the four of them singlehandedly, albeit briefly, solidified Sir Winstin's position as the strongest knight in the Alzar Kingdom! From this, one could see how insane it was to have over twenty Perception Realms fight it out here!

To some, they might feel fear and worry, but to Tai who loved the thrill, he happily dove into the flames. With impeccable speed, he donned his gauntlets and leaped into the pack, attacking the first enemy he saw. He landed and swiftly transformed all his momentum into his fists. A torrential rain of blows crashed down on an Imperial Sentinel! However, how could it be so easy to attack an Imperial Sentinel? With his opponent's senses heightened to an extreme, even the tiniest of movements were captured. Before Tai even moved, his opponent was already unsheathing his sword. The two collided in a flurry of sparks with neither side budging.

Three other Imperial Sentinels joined to pincer the lone assailant. All at once, Tai found himself surrounded. However, Chang and two others from the Li Family dove in to help. Chang drew his two straight swords and clashed with an Imperial Sentinel. Unlike Tai's ferocious relentless martial arts, Chang's sword style was elegant like still water. It could redirect and deflect attacks with the utmost of precision! Similarly, the two from the Li Family burst with enormous strength. Jingyi and Juan were the most famous experts from the Li Family, as they slowly suppressed their opponents. Everyone else no longer held back. They simultaneously drew their weapons and engaged in fierce combat.