Chapter 42: Cardinal Ji Jige

Two hours of debate.

No matter how the bishops cited doctrine, they couldn’t outtalk Meng Linna.

Her past life’s regional bishop role came from her duke father.

But her debate skills were her own.

Even with bishops tag-teaming, they gained no ground.

The priest had no choice.

“Recess. Resume in thirty minutes.”

As Meng Linna stressed she was a suspect, not a convict, she earned rest rights.

She couldn’t leave the church but could wander nearby.

Clinking her cuffs softly, she slipped to the terrace.

The cardinal from earlier leaned on the railing, wine glass in hand, watching below.

Her staff, a symbol of authority, was tossed aside.

Tipsy and warm, she’d ditched her red robe and hat.

Her stunning blue hair flowed.

If it weren’t a hassle, she’d strip off her black bodysuit too.

“Who’s there?”

Noticing someone, the cardinal fumbled to hide her glass.

Her big move spilled wine on herself.

Meng Linna offered a handkerchief.

“Don’t worry, I won’t snitch about your drinking, Miss Ji Jige.”

“You know me?”

Ji Jige, the cardinal, took the handkerchief, wiping wine stains.

Drinking on duty was an issue, but minor.

A verbal warning at most.

The pope wouldn’t bother with it.

Calming down, Ji Jige regained her composure.

As the youngest cardinal ever, her talent was unmatched.

She just lacked maturity due to age.

In her past life, Meng Linna and Ji Jige were close.

Her father even considered marrying them off.

But Ji Jige was a lesbian, so it didn’t happen.

They stayed good friends, often drinking together.

Nothing more.

Calculating time, Ji Jige should be off fighting heretics now.

In her past life, Meng Linna joined her, earning her bishop role.

“Heard of you.”

Meng Linna nodded.

“Didn’t expect the youngest cardinal here.”

Ji Jige hated being underestimated.

She raised a brow.

“You saying I can’t join a regional judgment?”

“Of course not.”

Meng Linna smiled warmly.

“But this trial seems unfair. You don’t fit in.”

Ji Jige didn’t want to be at this boring show.

Someone used the Flame Giant to lure her to add weight.

She knew Meng Linna wasn’t guilty based on evidence.

She hadn’t spoken during the trial.

“No proof to convict you yet.”

Ji Jige leaned on the railing, eyeing Meng Linna’s blonde hair.

The evil lesbian smirked.

“But if a cardinal speaks, it’s another story.”

Her smile unnerved Meng Linna.

“You wouldn’t, right?”

“…”

Ji Jige just smiled.

Meng Linna regretted approaching.

“You’re joking, right?”

“Relax, I’m kidding.”

Ji Jige got serious.

“Even as a cardinal, I wouldn’t abuse power.”

“You were super suspicious…”

“Your imagination.”

Ji Jige waved it off.

“So, why’re you here? Wanna drink?”

Without waiting, she poured herself another glass.

Drinking with a gorgeous woman felt great.

“Just wanted to meet you.”

Though she already knew her.

“By the way, aren’t heretics causing trouble? Don’t you need to check on that?”

Meng Linna probed Ji Jige’s status.

“You know about heretics?”

Ji Jige looked surprised.

Heretic issues were real but hushed.

Unless quelled, most wouldn’t notice.

“Just heard from friends.”

Meng Linna grabbed a glass, pouring wine.

“Something about the Flame Giant?”

Chatting about heretics was fine.

But mentioning the Flame Giant changed things.

Ji Jige liked the blonde beauty.

But as a first meeting, she wouldn’t dive deep.

Heretic talk was casual.

Their worship of the Flame Giant wasn’t.

Ji Jige tensed.

“Where’d you hear that?”

Meng Linna blinked.

“Can I say from friends?”

“Sure.”

Ji Jige stepped closer.

“But we’ll arrest you and your friends. Your fake potion charges will be dropped. Replaced with consorting with heretics.”

Crap, Ji Jige was serious.

Meng Linna panicked but held her ground.

“Fine, I lied. No friends.”

“I guessed.”

“No way.”

Ji Jige cornered her.

Meng Linna threw her trump card.

“What if I can guess the heretics’ hideout?”