He always thought that he should not take a step back. It was easy to take a step back but returning was the problem. King Jing had major influence over the court and with other brothers beside him backing him up, there was no chance he would regain military power. 

The same applied to anyone in this world, no one was irreplaceable. 

Despite his confidence, he could not afford to be careless. Hence, he withstood the pressure against letting go of his military authority. 

Chu Li saw through his thoughts and said, "Your Royal Highness, do you think with the military authority at hand, everyone would support your ascension to the throne?"

"No," King Ping said in a low voice. 

Chu Li took another sip of alcohol as he engaged deeper into the conversation. "Then Your Royal Highness should be able to foresee the outcome. You just refuse to admit it and think you should delay it until it can't possibly be delayed, even if it means your life. Am I right?"

He could read King Ping's thoughts, especially at a time like this. He clearly caught a whiff of the King Ping's surfacing thoughts that were suppressed deep within him. 

King Ping let out a gentle sigh. 

"Your Royal Highness must be thinking of living in the moment." Chu Li sighed. "As a general, you don't know when you'll die on the battlefield. This principle is above reproach!"

King Ping lifted his head to glance at him. He was surprised. He did not think he was this wise and had such insight. He saw through his innermost thoughts!

Chu Li responded, "If death is inevitable and with the Emperor possibly living another ten years in this world, does Your Royal Highness want to live another ten years or take a risk, to see if you could avenge the consort?"

King Ping pulled his head back and raised his water pouch, taking a few gulps of the delicious wine. 

Chu Li continued, "You won't be able to avenge the consort if you withheld military authority but you stand a chance if you just let go!... However, there's a great risk and you might end up as a sacrificial lamb tomorrow. At least you'll have the consort as company."

"Humph!" King Ping coldly blurted, "They dare not kill me."

Lives should not be risked, even if was fighting for the throne. This was the rule. 

Under his father's watchful eye, no one dared to violate this rule. King Ping would at most, lose influence and become a peaceful prince, just like Prince Bao but he would not lose his life. 

Chu Li replied, "That might not be the case. The Li, Zheng, and even Fu Dynasty will take action against you!" 

"They?" King Ping curled his lips into a sneer. "They can't cause a single stir in Fairy's Capital!"

Chu Li shook his head. "Your Royal Highness is underestimating them!"

"Have you heard of any prince that was harmed?" King Ping coldly answered, "Their consorts were killed at the most. Father would retaliate if harm were to come to any prince! My life isn't that important, what's the meaning of being alive if I can't avenge the princess!"

Chu Li replied, "Your Royal Highness, you shouldn't take it lightly."

He was concerned about King Ping's lack of concern for his own safety. 

Great Light Peak wanted King Ping a.s.sa.s.sinated, the Zheng Dynasty most likely shared the same thought. The Zheng Dynasty was not weaker than the Ji Dynasty, so they may succeed in their attempt. 

He could read the reason from King Ping's mind. King Ping was granted a treasured armor by the Emperor and had high proficiency in martial arts. He also had eight Protectors by his side, making him fearless against a.s.sa.s.sinations. 

"Let me think about it," King Ping solemnly answered. 

His face scrunched up. 

Chu Li nodded. "Your Royal Highness, please think it through, It's late, I should excuse myself. My good days will be over if anyone were to see us. Goodbye!"

"Great, we'll end here today. We'll meet again in the future!" King Ping solemnly responded. 

Chu Li motioned a fist salute and was about to leave when he stopped short and frowned. 

King Ping stared back at him with confusion. He held back from asking questions. 

Chu Li turned to look Southwest and then to Northwest. He shook his head. "Your Royal Highness had company!"

"Bad company?" King Ping snorted. 

Chu Li slowly nodded. "I guess I can't leave now!"

"Be careful, Your Royal Highness!" A Protector was heard in a distance. They realized something was amiss and were trying to rush back towards King Ping. 

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoos.h.!.+" Eight flowing lights appeared out of nowhere and shot towards the eight Protectors. 

The eight Protectors stumbled like children learning to walk before these eight flowing lights and were instantly caught up. 

"Hey!" The eight Protectors furiously snorted, casting blade lights to form a light barrier. 

"Cling..." The flowing lights clashed onto the blade lights, turning the long blades sluggish and revealed its blade substance. 

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh swoos.h.!.+" Eight flowing lights reappeared. 

The flowing lights from the Southwest were fired at the Protectors in the Northeast direction while the flowing lights from the Northeast were fired at the Protectors in the Southwest direction, forcing these eight Protectors back. 

The Protectors had their minds set on nearing King Ping but these flowing lights were coming on too strong, leaving half their bodies paralyzed upon contact. They were powerless to even advance forward. 

As flying blades were shot, ten figures glided through the tree branches without their feet touching the tree. They hurled bunches of flying blades in the air before landing to encircle Chu Li and King Ping within. 

Chu Li sized up these ten. 

All masked and dressed in black, revealing only their gentle glossy eyes. These eyes were neither cold nor sharp but left Chu Li grumbling within. The group of ten in black had high cultivation levels that were clearly superior to his.

He was now Chu Li, not Zhao Dahe. Apart from reclusive masters, there was rarely anyone who was comparable to him in the martial arts world yet these ten elders were superior to him. He had an inkling that they would possibly be reclusive masters, reclusive masters of Great Light Peak. 

"Your Royal Highness!" The eight Protectors roared in rage. 

Plagued with shock and fury, they made a mad dash ahead, disregarding the blade lights firing at them. 

Flying blades struck them but only tore apart their clothing which revealed the soft armor within. 

They rushed towards the ten elders and launched a fiery attack when they were within close range. 

Eight elders returned the favor with the remaining two still firing at Chu Li and King Ping. The flying blades cut through the air like two flas.h.i.+ng flowing lights. 

Chu Li shook his head. Their cultivation level may be high but because they used their cultivation level against their low-ranking Light Blade, the speed was not as fast as his flying blade. 

He grabbed two flying blades to fire. The flying blades flew one after the other. 

"Wham wham!" The two elders blocked the Light Blades with their fists. 

Different from other martial arts, Light Blade could barely be recognized. There were plenty of flying blade heart techniques in this world and the majority flying blade techniques involved no tricks as speed was the priority. Light Blade was able to push the velocity to the limit, moving like flowing lights. 

"Clang! Clang!" The fist force of these two elders solidified and slowed down the flying blade upon contact. They then swung their swords and cast them away easily. 

The two equipped their left hand with Divine Fist of Great Light and right hand with Divine Light Sword to attack the duo. 

Chu Li dared not come head to head with the Divine Fist of Great Light's heavy force. 

Divine Fist of Great Light amplified the cultivation level. If the cultivation level was higher than 10%, the Divine Fist of Great Light yielded 100% strength. The lack of the cultivation level would be stretched by Divine Fist of Great Light to the fullest. The force between theirs and Chu Li's Divine Fist of Great Light could not be compared. 

King Ping lifted his head to down the alcohol in his water pouch before tossing it aside to push forward his palms. 

Surging energy slapped towards the two like violent waves. The two elders had no choice but to take two steps back. Their piercing eyes gazed at King Ping with surprise. 

King Ping coldly asked, "Who are you? What nerve!"