White-Robed Chief

“Speak,” King Ping dully ordered.

Chu Li answered, “I know Your Royal Highness wishes to know the perpetrator.”

“Yes,” King Ping replied solemnly. “You and Xu Huande have investigated the consort’s case. In the end, Xu Huande was sent to guard the Imperial Mausoleum due to a lack of investigation. There’s something fishy about it. As far as I know, you never had an unsolved case!”

Chu Li sighed.

King Ping continued, “Based on my understanding of you, you have already solved the case.”

Chu Li replied, “It’s not Holy Church of Light as you thought.”

“Then who?” King Ping coldly blurted. His eyes sparkled brightly.

His voice may be cold as though emotionless but Chu Li could sense the raging anger he was suppressing. Anger that was enough to set everything on fire.

Chu Li answered, “The Zheng Dynasty’s Mysterious Pavilion.”

“The Zheng Dynasty!” King Ping stared back at him with surprise.

Chu Li added, “Everyone thought it was the Li Dynasty and never thought it could be the Zheng Dynasty, right?”

“D*mn the Zheng Dynasty!” King Ping ground his teeth to a creaking sound.

He was unaware of his steely gaze that was brighter than the bonfire, scorching as though it was enough to cleanse everything in flames.

Chu Li sighed. “This was a steady, bold, and heavily calculated move to force Your Royal Highness to dispatch troops to the Li Dynasty!”

“D*mn Mysterious Pavilion!” King Ping let out a sigh before he responded, “There’s no mistake of it?”

Chu Li answered, “If I’m not wrong, it is the Mysterious Pavilion but it was done through the hands of Holy Church of Light’s disciple. There’s something amiss about this Holy Church of Light’s disciple and could possibly be a seed planted by the Zheng Dynasty. He is still unconscious.”

“What an elaborated scheme and deep foresight.” King Ping nodded before he added, “Our Great Ji Dynasty is still lacking.”

He was burning with hatred towards that Holy Church of Light’s disciple and wished nothing more but to excavate and decapitate his corpse, yet it was an irreconcilable hatred.

Chu Li asked, “What does Your Royal Highness plan to do? Arrange for your troops to take revenge?”

“No,” King Ping coldly retorted. “Father would take back my military power if I were to do so. I can let it slide!”

Chu Li looked at him with surprise.

He always thought that King Ping would avenge the consort by dispatching troops to the Li Dynasty or the Zheng Dynasty out of impulse. This was also the Emperor’s concern, hence the reason why he left Xu Huande in the Imperial Mausoleum to stop him from talking.

King Ping coldly smiled. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. It’s not going to be easy to defeat the Mysterious Pavilion!”

Chu Li asked, “Then what is Your Royal Highness planning to do?”

“I’ll destroy the Zheng Dynasty and bury everyone in the Mysterious Pavilion alongside the consort!” King Ping dully replied.

Chu Li sighed. “There’s still a long way to go, Your Royal Highness.”

The Great Ji Dynasty’s primary enemy was the Li Dynasty. The Li Dynasty had been trying to invade from the East for several years now to seize the Ji Dynasty in growing the empire.

The Ji Dynasty was weak and it barely survived if not for King Ping’s military talent. Without King Ping, the Li Dynasty would have long breached the borders and wreaked havoc in the Ji Dynasty, leaving it deeply wounded and weaker.

On contrary to the Li Dynasty’s expansion, it would not take a few years for the Ji Dynasty’s end.

Of course, the Fu Dynasty would butt in to put a stop to the Li Dynasty but the Ji Dynasty would lose independence the moment the Fu Dynasty lent a hand.

It was a pipe dream to think they could defeat the Zheng Dynasty when their own safety could not be guaranteed.

However, Chu Li would not underestimate the strength of a person seeking vengeance. Perhaps King Ping was capable of doing so.

If it were him, he would avenge the consort by destroying the Mysterious Pavilion just like King Ping!

“Father must know about this, right?” King Ping solemnly uttered.

Chu Li gave a bitter smile. “What does Your Royal Highness think?”

“… Xu Huande must’ve had it hard!” King Ping sighed and slowly nodded. “You too!”

He had a discerning mind to be able to grasp the vital clues of his father’s role and the risk Chu Li took immediately.

A touch of gratitude developed in his cold heart.

No one would dare to do the same as Chu Li because it was a death-inviting action!

King Ping stared at Chu Li before he asked, “Why are you helping me?”

Chu Li answered, “I’m not helping Your Royal Highness but rather, I can’t lie to you. I believe Your Royal Highness should know who the real perpetrators are and not be kept in the dark!”

“You’re not afraid of father?”

“The Emperor had been probing me, trying to make clear if I knew the mastermind behind it.” Chu Li smiled. “I’ve been keeping it a secret for days and I’m finally relieved. The Emperor can kill me if he desires.”

“I’ll remember this favor!” King Ping patted his shoulder.

Chu Li burst into laughter. “Let’s hope I’m alive for Your Royal Highness to return the favor! I’ll be taking my leave.”

“There’s no hurry.” King Ping waved his arm. “Take a seat and accompany me. Bring out the alcohol!”

A Protector in the distance took large strides over, carrying two water pouches.

King Ping gestured to hand Chu Li one.

Chu Li accepted it and pulled open the cork. An aromatic smell overwhelmed his senses.

“Come, drink with me!” King Ping pulled uncorked his and chugged it down in gurgles seemingly trying to intoxicate himself.

Without uttering another word, Chu Li took a few gulps.

It had an aromatic scent yet was strong down the throat that it burned all the way to the stomach. It was an indescribable exhilaration.

There was no change to King Ping’s dark complexion but his eyes grew brighter.

Chu Li continued drinking without saying a word.

“Chu Li, don’t worry. No one will know of today’s events and no one will bring up the Zheng Dynasty’s Mysterious Pavilion!” King Ping fixated his eyes on him. “This had passed and I will not ask my father to avoid making things difficult.”

Chu Li added, “Your Royal Highness, you should ask when questions are due to prevent the arousal of suspicion.”

“Sigh…” King Ping shook his head and sighed. “I finally have someone to talk to. You have the guts and don’t waver before influential forces. You dare to defy my father, good for you!”

Chu Li smiled. “I won’t be able to forgive myself if I don’t do it. It would be an unhappy life to live. It’s better to live invigoratingly. At worst, it’s just death!”

“Great!” King Ping praised him before taking another chug.

“I am caught in a fix.” King Ping shook his head and sighed. “I can’t advance nor can I retreat.”

“Actually, Your Royal Highness, you should take a step back,” Chu Li answered. “This is the best opportunity to let others think you’re overwhelmed with sadness and lost interest in accomplishing great deeds. The Emperor would show understanding and the borders won’t depend on you too much.”

“I’m afraid if I take a step back, there’s no chance of me rising.” King Ping sighed.

Feeling hot with emotion at the reveal of the perpetrator, grateful for Chu Li risking his life to tell him the truth, impressed with his guts and wits, and having the stimulation from the alcohol turned him into a chatterbox. He discussed with Chu Li matters he could only bury and ponder deep within him.

“As long as the Li Dynasty and the Zheng Dynasty aren’t destroyed, there’s no need for Your Royal Highness to worry that you don’t have a place here.” Chu Li dully responded, “Who else other than Your Royal Highness in the whole of Ji Dynasty is skillful in battle?”

“It doesn’t mean there isn’t one.”

“Even if there is, there’s no time for them to nurture.”

“Mm, it makes sense.”

“Take a step back as a means to advance forward, so that you may garner prestige to ascend the throne!” Chu Li was in the mood and spoke a few words. He recalled that in the history of his past life, there was a remarkable character who did so.