"I did not expect all my efforts, even Chen Taiping, that child, is not very clear, yet it was an outsider who first saw through me."
"You are wrong," said the shadow with a shake of its head, "Chen Taiping is well aware; he just does not wish to openly break with you."
"For a thousand years in Great Wei, there have only been eight Marquis, among them the lineage of Prince Zhenbei and King of the Southern Garrison each have three, and the other two, one in the east and one in the west, even outpacing non-royal kings."
"If he were to openly break with you, the long-standing balance would be completely destroyed, and the defense of Beixiong Pass would be affected."
"That's why Chen Taiping has only been defensive towards you, without taking the initiative to strike."
"Perhaps it also involves persuasion from Du Qing."
"Oh?" Zhou Tiance laughed twice, his face crinkling with wrinkles as he spoke:
"Should I then thank them for their mercy of not killing me?"
