The three stars said no more. Some matters only needed to be hinted at; there was no need to spell them out too clearly.
Li Jing pondered for a moment, then said, "I understand everything you three old brothers have said. That is why I no longer keep myself too close to His Majesty. But His Majesty is, after all, the ruler of the Three Realms. Can I simply refuse to obey his orders?"
"You can," Fortune Star said with a smile.
Prosperity Star and Longevity Star also smiled and nodded.
"What do you mean, three old brothers?" Li Jing looked at the three of them, only half understanding.
Longevity Star said, "Heavenly King, when you and Taibai Venus seized control of the Heavenly Court and held power over the Three Realms, did you ever obey the Jade Emperor's orders?"
Li Jing gave a bitter smile. Of course they had not.
Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly froze and stared at the three stars in astonishment.
"You mean... you want me to take control of the Heavenly Court's authority again and... strip His Majesty of his real power?" Li Jing asked, his eyes wide.
The three stars merely smiled without answering.
Li Jing understood, yet he was still greatly shocked.
Back then, he and Taibai Venus had acted that way partly because Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian Cult Leader had secretly instructed them to do so, and partly because he had been blinded by his own interests and lost himself.
Now that he had awakened, he lacked the courage to do such a thing again.
"That would be improper, wouldn't it?" Li Jing said.
Longevity Star said, "It is indeed improper. But it is improper only from the Jade Emperor's perspective. For the living beings of the Three