"We greet my lord prince!"

The officials civil and military made their bows respectfully.

However little they liked it, Ning Chen was the Prince Who Holds the Realm, and if any of them had dared not to bow, Ning Chen had the authority to deal with him.

"Teacher. You are back at last."

The Sixth Prince came up to meet him at a quick step, humble in his manner.

Ning Chen did not yet know the Sixth Prince was the heir apparent.

Ning Chen gave a nod.

"Ning Chen, go and see Father Emperor, quickly. Father Emperor is nearly gone. He has been saying your name over and over."

The Ninth Princess's eyes were swollen red with crying and her voice was hoarse.

The sight of this many people kneeling there told him the Xuan Emperor's condition had to be bad.

He went over and took the waterskin off the horse's back.

He turned and walked toward the Hall of Cultivated Heart, one step at a time.

Every face among the officials civil and military changed.

Because Ning Chen left a line of bloody footprints where he walked.

Geng Jing hurried after him.

"You— you are wounded?"

Ning Chen glanced at him. "Don't worry. I am all right."

Just then Zisu came running out of the Hall of Cultivated Heart.

At the sight of the state Ning Chen was in, her eyes went red, and tears the size of beans ran down her cheeks.

Ning Chen had no attention for anything else. He asked hoarsely, "How is His Majesty?"

"His Majesty's condition is very bad. Did you bring the Untainted Ice Lotus back?"

Ning Chen handed the rebar to Geng Jing, drew the dagger from the back of his belt, cut open the waterskin in his hand and held it out to Zisu.

The box Yue Congyun had been guarding was empty.

The real Untainted Ice Lotus he had hidden in the waterskin.

The waterskin had hung on the horse's back in plain sight.

All the way there had been more attempts than anyone could count, and not one man…