Ning Chen said in a low voice, "They're slapping His Majesty in the face. They're challenging the court.

This isn't just a matter of digging up graves anymore. If it's handled badly, His Majesty won't just be criticized — the court will lose all face, and the Great Xuan all its authority.

But right now we know next to nothing about the Underworld Thieves' Sect.

Where are they hiding? Who leads them? How many of them are there? What do they want with the late emperor's remains? We don't know any of it."

Pan Yucheng frowned slightly. "Then where are you going to start?"

Ning Chen shook his head. "I don't know! I've got nothing to go on right now... But they took the late emperor's remains, so they're bound to make another move. All we can do is wait for them to show themselves, and then counter whatever they throw at us.

You all go back to what you were doing. I need to think this through on my own. I hate being stuck on the defensive like this."

Ning Chen was about to go back to his room when he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Feng Qizheng, who was looking glum. "Old Feng, you okay?"

The guy was usually loud and rowdy. For him to go suddenly quiet and gloomy — Ning Chen worried he might be coming down with something.

Feng Qizheng came to with a jolt and shook his head. He said angrily, "They even dared steal the late emperor's remains. Those Underworld Thieves' Sect dogs are just asking to die."

Ning Chen sighed helplessly. "They're in the dark and we're out in the open. This won't be easy... All right, you don't need to worry about this. I'll drag every last one of them out, I promise."

After they'd talked a while, Ning Chen went to the back courtyard.

The moment he came in, he saw the Ninth Princess, Zisu and Yudie playing cards.

The Ninth Princess's face was covered in paper strips. When she saw Ning Chen come in, she waved happily.…