Ning Chen realized something was wrong with the incense and forced himself to back toward the door. But just then, a small, slight figure darted out of the inner room.

From the build, it was a woman.

She was very skilled, especially against Ning Chen as he was now.

Ning Chen's head was in a fog. His raw urges were fighting him for control of his body. He was limp all over and burning up, and if he hadn't been leaning on his sword, he'd have collapsed long ago.

He tried to open his mouth and call for help, but his throat was so dry no sound came out.

The small figure appeared behind Ning Chen and brought the edge of her hand chopping down at his neck.

Ning Chen might be a master above the ranks altogether, but at a time like this, no amount of mastery did any good.

He'd almost lost his reason. All that was left was lust.

Just as the chop was about to land on his neck, Ning Chen flung his arm out with everything he had. The sword flew from his hand and smashed into the teacups on the round table in the middle of the room. Two cups tumbled to the floor and shattered with a piercing crash.

But in the same instant, the chop knocked Ning Chen out cold.

But the crash instantly caught the attention of the Ning'an Army soldiers outside the door.

"My lord prince, my lord prince... My lord prince, are you all right?"

The Ning'an Army soldiers outside kept calling. When there was still no answer from inside, they worked up their nerve. "Pardon the intrusion, my lord prince. This subordinate is coming in."

The door was pushed open, and several Ning'an Army soldiers came in warily.

The moment they were inside, they saw Ning Chen lying on the floor.

Ning Chen's eyes were shut tight, but his face was flushed and he was moaning without knowing it. Something was very wrong with him.

"Quick, quick, go report it! Something's happened to the prince. Get a doctor,…