That night Ning Chen at last enjoyed the blessing of the man of Qi to the full.

Zisu finally opened herself to him without reserve, and lined the road to welcome him.

The next day, in the morning.

Ning Chen made ready to pay a visit to the Tong'an Hall.

The Tong'an Hall was the Ghost-Shadow Sect's foothold in the capital.

He was a man at leisure now. Once he had gone with Zisu and Yudie to make their offerings, he meant to wander the jianghu, and to pay the Ghost-Shadow Sect a visit.

It would not be long, he was sure of that.

The Tuoluo Kingdom would tear up the treaty.

Nanyue would raise troops and invade.

The Wu Kingdom would break off the peace talks.

And by the time they wanted to ask him back, he would already be gone from the capital.

By then the frontiers would be alight with war on every side, and when His Majesty could not find him, His Majesty would go into a towering rage.

Not one of the men who had attacked him in court that day could expect to come out of it well. They could wait, and take the full force of His Majesty's anger.

But before he could go, Ji Mingchen arrived.

"Minister Ji."

"Marquis."

Ning Chen said with a smile, "I'm nothing but a humble commoner now. I can't carry those two words anymore."

Ji Mingchen's face was perfectly serious. "In my heart, in the Great Xuan today, there is only one man who can carry those two words, and it is you."

Ning Chen said with a smile, "That's fine in private. If those censors and their mouths get wind of it, they'll be attacking you in court before long."

Ji Mingchen gave a cold snort. "Do you think I'm afraid of being attacked?"

Ning Chen smiled and turned to something else. "Was there something you came for, Minister Ji?"

"That weapon you had me make. I've brought it."

As he said it, Ji Mingchen had one of the men who had come with him hand…