The Fifth Prince stared coldly at Ning Chen.

Then all at once there was mockery in his face. "Ning Chen. The world praises you as a man of rare gifts, but I think you are a fool."

"You are right, your power does reach the sky now... But don't forget that all of it was given to you by the imperial house."

"The heir apparent's seat is empty now, and as things stand my hand is the strongest at the table."

"If I were you I would come over to me... Father Emperor cannot protect you all your life, after all, and once I am sitting in that seat I can take your power back whenever I choose."

"Ning Chen, I admire what you can do... Follow me instead. I can promise you rank and riches for the rest of your life."

There was the same mockery in Ning Chen's face.

"The deposed crown prince once said the same thing to me, and he is in the cells now."

"Men who go different roads lay no plans together. You are treacherous and cunning, cruel and vicious, and working with a man like you would be bargaining with a tiger for its skin."

"If a man like you sat in that seat, it is the common people who would suffer for it, and that would be the end of the Great Xuan."

"You said just now that His Majesty cannot protect me all my life. That does not matter. I can protect His Majesty all his life... And even if you sit in that seat, my power you cannot take."

"Fifth Prince, I'll say it plainly here and now. While Ning Chen is alive, never think of sitting in that seat."

"I swear to you, I will send you down below to apologize to Old General Chen."

With that Ning Chen put his horse straight into a gallop and was gone.

Now that the pretense was gone on both sides there was no reason to be polite about it.

The Fifth Prince watched Ning Chen's back go with a cold, dark…