Ning Chen stopped and looked back at the old Heavenly Master.

The old Heavenly Master let out a helpless sigh. "Come in, my lord prince. We'll talk."

Ning Chen's heart jumped. He came forward quickly and followed the old man inside.

You could take in the whole room at a glance. There was almost nothing in it.

"Sit, my lord prince."

The old Heavenly Master pointed at a rush cushion beside a low table.

"The old Heavenly Master's virtue and standing are known to everyone, and you're practically an immortal. I wouldn't dare stand on my rank in front of you. Call me Ning Chen."

He sat down as he said it, and his eyes went to the table. The wine and the pig's head he had brought were laid out on it.

The old Heavenly Master sat down too.

Ning Chen couldn't keep it in. "Why is the old Heavenly Master so set against me?"

The old Heavenly Master shook his head. "This old man doesn't dislike my lord prince. It's only that he doesn't want dealings with the court... This old man is a man of the Way, nothing more. Put plainly, a coarse fighting man.

This old man is at an age now. Once you're tangled up with the court, a quiet life is hard to come by."

That took Ning Chen a moment. So that was what worried him... Though come to think of it, jianghu men never did like dealing with the court.

He got to his feet and made a deep bow. "Old Heavenly Master. I haven't come here for the court... I've come as a son, to ask you.

I won't hide it from you. His Majesty's life is in the balance. He needs a master above the ranks altogether to nourish his body with that breath and bring him back to life.

I've asked Tantai Qingyue, but there's a limit to what one person can do. She needs the old Heavenly Master's help."

That brought the old Heavenly Master up short. "So that's it."

Ning Chen bowed low, respectful. "His Majesty saw…