Xiao Pingshan looked uncomfortable. His own daughter, going away with Ning Chen — would she ever come back?

But it seemed to be the only way.

Either the register went to Ning Chen or his daughter did. The second way, at least, left the network in the Great Beginning Pavilion's hands.

Ning Chen seemed to see what was worrying him. He smiled. "Pavilion Master Xiao may set his mind entirely at rest. When this prince has swept every state flat, your honored daughter and the network come back together."

Xiao Pingshan looked at his daughter.

Xiao Yanxi wanted no part of it. But if she didn't go, the register did, and that amounted to making Ning Chen a present of a network the Great Beginning Pavilion had spent a hundred years building.

She turned it over and over, and decided to go.

"My lord prince does me too much honor. I am willing to follow my lord prince."

Ning Chen laughed out loud. "Excellent. With the Great Beginning Pavilion's network, this prince will certainly sweep every state flat, and there will be peace under heaven and the common people will live and work in quiet.

On behalf of the Great Xuan's people, this prince thanks Pavilion Master Xiao and Young Master Music."

Xiao Pingshan and Xiao Yanxi returned the courtesy quickly. Neither of them could shake the feeling that something was off somewhere, and neither could say what.

Ning Chen turned to her. "Young Master Music had better get ready. This prince has urgent business and can't stay long at the Great Beginning Pavilion."

Xiao Yanxi nodded. "Very well."

Toward evening Ning Chen took the army away from the Great Beginning Pavilion.

Xiao Pingshan watched them go, his brows knotted, and the worry on him showed.

Ning Chen was altogether too impressive a man. He was afraid his daughter would go and never come back.

And Ning Chen came and went so fast that there had been no time even to give her a few words of warning.

On the road Ning Chen turned his head to her. "Young Master…