"Fire! I said fire..."

Zong Sibo was roaring now, beside himself.

Ning Chen only watched the garrison, calm and cold. The pressure coming off him was so crushing that the soldiers couldn't even raise their heads, let alone fire!

Zong Sibo was starting to crack. He screamed hysterically, "A military order is a mountain! You dare disobey it? Aren't you afraid of military law? This old man will say it one last time. Fire!"

The garrison soldiers looked torn.

Ning Chen narrowed his eyes, measuring the distance in his head. Those few steps forward had not been rash. He was closing the gap, so that when he moved there would be no chance of failure: to take the bandits, take their king first.

But just then there was a thunder of hooves, and the ground shook.

A great mass of cavalry came racing up from behind.

"The Emperor Emeritus is here! No one is to make a move. Anyone who disobeys will be beheaded!"

Zong Sibo blanched. He knew the Emperor Emeritus had come to save Ning Chen.

So Ning Chen had to be finished before the Emperor Emeritus arrived, or the chance would be gone.

He roared, "Fire! Fire, now!"

The garrison: "..."

Is this guy a fucking idiot?

The Emperor Emeritus just said anyone who disobeys will be beheaded. Are you trying to get us killed?

Besides, since when do your orders outrank the Emperor Emeritus's?

The hoofbeats came closer and closer!

The Xuan Emperor rode at the head of them all, his hair loose and wild, dressed far too thinly.

No one could move the garrison without Nie Liang finding out.

Nie Liang had quietly sent word to the Xuan Emperor.

When the news came that someone had sent the garrison to stop Ning Chen, the Xuan Emperor was so frantic he didn't even stop to put on something warm.

Eunuch Quan and Nie Liang rode at his side.

"The Emperor Emeritus is here! Put down your muskets! Are you trying to rebel?"

Nie Liang's deep voice rang out.

Only then did the garrison realize their muskets…