Ning Chen gave the Xuan Emperor one long look, then set off with Feng Qizheng and the others toward the city gate.

"Ning Chen, will you and I, father and son, ever see each other again?"

The Xuan Emperor was sobbing, his eyes on Ning Chen's back.

Ning Chen stopped and looked back at him. "Father Emperor, your child will always keep a room for you in Xuanwu City... If you're willing, you can come to Xuanwu City anytime."

The Xuan Emperor smiled, tears shining in his eyes, and waved him on.

Ning Chen turned away, his eyes red at the rims, and bellowed in a deep voice, "Open the gate!"

The troops at the gate didn't dare refuse. They hurried to open it.

Ning Chen led his people out through the gate. He turned for one last look back and shouted, "Old Quan, take care of Father Emperor!"

"Don't worry, my lord prince. This old servant will!"

Eunuch Quan called back loudly, his eyes swimming with tears.

Ning Chen turned and strode on, until the Xuan Emperor and the others lost sight of him.

Everyone knew that after this parting, there was no telling what year or month they would meet again.

A month later, Ning Chen and the others reached Xuanwu City without trouble.

Looking at the grand new city, Ning Chen smiled for the first time in a long while.

The Ning'an Army was already there.

Pan Yucheng and the others had arrived safely too.

Scouts had picked up Ning Chen's trail well ahead of time.

Yuan Long and Pan Yucheng had been waiting at the city gate with their people for some time.

"Greetings, my lord prince!"

Yuan Long and the rest saluted as one.

Ning Chen raised a hand and smiled. "From today on, there is no more Prince Who Holds the Realm!"

He looked up at the three big characters on the city wall, Xuanwu City, and sighed softly. "Change it!"

Pan Yucheng looked at him, puzzled. "Change what?"

Ning Chen said, "Change the city's name. Make it Idle City."

Pan Yucheng paused. He…