No wonder everyone was stunned. That was the throne, the symbol of supreme power.

Who in all the world didn't want to sit on the dragon throne?

For the sake of that dragon throne, fathers turned on sons and brothers killed brothers. Which emperor's throne wasn't stained with the blood of his own kin?

Yet Ning Chen had actually turned it down. It was hard to believe.

"Actually, turning it down isn't so bad!"

Pan Yucheng spoke up out of nowhere.

Chen Chong and the others stared at him, astonished.

Pan Yucheng said, "The new emperor tore down the bridge once he was across. The Great Xuan is burning with war now, enemies outside and trouble within... Better to stay in Xuanwu City as an idle prince than to fight for your life on the battlefield!"

The others fell silent. Pan Yucheng had a point.

Feng Qizheng said, "That may be so, but this is a chance that doesn't come in a thousand years... The Emperor Emeritus has issued a proclamation. With Ning Chen's standing among the people and in the army, sitting on the dragon throne would be perfectly legitimate. It's what everyone wants."

Gao Ziping nodded. "I think so too. Compared with the new emperor, Ning Chen is much better suited to be emperor."

Chen Chong said, "All right, that's enough. Ning Chen's head is smarter than all of ours put together. If he's made up his mind, he's got his reasons... We'll just back him, no questions asked!"

The others nodded silently.

Feng Qizheng looked crestfallen. "So much for my title as the Great Xuan's Number One Chicken Head... Ning Chen, how about you make me Xuanwu City's Number One Chicken Head, then?"

The corner of Ning Chen's mouth twitched hard, several times.

"Fine. As of now, I name you Xuanwu City's Number One Chicken Head."

Feng Qizheng was thrilled. "Thank you, City Lord Ning."

Heh... Once you find out what that means, you won't be thanking me, you'll be yanking my leg off, Ning Chen thought.

Ning Chen waved a hand. "That's that! We eat what…