Ning Chen hadn't gone back to his room to sleep, of course.

Brush in hand, he was poring over the map, every so often drawing another line of march across it.

He had to fight his way to the capital as fast as possible.

Before he had even taken Lingzhou, Zhang Tianlun had gone mad enough to drive the Xuan Emperor and Consort Zhao to suicide.

Now that Ning Chen held Lingzhou, that animal was sure to get even more unhinged.

He was very worried about the Xuan Emperor.

Not born of him, but raised by him: a debt a hundred lifetimes can't repay.

When he crossed over into this world, it was the Xuan Emperor who had kept him fed and clothed, and the Xuan Emperor who had showered him with favor.

The Xuan Emperor wasn't his real father, but he was the one who had raised him, spoiled him and loved him.

But to attack Liangzhou now, he had to watch out for one man. Kang Luo.

That bastard had been eyeing Liangzhou like a tiger. If Ning Chen attacked Liangzhou, that bastard would never just sit idle.

If Kang Luo and the Liangzhou army caught him front and back, he'd be in trouble!

Ning Chen was trying to work out how to take Liangzhou as fast as possible, before Kang Luo could react.

He was racking his brains over it when he heard Pan Yucheng talking to someone outside.

"Young Master Music, His Majesty is tired and resting. Why don't you come back later?"

Ning Chen called toward the door, "Old Pan, let Little Xixi in!"

Xiao Yanxi didn't normally come looking for him. If she did, it meant some news had come in.

The door swung open.

Xiao Yanxi walked in.

Ning Chen looked at her. "Is there news?"

Xiao Yanxi nodded.

"Good news or bad? This emperor is in a really bad mood right now. Please don't let it be more bad news!"

Xiao Yanxi said, "Two pieces of news. One is good, and the other is half good and half bad."

Ning Chen smiled.…