Outside the imperial city, at Ten-Mile Maple Forest, Ning Chen settled down with Guigui, returning to the days of ordinary life.
Within the imperial city, Great Xia Dynasty's seven Martial Marquises all looked toward Ten-Mile Maple Forest, their expressions unusually grave.
Great Xia had known peace for many years. No one could be allowed to shatter this tranquility. Yet the aura of the one within Ten-Mile Maple Forest was simply too astonishing.
The current Marquis Kaixuan personally left the imperial city and headed for Ten-Mile Maple Forest.
The other six Martial Marquises stood quietly within the imperial city, awaiting news from Marquis Kaixuan.
In Ten-Mile Maple Forest, Ning Chen played with Guigui. Red maples drifted down throughout the sky, dyeing heaven and earth crimson.
Outside the maple forest, Marquis Kaixuan of Great Xia strode forward, his black armor clanging sonorously.
The title of Martial Marquis, passed down generation after generation, symbolized Great Xia's supreme glory. To safeguard Great Xia, generations of Martial Marquises had fought bathing in blood, never fearing any crisis.
Within the maple forest, Ning Chen sensed the newcomer's aura. He gently patted the little one's head and said with a smile, "Guigui, we have a guest. Go play by yourself for a while."
"Yes, Daddy."
Guigui answered in her soft, childish voice and ran off to play by herself.
At that moment, Great Xia's current Marquis Kaixuan arrived in the maple forest. Seeing the white-haired young man before him, his expression tightened slightly.
The two men gazed at each other. One was tranquil as still water, while the other was exceedingly wary. Yet neither spoke.
After a long while, a smile appeared on Ning Chen's face. "You should call me Senior."
Hearing this, Marquis Kaixuan froze. He quickly regained his senses, then respectfully saluted. "Senior."
"Marquis Kaixuan?"