Training Grounds.
Inside the tent.
As the tent flap was swept aside, Jiang Ning appeared before the two men.
"Subordinate Jiang Ning greets the Prefect!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands in salute.
"You recognize me?" Hong Minghu asked.
"Even if I didn't, I could guess," Jiang Ning replied.
"Fair enough," Hong Minghu nodded slightly, then asked, "Do you know why I called you here?"
"I do not," Jiang Ning shook his head.
Hong Minghu pointed to the man beside him. "This is Gongsun Yu, the Third Elder of the Medicine King Valley. He has something to discuss with you."
"So it's Elder Gongsun Yu," Jiang Ning clasped his hands in greeting.
Gongsun Yu spoke, "Young friend Jiang Ning, do you know why I'm looking for you?"
"I do not," Jiang Ning shook his head slightly.
"Then I'll be direct," Gongsun Yu said, continuing, "Elder Liu Qingsong was killed. The incident occurred on the same day he went to see you. You must have met Elder Liu Qingsong that day, correct?"
"Liu Qingsong is dead?" Jiang Ning frowned.
"You didn't know?" Gongsun Yu asked, his gaze sharp as he stared at Jiang Ning.
"How would I know?" Jiang Ning looked up at him and continued, "After meeting Liu Qingsong that day, I went into seclusion at home to train hard. I've been preparing for this day for months!"
Meanwhile.
Beside them, Hong Minghu listened to their conversation, his right index finger tapping rhythmically on the table.
Thud
Thud
Thud
The dull sound echoed through the tent.
Gongsun Yu spoke again, "When you met Elder Liu Qingsong, what did he say to you?"
Jiang Ning replied, "He just asked me casually if I had seen any traces of Tian Buyi, the 'Dragon of the River,' on the deserted island. After that, Elder Liu left."
"I see," Gongsun Yu nodded at Jiang Ning.
Then he turned to Hong Minghu, "Prefect Hong, I've finished my questions."
"Any leads?" Hong Minghu asked indifferently.
"Very promising leads," Gongsun Yu nodded slightly.
He then clasped his hands toward Hong Minghu, "With this matter settled, I'll take my leave."
After bidding farewell to Hong Minghu, Gongsun Yu walked out of the tent.
As soon as he stepped outside, his expression changed.
Back then, Liu Qingsong had detected the scent of medicine on Jiang Ning the scent of the Leopard Fetus Transformation Body Tempering Pill.
Having been in the same room with Jiang Ning, how could he not have noticed it?
The moment Jiang Ning entered the tent, Gongsun Yu was 90% certain.
Tian Buyi, the Dragon of the River, had fallen at Jiang Ning's hands, and so had Elder Liu Qingsong.
After witnessing Jiang Ning's performance today, Gongsun Yu no longer doubted that Liu Qingsong could have been killed by Jiang Ning.
The strike Jiang Ning had delivered on the arena, carrying the overwhelming force of blade intent, had defeated Yuan Fei, who had just begun training his tendons and had mastered the Ape Demon True Body.
That strike alone was enough to prove that Jiang Ning had the strength to face an ordinary seventh-rank martial artist head-on.
Although Liu Qingsong was stronger than the average seventh-rank martial artist, who could guarantee that Jiang Ning had gone all out during their encounter?
After all, even Yuan Fei, who had mastered the Ape Demon True Body, had been completely suppressed by Jiang Ning, with no signs of Jiang Ning reaching his limit.
"How terrifying! At such a young age, Jiang Ning has already reached this level. This matter is of great importance. I must return to the valley and report it to the Valley Master personally," Gongsun Yu thought to himself, his mind racing.
With that in mind, he added silently, "This young man is too monstrous. I must explain the stakes to the Valley Master and hope he makes a careful decision."
On the other side.
Inside the tent.
As Gongsun Yu left, Jiang Ning breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The Third Elder of the Medicine King Valley.
That title had genuinely unnerved him.
After thoroughly antagonizing the Medicine King Valley and considering them a potential enemy, Jiang Ning naturally studied their records.
According to the records, the Medicine King Valley's Elder Council consisted of six members.
Each of them had surpassed the seventh rank and reached the sixth rank.
To join the Elder Council, one had to break through the seventh rank and enter the sixth rank.
The higher an elder's rank, the stronger they were.
According to the records, the Great Elder of the council was a fifth-rank expert who had mastered internal energy and had been at that level for five years.
It was precisely because of such a powerful Elder Council that the Medicine King Valley had become a major force in Dongling County, ranking as the second most powerful sect.
Thus, Jiang Ning could easily deduce that Gongsun Yu, the Third Elder of the Medicine King Valley, was at least a peak sixth-rank expert.
With such strength, Gongsun Yu could sweep through the entire Luoshui County.
Perhaps only Hong Minghu, who had been dispatched from elsewhere, could match him.
As Jiang Ning pondered this.
"You did well. Facing such a powerful figure without showing fear or subservience, you didn't disgrace the Inspection Bureau's reputation," Hong Minghu praised.
Jiang Ning clasped his hands, "I could stand firm because the Prefect was here. If I were alone with the Third Elder of the Medicine King Valley, I wouldn't have had the confidence."
Hong Minghu chuckled, "You're right! With me here, even if Gongsun Yu had been at the fifth rank for some time, he wouldn't dare act recklessly in my presence."
Fifth rank?
Jiang Ning was slightly surprised.
He looked at Hong Minghu and couldn't help but speculate.
Could he also be a fifth-rank expert?
"No need to guess. I am indeed a fifth-rank expert," Hong Minghu said indifferently.
"The Prefect is truly formidable!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands.
Hong Minghu laughed, then said, "Sit down. Let's talk."
"Yes, Prefect," Jiang Ning replied, taking a seat.
"Commander Jiang, you're eighteen this year. Are you married or have someone in mind?" Hong Minghu asked, getting straight to the point.
"No," Jiang Ning shook his head.
Hearing this, Hong Minghu felt a surge of joy.
After witnessing Jiang Ning's performance today, he knew Jiang Ning's future would far surpass his own.
Although he was now a fifth-rank martial artist, his fifth rank was flawed, achieved through the use of secret medicines.
From now on, his martial path would end here. Even with more secret medicines, he could at most reach the peak of the fifth rank, with no hope of progressing further.
If it weren't for this, a fifth-rank expert who had broken through on their own wouldn't have come to a small place like Luoshui County to serve as prefect.
They would have gone to greater heights.
Although the position of prefect seemed prestigious, it was only a seventh-rank official position in the Great Xia's bureaucratic system nothing more than a small fish in a vast ocean.
But Jiang Ning was different.
At just eighteen, he possessed seventh-rank strength, trained both internally and externally, and had mastered techniques that only fifth-rank experts could wield.
With such terrifying talent, his future would undoubtedly far surpass Hong Minghu's.
In the future, Jiang Ning might even secure a place among the grandmasters, and Hong Minghu wouldn't be surprised.
Inside the tent.
"Since Commander Jiang isn't married, I have a daughter who just turned fourteen. She's of marriageable age. Would you like to meet her?"
Fourteen?
Jiang Ning's eyes widened, and he felt a wave of disbelief.
Fourteen? That's illegal...
With that thought, Jiang Ning spoke, "Prefect, I currently wish to focus solely on martial arts. I have no plans to marry for now."
"I see," Hong Minghu's eyes showed a hint of disappointment. "Very well. We'll set this matter aside for now. If you change your mind in the future, you can meet my daughter anytime. Tomorrow, I'll send her portrait for you to see."
Hong Minghu didn't doubt Jiang Ning's words.
For Jiang Ning to reach this level and possess such exaggerated strength, talent, bone structure, and comprehension were indispensable. But personal effort was equally crucial.
Without a deep devotion to martial arts, even the most gifted individual would struggle to achieve such success at such a young age.
Still, Hong Minghu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
He had high hopes for Jiang Ning.
If they could form a marital alliance, it would be ideal.
Seeing that Hong Minghu had gone this far, Jiang Ning could only nod in agreement.
After all, he was working under Hong Minghu and had to consider his superior's face.
As Jiang Ning left Hong Minghu's tent, the training grounds returned to their usual calm.
The various factions had left, and the crowd of onlookers had dispersed.
Walking out of the training grounds, Jiang Ning thought for a moment, then headed toward the place Feng Jiuge had mentioned earlier.
The Blazing Spear Technique felt all too familiar to him.
The force contained within it was strikingly similar to what he knew.
It shared similarities with the Ninefold Force, making him suspect that the Blazing Spear Technique was a variation of the Blazing Blade Technique.
Just as he could use the Ninefold Force with his fists, despite it being a technique from the Surging Waves Blade Art.
Moonlit Residence.
It was a high-end lodging in the inner city, similar to an inn but catering to a more exclusive clientele.
While inns served ordinary people, even their so-called "heavenly rooms" were only for the wealthy.
Moonlit Residence was different.
Its prices were much higher than even the best inns.
But at the same time, its accommodations were far superior.
Located by the Luoshui River, surrounded by greenery.
Even in this year of drought, the water level in Luoshui Lake showed no signs of dropping.
Moreover, each residence was a standalone courtyard.
All of this contributed to the exorbitant cost of staying here.
"Master Jiang, Miss Feng Jiuge is in this courtyard," a maid in a green dress led the way.
She stopped in front of the Green Water Courtyard, pointing to the plaque inscribed with "Green Water Courtyard."
At this moment, the wind from the Luoshui River blew across the lake, past the shore, and onto the maid.
Under the breeze, her dress clung to her skin, accentuating the graceful figure of the young girl.
"Thank you, Miss Xiaocui, for guiding me," Jiang Ning clasped his hands.
"You're too kind, Master Jiang. This is my duty," the maid named Xiaocui curtsied gracefully before leaving.
Knock
Knock
Knock
Jiang Ning gently knocked on the courtyard gate.
"Who is it?" A young voice came from inside the courtyard.
As she spoke.
Clang
The sound of the gate latch being moved echoed.
Then the gate slowly opened, revealing a young girl with two pigtails.
"Who are you?" She looked at Jiang Ning, her initially wary expression softening.
"I am Jiang Ning, here to visit Miss Feng Jiuge."
"I see," the girl with pigtails nodded slightly, then said, "Wait here. I'll go ask Sister Feng."
With that, she closed the gate, and the sound of her footsteps gradually faded as she went to inquire.
A moment later.
The sound of footsteps returned from behind the gate.
Then.
Clang
The latch moved again.
The gate slowly opened, and the girl with pigtails poked her head out again.
"Master Jiang, please come in. Sister Feng said you may enter."
Jiang Ning smiled and patted her head. The girl gave off the vibe of a little sister next door.
He then asked, "Little girl, what's your name?"
"You can call me Yiyi! And... I'm not little!"
Jiang Ning chuckled.
"How old are you then?"
"Fourteen!" Yiyi puffed out her chest as if showcasing her maturity.
Jiang Ning: "..."
He thought back to Hong Minghu's marriage proposal. Hong Minghu's daughter had just turned fourteen.
With that in mind, Jiang Ning glanced at Yiyi again.
He felt even more speechless.
Fourteen?
How could Hong Minghu even suggest such a thing?
Just thinking about it made Jiang Ning feel like it was a sin.
A moment later.
Led by Yiyi, Jiang Ning arrived at a pavilion on the water.
Surrounded by the cool, flowing lake, the pavilion was filled with a refreshing chill.
"This is indeed a nice place. No wonder Moonlit Residence charges so much," Jiang Ning nodded slightly, thinking to himself.
"Master Jiang, please wait here for a moment. Sister Feng just returned from outside and is bathing. It will take some time."
"No problem, I'm in no hurry," Jiang Ning said.
He then patiently waited.
He knew all too well how long women could take when bathing.
However.
After just a short while.
Feng Jiuge appeared in his sight.
She looked completely different from how she had appeared in the arena.
Dressed in a form-fitting red outfit, her tall and slender figure was perfectly proportioned.
Her years of martial training had given her an excellent physique.
Without the armor, her figure was fully revealed.
Her hair, no longer tied up in a high ponytail that exuded a heroic aura, now cascaded over her shoulders, with droplets of water still clinging to the strands.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Feng Jiuge said.
Jiang Ning stood up, "It wasn't long."
They then sat down.
"Would you like some wine?" Feng Jiuge asked.
"Yes," Jiang Ning nodded.
Feng Jiuge smiled slightly.
As she poured wine for both of them, she asked, "Master Jiang, did you win earlier?"
"I was lucky to come out on top."
"Congratulations," Feng Jiuge said, then added, "There's no such thing as luck in this. To secure the sole position of deputy commander among more than a dozen captains, it's not luck but strength."
As she spoke, Feng Jiuge stared at Jiang Ning for a moment.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jiang Ning finally asked.
Feng Jiuge averted her gaze, then raised her wine cup toward Jiang Ning.
After they clinked cups, Feng Jiuge said, "I wonder if your deputy commander's team is short on people?"
"Short? Of course, we're short!" Jiang Ning replied immediately.
Feng Jiuge said, "Then what if I joined your team, Commander Jiang? Would you welcome me?"
"Absolutely!"
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