In the courtyard.
After the hour of Si (9-11 AM) had passed.
Hoo
Jiang Ning exhaled a turbid breath from his abdomen and stood up.
His daily routine of absorbing the essence of the sun had come to an end.
He could feel that as his internal organs were tempered, the internal energy in his dantian had grown thicker and more robust.
Moreover, even when he wasn't actively tempering his organs or condensing internal energy, his internal energy still increased by a few strands every day.
This effect was a result of the limit break in his Five Animals Fist.
[Essence Stored in the Five Organs]: The essence is stored within the five organs, which continuously strengthen on their own.
Thanks to this trait, every day, the internal energy in his body would naturally increase by several strands.
Over time, even without active cultivation, Jiang Ning believed that the internal energy in his dantian would become as vast as an ocean.
After sensing the internal energy within him, he got up and headed toward the Inspection Bureau.
As for the Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pill in his body, it still hadn't been fully refined.
Nearly half of it remained in his abdomen, continuously releasing its medicinal power.
An hour and a half later.
Inspection Bureau.
"Sir, the task you assigned has been arranged," Xie Xiaojiu reported respectfully to Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning said, "Keep a close eye on the movements of the Huangtian Sect in the county, especially Liu Linmen."
"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu cupped her hands and added, "I've also sent a message to the Bamboo Gang leader. With the Bamboo Gang members monitoring everywhere, we'll report his movements three times a day, as you instructed."
"Good," Jiang Ning nodded slightly.
He then picked up a cup of tea from the table to moisten his throat and rinse away the remnants of his meal.
Seeing that Jiang Ning had finished his lunch, Xie Xiaojiu began clearing the dishes and utensils from the table.
In the courtyard.
Jiang Ning stood by the pond behind the rockery.
The pond's banks and bottom were tightly paved with pebbles, and the water was crystal clear.
This clear pond was also Jiang Ning's training ground.
No place was more suitable for his cultivation than water.
Soon, Jiang Ning removed his clothes, revealing his well-defined muscles, and stepped into the water wearing only a pair of shorts.
Sitting cross-legged at the edge of the pond, where the water was only about ten centimeters deep, Jiang Ning began visualizing the cauldron.
His vital energy immediately became the fuel for the cauldron's flames.
The impurities in the Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pill within him were continuously refined, leaving behind only the pure medicinal essence.
Two hours later.
Jiang Ning finally finished refining the first Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pill.
Snap
Sitting in the water, he flicked his wrist lightly.
The tendons in his body, like bowstrings, unleashed tremendous force. The air hitting his arm felt like a water bag.
This sensation was similar to sticking his hand out of a car window at high speed in his previous life.
"My tendons have indeed become more resilient," Jiang Ning thought with a hint of joy.
He then tried a few more movements to test his strength.
After a few breaths, he stopped.
"My explosive power has increased by about half a percent!"
"It seems the Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pill is indeed powerful!"
"But the price is also quite steep!"
Jiang Ning felt a pang of regret.
In just half a day, he had consumed a pill worth five thousand taels of silver.
If it weren't for the windfall he had received earlier and the imminent threat he faced, he would never have been able to afford such extravagance.
However, feeling the effects of the pill, he was quite satisfied.
Previously, using tiger tendon powder to assist in tempering his tendons, would have taken him at least five days of focused cultivation to achieve similar results.
Now, in just half a day, he had reached the same level.
The efficiency was at least ten times greater.
Compared to ordinary martial artists tempering their tendons, the difference was even more pronounced.
After all, compared to ordinary seventh-rank martial artists, Jiang Ning could manipulate water and had exceptionally strong mental power.
The stronger his mental power, the more precise and efficient his tempering of skin, flesh, tendons, and bones became.
Moreover, his vital energy far surpassed that of ordinary seventh-rank martial artists, and he possessed top-tier innate talent.
All of this gave him a far superior efficiency in tendon tempering compared to ordinary people.
From this, it was clear just how potent the Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pill was.
This pill was said to easily temper one's tendons to the level of a dragon or a tiger.
The dragon referred to a flood dragon, and the tiger to a fierce tiger.
When one's tendons reach this level of resilience, they could unleash unimaginable power.
Every movement, even within a short distance, could instantly release the full force of the body.
Even a flick of the finger could generate power comparable to a full-force punch.
Such explosive power could even cause one's fingers to break.
This was the incredible aspect of having tendons as strong as a dragon or tiger.
Then.
Jiang Ning took out another Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pill and swallowed it.
He continued visualizing the cauldron, using his vital energy as fuel to refine the pill within him.
At the Inspection Bureau, Jiang Ning could let his guard down, not worrying about Liu Linmen suddenly showing up, and focus entirely on refining the pill.
In this environment, his efficiency was 20-30% higher than at home.
Soon.
The sun began to set.
Tap, tap, tap
A series of light footsteps sounded in the courtyard.
The newcomer was Xie Xiaojiu.
As she entered the courtyard, she tiptoed around the rockery in the corner and saw Jiang Ning sitting cross-legged in the center of the pond.
At this moment, Jiang Ning was sitting in the pond, wearing only a pair of shorts.
His muscular, streamlined body resembled that of a leopard.
His black hair was tied back with a simple band, the ends damp with water.
Around Jiang Ning, wisps of mist and steam rose from his body.
The water around him also rippled slightly.
"He's still training!"
"No wonder his strength is so formidable!"
"With talent greater than mine and such relentless dedication!"
Xie Xiaojiu thought to herself as she watched, feeling a sense of admiration.
Since meeting Jiang Ning, every time she saw him, he was either training or preparing to train.
Such unwavering diligence was something she had never achieved, even during her most difficult times.
Moreover, Jiang Ning had already transcended his social class, becoming a figure of great influence in Luoshui County.
Even her father had secretly advised her to stay close to Jiang Ning.
His words had even hinted that she should offer herself to Jiang Ning.
Thinking of those words, Xie Xiaojiu felt a wave of exasperation.
But this also showed just how high Jiang Ning's status was.
One of the three major families in Luoshui County, the Cao family, had been completely destroyed by Jiang Ning.
In such a situation, who wouldn't fear him?
Yet, despite having achieved such status and living a life of luxury, Jiang Ning didn't indulge in pleasure. Instead, he continued to train and cultivate.
This was what Xie Xiaojiu admired most about him.
Then.
Xie Xiaojiu stood quietly to the side, waiting for Jiang Ning to finish his training.
In the distance, the setting sun slowly dipped behind the mountains.
The warm, fiery sunlight bathed the courtyard.
A gentle breeze blew, causing the water's surface to shimmer with red reflections.
Even at this hour, the wind carried waves of heat, causing beads of sweat to form on one's forehead.
"How long have you been here?" Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes.
"Not long, just a short while," Xie Xiaojiu replied.
Jiang Ning nodded and asked, "Any news about Liu Linmen?"
"Yes!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded repeatedly.
Gurgle
Xie Xiaojiu's face turned red as the sound of her stomach growling echoed.
Hearing the sound of hunger from Xie Xiaojiu's stomach, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.
He then stood up from the pond.
Splash
Water dripped from his body and splashed onto the pond's surface, creating ripples.
"Let's go eat. We can talk while we walk."
Jiang Ning spoke, and then with a slight movement of his tendons and muscles, the water droplets on his body were instantly shaken off.
"Sir, I'll wait outside while you change," Xie Xiaojiu said, her face red as she quickly turned and left.
Jiang Ning was momentarily stunned, then chuckled.
Xie Xiaojiu thought he needed to change his shorts, but in reality, it wasn't necessary.
With a thought, Jiang Ning transferred the moisture from his shorts to the side.
He then picked up the clothes he had placed on the rockery and dressed.
Wangjiang Tower.
The breeze rippled across the lake, creating gentle waves.
This place was close to the Inspection Bureau, just a street away.
Jiang Ning and Xie Xiaojiu sat by the window on the second floor.
"Go ahead," Jiang Ning said, glancing out the window, feeling a sense of relaxation.
"Sir, according to the reports, the Huangtian Sect members didn't make any significant moves today. However, someone went out to buy some medicinal herbs, specifically for treating eye conditions," Xie Xiaojiu reported.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning fell into thought.
"What about Liu Linmen? Did he go out?"
Xie Xiaojiu replied, "The people watching didn't see him leave."
Jiang Ning nodded slightly.
He thought to himself, It seems the injury I inflicted on Liu Linmen's eyes that night isn't healing easily.
After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Ning said, "Keep a close watch. Don't let anyone slip by unnoticed."
"Understood!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded repeatedly.
At that moment.
"Sir, your food and wine are here!" A waiter approached with a tray, heading toward Jiang Ning by the window.
"Let's eat first," Jiang Ning said, glancing at the food.
"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded.
As night fell.
The two left the restaurant.
"Sir, are you coming to my house?" Xie Xiaojiu asked.
"Yes, I'll be staying at your place tonight. I'll need to stay for the next few days," Jiang Ning confirmed.
"Then... should I inform my father to prepare for your arrival?" Xie Xiaojiu looked at Jiang Ning.
"No need," Jiang Ning shook his head. "Don't tell anyone. Just give me the location, and I'll find my way in later."
"Alright..." Xie Xiaojiu was momentarily stunned, then nodded.
Along the way.
The two walked in silence.
Jiang Ning had already made up his mind about staying at the Xie family's residence.
According to Lin Qingyi, that night, the Huangtian Sect's Earth King had used a soul projection technique.
That Earth King's soul had come to Luoshui County and, through some mysterious means, discovered that Jiang Ning was the one who had attacked Liu Linmen.
He had then marked Jiang Ning.
If Lin Qingyi hadn't intervened that night, the situation could have been much worse.
Even though Lin Qingyi had injured the Earth King's soul, the mark on Jiang Ning couldn't be removed.
In this situation, if Liu Linmen found Jiang Ning and used his "Heaven's Eye" technique, he would immediately recognize Jiang Ning as the target.
That's why Jiang Ning had decided not to return home at night.
Before leaving in the morning, he had informed his elder brother.
Staying at his own home made it too easy for Liu Linmen to find him in the dark.
Staying at Xie Xiaojiu's house, on the other hand, would make it much harder for Liu Linmen to track him down.
During the day, Jiang Ning was at the Inspection Bureau, making it difficult for Liu Linmen to find him there.
Every day that passed, Jiang Ning's strength grew.
The stronger he became, the safer he would be, and the more room he would have to maneuver.
Not long after.
The two arrived at the street where the Xie residence was located.
Standing in a shadowy corner, Jiang Ning watched as Xie Xiaojiu walked away.
"Miss Ninth!"
"Miss Ninth!"
The two guards at the gate bowed respectfully as they saw Xie Xiaojiu, not daring to show any disrespect.
Nowadays, Xie Xiaojiu is a figure of great respect within the Xie family.
This wasn't just due to her strength but also her status.
After crossing the threshold of the Xie residence, Xie Xiaojiu immediately saw a middle-aged man standing in the front courtyard.
"Father," Xie Xiaojiu said indifferently.
Hearing her voice, the man turned around.
This was the current head of the Xie family, Xie Zhengtian.
"Xiaojiu, you're finally back!" Xie Zhengtian smiled warmly.
In the past, he had wronged Xie Xiaojiu and her mother, and he knew that Xie Xiaojiu still resented him for his heartlessness toward her mother.
So now, whenever he saw Xie Xiaojiu, he would act especially kindly, hoping to mend their relationship.
"Father, you've been waiting here for me. Is there something you need?" Xie Xiaojiu asked coldly.
Xie Zhengtian said, "Xiaojiu, today you had people keep an eye on the Huangtian Sect members. Was that on Deputy Commander Jiang's orders?"
"Yes," Xie Xiaojiu nodded.
Hearing this, Xie Zhengtian's face showed a hint of joy.
"Deputy Commander Jiang keeps assigning you tasks and even promoted you to team leader. It's clear he has an interest in you. You should seize the opportunity!"
"Father, if you're going to talk like this, I'm going to bed," Xie Xiaojiu said coldly.
Watching Xie Xiaojiu's retreating figure, Xie Zhengtian sighed inwardly.
As the head of the Xie family, he was increasingly aware of the turbulent times in Luoshui County.
He naturally knew about the Huangtian Sect.
Now, it seemed the Xie family was also being drawn into the conflict.
But these orders came from Deputy Commander Jiang Ning of the Inspection Bureau.
Even though he knew the risks, he didn't dare to refuse or disobey.
The fate of the Cao family was a stark reminder dozens of people had died overnight, and the rest were awaiting execution.
If the Xie family were in the same position, they would meet the same fate, with no ability to resist.
In such a situation, how could he dare to stop his people from monitoring the Huangtian Sect?
Since he couldn't escape, he could only gamble.
By tying the Xie family to Jiang Ning's rising star, if Jiang Ning soared to greater heights, the Xie family could also rise.
But to firmly secure the Xie family to Jiang Ning's ship, the key was Xie Xiaojiu.
A talented young man and a beautiful young woman, both full of vigor.
With a little encouragement, sparks could fly.
-support me on Patreon for more chapters, 410+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader