In the Room.
Jiang Ning took the clothes from Xie Xiaojiu.
With his heightened sense of smell, he could detect no musty odor from the clothes, which had been stored for a long time. Instead, there was a faint, pleasant fragrance.
A subtle, orchid-like scent.
It was very similar to the scent Xie Xiaojiu carried.
"Sir, these clothes are quite complicated to put on. Let me help you," Xie Xiaojiu offered.
Jiang Ning glanced at the clothes in his hands and nodded. "Alright."
The outfit he held was indeed intricate.
The clothes he usually wore were simple, everyday garments for common folk.
They were easy to put on and practical for work.
But these clothes were the kind worn by wealthy families and nobles luxurious and elaborate.
Typically, one would need assistance to wear them properly.
In the next moment.
Xie Xiaojiu glanced down, her eyes filled with shyness and hesitation.
"Sir, these pants... I... I can help you take them off."
"No need," Jiang Ning shook his head.
Wearing just a pair of shorts didn't bother him. After all, in his previous life, he had grown accustomed to such attire at the beach.
But being completely exposed in front of Xie Xiaojiu was something he couldn't get used to.
Then.
With a thought, he activated his water control ability, and the moisture on his pants instantly evaporated, falling to the ground at his feet.
"Done, the clothes are dry now," Jiang Ning said calmly.
Xie Xiaojiu, hearing this, stealthily reached out and touched the hem of Jiang Ning's pants, her eyes widening in surprise.
She had seen Jiang Ning wearing these shorts while bathing.
He had only stepped out of the bathtub a short while ago, yet now the pants were completely dry as if they had been left out in the sun for hours.
"What kind of ability is this?" Xie Xiaojiu wondered to herself.
Then, she began helping Jiang Ning put on the inner robe.
The inner robe was also white.
Jiang Ning cooperatively spread his arms, feeling like a wealthy landlord being dressed by a servant.
This kind of treatment was a first for him both in this life and his previous one.
After putting on the inner robe.
Jiang Ning raised his arms and legs slightly.
"Sir, how does it feel? Is it too tight?"
"It's fine," Jiang Ning nodded. "Though it's a bit strange. The lower half feels snug, but the upper half is alright."
As he spoke, Jiang Ning seemed to realize something.
His gaze flicked to Xie Xiaojiu, landing on her chest.
At this moment, Xie Xiaojiu was still wearing that long skirt, her slender shoulders and pale arms exposed.
At the same time, Jiang Ning saw the black cloth wrapped around her chest.
"Such a waste..."
Jiang Ning averted his gaze, now understanding why the upper half felt comfortable.
The design was loose, to begin with, and with Xie Xiaojiu's figure where she couldn't see her feet when looking down the upper half naturally felt roomier.
"Not bad!" Xie Xiaojiu stepped back after helping Jiang Ning into the inner robe, admiring her handiwork with a satisfied nod.
Seeing this scene filled her with a strange sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.
"Sir, let's try on the outer robe now!" Xie Xiaojiu's enthusiasm grew.
Jiang Ning cooperated with her.
Soon after.
Xie Xiaojiu finished dressing Jiang Ning and took a few steps back, examining him from head to toe.
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
Normally, she found him pleasant to look at, but now, seeing him in these luxurious clothes, she finally understood the saying, "Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse."
In his new attire, Jiang Ning looked like a celestial being descended to earth.
"So handsome!!!" Xie Xiaojiu's eyes gleamed with admiration as she praised him.
Jiang Ning walked over to the mirror in her room.
After glancing at his reflection, he nodded repeatedly.
"Not bad!"
"I'm glad you like it, sir," Xie Xiaojiu said with a smile.
Then she approached Jiang Ning.
"Sir, please sit down. Let me comb and tidy your hair."
Xie Xiaojiu gently grabbed Jiang Ning's arms and guided him toward her dressing table.
Jiang Ning obliged.
His long hair was usually a hassle to manage.
Cutting it off would make him stand out too much in this world.
So, he usually just tied it back loosely with a black cloth.
Now that Xie Xiaojiu had volunteered to comb his hair, he saw no reason to refuse.
Sitting at the dressing table, Xie Xiaojiu picked up her wooden comb and began carefully smoothing out Jiang Ning's hair.
Jiang Ning let her do as she pleased.
"Sir, your hair is so messy. Doesn't anyone usually help you comb it?" Xie Xiaojiu asked after finishing the first pass.
"No one," Jiang Ning replied calmly.
"Don't you have any servants to take care of you, sir?" Xie Xiaojiu asked.
"I'm not used to it," Jiang Ning said simply.
"Then... sir, from now on, let me comb your hair. How about that?"
Jiang Ning chuckled. "Won't you find it troublesome?"
Xie Xiaojiu clapped her hands. "Done! Take a look, sir!"
Jiang Ning turned his head and saw his hair neatly combed and tied back with a black silk ribbon, resembling a traditional topknot.
"I didn't realize you were so skilled," Jiang Ning praised.
Xie Xiaojiu's face lit up with a faint smile.
"I'm glad you're satisfied, sir! If you don't mind, I'll take care of your hair from now on. I don't find it troublesome at all. It's quite fulfilling!"
"Alright, I'll leave it to you then," Jiang Ning said.
With that, he stood up.
"Clean up and get some rest. I'll go practice in the courtyard for a while and find a place to sleep outside later."
"Oh, and..." Jiang Ning paused. "Wearing that manacle all the time isn't good for your health. I won't be coming back into the room tonight."
"Sir, no!!" Xie Xiaojiu exclaimed, then continued, "Sir, the autumn wind has started blowing. It's going to get cold tonight. If you stay outside all night, you might catch a chill."
"It's fine," Jiang Ning said without turning back. "As a seventh-rank martial artist, I'm not affected by ordinary temperature changes."
Watching Jiang Ning walk away without looking back, Xie Xiaojiu opened her mouth but couldn't find the words to stop him.
After a long silence, Xie Xiaojiu went to the window and opened it. She saw Jiang Ning sitting cross-legged in the courtyard, his eyes closed.
After watching for a while, Xie Xiaojiu quietly returned to her room and removed the manacle around her chest.
"Goodnight, sir..." she whispered in the direction of Jiang Ning.
Meanwhile.
Jiang Ning's vital energy had fully recovered, and he was back in peak condition.
He continued visualizing the cauldron, using his vital energy as fuel to refine the pill within him.
As the moon rose above the willow trees.
Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes.
"Hoo" He exhaled softly, feeling the cool breeze brush against him.
The heat generated by his body was quickly carried away by the autumn wind.
"The temperature has dropped so quickly!" Jiang Ning tightened his clothes, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
The temperature felt like it had dropped by nearly 20 degrees compared to the daytime.
Even with a martial artist's physique, such a drastic change wouldn't make him sick.
But the cold wind sneaking into his collar and neck made him feel uneasy.
"Forget it," he thought, glancing at Xie Xiaojiu's room and dismissing the idea of going inside.
The Next Morning.
"Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu's voice reached Jiang Ning's ears.
Jiang Ning opened his eyes and looked down from his elevated position. From this angle, he caught a glimpse of a breathtaking sight.
The thin skirt did little to hide Xie Xiaojiu's graceful figure.
From this vantage point, Jiang Ning couldn't see her feet.
"If a woman can't see her feet when she looks down, she's a peerless beauty!"
This phrase flashed through Jiang Ning's mind.
"Sir, why are you sleeping here?" Xie Xiaojiu looked up at Jiang Ning.
At this moment, Jiang Ning was waking up on a beam under the eaves.
Hearing Xie Xiaojiu's question, Jiang Ning felt a twinge of helplessness.
The autumn wind had blown all night.
Where else could he have slept?
Under the eaves, at least, there was no wind.
He couldn't very well have gone into the room and slept with Xie Xiaojiu, could he?
After what he had said last night, he couldn't bring himself to do something so shameless.
These thoughts ran through Jiang Ning's mind as he jumped down.
"It's safer to sleep here," Jiang Ning replied casually. Then he added, "Change your clothes. It's time to head to the Inspection Bureau."
Hearing this, Xie Xiaojiu looked down at herself and realized she had, out of habit, opened the door without changing.
Normally, living alone, this wouldn't have been an issue. But now, with Jiang Ning in the courtyard, it was different.
Recalling the scene from earlier and Jiang Ning's elevated perspective, her ears turned bright red.
Slam
She turned and closed the door, leaning against it.
After a few breaths, her racing heart began to calm down.
Outside.
Jiang Ning stood in the courtyard.
"Not bad," he chuckled.
Then he plucked a willow branch from a tree in the yard.
Using willow branches to brush his teeth was something he had done many times back at the martial arts school. Now, he was quite skilled at it, easily separating the fibers.
Then, using his water control ability, he gathered dew from the surrounding leaves and brought it to him.
A short while later.
By the time Xie Xiaojiu reopened the door, Jiang Ning had finished washing up.
"Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu called out.
Jiang Ning turned and was immediately struck by her appearance.
Xie Xiaojiu had removed the manacle around her chest.
Noticing Jiang Ning's gaze, Xie Xiaojiu felt a flicker of delight.
She had thought long and hard before making this decision.
"Shall we go now?" Jiang Ning asked.
Xie Xiaojiu replied, "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll go wash up first."
"Alright," Jiang Ning nodded.
Half an Hour Later.
The two arrived at the Inspection Bureau.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the sun had yet to rise.
Returning to his office, Jiang Ning continued his training.
For the entire day, Jiang Ning stayed at the Inspection Bureau.
Morning, noon, and evening, Xie Xiaojiu reported updates on the Yellow Heaven Sect's activities.
Throughout the day, the Yellow Heaven Sect had become more active, spreading their teachings in the eastern district of the outer city and using talismans to heal the sick.
According to the information Xie Xiaojiu relayed, the Yellow Heaven Sect's followers indeed had some skill.
For minor illnesses, drinking the ashes of a burned talisman dissolved in water would cure the ailment within moments, relieving pain and discomfort.
Even for severe injuries, sprinkling the ashes on the wound would stop bleeding and provide pain relief.
If Jiang Ning had heard such claims in his previous life, he would have dismissed them as superstitious nonsense.
But in this world, he believed most of it.
That day, based on information from the Bamboo Gang, it was confirmed that Liu Linmen was suffering from an eye injury. He had even invited a renowned doctor from Luoshui County to treat him.
It was through this that the news had been uncovered.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning felt a sense of relief.
At the moment, the person who posed the greatest threat to him was undoubtedly Liu Linmen.
As for someone like Cao Rong, if his strength remained unchanged, Jiang Ning didn't consider him a threat.
Given the chance, Jiang Ning could easily take him down with his Wind and Thunder Archery.
As for the Yellow Heaven Sect's Earth King, Jiang Ning wasn't overly concerned either.
The one who had injured him wasn't Jiang Ning but Lin Qingyi.
Moreover, according to Lin Qingyi, the Earth King's soul had been damaged.
It would take at least a year or two for the Earth King to recover from such an injury.
No one would dare to neglect a soul injury.
If left untreated, it could lead to permanent damage or even the dissipation of one's soul.
Additionally, given the Earth King's status, it was unlikely he would bother with a minor figure like Jiang Ning.
Important people didn't have time to chase after small fry.
This was Jiang Ning's basic assessment.
Coupled with the Earth King's injuries, Jiang Ning wasn't too worried about the potential threat he posed.
As for the Medicine King Valley, after so many days without any movement, Jiang Ning wasn't overly concerned either.
So, in Jiang Ning's eyes, the greatest immediate threat was Liu Linmen, the Yellow Heaven Sect's Great Dao Incense Master.
A fifth-rank martial artist who had mastered internal energy.
After being ambushed by Jiang Ning that night, Liu Linmen called upon the Earth King to use soul projection to identify Jiang Ning as the culprit.
In such a situation, if Liu Linmen found Jiang Ning and confirmed his involvement, Jiang Ning would be in trouble.
Given Liu Linmen's strength, Jiang Ning likely wasn't a match for him at the moment.
This was why Jiang Ning had chosen to stay at Xie Xiaojiu's house.
The Xie family, as one of the three major families in Luoshui County now one of the two had decent security and wasn't easy to infiltrate.
Moreover, no one would expect Jiang Ning to be staying at the Xie residence.
By avoiding Liu Linmen and preventing him from using his "Heaven's Eye" to detect the mark left by the Earth King, Jiang Ning could buy himself more time to improve his strength.
With enough time, Jiang Ning believed he could eventually handle Liu Linmen.
That day, upon learning of Liu Linmen's eye injury, Jiang Ning felt much more at ease.
This meant he had a few more days of safety than he had initially anticipated.
With the Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pills, Jiang Ning could feel his strength improving noticeably every day.
Moreover, the daily increase in Source Energy Points also made him feel more secure.
After spending the night at Xie Xiaojiu's house, Jiang Ning woke up the next day to find that his Source Energy Points had easily surpassed the 500 mark.
He realized that the Dragon-Tiger Tendon Refining Pills also had a significant effect on increasing his Source Energy Points.
The increase in Source Energy Points would also greatly enhance his strength.
If necessary, with over 500 Source Energy Points, he could easily choose to break the limits of either the Chopping Wood Sword Technique or Water Affinity.
This way, in critical moments, he could further boost his strength.
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