Patrol Bureau.
"Sir, it's cold today!" Xie Xiaojiu rubbed her hands in front of the stove.
The glowing charcoal reflected off her rosy cheeks.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning put down the book in his hands and glanced out the window.
The snow was falling heavily, like goose feathers, and large snowflakes occasionally drifted through the gaps in the window, gradually forming a thin layer of snow on the wooden floor.
Then, Jiang Ning turned to look at Xie Xiaojiu.
"If you're feeling cold, why didn't you wear more clothes when you went out earlier?"
Xie Xiaojiu shook her head. "Wearing too many clothes feels too restrictive. I don't like it."
Jiang Ning smiled and didn't say more.
For martial artists, it was indeed inconvenient to wear too many clothes.
At this level of cold, it didn't have much effect on martial artists like him.
At most, it was just a bit chilly.
This kind of cold wasn't fatal or harmful.
Just a bit uncomfortable.
At that moment, Xie Xiaojiu tightened her collar.
"Sir, I'll close the window!"
"Don't!" Jiang Ning immediately stopped her.
Seeing Xie Xiaojiu's puzzled look, Jiang Ning pointed to the burning charcoal in front of him.
"Closing the doors and windows completely will cut off the airflow, and you could get carbon monoxide poisoning."
"Carbon monoxide poisoning?" Xie Xiaojiu looked confused.
"Yes," Jiang Ning nodded.
Facing Xie Xiaojiu's confused gaze, Jiang Ning could only explain it this way.
He couldn't very well say that burning charcoal in a closed room would produce a large amount of carbon dioxide, leading to carbon dioxide poisoning, could he?
If he said that, Xie Xiaojiu would only be more confused.
Seeing this, Xie Xiaojiu didn't insist and just tightened her collar, continuing to warm herself by the fire.
Jiang Ning also reopened the book in his hands.
[Literacy Experience +1]
At that moment.
"Sir, aren't you going to practice martial arts today?" Xie Xiaojiu asked, looking at Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning shook his head slowly while reading.
"I'm taking a break today. No martial arts practice."
At this moment.
Xie Xiaojiu looked at Jiang Ning quietly reading, and a hint of excitement appeared on her face.
"I'll make tea for you, sir!"
After saying this, she turned and left.
Watching Xie Xiaojiu's inexplicably cheerful figure, Jiang Ning smiled and shook his head, then continued reading.
Having reached the level of flood dragon tendons at the seventh rank, further progress wasn't something that could be achieved through effort alone.
External aids were indispensable at this stage.
Only with external help could the innate deficiencies of the human body be compensated for.
Moreover, Liu Linmen's earlier attitude greatly reduced Jiang Ning's sense of crisis.
So he decided to relax his tense mind, read some books, broaden his knowledge, and incidentally gain some experience in literacy.
The breakthrough in this skill could enhance his mental strength.
After witnessing the Yellow Heaven Sect's Earth King's spirit projection, Jiang Ning understood even more that mental strength must not become a weakness.
If mental strength became shortcomings, one might die without even knowing how.
That night, if it weren't for his exceptional mental strength, he wouldn't have been able to detect the Earth King's spirit.
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[Literacy Experience +1]
[...]
As Jiang Ning focused on reading, the experience points for literacy skills continued to increase.
The efficiency was much higher than when he first started.
Moments later.
Xie Xiaojiu reappeared, carrying some tea chairs and tables.
"What are you doing?" Jiang Ning asked, taking a break and looking at her curiously.
Xie Xiaojiu said, "It's snowing today! Perfect for making tea! Drinking tea while enjoying the snow is a unique experience!"
"Making tea?" Jiang Ning smiled. "Alright, go ahead."
After saying this, Jiang Ning continued reading.
Time passed bit by bit.
The snow outside fell heavier and heavier, and the world became utterly silent.
"Sir, here's your tea!"
Xie Xiaojiu brought a steaming cup of tea to Jiang Ning.
"Alright!" Jiang Ning looked at Xie Xiaojiu and smiled.
Then.
He took the hot tea and gently blew away the two strands of tea leaves floating on the surface.
After taking a small sip, the hot tea flowed down his throat.
Jiang Ning immediately felt a bitter taste in his mouth, followed by a sweet aftertaste that lingered on his tongue, and a warm sensation spread from his stomach.
"How is it?" Xie Xiaojiu looked at Jiang Ning expectantly.
Seeing her expectant gaze, Jiang Ning nodded slightly. "Good tea!"
"Thank you for the compliment, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu's face immediately lit up with a smile.
At that moment.
"Sir, you have a refined taste!" The door was pushed open, and the wind and snow rushed into the room.
The two looked up to see Feng Jiuge entering.
Dressed in red, with a fox fur coat draped over her shoulders and a fox fur hat on her head.
"In this weather, you still came?" Jiang Ning said.
Feng Jiuge turned and closed the door, blocking out the wind and snow.
She glanced at Xie Xiaojiu and then said to Jiang Ning, "Sir, you haven't been in a hurry these past few days, completely oblivious to what's happening outside."
"Why should I be in a hurry?" Jiang Ning asked.
Feng Jiuge walked up to Jiang Ning and stretched her hands over the burning charcoal stove to warm them.
"Sir, you've been in the Patrol Bureau for so many days. Don't you feel like you're being marginalized? All these days, except for Commander Ye Qiu occasionally finding you, the other three commanders haven't sought you out."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning thought for a moment and then nodded thoughtfully.
"Now that you mention it, that's true."
Then, Jiang Ning smiled. "But what does that have to do with me?"
Feng Jiuge said, "Sir, have you seen Ruan Hongmei these days?"
"No," Jiang Ning shook his head.
"That's it!" Feng Jiuge continued warming her hands and then said to Xie Xiaojiu, "Little Nine, pour me a cup of hot tea, thank you!!"
Xie Xiaojiu: "..."
She gave Feng Jiuge a helpless look but slowly poured her a cup of hot tea.
Taking the tea from Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Jiuge said, "Sir, I've seen Ruan Hongmei at He Jinyun's place."
"What are you implying?" Jiang Ning asked.
Feng Jiuge shook her head. "I'm just relaying what I've seen and heard."
Then she added, "But I can tell you, sir, they're marginalizing you! In other words, they're not including you."
"Including me?" Jiang Ning was surprised.
"Including you," Feng Jiuge nodded. "Sir, do you think people like He Jinyun joined the Patrol Bureau for what?"
"For the country and the people?" Feng Jiuge shook her head. "They're all in it for their interests."
"In the Patrol Bureau, contribution points can be exchanged for treasures from the Martial Saint's vault, for everything needed to advance in martial arts."
"Even for the secrets to becoming a Martial Saint."
"And legendary immortal medicines, treasures, and divine techniques!!"
"Moreover, spending contribution points can directly promote your rank and transfer you to a larger city!"
Hearing Feng Jiuge's words, Jiang Ning wasn't surprised at all.
For the country and the people?
For the Great Xia?
He had never believed that.
Feng Jiuge looked at Jiang Ning. "Sir, they approached me yesterday, trying to recruit me to join them."
"Join them in what?" Jiang Ning asked.
Feng Jiuge said, "Farming contribution points."
"Farming contribution points?" Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.
"Yes," Feng Jiuge nodded. "Farming contribution points."
"How?" Jiang Ning couldn't believe his speculation.
Feng Jiuge said, "Sir, you should have guessed something by now."
After saying this, she looked out the window.
"Previously, there were many followers of the Worship God Sect in Luoshui County. Now, some of these people's heads count as contribution points."
"Is that the case?" Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.
Feng Jiuge said, "Killing innocent people and claiming their achievements has always been common. Besides, those people had issues, to begin with, and many of them were tainted by the aura of evil gods."
"Anyone tainted by the aura of evil gods can be considered a member of the Worship God Sect."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning closed his eyes.
After a few breaths, he opened his eyes and looked at Feng Jiuge.
"And you? What choice are you going to make?"
Feng Jiuge smiled. "To be honest, I'm tempted too! Sir, you don't understand the Martial Saint's vault, nor do you truly understand the value of contribution points in the Patrol Bureau."
"The Martial Saint has accumulated wealth for nearly a thousand years, and after establishing the Patrol Bureau, he has completely opened it up."
"The things inside could even nurture another Martial Saint."
"Even if we just get the scraps, it's enough to take our martial arts to the next level."
"And... my team members have been dissatisfied these past few days. Following me, they've gotten fewer benefits compared to other teams."
At this point, Feng Jiuge sighed.
"But I can't get past my conscience."
Then, she turned to look at Jiang Ning.
"What are your thoughts, sir?"
Jiang Ning's gaze was calm. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Sir, don't you want to join in and seek benefits?" Feng Jiuge asked.
"I have no such desire," Jiang Ning shook his head lightly.
"I see!" Feng Jiuge stood up. "Sir, you truly haven't disappointed me!"
"Then I'll take my leave!" After saying this, Feng Jiuge suddenly turned and left.
Creak
She opened the door, and the wind and snow rushed in through the narrow gap.
Feng Jiuge suddenly turned to look at Jiang Ning.
"Sir, if you have any questions about the Blazing Spear Technique, you can discuss them with me. My proficiency in the Blazing Spear Technique was personally taught by my father, and I've long since mastered it."
Moments later.
After Feng Jiuge left.
Jiang Ning suddenly spoke. "Little Nine, what do you think about this?"
Xie Xiaojiu said, "I know a little about this."
"Then, have your team members been complaining these past few days?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Yes," Xie Xiaojiu nodded. "An ordinary person tainted by the aura of an evil god can be considered a member of the Worship God Sect. Bringing back proof of their identity is worth ten contribution points."
"Ten contribution points? That much?" Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.
Xie Xiaojiu nodded. "Indeed, it's a lot! One such person is equivalent to a month's salary for an ordinary team member. Moreover, one contribution point is worth twelve to thirteen strings of copper coins in private transactions, equivalent to one tael and two to three mace of silver."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning understood.
Why Xie Xiaojiu's team members had been complaining.
It all came down to the allure of wealth.
A former follower of the Worship God Sect, tainted by the aura of an evil god but with no ability to resist, was worth a month's salary.
Such easily obtainable wealth who wouldn't be tempted?
They joined the Patrol Bureau for wealth, power, and strength.
With contribution points, all three could be obtained.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Jiang Ning asked.
Xie Xiaojiu replied, "There was nothing to say! I would never stop doing such a thing! Besides, as a native of Luoshui County, I couldn't bring myself to do it."
Jiang Ning smiled at her resolute expression.
"Don't worry! I would never do such a thing either."
Hearing this, Xie Xiaojiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Having been by Jiang Ning's side these past few days, she knew he was in need of contribution points.
Now that Jiang Ning knew about this, she was afraid he might also see ordinary people as stepping stones for his advancement.
If Jiang Ning made that choice, she didn't know what she would do.
At this moment.
Jiang Ning quietly looked out the window, muttering to himself.
"No wonder I haven't seen many people in the bureau these days."
After watching the window for a long time.
Jiang Ning suddenly sighed.
Faced with this situation, he realized there was nothing he could do.
This was about the interests of an entire class.
Even the four commanders were likely involved.
There was no doubt that Hong Minghu knew about it and tacitly allowed it.
Faced with such a class, he currently had no way to change anything.
He also knew that in such circumstances, ordinary people had no ability to resist and could only resign themselves to fate.
Even he could only hold onto his principles.
That was all!!
Suddenly.
Jiang Ning stood up.
"I'm going out."
"Where are you going, sir?" Xie Xiaojiu asked, quickly grabbing the sable coat from the chair and draping it over Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning said, "I'm going to see the bureau chief."
After saying this, Jiang Ning pushed open the door, and the wind and snow rushed in, causing his robes to flutter.
The sable coat Xie Xiaojiu had just draped over him was blown off by the wind and snow.
"Sir..." Xie Xiaojiu started to say.
"Don't worry about it," Jiang Ning said calmly.
With that, he stepped into the thick snow.
At this moment.
In front of the Patrol Bureau.
The middle-aged woman who had come with Liu Linmen was quietly hiding on the roof, completely covered by the snow, which served as her perfect camouflage.
She was lying in the snow, secretly watching the entrance of the Patrol Bureau, waiting for Jiang Ning to come out.
Facing Jiang Ning, whom she saw as the perfect sacrificial offering, she was growing impatient.
If it weren't for the fact that she knew the Patrol Bureau was a true dragon's den in Luoshui County, she might have even tried to sneak in.
She knew very well what kind of reward she would receive if she offered such a spiritually gifted prodigy as a sacrifice to the deity.
That kind of reward could change her fate once again.
Allowing her to rise to the top echelons of the sect.
Thinking this.
Her eyes gleamed with greed.
"Yellow Heaven Sect!!" She licked her lips, thinking to herself. "If I can use this to rise to the top of the sect, I can also participate in the feast of hunting the Yellow Heaven Sect!!"
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