Inspection Bureau.
"Sir, are you done with your work?" Xie Xiaojiu heard footsteps and looked up to see Jiang Ning walking into the courtyard. She quickly rose from beside the charcoal fire.
The weather was bitterly cold now, with a heavy snowfall outside.
She had only just reached the seventh-rank realm and was far from being impervious to heat and cold.
Moreover, as a martial artist, she wore very little just two layers of clothing.
In temperatures as low as minus ten or twenty degrees, it was only natural for her to feel the chill.
"You're still here!" Jiang Ning looked at Xie Xiaojiu, dressed in thin robes and huddled by the charcoal fire, and suddenly felt she seemed pitiable, exuding an inexplicable melancholy.
Xie Xiaojiu nodded in response. "You told me earlier to wait for you inside, so I've been waiting here all this time."
"If I hadn't returned for a whole day, would you have waited the entire day?" Jiang Ning asked.
"I would have waited the whole day!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded calmly.
Jiang Ning was slightly taken aback, then chuckled and shook his head.
After a moment, he spoke again. "How is the Xie family doing now?"
"Thanks to your magnanimity, the Xie family has rectified its wrongs and is now back on the right track!" Xie Xiaojiu's expression carried a hint of emotion.
Over these past few days, no one understood the Xie family's actions better than she did.
Xie Zhengtian had shown remarkable resolve during this time, refusing to compromise under pressure and steadfastly adhering to his previous decisions.
This had given her a somewhat improved impression of her nominal father.
As the family head, Xie Zhengtian was very competent.
But as a father and husband, he was utterly lacking.
Thinking of the words Xie Zhengtian had spoken to her during their recent heart-to-heart talk, urging her to consider Jiang Ning, she felt an invisible pressure whenever she saw him.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ning nodded. "It's good that they're back on track."
Then he added, "Heading home? I'll escort you back."
"Thank you, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu replied.
A short while later, the two stepped out of the Inspection Bureau.
Xie Xiaojiu was wrapped in a black fox-fur cloak, while Jiang Ning, as usual, wore only thin long sleeves, much like in spring or summer.
Having reached his current level, he was truly unaffected by heat or cold.
No matter how extreme the temperature or how harsh the weather, it had no impact on him.
Outside the Inspection Bureau, the snow continued to fall heavily.
Soon, a layer of white snowflakes settled on Xie Xiaojiu's head, while Jiang Ning's remained untouched.
The two walked out of the bureau's main gate and headed toward a carriage that had been waiting for some time.
Jiang Ning boarded the carriage, and Lüyi, hearing the commotion outside, quickly set down the book she was reading and stood up.
Then she saw Jiang Ning lift the curtain. Lüyi knelt to help him remove his shoes.
"Young Master, are you finished with your work?" Lüyi asked.
It was only then that she noticed Xie Xiaojiu behind Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning nodded. "Yes, I'm done."
After taking off his shoes, he stepped onto the soft carpet inside the carriage.
Xie Xiaojiu, following behind, said to Lüyi, "I apologize for the intrusion."
Then she bent down and entered the carriage, removing her black fox-fur cloak and hanging it on one side of the compartment before taking off her shoes, and revealing her socks.
Nearby, Jiang Ning had already settled by the charcoal stove inside the carriage, warming his hands. He rubbed his palms together, looking thoroughly content.
Noticing Lüyi and Xie Xiaojiu both removing their shoes inside the carriage, his thoughts drifted to Li Qing.
"Good thing Senior Sister Li Qing isn't here, or I wouldn't dare let her take off her shoes!"
"Luckily, the carriage is spacious enough that the three of us don't feel cramped."
Meanwhile, the carriage began to move.
The Snow-Red Flame Colts, endowed with spiritual intelligence, only needed a simple command from Jiang Ning to take him wherever he wished to go.
Inside the carriage, as it started moving, Lüyi brought over the tea she had been keeping warm for Jiang Ning.
"Young Master, please have some tea."
"Mm." Jiang Ning nodded, continuing to warm his left hand by the fire, occasionally flipping it over to feel the heat radiating from the burning charcoal.
With his right hand, he took the teacup and sipped.
Bliss!
This kind of life was truly wonderful!
Warming himself by the fire while sipping slightly hot tea filled Jiang Ning with a deep sense of satisfaction.
Especially outside the carriage, where the heavy snowfall brought a profound silence, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.
It was as if all worries could be forgotten in such a moment.
Beside him, Lüyi and Xie Xiaojiu couldn't help but steal glances at each other.
Though they had met before, this was the first time they had shared such a confined space.
After warming himself for a while, Jiang Ning noticed Xie Xiaojiu shrinking slightly in her spot.
He poked the charcoal, flipping it over. With ample oxygen, the flames burned even brighter.
"Come closer and warm yourselves. Why sit so far away in this cold?"
At his words, the two immediately scooted over to sit beside him.
As she shifted, Xie Xiaojiu's toes accidentally brushed against Jiang Ning's right foot, causing her face to flush.
At the same time, Jiang Ning opened his status panel.
[Authority]: Flesh and Blood Regeneration (Partially Deficient 37.66%) / Divine's Scion (Deficient 3.1%)
After the battle ended, with Hong Minghu, Ye Qiu, and others present, he hadn't been able to check his gains in detail.
Now, he could see that his panel had undergone significant changes.
However, it wasn't the right time to check his status panel.
For martial arts experts, their powers of observation were incredibly sharp.
Even the slightest change in someone's gaze could be easily detected.
To avoid any mishaps like Hong Minghu or Ye Qiu noticing something unusual he had waited until now to open his panel and review the changes.
When his eyes fell on his status panel, he immediately noticed the differences.
His Divinity points, which had previously been only two, had now increased to fifteen a gain of thirteen points in total.
This was the largest single increase he had ever experienced.
But the more significant changes were in the two Authorities listed on his panel.
The progress of Flesh and Blood Regeneration had jumped from around 10% to 37%.
Additionally, the Divine's Scion Authority had undergone the most noticeable transformation.
What was once an extremely fragmented Authority shard had now become a partially restored fragment with visible progress.
This meant that the Divine's Scion Authority could be further repaired by allocating Divinity points.
Based on his previous experience, a Deficient Authority would advance to Flawed, and then to its current state, like his Flesh and Blood Regeneration Authority, which was now Partially Deficient.
"It seems Li Hong held an extraordinary position within the God-Worshipping Sect, and the flesh inside that golden box was no ordinary thing either."
He glanced at his panel again and focused his mind.
Allocate points!
Instantly, one Divinity point was consumed.
[Divinity]: 14
[Authority]: Flesh and Blood Regeneration (Partially Deficient 37.66%) / Divine's Scion (Deficient 36.3%)
A single Divinity point had increased the progress of the Divine's Scion Authority by roughly one-third.
He immediately grasped the implications.
Then
Allocate points!!
With another mental command, two more Divinity points were spent.
His Authority underwent another breakthrough.
[Divinity]: 12
[Authority]: Flesh and Blood Regeneration (Partially Deficient 37.66%) / Divine's Scion (Flawed 1.1%)
[Divine's Scion]: Flesh Blessing – Enhances the physical strength of attendants. The stronger the Divine Master, the greater the enhancement. This also grants control over Divine's Scion.
The description had changed slightly.
He glanced at his remaining Divinity points and made another decision.
Another point vanished.
[Divinity]: 11
[Authority]: Flesh and Blood Regeneration (Partially Deficient 37.66%) / Divine's Scion (Flawed 11.1%)
Just as he expected!
At this level, one Divinity point increased the Authority's progress by 10%, restoring one-tenth of its current state.
Without hesitation, he continued allocating points.
His Divinity count rapidly dwindled.
[Divinity]: 1
[Authority]: Flesh and Blood Regeneration (Partially Deficient 37.66%) / Divine's Scion (Partially Deficient 0.4%)
In just a few breaths, the Divine's Scion Authority had nearly caught up to Flesh and Blood Regeneration in terms of completion.
Jiang Ning checked the updated description.
[Divine's Scion]: Flesh Blessing – Greatly enhances the physical strength of attendants. The stronger the Divine Master, the greater the enhancement. This also grants control over Divine's Scion.
The change was minor just two words added for emphasis.
But it was clear that as the Authority became more complete, its effects grew more pronounced.
"I wonder what the actual effects are now?" Jiang Ning mused silently as he looked at his updated panel.
His gaze then shifted to Lüyi beside him.
"Might as well test it on her again. Let's see how much stronger it is now."
His prolonged stare caught Lüyi's attention.
"Young Master?" She looked at him, puzzled.
Xie Xiaojiu, who had been resting her head on her knees, also turned to observe.
Seeing Lüyi's questioning expression, Jiang Ning made up his mind.
He pressed his fingernail into his palm, attempting to break the skin only to realize with some embarrassment that his nails couldn't pierce his flesh, leaving only a faint white mark.
Noticing their confused looks, he chuckled.
Then, with a flash of light, his spirit weapon appeared in his hand.
Understanding his intent, Lüyi closed her eyes and opened her mouth slightly, like a young animal waiting to be fed.
Jiang Ning easily sliced his palm with the blade, and crimson blood welled from the cut.
With a flick of his wrist, several droplets flew through the air and landed in Lüyi's mouth.
Beside them, Xie Xiaojiu silently watched the exchange.
Seeing how the two moved in perfect sync without a single word, she felt a pang of something bitter in her chest.
Then, as if remembering something, her expression dimmed slightly.
A moment later, she turned to Jiang Ning.
"Sir, what is this?"
Seeing her hesitant expression, Jiang Ning explained, "A method to enhance someone's physical strength."
"Drinking your blood… can strengthen the body?" Xie Xiaojiu blinked in disbelief.
Then, she noticed the changes in Lüyi.
The maid's skin began to flush red, and waves of intense heat radiated from her body.
At the same time, Xie Xiaojiu could hear the rushing sound of Lüyi's blood flowing violently through her veins, along with the frantic pounding of her heart.
The sheer intensity of the reaction made Xie Xiaojiu's eyes widen in shock.
She could sense that Lü Yi was very close, and she could directly feel Lü Yi rapidly growing stronger, gradually exerting pressure on her.
The emergence of this pressure was a physiological instinctive response, indicating that Lü Yi had already begun to pose some level of threat to her.
She could sense that if Lü Yi had been like a tiger cub just moments ago, she was now swiftly maturing into a full-grown tiger.
This growth was extremely obvious and rapid.
The next moment.
Xie Xiaojiu looked at Jiang Ning.
"My lord... I..." She slightly opened her mouth, hesitating to speak.
"You want it?" Jiang Ning asked.
"May I?" Xie Xiaojiu said.
"Drinking my blood will bind you to me completely!" Jiang Ning stated the truth.
"I would welcome nothing more!!!" Xie Xiaojiu raised her head to look at Jiang Ning, her chin tilting slightly upward as she did so.
"Very well!" Jiang Ning nodded. "Open your mouth."
Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaojiu closed her eyes and opened her mouth, just as Lü Yi had done earlier.
Seeing this, Jiang Ning slightly pressed on his already healing wound, reopening it with a bit of force.
With a flick of his hand, over a dozen drops of blood flew straight into Xie Xiaojiu's mouth.
Shortly after.
He saw Xie Xiaojiu's face instantly flush red and beads of sweat began to form on her forehead.
"My lord, I want to take off my clothes!" Xie Xiaojiu looked at Jiang Ning with an expression of discomfort.
Beside her, Lü Yi's collar was also wide open, revealing the undulating snow-white peaks beneath.
He glanced at them twice, then stood up.
"I'll wait outside!"
Jiang Ning lifted the thick carriage curtain, designed to block the wind and snow, and stepped out of the compartment.
As the cold wind outside blew against him, the restlessness in his heart gradually subsided.
"I wonder how potent my flesh and blood are now?" he silently mused to himself.
Thinking back to the changes in Lü Yi and Xie Xiaojiu earlier, the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile.
"At this rate, I'm practically becoming the Tang Monk! Except I'm a poisonous Tang Monk!!"
He sat down casually on the outer part of the carriage and picked up the horsewhip.
Snap!
A light flick through the air caused it to crack sharply as if tearing the atmosphere apart.
The two Snowfire Steeds, hearing the sound of the whip, trembled slightly in their legs before reluctantly picking up their pace.
"Slacking off truly is the innate nature of all living things!"
He chuckled.
Then, he couldn't help but glance back at the carriage compartment behind him.
Rubbing his cheeks, he muttered to himself, "Still not thick-skinned enough, huh?"
Though he had no intention of marrying, for now, he didn't reject the appreciation of beauty.
"Ah well, lust is a knife hanging over one's head. Better focus on other things and improve my strength first! After all, this chaotic world is worsening. If my strength isn't enough in the future, and I end up adrift like a leaf in the wind, that would be disastrous!"
With that, a white light flashed in his hand, and the tiger bone given to him by Hong Minghu reappeared in his palm.
"Worth 110,000 taels of silver?"
"But then again, the patterns contained in this bone, to use a gaming analogy, are like skills. In other words, martial techniques."
"A martial technique from a fifth-rank warrior, and not a consumable one at that this tiger bone can be passed down through generations. Its value must indeed be extraordinary. For a fifth-rank warrior, 110,000 taels of silver is no small sum, but it's not outrageously high either!"
"With this, my shortage of Source Energy Points will be solved."
[Source Energy]: 1518.67
[Skills]: Five Animals Fist (Fourth Breakthrough Limit 1323/5000) (Traits: Essence Stored in the Five Organs, Five Elements Spirit, Grandmaster of Fist Techniques, Bear-Tiger Physique)
The Five Animals Fist wasn't far from its fifth breakthrough limit less than 4,000 experience points short.
With his current talent bonuses in fist techniques, his efficiency in gaining experience for the Five Animals Fist had greatly increased. If he dedicated himself fully to practicing this skill, it would take him roughly half a month to accumulate enough experience for the fifth breakthrough.
For him, half a month wasn't long, nor was it particularly troublesome.
What had been troublesome before was the shortage of Source Energy Points.
By his estimate, a full 2,000 Source Energy Points would be needed for the fifth breakthrough of the Five Animals Fist.
The gap of over 400 points wasn't easy to fill.
But now, things were different.
By selling the tiger bone Hong Minghu had given him, he would have enough wealth to purchase rare treasures for absorption, thereby increasing his Source Energy Points.
Even if Luoshui County's current stock couldn't meet its demand for rare materials
Since his previous bulk purchases had nearly exhausted the county's reserves, and with the ongoing harsh winter, even the Wanhua Pavilion had no means of restocking, leaving them to live off their dwindling supplies.
This wasn't a problem for Jiang Ning.
If Luoshui County couldn't meet his needs, other counties could, and Dongling City certainly could.
Once spring arrived and the ice and snow melted, he could simply make a trip to Dongling City.
Moreover, in just over a month, the first stage of the military examinations the preliminary test to earn the "military scholar" title would take place.
Since he had now joined the Patrol and Inspection Bureau and held an official position, having a scholarly title would be immensely beneficial for his future.
Thus, he intended to take part in the military exams, making a trip to Dongling City all the more fitting.
Additionally, to advance his studies at the Martial Academy, he would need to go to Dongling City anyway.
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