Chapter 124: A Bountiful Return

Chapter 124: A Bountiful Return

Wan Hua Tower.

Second Floor.

Jiang Ning said, "Director Han, I'd also like to exchange my sword for a longer one."

Han Hongmei replied, "For this request, it's best to visit the Weapon Smithy in the North District of the Outer City! In Luoshui County, the Weapon Smithy in the North District is renowned for the finest weaponry."

"Thank you for the information, Director Han!" Jiang Ning bowed and added, "I also need one more item."

"Please, Jiang Gongzi, go ahead," Han Hongmei said.

"I heard that Wan Hua Tower also sells various pieces of intelligence. I'd like to purchase some information about the Luoshui Lake area and its surroundings," Jiang Ning stated.

Hearing this, Han Hongmei smiled and said, "No problem. I'll have the intelligence on Luoshui Lake ready for you shortly."

A moment later.

In the VIP room on the first floor.

"Jiang Gongzi, please inspect these three Bull Demon Strength Fruits!" Han Hongmei pushed a brocade box towards Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning opened the box and took a quick glance.

Inside the box, he saw three fruits with a mix of black and green, each about the size of an egg, wrapped in a thin membrane.

This membrane was Wan Hua Tower's unique method of preserving spirit fruits.

Sealed in this way, the spirit fruits could remain fresh for months, a truly remarkable feat.

Jiang Ning nodded in approval, "No problem!"

Han Hongmei took out a small booklet from the tray held by the green-clad attendant.

"Jiang Gongzi, here's the compiled intelligence you requested."

Jiang Ning flipped through the booklet casually, scanning its contents.

After a dozen breaths, he nodded slightly, "Not bad! Very detailed."

Han Hongmei smiled, "As for the Golden Body Soup medicine packs you wanted, there are fifty of them. Due to their weight, I've arranged for a carriage to deliver them personally to your residence. I'll need your address information."

"No problem!" Jiang Ning nodded and continued, "Director Han, could you calculate my total expenses for today?"

"Of course!" Han Hongmei nodded.

She proceeded, "Jiang Gongzi purchased three Bull Demon Strength Fruits, each worth eight hundred taels of silver. So, three fruits cost two thousand four hundred taels."

"The Golden Body Soup medicine pack is fifty taels each, and you bought fifty packs, totaling two thousand five hundred taels."

"Regarding the intelligence on Luoshui Lake, I'll take care of it as a complimentary gift."

"Therefore, your total expenditure today is four thousand nine hundred taels of silver. With your VIP card, all purchases within the tower are calculated at an eighty percent discount, making it three thousand nine hundred and twenty taels."

"I'll round it down to three thousand nine hundred taels."

At this point, Han Hongmei withdrew a silver note worth one hundred taels.

"Jiang Gongzi, this is the remaining profit from your sold items. Please accept it!"

Jiang Ning took the silver note worth one hundred taels and kept it safely.

He bowed slightly, "A pleasant transaction!"

Han Hongmei smiled, "A pleasant transaction indeed. May your strength flourish, Jiang Gongzi."

A moment later.

Jiang Ning sat in Wan Hua Tower's carriage, slowly making his way home.

Beside him were fifty neatly tied packs of the Golden Body Soup.

Gazing at the medicine packs and inhaling the fragrant aroma within the carriage, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"With this supplementary medicine, the efficiency of my skin tempering should greatly increase."

"If it proves effective, I'll buy more after finishing these."

"I still have a silver note worth one thousand nine hundred taels. After purchasing a suitable long sword today, I should have some leftover funds."

As these thoughts crossed his mind, he slowly opened the brocade box resting on his lap.

Upon opening the box, he saw three Bull Demon Strength Fruits wrapped in transparent membranes.

"According to Director Han, I can barely withstand the tempering effects of two of these fruits."

"But I've already entered the initial stage of skin tempering, and my skin membrane is as tough as stone, so enduring the effects of three fruits shouldn't be an issue."

With this in mind.

Jiang Ning took out one of the Bull Demon Strength Fruits from the box and peeled off the outer membrane.

He opened his mouth and bit into it.

Instantly, the juice exploded in his mouth.

"It's a bit bitter and salty, not very tasty!" he muttered.

In two bites, he swallowed the egg-sized fruit.

The next moment.

As the fruit slowly digested in his stomach, Jiang Ning felt a wave of pain spreading from his abdomen throughout his body.

This pain didn't originate from his internal organs but from every muscle.

The medicinal power dispersed, and his muscles began to transform.

They became taut, and a searing pain coursed through them.

Closing his eyes, he briefly savored the sensation for a while before opening them again. "The effect is indeed remarkable. I can feel my muscles being tempered by the medicinal power."

"I wonder how long this tempering process will take?"

Subsequently, he sat upright in the carriage, channeling his qi and blood throughout his body and circulating his force to aid in the absorption of the fruit's medicinal power.

As he assisted in the absorption.

His body temperature gradually rose, and his skin began to glow like a furnace.

The medicinal power of the Bull Demon Strength Fruit was rapidly absorbed by him.

The carriage moved steadily along the clean and spacious inner city avenue.

The horse's hooves pounded the ground, pulling the carriage swiftly.

After an incense stick's worth of time, a voice called out, "Master Jiang, we've arrived at your home!"

Jiang Ning opened his eyes and stepped out of the carriage, carrying a large bag of medicine packages.

"Thank you!" Jiang Ning said with a smile.

The carriage driver also smiled broadly, "Sending Master Jiang back to the manor is part of my duty."

Jiang Ning smiled but remained silent. As he looked up, he saw Jiang Li, who had been waiting at the entrance for quite some time.

"Little brother, you're finally back!" Jiang Li exclaimed upon seeing Jiang Ning's gaze.

"What's the matter? Why is big brother waiting for me at the entrance?" Jiang Ning quickly crossed the dozen or so steps and reached the manor's main gate.

Jiang Li explained, "Cheng Ran came to look for you, and he's been waiting in the main hall for nearly half a day!"

"Cheng Ran is here?" Jiang Ning was a bit surprised.

He then lifted the medicine packages that were tied together in his hand, "Big brother, please help me put these medicine packages in my courtyard. I'll go and meet him now."

"Little brother, what are these?" Jiang Li took the medicine packages from Jiang Ning's hand, his face showing confusion.

Jiang Ning explained, "These are medicine packages for my herbal bath, which greatly aids my martial arts training."

"Oh, I see!" Jiang Li nodded in understanding and continued, "The herbal bath requires heating water and adding fuel. I'm free right now, so I can help you with this."

Jiang Ning asked, "Has the county office found a suitable position for you yet?"

Jiang Li shook his head awkwardly, "I met Director Feng, and he said that there have been many casualties among the yamen's runners in the past two years, and all the logistics positions are filled! There's no suitable position available for me at the moment!"

Hearing this, Jiang Ning frowned slightly.

He had known about this situation beforehand.

Usually, runners risk their lives for the yamen, and when something happens, there is always a casualty compensation.

If a runner is injured and no longer suitable for the position, they will be given a suitable logistics position by the end of the year, such as guarding warehouses or archives, to ensure that the runners have something to live on after losing their ability to take risks.

Without these guarantees, how could the runners risk their lives for the yamen?

They would inevitably slack off.

Previously, his big brother's compensation hadn't been issued due to the Cao family's interference, and there was no news about the logistics position either.

Later, with Jiang Ning's improved status, Director Feng and Cao Bin visited, and these issues were temporarily resolved.

However, his big brother's logistics position still hadn't been confirmed.

Jiang Ning knew that his big brother had been staying at home every day, and with his character, he was already feeling very uncomfortable.

If there was a position and an income, he would feel much more at ease.

Jiang Ning also felt that it was a bit tight for him.

Thoughts flashed through his mind, and he smiled.

"Thank you, big brother. In about ten days, the Inspection Bureau will open, and I'll need your help during this time."

Hearing this, Jiang Li laughed, "Little brother, you can focus on your martial arts training! I'm free anyway, so I'll take care of these trivial matters!"

Jiang Ning also smiled.

He then bent down and picked up Little Dou Bao, who was playing in the courtyard, and placed her on his shoulders. They headed towards the main hall.

Sitting on Jiang Ning's shoulders, Little Dou Bao couldn't help but cheer and shout, "Go, go, go! Quack, quack, quack!"

A moment later, Jiang Ning arrived at the entrance of the main hall and took Little Dou Bao off his shoulders.

He patted her head, "Yuan Yuan, go play by yourself first."

"Okay, dududu!" Little Dou Bao pouted, a bit reluctant, but still nodded obediently.

"Good girl!" Jiang Ning smiled and rubbed her head.

Then, he stepped into the main hall.

Inside, Cheng Ran was sitting in a chair, snacking on fruits and drinking iced tea.

Hearing Jiang Ning's voice, Cheng Ran turned and greeted him, "Brother Jiang!"

Jiang Ning smiled, "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, Brother Cheng. I didn't know you were coming, so I apologize for the wait!"

Jiang Ning continued, "I wonder what brings you here suddenly?"

Cheng Ran replied, "Master Wang informed us that there's an important announcement today, so we need to head to the martial hall."

"Should we leave now?" asked Jiang Ning.

"I'm not sure if we'll make it in time!" said Cheng Ran.

"Whether we make it in time or not, we'll know once we get to the martial hall. It's not far anyway," Jiang Ning said.

"Alright!" Cheng Ran agreed.

The two of them stepped out of the main hall and reached the manor's entrance.

"Young Master!" a man dressed in plain clothes exclaimed upon seeing Cheng Ran.

"You came just in time, Xiao Luo!" Cheng Ran's eyes lit up as he asked, "What did the old master at the martial hall say?"

"The old master at the martial hall said that he needs you and Master Jiang to come over. The grandmaster at the hall has something to tell you both," Xiao Luo replied.

Hearing this, Cheng Ran nodded.

Then, turning to Jiang Ning, he said, "Brother Jiang, let's go!"

Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end