Chapter 176: Deputy Commander, Jiang Ning!

Chapter 176: Deputy Commander, Jiang Ning!

On the arena.

Clang!

As the blade descended, a powerful collision occurred between the sword and staff, creating an invisible sound wave that was beyond the naked eye.

With the two combatants at the center, the dust beneath their feet trembled, and then, an invisible force pushed it outwards, spreading in all directions.

At the same time.

Yuan Fei suddenly flew out of the arena.

Below the arena, the crowd near the platform couldn't help but cover their ears.

As the powerful sound wave spread, a ringing sound filled their ears.

"So strong!" The man hosting the assessment was shocked, his face filled with disbelief.

Even though he was now a Sixth Rank Martial Artist, among the four deputy commanders, he was one of the top two. Yet, at this moment, he was still amazed by Jiang Ning's strike.

The power of this strike far exceeded the limits of an Eighth Rank Martial Artist.

Even an ordinary Seventh Rank Martial Artist would find it difficult to withstand this blow and retreat unscathed.

Under Jiang Ning's strike, Yuan Fei was knocked back several zhang away before falling into the crowd.

"Damn! Jiang Ning has become the first among the more than ten squad leaders. He's going to take the position of deputy commander!"

"It's unbelievable! We never thought Jiang Ning would be able to turn things around and become the strongest!"

"Indeed! It's truly unbelievable! But this is what a true Martial Dao Prodigy is like! A true prodigy breaks free from the constraints of common sense and defies the world's understanding!"

"I'm so envious! After today, when facing Jiang Ning, I'll have to address him as 'Sir'!"

"Yes! Jiang Ning, at such a young age, has obtained an Eighth Rank official position with real authority. This kind of authority is no less than that of a county magistrate. It's like he's risen to the heavens in one step!"

". . ."

Witnessing the scene on the arena, the crowd couldn't help but exclaim, astonished, shocked, and dumbfounded. Various expressions filled their faces.

On the other side.

Zhao Hu, upon seeing this, secretly regretted provoking Jiang Ning.

He quietly retreated into the crowd, disappearing from Jiang Ning's sight.

At this moment, he only wanted to minimize his presence.

In the spectator stands.

Lin Qingyi's slightly dazed gaze turned into a smile.

"This little guy, how many more surprises will he give me?"

"After three months of martial arts training, he's invincible at the Eighth Rank, mastering the sword aura, and I can't even dare to predict how strong he will become!"

At the same time.

Lin Jiaye, seeing Jiang Ning standing alone on the arena with a blade in hand, felt even more regretful.

If she had known that Jiang Ning could reach this point, she would never have rejected her aunt Lin Qingyi's matchmaking proposal.

"I wonder if there's still a chance to make up for it. After all, I'm quite beautiful!" Lin Jiaye thought to herself, deep in thought.

Below the arena.

Slap!

Wang Jin smacked his thigh, the sound crisp and loud.

At this moment, he didn't care about the pain in his leg, his face filled with joy.

"My disciple, isn't he amazing?!"

He laughed and said to Yu Yuan beside him.

Yu Yuan's face was filled with jealousy.

Seeing Yu Yuan's expression, Wang Jin laughed even harder, feeling extremely proud.

'The student surpasses the master' is the wish of nine out of ten masters in the world.

As a master, who wouldn't want a talented disciple to inherit their legacy?

Not to mention having a disciple like Jiang Ning, who displayed such legendary prowess.

Wow!

A gold card!

This was Wang Jin's thought at that moment.

On the arena.

After unleashing his full power and striking Yuan Fei off the arena, securing victory, Jiang Ning resumed his stance with the blade.

Then, he turned to face the man hosting the assessment.

As he turned, his gaze swept across the entire training ground, and it naturally passed over the central spectator stand.

At the center of the stands sat Hong Minghu.

In a swift glance, Hong Minghu and Gong Sun Yu by his side came into Jiang Ning's view.

"There shouldn't be a problem!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

He hadn't forgotten that during the assessment, a person from the Medicine King Valley had suddenly appeared beside Hong Minghu.

Undoubtedly, this person was a core member of the upper echelons of the Medicine King Valley.

Most likely, the news of Liu Qingsong's disappearance had reached the valley, prompting this high-ranking member to come.

Jiang Ning believed that this person was here to investigate something.

Although Jiang Ning didn't know how he could have traced it here, he also remembered that this world was vastly different from his previous life, where a Martial Sage could dominate the world for eight hundred years.

Before the Great Xia, there were legends of Immortals, Deities, and Demons.

So, it was normal for this world to have unimaginable abilities and powers that he was unaware of.

Considering this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but regard this strong cultivator from Medicine King Valley as a threat aimed at him.

Therefore, at the most critical moment, he revealed his mastery of sword aura to the many powerful figures present.

This was also to increase his status in everyone's minds.

As a Martial Dao Prodigy, there would always be those willing to invest in him and establish connections.

Just like how he once demonstrated his natural talent in front of Wang Jin, earning Wang Jin's favor, which led to subsequent developments.

And the reason why Shen Congyun treated him with such importance was not only due to Shen Congyun's character and personality but also because he held a significant place in Shen Congyun's heart at that time.

If not for Shen Congyun's high regard for him, the outcome of Cao Rong's attack, despite Wang Jin's full protection, would have been uncertain given Cao Rong's strength.

Today.

Facing this strong cultivator from Medicine King Valley, even after obtaining the position of Deputy Commander and about to receive the imperial appointment as an Eighth Rank official, Jiang Ning had to increase his safety measures to ensure more guarantees.

"I hope it works!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

In his eyes, the only two people he could possibly rely on at this moment were two individuals.

One was the new Marquis of Luoshui County, Hong Minghu.

To hold such an important position, Hong Minghu's strength must be exceptional, possibly the strongest in Luoshui County.

Aside from him, there was only Lin Qingyi.

In Jiang Ning's eyes, Lin Qingyi remained shrouded in mystery.

Through his interactions during this time, he even speculated that Lin Qingyi's strength might surpass that of Shen Congyun.

Her smooth and effortless manipulation of inner energy also hinted at this.

On the arena.

"Congratulations, Jiang Lao Di!" The man conducting the assessment congratulated him.

He then added, "I'm about ten years older than you. Would you mind if I call you Lao Di?"

"Not at all!" Jiang Ning smiled.

Seeing this, the assessor also smiled.

He introduced himself again, "I am Ye Qiu, the one who knows the autumn of the world from a falling leaf."

"I am Jiang Ning. Greetings, Brother Ye!" Jiang Ning bowed in response.

"Haha, Jiang Lao Di, if you're free tonight, why don't we gather outside?" Ye Qiu burst into laughter.

"Since Brother Ye has spoken, it's impossible to refuse!" Jiang Ning replied.

Hearing these words, Ye Qiu's face beamed with laughter.

Immediately.

He took out a pure gold token from his pocket, "Here, take this. Go to the Inspection Office and engrave a character representing your identity on the back of the token. From now on, seeing your token will be as good as seeing you in person!"

"Understood!" Jiang Ning nodded slightly after receiving the golden token.

Watching Jiang Ning take the token, Ye Qiu couldn't help but smile.

"With this weather, I can finally go home and rest!"

At this time.

Jiang Ning jumped down from the arena and stood in front of Xie Xiaojiu, "What I said before, are you still willing to work under me?"

"Of course!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded, her eyes filled with complex emotions as she looked at Jiang Ning.

Witnessing Jiang Ning's step-by-step progress, becoming the last one standing among over a dozen squad leaders and securing the sole position of Deputy Commander, Xie Xiaojiu finally realized the extent of the gap between them.

"Losing to him is not unjustified!" Xie Xiaojiu thought to herself.

At this moment.

Seeing Xie Xiaojiu's nod, Jiang Ning also nodded slightly, "Since that's the case, wait for a few days until I sort out the Inspection Office's structure, and then I'll transfer you to my command."

"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu bowed and nodded slightly.

Seeing the woman in front of him bowing, Jiang Ning couldn't help but feel pleased.

Since he had chosen the path of the Inspection Office, he naturally had to make some plans. After all, he needed someone he could rely on for his tasks.

His main task was still to practice martial arts and continue breaking through in the Martial Dao. The Inspection Office was just a towering tree that could protect him for now.

After all, the Inspection Office represented the Martial Sage, the court, and the side of truth.

In any world, truth was always in the hands of a few people.

These few people held absolute power.

Justice was the same.

Whoever had power held the truth and justice.

In this world, even though the Great Xia was no longer in its former glory, a starving camel was still larger than a horse. Even if the Great Xia was declining, it was not a force to be reckoned with by any other power.

On the day that Daxia crumbled and fell apart, the legendary Martial Sage would also inevitably pass away.

With the Martial Sage's passing, the power that held absolute truth and justice would no longer exist.

Naturally, Daxia would struggle to maintain this absolute authority.

However, before that day arrived, the Inspection Bureau, where the Martial Sage resided, was the most powerful authority in Daxia.

Given this, for Jiang Ning, this was also the safest place and the most suitable environment for his growth.

But for all this to happen, he needed a solid foundation within the Inspection Bureau.

Therefore, he required people under his command who would obey his orders and be at his disposal.

With this, various trivial matters would no longer trouble him, and he could focus on cultivating his martial arts techniques, constantly breaking through his limits.

Among this group of people, Xie Xiaojiu, although not a captain, had strength surpassing many captains; she was an extremely rare talent.

Thus, Jiang Ning naturally valued Xie Xiaojiu.

Hearing Xie Xiaojiu address him as "Sir" and witnessing her actions, Jiang Ning knew this matter was settled.

After that,

He finally felt relieved and headed towards the direction where Wang Jin was.

"Master, I have not failed your mission!" Jiang Ning said.

"I never expected that you, young fellow, would be able to reach this point!" Wang Jin looked at Jiang Ning with a sigh of emotion.

"All of this is thanks to Master's nurturing!" Jiang Ning smiled.

"Don't say that!" Wang Jin waved his hand and continued, "I still have some self-awareness! Your success is mainly due to your own efforts. As for me, I can only be considered your guide."

At this moment, Wang Jin sighed, for as he spoke, he also recalled the various events that had occurred over the past few months.

Now, seeing Jiang Ning reach this point, he reminisced and his expression became slightly dazed.

Those events seemed to have happened a long time ago, but in reality, only a few months had passed.

Just then,

A guard, fully clad in armor and holding a long sword at his waist, approached Jiang Ning and Wang Jin.

"Sir Jiang!" The guard bowed to Jiang Ning and continued, "The Marquis has requested your presence."

"As expected, it has come!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Then he nodded, "Lead the way, please."

"Yes, Sir Jiang!" The guard bowed.

Jiang Ning turned to Wang Jin beside him and said, "Master, the Marquis has summoned me, I must go!"

"Go! But remember, no matter what..." Wang Jin said, leaving his sentence unfinished.

"I understand!" Jiang Ning nodded.

At this moment, as the assessment in the Inspection Bureau officially concluded with the sound of gongs, the crowd surrounding the training ground began to disperse, and the various forces in the wooden shed also left.

"Master, should we wait here for Junior Apprentice Jiang?" Li Qing asked.

Wang Jin glanced at Jiang Ning's back and shook his head, "Forget it, we won't wait! Let's go back first!"

"Yes, Master!" Li Qing replied.

On the viewing platform.

Lin Qingyi quietly arrived and quietly left.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

At this time, Hong Minghu and Gong Sun Yu were no longer on the viewing platform but had entered the tent in the training ground.

Inside the tent.

Hong Minghu sat with a commanding presence, while Gong Sun Yu stood by his side.

After learning that Hong Minghu's strength was likely above his own, Gong Sun Yu felt extremely reassured. Regarding the current situation, he had no objections at all.

A moment later.

A series of footsteps could be heard outside the tent.

He's here! Hong Minghu's heart slightly tensed as he felt a surge of interest in Jiang Ning at this moment.

Jiang Ning's performance had left him in awe.

Even the Heaven's Pride he had seen on the Hidden Dragon List didn't give him the same stunning impression as Jiang Ning did today.

"With his performance today, he should be able to rank on the Human List of the Hidden Dragon List, right?" Hong Minghu thought to himself.

The Hidden Dragon List was divided into the Human List, the Earth List, and the Heaven List.

The Human List was for a prefecture, and the top 100 powerhouses under the age of 30 were ranked.

Regardless of age, as long as they were under 30, they were considered for the Human List.

Being ranked on the Human List was an immense honor.

It should be known that a prefecture encompassed over ten counties and hundreds of counties.

In such a vast territory, there were countless martial geniuses.

To rank in the top 100 was a talent blessed by heaven.

The Earth List, on the other hand, was for an entire province, and it ranked the top 100 powerhouses under the age of 30.

Those who made it onto the Earth List, even the last one, could be considered to have the qualifications of a Master.

As for the Heaven List, it encompassed the martial geniuses of the entire Daxia's Nine Provinces.

Those who made it onto the Heaven List were not lacking in Master-level talents.

To achieve Mastery under the age of 30 was a testament to the difficulty of entering the Heaven List.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end