Chapter 185: Family Heirloom

Chapter 185: Family Heirloom

The County Hall Prison.

"Brother Jiang, how did you get here?" Cheng Ran grabbed the iron bars of the prison cell, his face filled with surprise.

He never expected to see Jiang Ning here.

At this moment, Xie Xiaojiu also arrived at the cell where Tong Xiuyun was detained. She tugged at Tong Xiuyun's clothing, and after confirming that there was nothing unusual, she finally heaved a sigh of relief.

The two of them immediately clasped hands, their faces filled with joy.

Beside them.

Seeing that Cheng Ran was safe and sound, Jiang Ning nodded slightly and replied, "I just heard that you were in trouble, so I came here."

Saying this, Jiang Ning continued, "Brother Cheng was arrested this morning. How could you not mention my name? If you had, how dare Xiao Tianhe be so reckless."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Ran couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile.

"How could I have the face to mention Brother Jiang's name?"

Then, he sighed, "It's only now that I realize that the Martial Path is a hundred times more important than commerce! Just like my Cheng family, we can be considered wealthy beyond measure."

"But what? Even facing a captain of the Inspection Bureau, we have no means to deal with him!"

"If it weren't for Brother Jiang coming to our rescue, my entire family might have been wrongfully executed."

Jiang Ning said, "Has Brother Cheng finally realized this?"

Cheng Ran nodded repeatedly, "I've realized it. Even if cultivating martial arts is difficult, I must continue on this path! In this world, without strength by your side, every step is filled with obstacles!"

"If I had half of Brother Jiang's strength, how dare Xiao Tianhe bully my Cheng family like this?"

At this moment, Cheng Ran's father, who was standing behind him, patted Cheng Ran's shoulder heavily.

"Good son, go ahead and fight! Even if I have to spend all the family's wealth, I will fully support you!"

Seeing this scene, Jiang Ning nodded.

Power was the truth, and he had long understood this.

Just like in his previous life, among powerful nations, truth only existed within the range of their cannons. For those weaker nations, without sufficient strength, who would bother to reason with them?

Therefore, after learning about the flourishing Martial Path in this world and the immense power of individuals, he had already set his goal—to continuously climb the ladder of the Martial Path.

After discovering his extraordinary panel, this goal became even more solidified.

A moment later.

"Sir, what should we do with the others?" Zhang Cheng cautiously asked Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning replied, "Release them all. They were all arrested unjustly!"

"Thank you, Sir!"

"Thank you, Sir Jiang!"

"Thank you, Sir!"

". . ."

As Jiang Ning spoke, the numerous tavern owners in the surrounding prison cells expressed their gratitude, and some even knelt down on the spot.

Tong Xiuyun, who had already walked out of the cell, looked at Jiang Ning with a complex expression.

From what she had just heard from Xie Xiaojiu, she realized that her rescue was entirely thanks to Jiang Ning's efforts.

Without Jiang Ning's intervention, not only would she not have been saved, but even Xie Xiaojiu would have been in danger.

Thinking of this, Tong Xiuyun bowed and said, "Thank you, Sir Jiang, for saving my life!"

Jiang Ning waved it off, "There's no need for such formality. Tong Xiuyun had previously given me that house, and I've always remembered this favor!"

Tong Xiuyun smiled, "It's nothing significant, but I'm glad that Sir Jiang still remembers it."

A moment later.

The group walked out of the prison.

Zhang Cheng followed behind, running to catch up, "Sir Jiang, your friend was arrested because of Huang Dazheng. Should I send someone to bring him back to the Inspection Bureau?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning stopped in his tracks.

"Xie Xiaojiu, you and Sir Zhang go together and bring Huang Dazheng to the Inspection Bureau to see me!"

"Yes, Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu immediately responded with a bow.

At the same time.

The Cheng father and son, who were following closely behind Jiang Ning, witnessed this scene. Cheng Fu couldn't help but lower his head and sigh.

"Raney, it's fortunate that you chose to befriend Jiang Ning earlier. Otherwise, we would have been in real trouble today!"

"Yes!" Cheng Ran also nodded in agreement.

Today was the first time he truly understood what real power was.

Xiao Tianhe, just a captain, could arbitrarily make up a reason to arrest them.

Moreover, the people in the county hall completely cooperated and didn't investigate the matter further.

Zhang Cheng, with decades of experience as a prison warden, could only smile awkwardly and follow behind Jiang Ning, unlike the notorious prison warden he was known to be.

If one were to judge Zhang Cheng based on his current appearance, they would be completely mistaken.

To have served as a prison warden in the county hall for decades and maintain peace within the prison for so many years was no ordinary feat.

It is well known that within the county hall, there are numerous vicious and notorious bandits and robber chieftains imprisoned.

These people have made countless friends outside.

And these so-called robber chieftains value loyalty above all else.

In the past, there have been instances of prison breaks.

However, over the years, there have never been any major incidents in this county hall's prison.

This is a testament to Zhang Cheng's methods.

Cheng Ran and his father continued to follow Jiang Ning closely.

"Ran, your father regrets not trusting your judgment before!"

"You're right, Father," Cheng Ran said slowly.

"At that time, you mentioned investing in Jiang Ning. If I had believed in your judgment, we would have benefited greatly from this favor in the future," said Cheng Fu.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Ran shook his head slightly, "Father, it's pointless to say more!"

"Yes, it's pointless!" Cheng Fu sighed, "We missed our chance to befriend Jiang Ning, and now even if we were to spend all our wealth, he probably wouldn't even spare us a glance!"

The Inspection Bureau.

After leaving the county hall, Jiang Ning asked Cheng Ran to make some arrangements and then brought him to the Inspection Bureau.

The reason for bringing him here was simple.

It was to register Cheng Ran.

"Brother Cheng, take this token and go to the Administrative Section to complete the registration. After that, you'll officially be a member of the Inspection Bureau," Jiang Ning said, taking out a black token from his chest and handing it to Cheng Ran.

"Rest assured, Jiang Ning, I won't let you down. In ten or fifteen days, I'm confident I'll reach the Ninth Stage of the Martial Path."

"Take your time, there's no rush!" Jiang Ning said, and then added, "As for addressing me as 'Jiang Ning,' there's no need for such formality between us."

Cheng Ran shook his head repeatedly, "Jiang Ning, public matters are public, and private matters are private!"

"In private, we're friends, but here, we must conduct official business. Since Jiang Ning considers me a friend, he shouldn't put me in an unfair position!"

Jiang Ning smiled upon hearing this.

"You're right. In that case, we'll do as you say."

"Jiang Ning, your subordinate takes his leave!" Cheng Ran bowed.

After Cheng Ran left, Jiang Ning turned and entered the inner hall.

Upon returning to the inner hall of the manor, he immediately continued to operate the Furnace Refining Technique, refining the Tiger Fetus Transformation Body Pill within his body.

He discovered that with the power of this pill, at his current refinement speed, it wouldn't take long for him to truly reach the Eighth Stage Peak.

Several hours later.

"Jiang Ning, the person has been brought here!" Xie Xiaojiu said, standing in the courtyard.

At this moment, Jiang Ning slowly retracted his fist.

【Five Beasts Fist Experience +1】

【Skills】: Five Beasts Fist (Remaining Points to Next Breakthrough: 366/2000) (Characteristics: Five Viscera Essence Storage)



Jiang Ning glanced at his panel and thought to himself, "The next breakthrough for Five Beasts Fist is still a ways off. After settling down, I must focus on my martial arts cultivation!"

He then closed the panel and looked at Xie Xiaojiu.

"Jiang Ning, this is Huang Dazheng, the source of today's morning incident."

Plop—

As Xie Xiaojiu spoke, Huang Dazheng's knees went weak, and he immediately knelt down.

That morning, he had witnessed the might of Xiao Tianhe, the Patrol Guard Squad Leader.

But now, he was facing not the Squad Leader, but the Deputy Commander, whose status and strength far surpassed Xiao Tianhe's.

"Jiang Ning, I was foolish!" Huang Dazheng said with a trembling voice.

"So, you admit that you were the one who did those things?" Jiang Ning asked calmly.

Huang Dazheng nodded, "Yes, it was me. I was the one who incited Squad Leader Xiao to abuse his power, leading to this grave mistake."

"Please forgive me, Jiang Ning, and spare me this time."

As he spoke, Huang Dazheng presented a ring with both hands.

"This is one of my family's treasures! There are two rings in total, and according to our family records, this ring has the effect of containing the universe within a mustard seed."

"Containing the universe within a mustard seed?" Jiang Ning's expression changed.

"Hmm? Containing the universe within a mustard seed?" A surprised voice also came from the entrance of the manor.

Jiang Ning looked up and saw that the person who had arrived was Feng Jiuge.

"Jiang Ning!" Feng Jiuge spoke up when she saw Jiang Ning's gaze.

Then, she flashed forward, instantly covering several yards, and stopped in front of Jiang Ning.

"I heard that in ancient times, there were divine techniques for refining artifacts, and there were objects that could contain the universe within a mustard seed! Could the ring in your hand be the legendary Omnimorphic Ring?" Feng Jiuge's eyes flickered as she looked at the ring in Huang Dazheng's hand and spoke.

Upon hearing this, Huang Dazheng nodded repeatedly, "You're right, based on our family records, this is indeed the legendary object."

Since it is a legendary item, why don't you use it?" Feng Jiuge voiced the doubt in Jiang Ning's mind.

Huang Dazheng's expression immediately turned into a frown, "It's not that I don't use it, but that I can't use it. This item is beyond ordinary people's capabilities and requires the legendary Immortal techniques to utilize it."

"What Immortal techniques?" Feng Jiuge asked.

"I don't know either. My father, grandfather, and several generations before them have all researched it, but we've never been able to use it correctly," Huang Dazheng replied.

"That's why I don't want this treasure to gather dust. I'm presenting it to you, hoping you'll spare my life!"

After saying this, Huang Dazheng held the ring in his hand high above his head and presented it to Jiang Ning.

"Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu's mouth opened slightly, as if wanting to say something but stopping herself.

...

Your code here

...

...

...

...

except:

...

Jiang Ning saw this and pondered for a few breaths.

Then, he raised his hand and took the Omnimorphic Ring that Huang Dazheng offered.

The ring was a dark black color, with a dull, lusterless surface. There was a flower and bird pattern on the front of the ring, but other than that, there was nothing special about it.

However, as Jiang Ning held the ring, he felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if he had experienced something similar before.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

The next moment, he suddenly remembered.

That day, when he discovered the Spiritual Weapon in the underground chamber of the weapon shop, he had felt a similar sensation.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning's heart stirred slightly.

"I'll take this item, and I won't pursue the matter any further!" he said calmly.

"Thank you, Sir!!!" Huang Dazheng's expression turned to great joy.

Then he said, "As the saying goes, a treasure sword belongs with a hero. This item must be a gift from the heavens, and in your hands, it will surely reveal its wondrous effects."

Jiang Ning asked, "You mentioned earlier that there's another ring in Xiao Tianhe's possession?"

Huang Dazheng nodded immediately, "Yes, Sir! This family heirloom ring has two pieces. One is now in your hands, and the other was the one I gave to Captain Xiao this morning, so it should be with him now."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded slightly and said, "Xiao Jiu, send him out!"

"Yes, Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu bowed.

"Thank you, Sir!!! Thank you, Sir!!!" Huang Dazheng's expression was filled with joy.

On the way here, he had known that Xiao Tianhe had been captured and thrown into the torture cage. He, a mere civilian, was as good as dead.

But now, he had been spared by Jiang Ning.

Although Huang Dazheng had offered his family heirloom, he still felt incredibly fortunate.

Many people would take the reward and not fulfill their promises.

For ordinary people, it was already rare to encounter someone who would take the reward and actually do the job.

Although he had paid the price of a family heirloom, the so-called family heirloom was of little value to Huang Dazheng.

He knew that the Omnimorphic Ring was extraordinary, but after generations of effort, they still couldn't unlock its secrets.

Now, he had exchanged this useless item for a chance at life, and he considered himself lucky.

What use were treasures if one lost their life?

After that, Xie Xiaojiu led Huang Dazheng out.

In the courtyard, only Feng Jiuge and Jiang Ning remained.

"By the way, Sir!" Feng Jiuge spoke up, "My ten team members have been recruited. Do you want to inspect them later?"

Jiang Ning replied, "There's no need. I trust you!"

"You're truly a carefree boss!" Feng Jiuge smiled.

Then she said, "Sir, can you show me the Omnimorphic Ring?"

Jiang Ning nodded slightly and placed the Omnimorphic Ring in Feng Jiuge's hand.

Feng Jiuge took the ring and examined it closely for a moment. "Sir, have you heard of the Mustard Seed Containment Effect?"

Jiang Ning shook his head slightly, "No."

Feng Jiuge explained, "The Mustard Seed Containment Effect is an Immortal technique from ancient times. It has the power to contain the universe within a mustard seed."

"If this item is truly the legendary Mustard Seed Containment Effect, then it's indeed a treasure."

"But using it is not that simple!"

"Based on my understanding, only those with Immortal Roots and Mental Energy can achieve a quasi-physical state, temporarily detach from their bodies, and interact with the outside world to use it."

"I see!" Jiang Ning nodded slightly and then said, "Even if it can't be used, it's still a valuable item to collect!"

"You're right! That tavern owner is just an insignificant person. If what he said is true, his life is far less valuable than this Omnimorphic Ring."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end