Chapter 187: False Merit from Killing the Innocent

Chapter 187: False Merit from Killing the Innocent

In the pool.

Under Jiang Ning's control, the water currents converged like a dragon, flowing and twisting.

After manipulating it for a moment, Jiang Ning waved his hand, and the gathered water currents instantly disintegrated.

"As expected, the stronger my strength, the more powerful this divine ability becomes."

"Now, my control over the water currents is about ten percent stronger than before."

【Name】: Jiang Ning

【Source】: 224.7

【Skills】:

Literacy (Secondary Limit Break 2877/3000) (Characteristics: Photographic Memory, Extraordinary Senses)



Five Beasts Fist (Primary Limit Break 381/2000) (Characteristics: Five Viscera Essence Storage)



Axe-Chopping Sword Technique + (Fourth Limit Break 5000/5000) (Characteristics: Lateral Learning, Swift as the Wind, Divine Sword Control, Unity of Man and Sword)



Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique (Mastery 1811/2000)



Great Waves Sword Technique (Mastery 67/1000)



Diamond Body Technique (Minor Accomplishment 453/5000)



Swimming Skill (Fourth Limit Break 4637/5000) (Characteristics: Underwater Breathing, Water Control, Water Spirit Affinity, Summoning Rain)



Glancing at his status panel, Jiang Ning was quite satisfied.

After a few days of dedicated experience grinding, his Literacy skill was about to break through its limit.

Once this skill breaks through, his mental energy will receive a boost.

Then, he can test if the Omnimorphic Ring can be used by him.

It was impossible for Jiang Ning to say that he wasn't looking forward to such a treasure.

Containing the universe in a mustard seed, this item may not enhance his strength, but it will make his future actions far more convenient.

He won't need to carry weapons with him everywhere he goes.

Additionally, after thoroughly refining the Tiger Fetus Transformation Body Pill over the past few days, his source energy points have surged.

This surge fulfilled the requirement for the fifth limit break of Axe-Chopping Sword Technique.

Simultaneously, the experience points for Swimming Skill were also about to meet the requirement for the fifth limit break.

However, what Jiang Ning anticipated the most was the imminent breakthrough in Internal Elixir Cultivation Technique.

This technique, being an ultimate skill, would grant him control over the mysterious inner energy upon reaching the minor accomplishment stage.

At that time, his strength would undoubtedly undergo a metamorphosis.

"It's almost here, in a few more days, my strength will have a significant boost," Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Then, within the water, Jiang Ning clenched his fist.

Instantly, he felt his entire body's muscles being activated, and immense power surged through his arms.

"Over four thousand jin!"

"My muscles have been tempered to their limit; this is my current peak!"

Just then, footsteps approached from behind.

"Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu's voice echoed.

"Xiaojiu, what's the matter?" Jiang Ning stood up.

A gush of water splashed, stirred by his movement, sliding over his muscles, which were as sleek as a leopard's, and landed on the water's surface.

At this moment, Jiang Ning wore only a pair of shorts.

This was normal for him.

After all, this was how he dressed on the beach in her previous life.

But Xie Xiaojiu stood there, stunned for a moment, before replying, "Sir, according to the task assigned from above, I've located a branch of the Cult of Malevolent Gods."

"What about the City God Temple? Is there any news?" Jiang Ning asked.

Xie Xiaojiu shook his head, "Before the arrival of Lord Hong, the statue in the City God Temple was secretly removed, and its whereabouts are unknown."

"It seems they received some information. These cults that worship evil deities are always the first to be eradicated by the Inspection Bureau."

"Half of the rebellions in Great Xia were linked to these evil deity sects."

As Jiang Ning put on his clothes, he said, "If the Cult of Malevolent Gods could worship their statue in the City God Temple, do you know who they might be connected to locally?"

Xie Xiaojiu replied, "The Cao, Liu, and Xie families may all have connections with the Cult of Malevolent Gods."

"You mentioned the Xie family?" Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

"The Cao, Liu, and Xie families are essentially one. But the most likely suspect is the County Governor."

"If it's the County Governor, what is he after?" Jiang Ning asked.

"I've also thought about this, sir. Perhaps they are after military authority," Xie Xiaojiu replied.

"Military authority?" Jiang Ning showed a hint of surprise. "Go on."

Xie Xiaojiu continued, "Our Ze Shan Province is relatively peaceful due to the abundance of mountains and water."

"Especially in Luoshui County, because of its proximity to the Luoshui River, even after months of severe drought, the county's farmland remains unaffected."

"But outside of Luoshui County, especially beyond Ze Shan Province, the situation has become increasingly chaotic in recent years, with rebellions erupting from time to time."

"In this chaotic situation, various powerful clans and families are all urging the authorities to loosen their control over military power."

"With the release of military control, the various powerful clans and families can openly recruit soldiers and arm them."

"With soldiers, they have the capital to protect themselves."

"After all, Martial Path powerhouses are strong, but they have limitations, and without reaching a certain level, their strength has its limits."

"And those aristocratic families, as well as the top-tier forces, are even more eager to make this happen!"

"The royal family of Great Xia was once the top family in the world before the Great Xia Dynasty."

"If the world falls into chaos, many aristocratic families will want to follow in their footsteps!"

Hearing Xie Xiaojiu's clear and logical words, Jiang Ning couldn't help but exclaim in his heart.

Indeed, as the offspring of a prominent family, he didn't seem very smart on the surface, but he knew so much.

Jiang Ning then calmed himself and asked Xie Xiaojiu.

"Right! Where did you say the Cult of Malevolent Gods' branch was located?"

Xie Xiaojiu replied, "In a large mansion in the east of the city!"

"Is the information reliable?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Reliable!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded.

"Good, go and inform Feng Jiuge and Ran Hongmei. Gather your men, and we'll go together later."

"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu replied.

He then turned and left.

At this moment, Jiang Ning was also fully dressed.

"Cult of Malevolent Gods?" He muttered to himself.

He hadn't forgotten that in his previous life, he had fallen into a coma because of the Cult of Malevolent Gods.

The reason the cult's followers had attacked him was simple; it was because he was a naturally gifted person.

From Shi Xiao Yuan, Jiang Ning also learned about the attraction of naturally gifted individuals to the Cult of Malevolent Gods.

When a naturally gifted person is sacrificed to their worshipped deity, they can receive a great blessing.

"Let's go and see what this Cult of Malevolent Gods is capable of!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Several hours later.

In front of a mansion in the eastern district.

Boom—

With a glance from Jiang Ning, Feng Jiuge kicked, and the mansion's gate instantly shattered into four pieces.

"It's empty!" Feng Jiuge exclaimed.

Jiang Ning said, "Follow me, and you'll see!"

After saying this, Jiang Ning stepped into the mansion's gate.

Before Feng Jiuge kicked the door, Jiang Ning already knew that the mansion was empty.

Because his five senses were extraordinary at this moment, even with a wall blocking his view, he could hear the heartbeat of the person behind it.

And when he arrived at the mansion's gate, not only were there no human voices, but even the sound of breathing and heartbeats didn't exist.

This indicated that the mansion was definitely empty.

Stepping into the mansion, what met their eyes was an empty mansion.

A moment later.

"Sir, there's no one here!" Xie Xiaojiu reported.

At this moment, Feng Jiuge's voice came from a nearby room, "Sir, I've found something!"

"Let's go!" Jiang Ning said.

Xie Xiaojiu quickly followed Jiang Ning.

Stepping into the room.

They saw that the floor had already been smashed open by Feng Jiuge, revealing a dark underground chamber entrance below.

"Sir, let me go first?" Feng Jiuge asked.

Jiang Ning shook his head, "No hurry."

Then he turned to the person behind him, "Bring a torch!"

"Yes, Commander Jiang!" The person behind him immediately replied.

A moment later.

A blazing torch appeared before Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning took the torch and threw it into the underground chamber's entrance.

Instantly.

The pitch-black underground chamber revealed a descending staircase.

The torch bounced and rolled along the staircase, illuminating the underground chamber's steps brightly.

"Bring another torch!" Jiang Ning ordered.

"Yes, Commander Jiang!" The person behind him replied again.

Then, he quickly lit another torch and handed it to Jiang Ning, "Sir!"

Jiang Ning took the torch, turned to the crowd, and said, "Follow me, and be careful!"

"Sir, there's no need to lead the way; I'll go!" Xie Xiaojiu stepped forward.

"Your strength is too weak; just follow me!"

As he spoke.

Jiang Ning untied the wine flask from his waist and took a sip.

Then.

Pfft—

A mist of alcohol was spat out towards the front.

"Follow me!"

Jiang Ning opened his mouth, and then stepped into the underground chamber's staircase.

At this moment, in the air unseen by others.

Countless alcohol mists seemed to transform into his eyes, manipulated by him, following the underground chamber's staircase and delving deeper into the underground chamber.

A moment later.

"Wait!" Jiang Ning raised his hand.

The person behind him immediately stopped.

The next moment.

Jiang Ning drew his scabbard and smashed it against the wall in front of him.

Boom—

The wall instantly shattered.

Several arrows with green light flashed and shot out.

Poison arrow trap?! Xie Xiaojiu and Feng Jiuge, who were behind him, widened their eyes in shock.

"You're truly amazing, to have noticed that!" Xie Xiaojiu exclaimed in awe.

"Indeed, it's impressive!" Feng Jiuge nodded in agreement.

"How did you discover it, sir?" Ruan Hongmei asked, voicing her confusion.

Jiang Ning replied, "Just by careful observation!"

He then continued forward, skillfully navigating the path ahead.

Everything in front of him was illuminated by the alcohol mist he controlled, so he was well aware of any potential dangers.

A moment later...

Jiang Ning reached out and disabled two more traps as he made his way to the underground chamber.

Upon entering the underground chamber, Jiang Ning moved with ease and confidence.

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He lit torches in the corners of the room and casually disabled the surrounding traps.

"You're so powerful, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu exclaimed in admiration.

Jiang Ning nodded slightly, "Indeed, there's nothing here."

Even before lighting the torches, he had already noticed the emptiness; the entire chamber was devoid of any contents.

An hour later...

At the entrance of the Inspection Bureau...

"Oh, Commander Jiang, you're returning empty-handed?" He Jinyun's face was still pale and thin, and he spoke with a casual tone.

Jiang Ning glanced at He Jinyun, "Commander He, it seems you've had quite a successful hunt!"

At that moment, He Jinyun was almost entirely covered in blood, and the two purple-gold hammers in his hands were also stained.

Behind him, someone carried a pile of severed heads.

Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.

"You're taking credit for killing innocent people?"

He Jinyun turned around and immediately understood why Jiang Ning said those words. He responded with a cold smile.

"What do you mean by killing innocent people? These are all followers of the Cult of Malevolent Gods!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning stared deeply into He Jinyun's eyes.

He Jinyun shuddered under Jiang Ning's gaze.

Before He Jinyun could react, Jiang Ning had already turned and walked away.

"Killing innocent people... I've misjudged this He Jinyun!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Originally, he thought that although He Jinyun was the son of a marquis, his nature wouldn't be so cruel. But from this moment on, Jiang Ning's opinion of He Jinyun reached a new low.

Killing innocent people... With his moral standards from his previous life, he couldn't bear to witness such a tragedy.

"Sir, should we report this matter to the Prefecture Lord?" Feng Jiuge asked quietly from behind.

Jiang Ning shook his head, "Whether we report it or not, the Prefecture Lord will find out. If I noticed it, how could he not?" Jiang Ning said.

After returning to the Inspection Bureau...

Jiang Ning had just settled down when he received an invitation from Hong Minghu.

Tonight, at the seventh hour and three-quarters, they were to meet at the Bright Moon Tower.

Night fell...

At the Bright Moon Tower...

The bright moonlight bathed the tower platform.

"Prefecture Lord, is it just the two of us?" Jiang Ning had just stepped onto the platform, following the invitation, when he saw Hong Minghu, who had clearly been waiting.

Hong Minghu nodded slightly, "Yes, just the two of us. Consider it a private banquet!"

As he spoke, Hong Minghu stood up and gestured for Jiang Ning to take a seat.

Jiang Ning clasped his hands respectfully, "I'm honored that you've invited me, Prefecture Lord."

Hong Minghu couldn't help but laugh upon hearing Jiang Ning's words.

"You really know how to speak!"

"In the entire Inspection Bureau, I may look down upon others, but I dare not underestimate you!"

"Do you know that you're currently ranked eighty-third on the Dragon Ranking?"

Jiang Ning was astonished by this revelation.

"Eighty-third on the Dragon Ranking?"

"Mhm," Hong Minghu nodded slightly and then handed Jiang Ning a golden scroll placed beside him. "Take a look for yourself! This is the Dragon Ranking, the Mortal Chart! You're currently ranked eighty-third on it."

Jiang Ning took the Dragon Ranking scroll from Hong Minghu and unfurled it, immediately spotting his name at the bottom.

He slowly scanned the list, pausing slightly in the middle.

"He Jinyun, seventy-sixth."

After seeing this, Jiang Ning continued scanning down the list.

Soon, all one hundred names were imprinted in his mind.

"He Jinyun, seventy-sixth! It seems the person who made this custom ranking doesn't know everything."

"Or perhaps He Jinyun is hiding a lot of his strength. Otherwise, with his Eighth Stage of the Martial Dao, he couldn't possibly be ranked above me."

Jiang Ning was confident in his assessment, as no one but himself knew the extent of his hidden strength.

Although He Jinyun claimed to possess incredible innate divine strength, Jiang Ning also had over four thousand jin of strength, no different from those with innate divine strength.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end