Chapter 187: Killing the Righteous for Merit

Chapter 187: Killing the Righteous for Merit

In the pool.

Under Jiang Ning's control, the water gathered and flowed like a dragon.

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

"As expected, the stronger I become, the more powerful this divine ability will be!"

"Now, my control over the water flow is about one-tenth stronger than before."

【Name】: Jiang Ning

【Essence Energy】: 224.7

【Skills】:

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



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



Splitting Firewood Sword Technique+ (Fourth Limit Break 5000/5000) (Characteristics: Lateral Thinking, Swift as the Wind, Divine Sword Control, Unity of Man and Sword)



Inner Core Nourishing Technique (Proficiency 1811/2000)



Canglang Sword Technique (Major Success 67/1000)



Vajra Unshakable Body (Minor Success 453/5000)



Water Proficiency (Fourth Limit Break 4637/5000) (Characteristics: Underwater Breathing, Water Control, Water Spirit Affinity, Cloud Manipulation)



Jiang Ning checked his status panel and was quite satisfied.

After focusing on gaining experience these past few days, his Script Mastery skill was about to break through the limit.

When this skill breaks through, his mental power will increase.

At that time, he can test if he can use the Mustard Seed Ring.

It's impossible for Jiang Ning to say he's not looking forward to such a treasure.

The Mustard Seed Jewel, while it won't directly enhance his strength, will make his life much more convenient from now on.

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

Additionally, after thoroughly refining the Tiger Prenatal Transformation Pill these past few days, his Essence Energy points have surged.

This satisfies the requirement for the fifth limit break of his Splitting Firewood Sword Technique.

At the same time, the experience points for his Water Proficiency skill also meet the requirement for the fifth limit break.

However, what Jiang Ning is most excited about is that in a few more days, he will achieve a breakthrough in his Inner Core Nourishing Technique.

This technique is an ultimate skill, and once he achieves minor success, he will master the mysterious power of Inner Breath.

At that time, his strength will undoubtedly undergo a transformation.

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

Then, while still in the water, Jiang Ning clenched his fist.

Instantly, he felt his muscles being activated, and a powerful force surged through his arms.

"Over four thousand jin!"

"My muscles have been tempered to the limit, and this is my current limit!"

Just then, footsteps sounded from behind.

"Lord!" Xie Xiaojiu's voice rang out.

"Xiaojiu, what is it?" Jiang Ning stood up.

A splash of water sounded as the water droplets from his movement slid down his leopard-like, streamlined muscles and landed on the water's surface.

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

This was normal for him.

After all, in his previous life, he often wore this on the beach.

But at this moment, for Xie Xiaojiu, it was a bit...

Xie Xiaojiu was stunned for a moment before replying, "Lord, according to the task assigned by the higher-ups, I have found a branch of the Idolatrous Church."

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

Xie Xiaojiu shook his head, "A month before Lord Hong's arrival, the idol of the Idolatrous Church was secretly removed from the City God Temple, and its whereabouts are unknown."

"It seems they received news and fled. This church that worships evil gods is always the first target for the Inspection Office to eradicate."

"Previously, most of the rebellions in Great Xia were connected to this evil god-worshipping church."

As Jiang Ning put on his clothes, he said, "Xiaojiu, if the Idolatrous Church could worship their idol in the City God Temple, then do you know who they are connected to in the local area?"

Xie Xiaojiu slightly shook his head, "I'm not sure, but I estimate that the Cao, Liu, and Xie families may all have connections with the Idolatrous Church."

"Why did you mention the Xie family?" Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

Xie Xiaojiu said, "The Cao, Liu, and Xie families are essentially one, but the most likely one is still that County Governor."

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

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

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

Xie Xiaojiu continued, "Our Mountain Lake Province is relatively peaceful because of the mountains and water. Especially our Luoshui County, due to its proximity to the Luoshui River, even though it has been suffering from a prolonged drought, the county's fields have not dried up."

"But outside of Luoshui County, especially beyond Mountain Lake Province, things have become increasingly chaotic in recent years, with rebellions erupting from time to time."

"In this chaotic situation, various powerful families and clans are pressuring the higher-ups to grant them power and relax control over military affairs.

"The military power will be loosened, allowing the various powerful clans and families to freely recruit soldiers and arm them with armor and weapons."

"With soldiers, we have the capital to protect ourselves."

"After all, while martial powerhouses are strong, they have their limitations, and their strength is finite below a certain level."

"Moreover, the aristocratic families and top powers from all sides are more than willing to facilitate this!"

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

"If chaos ensues, many aristocratic families will want to follow that path again!!"

Upon hearing Xie Xiaojiu's clear and logical words, Jiang Ning couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Indeed, as a child from a prominent family, she didn't appear very intelligent on the surface, but she knew so much more than expected.

Jiang Ning then composed himself and asked Xie Xiaojiu.

"Oh, right! Where did you say the Idolatry Sect's branch is located?"

Xie Xiaojiu replied, "In a large house 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 shortly."

"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu responded.

He then turned and left.

At this moment, Jiang Ning was fully dressed.

"Idolatry Sect?" he muttered to himself.

He hadn't forgotten that in his previous life, he had fallen into a coma due to the Idolatry Sect.

The reason the sect's followers had targeted him was simple: he was an innately intelligent being.

Previously, from Shi Xiaoyuan, Jiang Ning had also learned about the appeal of innately intelligent beings to the Idolatry Sect.

When an innately intelligent being was sacrificed to the sect's worshipped deity, it would bring immense blessings.

"I'll go and see for myself what this Idolatry Sect is capable of!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Several hours later.

In front of a residence in the eastern district.

Boom—

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

"No one?" Feng Jiuge was taken aback.

Jiang Ning said, "Follow me!"

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

Even before Feng Jiuge kicked down the door, he had already known that the courtyard was empty.

His extraordinary senses allowed him to hear the heartbeat of someone behind a wall, even with a wall between them.

And when he arrived at the mansion's entrance, not only were there no voices, but even the sounds of breathing and heartbeats were absent.

This indicated that the courtyard was definitely empty.

Stepping into the courtyard, they saw that it was indeed deserted.

A moment later.

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

Just then, Feng Jiuge's voice came from a room not far away: "Sir, I've found something!"

"Let's go!" Jiang Ning said.

Xie Xiaojiu hurriedly followed Jiang Ning.

Upon entering the room.

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

"Sir, should I go in first?" Feng Jiuge asked.

Jiang Ning shook his head. "No rush."

Then he turned to the person behind him and said, "Get me a torch!"

A moment later.

A blazing torch appeared in Jiang Ning's hand.

Jiang Ning held the torch and threw it into the underground cave.

In an instant.

The pitch-black underground chamber revealed a descending staircase.

The torch danced and rolled along the staircase, illuminating the underground steps brightly.

"Get me another torch!" Jiang Ning said.

"Yes, Lord Jiang!" the person behind him responded again.

The person quickly lit another torch and handed it to Jiang Ning: "Sir!"

Jiang Ning took the torch and turned to the group: "Follow me, and be careful!"

"Sir, let me go first! I'm stronger!" Xie Xiaojiu immediately stepped forward.

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

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

As he spoke.

Jiang Ning untied the hip flask from his waist and took a drink.

Then.

Puh—

A mist of alcohol was exhaled towards the front.

"Follow me!"

Jiang Ning spoke, and then he stepped onto the underground staircase.

At this moment, in the air invisible to the crowd.

The alcohol mist seemed to transform into his eyes, following the underground staircase and descending 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 gripped his sword sheath and smashed it against the wall in front of him.

Boom—

The wall instantly shattered.

Several arrows glowing with green light shot out.

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

"Sir, you're truly remarkable to have noticed that!" Xie Xiaojiu exclaimed in awe.

"Indeed, you are remarkable!" Feng Jiuge nodded in agreement.

"Sir, how did you discover this?" Ran Hongmei asked, voicing her confusion.

"Just observe carefully!" Jiang Ning replied as he continued forward.

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

A moment later, Jiang Ning proceeded, disabling two mechanisms along the way before reaching the ground.

Upon entering the underground chamber, Jiang Ning navigated with ease.

He ignited piles of firewood in the corners and casually disabled the surrounding traps.

"Sir, you're so powerful!" Xie Xiaojiu exclaimed, watching Jiang Ning's skilled maneuvers with admiration.

"Indeed, you are strong!" Feng Jiuge also nodded slightly.

If it weren't for her belief that a Celestial Prodigy like Jiang Ning couldn't possibly be from the Idolatry Sect, she would have suspected him of being a member.

Normally, only an insider would have such a clear understanding of the layout.

Soon, Jiang Ning lit up the entire underground chamber with the torches, revealing its emptiness.

"There's nothing here?" Feng Jiuge furrowed her brows slightly.

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

Even before lighting the torches, he had realized the chamber's emptiness, as it was completely devoid of any contents.

An hour later, at the entrance of the Inspection Office.

"Oh, Commander Jiang, you're returning empty-handed?" He Jinyun, still appearing pale and emaciated, spoke with a casual tone.

"Commander He, on the other hand, has had quite the successful hunt!" Jiang Ning glanced at He Jinyun.

At that moment, He Jinyun's body was almost entirely stained with blood, and the two purple-gold hammers he held were also covered in bloodstains.

Behind him, there were even more people carrying a pile of severed heads.

Suddenly, Jiang Ning's gaze sharpened.

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

He Jinyun turned to look back, immediately understanding Jiang Ning's words, and then he chuckled.

"What do you mean, killing innocent people? These people are all members of the Idolatry Sect!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning gave He Jinyun a deep look.

Seeing this, He Jinyun couldn't help but shudder inwardly.

Before he could recover, Jiang Ning had already turned and walked away.

"Taking credit for killing innocent people, I must have misjudged He Jinyun!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

Initially, he had thought that although He Jinyun was the Young Lord's son, his nature shouldn't be inherently evil.

But from that moment on, Jiang Ning's opinion of He Jinyun plummeted to rock bottom.

Taking credit for killing innocent people.

With his previous life's values, he couldn't bear to witness such a tragedy.

"Sir, should we report this matter to the Governor?" Feng Jiuge asked softly from behind.

Jiang Ning shook his head, "Whether we tell him or not, he will find out. If even I know, how could he not?"

After returning to the Inspection Office, Jiang Ning had just settled down when he received an invitation from Hong Minghu.

The invitation requested his presence at the Bright Moon Tower at the third watch of the night.

That night, under the bright moonlight, Jiang Ning climbed the tower as per the invitation and saw Hong Minghu, who had clearly been waiting for some time.

Hong Minghu nodded, "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 bowed, "I'm honored that you would invite me, Governor Hong!"

Upon hearing this, Hong Minghu couldn't help but laugh.

"You really know how to speak!"

"In the entire Inspection Office, there's no one I dare to look down upon, except you!"

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

Jiang Ning was astonished upon hearing this.

"Eighty-third on the Dragon Ascension Chart?"

"Mhm!" Hong Minghu nodded slightly, then handed Jiang Ning a golden silk scroll that had been placed beside him, "Take a look for yourself! This is the Dragon Ascension Chart, the list of people! You're currently ranked eighty-third."

Jiang Ning took the Dragon Ascension Chart from Hong Minghu and immediately spotted his name at the end of the list.

His gaze slowly moved from the top to the bottom, pausing slightly further down the list.

"He Jinyun, seventy-sixth."

After reading that line, Jiang Ning continued scanning the list.

Soon, all one hundred names were etched into his memory.

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

"Or perhaps He Jinyun has hidden a lot of his strength, otherwise, with his Sixth Stage Martial Dao abilities, he wouldn't be ranked so high."

Jiang Ning thought to himself, confident in this assessment.

Aside from himself, no one knew the extent of his hidden strength.

Although He Jinyun was known for his supposedly innate divine strength,

Jiang Ning also possessed over four thousand jin of strength, making him no different from a divine strength user.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end