Chapter 206: Staying at Xie Xiaojiu's Home

Chapter 206: Staying at Xie Xiaojiu's Home

In the courtyard.

The hour of the Snake (10 AM) had just passed.

Hu—

Jiang Ning exhaled the turbid air from his stomach and stood up.

The daily routine of Solar Energy Breathing Exercise was complete.

He could clearly feel that as his five viscera and six bowels were tempered, the inner breath in his Dantian became even more dense.

Moreover, even without tempering the five viscera and six bowels and when he was not focusing on condensing his inner breath, it still grew by a few strands each day.

This effect was a result of the changes brought about by the Five Beasts Fist's Break Limit.

[Essence Stored in Five Viscera]: The essence energy is stored within the five viscera, enhancing them naturally.

With this characteristic, each day, the inner breath within his body would increase by several strands.

A river is formed from accumulated water, and a basket from accumulated grains.

Given time, Jiang Ning believed that relying solely on the naturally increasing inner breath, his Dantian would become as vast as the ocean.

After sensing the inner breath within his body, he then headed towards the Inspection Bureau.

As for the Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill in his body, it was still not completely refined.

Nearly half of it remained in his stomach, continuously releasing its medicinal power.

An hour and a half later.

Inspection Bureau.

"Sir, I have arranged for the matter you instructed!" Xie Xiaojiu respectfully reported to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning said, "The movements of the Yellow Heaven Sect in the county town must be closely monitored, especially that Liu Lintang!"

"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu clasped his hands and then said, "I have also sent a message to the Bamboo Gang leader. With the Bamboo Gang members keeping watch everywhere, they will report on his activities three times a day, as you instructed."

"Mm-hmm!" Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

Then, he picked up the tea on the table to moisten his throat and used it to wash away the food residue in his mouth.

Seeing that Jiang Ning had finished his lunch, Xie Xiaojiu immediately began clearing the table.

In the courtyard.

Jiang Ning stood by the pond behind the artificial hill in the courtyard.

The edges and bottom of the pond were paved tightly with pebbles, and the water was crystal clear.

This clear pond was Jiang Ning's practice ground.

There was no better place for his cultivation than in the water.

Soon, Jiang Ning took off his clothes, revealing his muscular body, and stepped into the water wearing only a pair of shorts.

Sitting cross-legged on the edge of the pond, Jiang Ning began visualizing the furnace.

His qi and blood power instantly transformed into fuel for the furnace.

The Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill in his body was constantly refined, leaving only the pure medicinal essence.

Two hours later.

Jiang Ning finally finished refining the first Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill.

Pa—

Sitting cross-legged in the water, he gently flicked his hand.

The large sinews in his body burst forth with incredible force, and the air struck his arm, feeling like a water bag.

This sensation was similar to stretching his hand out of a high-speed car window in his previous life.

"Indeed, the resilience of the human body's large sinews has increased significantly." Jiang Ning's expression showed a hint of joy.

He then tried exerting force a few more times.

After a few breaths, he stopped.

"The explosive power has increased by about half!"

"It seems the effect of the Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill is indeed powerful!"

"But the price is indeed a bit steep!"

Jiang Ning's heart ached slightly.

In just half a day, he had consumed a pill worth five thousand taels.

If it weren't for his recent windfall and the presence of a formidable enemy, he would never have been able to afford such extravagance.

However, feeling the effect of the pill, he was also satisfied.

According to his previous efficiency, absorbing tiger sinew powder and refining the human body's large sinews would have taken at least five days of dedicated cultivation to achieve such results.

But now, in just half a day, he had reached this level.

The efficiency of the two was at least ten times different.

Compared to ordinary martial artists refining their bodies' large sinews, the efficiency was even dozens of times greater.

After all, compared to an ordinary seventh-rank martial artist, he could manipulate water sources and had extremely strong psychic energy.

The stronger the psychic energy, the more precise and efficient the refining process would be for skin, flesh, sinews, and bones.

Furthermore, his qi and blood were far superior to ordinary seventh-rank martial artists, coupled with his top-grade root bone.

All of this contributed to his exceptionally high efficiency in sinew training.

This alone was enough to demonstrate the incredible effectiveness of the Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill.

This pill was said to easily refine the human body's large sinews to the level of a dragon and tiger.

Dragon refers to a dragon, and tiger to a fierce tiger.

When the human body's large sinews reach this level of resilience, they can unleash unimaginable power.

Every move and gesture, within a short distance, can instantly unleash full-body power.

Even a flick of the finger can generate explosive force comparable to a full-strength punch.

This incredible burst of power was so strong that it could even cause one's fingers to snap.

This was the unbelievable effect of the Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill.

After that, Jiang Ning took out another Dragon Tiger Sinew Pill and swallowed it.

Then, he continued to meditate on the furnace, using his vital energy as fuel to refine the pill within his body.

At the Inspection Bureau, Jiang Ning could also relax his guard, not having to worry about Liu Lintang's sudden visits, and focus entirely on refining the pill within his body.

In this situation, the efficiency was two to three times faster compared to when he was at home.

Soon, the sun began to set.

Tap, tap, tap—

A series of light footsteps approached.

It was Xie Xiaojiu who had arrived.

As she entered the courtyard, she tiptoed around the artificial hill in the corner and saw Jiang Ning sitting cross-legged in the center of the pool.

At this moment, Jiang Ning was sitting cross-legged in the pool, wearing only a pair of loose underpants.

His body, with its sleek and muscular form reminiscent of a leopard, was exposed.

His black hair was simply tied back with a headband, and the ends of his hair were slightly damp.

White mist rose from Jiang Ning's body.

The water in the pool beside him rippled slightly.

"He's still practicing!"

"No wonder his strength is so formidable. He even has the determination to neglect sleep and meals!"

Xie Xiaojiu watched this scene, her heart filled with admiration.

Since she had known Jiang Ning, she had seen him practicing whenever they met.

Even in her most difficult times, she had never achieved such dedication.

Moreover, Jiang Ning had now surpassed his social class and become a revered figure in Luoshui County.

It was said that even within the Xie family, her father secretly instructed her to follow Jiang Ning closely.

His words even hinted at the idea of offering herself to Jiang Ning.

Thinking of this, Xie Xiaojiu felt speechless.

But this also showed how highly regarded Jiang Ning was.

One of the three major families in Luoshui County, the Cao family, had completely fallen into Jiang Ning's hands.

In such a situation, who wouldn't be afraid?

Despite having attained this status and lifestyle, Jiang Ning didn't indulge in life's pleasures but continued to practice and cultivate.

This was what impressed Xie Xiaojiu the most.

After that, Xie Xiaojiu stood quietly by the side, waiting for Jiang Ning.

The setting sun gradually descended behind the mountain.

The fiery red sunlight shone warmly upon the courtyard.

The gentle breeze blew, causing ripples on the water's surface.

Even at this time, the wind from afar still carried scorching heat, causing sweat to form on people's foreheads.

"How long have you been here?" Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes.

"Not long, sir, just half a cup of tea's time!" Xie Xiaojiu replied.

Jiang Ning nodded and asked, "Any news about Liu Lintang?"

"Yes!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded repeatedly.

Gurgle—

Xie Xiaojiu's face turned slightly red.

Hearing the hungry sound from Xie Xiaojiu's stomach, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile slightly.

Then he stood up from the pool.

Splash—

Water flowed down his body and landed on the surface of the pool, creating splashes of wavelets.

"Let's go eat, we can talk as we walk!"

Jiang Ning spoke, and with a thought, his muscles rippled, causing the droplets of water on his body to fly away.

"Sir, you change your clothes, I'll wait for you outside!" Xie Xiaojiu said.

Jiang Ning was slightly startled, then smiled.

Xie Xiaojiu thought he was going to change his loose underpants, but it wasn't necessary.

With a thought, the water in Jiang Ning's loose underpants instantly transferred to the side.

Then he picked up the clothes placed on the rocks of the artificial hill and put them on.

This place was very close to the Inspection Bureau, separated by just one street.

Jiang Ning and Xie Xiaojiu sat by the window on the second floor.

"Speak!" Jiang Ning glanced out the window, feeling his mood lift.

"Sir, according to the information from below, for the entire day, the Yellow Heaven Sect and others didn't show any major movements. But someone went out to buy some medicinal ingredients, ingredients for treating eye ailments!"

Xie Xiaojiu spoke.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning seemed deep in thought.

"Has Liu Lintang gone out?"

Xie Xiaojiu replied, "The people keeping watch outside didn't see him."

Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

In his heart, he muttered, "Looks like the injury I inflicted on Liu Lintang's eyes that night won't heal so easily."

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Ning said, "Continue to keep a close watch, don't let anyone in or out slip by."

"Understood!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded repeatedly.

"Sir, the food and wine are here!" A young servant boy carried a tray and approached Jiang Ning, who was sitting by the window.

"Let's eat first!" Jiang Ning glanced at him and said.

"Yes, Sir!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded repeatedly.

As night fell, the two of them left the restaurant.

"Sir, are you really going to come home with me?" Xie Xiaojiu asked.

"Mhm, I'll be staying at your place tonight, and I'll need to stay there for a few days," Jiang Ning nodded affirmatively.

"Then should I inform my father to welcome you?" Xie Xiaojiu looked at Jiang Ning.

"No need!" Jiang Ning shook his head and continued, "Don't tell anyone about this matter. Just tell me the specific location, and I'll climb over the wall to find you later."

"Okay!" Xie Xiaojiu was stunned and then nodded.

Along the way.

The two of them were silent.

Jiang Ning had already planned to stay at Xie Xiaojiu's place temporarily.

According to Lin Qingyi, that night, a Yin Spirit of a certain Earth King from the Yellow Heaven Sect had intervened.

That Yin Spirit had arrived in Luoshui County and used some mysterious means to discover that Liu Lintang's assassination attempt was his doing.

So, he found Jiang Ning and marked him.

If not for Lin Qingyi's sudden intervention, Jiang Ning's situation might have become even more dire.

Even though Lin Qingyi injured the Yin Spirit, the mark on Jiang Ning's body could not be removed.

In this situation, as long as Liu Lintang found Jiang Ning, he could open his Heavenly Eye and discover that Jiang Ning was the target.

Therefore, Jiang Ning chose not to return home that night.

Before going out during the day, he also informed his older brother.

It would be too easy for Liu Lintang to find him at his own home.

Staying at Xie Xiaojiu's home was different; it would be difficult for Liu Lintang to trace Jiang Ning's whereabouts.

During the day, Jiang Ning was at the Inspection Bureau, and it would also be difficult for Liu Lintang to find him there.

With each day's delay, Jiang Ning's strength would increase.

The stronger he became, the safer and more room to maneuver he would have.

Not long after.

The two of them arrived at the street where the Xie Family Manor was located.

Standing in a shadowy corner, Jiang Ning watched Xie Xiaojiu leave.

"Miss Ninth!"

"Miss Ninth!"

The two guards at the entrance, upon seeing Xie Xiaojiu, bowed respectfully, not daring to show any disrespect.

Nowadays, Xie Xiaojiu held a high status within the entire Xie Family Manor.

This was not only due to her strength but also her position.

After crossing the threshold of the Xie Family Manor, Xie Xiaojiu immediately saw a middle-aged man standing in the front courtyard.

"Father!" Xie Xiaojiu said indifferently.

The middle-aged man turned around upon hearing her voice.

This person was none other than the current head of the Xie Family, Xie Zhengtian.

"Xiaojiu, you're finally back!" Xie Zhengtian exclaimed.

He had wronged Xie Xiaojiu and her mother in the past, and he knew that Xie Xiaojiu had always resented him for his cruelty towards her mother.

So, whenever he saw Xie Xiaojiu, he would show extra kindness, hoping to improve their father-daughter relationship.

"Father, I specifically asked someone to keep an eye on the group of people from the Yellow Heaven Sect, and it was the meaning of that Jiang Commander?" Xie Xiaojiu asked indifferently.

"Mhm!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded.

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhengtian's face immediately showed a hint of delight.

"That Jiang Commander has repeatedly assigned tasks to you, and he personally promoted you to the position of Squad Leader. This clearly shows his intentions towards you. You must seize this opportunity!"

"Father, if you're going to say such things, I'm going to go to sleep!" Xie Xiaojiu said coldly.

Watching Xie Xiaojiu's departing figure, Xie Zhengtian couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The Yellow Heaven Sect was a major sect, and he naturally knew of it.

Nowadays, the Xie Family seemed to be getting involved.

But this order came from the Deputy Commander of the Inspection Bureau, Jiang Ning.

Even though he knew, he dared not refuse, nor dare to outwardly obey while secretly disobeying.

The Cao Family's experience was still fresh in his mind. In one night, dozens of people died, and the rest were to be beheaded the next day.

In the same situation, the Xie Family would face the same fate, without any ability to resist.

In this situation, how dare he stop his people from keeping an eye on the Yellow Heaven Sect.

Since he couldn't escape, he could only gamble and hope that Jiang Ning would soar to the heavens, allowing the Xie Family to rise further.

But to firmly tie the Xie Family to Jiang Ning's ship, the key was Xie Xiaojiu.

A talented beauty, young and passionate.

With a slight temptation, it would be easy for things to get out of hand.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end