Chapter 217: The Grand Feast! Hunting Down the Yellow Heaven Sect!

Chapter 217: The Grand Feast! Hunting Down the Yellow Heaven Sect!

Inspection Office.

"Sir, it's freezing today!" Xie Xiao Jiu rubbed her hands by the fireplace.

The blazing charcoal reflected a particularly rosy hue on her face.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning momentarily put down his book and glanced out the window.

At this moment, the snow outside was falling heavily, like goose feathers, and from time to time, large patches of blood-red snowflakes drifted through the window gaps, landing on the wooden floor and gradually accumulating into a thin layer of snow.

Then, Jiang Ning turned his head to glance at Xie Xiao Jiu.

"If you feel cold, why didn't you wear more clothes when you went out earlier?"

Xie Xiao Jiu shook her head, "Wearing too many clothes feels too restrictive, I don't like it!"

Jiang Ning smiled at her words and didn't say anything further.

For a martial artist, it was indeed inconvenient to wear too many layers.

And this level of sub-zero coldness didn't significantly affect someone of his caliber.

At most, it was just a bit chilly.

This cold wasn't life-threatening or harmful.

At most, it was a bit uncomfortable.

Just then, Xie Xiao Jiu tightened her collar.

"Sir, I'll go close the window!"

"No!" Jiang Ning immediately stopped her.

Seeing Xie Xiao Jiu's puzzled gaze, Jiang Ning pointed to the brightly burning charcoal in front of him.

"If the doors and windows are completely closed, the lack of air circulation can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning."

"Carbon monoxide poisoning?" Xie Xiao Jiu asked, puzzled.

Jiang Ning nodded, "Yes."

Facing Xie Xiao Jiu's questioning eyes, Jiang Ning could only explain it this way.

He couldn't very well say that burning charcoal in an enclosed space produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, leading to carbon dioxide poisoning, right?

If he said that, Xie Xiao Jiu would only become more confused.

Seeing this, Xie Xiao Jiu didn't insist further, tightening her collar and continuing to warm herself by the fire.

Jiang Ning reopened the book in his hand.

【Literary Proficiency Experience +1】

Just then.

"Sir, I'll brew some tea for you today!" Xie Xiao Jiu said as she looked at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning glanced at the book in his hand and slowly shook his head.

"I'll take a day off and won't be practicing today!"

At this moment.

Xie Xiao Jiu looked at Jiang Ning with a sudden excited expression.

"I'll brew some tea for you!"

After saying this, she turned and left.

Seeing Xie Xiao Jiu's unexplained joy, Jiang Ning smiled and shook his head, then continued reading the book in his hand.

The Seventh Rank Sinew Refinement had already reached the level of Sinew Like Dragon, and beyond this point, it wasn't just a matter of effort to achieve.

At this step, external objects were indispensable.

Only with the aid of external objects could one make up for the innate deficiencies of the human body.

Moreover, Liu Linmen's recent display had greatly reduced the sense of crisis in Jiang Ning's heart.

So he might as well relax and reduce his vigilance.

Jiang Ning resumed reading the book in his hand.

In Jiang Ning's focused reading, the Literary Proficiency skill's experience points continuously increased.

The efficiency at this moment was also much higher than when he first started.

A moment later.

Xie Xiao Jiu reappeared, constantly bringing over tea chairs and tables.

"What are you doing?" Jiang Ning asked, puzzled, during his break.

Xie Xiao Jiu said, "It's snowing today! It's perfect for brewing tea! Brewing tea in the snow has a unique charm!"

"Brewing tea?" Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Then go ahead!"

After saying this, Jiang Ning continued reading.

Time passed by, moment by moment.

The snow outside fell heavier, and between heaven and earth, all was silent.

"Sir, please have some tea!"

Xie Xiao Jiu brought a cup of steaming tea to Jiang Ning.

"Have some tea?" Jiang Ning looked up and glanced at Xie Xiao Jiu with a smile.

Then.

He took the steaming tea, gently blowing away the two strands of floating tea leaves.

After taking a gentle sip, the steaming tea flowed down his throat.

Jiang Ning instantly felt the bitterness in his mouth, followed by a sweet aftertaste, and finally, a lingering sweetness lingered on his tongue.

"How is it?" Xie Xiao Jiu looked at Jiang Ning with anticipation.

Jiang Ning looked at her with anticipation and nodded, "Good tea!"

"Thank you for the praise!" Xie Xiao Jiu's face immediately showed a smile.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and a gust of wind and snow rushed into the room.

The two looked up, and it was none other than Feng Jiuge.

She was dressed in a red gown, with a fox fur coat draped over her shoulders, and a hat made of fox fur on her head.

"In this weather, you actually came too?" Jiang Ning asked.

Feng Jiuge turned and closed the door, blocking the wind and snow outside.

She gave Xie Xiaojiu a brief glance and then said to Jiang Ning, "You've been here for so many days, and you're not in the slightest bit anxious. It's as if you're completely oblivious to everything happening outside!"

"What's there to be anxious about?" Jiang Ning asked.

Feng Jiuge approached Jiang Ning and stretched out her hands toward the blazing charcoal stove.

"You've been in the Inspection Office for so many days. Don't you feel like you're being marginalized?" Feng Jiuge continued, "For all this time, apart from Ye Qiu, the leader who occasionally seeks you out, the other three leaders haven't come to find you."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Ning paused for a moment and nodded thoughtfully.

"Now that you mention it, that's indeed the case!"

Jiang Ning smiled slightly, "But what does this have to do with me?"

"Sir, have you seen Ruan Hongmei these days?" Feng Jiuge asked.

"No," Jiang Ning shook his head.

"That's it, then!" Feng Jiuge continued to warm her hands over the fire and then said to Xie Xiaojiu, "Little Nine, please pour me a cup of hot tea, thank you!"

Xie Xiaojiu: "..."

She gave Feng Jiuge a speechless look and then slowly poured a cup of hot tea for her.

Taking the cup of tea from Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Jiuge said, "Sir, I saw Ruan Hongmei at He Jinyun's place!"

"What do you mean?" Jiang Ning asked.

Feng Jiuge shook her head, "I'm merely relaying what I saw and heard!"

Then she added, "But I can tell you for sure, they're marginalizing you! In other words, they're not including you in their activities."

"Play?" Jiang Ning asked in surprise.

"Play!" Feng Jiuge nodded, "Do you think people like He Jinyun join the Inspection Office just to have fun?"

"For the country and the people?" Feng Jiuge shook her head, "They're all just after their own interests."

"In the Inspection Office, contribution points can be exchanged for treasures in the Sage Warrior's Vault, which can lead to advancements in martial arts."

"It can even unlock the secrets of becoming a Sage Warrior."

"Even the legendary immortal medicines, immortal treasures, immortal art techniques, and more!"

"Moreover, by consuming contribution points, one can directly advance in rank and be transferred to larger cities!"

Hearing Feng Jiuge's words, Jiang Ning wasn't surprised at all.

For the country and the people?

For the Great Xia Dynasty?

He had never thought of it this way before.

Feng Jiuge looked at Jiang Ning, "Sir, they approached me yesterday, wanting to recruit me to join them."

"Join them for what?" Jiang Ning asked.

"To earn contribution points!" Feng Jiuge replied.

"Earn contribution points?" Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.

"Yes!" Feng Jiuge nodded, "To earn contribution points!"

"How?" Jiang Ning couldn't quite believe his own suspicions.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Feng Jiuge said, "Sir, you should have guessed something by now!"

She looked out the window.

"There used to be many followers of the Idolatry Sect in Luoshui County, and now some of these people are even offering their heads as contribution points."

"Is that so?" Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.

"Killing the innocent is quite common!" Feng Jiuge continued, "Moreover, those people already had issues, and among them were some who were influenced by the evil gods."

"Those influenced by evil gods can all be considered followers of the Idolatry Sect!"

Hearing these words, Jiang Ning closed his eyes for a few breaths.

After a while, he opened his eyes and looked at Feng Jiuge.

"So, what's your choice?"

Feng Jiuge smiled, "To be honest, I'm quite tempted too! You don't understand the Sage Warrior's Vault, and you've never truly understood the significance of contribution points in the Inspection Office."

"The Sage Warrior accumulated nearly a thousand years of wealth, and after establishing the Inspection Office, he completely opened up his treasury."

"With those treasures, it's not impossible to nurture another Sage Warrior."

"Furthermore, my team members below me have been somewhat dissatisfied these days. By following me, they receive far fewer benefits compared to the other teams."

At this point, Feng Jiuge sighed lightly.

"But I can't get past this mental hurdle!"

Then, she turned to look at Jiang Ning.

"I wonder what Sir thinks?"

Jiang Ning's eyes remained calm, "What does this have to do with me?"

"Does Sir not want to participate and gain benefits?" Feng Jiuge asked.

"I have no such intentions!" Jiang Ning shook his head calmly.

"I understand!" Feng Jiuge stood up, "Sir, you didn't disappoint me!"

"I bid you farewell!" With these words, Feng Jiuge suddenly turned and left.

Squeak—

She opened the door, and the wind and snow immediately rushed into the room through the narrow gap.

Feng Jiuge suddenly turned to face Jiang Ning.

"Sir, if you have any doubts about the Inferno Spear Technique, you can discuss it with me. My mastery of this technique was personally taught by my father, and I've already achieved great success!"

A moment later...

After Feng Jiuge left...

Jiang Ning suddenly spoke up, "Xiao Jiu, what do you think about this matter?"

Xie Xiaojiu replied, "I also have some understanding of this matter!"

"Have your subordinates been complaining these days?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Yes!" Xie Xiaojiu nodded, "A commoner infected with the aura of a demon god can be considered a member of the Idolatry Sect. The proof they carry is worth ten contribution points!"

"Ten contribution points? That much?" Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.

Xie Xiaojiu nodded, "Indeed! One such commoner is worth a month's salary for an ordinary member. Moreover, a single contribution point has a black market value of twelve to thirteen copper coins, totaling one or two silver coins."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning instantly understood.

He now knew why the members under Xie Xiaojiu had been complaining.

It all stemmed from the allure of wealth that moved hearts.

A commoner once devoted to the Idolatry Sect, infected with the aura of a demon god, and lacking any resistance, was worth a month's salary for his subordinates.

How could anyone resist such easily attainable wealth?

His subordinates sought only wealth, power, and strength.

With contribution points, they could attain all three.

"Why didn't you tell me about this before?" Jiang Ning asked.

Xie Xiaojiu, upon hearing this, spoke up, "There's nothing to say! I would never stoop so low as to do such a thing! Moreover, as a native of Luoshui County, I could never bring myself to do such a thing!"

Jiang Ning looked at her earnest expression and couldn't help but smile.

"Rest assured! I would never do such a thing either!"

Hearing Jiang Ning's words, Xie Xiaojiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Having been by Jiang Ning's side these past days, she naturally knew that he currently lacked contribution points. She feared that Jiang Ning, like the others, would view ordinary commoners as stepping stones for their own advancement.

If Jiang Ning were to make such a choice, she didn't know what she would do.

At that moment...

Jiang Ning stood up.

"I'll be right back!"

"Where are you going, sir?" Xie Xiaojiu asked, quickly grabbing the fur coat from the nearby chair and handing it to Jiang Ning.

"I'm going to see the Marquis!" Jiang Ning said.

Leaving these words, Jiang Ning pushed open the door, and the wind and snow rushed in, causing his robe to flutter loudly.

The fur coat Xie Xiaojiu had just put on him was instantly blown away by the wind and snow.

"Sir, wait!" Xie Xiaojiu called out.

"No need!" Jiang Ning said calmly.

As his words fell, he stepped into the thick snow.

At that moment...

Outside the Inspection Office.

The middle-aged woman who had arrived with Liu Linmen was already quietly hidden in the snow, completely covered, providing her with the perfect disguise.

She lay hidden in the snow, secretly observing the entrance and exit of the Inspection Office, waiting for Jiang Ning to emerge.

Facing Jiang Ning, an ideal sacrifice in her eyes, she couldn't contain her eagerness.

If she hadn't been fully aware that the Inspection Office was the true power center of Luoshui County, she would have directly approached it.

She knew that offering such a spiritually exceptional talent as a sacrifice to the divine being would bring her immense rewards.

Rewards that could reshape her destiny.

Rewards that could elevate her to the highest echelons of the sect.

Thinking of this...

Her eyes shone with greed.

"Yellow Lotus Sect!" She licked her lips. "If I can use this to climb to the top of the sect, I can also participate in the grand feast of the Yellow Lotus Sect!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end