Chapter 220: Unexpected Gain

Chapter 220: Unexpected Gain

Luo Shui County.

Several patrol officers tightly gripped their long swords, their steps light and cautious, as they approached the source of the commotion.

When they saw Jiang Ning standing in the snow, their hearts, which had been hanging in their throats, finally relaxed.

"Commander Jiang!" one of them exclaimed.

One of the officers, upon seeing Jiang Ning, momentarily froze, his expression filled with complexity.

He still remembered the last time he had seen Jiang Ning, when he had accompanied Feng Tou to visit.

At that time, Jiang Ning was merely a well-known figure in Luo Shui County, not someone of great importance.

But now, after a few months, the situation was completely different.

Jiang Ning had become a renowned and influential figure in Luo Shui County.

Who in the county government didn't know the name Jiang Ning?

A mere commoner, in just a few months, had grown to become one of the county's most prominent figures. No one could have foreseen this.

At the same time, Jiang Ning calmly glanced at them.

"You guys can clean up the battlefield," he said.

"No trouble at all! No trouble!" one of them replied with a smile.

He scanned the blood-soaked monster beside Jiang Ning, and the black blood melting the accumulated snow, then immediately spoke, "Commander Jiang killed the evil cultist, protecting our safety. It's only right that we should clean up this minor mess!"

"Exactly! Chen Ge is right!" another officer echoed.

Jiang Ning nodded, approached the lifeless headless blood-soaked monster, crouched down, and extended his right hand to separate the flesh and squeeze its bones.

Bone Forging Realm!!

Jiang Ning's eyes suddenly sharpened.

Indeed, it was a Sixth Rank Martial Dao expert from the Idolatry Sect.

Jiang Ning's heart secretly rejoiced.

A Sixth Rank expert from the Idolatry Sect represented 50,000 contribution points.

These 50,000 contribution points, in terms of value alone, were equivalent to more than 50,000 taels of silver.

The Dragon Ascension Pill he needed now also required 50,000 contribution points.

With these 50,000 contribution points, he could exchange it for a Dragon Ascension Pill from the Internal Affairs Department of the Inspection Office, aiding him in reaching the Dragon Sinew level.

Suddenly, Jiang Ning's gaze sharpened, and he noticed a faint golden glow emanating from the monster's torn clothing.

Gold?

Jiang Ning's heart rejoiced.

He reached into the clothing, feeling the contours of the object that had just emitted a golden glow, it was a palm-sized small square box.

The next moment, he silently slipped the box into his Bag of Holding.

After putting away the item, Jiang Ning's palm then caressed the headless blood-soaked monster, covering it with his spiritual energy.

In an instant, the headless blood-soaked monster's corpse disappeared before their eyes.

Witnessing this, the officers widened their eyes.

Jiang Ning thought for a moment, then walked over to the severed head he had just cut off and also placed it into his Bag of Holding.

Taking the corpse back to verify its identity and Martial Dao level would earn him a reward of 50,000 contribution points, so he had to be cautious and take the head as well.

A moment later, they watched as Jiang Ning's figure disappeared into the distance.

The officers discussed among themselves.

"What kind of ability is this?"

"I don't know! It seems like a divine technique!"

"I think it's like the legendary ability to contain the infinite within the tiny!"

".

As the officers debated, Jiang Ning had already reached the shore of Luo Shui Lake, less than two hundred meters from the battlefield.

The lake, after the snowfall, now had ice floating on its surface.

Gazing at the calm lake, Jiang Ning thought, "It seems I've underestimated my strength, and I've also underestimated the power of my Gale Thunder Archery! This retreat is indeed a good choice."

Jiang Ning smiled and headed straight home.

As he walked, his heart felt much lighter.

Being able to slay a Sixth Rank expert, especially one with an immortal body, was a testament to his significant progress.

Especially his long-range attack.

The Gale Thunder Arrow, after breaking through three times, had become incredibly powerful and fast, leaving him pleasantly surprised.

With a single shot, even a Sixth Rank expert couldn't react in time and was pierced by his arrow.

If it weren't for the fact that the cultist had transformation abilities, a normal Sixth Rank warrior would have been killed instantly.

This effect delighted Jiang Ning, as it meant his long-range attacks had reached an exceptional level.

In an open area, his archery alone could easily defeat a Sixth Rank warrior.

But what surprised Jiang Ning the most in this battle was his 'Hellfire Cauldron' technique.

It had completely exceeded his expectations.

With a single swing, he had sliced through the mutated monster's body like cutting through a cucumber, severing more than half of its body.

Moreover, the technique's ability to harness the power of heaven and earth and prevent the monster's regeneration further amazed him.

That single strike had sealed his victory, rendering the blood-mutated monster incapable of retaliation.

"Now, even if I'm not Liu Linmen's match, I should have some ability to fight back, right?" Jiang Ning thought to himself.

After a long while, Jiang Ning stood before his house, his expression complex.

"Finally, I don't have to hide anymore!"

His lips curved into a smile as he heard the giggling voice of Xiao Dou Bao, drifting through the courtyard wall and into his ears. He knew that his brother, sister-in-law, and their family were safe and sound.

The next moment—

Knock knock knock—

Jiang Ning knocked on the door.

As the knocking sound echoed, the movement within the courtyard suddenly halted.

"Who's there?" a cautious voice called out from inside.

"It's me, sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning replied.

"It's Ah Ning!" came the voice of Liu Wanwan, filled with surprise.

"Brother Li, Ah Ning is back!" Liu Wanwan's voice echoed again from inside.

Then, she walked to the door, and as the sound of the door bolt dropped, Liu Wanwan's face came into view.

Liu Wanwan's expression was visibly haggard as she looked at Jiang Ning.

"Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning greeted her.

"Come in and have a cup of hot tea first!" Liu Wanwan's eyebrows were now relaxed, and she smiled kindly.

These past days, with Jiang Ning's absence, her mind had been filled with worry.

She was well aware that her brother-in-law had attracted the attention of extraordinary individuals, likely influential figures, by walking this path.

Walking this road meant treading on thin ice and peering into the abyss.

One wrong step could lead to irreversible consequences, putting herself and Brother Li in danger.

Ever since Jiang Ning hadn't returned home that day, she knew he had encountered a problem, and a significant one at that.

But she didn't blame her brother-in-law.

She understood the danger her family had faced and that, if not for her brother-in-law's sudden appearance and the favor of the powerful figure from Wanhua Tower, they would have faced misfortune and died unjustly in prison.

The covetous Cao Bin, who had his eyes on Liu Wanwan's beauty, would have threatened her with Xiao Dou Bao and Jiang Yiming to force her submission.

Death, at that time, might have been a luxury, a release.

Compared to that situation, the current crisis was insignificant.

"Ah Brother!" Just then, Jiang Li's excited voice came from behind Liu Wanwan.

Jiang Ning looked up and saw Jiang Li standing on the front courtyard steps.

Jiang Li's face was covered in stubble, making him look worn and aged, as if he had suddenly grown several years older.

As he stepped out of the house, Jiang Li wore a thick overcoat, and his right sleeve still hung limply, lacking strength.

Seeing their appearances, Jiang Ning knew that during his absence, both Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan had been worried about him.

When Jiang Li saw Jiang Ning, he hurried forward, moving his legs to stand before Jiang Ning.

Jiang Li grabbed Jiang Ning's shoulders and checked for injuries: "Ah Brother, are you hurt?"

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Jiang Ning smiled and said, "How could I be hurt?"

"Good, no injuries!" Jiang Li's tense expression immediately relaxed.

"Daddy, you blocked me!" came Xiao Dou Bao's soft voice from below.

Looking down, Jiang Ning saw Xiao Dou Bao, not yet as tall as an adult's thigh, approaching like a little cow, her head lowered.

After Jiang Li made way, Xiao Dou Bao pounced onto Jiang Ning's legs.

"Dudu, I missed you!"

Jiang Ning smiled and, squatting down, rubbed her small, delicate nose.

"I missed you too!"

"Dudu, I want to climb onto your shoulders!" Seeing Jiang Ning squat down, Xiao Dou Bao struggled to climb onto his shoulders.

At this scene, both Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan smiled knowingly.

Jiang Ning then picked up Xiao Dou Bao and placed her on his shoulders before standing up.

"Ah Brother, let's talk inside first!" Jiang Li said.

Jiang Ning nodded and stepped over the threshold.

The two walked on the cleaned stone bricks towards the house.

Behind them, Liu Wanwan closed the door and secured the bolt.

"Ah Brother, will you be leaving again after returning this time?" Jiang Li asked as they walked.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning's expression brightened: "For now, I won't be leaving!"

"Then, Ah Brother's problem is resolved?" Jiang Li's face lit up.

"It's temporarily resolved!" Jiang Ning replied.

"What problem is it?" Xiao Dou Bao, sitting on Jiang Ning's shoulders, asked curiously, kicking her legs.

"Adult matters are not for children!" Jiang Li glanced at Xiao Dou Bao.

Xiao Dou Bao pouted and silently hugged Jiang Ning's neck, tears welling up.

"Ah Brother, let's have some hot tea first to warm up!" As the two entered the hall, the snow was blocked outside. Jiang Li poured a cup of steaming hot tea and handed it to Jiang Ning.

"Thank you, brother!" Jiang Ning accepted the tea and took a few sips, feeling warmth spread through his body.

Liu Wanwan, who had been following behind them, now stepped into the room. She glanced at the two men and spoke up, "You two chat for a while. I'll prepare some midnight snacks for you!"

"Don't worry, I'll get some good wine ready!" Jiang Li hastily added.

Liu Wanwan glared at Jiang Li, then left in a hurry.

Just then, another figure entered the hall through the back door. It was Jiang Yiming.

"Greetings, Uncle!" Jiang Yiming politely greeted Jiang Ning upon seeing him.

"You've grown a bit taller!" Jiang Ning examined Jiang Yiming and nodded in satisfaction.

The entire night, Jiang Li held Jiang Ning's hand, and they talked for hours.

That night, Jiang Ning did nothing but drink and chat with Jiang Li.

The next morning, Jiang Ning woke up just as the sky was beginning to brighten.

His long-term routine had trained his biological clock to wake him up at this time every day.

At this hour, he would naturally awaken.

Name: Jiang Ning

Essence Energy: 53.33

Skills:

Literary Proficiency (Three Times Limit Break 873/4000) (Characteristics: Photographic Memory, Extraordinary Senses, Quick Thinking)



Five Animal Fist (Once Limit Break 742/2000) (Characteristics: Five Organs Nourishment)



Firewood Chopping Blade Technique+ (Five Times Limit Break 6000/6000) (Characteristics: Broad Understanding, Swift Blade, Divine Blade Control, Unity of Man and Blade, Innate Blade Mastery)



Inner Core Nourishing Technique (Small Success 732/5000)



Vajra Unshakable Body (Small Success 453/5000)



Water Proficiency+ (Five Times Limit Break 6000/6000) (Characteristics: Underwater Breathing, Water Control Technique, Water Affinity, Cloud Walking and Rain Summoning, Water Spirit)



Gale Thunder Archery (Three Times Limit Break 49/4000) (Characteristics: Gale Thunder Breath, Mind Arrow Technique, Thunderstorm Arrow)



Water Essence Technique (Small Success 453/5000)



Glancing at his skill panel, Jiang Ning realized that although he had mastered numerous skills, he already had a clear plan for his next steps.

Apart from primarily breaking through the Martial Dao realm and reaching the Dragon Sinew level, he also aimed to focus on gaining experience in Literary Proficiency and Water Essence Technique.

As for the other skills, some lacked sufficient Essence Energy points, making it impossible to break through even with full experience, while others had extremely slow experience gain rates.

Take, for example, the Inner Core Nourishing Technique and Vajra Unshakable Body skills.

The Inner Core Nourishing Technique requires consistent practice, absorbing the essence of the sun daily. Gaining experience in this skill is a slow process.

As for the Vajra Unshakable Body skill, according to Jiang Ning's understanding, it can reach the legendary Vajra level, and the physical body's strength can enter an extraordinary realm.

However, given that he is currently in the Martial Dao realm, where progress is rapid, Jiang Ning doesn't plan to spend time on this skill yet.

He intends to focus on it when his progress slows down, enhancing his physical strength.

Subsequently, Jiang Ning performed a quick wash and began brewing tea in the courtyard, enjoying the snow.

Literary Proficiency Experience +1

Literary Proficiency Experience +1

Literary Proficiency Experience +1

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end