Chapter 223: Two Arrows to Kill Cao Rong!

Chapter 223: Two Arrows to Kill Cao Rong!

Leaving Luoshui County, Jiang Ning quietly waited on a hilltop for the possible pursuer.

Less than a hundred meters away from him, the turbulent Luoshui River flowed.

This was the battlefield he had chosen, one with an escape route.

Entering the water was where he was at his best.

Time passed slowly.

Jiang Ning had been waiting for a long time, and the sun gradually descended towards the western horizon.

"Could it be that Liu Lintang didn't come?" Jiang Ning's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

"Could it be that the Sixth Rank Martial Artist who followed me that night and attacked me wasn't acting on Liu Lintang's orders?" He muttered to himself, standing on the hillside, looking towards Luoshui County.

After that night, he had been attacked by a Sixth Rank Martial Artist who had been by Liu Lintang's side during the day.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but be wary of Liu Lintang.

Although Liu Lintang had been silent all this time, merely developing his Yellow Heaven Sect outside the city and spreading its teachings, Jiang Ning still didn't dare to let his guard down.

He knew that a Fifth Rank Inner Fortitude Realm practitioner like Liu Lintang, who could make even Hong Minghu wary, would be a deadly threat if he let his guard down.

So after leaving the city, Jiang Ning was extra cautious.

He was well aware that the best time for an attack on him would be when he left the city.

Therefore, after leaving the city, he immediately chose a terrain that favored him.

Located on a hillside, the area offered a wide field of vision. With his keen eyesight, he could observe his surroundings well, and no one could escape his gaze.

This terrain also favored his arrow technique.

Not far from him, the turbulent Luoshui River flowed. If the situation turned unfavorable, he could immediately jump into the river.

Once in the water, his combat power would increase manifold.

His survival skills were unmatched.

With these advantages, he dared to wait here for the possible appearance of Liu Lintang.

If Liu Lintang showed up, he could also test the prowess of a Fifth Rank Inner Fortitude Realm practitioner.

He wanted to see where his strength stood and gauge his true power.

Having come this far, he was no longer sure of his actual strength in the Martial Path.

With various special means enhancing him, his rank no longer accurately reflected his abilities.

Another hour passed.

Liu Lintang still didn't appear.

"It seems my earlier worries were unnecessary. Liu Lintang doesn't intend to attack me, and the Cult of Malevolent Gods member who attacked me that night might not have been acting on Liu Lintang's orders after all." With this thought, Jiang Ning turned and headed towards the official road.

According to Feng Jiuge, Cao Rong was currently riding with a hundred cavalrymen towards Luoshui County.

In Jiang Ning's opinion, there was no doubt that Cao Rong would come to Luoshui County to cause trouble for him.

After all, the fate of the Cao family was well-known to the people of Luoshui County, and it was all because of Jiang Ning's actions.

Hundreds of family members were imprisoned, and Cao Rong wouldn't let this go.

However, Jiang Ning wasn't afraid of Cao Rong, even if he came with a hundred cavalrymen.

He only feared that Cao Rong wouldn't follow the rules and attack his brother and sister-in-law instead of him.

Normally, one's family should be spared from harm.

But Jiang Ning didn't think Cao Rong would adhere to this rule because the Cao family's downfall was due to his actions.

In this situation, how could he expect Cao Rong to follow the rules?

The next moment, Jiang Ning walked along the official road at a steady pace, conserving his energy.

With his endurance, he could travel long distances, but if he exerted himself too much, even with his stamina, he might not be able to keep going.

Outside Dongling City.

In the military camp.

"Deputy Officer Jin, judging by the time and the daily bird messenger, where is Deputy Officer Cao Rong now?"

"Reporting to the Commandant, according to the daily bird messenger, Deputy Officer Cao Rong is less than a day's journey away from Luoshui County. If he rides through the night, he can reach Luoshui County early tomorrow morning."

At this moment, the middle-aged man with a rugged face, seated in the main seat of the tent, stroked his beard.

"I hope Cao Rong will give that Hong Minghu some trouble when he returns to Luoshui County."

"He should be able to!" The deputy officer standing beside him bowed slightly and continued, "Cao Rong, having been promoted by the Lord, has now entered the Sixth Rank! A Sixth Rank Martial Artist in a small county like Luoshui is a true powerhouse. Unless Hong Minghu intervenes, there are few who dare to claim victory over Cao Rong's strength."

Hearing this, the middle-aged man seated with a large sword and horse sighed in agreement.

In his opinion, a Sixth Rank Martial Artist, let alone in a small county like Luoshui, would be considered a formidable opponent even in the commandery city.

In a small county, a character like this, even if they don't dominate the region, can still stir up trouble and cause some headaches for the Inspection Administration. This also serves as a test of the Administration's attitude.

As the military of Daxia, they hold military power but are unwilling to have an institution overseeing them.

At Canglang Martial Arts Hall.

"What are you doing here, He Jinyun?" Wang Jin looked at He Jinyun, who had suddenly barged into the hall, his face filled with anger.

Facing Wang Jin's evident anger, He Jinyun chuckled.

"Relax, Wang Guanzhu, I'm not here for you!"

"Then why are you at my martial arts hall? Speak up!" Wang Jin said.

He Jinyun smiled, "I have no ill intentions. I came to inform you out of respect, Wang Guanzhu. The cook in your hall is a member of the Cult of Malevolent Gods, and her body contains the aura of an evil deity. There's a risk of her causing trouble in the future!"

"What did you say?" Wang Jin's expression darkened, and he exclaimed, "What did you do to her?"

He Jinyun smiled, "Of course, I followed the rules of the Inspection Administration and executed her!"

"You..." Wang Jin's palm slammed down on the wooden table next to him.

Boom!

The entire wooden table shattered into four or five pieces.

He Jinyun witnessed this scene but remained unmoved. He slightly raised his eyes to glance at the disintegrated wooden table next to Wang Jin.

"What?" He Jinyun said calmly, "Are you planning to take action against me, Wang Guanzhu?"

Upon hearing these words, Wang Jin looked at the few people following He Jinyun and took a deep breath.

"I dare not!"

"I know you wouldn't dare!" He Jinyun laughed.

Then he said, "I've already informed Wang Guanzhu. Now, I'll take my leave!"

As soon as he finished speaking, He Jinyun departed.

Watching He Jinyun's departing figure, Wang Jin couldn't help but clench his fists.

After so many years, even a dog would be like family, let alone Aunt Sun, who had taken care of his meals and daily needs for so long.

But now, he knew that He Jinyun was the enemy who killed Aunt Sun.

Yet, he dared not take action.

Because He Jinyun's actions were above board, and no fault could be found.

He didn't doubt that Aunt Sun's body contained the aura of an evil deity.

Even if he did doubt it, it wouldn't matter.

Whether this matter was true or not, it would inevitably be considered true now.

For the people of the Inspection Administration, fabricating such a story wasn't difficult.

He Jinyun had no apparent wrongdoing, and by taking action, he was openly challenging the authority of the Administration.

Even with the backing of the Wang family, he wouldn't dare to bear the consequences.

Once he took action, it wouldn't just implicate all the disciples in his martial arts hall but also his younger brother, Wang Duotou.

Moreover, He Jinyun had another identity.

He was the famous Young Master.

As the son of a marquis, who would dare to touch him?

Considering all this, Wang Jin slowly unclenched his tightly held fists.

"This matter must be reported to Jiang Ning. When the time comes, we must persuade him not to act on impulse!" Wang Jin muttered to himself and sighed.

Night fell.

The moon and stars shone brightly.

Clop clop clop—

The sound of horse hooves thundered, echoing through the valley.

The next moment—

Dust rose.

A tall and robust warhorse galloped like the wind, instantly reaching the valley.

"Captain Cao, it's getting late, and both men and horses are tired. We should find a good place to rest for a while."

Upon hearing this, Cao Rong turned to look at the cavalry following closely behind him, and he immediately noticed their exhausted expressions.

He understood that it was time to take a break.

Returning to Luoshui County wasn't urgent at this moment.

After all, there was still some time before the Cao family would be executed for colluding with the Cult of Malevolent Gods, turning their residence into a cult base. Arriving at Luoshui County half a day earlier wasn't that important.

After thinking it through, Cao Rong spoke.

"Order the troops to find a place near a water source to set up camp and rest after passing through this valley. Tomorrow morning, after a good meal and rest, we'll continue on our way."

"Yes, Captain Cao!" The person beside him, upon hearing Cao Rong's words, nodded excitedly.

Then, he conveyed Cao Rong's instructions to the troops below.

On the other side—

A figure stood atop the valley, bathed in the bright moonlight.

This person was none other than Jiang Ning, who had been waiting here for a long time.

Walking along the official road, Jiang Ning discovered this valley and knew that Cao Rong would definitely pass through here.

Because the road in the valley was the flat and wide official road.

If they didn't take this road, the cavalry would have to detour a long way to reach Luoshui County.

Jiang Ning believed Cao Rong wouldn't make that choice, so he chose to wait here, also taking advantage of the geographical position.

The next moment, his gaze sharpened, and he instantly locked onto Cao Rong, who was leading the group into the valley.

"As expected, he's here!" he muttered to himself.

In an instant, a longbow appeared in his hands, followed by an arrow.

He drew the bowstring, and the longbow was instantly pulled to its limit.

Jiang Ning's piercing gaze fixed on Cao Rong below, and he muttered, "Back then, you bestowed upon me your grace, and now I return the favor. If you can catch this arrow, I'll spare your life tonight!"

The bowstring was released.

The arrow broke through the sound barrier.

Below.

Oh no!

At that very moment, Cao Rong, who was traversing the valley, felt his left eyelid twitch, and a sense of impending danger washed over him.

He immediately looked up and saw an arrow silently piercing through the air, heading straight for him.

At this moment, Cao Rong's pupils suddenly contracted intensely.

As the camp's master archer, he could tell that this arrow surpassed the speed of sound.

Arrows with such speed possessed terrifying power.

Especially when it came to sneak attacks, they were virtually impossible to defend against.

He immediately exerted force with his lower body, and his entire body leaped into the air, intending to dodge the arrow.

However, in the next moment, the arrow pierced through his body.

In the face of the powerful impact, his body, which had just leaped into the air, was directly deflected by the arrow's immense kinetic energy.

"Lord!"

"Lord!!"

"Captain Cao!"

".

Suddenly, cries of surprise filled Cao Rong's ears.

At this moment, Cao Rong paid no heed to the commotion, his body still in the air, and his eyes were fixed on Jiang Ning above the valley.

At this moment, Jiang Ning stood with his back to the light, his face dimly lit by the bright moonlight. Even as he widened his eyes, he could only make out a vague and hazy figure.

Who is it?

Why would someone attack me?

These thoughts flashed through Cao Rong's mind.

At the same time.

Above the valley, Jiang Ning secretly shook his head.

Too easy!

In an instant, he drew the bowstring again, and the arrow was once again pulled to its limit.

The arrow pierced through the void.

In a flash, it pierced through layers of empty space, heading straight for Cao Rong's head.

In the valley below, Cao Rong saw the arrow rushing towards him, and his eyes filled with despair.

He couldn't even dodge the first arrow, let alone the second one with even greater power.

After a moment.

The arrow pierced through Cao Rong's head, and his hard skull instantly turned into fragments.

Jiang Ning took a look.

Killing Cao Rong was enough!

In an instant, he turned and leaped, his figure instantly transforming into a shadow that disappeared in the bright moonlight.

"Lord!"

"Lord!!!"

"Captain Cao!!!"

".

The sudden change startled the cavalry below, leaving them unable to react.

Especially the warhorses that were galloping, they suddenly reined in their horses, causing even more chaos. Some soldiers even fell off their horses.

The entire valley was in disarray.

As for Jiang Ning's departure, only a few noticed.

On the other side.

Jiang Ning quickly left the area above the valley and changed his position.

During the relocation, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

A few months ago, when faced with Cao Rong's sudden attack, he could only hide behind Wang Jin, relying on Wang Jin's protection. His life was not his own, like a floating weed in the wind.

That day, if not for Shen Congyun's sudden intervention, even with Wang Jin's protection, he might not have escaped unscathed.

At that time, Cao Rong gave Jiang Ning a strong sense of oppression and suffocation.

But now, Jiang Ning found that killing Cao Rong was incredibly simple and easy.

Cao Rong couldn't even catch the first arrow, which was just a test, let alone the two arrows that followed.

With the second arrow, he merely used a regular arrow technique to directly kill Cao Rong.

Now, as he left, he felt a sense of disappointment.

It was too easy to kill!

He felt a sense of unreality!

The next moment.

He opened his panel again and took a look.

【Name】: Jiang Ning

【Essence Energy】: 337.43

【Skills】: Scholarly Skills (Three Times Limit Break 3918/4000) (Characteristics: Photographic Memory, Extraordinary Senses, Keen Mind)



Scholarly Skills is just a few dozen points of experience away from satisfying the conditions for the fourth limit break.

For Jiang Ning, these few dozen points of experience are not difficult.

As for Essence Energy points, due to the previous three limit breaks, he already met the requirements for the fourth limit break.

After taking a look at his panel, Jiang Ning closed it.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end