Chapter 223: Two Arrows to Kill Cao Rong!

Chapter 223: Two Arrows to Kill Cao Rong!

Leaving Luoshui County, Jiang Ning quietly awaited on a hill, anticipating the possible pursuit of a certain individual.

Less than a hundred meters away, the turbulent Luo Shui River flowed beside him.

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

The river was his home field, where he could retreat if needed.

Time ticked by, moment by moment.

Jiang Ning waited for a long time, and the sun gradually descended from its zenith towards the west.

"Could it be that Liu Linmen didn't come?" Jiang Ning's eyes flashed with surprise.

"Could it be that the Sixth Stage Martial Daoist who attacked me that night wasn't sent by Liu Linmen?" He muttered to himself, standing on the hillside, gazing in the direction of Luoshui County.

After that night, he had been attacked by a Sixth Stage Martial Daoist, and it was someone who had been with Liu Linmen during the day.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but be cautious of Liu Linmen.

Although Liu Linmen had been quiet for many days, merely developing his Yellow Heaven Sect in the outer city and spreading its teachings, Jiang Ning still dared not let his guard down.

To underestimate a Fifth Stage Inner Fortitude Realm Martial Daoist who had mastered Inner Breath and made Hong Minghu wary was a potentially deadly mistake.

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

He was well aware that his departure from the city was the best opportunity for an attack against him.

Thus, after leaving the city, he immediately chose a location that favored his abilities.

The hillside offered a panoramic view, allowing him to observe his surroundings with his keen eyesight. No one could escape his watchful gaze.

This terrain also favored his archery skills.

Moreover, the turbulent Luo Shui River was just a short distance away. If the situation turned unfavorable, he could immediately jump into the river.

Once in the water, his combat power would increase manifold, and his ability to defend himself would be unparalleled.

With these advantages, he dared to wait for the possible arrival of Liu Linmen.

If Liu Linmen appeared, it would also be an opportunity to test the might of a Fifth Stage Inner Fortitude Realm Martial Daoist.

He could gauge the gap between his strength and Liu Linmen's, and estimate his own level of power.

Having reached this point, Jiang Ning was unsure of his true strength and its corresponding Martial Dao level.

The various special means he had acquired made it impossible to measure his strength using the Martial Dao realm.

Another half a shichen passed.

Liu Linmen's figure still did not appear.

"It seems my previous worries were unnecessary. Liu Linmen doesn't intend to attack me, and the person from the Idolatry Sect who attacked me that night might not have been sent by Liu Linmen!"

Jiang Ning turned and headed towards the official road, his thoughts flashing through his mind.

According to Feng Jiuge, Cao Rong was riding with a hundred horsemen along the official road, heading straight for Luoshui County.

In Jiang Ning's opinion, Cao Rong's arrival in Luoshui County would undoubtedly lead to trouble for him.

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

Hundreds of people from the Cao family were now imprisoned, and Cao Rong would not let this go.

However, Jiang Ning was unafraid of Cao Rong, even if he came with a hundred horsemen.

His only fear was that Cao Rong would not follow the rules and attack his family instead of him directly.

Normally, disasters wouldn't affect one's family.

But Jiang Ning didn't think Cao Rong would adhere to this rule, as the Cao family's current situation was largely due to his efforts.

In such a case, 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 long-distance running ability, if he exerted himself too much, even a Fifth Stage Inner Fortitude Realm Martial Daoist like him would struggle to maintain it for long.

Outside Dongling City.

In the military camp, an officer asked, "Officer Jin, calculate the time. Where is Officer Cao Rong now?"

"Reporting to the Commander, according to our daily calculations, Officer Cao Rong should be less than a day's journey from Luoshui County. If he rides through the night, he can reach Luoshui County early tomorrow morning."

At that moment, the weathered man sitting in the main seat of the tent, stroked his beard.

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

"That's likely!" The officer beside him bowed slightly and continued, "Officer Cao Rong, who was promoted by you, has now reached the Sixth Stage! A Sixth Stage Martial Daoist is a true powerhouse in a small county like Luoshui. Only Hong Minghu could rival him; otherwise, Cao Rong's strength is undeniable."

Hearing this, the weathered man nodded slightly, agreeing.

In his opinion, a Sixth Stage Martial Daoist was a formidable opponent, not just in Luoshui County, but even in the commandery city.

Such a figure going to a small county would not only dominate but also stir up trouble, causing headaches for the Inspection Office and testing their resolve.

As the military of Daxia Country, they held the power of the army, but they were unwilling to have an institution above them that could supervise them.

Canglang Martial Arts Academy.

"What are you doing here, Commander He?" Wang Jin asked, his face filled with anger as he saw He Jinyun suddenly barging into the academy.

Facing Wang Jin's furious gaze, He Jinyun chuckled.

"Master Wang, no need to be tense. I didn't come here for you!"

"Then what brings you to my academy? Speak frankly!" Wang Jin demanded.

He Jinyun smiled, "I have no ulterior motives. I came to inform you out of respect, Master Wang. The cook in your academy is a member of the Idolatry Sect, and her body contains the aura of a Demon God. She has the risk of future mutation!"

"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 Office. I executed her!"

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

Boom!

The wooden table suddenly shattered into pieces.

He Jinyun's expression remained unchanged as he witnessed this, and he glanced at the disintegrated table beside Wang Jin.

"What now?" He asked calmly, "Are you planning to take action against me, Master Wang?"

Hearing these words, Wang Jin looked at the several people following He Jinyun, and he immediately took a deep breath.

"I dare not!"

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

Then he said, "I've already informed Master Wang about this matter. Now, I'll take my leave!"

As his words fell, He Jinyun immediately departed.

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

After so many years, even a dog would be like family. Not to mention Sun Big Mother, who had taken care of his daily needs for so long.

But now, he clearly knew that He Jinyun was the enemy who killed Sun Big Mother.

Yet, he didn't dare to take action.

He Jinyun's actions were all above board, and there was no fault to be found.

Wang Jin didn't doubt the claim that Sun Big Mother's body contained the essence of a Demon God.

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

Whether this matter was true or not, it was now inevitable.

For the people of the Inspection Office, fabricating such an incident wasn't difficult.

He Jinyun had no apparent mistakes, and by executing Sun Big Mother, he openly challenged the authority of the Inspection Office.

Even with the support of his brother, the City Head, he wouldn't dare to bear the consequences.

If he took action, it wouldn't just implicate all the disciples in his academy, but also his brother, the City Head.

Moreover, He Jinyun had another identity.

He was the renowned Little Lord.

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

Considering all these factors, Wang Jin slowly unclenched his fists.

"I must inform Jiang Ning about this matter and advise him not to act rashly!" Wang Jin muttered to himself, then sighed.

That night.

The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse.

Clop, clop, clop—

The sound of horse hooves reverberated, spreading far and wide through the valley.

The next moment—

Dust rose in the air.

A tall and mighty warhorse galloped like the wind, swiftly arriving before the valley.

"Commander Cao, with nightfall upon us, the men and horses are tired. Can we find a suitable place to rest for a while?"

Hearing this, Cao Wei turned and saw the fatigue on the faces of the men behind him.

He immediately understood that it was time to rest.

"Pass the word. After crossing this valley, find a place near a water source to set up camp and rest. Tomorrow morning, after a good meal and drink, we'll continue our journey."

"Yes, Commander Cao!" The person beside him heard Cao Wei's words and nodded enthusiastically.

Immediately, he conveyed Cao Wei's instructions to those below.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

On the other side.

A figure stood atop the valley, bathed in the bright moonlight as if suspended alongside the person's shadow.

This person was Jiang Ning, who had been waiting here for a long time.

Following the imperial highway, he had discovered this valley and knew that Cao Wei would definitely pass through it.

The road in the valley was flat and wide, an ideal path for the cavalry.

If they didn't take this route, the cavalry would have to detour a great distance to reach Luoshui County.

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

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 a flash, a longbow appeared in his hands, followed by arrows.

He nocked an arrow and drew the bowstring, pulling it to its full draw.

Jiang Ning's piercing gaze fixed on Cao Rong below, who was leading the squad. "You gave me three arrows back then, and now I return the favor. If you can block these three arrows, I'll spare your life tonight!" he whispered.

Twang!

As he released his fingers, the arrow left the bowstring, piercing through the sound barrier.

Below, Cao Rong's left eyelid began to twitch, and a sense of impending crisis gripped him.

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

At this moment, Cao Rong's pupils contracted sharply.

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

Arrows reaching such velocity possessed terrifying power.

Especially when shot from the shadows, they were nearly impossible to defend against.

Cao Rong immediately exerted force with his legs, leaping into the air to dodge the arrow.

But in the next instant—

Thud!

The arrow pierced through his body.

Confronted with the immense impact, his airborne body was instantly knocked off course by the arrow's powerful kinetic energy.

"Lord!"

"Lord!"

"Commander Cao!"

". . ."

A series of exclamations filled Cao Rong's ears.

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

Jiang Ning's figure was backlit, shrouded in the bright moonlight, making his features indistinct. Even with his eyes wide open, Cao Rong could only make out a hazy silhouette.

Who was this person?

Who possessed such awe-inspiring archery skills?

Why would they target him?

These thoughts flashed through Cao Rong's mind.

At the same time, above the valley, Jiang Ning shook his head.

So weak!

Without hesitation, he drew the bowstring again.

Twang!

The arrow tore through the air.

In an instant, it pierced through layers of void.

This arrow was aimed directly at Cao Rong's head.

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

He hadn't even been able to dodge the first arrow, let alone this second one with even greater power.

A moment later, the arrow pierced through Cao Rong's head, and his rock-hard skull shattered into fragments.

Jiang Ning glanced at Cao Rong.

Killing Cao Rong was enough!

He turned and leaped, his figure transforming into a shadow that disappeared into the bright moonlight.

"Lord!"

"Lord!!"

"Commander Cao!!!"

". . ."

The sudden turn of events left the cavalry below in a state of shock.

Especially the horses, which were already galloping, abruptly reined in, causing chaos. Some soldiers even tumbled off their mounts.

The entire valley was in disarray.

Few noticed Jiang Ning's departure.

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

As he did so, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Months ago, when Cao Rong had suddenly attacked, Jiang Ning could only hide behind Wang Jin for protection, his life hanging by a thread, like a drifting 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 had given Jiang Ning a profound sense of oppression and suffocation.

But now, Jiang Ning realized that killing Cao Rong was surprisingly easy.

Cao Rong couldn't even block the first arrow, which was merely a test, let alone the subsequent two arrows.

The second arrow, shot with ordinary archery skills, had ended Cao Rong's life.

As Jiang Ning left, he felt a sense of disappointment.

It was too easy to kill!

It felt unreal!

The next moment, he opened his panel again.

【Name】: Jiang Ning

【Essence Energy】: 337.43

【Skills】:

Literary Proficiency (Three Times Limit Break 3918/40000) (Characteristics: Photographic Memory, Extraordinary Senses, Keen Mind)



Literary Proficiency was just a few dozen experience points away from meeting the conditions for the fourth limit break.

These few dozen experience points were not a challenge for Jiang Ning at this point.

As for Essence Energy, thanks to the Dragon Ascension Pill, he already met the requirements for the fourth limit break of Literary Proficiency.

After checking his panel, Jiang Ning closed it.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end