Chapter 290: The Xie Family's Sincerity!

Chapter 290: The Xie Family's Sincerity!



Outside the courtyard.

"Lord Xie, please come in!" A voice echoed in Xie Zhengtian's ear, seemingly from nowhere.

He trembled slightly.

Whispering Aura!

His expression grew even more solemn.

Xie Zhengtian, as the head of the Xie Clan, was naturally aware of such methods as Whispering Aura.

This was typically a skill mastered by those at the Fifth Rank Inner Fortification Realm.

It required control over Inner Essence and the ability to materialize spiritual power, allowing one to communicate without physical presence.

For this reason, Whispering Aura was often a skill mastered by those at the Fifth Rank Inner Fortification Realm.

"I can't afford to offend you!"

Xie Zhengtian couldn't help but sigh.

Then, he stepped into the courtyard where Jiang Ning was.

As he entered, he saw Jiang Ning wearing a loose white training outfit, slowly rising from a meditation cushion.

"Meditating and cultivating, could it be that Jiang Ning is practicing the Inner Fortification Technique?" Xie Zhengtian thought of this and couldn't help but look up at the Grand Sun above his head.

A memory flashed in his mind of when he had seen Shen Congyun's meditation and breathing technique.

In an instant, he connected Shen Congyun with Jiang Ning.

"No wonder!"

Xie Zhengtian suddenly understood, feeling he now knew where Jiang Ning's Inner Fortification Technique originated.

"If that's the case, it's truly terrifying!"

He now understood Jiang Ning's fearsome nature even more.

The Inner Fortification Technique, in normal circumstances, required a long and arduous process.

Thus, generally, the older one was, the more profound and powerful their Inner Essence became.

He had never heard of anyone, in less than a year, reaching such a high level in the Inner Fortification Technique.

At this moment, Jiang Ning looked at Green Ripple and asked her to go to Wan Hua Tower to buy the Skin Refining Powder and Skin Nourishing Cream she needed.

At this stage of skin refinement, women were always more cautious than men.

No woman wanted to risk making their skin dull and rough through this process.

So, most women, in addition to using Skin Refining Powder, also needed Skin Nourishing Cream to nurture their skin.

Jiang Ning was very concerned about this for Green Ripple.

Now that Green Ripple was by his side, looking more beautiful, he felt his mood improving.

Beautiful women were naturally a stunning sight.

A moment later.

In the pavilion.

Xie Zhengtian sat across from Jiang Ning.

"Lord Jiang, I'm here!" Seeing Jiang Ning pouring tea for him, Xie Zhengtian quickly stood up with a smile.

Jiang Ning didn't force him.

Being served by Green Ripple, he found himself getting more accustomed to the comfort of having others handle these trivial matters.

Questioning the landlord, understanding the landlord! Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

He also understood why the wealthy in his past life needed to hire a housekeeper.

Given the choice, who would want to deal with these trivial matters daily?

Who wouldn't want to enjoy having their every need fulfilled, freeing their time for their own pursuits?

Meanwhile.

Xie Zhengtian saw the smile on Jiang Ning's face, and his tension lessened.

The better Jiang Ning's mood today, the more likely he could help the Xie Clan get through this crisis.

Thinking of this.

Xie Zhengtian poured tea for Jiang Ning and himself, then handed over a thick stack of documents to Jiang Ning.

"Lord Jiang, this is the result of my investigation over the past half-month. I've looked into the crimes committed by all 240 members of the Xie Clan, including 109 with major offenses and 131 with minor offenses, all recorded in these files."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning looked at Xie Zhengtian in surprise, then took the documents.

He skimmed through them, flipping quickly.

After a short tea break.

Reaching the end, Jiang Ning couldn't help but exclaim.

"Amazing!"

"So ruthless!"

With a quick glance, he understood that Xie Zhengtian had taken drastic measures.

According to these records, nearly a hundred people would face the death penalty.

Beside him, Xie Zhengtian saw that Jiang Ning had reached the end and spoke.

"Lord Jiang, I've already handed over these documents to the government office. The crimes committed by the Xie Clan will be dealt with according to the Great Xia Legal Code, without leniency."

Then, he signaled to the black-faced man behind him.

Seeing this, the man quickly placed a red wooden box he was holding on the stone table.

Xie Zhengtian opened the box, revealing gold ingots shining with a dazzling golden light to Jiang Ning.

"Lord Jiang, this is a small token of my appreciation. You kept the Black Mountain Army, this rebel force, outside the inner city, preserving the lives of over 200 members of the Xie Clan and our two-century-old legacy."

"Looking at the gold in the rosewood box, Xie Zhengtian spoke earnestly, "The head of the Xie family has already expressed his gratitude!"

"It's not enough! It's not nearly enough!" Xie Zhengtian emphasized, his voice resolute. "We don't know how many will die when the rebels enter the city, and how many of our clan's businesses will be destroyed in an instant. This is the gratitude of hundreds of people from the Xie Manor, and the gratitude of millions of citizens in the entire city!"

"This gesture represents the gratitude of all the Xie Manor and the entire city's citizens."

"Please, Lord Jiang, you must accept it!" Xie Zhengtian pleaded, his eyes fixed on Jiang Ning.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning glanced at Xie Zhengtian, his gaze lingering on him for several breaths.

It wasn't until he noticed Xie Zhengtian's breathing becoming erratic and his heart racing that Jiang Ning slowly spoke.

"Alright, I'll accept it."

Upon hearing these words, Xie Zhengtian's tense heart finally relaxed, and his legs felt a little weak.

At that moment, Jiang Ning placed the file in front of Xie Zhengtian.

"Lord Xie, you just said that the crimes committed by your clan members will be dealt with according to the Great Xia Legal Code, without leniency. Are you really capable of carrying out such a decision?"

Xie Zhengtian quickly patted his chest and assured, "Lord Jiang, rest assured. I've thought it through. If we allow these pests in our clan to continue causing chaos, our Xie family will eventually face disaster."

"For a family to thrive and endure, it must go through such growing pains."

"The existence of these pests in our clan will only bring harm, not benefit, to the long-term prosperity of the Xie family."

"The case files of these individuals have already been transferred to the local government, and they will be dealt with strictly according to the Great Xia Legal Code, without any leniency!"

"Moreover, our Xie family is the largest grain merchant in the county. I've made it clear that on a chosen day, we will open the Xie family granary to provide relief to the entire city and help everyone get through this harsh winter!"

Hearing Xie Zhengtian's final words, Jiang Ning nodded in agreement.

"Good! I hope you can keep your word and open the granary to provide relief for the entire city."

Xie Zhengtian patted his chest again and vowed, "Lord Jiang, please be at ease. Since I've made this promise, I will definitely fulfill it!"

"The county's citizens are also my fellow townsfolk. At this critical moment, as the wealthiest family in the area, it's our duty to offer assistance."

After a brief moment, Jiang Ning bid farewell to Xie Zhengtian, and turned his gaze to the golden bars on the table, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He never expected that after Xie Zhengtian's previous gift of two hundred thousand silver notes, he would present sixty-six gold bars today.

In Great Xia, gold was a precious commodity, and one gold bar was equivalent to one thousand silver bars.

Sixty-six gold bars, at the official exchange rate, amounted to sixty-six thousand silver bars.

In private transactions, there was often a premium.

These sixty-six gold bars were roughly equivalent to seventy thousand silver bars.

"With this money, I can even afford the last precious treasure from Wan Hua Tower!"

Jiang Ning's heart was filled with anticipation at this thought.

His experience points in Five Beasts Fist had already met the requirements for four limit breaks, and he only lacked Essence Energy Points.

But with this newfound wealth, combined with the gifts received on the first day of the New Year from various parties in the county, his total wealth exceeded ninety thousand silver bars.

Holding the VIP token left by Shen Congyun, he was entitled to a twenty percent discount on all purchases from Wan Hua Tower.

With this discount, the treasure worth one hundred thousand silver bars would only cost eighty thousand.

With the sixty-six gold bars from Xie Zhengtian, he had just enough, and even had some surplus.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

"I'll have to visit Wan Hua Tower this afternoon!"

"Then, tomorrow, my Five Beasts Fist should be able to achieve four limit breaks!"

"Not only will I gain new attributes, but after breaking through with Five Beasts Fist, I'll have more Qi and Blood when practicing, and I can also absorb more Five Elements Essence to nurture my Five Viscera!"

"This Xie Zhengtian is really considerate!"

Thinking of Xie Zhengtian, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

To be honest, in Jiang Ning's opinion, Xie Zhengtian was indeed ruthless.

According to the records in the file, if judged by the Great Xia Legal Code, over a hundred members of the Xie family would face death sentences.

Additionally, dozens more would receive heavy imprisonment or exile.

Only a few dozen members of the Xie family would be spared.

Even if there were some hidden crimes, the number wouldn't be significant.

Furthermore, despite the circumstances, the Xie family was still willing to open their granary to provide relief for the entire city.

This was undoubtedly a great act of kindness.

During this harsh winter, Jiang Ning estimated the average temperature to be around minus ten degrees.

Although not extremely severe, it was still challenging for the poorly clothed and underfed citizens to endure.

Last summer and autumn were particularly dry, and even with the Luoshui River nearby for irrigation, the harvest was still significantly affected and not as bountiful as hoped.

This made the coming winter especially challenging to endure.

As the days went by, with food reserves dwindling, the situation became increasingly dire.

But now, with the Xie Family's generous opening of their granaries, things were different.

The Xie Family was the largest grain merchant in Luoshui County.

Their food reserves were abundant, enough to help the entire town's struggling populace survive this harsh winter.

This was an act of great benevolence.

Meanwhile, Xie Zhengtian and the black-faced man stepped out of the manor.

Haaahh!

Xie Zhengtian's expression was one of relief.

Although the cost this time was substantial, he felt it was worth it.

If the Xie Family were to fall to the same state as the Liu Family, all their careful planning would be for naught.

At this crucial juncture for the Xie Family, he dared not have any superstitious thoughts.

Today's actions were the best he could do.

"Thankfully, we've made it through this crisis!" he muttered to himself.

Just then, the black-faced man behind him spoke up.

"Big Brother, I was thinking about what Lord Jiang Ning said earlier."

"What did he say?" Xie Zhengtian asked, turning his head.

"Why did Lord Jiang Ning ask you to mix sand into the porridge when you were distributing it?" The black-faced man's face was filled with confusion.

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhengtian's expression turned to one of admiration.

"That statement not only shows that Lord Jiang has a benevolent heart but also great wisdom!"

"Great wisdom?" The black-faced man's confusion deepened. "Why do you say that, Big Brother?"

Xie Zhengtian replied, "If I served you a bowl of porridge mixed with sand, would you drink it?"

"As the second young master of the Xie Family, how could I possibly drink such a thing?" The black-faced man widened his eyes.

Xie Zhengtian continued, "But what if you were starving, on the verge of fainting from hunger?"

"Of course, I wouldn't be so picky then!" The black-faced man scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

"That's it!" Xie Zhengtian smiled. "When there's plenty of food, no one would want to drink porridge mixed with sand. But for those truly starving, struggling to survive this winter, they wouldn't care. Even if it were half a bun in the donkey meat pot, they'd pick it up and eat it."

Upon hearing this, the black-faced man's eyes widened in sudden realization.

"I understand now! No wonder you say Lord Jiang has great wisdom!"

"Indeed!" Xie Zhengtian's expression turned pensive. "If we were to feed porridge to the entire town, even with the Xie Family's reserves, it wouldn't last long before running out."

"But this way, it's different. Only those truly starving and desperate would come to drink the porridge mixed with sand!"

"This way, most of them should be able to make it through this winter!"

At noon.

"Young Master, I'm back!" Lu Yi appeared before Jiang Ning, who had just finished his fist practice, panting slightly and with a light sweat on her forehead.

"Have you eaten?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Not yet, I was in a hurry on the way here!" Lu Yi replied.

"Perfect, let's go eat together!" Jiang Ning stood up.

"Young Master?" Lu Yi was surprised, then said, "Hasn't Lady Liu called you for lunch yet?"

Jiang Ning calmly responded, "We're all waiting for you!"

"Young Master..." Lu Yi's eyes instantly turned red.

Watching Jiang Ning's departing figure, she quickly followed him out of the courtyard.

Once outside, Lu Yi also composed herself.

"Young Master, Manager Lin just told me that she wants you to visit her when you have time. She has a letter for you."

"A letter for me?" Jiang Ning stopped in his tracks, surprised. "How could I have a letter?"

"I don't know either, my lady!" Lu Yi spoke up.

"Don't call yourself a servant anymore!"

"Yes, Young Master!" Lu Yi finally reacted, startled, then covered her mouth.

"It's fine!" Jiang Ning smiled. "It's normal that you're not used to it yet!"

Lu Yi, hearing this, spoke again, "I don't know either, but Manager Lin insisted that the letter was for you and asked me to make sure I deliver it to you."

"Then let's go together this afternoon!" Jiang Ning said.

Then he glanced at Lu Yi, "Have you bought all the skin-refining supplies?"

"Yes, Young Master, I've bought the skin-refining powder!" Lu Yi replied.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning, who had just taken a step, stopped again, "What about the skin-nourishing cream?"

"That's too expensive!" Lu Yi lowered her head, as if wanting to bury her face in her chest.

"This afternoon, I'll go with you to see Manager Lin. I'll buy it for you. Without it, your skin will deteriorate, and I don't like that. I prefer you with your radiant, water-like skin!"

At these words, Lu Yi, with her head lowered, bit her lip.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end