Chapter 314: The Rewards for the Three Great Achievements

Chapter 314: The Rewards for the Three Great Achievements



In the eastern courtyard, only Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu remained after the others had left.

Bai Luoyu closed his folding fan with a swift motion. "Jiang brother, I must say, I admire your achievement. Killing two Fifth Rank Warriors from the Divine Worship Sect has earned you a hundred million Contribution Points, approved by the higher-ups."

As he spoke, Bai Luoyu waved his hand, and a small pouch appeared on the table. He pointed to it with his fan. "Jiang brother, please check it. There are ten Spirit Stone Jade Discs, each representing one hundred thousand Contribution Points."

Jiang Ning picked up the pouch and examined it. He saw that it contained several jade discs, each larger than a copper coin, with intricate patterns and markings. Even his calm demeanor couldn't hide his excitement. A hundred million Contribution Points was equivalent to at least a hundred million Silver Ingots, a tremendous help to him. With this amount, he wouldn't lack resources for a long time, and if he used it sparingly, it could last until he became a Grandmaster.

As for the cost of becoming a Grandmaster, he had some idea from Lin Qingyi's experience. A single drop of Hundred Spirit Blood was worth ten taels of gold, or ten thousand Silver Ingots. Ten drops would be equivalent to one hundred thousand Silver Ingots. Although he didn't know the exact cost, he could sense that it wouldn't be small.

Jiang Ning put the pouch away and bowed. "Thank you, Bai brother!"

Bai Luoyu smiled. "No need to thank me. You should thank Zhao Yulong, the Lord of Dongling City, for approving the reward."

Jiang Ning bowed in the direction of Dongling City to express his gratitude. Bai Luoyu smiled and continued, "Jiang brother, aside from this, you have two more achievements."

"Firstly, you single-handedly defended Luo Water County, which greatly boosted the reputation of our Inspection Office. We'll discuss the details later."

"Secondly, you resolved the hidden threat of County Magistrate Li Hong, and you are the primary contributor to this achievement. You have two options for your reward: either forty million Contribution Points or an unconditional promotion to Half-Rank Official."

Jiang Ning chose the Contribution Points. Bai Luoyu nodded in approval. "A wise choice!" He waved his hand, and another pouch appeared on the table. "Jiang brother, please check it. There are forty million Contribution Points inside."

Jiang Ning took the pouch and put it away. "Thank you, Bai brother."

Bai Luoyu smiled and opened his folding fan, gently waving it. "Now, let's discuss the last matter. You alone defended Luo Water County and resolved the rebellion of the Black Mountain Army."

"I have two options for you, based on your achievements. Firstly, Zhao Yulong, the Lord of Dongling City, intends to promote you to Deputy Commander, with a rank of Sixth Rank Official. Before taking office, you will be allowed to attend the Martial Academy for training, with all expenses waived until you reach the Fifth Rank in the Martial Dao."

Jiang Ning's heart skipped a beat when he heard the words "Sixth Rank." Officials below the Seventh Rank were not considered to be of high status, and those of the Seventh Rank were often referred to as "small officials." Only those above the Seventh Rank were considered to be truly esteemed.

The position of Deputy Commander in the Inspection Office, with a rank of Sixth Rank Official, was a significant promotion, equivalent to rising to prominence in one step. The opportunity to attend the Martial Academy for training, with all expenses waived, was also a generous reward.

This showed that the higher-ups valued him highly and intended to cultivate him further. Jiang Ning knew that he had already reached the Fifth Rank in the Martial Dao, with thirty years of cultivation and an Inner Breath like the sea. He had also opened up all the meridians in his body and was not weak compared to the older generation of cultivators.

With this promotion, he could become the Deputy Commander immediately, taking a huge step forward in his career.

"But upon recalling Bai Luoyu's words, he turned to her, curious to hear her second option.

'Brother Bai, I'd like to hear the second option,' Jiang Ning spoke up.

Bai Luoyu smiled, 'The second option is to give you, Brother Jiang, a chance to obtain a sixth-rank official position.'

'A chance?' Jiang Ning was taken aback.

Bai Luoyu nodded, 'Just a chance.'

Hearing those words, Jiang Ning's curiosity piqued.

The first option was to be appointed as a sixth-rank official, serving as the Deputy Commander of the Inspection Office in Dongling City, with the added benefit of martial arts training and a waiver of all basic fees.

This second option was also a sixth-rank position, but it was merely a chance.

There seemed to be more to this offer.

At that moment, Bai Luoyu noticed the unconcealed astonishment on Jiang Ning's face, and she couldn't help but smile.

Then, she asked, 'Do you know the rank of my position as an Inspector?'

Jiang Ning shook his head, 'No idea!'

Indeed, he had no clue.

After joining the Inspection Office, he had been performing mostly managerial tasks.

He hadn't paid much attention to the organizational structure of the Inspection Office.

So, he only had a basic understanding of the Luo Water County's Inspection Office and not much beyond that.

Bai Luoyu explained, 'You should know that when the Inspection Office was first established, the power it was given was immense. It held the privilege of "punish first, report later," whether in a county, a prefecture, or even a capital city. The Inspection Office's authority and might were unparalleled in each region, and the local capital city lord was like an uncrowned king.'

Hearing Bai Luoyu's words, Jiang Ning nodded in agreement.

Even without mentioning other places, just in Luo Water County, the Inspection Office had accomplished so much since its establishment. The local snake, Cao family, and Hong Minghu, a fifth-rank warrior, were both dealt with swiftly. The power of the Inspection Office's authority and might left others breathless.

The Inspection Office's martial might alone was several times that of the entire county's local forces.

A single Hong Minghu, a fifth-rank warrior, could make the entire county cower.

Not to mention the sixth-rank warriors of the Four Great Commanders and the seventh-rank warriors of the Four Deputy Commanders.

The ten-odd team leaders were all outstanding eighth-rank officials, and even the regular team members held official ranks.

Moreover, all formal members held official ranks.

This force was enough to make the various powers within the city feel suffocated.

At the same time, the Inspection Office held both the law and the truth.

The law was the legal system, and the truth was might.

The Inspection Office was the embodiment of this truth.

Jiang Ning had long known that the system of the Inspection Office was problematic and couldn't last long without chaos emerging.

But this didn't stop him from joining the Inspection Office.

As the saying goes, 'The brain follows the buttocks.'

Being part of the privileged class wasn't pleasant.

But once you became a member, it was a different story.

The current Inspection Office was precisely like this.

A typical privileged class, they stood above other bureaucratic institutions.

Hong Minghu's punishment of Li Hong without prior approval was a testament to the Inspection Office's excessive privileges.

The county magistrate was supposed to be the local overlord, holding the power over life and death.

Yet, Hong Minghu could sentence Li Hong to death, and all he needed to do afterward was report and provide evidence.

But anyone who gave it some thought would realize that there were too many opportunities for manipulation.

Framing and setting up others, the methods were countless.

With the Inspection Office's overly exaggerated privileges and power, Jiang Ning believed it wouldn't be long before it descended into rapid corruption.

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Jiang Ning nodded in agreement.

'You're right, Sister Bai, the power of the Inspection Office is indeed too great,' he said.

Bai Luoyu continued, 'This matter is known to all officials, and the opposition has been countless. But because the Inspection Office is under the Martial Sage's command, and the Capital City Lord's position, the opposition has been suppressed.'

'But the Inspection Office is not without its oversight body.'

Hearing this, Jiang Ning suddenly understood and looked at Bai Luoyu.

'Do you mean you're from the oversight body?'

'Indeed!' Bai Luoyu smiled, 'I am the Prefectural Inspector, the messenger overseeing an entire prefecture, holding a sixth-rank official position. Half a rank higher than any county's highest official.'

'Dongling Prefecture is mostly comprised of waters and mountains, making it a small prefecture.'

'But even in this small prefecture, there are four counties under Dongling's jurisdiction, including Luo Water County.'

'In any county, as the Prefectural Inspector, I have the authority to oversee the county, command its military and administration, and hold the highest power.'

'This is the power of the Prefectural Inspector.'

'Additionally, within the prefecture, I have the authority to oversee all personnel of the Inspection Office. Even Zhao Yulong, the sixth-rank Grandmaster of the Dongling City Inspection Office, is subject to my supervision and can be reported to higher authorities.'

"So, even though I'm only a Sixth Rank, within Dongling Prefecture, who wouldn't give me some face?"

"Besides the Manor Lord who has reached the Grandmaster realm, the other two Deputy Lords also treat me as an honored guest."

As he spoke, Bai Luoyu couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

In fact, he had every right to be proud.

Whether it was strength or status, he was the most influential and charismatic figure among his peers in Dongling Prefecture, a true leader.

"I admire you, Bai Luoyu!" Hearing Bai Luoyu's words, Jiang Ning clasped his hands in admiration.

Bai Luoyu smiled and said, "I believe you've already guessed the second option I'm about to offer you, Jiang Ning."

"I have a guess, but I can't be sure!" Jiang Ning said.

"Your guess is correct, Jiang Ning!" Bai Luoyu continued, "After my report, the higher-ups also gave you a choice. That is, you have the opportunity to become the third Prefectural Inspector of Dongling Prefecture."

"A Prefectural Inspector is also a Sixth Rank official position."

"Do you have any thoughts on this, Jiang Ning?" Bai Luoyu asked again.

"Of course, I do," Jiang Ning nodded, then added, "Bai Luoyu, what are the prerequisites?"

"Within a year, you must reach the Fifth Rank and have an inner breath as vast as the sea. That's the requirement for your strength," Bai Luoyu continued, "Without sufficient strength, you won't be able to suppress the Manor Lords of the various county inspection offices. It's only reasonable that you need the qualifications to oversee an entire prefecture, right?"

Jiang Ning nodded, "That's reasonable."

"As for the second requirement, it's a bit more challenging," Bai Luoyu said.

"Please speak frankly, Bai Luoyu," Jiang Ning urged.

Bai Luoyu looked at Jiang Ning and said, "First, you need to obtain the title of Martial Scholar."

"No problem!" Jiang Ning nodded confidently.

Bai Luoyu smiled, "This test is indeed simple for your current strength! A Sixth Rank warrior is more than capable of easily obtaining the title of Martial Scholar."

Then he continued, "The second requirement is much more difficult. You need to participate in the Imperial Examination and obtain the title of Scholar."

"Scholar?" Jiang Ning was surprised, "Why is that necessary?"

Bai Luoyu shook his head, "I don't know the specifics either! But according to the higher-ups, a Prefectural Inspector should not be a mere martial brute. They should be well-rounded in both martial and scholarly arts, and only those with intellect are qualified to shoulder this important responsibility."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded slightly, reluctantly accepting this explanation.

However, he still felt there was something amiss, a question he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Just then, Bai Luoyu spoke again, "Have you thought it through, Jiang Ning?"

"I have," Jiang Ning replied, temporarily suppressing the doubts in his mind.

"Which option will you choose, Jiang Ning?" Bai Luoyu asked.

"Of course, the second option!" Jiang Ning answered without hesitation.

After understanding the situation, he had no other thoughts.

A Prefectural Inspector, a Sixth Rank official position, was indeed a privileged role.

This aligned with his choice.

Moreover, the position had a higher status.

This was even more in line with his choice.

After all, a Deputy Commander was ultimately under the jurisdiction of others, which meant he would have far less freedom.

After all, the inspection office of a prefecture was much busier than that of a small county like Luo Water County.

The more time he spent on official duties, the less time he would have for cultivation.

On the other hand, a Prefectural Inspector had significantly more freedom.

Furthermore, the challenges set by the higher-ups for him to become an Inspector were not particularly difficult.

Reaching the Fifth Rank and having an inner breath as vast as the sea were achievable goals.

As for the title of Martial Scholar, there was still over a year left, and for him, obtaining this title was merely a formality.

After all, the Imperial Examination for martial arts, whether it was the Preliminary Exam, Provincial Exam, or the Final Exam, all had a prerequisite—one must be under thirty years old to participate.

Missing the deadline by even a day meant losing the qualification to take the Imperial Examination.

Due to the age restriction, obtaining the title of Martial Scholar through the Preliminary Exam was not challenging for him.

After all, the competitors were all young talents from the same prefecture.

Generally, reaching the Sixth Rank in martial arts meant a 95% chance of obtaining the title of Martial Scholar.

The remaining 5% failure was due to poor performance in the written exam.

But for Jiang Ning, none of these were issues.

Becoming a Scholar was also not difficult for him.

The Preliminary Exam for the Imperial Examination relied solely on memorization and recitation.

For someone like him with the ability to memorize at a glance, such a test of memory was effortless.

Therefore, regardless of the conditions, none posed any difficulty for him.

Naturally, he chose the second option offered by Bai Luoyu.

A Prefectural Inspector, although a Sixth Rank official position, was equal in rank to a Deputy Commander but had significantly more power and authority.

In terms of freedom, it was undoubtedly a better choice.

He had no reason to reject this superior option.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end