Chapter 337: Entering Dongling City

Chapter 337: Entering Dongling City

Dongling City.

At the city gate.

Upon entering Dongling City, all carriages had to undergo inspections by the gate guards, and everyone was required to disembark and walk into the city.

This was the rule of Dongling City and a common practice in major cities.

At that moment, the Su family's caravan members, including the young mistress, descended from their carriages and slowly proceeded forward, awaiting inspection by the gate guards.

At the front of the caravan.

The young mistress of the Su family, the owner of the caravan, frowned slightly as she observed the queue ahead.

She hadn't anticipated that the weather had just started to warm up, and already, the caravans and their escorts entering Dongling City were causing such a scene.

The pungent odor from the densely packed crowd, combined with the harsh winter sunlight overhead, made her feel irritated.

She glanced at Liu Guangqi beside her.

"Old Liu!"

"Yes, Miss."

"Old Liu, I have to say a few words to you. When you're out and about, don't be too kind-hearted!" The young mistress of the Su family spoke, her gaze briefly sweeping over the rear of the caravan.

However, her view was obstructed, and she couldn't see anything.

Liu Guangqi understood whom his mistress was referring to the moment he saw her glance.

Liu Guangqi hadn't expected his mistress to bring up this matter at this time, and he immediately bowed and smiled apologetically.

"Miss, it's my fault."

"Mhm!" The young mistress of the Su family nodded. "It's good that you know. Because of your indiscriminate kindness, our caravan had to pay several dozen more taels of silver to pass through Shuangyang Mountain."

She took this opportunity, while they were queuing to enter the city, to admonish Liu Guangqi once more.

Then she continued, "But I'll let it go this time, considering your years of hard work and dedication! Don't let it happen again!"

"Yes, Miss!" Liu Guangqi nodded and bowed repeatedly.

Witnessing this scene, the young mistress of the Su family suddenly felt she might have been a bit harsh.

So, she added, "Old Liu, it's not personal. With the intense competition within the clan right now, I need a substantial sum to invite a powerful individual to be my guest advisor and strengthen my position. I can't afford to waste a single penny!"

"Miss, I understand!" Liu Guangqi smiled, showing his comprehension.

"Good!" The young mistress of the Su family nodded, and the irritation in her heart subsided significantly.

A moment later.

"Those entering the city, move forward!"

"Yes, sir!" Hearing the city guard's command, Liu Guangqi, with a gesture from the young mistress, promptly spoke up.

With Liu Guangqi's extensive experience in navigating various situations, the inspection of the caravan proceeded smoothly and efficiently. Each vehicle was checked and cleared for entry into the city one after another.

Before long.

Half of the caravan had already passed through.

At that moment, Jiang Ning and the others also descended from their carriages.

They waited for their turn to be inspected for entry.

After another caravan's carriage passed through, the rear half of the caravan came into full view, and the line of sight improved significantly.

At the city gate, where two men in black and gold official robes had been waiting for a long time, suddenly fixed their gaze forward.

"Brother Xu, Brother Xu, isn't that Jiang Ning?" One of the men repeatedly nudged his elbow into the arm of the man beside him.

Hearing this.

The other man immediately followed the voice and looked over, and when he saw Jiang Ning, their eyes met.

His eyes narrowed in recognition: "It's him! This man is indeed Jiang Ning!"

"Brother Xu!" The man's face showed impatience as he hurriedly nudged the man beside him, whom he had called Brother Xu, with his elbow: "Let's go, let's go!! We can finally resolve this matter!!"

Their commotion caused a stir at the city gate.

After all, the distinctive uniforms of the Inspection Bureau were easily recognizable to those with a keen eye.

These two men were officials from the Inspection Bureau.

The Inspection Bureau had become ubiquitous, with their presence established in every major city.

The Inspection Bureau was the new elite, their prestige soaring like the midday sun.

Upon seeing officials from the Inspection Bureau, everyone would retreat three steps out of respect and caution.

Offending them meant being branded a rebel or a troublemaker, with no chance for redress.

They held the privilege of executing first and reporting later. The dead couldn't speak, so how could they defend themselves?

The eyes of everyone at the gate followed the two officials from the Inspection Bureau.

Since yesterday, the soldiers guarding the gate had noticed the arrival of these two officials.

They had been whispering about the officials' presence and discussing their purpose at the gate. When the officials remained until the gate closed yesterday before leaving, it piqued their curiosity even more.

It wasn't until this morning that they learned the officials were waiting for an important outsider.

At least, in their eyes, this person was significant.

So, when they saw the officials from the Inspection Bureau taking action, everyone stared with intense curiosity.

What kind of important person would cause two officials from the Inspection Bureau to wait at the city gate a day in advance?

The two officials from the Inspection Bureau strode directly towards Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning had already noticed the two men approaching.

A glint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

His current public identity, as registered within the Inspection Bureau, is merely an Eighth Rank Official.

An Eighth Rank Official is still considered a bigwig in Luoshui County.

However, in Dongling City, he is just an ordinary official.

In the capital city of Dongling Prefecture, any random person on the street might have an equal or higher rank.

An Eighth Rank, not even a minor official.

What virtue or ability does he possess to have the Inspection Bureau send people to greet him at the city gate?

And this is without any prior notice or confirmation of his arrival.

How long would they have to wait for his arrival?

He looked at the two men with a curious expression as they approached him.

"Greetings, Lord Jiang!"

"Greetings, Lord Jiang!"

The two immediately bowed in respect.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning finally understood that these two were indeed here for him, waiting at the city gate.

On the other side.

Liu Guang, upon seeing this scene, immediately widened his eyes.

"Isn't he Jiang Scholar?!"

"Why are these two officials addressing him as 'Lord'?!"

Beside him, the Su Family's direct-line daughter was also filled with astonishment.

"Old Liu, didn't you say he was just a well-off scholar?"

"Yes!" Liu Guang, looking at the few people conversing ahead, replied in a daze.

At that moment, he could clearly see the two men showing great respect to Jiang Ning, just as he would show respect to his own master.

"Then what's going on?" the Su Family's direct-line daughter asked.

"I don't know either!" Liu Guang was taken aback, then shook his head.

"Old Liu, weren't you good friends with him before?"

"At most, we were acquaintances; it can't be called a close relationship," Liu Guang said with a self-deprecating smile.

Seeing the currentTwoInspectionBureauPersonnel's respectful attitude towards Jiang Ning, he realized that his previous actions were unnecessary.

After all, the personnel of the InspectionBureau are at least Martial Dao initiates.

If they showed such respect, he must surely have a high level of martial skill.

.

"Old Liu, why didn't I befriendlier with him before?" The Su Family's direct-LineDaughter looked at the scene at the city gate, her eyes filledWithRegret.

She continued, "If I had befriended with him, with his status that can make the Inspection Bureau personnel of Dongling City show such respect, I could surely gain an advantage in the family's internalStruggles."

Liu Guang, hearingThis,Recalled the earlier words ofHisMiss, and remainedSilent.

On the otherSide,

After a brief conversation with the two Inspection Bureau personnel from Dongling City, he understoodTheirIntention.

Hong Minghu had informed the Inspection Bureau ofDongling City.

Hong Minghu informed the Inspection Bureau ofDongling City to find and relay the message to him.

Because a significant event occurred in Luoshui County, closely related to him.

Wang Jin was injured, suffering severe wounds, his bones and muscles wereBroken.

Normally, such injuries would render a person useless.

"Thank you both forTheInformation!" Jiang Ning took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and bowed.

"Lord Jiang,You'reTooPolite!" The leading person bowed, then continued, "The message hasDelivered,.

I

"Good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"Thank you for the information!"

"Fine!" The leadingPersonBowed, "The message has been delivered, I will now report back!"

"Good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

On theOtherSide,

"YoungBrother!" Jiang Li besideJiangNingImmediatelySpoke.

"OldBrother, what's wrong?" Jiang Ning asked.

"OldBrother, are we going back now?" Jiang Li asked.

"There's no need to go back!" Jiang NingShookHisHead.

Looking at the city gate, the vehicles ahead had all entered the city.

"Let's enter the city first!" he said again.

"Fine!" Jiang Li nodded, then he asked, "OldBrother, but whatAboutYourMaster?"

"First, settle you all, I will go time,I," go time,I," Jiang Ning replied. "With my speed, it won't take longToGoBackAlone."

HearingThis, Jiang Li looked at Jiang Ning in surprise.

He knew exactly how long the journey from Luoshui County took.

Although the carriage was slow, it still took five days.

A five-day journey, in his younger brother's opinion,,,Would take only time.

.

"OldBrother, what'sYourCurrentStrength?" Jiang Li thought.

Then he nodded slowly, "Fine, I'll follow your arrangement."

At that moment,

Even though the carriages ahead had all entered the city, and there were still carriages inQueueBehind, the city gate, the cityGateGuardsDaredNotDareToUrged.

They had just witnessed howTheTwoInspectionBureauPersonnelTreatedTheYoungMan.

They were also aware that theseTwoInspectionBureauPersonnelHadBeenWaitingForTheYoungManForADay.

They waited nearly a wholeDayForJiangNing'sAppearance.

With such a situation, they cityD, would city of the city gate.

them into the city, they wouldn't dare to offendSuchAnImportantPerson.

Jiang Ning gazed at the spacious road ahead and spoke, "Let's go!"

Jiang Li nodded in agreement.

Two carriages proceeded down the wide road.

As they traveled, Jiang Ning fell into deep thought.

The incident involving Wang Jin had caught him off guard.

He hadn't anticipated Yu Manyun's arrival in Luo Shui County right after his departure.

His suspicion of Yu Manyun as the perpetrator of Wang Jin's injury wasn't baseless. She was the most likely candidate among his potential enemies, both in terms of motive and capability.

At this moment, his mind wandered to the potential threat Yu Manyun posed.

He was relieved that Yu Manyun had arrived a few days later.

If she had come earlier, his brother's family would have been in danger.

Yu Manyun's willingness to harm Wang Jin indicated her potential to do the same to his brother's family and their children.

This thought sent a shiver down his spine.

It solidified his determination to nurture Laogui and Linglong, ensuring their ability to protect his brother's family" even in his absence.

As they passed through the city gate and entered Dong Ling City, Jiang Ning noticed a prominent inn.

"Let's stay here for now!"

"Okay!"

"Brother and Sister-in-law, find a place to settle down! I'll take care of the rest!"

After a while, they settled into a room.

Jiang Ning left Laogui and Linglong with his brother's family and stepped out of the inn.

He had made up his mind.

Returning to Luo Shui County was essential.

Wang Jin's injuries required immediate treatment to prevent lingering damage or permanent disability.

In Dong Ling Prefecture, the best medical expertise belonged to Yao Wang Gu, aside from the county's medical facilities.

However, ensuring his brother's family's safety took precedence.

Yu Manyun's potential arrival in Dong Ling City meant he needed additional protection.

According to Xiao Emei, Yu Manyun was a contender for the next leader of Shui Yue Jian Gong, indicating her prowess.

After all, Xiao Emei and the other disciples shared the same surname, suggesting a complex relationship beyond mere discipleship.

Laogui's strength fell short of a Fifth Stage Martial Artist.

Linglong's abilities were even lower, roughly equivalent to an Eighth Stage Martial Artist.

Facing Yu Manyun, they could only delay her momentarily, not provide comprehensive protection.

Jiang Ning sought further assurance.

He wanted to ensure that even if Yu Manyun located his brother's family, she couldn't harm them.

Jiang Ning acted swiftly.

Following Xiao Emei's instructions, he released a flying messenger pigeon from a pigeon coop in the city.

He summoned Xiao Emei from Shui Yue Jian Gong, making her a guardian for his family.

Jiang Ning then recalled Bai Luoyu's departure arrangement.

Bai Luoyu had invited him to meet upon his arrival in Dong Ling City.

Bai Luoyu intended to play the perfect host.

Ordinarily, Jiang Ning wouldn't have rushed to meet Bai Luoyu.

However, the situation was different.

Bai Luoyu held a unique position in Dong Ling City.

As the county's inspector, he wielded significant influence.

Moreover, Bai Luoyu's Sixth Stage Martial Artist status ensured his capabilities surpassed Yu Manyun's.

If Bai Luoyu agreed to help, Jiang Ning could depart for Luo Shui County with peace of mind.

His teacher had helped him through dire circumstances.

He couldn't forget this favor.

Moreover, Wang Jin's predicament was indirectly caused by him.

Out of gratitude and obligation, he had to take responsibility.

Wang Jin's injuries required treatment to prevent long-term complications.

As for Yu Manyun, if she was indeed responsible, Jiang Ning couldn't let the grudge go unaddressed.

He wasn't intimidated by Shui Yue Jian Gong, knowing its location on a lake island.

Jiang Ning was ready to confront anyone, even the renowned First Stage Martial Artist, Xiao Emei.

However, this wasn't the time or place for such a confrontation.

His immediate priority was to alleviate his concerns and escort Wang Jin to Yao Wang Gu for treatment.

Other matters could wait.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end