Chapter 343: Returning to Dong Ling City

Chapter 343: Returning to Dong Ling City

December 10, 2024

At the entrance of the Liu Family.

Liu Sansheng looked at Liu Wanwan.

"Sister, is Commander Jiang not coming?"

"He came, but he returned to Luoshui County," Liu Wanwan replied.

"That's good!" Liu Sansheng heaved a silent sigh of relief.

He dared not imagine what would happen if Jiang Ning were here, given what he knew.

If Jiang Ning saw Jiang Li being humiliated, the Liu Family would be in big trouble.

During his time serving in Luoshui County, he had come to understand Jiang Li's ways quite well.

He knew that Jiang Ning appeared amiable on the surface, but he could be ruthless to those who offended him.

Then, a sense of relief washed over him.

He was grateful that the recent peace in Luoshui County allowed him to take some time off.

Otherwise, he couldn't imagine the mess that the old steward and his son would have caused if the previous scene had escalated further.

After that, Liu Sansheng said, "Sister, brother-in-law, please come with me!"

"Okay!" Jiang Li nodded.

Dong Ling City.

As Jiang Ning gazed at the magnificent city in the distance, the sun had already set beyond the western horizon.

A moment later, as he stepped through the city gates.

A man dressed in black martial attire approached Jiang Ning.

"Commander Jiang!" The man bowed and said, "White Prefect Bai Luoyu sent me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning slightly nodded.

The man in black continued, "Yu Manyun entered the city this morning, and the signs of her long journey are evident. Now, she is at the Water Moon Sword Palace's residence in the city."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning instantly understood.

As one of the top powers in Dong Ling County, the Water Moon Sword Palace naturally had a residence in Dong Ling City.

This was also one of their preferred locations for recruiting disciples.

For the continuation of a sect, discovering disciples with innate talent was the key to long-term success.

The rise of a heaven-gifted martial artist could lead a sect and a family to greater heights.

"Thank you for the information!" Jiang Ning expressed his gratitude with a bow.

"Commander Jiang, you're too kind. I'm just following orders!" The man in martial attire, who rarely smiled, showed a hint of a smile.

Walking on the main road, Jiang Ning fell into deep thought.

Now that he knew Yu Manyun's movements, he wasn't as anxious as before.

Based on the man's behavior, he could tell that Bai Luoyu was taking his request seriously.

And now that he had returned to Dong Ling City, he wasn't overly concerned about the safety of his elder brother, sister-in-law, and their family.

He was pondering how to deal with Yu Manyun, who was now in Dong Ling City.

He could kill her at any moment.

But the issue he was pondering was not the act of killing her, but the consequences that would follow.

Everyone wasn't foolish.

No matter how quietly he eliminated Yu Manyun, it would undoubtedly attract the attention of the Water Moon Sword Palace, and there was a fifty percent chance it would draw the attention of Xiao Qiushui, the top woman in Dong Ling City after the Grandmaster.

Yu Manyun held a prominent position in the Water Moon Sword Palace, being a strong contender for the position of Palace Master.

Her status represented the face of the Water Moon Sword Palace.

If Yu Manyun were to die, the Water Moon Sword Palace, as the overlord of Dong Ling County, would not remain silent if she were killed.

If Palace Master Xiao Qiushui didn't respond to the death of a potential successor, the Water Moon Sword Palace's reputation in Dong Ling County would be completely ruined.

For a sect, face and reputation often outweighed individual life and death.

Once Xiao Qiushui took action, he couldn't help but contemplate the direction of the Water Moon Sword Palace's residence in Dong Ling City.

"Xiao Emei should have arrived too. I'll go and find out the situation."

At the base of the eastern city wall.

Below was the raging Wrathful River, and in the distance was a vast and undulating view.

The wild wind blowing from the mountains caused Jiang Ning's robe to flutter, and his forehead hair was slightly disheveled.

"Commander Jiang!" A voice, both gentle and charming, called from behind.

Xiao Emei stood behind Jiang Ning, gazing at his back, and suddenly, she found herself lost in thought, her hatred for Jiang Ning diminishing.

But what she didn't know was that the Divine Bloodline Mark was taking effect, subtly influencing her perception of Jiang Ning.

"Xiao Emei, it's been a while!" Jiang Ning turned around and said.

"Commander Jiang, my junior sister, Yu Manyun, is currently in the city," Xiao Emei spoke.

"I know!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Know?

Xiao Emei glanced at Jiang Ning in surprise, recalling Bai Luoyu's attitude when she and Bai Luoyu went to Luoshui County. She instantly understood.

"Commander Jiang, how do you intend to deal with my junior sister?"

Jiang Ning had already prepared his explanation, and he didn't plan to tell Xiao Emei about Wang Jin's injury.

"After all, Xiao Emei is merely under his control and has not fully submitted her heart, so she isn't trustworthy."

"How I treat her will depend on her choice!"

Jiang Ning's voice was calm, but as the words fell into Xiao Emei's ears, a sudden chill crept up her spine.

"I understand!" Xiao Emei nodded immediately.

"If there's news, remember to deliver any news to me promptly!"

"Yes!" Xiao Emei replied, then asked, "Where can I find you?"

"Just send a flying pigeon messenger!" Jiang Ning tore off a strip of cloth from his clothing and handed it to Xiao Emei, "I'll be in Dongling City these days."

"I understand!" Xiao Emei nodded.

Meanwhile, on the city wall.

A young lady in a pink dress was burning spirit money.

"Miss, someone who doesn't value their own life isn't worth your concern."

"I just feel sorry for him! And at the prime of his youth, he jumped into the river to end his life!" The young lady sighed softly.

After burning the spirit money, she stood up and looked up.

There he was!

She couldn't help but widen her eyes.

The next moment.

She hurriedly chased after him.

"Miss, miss, where are you going?"

Seeing this, the maid behind her quickly picked up the things on the ground and followed.

A moment later.

The young lady leaned on the city wall, sticking her head out, but in the crowd, she couldn't find the familiar figure she had just seen.

At this moment, Jiang Ning had already left the city wall.

"Miss, what's wrong?" The maid behind her put her hands on her waist and leaned against the city wall, "Let's talk about it."

"I saw him!"

"Who?" The maid asked.

"The person who jumped into the river last time."

"Miss, you must be seeing things! Jumping from such a height, how could he still be alive?" The maid didn't believe it, "Miss, you must be mistaken!"

"No!" The young lady shook her head repeatedly, "I couldn't be wrong! And didn't you say before that they searched downstream for a whole day and night but didn't find his body? This proves he's still alive."

"Miss!" The maid held her head, looking pained.

At Jiang Ning's manor.

Dong, dong, dong! Jiang Ning knocked on his own front door.

In less than a moment.

The door was opened.

"Young Master, Young Master!" Lu Yi poked her head out, her eyes brightening at the sight of Jiang Ning.

"I'm back!" Jiang Ning smiled.

Lu Yi hurriedly pushed open the door.

"Young Master, come in!"

The next moment, he stepped over the threshold and entered the front courtyard of the manor.

His eyes took in the well-tended flowers, grass, and flowing water.

Fresh water was drawn from the small river outside the manor, flowing through various parts of the residence.

"Where is everyone? Why is it so quiet?" Jiang Ning wondered aloud.

"Young Master, Madam Liu said she didn't like having too many people in the house, so she declined the offer of White Prefect to send servants."

"Oh?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Young Master, they went to the Liu Family after lunch."

"The Liu Family." Jiang Ning mumbled.

He knew that Jiang Li had wanted to bring his wife back to her family for a long time, and this was Jiang Li's heart's knot.

Liu Wanwan had broken ties with her family to marry Jiang Li, causing a family break and her removal from the family registry, severing all relations with her parents.

After all, who wouldn't wish for a marriage blessed by their parents?

This also made Jiang Li feel indebted to Liu Wanwan.

And on this return to Dongling City, Jiang Ning was aware that their primary purpose was also to visit the Liu Family.

At this thought, Jiang Ning's heart sank.

The Liu Family's Dilemma

As one of the prominent families in Dongling City, the Liu Family had always looked down on Jiang Li.

This led to the later events.

The Liu Family's decision to disown Liu Wanwan due to her determination to marry Jiang Li.

This was the main reason for Liu Wanwan's break from her family.

Given this factor, it was expected that Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan's visit to the Liu Family wouldn't be smooth.

"Let's go to the Liu Family!" Jiang Ning declared.

"Yes, Young Master!" Seeing this, Lu Yi quickly followed Jiang Ning's footsteps.

The next moment, the two stepped out of the manor.

Lu Yi locked the door behind them and put the key in her pocket, keeping up with Jiang Ning's pace.

At the Liu Family.

"Third Uncle."

Liu Wanwan looked at the elderly man with a goatee who appeared, and stood up. Jiang Li followed suit.

"Third Uncle!" He called out.

Hearing this voice, the elderly man with the goatee gave Jiang Li a brief glance, then calmly turned his gaze to Liu Wanwan.

"Little Wan, have you been waiting long?"

"Third Uncle, if you want to see us, we're here; if not, there's no need to keep us waiting."

"You're still as stubborn as ever!" The old man with the goat beard chuckled.

"Uncle has always known my personality, I say what I think." Liu Wanwan's expression was calm.

"After all these years, you haven't changed your temper one bit!"

"I couldn't change before, and I won't be able to change in the future either!" Liu Wanwan replied.

"That's true, if you could change, you would have done it long ago!" The old man with the goat beard said, then he looked at Jiang Li, Liu Wanwan, Xiaodou Bao, and Jiang Yiming.

"So this is Yiming? He's grown so tall!" As he said this, he reached out to pat Jiang Yiming on the head.

Seeing this, Jiang Yiming protected his younger sister by taking a small step back.

Then, with a calm gaze, he looked at his mother, who was speaking.

He hadn't forgotten what had happened the first time he came to the Liu family.

"This child!" The old man with the goat beard laughed, trying to ease the awkwardness.

"Yiming, this is your third great-uncle. Go and apologize to your third great-uncle." Liu Wanwan spoke up.

Then she added, "Uncle, this child is stubborn and holds grudges. Please forgive her!"

"You're just like a copy of your mother!" The old man with the goat beard said.

"Great-uncle, I'm sorry!" Jiang Yiming's expression was calm.

After saying this, he closed his mouth and said nothing, pursing his thin lips as he stood to the side.

Just then, Liu Wanwan spoke up, "Where are my father and mother? Won't they come to see me?"

"How could that be!" The old man with the goat beard laughed, "Sansheng has gone to call them back! You just need to be patient and wait!"

"Okay! I'll keep waiting!" Liu Wanwan said, "My father doesn't want to acknowledge me as his daughter, but he can't stop my mother from coming to recognize me."

Then, the old man with the goat beard looked at the group once more.

"Wanwan, let Yiming and Yuan Yuan go to the backyard to play with the other children! I have something I want to talk to you about!"

Hearing this, Liu Wanwan looked at her third uncle seriously, their gazes locking for a moment.

"Yiming, take Xiaodou Bao to the backyard to play, and remember not to bully the others."

"

"Young Master, please follow me!" The waiting maid outside the door immediately stepped forward to lead the way.

Jiang Yiming held Xiaodou Bao's small hand and headed towards the backyard.

This time, they were so polite because of Uncle? Jiang Yiming wondered as he walked.

He still remembered the time he had visited the Liu family with his parents.

On that occasion, they had encountered nothing but cold stares.

They hadn't even been allowed to enter the Liu family's main gate, let alone anything else.

At that moment, Jiang Yiming's heart also understood many things.

On the other side, Yu Manyun, dressed in casual clothing, was drying her wet hair inside the house.

"Senior Sister Xiao, what brings you here?" Yu Manyun asked, tilting her head.

"Junior Sister Yu, I'm here to advise you on one thing." Xiao Emei replied.

"What is it?" Yu Manyun stopped her movements, holding a towel in her right hand as she looked at Xiao Emei.

"Give up on that task! Don't go against Jiang Ning. He's not someone you can handle!"

"Is he someone you can handle, Senior Sister?" Yu Manyun smiled, "Is it someone only you can handle?"

Hearing this, Xiao Emei slowly shook her head, "I can't handle him either."

Her mind couldn't help but recall that moment when she had felt her life slipping away, and if not for Jiang Ning's restraint, she would have perished long ago.

After experiencing the thin line between life and death, she truly appreciated the beauty of being alive.

"Senior Sister, I'm not you!" Yu Manyun smiled, "You're boosting others' morale while diminishing your own."

Then she continued, "That Jiang Ning, his greatest strength is merely archery! What's there to fear about mere archery?"

"If he obediently returns to the Shuiyue Sword Hall with me, I'll be polite to him. If he has a high opinion of himself, I won't mind teaching him what it means to show courtesy before taking action."

Hearing Yu Manyun's words, Xiao Emei couldn't help but smile.

Then she said, "I hope you won't regret it!"

"Senior Sister, I never regret decisions I've made! Whether it's this matter or that matter!" Yu Manyun declared firmly.

Hearing this, Xiao Emei turned and left.

After taking two steps, she stopped.

"Junior Sister, I'll say no more. You do as you wish! According to my understanding, that Jiang Ning is currently in the city."

Leaving these words behind, she continued on her way, a hint of mockery appearing on her lips where Yu Manyun couldn't see.

She understood Yu Manyun's personality very well.

So she also knew that instead of giving up, Yu Manyun would become even more determined to carry it out.

And this, Yu Manyun also knew that her great-uncle would have no worries.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end