Chapter 500: Wang Qingtan's Arrival

Chapter 500: Wang Qingtan's Arrival

The sky was dark.

Rain poured down in torrents.

Occasionally, a bolt of lightning would flash, illuminating the ground in a stark white.

The rumble of thunder would follow shortly after.

Lvyi stood beside Jiang Ning, holding an oil-paper umbrella over him. Her shoulder was already drenched, making her look rather pitiful.

But Jiang Ning didn’t notice this. Instead, he was focused on the letter the messenger had just delivered, wrapped in oilskin.

“Who could it be?” he murmured to himself.

He then unfolded the oilskin and took out the letter.

"To Brother Jiang, from Wang Qingtan."

“It’s her? Wang Qingtan?” Jiang Ning’s mind immediately conjured up the image of one of the Wang family’s twin pearls, the young girl.

“What could she want from me?” he wondered again.

He then opened the envelope on the spot and took out the neatly folded letter.

As he pulled out the letter, a faint scent of pine ink wafted up to his nose.

Jiang Ning scanned the letter, quickly reading through the few hundred words.

“So that’s it!” he murmured.

His mind immediately recalled the conversation he had with Lu Junyi at the Nine Heavens Tower.

Wang Qingtan’s master wanted to arrange a marriage between Wang Qingtan and the second son of Prince Huainan. At that time, Lu Junyi had said he would prevent it, and would need either Ye Zhengqi or Shen Wenyuan to intervene.

One was a Heavenly Master who had undergone four blood transformations, and the other had just been ennobled as a marquis, making him a Second Rank Grandmaster.

Either of them would have the influence to make Wang Qingtan’s master reconsider and stop the marriage.

According to the letter from Wang Qingtan, she was now on her way to Guangning City, acting on her master’s orders.

In the letter, Wang Qingtan asked him to take care of her sister.

Jiang Ning refolded the letter and put it back in the envelope.

“To the Ye Manor!”

“Yes, Master!” Lvyi replied.

Evening.

They finally left the Ye Manor.

The sky was still dark, and the rain continued to pour, as if it had already turned into the dead of night.

“Sir Jiang, it’s time to leave!” the coachman called to Jiang Ning inside the carriage.

“Let’s go!” Jiang Ning said.

“Yes, Sir!” the coachman replied respectfully.

With a crack of the whip, the two horses pulled the carriage into the heavy rain.

Because of the downpour and Jiang Ning’s unwillingness to stay overnight, Ye Zhengqi had specially sent a carriage to take Jiang Ning back.

Inside the carriage, the candlelight flickered, casting a dim glow.

Jiang Ning recalled the conversation he had just had with Ye Zhengqi, and the information he had learned.

White Crane Song, Wang Qingtan’s master.

He was the head of the White Crane Martial Hall, one of the four major martial halls in Guangning City.

Moreover, White Crane Song was a seasoned Grandmaster who had completed the third blood transformation.

Though not a Heavenly Master, he was a formidable figure in Guangning City.

With this information about White Crane Song, Jiang Ning had a plan in mind.

Wang Qingtan had helped him a lot, and if she needed his help, he would definitely assist her.

Gathering some information first would be beneficial for his future actions and plans.

Meanwhile.

Ye Zhengqi finished reading the report presented by his subordinate.

“So that’s it!” he said, closing the report.

A smile crept onto his face. “It seems Inspector Jiang and the eldest daughter of the Dongling County magistrate have some feelings for each other.”

“Should we help them, Sir?” the clerk, who was also Ye Zhengqi’s advisor, asked, stroking his mustache.

“The second son of Prince Huainan must have left the prince’s residence by now, right?” Ye Zhengqi asked.

“I’m not sure about that!” the clerk, who was also Ye Zhengqi’s advisor, hesitated. “After all, he’s not a significant figure.”

“Fair enough!” Ye Zhengqi nodded. “The second son of Prince Huainan wouldn’t be noteworthy if it weren’t for Prince Huainan and his elder brother.”

“What’s your stance on Inspector Jiang, Sir?” the advisor asked.

“Initially, I saw Inspector Jiang as a talented individual. Now, I realize I’m not as good as him!” Ye Zhengqi sighed suddenly.

The advisor was taken aback. He had followed Ye Zhengqi for a long time and knew how high his ambitions were.

Even the so-called prodigies who were widely praised had never earned a second glance from Ye Zhengqi.

Now, he was hearing Ye Zhengqi admit that he was inferior to someone.

“There’s no need to be so modest, Sir. With your talent, given another ten or twenty years, you could become another Second Rank Grandmaster,” the advisor said.

Ye Zhengqi shook his head. “Inspector Jiang, with his current talent, might reach the second rank in three to five years.”

He seemed to be thinking of something. “Or he might be stuck at the third rank for the rest of his life.”

“Why do you say that, Sir?” the advisor asked.

“Inspector Jiang is practicing the Ninefold Blood Transformation. If he succeeds, he will soar to the heavens and will surely be among the top ten in the world,” Ye Zhengqi explained slowly.

Then he changed the subject. “But if he fails, he will be stuck at the third rank, with no hope of reaching the second rank.”

“The Ninefold Blood Transformation? Isn’t Inspector Jiang being a bit too arrogant?” the advisor asked cautiously.

“Achieving so much at such a young age, reaching the third rank, and becoming a Heavenly Master, it’s natural for him to have a fearless and unyielding spirit!” Ye Zhengqi affirmed.

“Do you think Inspector Jiang will succeed, Sir?” the advisor asked.

“I don’t think so!” Ye Zhengqi shook his head. “The Ninefold Blood Transformation is as difficult as climbing to the heavens. The difficulty is no less than me reaching the first rank and becoming one of the world’s top figures.”

“Given that, should we help Inspector Jiang? Helping him will offend White Crane Song and make Prince Huainan look bad. It might even make the second son of Prince Huainan resent you!” the advisor asked again.

“Inspector Jiang and I have a good relationship, and he’s one of our own. I definitely need to help him! Besides, if he can achieve what he has now and surpass my expectations one day, he will be a top-tier powerhouse. Helping him in his time of need is more likely to earn his friendship than adding to his glory,” Ye Zhengqi said calmly.

Two days later.

A carriage arrived at the eastern gate of Guangning City.

The rain had poured for an entire day, turning the roads into a muddy mess.

Although the rain had stopped, the roads were still full of muddy potholes.

The carriage curtain was pulled aside, and a woman bent down to step out.

The moment she emerged, the world seemed to brighten, becoming more vibrant and colorful.

“Miss, we’re approaching Guangning City!” the black-armored cavalry captain, riding beside the carriage, urged his horse closer.

Wang Qingtan nodded. “Let’s enter the city. Find a suitable place to stay, and then locate Inspector Jiang’s residence.”

“Yes, Miss!” the cavalry captain replied.

A short while later.

The cavalry escort slowly approached the city gate.

As the impressive cavalry approached, the crowd at the city gate quickly dispersed, making way for a wide road.

"Whose grand procession is this?"

"Who knows? Can’t tell!"

"These cavalrymen are clad in black armor, moving freely despite the long journey. They must be the Black Armor Cavalry, right?"

Judging by their armor, they should be a branch of the Black Armor Cavalry from the Xuanwu Army!

"Wow! That’s impressive! I heard the Black Armor Cavalry is mainly composed of Eighth-Rank warriors, with their elite squads starting at Seventh Rank, and their captains even stronger!"

"..."

The crowd at the gate quickly identified the cavalry.

Meanwhile.

At the entrance of the city gate.

Two men who had been waiting for a while exchanged glances and nodded in unison, then approached the carriage where Wang Qingtan was being escorted by the Black Armor Cavalry.

"Halt!" The captain, brandishing a spear, rode forward three steps.

"I am from the Inspector’s residence, acting on the orders of the Ye household envoy!" One of the two men stepped forward, maintaining a respectful but not overly humble demeanor.

"Is the Ye household envoy Ye Zhengqi?" the captain of the Black Armor Cavalry asked.

"How dare you address the envoy so directly!!" the man rebuked.

Hearing this, the captain’s face flushed.

As a military man, he was not one to take insults lightly. But thinking of the person these two represented, he suppressed his anger.

"Apologies, I was rash, and I have offended the envoy." He held his spear to stop any of his men from reacting.

Then, he dismounted from his horse.

"May I ask what brings you here?" the captain of the Black Armor Cavalry asked again.

"The two of us were ordered by the envoy to wait for the daughter of the governor of Dongling County, Miss Wang Qingtan!"

"You two are waiting for me?" The carriage curtain was pulled aside, and Wang Qingtan stepped out.

"Are you Miss Wang Qingtan, the daughter of the governor of Dongling County?" the man asked, bowing.

"Yes! My father is Wang Shouyi!" Wang Qingtan replied as she stepped down from the carriage.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Wang!" the man bowed and continued, "The envoy said you are a friend of Inspector Jiang, and he ordered us to wait here and see if you have any needs."

"Since you are new to Guangning City, if there is anything you need help with, we are here to assist you!"

Hearing this, Wang Qingtan’s eyes flickered with surprise.

"Thank you, Envoy Ye!" she bowed.

"You are too kind! The envoy is a good friend of Inspector Jiang, and you are also a friend of Inspector Jiang", the man reminded her.

"Inspector Jiang?!" Wang Qingtan murmured.

Then she smiled and looked at the man. "Could you please take me to Inspector Jiang?"

"Of course!" the man replied.

"Captain Qin, I have arrived in Guangning City, and your mission is complete. We part ways here!" Wang Qingtan said.

"But..." the captain of the Black Armor Cavalry began.

"There’s no 'but' about it!" Wang Qingtan interrupted firmly, "Your mission is complete. In a few days, when your master arrives in Guangning City, I will meet with him."

With that said.

Wang Qingtan turned to the two men from the Inspector’s residence and bowed. "Please lead the way!"

"Miss Wang, please follow us in the carriage!" the man said.

"Thank you!" Wang Qingtan replied.

She then climbed back into the carriage and instructed the driver to follow the two men.

At the Bamboo Listening Pavilion.

Jiang Ning performed the movements of the Adamantine Indestructible Body technique.

Life Force flowed through his body like molten lava.

Drops of sweat rolled down his muscles.

Thud—

They hit the ground and splashed, forming countless droplets that glistened in the sunlight like tiny pearls.

[Adamantine Indestructible Body Experience +1]

[Adamantine Indestructible Body Experience +1]

[Adamantine Indestructible Body Experience +1]

[...]

Experience points kept increasing in front of him.

Since the Second Blood Transformation, he had felt slightly strained and knew he needed to improve the Adamantine Indestructible Body technique.

The blood transformation process drained physical energy to create new blood, requiring a strong body as support.

Many Third-Rank Grandmasters would take Elixir Pills beforehand to aid the process and gain external assistance.

He didn’t want to use that method.

Simply put, he was too poor.

A Primordial Pill to aid a Grandmaster’s blood transformation was worth a fortune.

The exorbitant price was a significant premium.

For him, it was too much of a loss.

His poverty forced him to rely on himself, using his own foundation to support the completion of the blood transformation.

If he had the money to buy a Primordial Pill, he would rather buy more suitable Heavenly Treasures to increase Essence Points and push his skills to a higher level.

After careful consideration, he knew he couldn’t fall behind in the progress of the Adamantine Indestructible Body technique.

The Adamantine Indestructible Body was an advanced method of strengthening the skin.

The skin was an integral part of the body.

The transformation of the skin would make his body even stronger.

After breaking through, the mystical characteristics it bestowed were even more evident.

Suddenly.

Footsteps approached from outside the courtyard.

"Someone’s coming?" he thought.

Huff—

He exhaled a deep breath, interrupting his practice of the Adamantine Indestructible Body.

[Skill]: Adamantine Indestructible Body (First Breakthrough: 3765/20000) (Characteristic: Dragon-Elephant Might)

After two days of practice, his experience points had increased significantly.

He also felt his body becoming stronger and his skin more resilient due to the continuous tempering.

He could clearly feel his skin becoming tighter, and his muscles containing even more explosive power.

After stopping his practice.

He clenched his fists.

Boom—

The air seemed to shatter like a solid object, and white mist spread around his hands, creating a wave of energy.

It felt amazing!

Feeling the powerful force within him, he marveled.

Then, he shook off the sweat that had condensed on his bare skin.

Thud—

Thud—

Thud—

At that moment, the sound of knocking on the courtyard gate echoed.

Sure enough, they’re here for me!

Jiang Ning thought.

He walked forward and opened the gate.

The next moment.

His eyes widened in surprise.

Outside the gate.

Two men stood in front, whom he had met at Ye Zhengqi’s residence.

With his photographic memory, he recognized them as Ye Zhengqi’s subordinates.

What truly surprised him was the woman behind them.

Wang Qingtan, dressed in a golden phoenix-winged dress, shimmering in the sunlight.

Seeing Jiang Ning, Wang Qingtan’s face turned slightly red.

Having been raised in a secluded inner chamber, as the eldest daughter of the governor of Dongling County, she had never seen anyone bare-chested in front of her.

Even with her strong will, her face still turned red.

But she did not avert her gaze, showing no hesitation.

After examining him for a moment, a thought crossed her mind.

It must feel great!! (End of Chapter)

Chapter end