https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-98-The-Muddy-River-Dragon-Tyrant-of-the-Fields/13021768/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-100-Refreshing-Wang-Jin-s-Understanding/13021770/
Chapter 99: Homecoming
Chapter 99: Homecoming
At the entrance of the Luoshui County town, Jiang Ning stood before a wanted poster. After reading the description of Tian Buyi, the infamous River Dragon, he committed the details to memory, including the reward of 100 taels of gold for capturing the outlaw.
Jiang Ning found himself intrigued by this notorious figure, especially since Tian Buyi's eighth-rank martial prowess was within his own capabilities. In a month's time, with his improved strength, he might even be able to test his skills against this eighth-rank martial artist.
【Name】: Jiang Ning
【Essence Energy】: 2.4
【Skills】:
- Book Knowledge Mastery (Limit-Breaking x2, 543/3000) (Characteristics: Photographic Memory, Extraordinary Senses)
- Five Beasts Fist (Perfection, 3/1000)
- Firewood Splitting Blade Technique (Limit-Breaking x3, 677/4000) (Characteristics: Broad Understanding, Gale-like Blade, Divine Blade Operation)
- Inner Alchemy Cultivation Technique (Proficiency, 308/2000)
- Canglang Blade Technique (Proficiency, 1/200)
- Indestructible Body Technique (Beginner, 41/1000)
Jiang Ning glanced at his status board, noting his recent progress, before closing it. He memorized the details on the wanted poster and headed into the town.
As he did so, he felt the gazes of many around the town entrance, all focused on him. He heard footsteps behind him; someone was running into an alley, likely to spread the word, while another released a messenger pigeon, the flapping of its wings audible.
"Seems like they're all keeping a close eye on me," Jiang Ning mused with a smile.
As the saying goes, even a three-day absence warrants a second glance.
Jiang Ning had been away from Luoshui County for twelve days, and in that time, he had advanced significantly. When he left, he had only achieved perfection in vital energy, his strength permeating his entire body, and his force was a mere 700-800 jin.
Even then, he could single-handedly defeat four skilled pursuers. Among them were two ninth-rank martial artists, including the deputy gang leader of the Cyan Gang, Hong Chengtao, who had achieved minor ninth-rank and possessed skin as hard as stone.
Despite this, Hong Chengtao could only last three rounds against Jiang Ning before being defeated. With such strength then, Jiang Ning's current abilities were even more formidable.
Now, having reached the ninth rank, his single-arm strength exceeded a thousand jin. Furthermore, he had achieved perfection in the Five Beasts Fist, indicating his mastery rivaled that of Wang Jin.
With his perfected Five Beasts Fist, Jiang Ning's agility was exceptional, surpassing even many eighth-rank martial artists. Additionally, his Firewood Splitting Blade Technique had undergone a third limit-breaking, further enhancing the explosive power of his blade.
After his recent breakthrough, Jiang Ning had tested the first level of the Canglang Blade Technique, finding that his body could easily handle the force it generated. This meant he could now regularly utilize the first level of the technique.
He had also attempted the second level, which resulted in the tearing of his right arm's muscles and skin. While this had some side effects, it was manageable.
Jiang Ning estimated that he could endure at least five consecutive uses of the second level's force. With these various enhancements, he felt a significant boost in his strength compared to before he left the city, a difference as vast as heaven and earth.
Now, if he were to face his past self from over ten days ago, he could defeat and even kill that version of himself within ten moves.
Aware that many informants were likely notifying their superiors of his presence, Jiang Ning remained unconcerned, his newfound strength giving him confidence.
As he approached the familiar courtyard surrounded by a bamboo fence, he saw the faint smoke rising from within, and a weight lifted from his heart. It was nearing noon, and the smoke indicated that his brother, sister-in-law, and their children were all well and safe, just as he had expected.
With the recent events involving Shen Congyun, Jiang Ning had become the primary target, ensuring the safety of his family as long as he remained unharmed.
Opening the gate to the courtyard, Jiang Ning was greeted by his nephew playing with a wooden horse and his brother, Jiang Li, drawing water from the well. Despite the prolonged drought, Luoshui County, being adjacent to the Luoshui River, had not faced water shortages, contributing to the county's relative peace.
Hearing the gate open, Jiang Li, with a bucket of water in hand, immediately looked up, his eyes shining with joy.
"Little brother!" he exclaimed.
"Big brother!" Jiang Ning replied with a smile.
Their nephew, upon seeing Jiang Ning, dropped the wooden horse and ran towards him with open arms, shouting with glee.
"Dudu—Dudu—"
Jiang Ning's face lit up with genuine happiness at the sight.
(End of Chapter 99)
He crouched down and spread his arms wide.
Then, he firmly caught Xiao Doubao as he rushed over.
The five-year-old Xiao Doubao was like a feather in Jiang Ning's hands. With a slight exertion, he placed Xiao Doubao on his shoulder.
Then, he walked towards Jiang Li.
"My little brother is back!" Seeing Jiang Ning striding over, Jiang Li scanned him up and down, and a smile of genuine joy appeared on his face.
At this moment, a faint smile also graced Jiang Ning's face. "I'm back!"
"Did you encounter any danger outside?" Jiang Li asked.
Jiang Ning shook his head. "No danger at all. I was just practicing in the mountains and forests. You know the style I practice is the Five Beasts Fist. To make further progress, I need to observe the daily habits and fighting styles of animals like tigers, apes, and bears in the wilderness."
Upon hearing Jiang Ning's words, realization dawned on Jiang Li's face. "So that's why my little brother suddenly disappeared for so long. It turns out he went to practice his fists."
Jiang Ning smiled. "Yes."
At this moment, Xiao Doubao sat on Jiang Ning's shoulder, happily swinging his little legs.
Jiang Li spoke again, "Is my little brother going to have lunch here, or are you heading back to the martial arts academy?"
Jiang Ning replied, "I'll eat at home!"
"Yay!" Xiao Doubao, sitting on Jiang Ning's shoulder, cheered, his little legs swinging with excitement.
Jiang Li's smile became even more relaxed.
Jiang Ning nodded. "Alright, I'll let your sister-in-law know. Today's lunch will be special, and I'll head out to buy some roast chicken and duck right now."
"Wait!" Jiang Ning said, stopping Jiang Li's actions.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Li turned to face him.
Jiang Ning walked a few steps to a nearby stone table, placed his bag on it, and opened it. Then, he took out a money pouch and walked towards Jiang Li.
"Big brother, take this."
Jiang Li looked at Jiang Ning in surprise.
He first took the money pouch, and his eyes widened in astonishment.
"It's so heavy?" he exclaimed.
Then, he untied the rope and took a look inside. Under the sunlight, he saw that the inside of the money pouch was shimmering with a silvery-white glow.
"Where did you get so many silver coins?"
"It's not much, just about twenty taels of silver. Big brother, you can take this for now," Jiang Ning said.
Jiang Li shook his head. "No, you can't give me money just because you have it. For a man traveling, silver is his foundation. You can't leave yourself without any money."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled. "Big brother, this is just a small portion of what I have!"
Then, he took out four silver notes from his waist.
"Here's another four hundred taels of silver!"
He also took out two gold leaves from his waist.
The moment the gold leaves were taken out, they reflected a dazzling golden light in the sunlight, instantly attracting Jiang Li's gaze.
"These are... gold leaves?" Jiang Li exclaimed, his mouth hanging open.
"Yes," Jiang Ning nodded, then said, "So big brother, don't worry. I have a lot more money! Later, let's go to the inner city together and buy a courtyard. Then, big brother and sister-in-law can move there with me."
Hearing these words, Jiang Li's eyes widened even more, his mouth agape, unable to speak for a while.
After a while, he swallowed and looked again at the gold and four silver notes in Jiang Ning's hands.
"Where did you get so much money?"
"On the day I left the city, a few bandits followed me. So, I dealt with them in the mountains and forests of the wilderness, and when I searched them, I got this unexpected gain," Jiang Ning explained.
Bandits?
Jiang Li: "..."
At this moment, he was speechless.
He really wanted to say, what bandits would carry two gold leaves and four hundred taels of silver notes?
After staring at Jiang Ning for a moment, Jiang Li suddenly sighed.
"My little brother has truly grown up! I'm far inferior to you!"
Then, he picked up the money pouch Jiang Ning had given him and continued, "Fine! Since my little brother is so wealthy, I'll take these twenty taels of silver!"
"I'll let your sister-in-law know, and then I'll go out to buy roast chicken and goose."
At this moment, Xiao Doubao couldn't help but shout excitedly.
"Yay!"
"We'll have roast chicken to eat soon!"
On the other side,
Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, Liu Wanwan, who had come out early, watched the scene in the courtyard with a complex expression.
She had overheard their entire conversation.
Seeing everything Jiang Ning took out, she was also shocked.
Two gold leaves were equivalent to two taels of gold.
Even before she eloped with Jiang Li, her monthly allowance was not as much.
For an ordinary family, this was an unimaginable fortune.
With her perspective, she naturally understood that the owner of two taels of gold was definitely not some bandit.
It had to be a Ranker.
Without a certain level of strength or status, it was impossible to possess such wealth.
For ordinary people, even if they obtained this wealth, it could bring deadly danger.
So, without a doubt, her little brother-in-law had not killed ordinary bandits.
Instead, he had killed a Ranker.
This Ranker must have had some reliance, probably a powerful external artifact.
Chapter end
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