Beginning with the Five Animals Fist to Become a Saint

Chapter 741 Returning to Dongling, Attacked!

That afternoon.

The fine snow continued to fall without stopping.

Jiang Ning heard the sound of footsteps crunching on the snow again.

Then, Qinghe, dressed in a green fur quilt, reappeared before him.

She came up to Jiang Ning, lifted the hat with its soft hair on top, revealing her smooth forehead.

"My lord, another visitor has arrived!" Qinghe said.

"Who is it?" Jiang Ning asked.

"That martial arts champion, Wan Jianyi, is also with several disciples from the Sword Pavilion! Does the Marquis wish to see him?" Qinghe asked again.

Jiang Ning immediately pictured the arrogant and domineering man from before the martial arts examination.

"Let's meet!" he said.

These days, although he stays at home, people come to visit him every day.

Moreover, it's difficult to refuse to meet with these people.

Such as King Wu Xiang Yuan, such as the princes and princesses, such as the important figures in the Imperial Inspectorate.

He is now the newly appointed martial arts champion, the newly enfeoffed Marquis of Dongling, and the inspector of Zeshan Prefecture, one of the nine prefecture inspectors.

If Qinghe hadn't turned down many meetings on his own, he would have had even less peace and quiet.

Front yard hall.

When Jiang Ning arrived at the entrance of the hall, he saw Wan Jianyi in the hall, as well as a man and a woman who had come with him.

He recognized one of the women very well; it was Li Qing.

He was once his mentor at the Canglang Martial Arts School.

Later, he traveled thousands of miles to Bashu County and became a disciple of Jiange.

In Jiang Ning's view, this was undoubtedly a wise choice.

Luoshui County was just an ordinary county in Dongling Prefecture, and Canglang Martial Arts School was also just an ordinary place.

The Jian Ge of Bashu Prefecture not only holds a unique position within Bashu Prefecture, but is also a leading force in the world.

"Greetings, Lord Marquis!" Upon seeing Jiang Ning's appearance, Wan Jian immediately took two quick steps forward, cupped his hands, and bowed.

The arrogance that once graced his face is now gone.

The repeated beatings he received a few days ago had made him see the truth.

Although he is ranked first on the Heavenly Ranking, that is only on the surface.

In terms of true strength, he is not even as good as Mingxin of the Vajra Temple, let alone compared to Jiang Ning.

The first person since the establishment of the dynasty.

Even someone as renowned as a prodigy as him felt as a mayfly seeing the blue sky when he saw Jiangning at this moment.

This trip to the capital made him truly understand the meaning of "there are always people more capable than you, and there is always something beyond your understanding."

"Sit down!" Jiang Ning said.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Marquis! But there's no need for you to sit down!" Wan Jian said, then continued, "I've come to visit you today to take my leave!"

"Farewell? Are you returning to Bashu Jiange?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Go back first, take care of some things, escort your fellow disciples back to their sect, and then come back to take up your post," Wan Jianyi said.

"Shall we return to the capital after the New Year?" Jiang Ning suggested.

“Yes, Lord Marquis!” Wan Jianyi replied, and continued, “There are only about twenty days left until the end of the year. By the time I return to Bashu County, it will be almost the end of the year! I will come to take up my post after the end of the year.”

Jiang Ning nodded and glanced at Li Qing again.

At this moment, Li Qing's gaze darted away.

"If that's the case, then it's not appropriate for us to stay any longer!"

"My lord, then I'll take my leave!" Wan Jianyi understood Jiang Ning's meaning and immediately bowed to take his leave.

Jiang Ning nodded and watched Wan Jianyi leave.

As Li Qing passed by Jiang Ning, she suddenly stopped and whispered, "Once my three-year apprenticeship is complete, I will return to Luoshui County!"

After saying that, she immediately quickened her pace to catch up.

Watching the three figures disappear, he shook his head and walked out of the front hall as well.

For him now, nothing is more important than practicing martial arts and cultivating his skills.

The situation was dire and fraught with crisis.

Shen Mengyun's visit that morning allowed him to see even more.

Perhaps it won't be long before Emperor Changning, who has reigned for eighty-three years, passes away on his throne.

At that time, the princes fought among themselves, and the struggle for the throne became an internal strife.

The Huangtian Sect uprising has occupied three prefectures and one county. Under the leadership of Huangtian Daoren, it has the potential to sweep across the nine provinces and thirty-six prefectures, which is an external threat.

Amidst internal and external troubles, the collapse of the political situation was even more detrimental to him.

afternoon.

Qinghe appeared before him once again.

"My lord, this time it is the Eighth Prince who is visiting."

“If it’s him, then let’s meet!” Jiang Ning nodded.

A short while later, about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he returned to his courtyard.

As for Ji Minghao, he sent him away.

"I need to go back to Dongling first. There are too many visitors here! And according to the agreement I made with Lvyi and Zhongling, I have to go back too!" He made the decision after the thought flashed through his mind.

I've decided to set off early tomorrow morning to return to Dongling.

Even at the Imperial Preceptor's residence, he found that people were constantly coming to visit him every day.

Such complicated and trivial matters were too much of a distraction from his practice and cultivation.

In Dongling City, back in their own home, only Lüyi and Zhongling remain to guard it.

"It's time to go back!" His resolve hardened.

He then continued into a state of meditation.

The next day.

Chenshi.

At the gate of the Imperial Master’s Mansion.

"Eat well, I'll go back to the capital at the end of the year!" Jiang Ning patted Xiaodoubao's head and said.

"Uncle, pinky promise!" Little Bean Bun held out his little finger to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning chuckled, ruffled her head, and loosened her soft hair before extending his little finger to make a pinky promise with her.

"Uncle, after the New Year, will it be a month before I see you again?" Little Bean looked up at Jiang Ning, his expression somewhat aggrieved.

"Of course not!" Jiang Ning said, "It'll only be about twenty days, and if I have time in between, I'll come to see Xiaodoubao!"

"Uncle, this place is thousands of miles away from our home, how can you come to see me?" Little Bean shook his head, indicating disbelief.

"How could it be tens of thousands of miles!" Jiang Ning chuckled, then continued, "Uncle here has the Wind God Legs, I can travel tens of thousands of miles a day!"

"I don't believe it!" Upon hearing Jiang Ning's exaggerated statement, Little Bean immediately shook his head repeatedly, his head swinging like a pendulum: "Uncle is bragging, 'ten thousand li' is such a far distance! How could Uncle be so fast!"

Jiang Ning smiled and ruffled her hair again: "Don't worry, Uncle will make time to come see you!"

"Then I believe Uncle!" Little Bean looked up at Jiang Ning.

From her small perspective, Jiang Ning's figure appeared exceptionally tall.

At this moment, Jiang Ning looked at Liu Wanwan and Jiang Li again.

"Brother and sister-in-law, let's stop here! I have to go now!"

"Okay!" Jiang Li nodded.

"Ah Ning, be careful on the road!" Liu Wanwan reminded her.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning smiled.

Then he looked at Su Qingying, who was standing silently to the side.

"I'm entrusting my family to you!" Jiang Ning said.

Su Qingying nodded slowly.

In front of Jiang Ning's family, she did not address Jiang Ning as usual, but instead remained silent and taciturn.

But when he nodded, his gaze was firm, and he seemed exceptionally serious.

"Thank you!" Jiang Ning said.

Then his gaze fell on Jiang Yiming.

“Uncle!” Jiang Yiming bowed his head.

“Raise your head!” Jiang Ning said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yiming immediately looked up and met Jiang Ning's gaze.

"As a martial artist, never bow your head!" Jiang Ning said.

"Uncle, I've got it!" Jiang Yiming nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with determination.

Jiang Ning nodded and continued, "On the day of the New Year, I will personally test your martial arts progress. I hope you won't disappoint me!" "No, Uncle!" Jiang Yiming nodded emphatically.

“Okay!” Jiang Ning nodded, then took out a small ceramic bottle: “Drink it.”

Jiang Yiming took the small ceramic bottle from Jiang Ning without hesitation and drank it down in one gulp.

"Brother, sister-in-law, I'll be going now!" Jiang Ning said.

The two nodded.

next moment.

Jiang Ning moved and disappeared from their sight.

At this moment, thanks to his mastery of the Taixu Yin-Yang Sword, he was almost able to merge into the first layer of space.

He walked without any obstacles, and could run straight into walls, trees, and rocks without any collisions.

There would be no resistance in front of him to slow him down.

Air resistance was virtually nonexistent in his presence.

This caused his speed to increase dramatically.

In just a few moments, he had crossed a quarter of the city and arrived at the city gate.

After passing through the city gate and leaving the capital, he did not hesitate any longer.

With a flicker, he vanished from the spot.

At this moment, he soared into the azure sky, roaming freely between heaven and earth.

Its speed far exceeds the speed required to break the sound barrier.

After a few breaths, he looked back.

The towering, undulating walls of the capital city appeared tiny behind him.

"At this speed, traveling between the capital and Dongling City will be much more convenient!"

At this moment, he also felt that the recovery speed of his body was much faster than before.

Each breath aligns with the rhythm of nature, allowing the body to continuously draw energy from the universe to replenish its own energy reserves.

While the exchange of income and expenditure cannot achieve a balance, it greatly increases his stamina.

"We should arrive at Dongling City around noon!"

He thought to himself.

Three quarters past noon.

A figure suddenly appeared at the gate of Dongling City.

The heavy snow that had lasted all night had stopped by morning.

A warm sun shines high in the sky.

Even with the warm sun shining brightly, the snow showed no signs of melting.

This indicates that the temperature is very low now.

"Another harsh winter is upon us. I wonder how Dongling City is doing these days?" The thought crossed his mind.

Then he walked toward the city gate.

The soldiers who were dozing off at the city gate were taken aback when they saw Jiang Ning approaching.

Because they knew that the mountains were already blocked by heavy snow, and ordinary people could not walk in the wild at all.

It's freezing cold, and no one would choose to walk in the wilderness at this time.

Then, someone panicked and the long spear that was lying diagonally against the city wall fell heavily onto the stone bricks, startling all the soldiers guarding the city.

"My lord!" The first soldier to discover Jiangning shouted in a loud and energetic voice.

In an instant, the soldiers guarding the city gate looked at Jiang Ning with solemn expressions.

"Master Hou!"

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

"."

They all bowed.

The news of Marquis Jiang Ning of Dongling was sent directly from above through special means a few days ago, and it quickly spread throughout Dongling City.

Because the entire Dongling County now belongs to the fiefdom of Marquis Jiang Ning of Dongling.

Within his fiefdom, Marquis Jiang Ning of Dongling possessed absolute power.

Life and death, appointment and removal of officials, are all decided by a single word.

When they first heard the news, their instinct was disbelief.

Jiang Ning, the Inspector of Dongling County, was a name they had long heard of.

The news that Jiang Ning was going to the capital to participate in the martial arts examination had already spread throughout the city.

But no matter how outstanding one is, at most one can only win the top score in the martial arts examination. As for being ennobled?

That's a noble title.

The top scholar in the civil service examination aspired to become a prime minister, while the top scholar in the military examination aspired to be ennobled.

It is the ultimate pursuit of those who excel in both literature and martial arts, a pursuit that one dedicates one's entire life to.

Instead of being granted a noble title now.

But with the announcements circulating in the city, they had no choice but to believe them, even if they didn't want to.

Today, Dongling City and Dongling County belong to Jiang Ning, the Marquis of Dongling, whose surname is Jiang.

They now belong to the private property of Marquis Jiang Ning of Dongling.

The imperial court supported him, but he belonged to a private individual, specifically the Marquis of Dongling.

Jiang Ning nodded as he looked at the group of soldiers at the city gate.

"We must not be careless!" he said.

"Yes, Your Excellency!!"

"Yes, Your Excellency!!"

"."

The soldiers guarding the city immediately raised their voices with arrogance.

at this time.

In the rest room at the city gate, an armored adjutant strode out, his chainmail clashing and scraping, producing a series of metallic clanging sounds.

"Greetings, Lord Marquis!" He glanced at Jiang Ning, then quickly knelt on one knee, one hand on the long sword at his waist, the other supporting his body.

Jiang Ning glanced at his armor, which was shiny and well-groomed, and then at the long sword he was holding, which was hanging upright.

He nodded: "We must not neglect our duties!"

"Yes, my lord!" The armored adjutant's voice was loud and clear, not yet corrupted by wine and women.

Jiang Ning nodded again and walked into the city.

Upon entering the city, his gaze immediately fell upon the notice at the city gate.

Although they were several feet apart, he glanced at the notice board and immediately recognized what the notice was.

This was to inform him that he was now the Marquis of Dongling, with his fiefdom being Dongling Commandery.

From now on, all the people of Dongling County will be his subjects.

From now on, half of the tax revenue of the entire Dongling Prefecture will go into his hands, and the other half will be handed over to the national treasury.

He also knew that the regular salaries of officials of all ranks in the prefecture were paid by the imperial court, and only newly added officials were paid by the Marquis's mansion.

At this moment, he also understood why the city guards recognized him as the newly appointed Marquis of Dongling of the Great Xia Dynasty as soon as he arrived at the city gate.

"That's good, it saves me some trouble!" He smiled, then walked towards his home, quietly looking at the buildings on both sides of the road.

Although the buildings are still the same, the mindset is different.

This is his fiefdom, his territory; everything here belongs to him.

There were quite a few pedestrians along the way.

Because the weather had cleared up, many residents went out to shop.

Along the way, he also saw that Dongling City was much better than he had originally expected.

There were no frozen corpses on the road, and the pedestrians looked alright, without the hunger of disaster victims.

"It seems my father-in-law, Wang Shouyi, is quite capable!" he thought to himself, feeling a sense of relief.

Although he had not been involved in the management of people's livelihood over the past year, he knew that Wang Shouyi, as the governor of Dongling County, was very capable.

Some time ago, they somehow acquired a lot of money and transported a lot of grain from other places.

He continued his journey and soon arrived at the Nu River.

The river still flows swiftly, and the difference in elevation creates a powerful potential that prevents the Nu River from freezing over in winter.

As soon as he stepped into the Dongcheng District, his eyes narrowed instantly.

After upgrading the Fiery Eye level, even without activating the Fiery Eye Phenomenon, one can still see the flow of certain energies between heaven and earth.

With just one glance, he noticed something unusual about the orientation of his home.

(End of this chapter)