In the Heavy Rain
"He's dead!"
Hong Minghu reached out to check He Jinyun's breath, his pupils contracting sharply. His expression turned grave. With He Jinyun dead here, he couldn't escape responsibility.
"Who was it?"
"Who dared to attack the young noble?"
"And who can kill He Jinyun, who was born with divine strength and had already reached the peak of the eighth-grade Divine Strength Realm, in just two breaths?"
These three questions swirled in Hong Minghu's mind.
The peak of the eighth-grade Divine Strength Realm such strength could only be overcome by a top-tier expert at the sixth grade of martial arts. Hong Minghu's mind raced through the faces of those in Luoshui County who possessed sixth-grade strength, but he slowly shook his head.
"None of them could have done it!"
After pondering for a while, Hong Minghu's headache only grew worse.
"Forget it," he muttered, shaking his head. He crouched down to examine He Jinyun's body.
"This is strange!" After inspecting He Jinyun's injuries, Hong Minghu felt a deep sense of unease.
The wounds on He Jinyun's body were unlike anything he had ever seen. It was as if thousands of needles had pierced through him, leaving horrifying injuries. Yet, there were no traces of any weapons at the scene.
"This method is unfathomable," Hong Minghu frowned.
Just by looking at He Jinyun's gruesome injuries, he knew that the young noble had suffered unimaginable pain, akin to being pierced by ten thousand arrows or devoured by ten thousand ants.
By now, He Jinyun's body was a mangled mess, with not a single patch of intact skin. Blood and flesh were everywhere, and the heavy rain washed the blood across the ground, spreading it in all directions.
Inspection Bureau
"Aunt Sun, I've avenged you."
Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes, murmuring to himself.
Although he had killed He Jinyun, there was no joy in his heart. He knew that if his actions were exposed, it would bring him immense trouble.
He Jinyun, the son of a noble, known as the young noble. Even though the noble family had declined over generations, He Jinyun's father was still the legitimate heir of the founding noble family, holding the title of Earl.
Though the family no longer had fiefs or the power they once wielded, and their official rank had dropped from the second grade to the fourth, the title of Earl still carried significant weight.
The title of Earl, even in its diminished state, represented a legacy and reputation that held immense power a power Jiang Ning couldn't hope to match.
Yet, despite knowing this, Jiang Ning had still made his choice.
Compared to the potential threat He Jinyun posed, the immediate danger he represented was far more pressing. Yesterday, He Jinyun had targeted Aunt Sun. Who was to say he wouldn't go after Little Doubao, Jiang Ning's elder brother and sister-in-law, or others close to him tomorrow?
He Jinyun was a man without boundaries, and Jiang Ning wasn't willing to gamble on his restraint.
Moreover, Jiang Ning didn't want to delay avenging Aunt Sun.
Sitting in the heavy rain, Jiang Ning pondered for a long time until the commotion outside the courtyard broke his thoughts.
"Commander He... Commander, He is dead!"
Hearing the voices outside, Jiang Ning slowly stood up.
"I should go take a look."
As he stepped out of the courtyard, Xie Xiaojiu, who had been waiting outside, immediately spoke up.
"Sir!" She raised her black sleeve, trying to shield Jiang Ning from the rain.
By now, Jiang Ning was completely drenched, rainwater streaming down from his head as he walked out of the courtyard.
Jiang Ning glanced at Xie Xiaojiu, who was on her tiptoes and couldn't help but smile.
"Do I need an umbrella when I'm already soaked?"
Xie Xiaojiu replied, "Sir, you should at least try to avoid the rain. This winter rain is too cold; it could make you sick."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning chuckled softly.
He reached out and ruffled her hair, then took out an umbrella from his spatial ring and handed it to her.
"Come with me. Something seems to have happened over there."
"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu quickly opened the umbrella and held it over Jiang Ning's head.
Jiang Ning took a step forward, then turned back to look at her.
"Tilt the umbrella toward yourself. You're a girl; you shouldn't catch a cold. Besides, I'm already soaked. The umbrella is for you."
Hearing this, Xie Xiaojiu smiled brightly and followed half a step behind Jiang Ning, holding the umbrella over him.
A moment later, as they turned a corner, Jiang Ning saw the scene: rainwater mixed with blood spreading across the ground, and He Jinyun's lifeless body.
"Commander, what happened here?" Jiang Ning frowned.
Hong Minghu glanced at Jiang Ning, his brow furrowed. "He Jinyun is dead. This is going to be trouble."
At the same time, Ye Qiu, who had already arrived, was secretly observing Jiang Ning.
After learning about He Jinyun's condition, Ye Qiu had immediately suspected Jiang Ning. But now, seeing Jiang Ning without any signs of a struggle not even a speck of mud on his clothes he dismissed his suspicions.
He knew that if Jiang Ning had killed He Jinyun, there would have been some trace. Moreover, in his eyes, Jiang Ning lacked the strength to pull off such a feat.
From the moment Hong Minghu heard the commotion to when he arrived at the scene, only two or three breaths had passed. In such a short time, killing He Jinyun would have been nearly impossible unless Ye Qiu himself had done it.
And even then, He Jinyun's bizarre manner of death was something Ye Qiu couldn't have achieved.
Additionally, Ye Qiu believed that someone as shrewd as Jiang Ning would understand the consequences of killing He Jinyun. As the beloved youngest son of an Earl, He Jinyun's death would undoubtedly provoke a furious response from the Earl's family.
After lingering for a while, the four commanders quickly gathered. Half an hour later, after failing to reach any conclusions, Hong Minghu assigned the task of investigating the killer to Ye Qiu, his most trusted subordinate.
The others dispersed.
As Jiang Ning left the Inspection Bureau, Xie Xiaojiu looked at him timidly.
"Sir, you're completely soaked. Would you like to come to my place for a hot bath?"
Hearing this, Jiang Ning was momentarily stunned. He looked at her.
"Aren't you afraid?"
"No," Xie Xiaojiu shook her head.
Jiang Ning met her determined gaze, then slowly shook his head. "No, it's too late."
With that, he turned and left.
In this world, even someone like him, who had achieved so much, couldn't afford to let his guard down. How could he bring happiness to others?
Moreover, today he had provoked a potential giant. If his actions were ever exposed, those closest to him would suffer the most.
Meanwhile, Xie Xiaojiu, dressed in black and holding the umbrella, watched Jiang Ning's retreating figure.
The rain had lightened, turning from a downpour to a drizzle.
Even after Jiang Ning's figure disappeared, Xie Xiaojiu remained standing silently in place.
Back at His Residence
After taking a hot bath, Jiang Ning felt his negative emotions dissipate. A smile returned to his face.
No matter what, he had gained a lot in the past two days.
He had eliminated Cao Rong, a potential threat.
His skills had also broken through their limits again. The breakthrough in his literacy skills significantly enhanced his comprehension.
With the Exceptional Comprehension trait, his efficiency in gaining experience for most martial skills would double, greatly aiding his strength improvement.
Moreover, his spiritual power had also grown substantially. His spiritual field could now easily cover a radius of a hundred meters.
The increase in spiritual power had also made his divine abilities even more potent.
Today, using the Cloud and Rain Control Divine Ability, he had effortlessly covered the entire Luoshui County in rain. Then, using his Water Manipulation Ability, he killed He Jinyun from a mile away.
With such unfathomable methods, Jiang Ning was confident that no one would find evidence linking him to the crime.
This was why he had dared to kill He Jinyun and avenge Aunt Sun.
Sitting in his courtyard, Jiang Ning watched as the dark clouds dispersed, revealing the bright moon in the night sky.
He glanced at his status panel again.
[Name]: Jiang Ning
[Source Energy]: 237.43
[Skills]:
Literacy (Fourth Limit Break 3/5000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Enhanced Senses, Quick Thinking, Exceptional Comprehension)
Woodchopping Saber Technique+ (Fifth Limit Break 6000/6000) (Traits: Versatility, Swift as the Wind, Mastery of the Saber, Unity of Man and Saber, Natural Saber Talent)
Water Affinity (Fifth Limit Break 6000/6000) (Traits: Underwater Breathing, Water Manipulation, Water Spirit Affinity, Cloud and Rain Control, Water Spirit Body)
"With 200 source energy points, I can only complete the fifth limit break for literacy. It's not enough to break through the Woodchopping Saber Technique and Water Affinity to the sixth limit."
After reviewing his panel, Jiang Ning closed it.
Now, his only concern was how to further improve his strength.
The stronger he became, the more confident he would be in facing unexpected events.
Just like yesterday, when he learned that Cao Rong was heading straight for Luoshui County, he ventured out alone to intercept and kill him.
That was the confidence his strength gave him.
If his killing of He Jinyun were ever exposed, his strength would be his only reliance.
His official position might be useful against forces like the Yellow Heaven Sect, but against an Earl with a fourth-grade rank, it was insignificant.
Though Jiang Ning believed the chances of exposure were slim, he still had to be prepared.
Just like that night when he had secretly attacked Liu Linmen, only for Liu Linmen to summon the Earth King's spirit, which then easily locked onto him.
There were too many unfathomable methods in this world that he didn't fully understand.
Next, Jiang Ning began to review his current strength.
He glanced at his status panel again.
[Skills]:
Literacy (Fourth Limit Break 3/5000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Enhanced Senses, Quick Thinking, Exceptional Comprehension)
Five Animals Fist (First Limit Break 787/2000) (Traits: Essence Stored in the Organs)
Woodchopping Saber Technique (Fifth Limit Break 6000/6000) (Traits: Versatility, Swift as the Wind, Mastery of the Saber, Unity of Man and Saber, Natural Saber Talent)
Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique (Proficient 713/5000)
Indestructible Vajra Body (Proficient 453/5000)
Water Affinity (Fifth Limit Break 6000/6000) (Traits: Underwater Breathing, Water Manipulation, Water Spirit Affinity, Cloud and Rain Control, Water Spirit Body)
Wind and Thunder Archery (Third Limit Break 49/4000) (Traits: Breath of Wind and Thunder, Heart of Archery, Arrows of Wind and Thunder)
Water and Fire True Force (Proficient 54/500)
The Literacy skill allowed his spiritual power to cover a hundred meters, providing immense assistance.
The Five Animals Fist, though only at its first limit break, had significantly boosted his vital energy, which was crucial for his rapid progress.
The Woodchopping Saber Technique, after five limit breaks, had elevated his saber techniques to new heights. The pinnacle of his saber skills, which he had displayed that night, remained unforgettable.
That single strike, which had slain a mutated sixth-grade martial artist, was undoubtedly his most potent attack.
The Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique, at the proficient level, had allowed him to master internal energy, a skill typically reserved for fifth-grade martial artists. This combination of internal and external cultivation was why he far surpassed others of his rank.
The Indestructible Vajra Body, however, had been neglected for a long time, and its potential hadn't been fully realized.
As for Water Affinity, Wind and Thunder Archery, and Water and Fire True Force, these skills were his greatest assets.
Water Affinity made him nearly invincible in water, his true domain.
Wind and Thunder Archery, after three limit breaks, had become one of his trump cards. The ability to move like the wind and strike like thunder had greatly enhanced his combat capabilities.
In contrast, Water and Fire True Force, a high-grade martial art, paled in comparison to the devastating power of Wind and Thunder Archery. Jiang Ning understood that this was because Water and Fire True Force was still at the proficient level, far from mastery or perfection.
Meanwhile, Wind and Thunder Archery, with three limit breaks and three traits, had undergone a complete transformation. In Jiang Ning's eyes, even a perfected high-grade martial art might not match his current Wind and Thunder Archery.
After reviewing his panel, Jiang Ning closed it and clenched his fist.
Instantly, power surged through his body. Feeling the toughness of his tendons, like dragon sinews, he nodded in satisfaction.
Achieving dragon sinews was the true peak of the seventh grade. To progress further, he would need to step into the sixth grade.
Now, to further enhance his strength, aside from improving his skills, he needed to focus on tempering his body.
Bone tempering was the final step of external cultivation and a crucial one.
Once he completed this step, combined with his early internal and external cultivation and the progress of his Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique, he could directly step into the fifth-grade Internal Strength Realm.
And not just any fifth grade a formidable one.
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