Inspection Bureau.
Jiang Ning walked alone to the fireplace, sat down, rubbed his hands together, and then held them out to warm them by the fire.
"Commander Jiang, with your physique, do you still need to warm your hands?"
Feng Xiaochen, seeing this scene, couldn't help but chuckle.
Jiang Ning smiled faintly in response.
"Habit."
Hearing this, Feng Xiaochen's expression turned thoughtful.
"Ah, right."
"Commander Jiang spent over a decade as an ordinary person. Some habits are hard to break in such a short time."
After saying this, he also sat down beside Jiang Ning and stretched his hands toward the fire.
Then, Feng Xiaochen rubbed his palms together.
"Warming up by the fire in winter is comfortable!"
A distant look flashed in his eyes as if recalling some long-ago memory.
A moment later, he shook his head slightly.
"Commander Jiang, how far have you progressed with the Blazing Spear Technique?"
"Decently," Jiang Ning replied.
Feng Xiaochen nodded in understanding.
The phrase "decently" clearly indicated Jiang Ning didn't want to discuss the topic further.
Why? Because his progress must not be significant enough to boast about.
Thinking this, Feng Xiaochen mused inwardly.
"This Commander Jiang is a once-in-a-generation prodigy, with the bearing of a young grandmaster. Why not curry some favor with him today?"
After a brief hesitation, he made up his mind.
"Commander Jiang, my Ninefold Flame Force has long reached perfection. Even those who have mastered the Blazing Spear Technique to completion cannot compare to my flame force."
"Why don't you experience it for yourself? It might help you grasp the Blazing Spear Technique and even reverse-engineer that legendary high-tier martial art."
Jiang Ning smiled and shook his head.
From Feng Xiaochen's words, he sensed goodwill.
Moreover, Feng Xiaochen's daughter, Feng Jiuge, was currently serving under him.
Previously, he had also exchanged the Blazing Spear Technique for the Surging Waves Technique on behalf of his master, Wang Jin.
The two parties already had some connection.
Now, Feng Xiaochen was proactively extending an olive branch.
A moment later, Jiang Ning reached out and lightly touched Feng Xiaochen's elbow.
Water-Fire True Force circulated silently beneath his fingertips.
"This is?!"
Feng Xiaochen's eyes widened in shock.
Two breaths later, Jiang Ning withdrew his hand.
"Lieutenant Colonel Feng, did you feel it?"
"The fluidity of water, the fury of fire opposing yet harmonizing..." Feng Xiaochen muttered, his expression one of utter disbelief. "Could it be... Commander Jiang has already reverse-engineered that high-tier martial art?"
"Correct," Jiang Ning nodded calmly.
"Tsk!"
Feng Xiaochen sucked in a sharp breath, staring at Jiang Ning as if he were gazing upon a deity.
As someone renowned for his mastery of the Blazing Spear Technique, he knew better than anyone how difficult this martial art was.
The Blazing Spear Technique emphasized intent and spirit over form.
In other words, comprehension mattered far more than mere repetition.
Simply practicing the spear movements endlessly wouldn't lead to mastery.
Thus, any martial artist who could master the Blazing Spear Technique to perfection achieving flawless Ninefold Flame Force required exceptional talent and years of dedication.
"How long has he even had the Blazing Spear Technique?"
"What kind of monstrous comprehension is this?"
"Even the legendary Martial Sage might not compare..."
Suppressing his shock, Feng Xiaochen steadied his breathing and looked at Jiang Ning with newfound reverence.
"No wonder Commander Jiang has achieved so much at such a young age. The world has underestimated you."
Jiang Ning smiled noncommittally, then changed the subject.
"Lieutenant Colonel Feng, what brings you here today?"
Having regained his composure, Feng Xiaochen replied, "Colonel Yan ordered me to investigate Cao Rong's death to determine who killed him."
Colonel Yan.
The name sent a jolt through Jiang Ning's mind.
In the entire Dongling Commandery, few stood at the pinnacle of power and Colonel Yan was undoubtedly one of them.
This man commanded the entire military force of Dongling.
His official rank was even higher than the Prefect's.
If not for the strict separation of military and political authority, Colonel Yan could have easily become the de facto ruler of Dongling.
Even so, as a fifth-rank official and the commander of the regional army, no faction in Dongling dared to slight him.
Moreover, from what Jiang Ning knew, Colonel Yan was one of the few peak fifth-rank experts in Dongling.
Feng Xiaochen glanced at Jiang Ning.
"Rumors say Cao Rong was killed by you, Commander Jiang. Is that true?"
"What do you think, Lieutenant Colonel Feng?" Jiang Ning countered.
Feng Xiaochen chuckled and was about to respond when a voice interrupted.
"Father, Commander Jiang what are you two discussing?"
Feng Jiuge walked in, carrying a pot of steaming tea.
Dressed in a red long coat and a fox-fur cloak, her cheeks were slightly flushed from the cold.
"Just chatting about Cao Rong's death," Feng Xiaochen said lightly. "The rumors claim Commander Jiang killed him. I was just asking for his thoughts."
Feng Jiuge's expression tightened imperceptibly.
She knew better than anyone else but Jiang Ning could have killed Cao Rong?
"Then... who does Father think killed Cao Rong?" she asked cautiously.
"How would I know?" Feng Xiaochen laughed. "I wasn't there. I don't believe in baseless rumors."
Half an Hour Later
After Feng Xiaochen left, Feng Jiuge escorted him out.
Jiang Ning stood up.
"Time to visit the Internal Affairs Office."
Having reached the sixth rank of martial arts, his vital energy had long met the requirements.
Now, he only needed to wait for Lin Qingyi to procure the Iron Bone Pills and Mystic Bone Pills he had requested.
The path of Bone Forging was impossible without external aids.
The crudest method was to ingest iron sand during forging an ancient practice.
But Jiang Ning wasn't that desperate.
The efficiency of iron sand paled in comparison to Iron Bone Pills.
Besides, Lin Qingyi's reply should arrive in a few days.
Additionally, he needed to acquire a Bone Forging Method.
Bone Forging Methods originated from blacksmithing techniques.
Just as different schools of smithing existed, so too did variations in Bone Forging Methods.
Some were more efficient than others.
But the Internal Affairs Office of the Inspection Bureau would undoubtedly have top-tier methods.
After all, the Martial Sage had once collected every martial art and secret technique in the world.
To surpass the Martial Sage, one needed the wisdom of the entire realm.
Internal Affairs Office
Jiang Ning shook the snow off his clothes before pushing open the door.
Inside, an elderly woman dozed by the fireplace.
"Senior," Jiang Ning called out respectfully.
The old woman jolted awake.
"Oh, it's you, boy." Her voice was hoarse.
"Yes, Senior."
Having witnessed her supernatural movement techniques and use of a spatial ring last time, Jiang Ning knew this old woman was no ordinary figure.
She might even be the strongest person in the Luoshui County Inspection Bureau surpassing even Hong Minghu.
From what he knew, Hong Minghu had reached the fifth rank through unconventional means, relying heavily on external aids.
"What brings you here today?"
The old woman's sharp eyes lingered on Jiang Ning's brow.
"I need a Bone Forging Method the best one available within 30,000 contribution points."
"Bone Forging, huh?" She studied him for a moment. "The methods for this step aren't too expensive. After all, copying them is simple."
"Since you're part of the Inspection Bureau, there's no need to extort you."
She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a scroll of sheepskin.
"3,000 contribution points. This is the best method for someone like you."
"Agreed." Jiang Ning immediately handed over the equivalent in contribution currency.
The old woman tossed him the scroll.
"This is the '108 Heavenly and Earthly Bone Forging Method.' It's suited for those with innate spiritual wisdom perfect for you. With your comprehension, mastering it shouldn't be difficult."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Jiang Ning's heart leaped with joy.
Though Bone Forging Methods weren't strictly ranked, the name alone told him this was no ordinary technique.
After storing the scroll, he bowed and left.
Behind him, the old woman's gaze deepened.
"This boy... is extraordinary."
"His brow protrusion indicates a surge in spiritual power."
"Now he's seeking a Bone Forging Method he'll soon step into the sixth rank."
"Yet, even as a seventh-rank martial artist, he could kill a sixth-rank Mystic Bone expert one who had undergone a divine transformation."
"A transformed Mystic Bone expert could overpower even a Jade Bone practitioner."
"This boy... is terrifying."
"I wonder if, with the perfected '108 Heavenly and Earthly Bone Forging Method' left by the Martial Sage, he can one day reach the same heights."
Her mind drifted to the figure of a Daoist in yellow robes, his back adorned with the Bagua diagram.
Moments Later
Back in his room, Jiang Ning sat by the charcoal fire and unrolled the sheepskin scroll.
[Literacy EXP +3]
[Literacy EXP +5]
[Literacy EXP +2]
[...]
In an instant, notifications flooded his vision his Literacy skill was leveling up rapidly.
After a short while, he finished reading the densely packed text.
Closing his eyes, he absorbed the information.
When he opened them again, his gaze burned with excitement.
According to the scroll, if one could find Heavenly Yang and Earthly Yin energies and combine them with this forging method, it was possible to surpass even the Jade Bone level.
This was a crucial step toward achieving the body of a Martial Sage.
"This '108 Heavenly and Earthly Bone Forging Method'... is incredible!"
The words "Martial Sage" alone were enough to send his heart racing.
In the 800-year history of the Great Xia Dynasty, 80% of its glory could be attributed to the Martial Sage.
A single individual, standing above all.
That was the kind of power the title represented.
It was worth remembering this was a world where gods and immortals had once walked the earth.
Though that era had passed, remnants of their legacy remained.
Even now, in the southern wilds, great demons slumbered.
Yet, none of this had diminished the Martial Sage's status.
The current chaos in the world was partly due to the Martial Sage's absence.
"Heavenly Yang and Earthly Yin... I've never heard of them."
"But no matter. I'll search for them in the future. With this method, my Bone Forging efficiency will far surpass ordinary martial artists!"
"Now, I just need to wait for Lin Qingyi's news."
Checking his panel:
[Skill]: Literacy (4th Breakthrough – 2378/5000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Enhanced Senses, Quick Thinking, Exceptional Comprehension)
Seeing how much his Literacy skills had jumped just from reading the scroll, Jiang Ning was further convinced of the method's extraordinary nature.
In less than half an hour, he had gained over 2,000 EXP something that had never happened before.
Outside, the snow continued to fall.
Jiang Ning sat by the fire, silently circulating his energy to grind Water-Fire True Force EXP.
At his level, he could train even while resting, as long as he wasn't disturbed.
[Water-Fire True Force EXP +2]
[Water-Fire True Force EXP +3]
[Water-Fire True Force EXP +2]
[...]
Time passed, and the skill inched closer to perfection.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
"Commander Jiang, you're here?"
A voice brimming with delight snapped Jiang Ning out of his focus.
Turning, he saw Xie Xiaojiu standing in the doorway, wrapped in a black fox-fur cloak.
From this, Jiang Ning deduced her preference for black clothing.
Every time he had seen her, she had been dressed in black even during those nights he had stayed at her home.
"Braving the snow to come to work?" He smiled.
Xie Xiaojiu blinked, then understood the word "work."
Her lips curved into a smile.
"I came hoping to run into you, Commander Jiang."
Hearing her words, Jiang Ning's heart softened.
"Close the door and come warm yourself by the fire."
"Yes, Commander!"
Her voice was bright with joy as she shut out the winter storm.
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