Inner City.
The silent streets stretched ahead.
Inside a carriage crafted from sandalwood, Jiang Ning sat reading a book.
Beside him, Lü Yi knelt on the carpet, lighting a censer filled with musk incense.
She also stirred the charcoal fire, making it burn more vigorously.
For a moment, the carriage was filled with warmth, and the air carried a faint fragrance.
Outside, the city remained eerily quiet.
The rare bitter winter of the past century had driven the residents indoors, unwilling to step outside, waiting for the season to pass.
After half an hour
Hissing
Clop, clop
From outside the carriage came the sound of horses snorting and their iron-clad hooves stepping onto the ground.
"It's done!" Jiang Ning felt the information transmitted through the imprint of his bonded creatures, and his heart filled with delight.
Setting down the book, he stood up and lifted the curtain of the carriage.
Seeing this, Lü Yi quickly stood up, slipped on the shoes she had left on the red carpet at the entrance of the carriage, and followed closely behind Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning always entered the carriage with his shoes on, stepping casually onto the carpet.
But she would never dare do the same.
She knew that Jiang Ning treated her well and probably wouldn't mind, but she had her own set of rules to follow.
She understood the difference in their status.
After putting on her shoes, she stepped out of the carriage behind Jiang Ning.
Lifting the curtain, she saw him standing before the two Snow-Red Flame Colts, stroking their faces as they affectionately nudged against him.
Their eyes, once dull and lifeless, were now filled with intelligence and spirit.
At that moment
Jiang Ning patted their faces gently.
"Go to the marketplace!"
The two mares received the command in their minds through the divine imprint.
Immediately, they snorted and exhaled thick white mist into the winter air.
Jiang Ning stepped back into the carriage.
Only after he ducked inside did Lü Yi let the curtain fall back into place.
"Young Master, what happened just now?"
"A little trick." Jiang Ning chuckled.
He was in an excellent mood.
His two drops of blood had not only strengthened the colts, enhancing their stamina, power, and explosive strength but had also awakened their intelligence, making them exceptionally perceptive and responsive.
This was an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
Jiang Ning had discovered that when other beings absorbed his flesh and blood, they did not just gain physical enhancements or become his divine followers.
His blood also granted them wisdom.
Furthermore, because his blood carried his divine authority, any creature that absorbed it bore an imprint, binding them to him.
Through this imprint, he sensed that both Snow-Red Flame Colts were mares and that they had developed an extreme dependence and loyalty toward him.
"It seems my blood is a rare treasure. The power of a being with divine authority is truly overwhelming!" Jiang Ning mused.
These tests had given him a deeper understanding of his abilities.
If he wished, he could grant any living being the physical prowess of a ninth-rank martial artist just by offering them some of his blood.
And this was with only a fraction of his divine authority.
If his Divine Patronage ability were fully restored, the effects would be even greater.
"The Eight-Armed Deity, the God of Blood and Flesh..."
"Right now, he is my only target for acquiring divine essence and completing my two authorities."
Meanwhile
The carriage began to move.
The speed quickly increased.
The sharp sound of hooves striking the road filled the air.
Lü Yi had just taken off her cotton shoes, revealing white stockings, when the sudden acceleration threw her off balance, making her grab onto the carriage wall for support.
"Young Master, these two colts are acting like they've taken some kind of drug!"
As soon as she steadied herself, she voiced her thoughts.
Jiang Ning chuckled.
These two mares had consumed a drop of his blood each far more potent than any drug.
Feeling the speed of the carriage, he made a decision.
Once they returned, he would give the colts another dose of his blood.
Strengthening them further would reduce his travel time within the city.
The inner city's roads were wide enough, sparsely populated, and had designated lanes for carriages.
With their newfound intelligence, he had no concerns about them running into pedestrians.
The next moment
Jiang Ning picked up his book again.
[Skill]: Literacy (Fourfold Limit Break – 4,833/5,000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Enhanced Senses, Quick Thinking, Exceptional Comprehension)
"Only 167 more experience points to reach the fifth limit break."
Glancing at his status panel, Jiang Ning took note.
He then calmed his mind and continued flipping through the pages.
In the Marketplace...
Although the weather was cold, as the New Year approached, the market remained bustling with activity whenever there was no snowfall.
Jiang Ning sat quietly in the carriage parked at the entrance of the market, continuing to read his book both to expand his knowledge and to increase his proficiency in literacy.
As for Lü Yi, she had gone alone into the market to buy some things.
It had been a long time since he last visited the martial arts academy, and since he was going to see his mentor, Wang Jin, Jiang Ning naturally couldn't go empty-handed.
During his most difficult times, Wang Jin's help had been crucial.
If it weren't for Wang Jin's protection and recognition back then, Jiang Ning would not have advanced to where he was today so quickly.
Looking across the entire Luoshui County, he could confidently claim to be among the top three.
And now, with the New Year approaching, he could even claim to be number one the strongest in Luoshui County.
After all, with the arrival of the New Year, both Hong Minghu and Granny Bai from the Internal Affairs Division of the Inspectorate had already returned home to celebrate, leaving the county without its strongest guardians.
Outside Luoshui County
In Beiqiu Mountain, a small unit of soldiers clad in black armor appeared.
Anyone well-versed in military attire would immediately recognize them as part of the Black Mountain Army. Moreover, among them, there were quite a few Black Mountain Cavalry soldiers riding black nightmare horses and clad in heavy black iron armor.
There were more than thirty of these riders.
Not long ago, Jiang Ning had slain a squad of Black Mountain Army soldiers, including several Black Mountain Cavalry, in Beiqiu Mountain. Now, another Black Mountain Army unit had arrived, waving the banner of vengeance.
If Cao Rong, who had been dispatched from Tianji Battalion in Dongling City to Luoshui County under the pretense of eliminating the Black Mountain Cavalry, were still alive and saw this scene, he would have turned and fled immediately.
Because this force was too overwhelming.
There were more than thirty Black Mountain Cavalry, each mounted on a nightmare horse and clad in heavy iron armor.
To join the Black Mountain Cavalry, one needed to be at least at the eighth-grade Divine Strength level in martial arts.
Each squad of five was led by a team captain, who was at least at the peak of eighth grade, possessing terrifying strength exceeding three thousand jin.
Among them, some warriors even reached the seventh grade.
A battalion consisted of fifty riders, and their leader was always a seventh-grade pinnacle expert one who had tempered their muscles to be as strong as a dragon.
This particular Black Mountain Army unit had over a hundred soldiers, including thirty or more Black Mountain Cavalry.
This meant there were at least several seventh-grade martial artists among them.
And a seventh-grade pinnacle battalion leader was very likely present.
"Saintess of the Black Lotus Sect!"
A cold female voice echoed through the snow-covered valley.
As her words fell, the expressions of the gathered soldiers grew somber.
Once upon a time, the Black Lotus Sect had swept through Daming Prefecture, even capturing the prefectural capital.
Back then, the Black Mountain Army was a force to be reckoned with.
A thousand Black Mountain Cavalry had once defeated a five-thousand-strong imperial army, their reputation soaring to legendary heights.
But now, the Black Lotus Sect was crumbling its members dead, scattered, or on the run.
Under relentless pursuit by the authorities, the sect's numbers dwindled further.
Those who survived within the Black Mountain Army were all exceptional martial artists.
The weak had long been eliminated.
Yet at this moment, the most terrifying presence in the valley was not the thirty Black Mountain Cavalry.
It was the woman their leader had just addressed as "Saintess" the Saintess of the Black Lotus Sect.
She was said to be the earthly incarnation of the Black Lotus Mother herself, the divine representative of the sect.
The woman, clad in a black veil and a thin, flowing black dress, spoke again, her cold voice ringing clearly in the ears of those present.
"Our fallen brothers cannot have died in vain! We must avenge them so that they may rest in peace in the Holy Mother's kingdom."
"What does the Saintess mean?" a rough male voice asked.
The veiled woman's voice rang out once more:
"Captain Jiang! Our brothers are cold and starving. We need to enter a town to resupply. Luoshui County is the best choice!"
"If we take Luoshui County, our brothers can finally rest, replenish their strength, and avenge those we lost. They will find peace in the Holy Mother's kingdom."
Hearing this, the leader of the Black Mountain Cavalry hesitated.
Attacking a county was no small matter.
Even if they succeeded, they would face a relentless counterattack from the imperial forces.
As he pondered, he glanced back at the men behind him.
Their faces were pale, their bodies shivering violently in the cold wind.
Seeing them in such dire condition, he made his decision.
He nodded firmly.
"Alright! We'll do as the Saintess says!"
"Captain Jiang need not worry," the veiled woman said with a soft laugh.
"With the heavy snowfall, cities are isolated from one another. Communication is nearly nonexistent."
"Right now, Luoshui County is nothing more than a lone city."
"Until the snow melts, we will be safe inside."
"Besides, with the New Year approaching, the Inspectorate's elite fighters have returned home. The country's defenses are severely weakened."
"With the hundred-odd soldiers under your command, along with your strength, we stand a great chance of capturing this county."
"And if necessary, I will personally take action."
Hearing these words, the rough-voiced man's expression immediately brightened.
He clasped his hands in salute and said, "Then we shall begin the siege on the night of the New Year. I hope the Saintess will lend us a hand and help us take the city."
"Rest assured! As the Saintess of our sect, I must avenge our fallen brothers!" The woman's cold voice echoed again. "If we are outmatched, I will cover our retreat."
"In that case, my deepest thanks, Saintess!" The rough-voiced man immediately cupped his hands and bowed.
At the entrance of the market, a slender young girl dressed in a green cotton dress stood out from the crowd.
Unlike an ordinary girl from a common household, she carried a massive tiger leg in her left hand, weighing at least thirty to fifty pounds. In her right hand, she held multiple bags filled with heavy goods.
The sight of her thin arms effortlessly lifting such weight created a stark contrast.
"Innate divine strength!"
"This young girl is extraordinary. She must be skilled in martial arts!"
"Yes! All that weight put together is no joke! I wonder which martial arts school she belongs to."
Amid the murmurs of the onlookers, Lü Yi made her way through the crowd and soon arrived at Jiang Ning's carriage.
"Master, I've bought everything!" Her voice carried into the carriage.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning set down the book in his hand and stood up.
He pulled back the curtain, reached out, and with a slight exertion of force, lifted Lü Yi onto the carriage.
"Come inside and put the things in the compartment."
"Yes, sir!" Lü Yi responded.
With Jiang Ning's signal, the two Snow-Red Flame Colts set off toward Canglang Martial Hall.
At Canglang Martial Hall, the nearing New Year and harsh weather had already sent most of the disciples home.
Knock, knock, knock
Suddenly, the main gate of the martial hall was knocked upon.
Moments later
Boom
The large doors slowly opened.
A middle-aged woman with the appearance of a housekeeper stood before Jiang Ning, looking at him in confusion.
"And you are?" She asked, puzzled.
Jiang Ning was slightly taken aback but quickly replied, "I am Jiang Ning, a disciple of Master Wang. I have come today to pay my respects."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged woman immediately understood and quickly bowed. "Greetings, Lord Jiang!"
"No need for such formalities." Jiang Ning raised his hand slightly, and an invisible force gently stopped the woman from kneeling.
Looking at her, Jiang Ning's heart grew heavy.
Back when he first joined the martial hall, Aunt Sun had taken great care of him.
Though their time together wasn't long, he had deeply appreciated her kindness.
So when he later learned that Aunt Sun had been killed by He Jinyun, he chose not to hold back any longer and personally took revenge in secret.
Just as he was lost in thought
The middle-aged woman stepped aside. "Lord Jiang, I have heard of you! You are Master Wang's disciple. I will take you to him right away."
"Much appreciated." Jiang Ning nodded.
Following behind her, Jiang Ning and Lü Yi walked toward the rear courtyard of the martial hall.
In the back courtyard, the middle-aged woman gently pushed open a door and peeked inside.
Then, she tiptoed over to Jiang Ning and whispered, "Lord Jiang, Master just fell asleep. Should I wake him?"
"No need." Jiang Ning shook his head. "I'll wait here."
At that moment
"Come in." A voice full of vigor suddenly sounded from inside the room.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled.
He strode forward, with Lü Yi quickly following behind, carrying the bags.
Pushing open the door, Jiang Ning saw Wang Jin, his master, sitting up in bed, his face radiant with health.
"Master." Jiang Ning clasped his hands in salute.
Wang Jin glanced at Jiang Ning, then at Lü Yi, who was carrying numerous goods in both hands.
"You didn't have to bring so many things." Wang Jin got out of bed and slipped on his shoes.
Jiang Ning replied, "I haven't visited you in nearly a month. Now that the New Year is approaching, how could I come empty-handed?"
Hearing this, Wang Jin chuckled, then stepped onto the ground.
He stomped his feet, ensuring his shoes fit snugly.
"Put the things over there." Wang Jin gestured toward the table.
Lü Yi looked at Jiang Ning. Seeing him nod slightly, she immediately set the bags down on the table.
"Do you drink?" Wang Jin walked to the table, took a sip of cold tea to moisten his throat, and asked.
"I do." Jiang Ning nodded.
"Good!" Wang Jin's face lit up with a smile.
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