Yunlai Inn.
"I did it!"
"Hahaha!!"
He Jinsheng stepped out of his room, his face filled with joy.
At this moment, his spirit was soaring, and his face glowed with excitement.
After years of both internal and external cultivation, today, he has finally succeeded in condensing his first strand of inner breath.
This signified that he had taken a crucial step forward in the martial path.
He could now be considered a true Fifth-Rank martial artist.
With this level of strength, he would undoubtedly be a prominent figure in Dongling City.
"What a pity... The Martial Imperial Exam is held only once every three years, and it won't happen until next year."
"If it were just one year earlier, I could have barely qualified based on my age."
"With a bit of luck, I might have even secured a Martial Imperial Scholar title."
He Jinsheng shook his head and muttered, his face showing a hint of regret.
Thirty years old was the maximum age allowed to participate in the Martial Imperial Exam.
And this year, he had just turned thirty.
But there was still over a year left until the written and final exams.
By that time, he would already be thirty-one, making him ineligible to participate.
As for falsifying his age, others had tried before it was impossible to pull off.
Yet despite this, every year, people still attempt various tricks to bypass the age limit.
The reason was simple securing the title of Martial Imperial Scholar or Martial Champion guaranteed a fast track to power within the military ranks.
Those who passed the exam were not only martial prodigies at the peak of their prime, but also well-versed in military strategy and tactics, truly excelling in both mind and strength.
Naturally, such individuals were highly valued.
After all, a brainless brute was unfit to command armies,
While a strategist lacking martial strength could easily die from unexpected dangers on the battlefield.
After a moment of reflection
He Jinsheng pushed open the door.
"Time to settle my younger brother's affairs."
Just then, he noticed several sheets of white paper at his feet.
He immediately recalled
"This must be the intelligence report that Huang Xianzong gathered for me about Commander Jiang."
As the second son of the Qinghe Marquis' household,
His status and influence in Dongling City were naturally substantial.
More than half a month ago, he had set his sights on Jiang Ning.
Thus, he had asked Huang Xianzong, a Squad Captain and one of Jiang Ning's colleagues, to gather intelligence on him.
However, right after issuing this request, He Jinsheng sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough,
So he had entered seclusion, successfully grasping that fleeting chance.
And today, he had condensed his first strand of inner breath, officially stepping into the Fifth-Rank Martial Realm.
He also recalled that a few days ago, Huang Xianzong had come knocking on his door, saying he had finished collecting Jiang Ning's information.
But since He Jinsheng had been at a critical juncture in his training, he had no time to spare,
So he had simply told Huang Xianzong to leave the documents and go.
Now
Remembering this, He Jinsheng bent down and picked up the two pages of intelligence that had been slipped under his door.
He held the report and began reading.
The deeper he read, the more tightly his brows furrowed.
"This strong?!"
After finishing the two pages detailing Jiang Ning's background, He Jinsheng felt deeply shaken.
He had always prided himself as a martial genius a true prodigy of the martial path.
Yet, based on the intelligence report, his talent paled in comparison to Jiang Ning's.
The report detailed how Jiang Ning had annihilated one of the most critical strongholds of the Worshiping God Sect.
It also listed the numerous Sixth-Rank martial artists who had perished at Jiang Ning's hands.
And these weren't just any Sixth-Rank martial artists
They were Sixth-Rank warriors of the Worshiping God Sect.
As the second son of the Qinghe Marquis' household, He Jinsheng understood all too well how strong and troublesome Worshiping God Sect warriors were.
When they entered Divine Scion Transformation, their bodies became nearly invincible against opponents of the same rank, essentially placing them in an unbeatable position.
Without an absolute power gap of one full realm, no one would dare claim to be able to defeat them with certainty.
Yet
The Worshiping God Sect warrior that Jiang Ning had killed was not only Sixth-Rank
.He had already reached the Half-Step Jade Bone stage.
He Jinsheng trusted that Huang Xianzong would never deceive him in matters like this.
Because there was no reason to.
Nor did he believe Huang Xianzong could have made an error in his investigation.
After all, a Sixth-Rank martial artist was easily distinguishable.
One look at their bone structure was enough to tell their bone tempering level.
With these thoughts, He Jinsheng's brows knitted even tighter.
Originally, he had planned to forcibly take Jiang Ning away as soon as he left the inn.
After all, the year-end was approaching, and he believed that no one in Luoshui County could match his strength.
Previously, he had already forged Jade Bones, making him a formidable warrior.
Last year, with his Jade Bone strength, he participated in the Provincial Exam and secured the title of Martial Licentiate.
And today, after years of rigorous internal and external cultivation, he had successfully condensed his first strand of inner breath.
To grasp inner breath was to truly step into the Fifth-Rank Inner Strength Realm.
With such power, he had assumed that bringing Jiang Ning back to Dongling City would be a simple task,
Especially since the Prefecture's Inspection Bureau was on extended leave,
And both the Governor and the Commanders had returned home for the New Year.
As for the consequences of angering the Inspection Bureau
He didn't care in the slightest.
Since his father valued He Jinyun's mother's influence so much,
Then, for He Jinyun's sake, the old man should bear the consequences of provoking the Inspection Bureau.
If anyone had to worry, let it be the old man, not him.
One's Actions Are Merely by Their Will and Intentions
With the status granted by his martial scholar title, He Jinsheng had no fear that the old man at home would push him out as a scapegoat.
However, after reviewing the intelligence gathered by Huang Xianzong, he realized he had underestimated Jiang Ning.
A Half-Step Jade Bone martial artist from the Worshiping God Sect he wouldn't dare to claim he could kill one.
Yet Jiang Ning had managed to slay one.
He had no idea how Jiang Ning had done it, and the intelligence report from Huang Xianzong did not provide any detailed records.
However, just from this piece of information alone, he knew he had underestimated Jiang Ning.
"I need to change my approach. Jiang Ning is not someone to be easily provoked, especially not in his territory," He Jinsheng murmured to himself.
Then, he carefully put away the intelligence report on Jiang Ning and stepped out of the inn.
Eastern Courtyard
"Sit."
Jiang Ning looked at the unexpected guest before him, a hint of doubt in his heart.
The last time He Jinsheng had come here was when the Eighth Prince, Ji Minghao, was still around.
It had been more than half a month since then.
Originally, Jiang Ning had assumed that He Jinsheng had left Luoshui County due to some urgent matter, which explained why he hadn't come to see him all this time.
Now, his sudden visit was unexpected.
But that was all.
After his recent battle with the two Worshiping God Sect martial artists, Jiang Ning's confidence had greatly increased.
Unless a peak fifth-grade martial artist arrived in person, he feared no one below that level.
And He Jinsheng, no matter his actual strength, was officially a peak sixth-grade martial artist.
Even if he was hiding his true strength, it was unlikely that he had reached peak Fifth Grade.
At that level, one could at least secure a top scholar title in the martial imperial exam with ease.
For the declining Qinghe Marquis Household, producing a top scholar would be a significant boost to their reputation.
With He Jinsheng's status, there was no reason for him to conceal such strength.
He Jinsheng scrutinized Jiang Ning for a few moments, then smirked and sat down calmly across the tea table.
"Commander Jiang, seeing how composed and unafraid you are in my presence, I must say, you have quite the nerve."
"Why should I be afraid?" Jiang Ning asked indifferently.
Hearing this, He Jinsheng's eyes immediately locked onto Jiang Ning's, sharp and piercing.
"I've heard that my dear younger brother's death was at your hands?"
"Who told you that, Second Young Master? Do you have any proof?" Jiang Ning's expression remained as calm as still water.
Silence instantly filled the room.
The only sound was the gentle trickling of tea being poured by Lü Yi.
After a few breaths of silence
"Young Master, the tea is ready," Lü Yi spoke, breaking the stillness.
At that moment, He Jinsheng's lips curled into a faint smile.
Without waiting for Jiang Ning to push the tea over, he reached out and took the cup in front of Jiang Ning.
Lifting the lid, he took a sip.
"Good tea," He Jinsheng praised, then looked at Jiang Ning. "Commander Jiang, you're not bad either."
He then continued speaking at his own pace.
"My dear younger brother has always been my greatest threat far more than my eldest brother, the legitimate heir. No matter how you look at it, Commander Jiang, you have done me a favor."
"And since I'm in a great mood today, I've come to offer you a piece of advice."
"What kind of advice?" Jiang Ning asked.
He Jinsheng replied, "To tell you the truth, my dear younger brother was far more favored and valued in our family than I am. This was not just because he was the youngest, nor simply because of his exceptional talent."
"The real reason lies with his mother. My dear younger brother's mother is the younger sister of the Palace Master of the Water Moon Sword Palace."
"And in the Eastern Commandery, the Water Moon Sword Palace is a top-tier sect."
"My old man needs the influence of the Water Moon Sword Palace."
"As the sister of the Palace Master, my dear younger brother's mother ensured that he had the full support of the Water Moon Sword Palace behind him."
"If my dear younger brother was indeed killed by you, Commander Jiang, then you should either flee immediately or find a way to strengthen your standing and connections within the Inspection Bureau."
"With your current status as a mere Eighth Rank minor official being part of the Inspection Bureau might not be enough to keep you safe."
Jiang Ning's gaze sharpened upon hearing these words.
This was information he had never known before.
He had no idea that He Jinyun's background was connected to the Water Moon Sword Palace.
After a brief pause, Jiang Ning looked at He Jinsheng.
"Why are you telling me this, Second Young Master?"
He Jinsheng chuckled. "I just want to be friends with Commander Jiang, that's all. Besides, we have no personal grudges, and you've even done me a favor."
"With my dear younger brother gone, and my eldest brother uninterested in martial arts only in reading, painting, and poetry he poses no threat to me."
"Commander Jiang, your actions have essentially secured the hereditary Marquis title for me."
"I, He Jinsheng, am not someone who forgets a favor. This is simply a gesture of returning kindness with kindness."
Having said this, He Jinsheng stood up.
"Commander Jiang, I've said all I needed to say. I shall take my leave now."
"In five days, the New Year will arrive. I must return home for the festivities."
"Farewell!"
He Jinsheng cupped his hands in salute, then turned and strode away.
At this moment, Jiang Ning watched He Jinsheng's departing figure and fell into deep thought.
He Jinsheng had come, yet he had not made things difficult for him.
But to call it goodwill would also be a stretch.
The fact that he had directly taken Jiang Ning's tea and drank it on his own showed his attitude it was far from a display of goodwill, and rather, somewhat arrogant.
Yet despite his apparent conviction that Jiang Ning had killed He Jinyun, he had neither confronted him nor initiated any conflict.
On the contrary, he had warned Jiang Ning about the trouble ahead.
Water Moon Sword Palace.
He Jinyun's mother was the younger sister of the Palace Master of Water Moon Sword Palace.
If they were to hold Jiang Ning responsible for He Jinyun's death, it would indeed be a serious problem.
From what Jiang Ning knew, Water Moon Sword Palace was also based in Dongling Commandery.
And within the entire Dongling Commandery, it was one of the most prestigious sects.
Its overall strength even surpassed that of the Medicine King Valley.
Medicine King Valley was renowned across Dongling Commandery largely due to its expertise in medicine and alchemy.
Its Valley Master, Lu Qingshan, was known as the greatest divine physician in Dongling Commandery.
A miracle doctor dedicated to saving lives naturally earned great fame.
This, in turn, elevated the status of Medicine King Valley, to the point where even sects stronger than it still paid it due respect.
However, when it came to the top-tier sects in Dongling Commandery, Medicine King Valley did not hold a seat at the very pinnacle but Water Moon Sword Palace did.
This was because its Palace Master was one of the few individuals in Dongling Commandery who had reached the Fourth Grade in martial cultivation.
Moreover, she was hailed as the most likely candidate to become the second grandmaster of Dongling Commandery the Water Moon Celestial.
Recalling the intelligence he had on Water Moon Sword Palace, Jiang Ning couldn't help but frown.
He had no desire for trouble, yet as he grew stronger, trouble always seemed to find him.
One He Jinyun had already drawn the attention of He Jinsheng, the Second Young Master of the Qinghe Marquis Household.
Although He Jinsheng was not currently hostile toward him, it was evident from his attitude that he would report everything about Jiang Ning upon his return—including his own suspicions and conclusions.
This would almost certainly bring trouble from the Qinghe Marquis Household and, worse yet, possibly from Water Moon Sword Palace.
He Jinyun's mother, being the Palace Master's younger sister, meant that He Jinyun was her nephew a blood relative.
"Yet another headache!"
Jiang Ning shook his head inwardly.
Then, he thought back to He Jinsheng's parting words.
"He Jinsheng was right. My current position as an Eighth-Rank official is completely insignificant within the bureaucratic system of the Grand Xia Dynasty."
At this thought, another term came to mind
A Seventh-Rank "Sesame Official."
A Seventh-Rank County Magistrate was considered a mere "Sesame Official."
As an Eighth-Rank, he wasn't even on that level.
"It seems that getting a promotion is truly urgent!"
"Though I wonder once I'm promoted, what responsibilities will I be assigned?"
He pondered for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile.
He was thinking too far ahead.
His top priority right now was still strengthening himself.
Once he forged his Jade Bones, he would officially be recognized as a Fifth-Grade Internal Strength practitioner according to the Grand Xia's martial cultivation system.
And not just that he would be at the Great Accomplishment stage of Fifth Grade.
Once his Internal Breath condensed into Inner Force, he would reach Fifth Grade Perfection.
"Or perhaps even Fifth Grade Peak?"
The thought of Fifth Grade Peak made Jiang Ning shake his head again.
His instincts told him that condensing Inner Force alone would not be enough to reach Peak Fifth Grade.
"Everything will have to wait until the Inspection Bureau resumes operations."
"By my estimate, that should be in about twenty days."
Having sorted out his thoughts, Jiang Ning stopped dwelling on them.
He got up and left his room.
Upon arriving at the open courtyard, he began setting up a training area tailored to his needs one that balanced all Five Elements.
Tempering his bones, forging his Jade Bones, and practicing the Five-Animal Fist he would focus on both, excelling in both.
Practicing the Five-Animal Fist would allow him to channel the essence of the Five Elements to nourish his internal organs, strengthening them.
In turn, this would increase his total Internal Breath reserves.
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