Indoors.
After Liu Wanwan took Jiang Yiming away, Jiang Ning sat down to drink with Jiang Li.
For him now, drinking alcohol was no different from drinking water. No matter how strong the liquor, it couldn't bring him the slightest intoxication. His powerful physique and robust internal organs could easily neutralize the effects of alcohol.
"Today was truly a happy day!" After a few cups of wine, Jiang Li began to feel the effects.
Seeing Jiang Li's emotional expression, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile. He knew exactly why his brother was so happy.
Jiang Ning raised his cup again without saying much.
A moment later.
Jiang Li said, "Little brother, there's something I want to tell you."
"Go ahead, brother!" Jiang Ning set down his chopsticks, which he had just picked up to grab some food, and turned his attention to Jiang Li.
Jiang Li said, "In a few days, once the weather warms up a bit, I plan to take your sister-in-law, Yuanyuan, and Ming'er to visit the Liu family in Dongling."
"That's fine!" Jiang Ning replied.
"You don't object?" Jiang Li was stunned and looked at Jiang Ning in surprise.
He still remembered that twelve years ago, when Jiang Yiming was three years old, he had taken Jiang Yiming, Liu Wanwan, and Jiang Ning to the Liu family in Dongling City, hoping to mend the rift between Liu Wanwan and her parents.
But they hadn't even gotten to see Liu Wanwan's parents before being driven out and subjected to harsh humiliation. The words spoken at the time were so cruel that Jiang Ning, then only six years old, had vowed never to set foot in the Liu family again.
Later, whenever Liu Wanwan missed her mother and wanted to visit the Liu family again, Jiang Li, believing that a mother-daughter bond could never truly be broken, suggested making the trip several times.
Especially after Xiaodoubao was born, he had brought up the idea once more.
But Jiang Ning, then just thirteen years old, had vehemently opposed it. Even Liu Wanwan had stubbornly refused.
Jiang Li knew it was because Liu Wanwan didn't want to subject herself to humiliation again.
Yet every time he saw Liu Wanwan wake up from a dream with tears soaking her pillow, his heart ached.
But with Jiang Ning and Liu Wanwan so firmly against it, he had no choice but to drop the matter.
Recently, however, he and Liu Wanwan had discussed it again, and her attitude had softened, giving him hope.
Today, emboldened by the alcohol and the approaching warmth of spring, he couldn't resist sharing his thoughts with Jiang Ning.
To his surprise, Jiang Ning had agreed so readily.
Meanwhile, seeing Jiang Li's astonished expression, Jiang Ning smiled. "Why would I object? Yiming is now at the age to start martial training, and Dongling City's Martial Academy is a great place for that. It's also a good opportunity for sister-in-law to visit her family."
"Martial Academy?" Jiang Li's expression turned even more shocked at the mention of it.
He shook his head. "Ming'er doesn't have the qualifications to enter the Martial Academy."
Jiang Ning disagreed. "Yiming has taken the great medicine I just gave him. His martial talent is now more than enough to qualify him for the Martial Academy. This year's enrollment happens to be in just over a month."
"R-really? Is that truly possible?" Jiang Li stammered, unable to believe it.
He knew all too well how difficult it was to enter the Martial Academy.
The Martial Academy was located in Dongling City, the capital of Dongling Prefecture.
It was an institution under the Great Xia Martial Saint's Office, dedicated to nurturing martial talents.
Students admitted to the Martial Academy were either of noble birth or possessed extraordinary martial talent.
Beyond that, even wealthy families struggled to secure a spot.
In the path of martial arts, background was exceptionally important.
Lacking innate talent?
There were postnatal medicines to compensate.
Insufficient vitality?
There were blood-strengthening medicines.
Thus, those of noble birth, no matter how ordinary, could become extraordinary.
But Jiang Yiming's background was undeniably humble.
So, to join the Martial Academy as a student, he would need to rely solely on talent exceptional martial talent.
Jiang Li had little confidence in Jiang Yiming's martial talent.
He knew his son's abilities well. Though Jiang Yiming hadn't formally begun martial training, Jiang Li had a rough estimate of his potential likely no different from his own, mediocre at best.
Yet Jiang Ning spoke with such certainty, leaving Jiang Li in disbelief.
Seeing his brother's expression, Jiang Ning smiled again.
"Of course it's possible. With Yiming's current martial talent, not only can he join the Martial Academy, but he could even qualify for the Prefectural Academy in Guangning City!"
"Prefectural Academy?" At these words, Jiang Li's shock deepened.
The Martial Academy, the Prefectural Academy, and the Dao Palace were the three major martial training institutions under the Martial Saint's Office.
These three institutions were renowned throughout the land, and as a public official, Jiang Li was well aware of them.
Especially in the past year or two, while planning for Jiang Yiming's future, he had researched them extensively.
The Martial Academy was located in the prefectural capital, the Prefectural Academy in the provincial capital, and the Dao Palace in the imperial capital.
Three major training institutions, each rigorously selecting talents.
In the end, those who can join the Dao Palace all possess the potential to become grandmasters.
Graduates emerging from the Dao Palace are all fourth-rank experts.
The qualification of a grandmaster is the threshold for entering the Dao Palace.
Compared to the Dao Palace, the threshold for the academies is much lower, and the martial arts schools are even more accessible.
However, the so-called "lower threshold" still means they only admit true martial arts prodigies or the descendants of prominent families and high-ranking officials in Dongling County.
With the resources accumulated by their forebears, these descendants can embark on the path of martial arts without lacking supplies, naturally achieving higher accomplishments.
As for the children of ordinary families, they can only rely on pure martial talent.
Watching Jiang Li's stunned expression, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile again.
That was his essence blood.
A divine method, a powerful authority.
With that single drop of essence blood, Jiang Yiming could undergo a complete transformation, emerging with extraordinary talent.
Effortlessly possessing strength of several hundred pounds, such innate ability would allow him to rival ranked martial artists.
With these innate advantages, once Jiang Yiming stepped onto the martial path, he would quickly achieve a rank.
The previous example of Lü Yi was a perfect illustration.
Thus, Jiang Ning did not doubt Jiang Yiming's talent.
With such exceptional innate conditions, it was impossible for him not to meet the admission standards of the martial arts school.
Jiang Ning said, "Big brother, rest assured. I am confident that Yiming can become a student of the martial arts school. So, for Yiming's future, you and sister-in-law should go to Dongling City."
"In a few days, I'll accompany you both there."
"You're coming too?" Jiang Li snapped out of his daze, looking surprised.
"Yes." Jiang Ning nodded. "If Big Brother is going to the Liu family, how could I not go?"
"Little brother, it's best not to provoke the Liu family. After all, it's your sister-in-law's maiden home." Seeing Jiang Ning's calm expression, Jiang Li recalled the humiliation Jiang Ning suffered at the Liu family's doorstep twelve years ago, as well as his current status and strength, and suddenly felt uneasy.
He added, "Little brother, maybe you shouldn't go!"
Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled. "Big brother, don't worry. This is my sister-in-law's family visit. Unless necessary, there won't be bloodshed! Besides, I have several matters to attend to in Dongling City."
"I need to study at the martial arts school for a while and also take the imperial examinations next month."
"The imperial examinations?" Jiang Li was startled, glancing at Jiang Ning before realization dawned on him.
Jiang Li nodded. "That makes sense. At your age, having reached this level, participating in the military examinations will surely earn you a title. Having an official rank will be quite beneficial for your career."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning didn't voice his true thoughts.
It wasn't just the military examinations.
But also the civil examinations.
From what he had learned earlier, achieving a rank in the civil examinations allowed one to offer incense at Saint Temple and receive the infusion of righteous qi, greatly enhancing spiritual power.
Of course, this was the book's explanation.
In reality, he wasn't entirely sure, but his intuition told him that the so-called "righteous qi" might not be so simple.
Just like the Body Enhancement Sect's methods to strengthen the physique or his way of enhancing others' bodies.
Regardless, he wanted to give it a try.
Moreover, titles from both the civil and military examinations would help him advance his official position.
Within the Inspection Bureau, promotions were straightforward and brutal.
With merit and contribution points, one could rise in rank.
Beyond that, there were no additional requirements.
Only in the Great Xia's makeshift system could such convenience exist.
Jiang Ning didn't find this strange or unreasonable.
Based on the history he had studied,
Great Xia was the first unified feudal dynasty.
Without the benefit of historical lessons, he noticed many irregularities in Great Xia's structure.
Yet, no matter how irregular, for the first dynasty, everything seemed perfectly reasonable.
Simple, direct, and unburdened.
That was his impression of the Great Xia court.
A few days later.
At the gates of Luoshui County.
Bai Luoyu stepped out of the carriage and stood on the shaft.
"Luoshui County, finally here!!"
He sighed, slowly fanning himself with a folding fan.
Xiao Emei: "..."
Beside him, Xiao Emei looked utterly speechless.
If she were alone, she would have long since switched to a top-grade horse, reaching Luoshui County in at most three days instead of wasting so much time.
"Chief Inspector Bai, shall we enter the city?" Xiao Emei asked.
"Enter!" Bai Luoyu declared, adding, "Once inside, I need a proper bath. It's been days I must reek by now."
Xiao Emei: "..."
Then, she discreetly sniffed her collar and felt slightly relieved.
Meanwhile.
The eastern courtyard.
Inhale, exhale.
A strand of crimson solar qi fell from the sky, instantly entering Jiang Ning's abdomen through his nostrils.
After refining.
[Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique experience +1]
After another moment.
He finally stopped absorbing the solar essence and slowly opened his eyes.
[Skills]: Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique (Proficient 3221/5000)
Several consecutive days of good weather had significantly boosted his progress in the Internal Alchemy Cultivation Technique. His experience points had already surpassed the 3,000 mark, bringing him one step closer to the mastery level, where internal energy would condense into a protective aura.
Next, he looked at the other two entries on the panel.
[Skills]: Five Animals Fist (Fourth Limit Break 5000/5000) (Trait: Essence Stored in the Five Organs, Five Elements Spirit, Grandmaster of Fist Techniques, Bear-Tiger Physique)
[Source Energy]: 1681.73
The Five Animals Fist had already reached its limit the night before, with experience points meeting the requirements for the next breakthrough. The only thing he lacked now was Source Energy points.
"Just over 300 points short not too much."
Jiang Ning stood up. He had already figured out where to get the missing Source Energy points.
The rare treasures in Wanhua Pavilion had been mostly bought out by him.
However, there were still several other major pharmacies in Luoshui County.
While it was hard to find herbs aged several decades or even a century in those pharmacies, there were plenty of slightly younger herbs available.
Those herbs could still provide him with Source Energy points, just like the ten-year-old wild ginseng Zhou Xing had given him when he first started martial arts training.
Such wild ginseng was mass-cultivated and not in short supply, and the other major pharmacies also had stockpiles.
An hour later.
Zhou Family Pharmacy.
"Commander Jiang, please wait a moment. My son should be here soon."
With that, Zhou Xing's father smiled obsequiously and refilled Jiang Ning's tea.
"No rush!" Jiang Ning shook his head.
He could see that Zhou Xing's father was quite afraid of him.
Though he wasn't entirely sure why Zhou Xing's father would fear him, he understood.
It was simply the common folk's fear of those in official positions.
Even though the Zhou Family Pharmacy had some reputation and heritage in Luoshui County, in the eyes of true power, they were no different from ordinary civilians.
Jiang Ning picked up the teacup from the table, but just as it left the surface.
The next moment, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"He's here!"
He set the teacup back down and stood up.
A few breaths later.
The sound of footsteps approached, and soon Zhou Xing appeared before Jiang Ning, looking travel-worn.
His face was slightly flushed, and his breathing was hurried.
"Senior Brother Zhou!"
"Commander!"
They spoke simultaneously.
"If the Commander had informed me earlier of your visit, I could have prepared a proper welcome. I've kept you waiting."
Jiang Ning smiled. "Senior Brother Zhou, this was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I appreciate you rushing over it must have been tiring."
"A little exercise is nothing!" Zhou Xing laughed, waving it off.
His panting and flushed face were deliberate he wanted Jiang Ning to see his attitude.
Unspoken gestures of respect were the finer points of interpersonal relationships.
Then, Zhou Xing asked, "Commander, did you come here today because there's something you need from me?"
"Indeed," Jiang Ning nodded.
Hearing this, Zhou Xing immediately dismissed his father and the others, leaving only Jiang Ning and himself in the room.
Jiang Ning chuckled. "It's nothing confidential, no need for this."
"Commander, please speak!" Zhou Xing said.
Jiang Ning then explained his request.
After listening, Zhou Xing immediately thumped his chest. "No problem! This is a trivial matter for me. What's more, the Zhou Family Pharmacy still has some old stock, including a few treasured items. I'll fetch them for you right away!"
"Commander, please wait a moment."
With that, Zhou Xing hurried out and disappeared from Jiang Ning's sight.
Soon, only Jiang Ning and Lü Yi remained in the room.
"Xiao Lü, what do you think of Zhou Xing?" Jiang Ning suddenly asked.
"He's a smart man," Lü Yi replied.
"Indeed, a smart man," Jiang Ning smiled.
Less than half a cup of tea later.
Zhou Xing reappeared before Jiang Ning, carrying a large bundle wrapped in yellow cloth.
He placed it on a nearby table and unfolded the cloth, revealing several jade boxes.
"Commander, these are the Zhou Family Pharmacy's most prized possessions over the years all herbs aged over fifty years."
Jiang Ning glanced over them and couldn't help but feel pleased.
There were enough jade boxes to fill both hands.
A double handful of fifty-year-old herbs would surely provide a substantial boost to his Source Energy points.
With these, he wouldn't need to consider consuming those ten- or twenty-year-old herbs anymore.
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