The shopkeeper of the Drunken Moon Pavilion possessed Peak Postnatal Cultivation and had the full backing of the Liu Family. Given his standing, even some Innate Realm experts wouldn't dare to offend him.
His cultivation was higher than Ma Yuan's, who was at the Postnatal Late Stage, and his backer was mightier still.
And yet, this was the very same powerful shopkeeper...
who was now being forced by Ning Jiang to bow his head and apologize to Ning Yu'an.
This sixteen-year-old boy had crushed the Drunken Moon Pavilion under his heel!
The room fell silent. No one spoke.
All eyes were on Ning Yu'an, waiting for her response.
Ripples seemed to spread through Ning Yu'an's beautiful eyes as a searing warmth flooded her heart.
Of course she understood. Ning Jiang had done all of this just to stand up for her.
He had ostentatiously shattered the Drunken Moon Painting Wall, forced Shopkeeper Zhu to bow, and had Feng Xue slapped and thrown out.
All of it—it was all for her.
Nothing more.
Just as Ning Jiang had promised, from now on, no one would be able to bully them ever again.
He was making good on that promise now.
"He was just following orders, Ning Jiang. His hands were tied. I don't blame him." Ning Yu'an's lips curved into a smile, her eyes sweet as honey.
'What could possibly make me happier than this?'
Her little brother was all grown up, and he was here to protect her.
"Thank you, Miss Ning." Shopkeeper Zhu let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Ma Yuan, there have been no grudges between Ma Hong and me for a long time. You don't need to keep apologizing."
Ning Jiang glanced at Ma Yuan. A flash of disappointment crossed Ma Yuan's eyes at his words. 'Doesn't this attitude just push people away?'
But Ning Jiang's next sentence sent a jolt of ecstasy through him.
"But I appreciate your gesture just now."
"You're too kind, Young Master Ning," Ma Yuan said, overjoyed.
Ning Jiang's gaze fell on Shopkeeper Zhu. "Shopkeeper Zhu, are you going to make me stand here all day?"
"Of course not! I'll go prepare a room right away."
"Ahem, Shopkeeper Zhu, I'd also like to stay at the Drunken Moon Pavilion for a few days. If you could prepare a room for me as well," Ma Yuan chimed in.
...
「In a Heaven-grade room.」
An incense burner sat in the center of the room, filling the air with a fragrance that calmed the mind and spirit.
The room was more than five times the size of a Human-grade room. The tables and chairs were all made of fine sandalwood, and high-end porcelain and blooming flowers were placed everywhere, creating an atmosphere of elegant, tranquil beauty.
A single night in a Heaven-grade room cost ten Primordial Stones.
Back at the Ning Family, Ning Jiang's monthly allowance had been only ten Primordial Stones. The price of this room was exorbitant.
"Sister An, if you have questions, just ask."
Ning Jiang sat in a chair and looked at Ning Yu'an beside him. He knew that after everything that had just happened, she must be full of questions.
Ning Yu'an hesitated before asking, "Ning Jiang, what's the story between you and Liu Xianyu?"
As one of the Luoyang Ten Heroes and one of the four great beauties of the city, Liu Xianyu was a name she couldn't possibly not know.
But no matter how hard she wracked her brain, she couldn't figure out how Ning Jiang had gotten involved with her.
"We met by chance. She needs my help with something," Ning Jiang said calmly.
"She needs *your* help? Ning Jiang, be honest with me. You're not... involved with her, are you?" A sudden nervousness appeared in her eyes.
"Hm?" Ning Jiang seemed to see right through her. He blinked. "Are you worried that she and I might get together, Sister An?"
"Nonsense! What would I have to worry about?"
Her cheeks flushed red, as if he'd hit the nail on the head. She retorted defensively.
"Besides..." Ning Yu'an trailed off, an indescribable feeling in her heart. "If you really could end up with her, it would be a good thing. In terms of both looks and family background, she's one of the most outstanding people in Luoyang City. Countless men admire her. It's just that..."
Ning Yu'an stopped abruptly.
But Ning Jiang finished for her. "It's just that it would be a mismatch in social status, right? Sister An, are you thinking about our adoptive father and mother?"
"They've been gone for so long... I can't help but worry." Ning Yu'an's spirits fell.
She was indeed thinking of Ning Changfeng and Li Qingyun. Theirs had been a match between different social strata, and they had faced intense opposition from the Li Family. So much had happened after that.
Weren't Ning Jiang and Liu Xianyu facing the exact same situation?
"Don't worry, Sister An. There's nothing going on between Liu Xianyu and me. Like I told you, I met a great expert who gave me guidance and has already accepted me as his disciple. Liu Xianyu is actually seeking help from this expert who backs me. So for now, we just have a cooperative relationship. I don't like her, and I certainly won't get together with her."
His words were a mix of truth and lies. The story about an expert backing him was false, but the fact that he wouldn't get together with Liu Xianyu was true.
Hearing this, Ning Yu'an couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"As for our adoptive father and mother, you don't need to worry, Sister An. I suspect the Li Family is holding them, but since our mother is of the Li bloodline, their lives shouldn't be in danger."
At this, Ning Jiang's tone shifted. "My strength isn't sufficient yet, so I can only bide my time and focus on getting stronger. But once the time is right, I'll take you with me, Sister An, and we will march right up to the Li Family's door."
"If anything has happened to them, I will slaughter the entire Li Family. I will ensure every last one of them has their divine spirit utterly annihilated, never to enter reincarnation for all eternity!"
Each word was like a blade, sharp and vibrating with a bloodthirsty killing intent that saturated the entire room.
Ning Jiang did not make idle threats.
This was his true self.
As the Legendary Venerable from a hundred thousand years ago, he had walked a path paved with countless bones. He had slaughtered so many that heads rolled and blood flowed in rivers.
Every supreme expert had carved their path to the top with slaughter.
Even the patriarch of the Liu Family must have been stained with an ocean of blood to establish the foundation of a first-class noble house.
In this world of Martial Artists, massacring entire clans over a grudge was all too common.
But Ning Jiang had his own principles. He would tolerate what he could, so long as no one crossed his bottom line. But once that line was crossed, they would face his boundless wrath. He would kill without hesitation.
Ning Yu'an, Ning Changfeng, Li Qingyun—the people he cared for—were his bottom line.
At Treasure Herb Hall, Ning Jiang had suffered the humiliation of a broken arm, but he hadn't cared and had tolerated it. Yet he fought Zhou Wenhao to the death because Zhou Wenhao had schemed against Ning Yu'an, crossing his line.
His line was not to be crossed.
Those who crossed it would be shown no mercy.
"Sister An, I asked that expert for this Purple Qi Creation Technique for you. The Yuqing Qigong you're practicing now is too common. You should switch to this."
The Purple Qi Creation Technique was a Profound Level top-grade cultivation method. Of course, if Ning Jiang wanted to, he could have produced even a Divine Level Technique, but that wouldn't be helpful.
He would naturally provide her with better techniques once her cultivation improved.
Besides, if he produced a Divine Level Technique, how could he possibly explain it?
The secret of his reincarnation had to remain hidden. If it ever got out, not only would he be in grave danger, but so would everyone he held dear.
"Ning Jiang, you..."
"Sister An, you don't have to say anything, and you certainly don't have to thank me. Growing up, you were always the person who treated me best. Even when I was afflicted with the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse, you never gave up on me. A cultivation technique is nothing in comparison."
Ning Jiang's expression was deadly serious. "With this technique, the Luoyang Ten Heroes and the Four Great Beauties won't matter. Sooner or later, Sister An, you will surpass them all."
This was Ning Jiang's confidence. With his guidance and support, even the entire Cyan Cloud Country would be nothing but a starting point for Ning Yu'an's future.
He wanted Ning Yu'an to ascend to the peak of the world with him.
This was Ning Jiang. For those he cared about, he would spare no effort to help them and nurture their growth.
"I understand, Ning Jiang. I'll accept this technique and practice it diligently." Ning Yu'an understood that in this world, improving one's own strength was what mattered most.
Besides, given their relationship, not much more needed to be said.
It was all left unsaid, but perfectly understood.
"Sister An, if you run into any trouble while cultivating this technique, just let me know. I'll go ask that expert for you."
"Alright."
...
「In a quiet courtyard of the Liu Mansion.」
"Damn that Liu Xianyu! Just because the Patriarch favors her, she dares to give his Jade Order to an outsider? This is outrageous!"
An angry voice shattered the courtyard's tranquility. It belonged to a young man of about twenty. He was fair-faced, beardless, and rather handsome, though his eyes held a hint of sinister effeminacy.
"Brother Feng, you have to get justice for me."
Feng Xue, one side of her face still swollen, was sobbing. She was Liu Feng's mistress. They had been involved for a long time, but since she wasn't his official wife, he couldn't bring her into the Liu Mansion and instead kept her at the Drunken Moon Pavilion.
Liu Feng had countless mistresses like Feng Xue. He was a notorious playboy who wallowed in carnal pleasures.
"I'll make Shopkeeper Zhu apologize for slapping you. But his hands were tied. You were the one who insulted the Jade Order, so don't blame him too much."
Liu Feng's eyes turned cold as he continued, "When you get down to it, the real problem is that brat with the Jade Order. It's his fault. A mere outsider, does he really think he can act with impunity just because he's holding the Patriarch's token?"
'Liu Xianyu is getting more and more audacious,' he thought. 'Does she really think she can do whatever she wants just because she reached the Innate Realm and became the Liu Family's number one genius?'
'Liu Xianyu, Liu Xianyu... The Patriarch values your talent and might want to pass his position on to you, but you're still just a woman. How can a woman command respect?'
'Besides, you're not the only one of the younger generation to reach the Innate Realm anymore. My older brother broke through two days ago!'
'My brother is a man, and there's a reason the clan leadership has always been passed down through the male line. On top of that, your father died three years ago, leaving you with no support from that generation. In contrast, my brother has our father's full backing, and the other uncles are on good terms with my father as well. In a situation like this, Liu Xianyu, what do you possibly have to compete with?'
'I'm sure that after weighing his options, the Patriarch will make the wise choice!'
A cold glint flashed in Liu Feng's eyes. He turned to Feng Xue and said, "Don't you worry. I won't let this matter go."