On the Luoshui River.
Huang San'er watched Jiang Ning's figure disappear into the distance before cautiously climbing onto the ship.
"Thank you, sir!!"
He knelt toward the horizon where Jiang Ning had vanished, then slowly stood up.
Next, he glanced at the twisted body lying nearby.
"What bad luck!"
He spat at the corpse and gave it a hard kick.
Though the body was mangled beyond recognition, Huang San'er knew exactly who it was.
The sharp-faced man was someone he could never forget.
It was because of this man that he had been captured and brought here.
Afterward, Huang San'er searched the ship for medical supplies.
His wound had been soaking in water for too long, and if he didn't treat it soon, his life would be in danger.
As he searched, he saw bodies scattered everywhere.
Upon a quick inspection, he noticed that the deaths were all eerily similar.
None of the bodies had visible wounds they had all died with blood flowing from their orifices.
"Is that man a demon or a god?" Huang San'er thought back to the glimpse he had caught of Jiang Ning's face.
Though Jiang Ning had been backlit by the setting sun, making it hard to see clearly, Huang San'er could tell one thing: Jiang Ning was young.
Youth was something that couldn't be hidden.
Yet, despite his youth, Jiang Ning had accomplished such a monumental feat and wielded such mysterious powers.
After a while, Huang San'er finished treating his wound and bandaging it.
He then untied a small boat and rowed toward the shore.
At the rocky beach.
Jiang Ning looked at the small boat filled with his spoils and couldn't help but smile.
He hadn't expected such a fruitful outcome from today's simple outing.
A nearly transformed spirit fish.
A bag filled with silver coins and banknotes.
A blade that had once belonged to Shi Xiaoyuan, an eighth-grade martial artist.
And the rare treasure he had already absorbed.
Each of these items was incredibly valuable.
Not to mention, there was still a warehouse full of iron ore in the sunken ship.
Selling that ore would bring in another substantial sum.
Thinking this, Jiang Ning pulled out the black stone from his pocket.
"If my guess is correct, this is the real treasure of this trip."
Jiang Ning looked at the black stone in his hand, filled with anticipation.
If his assumptions were correct, this stone would continuously improve his physical constitution and provide a new way to gain experience in his Water Affinity skill.
As this skill continued to break through its limits, Jiang Ning realized that his previous assumptions about ordinary skills were wrong.
The potential of the Water Affinity skill was astonishing.
The abilities it granted, such as water manipulation and the overall enhancement of his condition in water, were incredibly powerful.
These effects were on par with the traits he had gained from breaking through the limits of the Five Animals Fist.
With this in mind, Jiang Ning decided to test the black stone's effects later.
After making his decision, he tucked the stone securely into his clothes and carried his spoils back home.
Meanwhile.
"Elder, please wait here. My younger brother went out this morning and should be back soon."
"No problem, I have nothing else to do. I'll wait for him," Liu Qingsong said calmly.
After a brief conversation, Jiang Li left the hall at Liu Qingsong's gesture.
"Elder, Jiang Li is just an ordinary constable, yet he lives in such a large house. He must have a talented younger brother."
After Jiang Li left, one of the men standing beside Liu Qingsong spoke.
Liu Qingsong nodded slightly. "Indeed, he has a good brother. Jiang Ning reached the ninth grade of martial arts in just a few months. Such talent would make him an inner disciple even in our valley."
"Does the elder have any thoughts about recruiting him into the valley?" the man asked.
Liu Qingsong shook his head. "He is already Wang Jin's disciple and will likely join the Inspection Bureau in a few days. With either of these identities, he can't become a disciple of the Medicine King Valley. So, there's no need."
"That's true," the man nodded with a smile. "The elder sees things."
Then he asked, "Elder, do you think Jiang Ning is connected to Tian Buyi's death?"
Liu Qingsong shook his head slowly. "Although there are traces of him on the deserted island, he likely has little to do with Tian Buyi's death. After all, Tian Buyi was a top-tier eighth-grade martial artist. Even the two of you together might not be able to defeat him."
"Let alone a mere ninth-grade martial artist like Jiang Ning."
"Even if Tian Buyi was injured by my palm strike, he wouldn't be someone a ninth-grade martial artist could challenge."
"Today, we're mainly here to ask him if he's seen Tian Buyi or anyone else."
"Tian Buyi died on that deserted island, so he must have encountered a true powerhouse."
"The Leopard Fetus Transformation Pill must now be in the hands of the person who killed Tian Buyi."
Elsewhere.
"Brother, what are you doing here?" Jiang Ning asked as he saw Jiang Li standing at the gate.
"Little brother, you're just in time. We have a distinguished guest visiting today. He's waiting for you in the front hall," Jiang Li said.
"A distinguished guest?" Jiang Ning was puzzled. "Who is it?"
Jiang Li replied, "He introduced himself as Elder Liu Qingsong from the Medicine King Valley."
It's him!
Jiang Ning's eyes narrowed.
Liu Qingsong had come to visit?
Did he discover that Jiang Ning had killed Tian Buyi?
Did he know that the Leopard Fetus Transformation Pill, a tribute to the Prince of Huai'an, was in Jiang Ning's possession?
Thinking this, Jiang Ning shook his head.
It couldn't be!
If Liu Qingsong knew, he wouldn't have come for a friendly visit.
He would have stormed in and demanded the pill.
Jiang Ning was well aware that if it were confirmed he had the Prince of Huai'an's tribute, even Wang Jin wouldn't be able to save him.
"Don't scare yourself," Jiang Ning thought, calming his mind.
He then said, "Brother, put these things away. I'll go meet them."
As Jiang Li took the long blade from Jiang Ning, his expression changed.
"This..."
Jiang Ning smiled. "I forgot, this blade is quite heavy."
Jiang Li then took the cloth bag from Jiang Ning and glanced inside, his eyes widening in shock.
"Little brother, what is this..."
Jiang Ning shook his head. "I'll explain later."
Hearing this, Jiang Li kept his questions to himself.
With Jiang Li's help, Jiang Ning felt much lighter carrying the two blades and the two halves of the White Dragon Fish.
The reason he felt lighter wasn't because he couldn't carry the load, but because he didn't have enough hands.
Two blades, two fish halves, and a bag of silver coins and banknotes had made it difficult to manage.
Now, with Jiang Li's help, things were much easier.
After a while, Jiang Ning put everything away.
"Brother, you don't need to come. I'll go alone. Take sister-in-law, Yiming, and Xiaodoubao away first."
"Little brother, what's going on?" Jiang Li's eyes widened in surprise.
Jiang Ning smiled. "Don't worry, big brother. This is just a precaution."
"Alright," Jiang Li nodded seriously, adding, "Be careful, little brother. If something seems off, run immediately."
"Don't worry," Jiang Ning smiled.
Then, holding his spirit weapon, he walked alone toward the main hall.
Liu Qingsong's sudden visit had caught him off guard.
He wasn't sure what Liu Qingsong's intentions were. Although he believed that his killing of Tian Buyi was well-hidden, he couldn't rule out the possibility that someone might have discovered the truth.
After all, this was a world where individuals could achieve extraordinary feats, and anything was possible.
So, Jiang Ning was prepared to fight if necessary.
If Liu Qingsong had indeed discovered something, Jiang Ning would have no choice but to act.
With all his abilities, he might be able to take down Liu Qingsong.
After all, his strength far surpassed Tian Buyi's.
And since Tian Buyi had managed to escape Liu Qingsong's pursuit for so long, it showed that Liu Qingsong's seventh-grade martial arts prowess wasn't insurmountable.
In the main hall.
"He's here, Elder," Wang Jiu said.
At that moment, Jiang Ning, dressed in black and carrying a black long blade, stepped through the doorway.
Seeing Jiang Ning's calm and focused demeanor, Liu Qingsong nodded slightly, thinking to himself, "This young man is indeed a rare talent. It's a pity he couldn't join our Medicine King Valley."
"Greetings, Elder Liu," Jiang Ning clasped his hands in salute.
"Young friend, no need for formalities," Liu Qingsong smiled and nodded.
Then, his nose twitched slightly, and the corner of his eye flickered.
Jiang Ning noticed this and his eyes narrowed.
He then sat down on a chair in front of Liu Qingsong.
The two men beside Liu Qingsong frowned slightly at Jiang Ning's actions.
By not acknowledging them, Jiang Ning was disregarding their presence.
This slight made them feel a surge of anger.
Wang Jiu wanted to lash out, but after glancing at Liu Qingsong, he suppressed his anger.
Meanwhile, after sitting down, Jiang Ning asked, "Elder Liu, what brings you here today?"
Liu Qingsong chuckled. "Can't I visit without a reason?"
Jiang Ning replied, "As far as I know, Elder Liu is here on important business."
"Correct," Liu Qingsong nodded slightly.
Jiang Ning continued, "Since Elder Liu is here on important business, it's unlikely you came without a purpose. We don't have that kind of relationship."
Liu Qingsong laughed. "We didn't before, but we might in the future."
Then he changed the subject. "But you're right. I did come here today for a reason."
"Please speak, Elder," Jiang Ning said.
Liu Qingsong then pulled out a map.
The map showed the area around Luoshui County.
Liu Qingsong pointed to an island not far from the shore and asked, "Did you visit this deserted island a few days ago?"
Hearing this, Jiang Ning's heart skipped a beat.
The location on the map was where he had practiced his blade techniques and where Tian Buyi had died.
The Medicine King Valley is impressive!
They traced me here!
Though inwardly shocked, Jiang Ning maintained his composure and nodded slightly.
"I did."
Liu Qingsong wasn't surprised.
They had found traces of Jiang Ning on the deserted island.
To obtain this clue, they returned to their sect and brought a special type of insect.
It was this insect that had led them to Jiang Ning.
"What were you doing on that island?" Liu Qingsong asked.
"Practicing martial arts," Jiang Ning replied.
"What martial arts?" one of the men behind Liu Qingsong asked.
"Do I need to tell you what I practice?" Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, glancing at the man.
"You" Wang Jiu started to speak but was cut off by Liu Qingsong. "Wang Jiu, mind your manners!"
Hearing this, Wang Jiu immediately fell silent.
Liu Qingsong then smiled at Jiang Ning. "My apologies, young friend. My disciple was out of line."
Jiang Ning smiled but said nothing.
Liu Qingsong continued, "I've heard that the Surging Waves Martial Arts School is named after a technique called the Surging Waves Blade Art. Were you practicing that on the island?"
Jiang Ning nodded slightly. "Elder is indeed knowledgeable. I was practicing the Surging Waves Blade Art that day."
Liu Qingsong chuckled. "Then there's no mistake."
Then he changed the subject again. "Did you happen to see a bearded man on the island?"
"Are you referring to Tian Buyi?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Exactly," Liu Qingsong nodded.
Jiang Ning shook his head. "I didn't see him."
"Are you sure?" Liu Qingsong's eyes widened like an angry Buddha.
His voice thundered, shaking the room.
Jiang Ning remained calm and shook his head again. "I didn't see him."
Liu Qingsong stared at Jiang Ning intently.
After a few moments, he slowly smiled. "My apologies, young friend."
"I've been chasing Tian Buyi for days without success. When I found out he died on that island, I lost my composure."
Jiang Ning shook his head, not commenting on the matter.
Then he said, "If Elder has no further questions, please feel free to leave. It's getting late, and I won't keep you for dinner."
"Alright," Liu Qingsong stood up.
Jiang Ning also stood.
The four of them quickly left the main hall and entered the front courtyard.
Liu Qingsong glanced around.
"Young friend, where is your brother? He seems to have disappeared."
Jiang Ning replied, "He might be in the kitchen preparing dinner."
"True," Liu Qingsong nodded. "It is dinnertime."
Then the four of them walked through the front courtyard.
In October, the sky darkened earlier than usual.
With the sun completely set, the world was gradually enveloped in twilight.
The moon had yet to rise, and only the faint light from the sky provided some illumination.
"Elder, I'll see you off here," Jiang Ning stopped at the front gate.
"Thank you for your time today. Farewell," Liu Qingsong said, then led the two men away.
Jiang Ning watched Liu Qingsong's retreating figure, pondering for a moment before quietly following with his blade in hand.
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