"Lead the way!" Jiang Ning said.
"Yes, sir!" the man replied.
...
Monts later.
Inside the study.
Zhao Yulong looked up and saw Jiang Ning appearing at the doorway.
"Lord Jiang!" Zhao Yulong smiled and stood up.
"Master Zhao!" Jiang Ning bowed.
"Seeing that Lord Jiang has returned safely, I am relieved," Zhao Yulong said.
Jiang Ning glanced at the desk inside the room.
Then he looked at Zhao Yulong and said, "Thank you for your concern, Master Zhao."
Zhao Yulong smiled without saying anything.
He also noticed the recent glance and took a look at the docunts on his desk.
Then he said, "It’s a summary of important matters occurring throughout the county recently. Would Lord Jiang like to take a look?"
"If possible, I’d like to learn about it!" Jiang Ning said.
"This is simple!" Zhao Yulong waved his hand and said, "I’ll have soone copy it and send it to Lord Jiang’s Inspector Mansion soon."
"Thank you, Master Zhao!" Jiang Ning bowed.
"No need to be so formal!" Zhao Yulong waved his hand and continued, "Do you know why I sent soone to your residence to find you?"
"It should be related to Shen Wenyan’s appointnt and my previous rits, right?" Jiang Ning asked.
"That’s correct!" Zhao Yulong nodded.
Then continued, "Shen Wenyan officially took office two days ago; now, the Inspection Office system in Guangning Prefecture is led by Shen Wenyan!"
"As for your D-level rit, it has also been awarded."
"Have you decided what to exchange for with the D-level rit?"
Jiang Ning nodded and said, "I’ve decided to exchange for the path to achieving the status of Heavenly Human Grandmaster."
"Heavenly Human Grandmaster?" Zhao Yulong looked surprised and a bit stunned.
Then he slowly nodded at Jiang Ning, "Indeed, it is ti for you to plan your future. Coming from a small place like Luoshui County with ordinary tutelage, you need to be prepared ahead!"
Saying this, Zhao Yulong couldn’t help but feel wistful.
He himself had just entered the ranks of Heavenly Human Grandmaster, completing two Blood Exchanges.
The journey was rugged and fraught with tribulations.
He had managed to reach the Heavenly Human Grandmaster stage only with great effort, and now Jiang Ning is scheming for this path.
It is evident that Jiang Ning is not far from reaching this milestone.
This instantly gave him a feeling of being overtaken by the younger generation.
"By the way, how many tis does Lord Jiang plan to complete Blood Exchange in the Third Grade Blood Exchange Realm?" Zhao Yulong asked again.
He then added, "Lord Jiang has exceptionally high talent and potential, making this step crucial, and the goal must not be set too low!!"
"I understand!" Jiang Ning nodded.
"It’s good you understand!" Zhao Yulong said, "In my opinion, Lord Jiang should complete at least four Blood Exchanges at the Third Grade level to do justice to your talent."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning swallowed the words he was about to say.
How could he say he wanted to complete nine Blood Exchanges when Zhao Yulong said at least four?
"Lord Jiang, if you’ve made up your mind! I’ll send word over and have them ready early." Zhao Yulong said.
"Very well!" Jiang Ning nodded.
He also planned to visit Guangning Prefecture.
Not for anything else, but just to participate in the preliminary Martial Examination.
The Martial Examination preliminary is held within the prefecture city of Guangning Prefecture.
While the Martial Arts title may not be of great use to him now.
Obtaining the Martial Arts title is a step he must take to participate in the main examination and seize the title of Martial Arts Champion.
Winning the title of Martial Arts Champion will ensure greater attention in his Inspection Envoy lineage, allowing his position to advance further.
The Martial Arts Champion, which occurs once every three years.
The finest talents under thirty, defeating peers, are eligible to claim the title of Martial Arts Champion.
From his understanding, there have often been young grandmasters among the top three in the Martial Examination.
In fact, there have been instances where the top three were all Third Grade Heavenly Person Grandmasters.
Ranking high in the examination allows one entry into the imperial court examination.
Defeating peers in the imperial court examination to claim the top position as Martial Arts Champion cos with trendous benefits for promotion and even noble titles.
In the past years, many Martial Arts Champions have advanced in the military, reaching the Third Grade regional official rank.
Receiving a marquis title afterward, is not difficult.
Even a kingly title is possible!
And the triennial examination, including next year’s autumn examination, is held during the fall, thereby leaving over a year’s ti.
Having embarked on the Inspection Office career path, the honor of Martial Arts Champion is sothing he cannot miss.
"By the way!" At this point, Zhao Yulong suddenly spoke again.
Seeing Jiang Ning’s gaze coming toward him.
Zhao Yulong said, "Don’t forget to attend the Martial Examination at the beginning of July! The court is short on manpower, so the examination has been changed from triennial to annual."
"Annual?" Jiang Ning’s face imdiately showed surprise.
"Indeed!" Zhao Yulong seed to have expected Jiang Ning’s reaction. He smiled and continued, "So if Lord Jiang has any thoughts, don’t forget to attend the Martial Examination at the beginning of July."
"Achieving a top three position in the Martial Examination should not be difficult for Lord Jiang!"
"Ranking in Class A will qualify you for the main examination."
"If Lord Jiang can achieve Class A results in the main examination, I believe your position will advance further."
Upon hearing Zhao Yulong’s words, Jiang Ning bowed.
"Thank you for informing , Master Zhao! I have indeed intended to attend."
Zhao Yulong said, "Lord Jiang must act quickly! It’s just over a month until early July!"
"Also, the main examination is in early October; there’s not much ti left!"
"If Lord Jiang can advance to Third Grade within these months, the champion title is certainly within grasp!"
Upon hearing this.
Jiang Ning smiled, "I indeed have that intention!"
"Such boldness!" Zhao Yulong praised.
Then he continued, "I’ll notify the prefecture city shortly, have them prepare so Lord Jiang can smoothly obtain what he desires."
"Thank you!" Jiang Ning bowed.
...
On the other side.
Guangning Prefecture.
Inside the Inspector Mansion.
Ye Zhengqi was sitting at the desk, supporting his knee with his left hand and holding a docunt with his right.
He swiftly scanned the information recorded in the docunt, his brow instantly furrowing.
"Xiao Qiushui is dead?"
"Yes, sir!" the man in black respectfully replied.
"Is this news true?" Ye Zhengqi asked again.
"Absolutely true! I dare to stake my life on it! Moreover..." the man in black showed hesitation.
"Speak directly, why the hesitation?" Ye Zhengqi reprimanded.
"Rumor has it at Water Moon Sword Palace that it was you who killed Xiao Qiushui!" the man in black said.
"I killed Xiao Qiushui?!" Ye Zhengqi laughed coldly, not showing his stance.
In his mind, he was contemplating who might have killed Xiao Qiushui!
Among those present that day, he could easily count who might have the capability to kill Xiao Qiushui.
But after considering each one, he still couldn’t figure out who killed Xiao Qiushui.
"Who is the Palace Master of Water Moon Sword Palace now?" Ye Zhengqi asked again.
"Xiao Ei!" the man in black answered.
"It’s her?!!" Ye Zhengqi showed so surprise.
He had little impression of Xiao Ei, having only seen her information.
According to the intelligence details, he noted a certain connection between Xiao Ei and Jiang Ning.
"Xiao Ei is only Martial Arts Fifth Grade; can she successfully beco the Palace Master of Water Moon Sword Palace?" Ye Zhengqi asked.
"The Great Elder fully supports her! Opponents have been cleared!" the man in black continued, "I heard it’s because Xiao Qiushui anticipated his end early and left contingency plans."
"Xiao Qiushui’s will designated Xiao Ei as the next Palace Master of Water Moon Sword Palace."
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhengqi nodded slightly.
In his mind, Jiang Ning’s figure erged.
"Could it be his handiwork?" Ye Zhengqi pondered to himself.
Then he shook his head slightly.
"Probably not!"
"According to the intelligence records, Jiang Ning had only entered Fourth Grade a few months ago; how could he be a match for Xiao Qiushui, a Heavenly Human Grandmaster!"
After clarifying, he again dismissed the notion.
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