Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

"Commander Jiang, you are eighteen this year, do you have a marriage arrangement or someone special in mind?" Hong Minghu asked as he saw Jiang Ning sit down, taking the opportunity to voice the question that was on his mind.

"No!" Jiang Ning shook his head.

Hearing this response, a wave of joy immediately washed over Hong Minghu.

Having just witnessed Jiang Ning's abilities, he knew that Jiang Ning's future would undoubtedly be far superior to his own.

Although he was currently at Martial Arts Fifth Grade, his Fifth Grade was flawed, achieved through the use of secret medicines.

From now on, his martial arts path would end here; even with more secret medicines, at most he could climb to the Peak of Fifth Grade and could not progress further.

Otherwise, if it were a breakthrough achieved through his own strength, why would he come to a small place like Luoshui County to serve as a Residence Master?

He would certainly go to a higher realm.

Although the title of Residence Master seemed prestigious and powerful, it was only a Seventh Grade official position. In the entire Great Xia hierarchical system, it was no more than a fish swimming across the river.

Jiang Ning was different.

At just eighteen, he already possessed Seventh Grade strength, was accomplished in both internal and external cultivation, and had mastered techniques that only Fifth Grade strong people could manage.

With such terrifying talent, his future was bound to be far superior to his own.

For Jiang Ning to take a seat among the Grandmasters in the future would not surprise him in the slightest.

...

In the grand tent.

"Since Commander Jiang has no marriage arranged, I have a daughter who has just turned fourteen, an age suitable for marriage. Would Commander Jiang be willing to meet her?"

Fourteen years old?

Jiang Ning's eyes immediately widened, followed by a bout of speechlessness.

Fourteen years old, this would be illegal...

With this thought, Jiang Ning spoke up: "Residence Master, I am currently only focused on the path of Martial Arts and have no plans for marriage yet!"

"Oh, is that so?" Hong Minghu's eyes immediately revealed a hint of disappointment: "Well, then, let's set this matter aside for now. If Commander Jiang is interested in the future, you may meet with my daughter at any time! Tomorrow, I will send my daughter's portrait for Commander Jiang to appraise!"

Hong Minghu did not doubt that Jiang Ning's words were a polite refusal.

For Jiang Ning to have come this far, possessing such exaggerated strength.

Talent, foundation, and insight are naturally indispensable, but personal effort is just as essential.

Without high devotion to Martial Arts, it would be very difficult to achieve such accomplishments at such a young age, even with high talent.

But at this moment, a tinge of disappointment still lingered in Hong Minghu's heart.

Jiang Ning, he was extremely optimistic about.

If a marriage could be arranged, it would naturally be excellent.

Jiang Ning, seeing Hong Minghu press the matter to this extent, could only nod in agreement for now.

After all, since he was working under Hong Minghu, he had to consider Hong Minghu's face.

...

After leaving Hong Minghu's grand tent, the drill ground returned to its usual calmness.

All the factions had left, and the onlookers around the drill ground had dispersed to their homes.

Leaving the drill ground, Jiang Ning thought for a moment and headed towards the place Feng Jiuge had mentioned just previously.

The Sweeping Fire Spear Skill was all too familiar to him.

The Power embedded within it was even more familiar to him.

The ingenuity within it, similar yet distinct from that of the Nine Layers of Strength, made him suspect.

The Sweeping Fire Spear Skill, was likely a variation of the Sweeping Fire Saber Skill.

Just as the Canglang Blade Skill cultivated the Nine Layers of Strength Power, he could also use his fists to achieve the same.

...

Moon Residence.

It was a residence in the Inner City with a rather high cost, serving the same function as an inn.

While inns catered to the general populace, and even the so-called Sky Grade only targeted wealthy gentry.

Moon Residence, however, was different.

The cost was much higher than even the Sky Building.

But at the same time, the living environment was also significantly better.

Adjacent to the Luoshui River, surrounded by Green Water.

Even in this dry year, the water level in Luoshui Lake remained undiminished.

Moreover, every residence here came with a small courtyard, a private dwelling place.

All of this contributed to the exorbitant residential prices.

"Young Master Jiang, Miss Feng Jiuge is in this courtyard!" A maid in a green dress led the way up front.

She paused in front of the Green Water Courtyard, pointing to the courtyard engraved with "Bishui Courtyard" on the plaque.

At this time, the wind over the Luoshui Lake brushed across the water, past the lakeside, and onto this maid.

Under the caress of the lake breeze, her dress clung to her skin, perfectly accentuating the youthful figure of the maid.

"I appreciate your guidance, Little Cui," Jiang Ning gave a sign of thanks.

"Young Master Jiang is too polite. It is my duty!" said the maid named Little Cui with a graceful curtsey before she retreated.

Knock—

Knock—

Knock—

Jiang Ning gently knocked on the door of the small courtyard.

"Who is it?" a young voice came from inside the courtyard.

As the talking proceeded.

Clang—

The sound of a gate latch shaking suddenly came from the entrance of the courtyard.

Subsequently, the courtyard gate was slowly opened, and a young girl with two pigtails appeared in front of Jiang Ning.

"Who are you?" She looked at Jiang Ning, and her originally vigilant expression eased considerably.

"I am Jiang Ning, coming especially to see Miss Feng Jiuge!"

"Oh!" The girl with pigtails nodded slightly, then said, "Please wait here; I'll go ask Sister Feng!"

Leaving these words behind, the girl closed the courtyard gate, and the gradually fading footsteps behind it signified her departure to seek permission.

After a short while.

The sound of footsteps reappeared behind the courtyard gate.

Then.

Clang—

The gate latch shook.

The courtyard gate slowly opened.

The girl with the pigtails peeked out again.

"Young Master Jiang, please come in! Sister Feng said that you may enter."

Jiang Ning smiled and lightly patted her head; the girl gave him the feeling of a little sister from next door.

He then asked, "Little girl, what is your name?"

"Young Master Jiang can call me Yiyi! And... I'm not little!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled slightly.

"How old are you then?"

"Fourteen!" Yiyi stood tall, chest puffed, as if to showcase her maturity.

Jiang Ning: "...."

He thought of the marriage proposal from Hong Minghu he just received, whose own daughter was also just fourteen years old.

Thinking this, Jiang Ning took another look at Yiyi in front of him.

He was speechless.

Fourteen?

Hong Minghu really had the nerve to suggest such a thing.

The mere thought made Jiang Ning feel like it would be a sin.

After a short while.

Led by Yiyi, Jiang Ning arrived at a pavilion over the water.

Surrounded by the cool, flowing lake water, the pavilion was also filled with a refreshing chill.

"Indeed, a nice place! No wonder the Moon Residence charges so much!" Jiang Ning nodded slightly, whispering to himself.

"Young Master Jiang, please wait here a moment; Sister Feng has just come back from outside and is bathing, so she will need some time."

"No worries, I'm not in a hurry!" said Jiang Ning.

He then patiently waited.

He knew from his past life just how slow it could be for a woman to bathe.

However.

In only slightly more than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Feng Jiuge appeared in his sight.

She was completely different from how she had appeared on the stage just earlier.

Her form-fitting red attire made her look tall and exquisite, with very good proportions.

Her regular martial arts training also contributed to an excellent figure.

Without the hindrance of leather armor, her body was on full display.

Her hair was no longer in the high ponytail of before, full of a valiant and heroic air.

Instead, it hung loose over her shoulders, with droplets of water still collecting and falling among her strands.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Feng Jiuge spoke.

Jiang Ning stood up, "It wasn't long."

The two of them took their seats.

"Care for a drink?" Feng Jiuge asked.

"Sure!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Feng Jiuge gave a slight nod upon hearing his answer.

Then, as she poured drinks for both, she asked, "Young Master Jiang, did you win just now?"

"Luckily, I managed to take it down!"

"Congratulations!" Feng Jiuge spoke, and then said, "There's no such thing as luck here. To grab the sole position of Deputy Commander from among more than ten captains, it takes skill, not luck."

Saying this, Feng Jiuge fixed her gaze on Jiang Ning for a while.

"Why does Miss Feng look at me this way?" Jiang Ning inquired.

Only then did Feng Jiuge take her eyes off him, raising her wine cup towards Jiang Ning as a gesture.

After the two clinked glasses, Feng Jiuge said, "I wonder if there are vacancies under your command, Deputy Commander?"

"Yes, there definitely are!" Jiang Ning responded at once.

Feng Jiuge asked, "Would you welcome me into your ranks, Commander Jiang?"

"Most welcome!"