Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Dongling City.

Between Hedong and West River, there is only a suspension bridge two zhang wide connecting them.

Below the suspension bridge is the Nu River that divides the entire Dongling City into two.

The Nu River is named for its furious nature due to the exceedingly turbulent waves, swift undercurrents, and numerous hidden reefs.

The river is filled with foamy, snow-white waves.

Walking on the suspension bridge, even during the dry season of the Grotto Heaven, one can still hear the unusually rapid waves crashing against the rocks and cliffs beneath the feet.

Faced with the hard rocks and cliffs, the waves instantly break into frothy snow-like foam.

Jiang Ning glanced at the magnificent city walls ahead and couldn't help but secretly marvel at the strategic advantage of Hedong's terrain.

Dongling City, as the name suggests, is located in the hilly areas.

It is built based on the naturally strategic terrain.

The turbulence of the Nu River makes any attack from the water route on the East District almost impossible.

And there is only that two zhang wide suspension bridge connecting the East District.

Once the suspension bridge is raised, there is no entry into the city.

Moreover, the East District also has a city wall as high as twenty zhang, built on the dangerous terrain along the riverside.

Such a height of the city wall is said to be impassable even for birds.

Only in a feudal environment where individual greatness is attributed to oneself can this be achieved.

Jiang Ning crossed the three zhang wide suspension bridge, paid the entry fee at the city gate to enter the East District, before stepping into this land worth its weight in gold.

...

Walking on the wide road.

"Selling freshly baked cakes, selling freshly baked cakes..."

"Selling bean curd, Dongshi family's bean curd..."

"Grilled kidneys, women's favorite, men's prowess..."

"..."

Walking in the bustling market of the East District, listening to the shouts echoing in his ears, Jiang Ning suddenly felt as if he had returned to the Inner City of Luoshui County.

Then, smelling the aroma of scallions wafting to his nose, he couldn't help but salivate a little.

"Boss, give me two cakes!"

"Alright!!"

"Thirty wen in total!!"

"So expensive?" Jiang Ning frowned slightly.

He was well aware of the prices.

Last year in Luoshui County, even during a slight rise in grain prices, it was only five wen for two.

Though this is the County of Dongling, where prices are generally higher than in the county, tripling the price still seemed a bit outrageous.

According to his understanding, ordinary families working hard, doing day labor earn only about twenty to thirty wen a day.

In other words, working hard for a day could buy only one to two cakes.

This seemed quite absurd to him.

"You're from outside, aren't you?" the cake seller opened his mouth.

"That's right, just arrived in Dongling City!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"No wonder!" the cake seller said with a smile: "The terrain of Dongling City is unfavorable, so most of the grain is imported, leading to increased costs. Then again, this is the East District, as you know, the goods here are generally sold at a higher price than in the West District, due to stall fees, entry fees which are also an expense."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded, understanding in his heart.

He then took out about half a tael of broken silver from his Sumeru Ring.

"No need to give change!" Leaving the broken silver, Jiang Ning took the cakes wrapped in oiled paper and headed toward the address Bai Luoyu had given him earlier.

"Thank you, kind sir! Thank you, kind sir!!" The cake seller grabbed the broken silver and bowed repeatedly towards Jiang Ning's departing figure.

Half a tael of broken silver is equal to five hundred wen.

It equals nearly half a month's hard-earned money from selling cakes at the stall.

Along the way.

Jiang Ning, holding the oiled paper, bit into the cake, heading toward the address Bai Luoyu had given him earlier.

Before coming to Dongling City, he was already thoroughly familiar with the city's map, and it was deeply memorized in his mind.

Marching forward, the terrain gradually ascended.

...

Bai Mansion.

Looking at the gilded plaque with two words ahead.

"This should be the place!" Jiang Ning glanced at the nearby restaurant and thought silently.

Above the Clouds.

It is the name of that restaurant.

And it's a landmark in Hedong of Dongling City.

This was also the location Bai Luoyu had informed him beforehand.

At the same time.

Outside Bai Mansion, the two sword-wielding guards at the gate instantly raised their spirits as they saw Jiang Ning approach.

"Halt!"

One of them gestured for Jiang Ning to stop with his sword's scabbard.

Jiang Ning cupped his hands: "I am Jiang Ning of Luoshui County, may I trouble you to inform Brother Bai that I have come to visit him!"

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged glances.

"Brother Bai!" one of them muttered orally with slightly parted lips.

The other nodded slightly.

He then looked at Jiang Ning: "This esteemed guest, please wait a moment; Mr. Bai should still be awake, I will notify him right away!"

After saying this, the man turned and stepped over the threshold, hurrying towards the inner courtyard.

The title that Jiang Ning had just uttered made him not dare to ignore it.

To address Master Bai as a brother either showed someone without sense or a truly influential person.

He didn't dare to gamble.

Watching the figure of the man who went to inform Bai, Jiang Ning stood patiently waiting.

In just a moment.

Before the Guardian Martial Master who went to notify could return, Bai Luoyu's figure appeared in Jiang Ning's sight.

In the blink of an eye, Bai Luoyu crossed the spacious front yard and appeared at the gate.

"Brother Jiang!!" A look of joy suddenly appeared on Bai Luoyu's face, like a spring breeze.

"Brother Bai, I've come to disturb you today!" Jiang Ning clasped his hands with a smile.

"What are you saying!" Bai Luoyu stepped over the threshold, taking a few steps to reach Jiang Ning.

Though his steps were large, they were not awkward at all.

"Come, let's go have a drink; I'll give you a welcome banquet!!" Bai Luoyu grabbed Jiang Ning by the sleeve and pulled him towards the mansion.