Dinner Table.
Yang Zong, who had come with Chief Feng, poured wine for everyone at the table.
Then, Chief Feng spoke up. "Brother Li, the main reason I came today is about the compensation for your injury."
Compensation?
Hearing these words, Jiang Li's expression turned serious.
At this moment, Chief Feng rummaged through his clothes and pulled out a silver note from his pocket.
He continued, "Brother Li, this is the compensation issued by the higher-ups."
"You were injured in the line of duty, so you deserve this hundred taels of silver."
"It took until today to get it to you. My apologies!"
Jiang Li quickly took the silver note from Chief Feng, his face lighting up with joy.
"Chief Feng, you're too kind. I'm already very satisfied to receive this hundred taels of compensation!"
Then, Jiang Li raised his wine cup.
"Chief Feng, I toast to you! Thank you for today. This compensation has solved my urgent needs!"
Chief Feng also raised his cup and lightly clinked it with Jiang Li's, taking a small sip. His brow furrowed slightly.
Meanwhile, Jiang Li downed his cup in one go, the wine flowing down his throat and into his stomach.
He let out a satisfied "ah" and then exhaled deeply.
"Refreshing!"
In the next moment, he noticed that Chief Feng's cup was still almost full.
"Chief Feng, is the wine not to your liking?"
"It's fine," Chief Feng replied perfunctorily.
Then, he picked up the wine jug and poured himself another full cup.
He raised his cup to Jiang Ning and said, "Young Jiang Ning, I apologize for not taking better care of your brother, which led to his injury in the line of duty."
"This cup is my apology."
"I'll finish it. You can drink as you please!"
With that, he tilted his head back and drank the entire cup, his throat moving as the wine went down.
After a couple of breaths, he made a face and let out a sound of discomfort.
"Ugh"
At the same time, Jiang Ning took a small sip.
Then, he shook his head slightly.
This wine wasn't great!
No wonder Chief Feng had such a displeased expression.
For someone of his status to drink such low-quality wine was indeed a hardship!
It seemed Shen Congyun's influence was even greater than Jiang Ning had imagined.
If it weren't for Shen Congyun, with Chief Feng's position as a ninth-rank martial official of the Great Xia, how could he possibly treat Jiang Ning with such respect today?
Jiang Ning understood clearly.
He knew that all of this was due to Shen Congyun's influence.
On the other side, Jiang Li spoke up.
"Chief Feng, you're too kind. It was my lack of skill that led to my injury."
At this moment, Jiang Ning set down his cup and spoke calmly.
"This matter has little to do with Chief Feng. The root cause of my brother's injury lies elsewhere."
Chief Feng felt relieved. "Young Jiang Ning, as expected of someone favored by Deputy Tower Master Shen. You see things. With Deputy Tower Master Shen's support, you're destined to soar to great heights in the future."
Hearing this, Jiang Li grinned from ear to ear.
In his eyes, praise for Jiang Ning was even more satisfying than praise for himself.
As the elder brother, one of his greatest wishes was to see his younger brother succeed.
Although this wish hadn't been fully realized yet, it was almost certain now.
After all, Jiang Ning had gained the favor of someone as influential as Deputy Tower Master Shen.
In all the years of Luoshui County, this was the first time such a thing had happened.
Jiang Li also understood that Chief Feng's respectful attitude today was entirely due to Jiang Ning.
After a few rounds of drinks, Chief Feng left with Yang Zong.
Jiang Ning and Jiang Li walked them to the door.
Watching Chief Feng and Yang Zong leave, Jiang Li grinned.
"Little brother, today I benefited from your influence! That's why such good things happened."
Jiang Ning said, "I'm just benefiting from Deputy Tower Master Shen's influence."
Jiang Li shook his head. "Don't say that! You earned Deputy Tower Master Shen's favor through your hard work and talent!"
"Luoshui County is so big, and there are so many talented young people. Why didn't any of them catch Deputy Tower Master Shen's eye?"
Jiang Ning smiled. "It's just luck."
"There's no such thing as luck!" Jiang Li said.
Then, he carefully pulled out the silver note Chief Feng had given him earlier.
"Finally, the compensation has arrived!"
Jiang Ning asked, "What does Big Brother plan to do with this money?"
Jiang Li thought for a moment. "Chief Feng said there's no rush to repay the debt. I plan to buy your sister-in-law some new clothes later. She's suffered a lot these past few days."
"Then I'll give you fifty taels."
"You're practicing martial arts. Without money to buy supplements and meat, you'll ruin your health."
Jiang Ning immediately shook his head. "Big brother, don't worry about me. Now that I've gained Deputy Tower Master Shen's favor, do you think I lack such a small amount of money?"
"That's true!" Jiang Li suddenly realized and laughed. "I underestimated you, little brother! With Deputy Tower Master Shen's status as the head of Wanhua Tower, you don't lack such a small amount of money!"
Meanwhile.
After Chief Feng and Yang Zong disappeared around the corner.
"Pah! Pah! Pah!!"
Chief Feng spat out the bitter taste in his mouth.
"Chief Feng, what's wrong?" Yang Zong quickly supported him.
"This wine is terrible! It's so cheap!" Chief Feng complained.
"Then why did you drink so much of it?" Yang Zong asked.
After spitting out the bitterness, Chief Feng straightened up.
"I had no choice! Jiang Ning was there."
"That person has gained Deputy Tower Master Shen's favor. As long as nothing unexpected happens, he'll become a big shot in the future far above me."
"So today, no matter what, I had to show him some respect."
Hearing this, Yang Zong was stunned.
"Chief Feng, is... is it that serious?"
Chief Feng said, "Of course it is! Who is Deputy Tower Master Shen? The people he favors are extraordinary!"
"You should know, he's been in Luoshui County for several years now. In all that time, none of the countless talents in the county caught his eye."
"But Jiang Ning is the first."
"Deputy Tower Master Shen was willing to violate Wanhua Tower's rules to help him. That shows how much he values Jiang Ning."
"Now that Jiang Ning has Deputy Tower Master Shen's support, it's no exaggeration to say that he'll at least reach the eighth or even seventh rank of martial arts in the future, or even higher."
Yang Zong's mouth hung open.
"That... that's something!"
"Not an exaggeration at all!" Chief Feng continued. "Before, I ignored Jiang Li. Today, I had to make amends and apologize, so as not to earn the resentment of such a talented individual."
After lunch.
Jiang Ning decided not to return to the martial hall and instead continued practicing his fist techniques in the fenced courtyard.
The reason he stayed was that he planned to go to the city gate that evening to see Shen Congyun.
From what he knew, Shen Congyun would leave Luoshui County through the east gate that night, heading to the prefectural city of Guangning.
The east gate was in the direction of his current location, which was why he had taken the opportunity to visit his family.
Before long, night fell.
The cold moonlight shone down.
Jiang Ning stood alone at the city gate, waiting quietly.
When a figure appeared in his line of sight, his eyes narrowed slightly.
A moment later.
"Greetings, Master!" Jiang Ning said respectfully.
Wang Jin smiled. "Good kid, you came without saying a word."
Jiang Ning said, "Deputy Tower Master Shen has helped me so much. Since I learned he was leaving, how could I not come to see him off? This is the least I can do."
"It's rare to see such thoughtfulness!" Wang Jin looked at Jiang Ning with a soft expression.
Just then, the two of them saw a luxurious carriage appear at the end of the street.
The carriage moved at a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow.
"It's Wanhua Tower's carriage!" Wang Jin's eyes narrowed. "Deputy Tower Master Shen must be inside."
Meanwhile.
In a restaurant by the street.
Cao Bin stood by the window, quietly watching the street.
In just a few days, the injuries on his body were no longer visible.
"The news was correct! Deputy Tower Master Shen is leaving Luoshui County tonight."
At the same time, pairs of eyes from the buildings along the street secretly watched the carriage.
A figure like Shen Congyun, with every move he made, could affect the entire Luoshui County.
Especially after he had intervened a few days ago to stop the conflict between the Cao family and Wang Jin, he had attracted the attention of the entire county.
A moment later, the carriage arrived at the city gate.
The curtain was swept aside, and Jiang Ning saw a stunning and noble face inside.
"Greetings, Deputy Tower Master Lin!" Jiang Ning said respectfully.
Lin Qingyi nodded slightly at Jiang Ning.
Wang Jin also greeted her. "So it's Deputy Tower Master Lin. I thought it was Brother Shen."
Lin Qingyi said, "You're not wrong. Shen Congyun is here."
As soon as she finished speaking, the front curtain of the carriage was swept aside.
Shen Congyun's figure appeared before the two of them.
"Why are you two here?" Shen Congyun asked from the carriage, slightly surprised.
Lin Qingyi then jumped out of the carriage.
Jiang Ning cupped his hands and said, "Deputy Tower Master Shen has done me a great favor. Because of me, you violated Wanhua Tower's rules and must go to the headquarters in Guangning Prefecture to face punishment."
"I am powerless to do anything for you, Deputy Tower Master Shen. The least I can do is come here to see you off and express my gratitude."
Lin Qingyi glanced at Jiang Ning and smiled gently. "You're not a bad kid."
Shen Congyun also smiled. "It's good that you have this intention! Grow stronger quickly and show everyone that my judgment is correct. That will be the greatest help to me."
Jiang Ning nodded solemnly. "I understand! I will not disappoint your expectations."
"Good!" Shen Congyun nodded with satisfaction. "As for this trip, don't worry or feel guilty. I won't face any serious punishment in the prefectural city."
"It's just that I won't be able to return to Luoshui County for a while."
"Without my deterrence, you must be careful of the Cao family. Stay vigilant!"
Wang Jin, standing nearby, said confidently, "Brother Shen, don't worry. With me here, the Cao family won't dare go too far!"
Shen Congyun nodded. "That's true. Cao Rong left Luoshui County before me to return to his camp in Dongling City. Without Cao Rong, the Cao family has lost their strongest member. You have the right to say that."
"But Brother Wang, you must be careful of Cao Rong. He's already reached a high level. From what I know, it won't be long before he breaks through to the sixth rank."
"Once he reaches the sixth rank, in Luoshui County, he'll be on par with the county magistrate."
"Cao Rong can reach the sixth rank?" Wang Jin's eyes widened in shock.
Shen Congyun nodded. "Yes! It should happen within a year or two. Once he reaches the sixth rank, even I won't be able to ignore him."
"No wonder he was so arrogant back then! He does have the capital to be arrogant!" Wang Jin nodded. "A sixth-rank expert if he succeeds, he'll be the first in Luoshui County in over a decade."
Shen Congyun then turned to Jiang Ning.
"Even with your master here, you must not let your guard down. No one can protect you forever. In the end, you can only rely on yourself! Remember, strength is the foundation of everything!"
Jiang Ning nodded. "Deputy Tower Master Shen, you can rest assured. I understand!"
Shen Congyun nodded again, then said, "Once your qi and blood reach perfection, go find Lin Qingyi. I've left a gift for you. If possible, you should join the Inspection Bureau. If not this year, then next year."
"Joining the Inspection Bureau is one of your best options. It's also the best place for you to train."
"Compared to the resources of the Inspection Bureau, even the sects in Guangning Prefecture pale in comparison."
"Moreover, the early stages of establishing a new bureau will bring many opportunities. If you can seize those opportunities, they will be crucial for your future."
After giving his final advice, Shen Congyun turned and boarded the carriage.
"In the future, I hope to hear good news from you!"
Shen Congyun stood on the carriage, turned to Jiang Ning, and said one last thing before entering the carriage.
"Giddy up"
At Shen Congyun's signal, the coachman cracked his whip.
In the next moment, the carriage began to move, kicking up dust as it carried Shen Congyun out of the city.
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