Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

The dawn light broke, the fog gradually dissipated.

A jet-black carriage passed through layers of palace gates and finally stopped on the Han Baiyu Square in front of the Chengtian Hall.

The square was as wide as a mirror, and at this moment was filled with civil and military officials, arranged in neat formations according to their ranks, silent, with only the slight sound of the wind blowing against their ceremonial robes.

The carriage stopped, the curtain was lifted, and Jiang Ning, in a black robe with the East Ling Seal hanging at his waist, stepped gracefully off the carriage.

As soon as he landed, two young maidservants dressed in palace attire came forward to greet him, both possessing gentle features and dignified manners.

The leading maidservant appeared to be just over twenty, with a tall and slender figure, her demeanor clearly having been professionally trained.

She gave Jiang Ning a respectful salute with a clear voice: "By the order of the Holy Emperor, I am here to greet Dongling Marquis. Please follow me, Marquis, your seat has been prepared."

Jiang Ning nodded slightly and followed the maidservant towards the front of the square.

Along the way, many eyes among the previously silent civil and military officials silently turned towards him, with expressions of reverence, curiosity, or scrutiny...

Those gazes seemed tangible, converging on Jiang Ning, but under his calm aura, they quietly scattered, not daring to stay for long.

The events that had occurred in Chengqian Hall a few days earlier had spread throughout every corner of the Royal Capital, with even the commoners having heard of it, let alone these well-informed civil and military officials.

"Dongling Marquis has arrived."

"He’s really young!!"

"..."

Low whispers spread like ripples through the crowd and quickly subsided.

Jiang Ning walked with steady steps, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.

However, in his mind, he was as clear as a mirror, able to distinctly sense the emotions behind those gazes.

There were officials who had just pledged allegiance to the new emperor, eager to show goodwill, those who previously depended on other princes feeling uneasy, and those who were simply in awe and admiration of him.

The two maidservants led him through the formation of officials to an area at the front of the square, right next to the steps of the Chengtian Hall.

Here, over a dozen carved rosewood chairs were set up, each with a little table in front, covered with bright yellow brocade, and laid with tea and fresh fruits.

These seats were evidently reserved for those with the most distinguished status or the most meritorious deeds in court.

Jiang Ning’s seat was the third rosewood chair on the left, neither too forward nor too backward, just right.

"Please have a seat, Marquis." The maidservant respectfully pulled out the chair for him.

Jiang Ning sat down and glanced around.

The first seat on the left was empty, reserved for Regent King Ji Xuan, but he was staying behind closed doors for introspection and naturally wouldn’t attend.

In the second seat sat a slender girl with bone-thin shoulders like blades and a snow-white dress. This girl was none other than the current State Preceptor, Su Qingying. At this moment, she was resting with her eyes closed.

On the first seat on the right, Shen Xiao, dressed in Great General’s court attire and with a long sword at his waist, looked solemn. Seeing Jiang Ning, he nodded slightly in greeting.

The seat beside him was empty, reserved for the Divine Might King, Li Tianwen, but Li Tianwen had not yet arrived.

In the other seats, Jiang Ning also saw familiar figures.

Xiang Yuan the Martial King, Xiao Wuque the Deputy Mansion Master of the Inspection Office, Prime Minister Li, the old blind man from the Observatory whom Jiang Ning still did not know by name, as well as some somewhat familiar princes, dukes, first-grade ministers, and even some he hadn’t met before.

He also knew that for ordinary morning courts, not all the ministers could be present.

But this time was different; it was the new emperor’s ascension, succession to the throne, and the change of era name.

At this moment, as Jiang Ning had just sat down, Su Qingying opened her eyes and when she looked at Jiang Ning, a faint smile inadvertently flashed across her brows.

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded at her.

It had been some time since he last saw Su Qingying, and now looking at her, he felt that her aura was even more clean and pure.

Su Qingying’s gaze on Jiang Ning.

Involuntarily, she moved a little closer to Jiang Ning.

The white skirt edge laid on the ground also slid to the side of Jiang Ning’s feet.

Just at this moment.

A middle-aged man dressed in a second-grade civil official’s court robe walked up from behind, cupped his hands with a smile, and said, "This humble servant is the Minister of Rites, Zhou Wenyuan. I pay respects to Dongling Marquis. I have long heard the Marquis’s great name, and meeting you today is truly the fortune of three lifetimes."

Jiang Ning nodded slightly: "Minister Zhou, you’re too kind."

Zhou Wenyuan beamed, not at all minding that Jiang Ning did not rise to return the salute.

"Marquis’s presence today is indeed the fortune for the new emperor and Great Xia. In the future, Great Xia will need the Marquis’s guidance and care."

As soon as he finished speaking, a brawny man dressed in military attire strode over, his voice booming: "Humble subordinate is Zhao Meng, Deputy Commander of the Forbidden Army. I pay respects to Dongling Marquis! Although I did not witness the events at Chengqian Palace with my own eyes two days ago, I have heard of the Marquis’s divine prowess and admire it greatly!"

Looking at this brawny man, Jiang Ning couldn’t help but size him up.

He wasn’t sure whether, in making such a statement at this time, the Deputy Commander of the Forbidden Army was simply straightforward or if he was using a rough exterior to cover a more profound intention.

Under Jiang Ning’s gaze, the Deputy Commander Zhao Meng felt a bit apprehensive, his palms starting to sweat.

As Deputy Commander of the Forbidden Army, he was more aware of the details of the events that had recently occurred.

Just then, more officials came up to greet him, trying to make themselves known.

Suddenly, many officials stepped forward to pay their respects.

"This humble servant is Li Yannian, Assistant Minister of War, paying respects to the Marquis!"

"This humble subordinate is Sun Zhen, Commander of the Yulin Guard, paying respects to the Marquis!"

"This old servant is Xu Wenyuan, Chief Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, paying respects to Dongling Marquis..."

They knew that after the new emperor’s ascension, the Dongling Marquis before them could not be considered just an ordinary marquis.

It was a merit of aiding the dragon, rather than following the dragon.