Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Royal Capital.

In front of Dongling Marquis Mansion.

Jiang Ning paused his steps, looking up at the high hanging plaque of the mansion, his thoughts still drifting.

Today’s battle at Chengqian Palace seemed settled, but he understood the undercurrents had not subsided.

Ji Xuan was forced to close his doors, the Beicang King left with his son, who was also injured by him.

Jiang Ning could see that the Beicang King wasn’t a magnanimous person.

Also, he noticed there were some issues with Divine Might King’s attitude.

Although Ji Minghao ascended as the new emperor, his foundation was weak, with only Shen Xiao supporting the future Empress’s lineage.

"Time..." Jiang Ning murmured to himself, stepping forward to knock on the mansion’s door.

Thud, thud, thud—

The three consecutive knocks reverberated far in the quiet morning.

A moment later.

"Who’s there?" A crisp girl’s voice called from the gate.

"It’s me!" Jiang Ning replied.

"It’s, Young Master!!" The voice behind the door suddenly became joyful.

Jiang Ning knew this voice well, it was Lv Yi’s.

After a brief silence, footsteps appeared at the gate.

Soon after, the door latch fell, and a girl in a green dress appeared in Jiang Ning’s view.

Under the morning sunlight, a faint warm glow enveloped her head.

"It’s really Young Master!!" Seeing the figure outside the door, Lv Yi’s eyes brightened.

"Of course, it’s me!" Jiang Ning smiled.

Then he stepped over the threshold, casually ruffling Lv Yi’s hair.

"Has anything happened at home these days?"

"No!" Lv Yi shook her head, then added: "Everything’s great!"

"That’s good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

He walked towards the front yard.

Just like always.

Lv Yi followed behind, closing the door and securing the latch.

The next moment.

A small figure came rushing forward.

"Uncle! It’s Uncle!!"

Watching the bouncing little figure, Jiang Ning smiled and squatted down.

Soon, Little Dumpling pounced into his arms.

He picked her up, letting Little Dumpling sit on his right arm.

"Have you been well-behaved these days?" Jiang Ning pinched her tiny nose with his left hand.

"Yes!" Little Dumpling nodded enthusiastically and said, "Very well-behaved!"

"Not bad!" Jiang Ning nodded in approval.

"Does Uncle have a reward for Little Dumpling?" As she spoke, Little Dumpling eagerly looked at Jiang Ning.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning paused slightly, then smiled and brushed her nose.

"Of course!"

With those words.

At Li’s Bakery on Vermilion Bird Street, a Pear Blossom Cake was being automatically packed.

Witnessing this scene, a few people expressed astonishment.

The next moment.

The packed Pear Blossom Cake disappeared into thin air, replaced by a silver ingot.

In Dongling Marquis Mansion.

Jiang Ning opened his hand, and the packed Pear Blossom Cake instantly appeared on his open left palm, still steaming lightly with its sweet fragrance wafting in the air.

"Wow—!" Little Dumpling widened her eyes, watching the magical scene, clapping her hands in joy, "Uncle is amazing!"

With a thought, Jiang Ning allowed the packed Pear Blossom Cake to unfold, and it floated gently before Little Dumpling: "Here’s your promised reward."

Little Dumpling reached out to take it, eagerly biting a small piece, her eyes squinting in satisfaction, murmuring, "Thank you, Uncle!"

Jiang Ning smiled, holding Little Dumpling as he moved forward.

Lv Yi followed behind him.

Passing through the front yard, just around the corner, he stopped.

"Ah Ning!!" Liuu Wanwan looked at Jiang Ning with a face full of surprise and joy.

"Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning greeted with a smile.

Then he acted as he did earlier, causing expensive fabric from a textile shop to disappear and be replaced by a gold ingot.

"Sister-in-law, this is a gift for you!" Jiang Ning said.

A shimmering bolt of cloud brocade quietly appeared beside Liuu Wanwan at the corridor post.

The brocade shone with soft twilight hues under the morning light, its patterns delicate as intertwining clouds and water.

"It’s, cloud brocade!" Liuu Wanwan’s expression froze in disbelief.

"Indeed!" Jiang Ning nodded, "I guessed sister-in-law would like it! You’ve worked hard managing the household, this fabric is perfect for tailoring a new dress."

"Ah Ning, thank you!" Liuu Wanwan said, touched.

"Sister-in-law, no need to be polite!" Jiang Ning said.

"Ah Ning, just now, the palace side..." Liuu Wanwan hesitantly started.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning calmly answered: "It’s alright, the imperial throne battle is settled, each Prince accepts his fate."

Then, he concisely recounted the changes at Chengqian Palace, notifying Liuu Wanwan that the imperial throne dispute was decided, with only Ji Minghao and Ji Mingyuan remaining as Princes, avoiding mentioning the bloody details.

After he summarized the events.

Plop.

Tears fell to the ground, breaking silently.

Jiang Ning turned his head.

Ji Mingyue stood at the corridor corner, looking sorrowful, tears brimming in her eyes.

"My brothers... they’ve all..." Ji Mingyue met Jiang Ning’s gaze, her expression even sadder.

Jiang Ning nodded.

He knew he had to inform Ji Mingyue sooner or later.

Revealing it unintentionally, in this way, was a sort of closure.

"Really only Eight Brother... and Fifth Brother left?" She asked again, unwilling to believe what she’d just heard, hoping for a denial from Jiang Ning, even if it was deceptive.

Jiang Ning looked at Ji Mingyue full of tears and sighed silently.

Then he walked a few steps forward, patting her head.

"Last night the palace experienced a change, several Princes met unfortunate ends, now, Eighth Prince has been confirmed by Martial Saint to inherit the throne. Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan, having failed in conduct, will be confined."

Ji Mingyue heard the "Eighth Prince" would ascend, her gaze slightly wavered, showing a hint of relief.

Yet immediately, this relief was engulfed by overwhelming grief.