Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Even if someone dares to buy, no one can afford that price.

At this moment, he was playing with the Luoshui King’s Seal in his hand, various thoughts interwoven in his mind.

"What is Brother Jiang Ning thinking about?"

A clear voice interrupted his thoughts.

The one who spoke was Ji Mingyue, dressed in a golden-red gown.

"Nothing!" Jiang Ning shook his head, gathering his thoughts.

He looked at Ji Mingyue, whose tear stains on her face had been wiped away, but the corners of her eyes still retained a hint of redness.

She forced a smile: "Congratulations, Brother Jiang Ning, on becoming King Luoshui."

Seeing Ji Mingyue’s forced smile, Jiang Ning put down the seal and spoke gently: "I’ve seen everything about Ji Mingyuan..."

"No need to speak." Ji Mingyue shook her head, then picked up the wine cup Jiang Ning had just drunk from, took a large sip, the wine sliding down her fair neck, her face turning crimson red, yet she paid no mind.

"The struggle for imperial power has always been this way since ancient times. My fifth brother chose this path, he should have expected this outcome. As for my eighth brother... well! He has also risen to the position he once pursued, and henceforth, he is the current Holy Emperor, Emperor Jinghe."

She paused, her gaze falling on Jiang Ning’s face, carrying a bit of seriousness: "Brother Jiang Ning, promise me one thing, will you?"

"Please, speak." Jiang Ning replied.

Ji Mingyue glanced at Ji Minghao on the imperial throne, then withdrew her gaze, looking at Jiang Ning: "If one day, my eighth brother harbors a murderous intent towards you... Please, spare him a life."

Jiang Ning was silent for a moment, not expecting Ji Mingyue to say such words.

After pondering for a long time, he slowly nodded: "As long as he doesn’t strike at me first, I won’t act against him."

Ji Mingyue gave him a deep look, breaking into a smile, with a measure of relief and bitterness in that smile: "With Brother Jiang Ning’s word, I am relieved."

The banquet continued until the afternoon, and all the officials dispersed happily.

...

In front of the Vermilion Bird Gate.

The flow of carriages and people gradually dispersed, each official ascending their carriage returning to their mansions.

The sky was also beginning to darken, with dusk setting in.

Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue walked side by side to the gate, behind them the towering palace walls and deepening dusk.

In front of them were the carriages filled with goods.

On the carriages were today’s rewards.

Gold, jade plaques, divine textiles, all on the carriages.

Ji Mingyue stopped walking, her gown of gold and red gently swayed in the wind, the dust on the hem not yet brushed off.

She turned her head slightly to look at Jiang Ning: "Brother Jiang Ning, I won’t accompany you back to the mansion today."

Jiang Ning stopped, turning his head to glance at her.

Ji Mingyue’s voice was calm, without much emotional fluctuation: "The funeral rites for Fifth Brother still require my attention. Although he had ambitions and made mistakes in life, he is ultimately my brother. In death, like a lamp extinguished, I cannot let him depart too coldly."

After saying this, she forced a smile again, seemingly trying to hide something.

Jiang Ning was silent for a moment, not urging her but nodded gently: "Alright. If you need anything, just send someone to my mansion."

"Hmm." Ji Mingyue answered, her gaze fixed on Jiang Ning’s face, with a hint of earnestness and solemnity, "It’s good news that Brother Jiang Ning was crowned king today. Henceforth, in the Royal Capital, you should have your own grandeur and presence. Don’t let my trivial matters delay your proper affairs."

He looked at her eyes which still held a trace of red, saying nothing, but patted her head.

He knew that, amid the upheaval within the imperial family, Ji Mingyue was one of those suffering the most.

Ji Mingyue’s nature was pure and good; those princes who died were all her brothers, her family.

"Alright then, I’m heading back. Take care during your days in the Imperial Palace, if anything happens, remember to send someone with a message."

"Okay." Ji Mingyue nodded heavily.

Jiang Ning looked at her deeply once more, saying no more, turning to the carriage parked by the roadside, getting seated.

As the curtain of the carriage fell, through the gaps between the curtains, he saw Ji Mingyue still standing before the Vermilion Bird Gate, her red gown like blood, growing increasingly lonely against the dusk and palace walls.

Compared to before, it seems as if she has suddenly grown a lot, and suddenly no longer likes to laugh.

At this moment, his thoughts surged, eventually turning into a soft sigh.

Afterwards, the carriage slowly started, followed by the carriage carrying his rewards.

Ji Mingyue watched as the royal carriages gradually disappeared at the end of the street. After a long time, she slowly withdrew her gaze.

She took a deep breath and turned to look towards the depths of the palace walls, where the cold corpse of the Fifth Prince, Ji Mingyuan, lay.

...

Dongling Marquis Mansion.

At this moment, the mansion’s gates were already open.

Lv Yi stood at the gate with a lantern, looking toward the street’s end in the twilight, her eyes filled with expectation.

Although Jiang Ning had not yet returned, the news of Jiang Ning being titled King Luoshui had already spread, reaching her ears and the Dongling Marquis Mansion.

Just at this moment.

A carriage appeared in her view.

Then, the outlines of the following carriages also appeared one by one.

Upon seeing this scene, Lv Yi’s eyes instantly lit up, and she stood on tiptoe to look farther.

When the carriages came closer, Lv Yi could not help but step forward to greet them.

Subsequently, the leading carriage slowly stopped in front of her.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Jiang Ning, dressed in a black robe with the Luoshui King’s Seal at his waist, stepped down from the carriage in the dusk.

Lv Yi quickly came forward, her voice carrying a hint of excitement: "Young Master... No, Your Highness! You have returned!"

At this moment, her eyes were filled with joy and pride: "Congratulations, Young Master, on being titled King!"

Jiang Ning smiled: "Still, calling me Young Master sounds better to my ears."

"That won’t do, proprieties must not be discarded." Lv Yi said this, but her eyes were even more filled with laughter.

Jiang Ning was about to step into the mansion when he heard footsteps from the courtyard. Several figures emerged from the inner courtyard to greet him.

Leading them was Jiang Li.

With a tall stature and rugged features, he exuded a strong, sunny disposition.

Behind him was his sister-in-law Liuu Wanwan, holding Little Dumpling. Little Dumpling looked at Jiang Ning with excitement.

The slender Zhong Ling wore a simple and elegant long dress, showcasing her fresh and refined charm. When looking at Jiang Ning, she slightly raised her chin.

Jiang Li stepped forward, his gaze lingering on him for a moment, sizing him up from head to toe, and then grinned: "You’re back?"

"I’m back." Jiang Ning nodded.

Jiang Li didn’t say much by way of courtesy, just reached out and heavily patted his shoulder: "Good."

At this moment, his mouth had already spread into a broad grin, and his eyes were full of satisfaction.

This "good" word contained comfort, pride, and a sense of achievement...

Liuu Wanwan approached with Little Dumpling in her arms and said with a smile: "Ah Ning, come, let’s go eat first. We’ve just prepared a table of food and drink, and Brother Li says we won’t stop until we’re drunk tonight!"

"No hurry!" Jiang Ning smiled and then turned to look behind him, where several carriages laden with rewards had stopped.

He gestured with his hand, and the accompanying palace staff hurriedly stepped forward, unloading the chests from the carriages, arranging them neatly in the courtyard.

The chests were opened one by one, revealing gold, bank notes, jade discs, and celestial cloth. In the twilight and lantern glow, they reflected a soft and luxurious luster.

Liuu Wanwan walked closer with Little Dumpling, looking at the rewards stacked like small hills. Her eyes flashed with amazement, but she showed no greed: "Ah Ning, are these the gifts from today’s Holy Emperor?"

"Yes." Jiang Ning nodded, his gaze falling on the rolls of fabric with a gentle luster and faint cloud patterns.

He casually picked up a roll, the texture light as nothing yet dense and resilient, exuding a sense of transcendent elegance.

"This is celestial cloth—the imperial family’s exclusive fabric, crafted exceptionally well. It’s said to be thin as cicada wings once woven, warm in winter, cool in summer, and dust-resistant. Even the wealthiest ordinary families would find it hard to obtain a single piece despite their riches."

He handed the roll of celestial cloth to Liuu Wanwan: "Sister-in-law, please choose a few pieces along with Lv Yi and Zhong Ling to make garments."

Liuu Wanwan was slightly stunned, then shook her head with a gentle smile: "Ah Ning, this was bestowed upon you by the Holy Emperor, how could I feel at ease..."

"Sister-in-law, there’s no need for distance in your words. I already have more than enough of such worldly possessions, so these fabrics are just sitting around otherwise." Jiang Ning’s tone was calm but carried a sense of irrefutable generosity, "Besides, you’ve been managing the manor’s affairs every day—it’s about time you add some fitting attire to your wardrobe."

Lv Yi, standing nearby, lit up at these words but held back, daring not to move first, only secretly glancing at Liuu Wanwan.

Zhong Ling maintained her aloof demeanor, yet her gaze lingered briefly on the celestial cloth, showing subtle interest, though she said nothing.

Liuu Wanwan looked at Jiang Ning, then at the wide-eyed and curious Little Dumpling gazing at the beautiful fabrics, and nodded: "Well then, since it’s your uncle’s sentiment, I won’t decline. Lv Yi, Zhong Ling, come choose as well! Ah Ning has spoken, we shouldn’t disappoint his goodwill."