Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Chengtian Hall.

At the banquet.

Xie Xun’s proclamation still echoed.

"King Luoshui Jiang Ning, shall not bow upon entering the court, shall tread upon the hall with sword and shoes, shall be granted a seat, and meet the ruler without naming."

"A Luoshui Royal Mansion may be established in the Royal Capital, and all ceremonial regalia and subordinate officials within the mansion shall be allocated according to the highest standards."

"Grant of one hundred thousand taels of gold, a hundred pairs of jade bi-disks, a thousand bolts of celestial weave, and a residence."

"The original Li River palace, from today onwards, shall be transformed into the Luoshui Royal Mansion, bestowed upon King Luoshui."

"Additionally, King Luoshui may independently establish a private army, with no limits on size, up to ten thousand men, all provisions and armaments shall be supplied by the court."

Reading this, Xie Xun put down the imperial decree, his voice slightly trembling.

He had witnessed rewards, but rewards of such magnitude, in all his decades of life, he had never seen before.

This was essentially elevating Jiang Ning’s status to being nearly equal to that of the current Holy Emperor.

Even Side-by-Side King Ji Xuan paled in comparison to Jiang Ning.

Particularly the line "independently establish a private army, no limits on size," which effectively granted Jiang Ning absolute power within his territory!

Jiang Ning remained calm after hearing all the rewards.

He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed: "Minister, thanks to the Holy Emperor’s benevolent grace."

His voice was steady, without the slightest excitement or panic.

He had long known that once the new emperor ascended the throne, there would certainly be rewards.

And the achievements he made in supporting the new emperor would inevitably bring corresponding rewards.

He also knew that Ji Minghao was a smart person.

But he did not expect Ji Minghao to be so magnanimous.

King Luoshui, domain of four counties, tread upon the hall with sword and shoes, exempt from bowing in court, independently establish a private army...

These rewards had elevated him to the peak of the Great Xia Court.

Moreover, the wealth rewards were considerable, providing immediate assistance.

But he was also aware that the heavier the reward, the more eyes would be watching him.

Yet, now he has little care for debts, with enough attention already, some more wouldn’t matter.

"King Luoshui need not perform greetings in the future, for I owe my current state entirely to King Luoshui’s merit!" Ji Minghao personally rose from the dragon throne, descended the imperial steps, his voice sincere and earnest, "Brother Jiang has granted me the favor of rebirth. This mere reward is insufficient for gratitude. Should Brother Jiang require anything in the future, I shall exert my utmost to fulfill it."

These words fell upon all present like a heavy hammer!

In front of Jiang Ning, the current Holy Emperor only used "my" as a reference.

Moreover, under the eyes of all, he addressed Jiang Ning as a friend rather than ruler and subject, which is a high honor indeed!

Everyone understood that after today, King Luoshui Jiang Ning’s position in the court would be unshakable!

Yet some were more aware that perhaps soon, Jiang Ning would be akin to that Martial Saint.

At this age, reaching this point, ranked second under heaven.

No one can predict where he will ultimately go from here.

But it is certain that unless something extraordinary happens, soon there will be only one second under heaven, not six.

Thus, they also understood why the current Holy Emperor would grant such honor to Jiang Ning.

The first person in over eight hundred years.

Should he truly reach that level, he would be another figure to suppress the world for over eight hundred years.

At this moment.

Jiang Ning calmly met Ji Minghao’s gaze: "The Holy Emperor’s profound affection, I shall remember always."

Their eyes met, and Ji Minghao smiled.

Afterward, the reward ceremony ended, and the banquet resumed, with music filling the air once more.

Jiang Ning returned to his seat, playing with the newly granted Luoshui King’s Seal in hand, its jade smooth and warm, the seal carved in the form of a kylin holding the sun.

On the bottom, inscribed were the words "Luoshui King’s Seal" with bold and dynamic strokes, like dragons flying and phoenixes dancing.

He glanced toward Ji Minghao on the dragon throne, who was quietly conversing with Shen Mengyun, occasionally raising a cup, portraying a harmonious scene of ruler and minister.

Yet Jiang Ning knew that today’s reward was merely the beginning of a future grand play.

Having reached this stage, he knew his danger is increasing.

In the world, who would willingly see him climb to that height?

He was very aware that today, whether it be Ku Hai or the Qingxu Temple Master, coming here to challenge him was not simple or pure.

He also understood that as he continues to grow, no matter what he does, he cannot change the inevitable events soon to happen.

The day the Martial Saint passes, no one will protect him anymore.

At that time, he will eventually face the impending crises.

Even if he has endured and hidden his strength during this period, it will make no difference on that future day.

He will still face these crises.

And continuous endurance means he will be disconnected from many resources.

He now needs to continue growing, and requires a vast amount of resources and wealth to quickly enhance his own strength.

Because he had long thought this through, he perceived the recent incident in Chengqian Palace and acted hastily.

Supporting Ji Minghao to power was both a repayment for his former friend’s aid and the most advantageous choice for him.

As with this reward, whether it be the king position or those privileges and the formation of a private army, he does not take them seriously.

In a world where great power rests in the individual, no matter how large an army, for someone at his level, it is of little significance.

If the army were useful, Ji Minghao wouldn’t be sitting on the throne.

What truly matters to him are the hundred thousand taels of gold, the hundred pairs of jade bi-disks, the thousand bolts of celestial weave, the residence.

These things are wealth that could buy him Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to enhance his power.

Aside from the residence that belongs to him now, Li River palace.

Li River palace, let alone no one daring to purchase this residence belonging to the master of Great Xia.