Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Marquis Mansion.

Still the study room.

"Marquis!"

"Marquis!"

"..."

Entering the study, seeing the curling smoke, several people saluted Shen Wenyan.

Seeing Jiang Ning and his companions, Shen Wenyan put down the scroll in his hands and stood up.

"Please take a seat first!"

"Thank you, Marquis!" The group expressed their gratitude and sat down one after another.

"Coming to me together today, there must be something!" Shen Wenyan poured tea for Ye Zhengqi, his face showing a faint smile.

"It seems the Marquis already knows!" Ye Zhengqi said.

"It's not knowing, it's guessing!" Shen Wenyan poured tea for Ye Zhengqi as if he were a friend, then poured some for Jiang Ning.

"Marquis, let me do it myself!" Jiang Ning reached out to take the teapot, but Shen Wenyan pulled the pot back and gently shook his head: "No need to be formal, you are one of us, and you have entered the ranks of the Grandmasters. From observing your aura, you should soon be completely stable. Your body's exhaustion should almost be fully recovered, returning to the peak."

"The Marquis has keen insight!" Jiang Ning said.

Shen Wenyan smiled slightly: "Then looked at Bai Luoyu, Master Bai, you must also work hard. According to the records, it was you who discovered Lord Jiang."

At these words, Bai Luoyu smiled bitterly and shook his head: "People can't be compared; I am doing my best, but the path of Martial Arts requires steady progress. To enter the Fourth Grade, it will take at least three to five more months."

"That's quite right!" Shen Wenyan nodded slightly, and without any pretense, poured tea for Bai Luoyu.

He continued: "The path of Martial Arts requires a stable approach to go far. Rashness disrupts one's footing, damages the foundation, and leads to endless troubles."

"Thank you for the guidance, Marquis!" Bai Luoyu said with cupped hands, and added, "Thank you for the tea, Marquis."

Shen Wenyan chuckled, then sat down: "Your father and I had some friendship, so you need not be so polite. By reckoning, you should be my virtuous nephew."

"Uncle Shen!" Bai Luoyu addressed.

Shen Wenyan smiled, and everyone took their seats.

Then.

Shen Wenyan looked at Ye Zhengqi.

"Lord Ye is here because of the Yellow Heaven Sect?" Shen Wenyan asked.

"Yes!" Ye Zhengqi nodded.

"I knew it!" Shen Wenyan said.

"Marquis, there's a problem with the Yellow Heaven Sect! According to the compiled records, in the past six months, that Yellow Heaven Taoist has been moving about suspiciously, clearly plotting something." Ye Zhengqi said.

"Have some tea first!" Shen Wenyan raised his hand gently to indicate.

Seeing this, Ye Zhengqi could only take up his cup.

Looking at the three people before him, Shen Wenyan slowly spoke: "I understand what you mean, the Yellow Heaven Sect and the Yellow Heaven Taoist might have issues, and I am aware of that!"

"However, the fields are currently parched, and if it doesn't rain soon, this year will undoubtedly see a famine outbreak."

"I've also been to the major granaries; after last year's distribution of porridge aid, the remaining grains are less than ten percent. If the fields yield nothing this year, think about how many people there are in Guangning Prefecture, and what a huge problem this is."

Hearing Shen Wenyan's words, Ye Zhengqi fell into silence.

Jiang Ning asked: "Marquis, could this abnormal weather be caused by the Yellow Heaven Sect? If they can pray for rain, they should also have the Taoist skill to prevent rain for months."

Shen Wenyan said: "The few Heavenly Kings of the Yellow Heaven Sect might indeed have that ability, but it's not them doing this. Earlier, that Yellow Heaven Taoist met with the Holy Emperor in the Royal Capital and personally mentioned this matter! As for this ongoing drought, someone is behind it, but who it is, isn't clear."

At this moment.

Ye Zhengqi cut into the conversation, steering it back on track.

"Marquis, the people's livelihood should be of concern to the Prefect, no? Where is that Prefect?"

Hearing this, Shen Wenyan rubbed his temples, appearing somewhat troubled.

"He felt I was meddling too much, wanting to intervene in everything, so he simply lay in bed claiming illness, shirking responsibilities."

"This..." Ye Zhengqi was left speechless.

"But if one day the Yellow Heaven Sect causes unrest in the city, what then?" Ye Zhengqi asked, adding: "The Marquis is aware of how strong the Yellow Heaven Sect's ability is to gather followers! In these times of frequent natural disasters and difficult livelihoods, it's exactly when such cults can easily expand their membership."

"We'll deal with the future when it comes; let's first get through the current hardship!" Shen Wenyan sighed, shaking his head.

"As for this looming threat of the Yellow Heaven Sect, it is beyond my concern; let those high officials in the Royal Capital worry about it! As for Guangning Prefecture, I will do everything I can to ensure the people can survive." He added.

Hearing their conversation, Jiang Ning realized he didn't need to say anything.

After balancing pros and cons, Shen Wenyan also made his decision.

If I were to use Cloud Formation and Rainfall, I wonder how large an area I could cover with rain?

Jiang Ning had a thought.

Soon a notion sprang to mind.

"Gentlemen!" Shen Wenyan looked at Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu.

"Please speak, Marquis!" Jiang Ning responded.

"In a couple of days, a Heavenly King of the Yellow Heaven Sect will be coming to Guangning Prefecture to perform rituals for rain! Since you two are in Guangning City, could you keep an eye on the city's events to prevent any disturbances?"

"No problem!" Jiang Ning replied immediately.

"As you command, Marquis!" Bai Luoyu cupped his hands, not referring to him as Uncle Shen as before.

Shen Wenyan nodded and looked at Ye Zhengqi: "Lord Ye, have your injuries healed completely?"

"Fully healed!" Ye Zhengqi nodded in response.

"Then the Marquis's injuries?" he also inquired.

Shen Wenyan shook his head: "These days it's inconvenient to go out; my Divine Soul injuries are severe, so I need to rest in the environment of Health Care Incense for a while. Once the injuries stabilize, I will make an appearance, so I'll need a few of you to put in some effort and keep watch."

"As long as I am here, there will be no chaos!" Ye Zhengqi assured.