Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

He then touched the center of his brow.

Upon closer inspection, he could see a faint vertical line at the center of his brow.

This vertical line was very faint, very shallow.

Almost indiscernible.

This must be the Heavenly Eye!

He couldn't help but recall the circumstances when he activated the Heavenly Eye.

"Master Young, are you satisfied?"

"Satisfied!" Jiang Ning nodded with a smile.

Then he stood up.

"Help me get dressed, I must visit the County Magistrate's Residence to express my thanks!"

He hadn't forgotten that the Prefectural Governor had also exerted a lot of effort this time.

Although it was due to Wang Qingtan, he still needed to perform the proper etiquette.

Others would come to attend his dust-cleaning banquet tonight.

But the Prefectural Governor was different.

There was a generational gap, differences in closeness, and a huge disparity in status.

Therefore, it was impossible for the Prefectural Governor to attend the dust-cleaning banquet Zhao Yulong prepared for him.

"Yes, Master Young!" Lv Yi nodded in agreement.

She turned and fetched the clothes and shoes that had been prepared earlier.

A moment later.

Jiang Ning, accompanied by Lv Yi, stepped out of the mansion's gate.

Lv Yi carried the gift prepared earlier in her hands.

...

County Magistrate's Residence.

"Young Marquis!"

Wang Qingtan emerged from behind the screen, gently speaking as she looked at the Young Marquis conversing happily with her father.

"Allow me to introduce, this is my daughter!" said a middle-aged man with a goatee, full of righteous demeanor.

This man was none other than the Prefectural Governor of Dongling County, Wang Shouyi.

Lu Junyi's eyes lit up slightly as he glanced at Wang Qingtan.

Then he stood up, showing a warm smile: "This must be Sister Qingtan! I heard Master talk about you; he said you were adorable as a child, a born beauty!"

"Now that I see you, his words truly were accurate!"

Upon hearing these compliments, Wang Qingtan felt no joy; instead, she felt somewhat displeased.

All the exaggerated words were directly addressing her appearance.

In other words, this was just praising a pretty face?

Especially when Lu Junyi mentioned her master, she felt even more displeased!

Her perception of her master was not good.

For so many years, that nominal master hadn't fulfilled any duty or obligation.

Over these years, she hadn't seen that nominal master much.

The total times didn't exceed the count of fingers on both hands.

During these years, if that man had fulfilled some of the master's responsibilities, with her talent, she wouldn't have just recently stepped into the Seventh Grade due to awakening partial innate wisdom.

Moreover, she still remembered the last time that old man spoke to her.

Saying her beauty was outstanding, and the best future choice would be to marry into the Imperial Family.

This would greatly aid her father's future career, paving the way to ascend the Heavenly Son's court.

That fighting and killing, the Martial Arts path, was not a woman's forte.

Thinking of this made her even more displeased!

She quickly adjusted her emotions.

"Young Marquis, you overpraise me!"

Seeing Wang Qingtan's lukewarm expression, Lu Junyi simply smiled and refrained from showing more enthusiasm.

As a marquis, what kind of woman had he not seen?

What kind of beauty had he not enjoyed?

Once beauty reaches a certain level, the differences between them aren't significant.

At most, it's a difference in style.

With Wang Qingtan's attitude, he couldn't be bothered to waste his efforts!

Moreover, from his master's previous conversation, there was an arrangement for this nominal sister.

Prepared to be presented to some noble dignitary.

A Prefectural Governor's eldest daughter does have certain political capital.

After all, Wang Shouyi was one of those under the Observatory's tutelage.

He discreetly shook his head, no longer pondering the matter.

At this moment.

A servant hurriedly came running.

"Master, someone seeks an audience outside!"

"Oh? Who is it?" Wang Shouyi had just picked up his teacup, gently scraping it, then set the lid down.

"He said his name is Jiang Ning!"

"Jiang Ning?" Wang Shouyi murmured.

"Father, it's Commander Jiang!" Wang Qingtan reminded from beside.

"So it's him!" Wang Shouyi smiled slightly and glanced at his daughter.

Then he continued, "Invite him in!"

"Yes, Master!" The servant replied respectfully and withdrew slowly.

A moment later.

The servant appeared again within Wang Shouyi's sight.

Wang Shouyi looked at his eldest daughter, seemingly asking, is this Jiang Ning you're speaking of?

Wang Qintan nodded slightly.

At the same time.

Jiang Ning glanced around and cupped his hands towards Wang Shouyi.

"This subordinate, Jiang Ning, pays respects to the Prefectural Governor!"

Wang Shouyi stood up: "Since we are at home, there's no need for such formalities!"

Jiang Ning smiled, took the prepared gift from Lv Yi's hands behind him.

"I must thank the Prefectural Governor for your kind words which helped me secure release today. Please accept this small gift with a smile!"

"Commander Jiang is too kind!" Wang Shouyi nodded slightly, indicating the butler beside him to accept the gift from Jiang Ning.

Afterward.

He addressed Lu Junyi: "Let me introduce, this is Jiang Ning, who once served as the Deputy Commander at the Inspection Office!"

Wang Shouyi gestured toward Lu Junyi, saying to Jiang Ning: "This is the young Marquis from the Marquis Mansion of Guangning, Lu Junyi!"

"I know you!" Lu Junyi said to Jiang Ning: "Commander Jiang certainly has great skill to earn praise from the Princess Consort Qi."

Princess Consort Qi?

The mention of these three words.

Both Jiang Ning and Wang Shouyi were slightly taken aback.

Wang Shouyi looked at Jiang Ning.

And Jiang Ning was secretly astonished.

Princess Consort Qi?

In that instant.

The image of Lin Qingyi appeared in his mind, recalling the words Qingyi spoke to Wang Qintan before departing.

His gaze shifted to Wang Qintan.

Wang Qintan returned Jiang Ning's gaze, appearing a bit confused.

Lu Junyi, noticing Jiang Ning's lack of response, said no more.

From his understanding, few dared to discuss the Prince Qi and Princess Consort Qi among the nobles.

Even he dared only to mention it here.

Because it involved many secrets of the Imperial Family, touching upon taboos.

He then said to Wang Shouyi: "With guests visiting today, I shall return now and visit again when time permits!"

"Alright, young Marquis, take care!" Wang Shouyi continued: "Shall I escort the young Marquis?"

"No need!" Lu Junyi cast a disinterested glance at Wang Qintan, seeing her indifferent expression, he turned and left.

The black-clothed man behind him immediately followed.

...

A moment later.

Wang Qintan returned after seeing Jiang Ning off.

"Father!" She addressed Wang Shouyi, who waited in the hall.

"What do you think of Lu Junyi, the young Marquis?" Wang Shouyi asked.

"Not very familiar! Hard to judge!" Wang Qintan shook her head.

"Then what do you think of Commander Jiang?" Wang Shouyi asked again.

"Somewhat mysterious!"

"Somewhat mysterious?" Wang Shouyi was slightly surprised.

"Yes!" Wang Qintan nodded and continued: "He has outstanding talent and strong abilities!"

At this point, Wang Shouyi nodded slightly.

"Indeed true! According to investigations, he is not yet twenty, akin to you, yet he already shows signs of Immortal Skin, suggesting he entered the Fourth Grade early; his talent and power are indeed formidable!"

Saying this, Wang Shouyi looked at his daughter.

"If you were to choose a husband, whom would you prefer?"

Wang Qintan widened her eyes, seemingly surprised at the question.

Then she shook her head: "I choose no one!"

"Do you know whom I find more suitable for you?" Wang Shouyi suddenly asked.

"Father must think the young Marquis is a better match as your son-in-law, right?"

"No!" Wang Shouyi shook his head slightly: "Though Lu Junyi holds a high status, he is not suited for close association! Nor is he suitable for marriage alliance with the Marquis Mansion of Guangning!"

"If you were to marry into the Marquis Mansion, you likely wouldn't be happy in the future!"

"This is also why I didn't have you see the young Marquis off just now!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Qintan's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting her father to say this and make such a choice.

Wang Shouyi, observing his daughter's reaction, smiled kindly.

"In Great Xia, lineage is to be carried on and extended!"

"After your mother passed away, having you and your sister is satisfaction enough for me! I no longer wish to take more wives or concubines to extend the lineage; my desire is for your happiness!"

"Compared to the young Marquis, Commander Jiang is clearly more suitable."

"At his age, garnering Zhao Yulong's attention, he may not reach the height of a peerless minister, but he is sure to rise to success, becoming renowned."

"Moreover, Great Xia is currently unstable, and the future is uncertain; peace is not guaranteed!"

"In a chaotic era, nobles without sufficient martial force are merely lambs to be slaughtered."

"Commander Jiang's Immortal Skin manifesting at such an age, surely he will hold a place among the Grandmasters in time."

"No matter how tumultuous the world becomes, a Grandmaster can protect his family!"

"He is a suitable match for you!"