Then, Zhong Ling turned around and closed the door.
At the very last moment before the door closed, she stared blankly at Jiang Ningâs back until his figure disappeared from her view, and only then did she completely shut the door.
On the other side.
Jiang Ning pushed open the door to his room.
The air inside was fresh, with no trace of dampness or pungent smell.
Then, he took off his clothes and got into bed wearing only his underclothes.
The bedding had no unpleasant odor either; instead, it was filled with the scent of sunshine, fluffy and warm.
Lv Yiâs figure suddenly appeared in his mind.
Then he shook his head with a smile.
...
The next day.
Jiang Ning pushed open the door.
Snowflakes were drifting down from the sky, and the sky was a dull gray, as if it had yet to brighten.
Looking at the sky above, a flicker of unusual color flashed across his eyes.
"I really did predict it right!"
At that moment, his heart felt somewhat heavy.
Even though he had anticipated this day would eventually come, when it did arrive, his heart still felt a deep sense of pressure.
The dynasty that had flourished for over eight hundred years now faced the risk of collapse.
And now he was still on this tower ship.
As for where this tower ship would eventually sail, he was also at a loss.
Whooshâ
Seeing the layer of thin white frost that had appeared on the vegetation in the courtyard, he slowly exhaled a breath of white mist.
In just a few days, the temperature had shifted drastically from summer to winter.
And it seemed that autumn did not exist.
"Brother Jiang Ning!" Zhong Ling opened the door, looking at Jiang Ning standing in the courtyard.
The next moment.
The cold wind swept in, and she instantly shrank her neck.
A thin garment was barely enough to ward off the cold in such this abrupt chill.
"Go back inside and put on more clothes before coming out!" Jiang Ning said.
Hearing this, Zhong Ling hesitated.
"Whatâs wrong?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Brother Jiang Ning, I didnât bring any winter clothes!" Zhong Ling said.
"Then wait here!" Jiang Ning said.
He then turned and walked into the house.
A moment later.
He emerged with a black fox fur coat in his hand.
"Put it on!" he said to Zhong Ling.
"Thank you, Brother Jiang Ning!" Zhong Ling beamed a radiant smile.
She then draped the fox fur coat Jiang Ning handed to her.
Wrapped in the large fox fur coat, her petite figure appeared even more delicate.
"Itâs so warm!" Her cheeks turned rosy.
"The weather is likely to drop significantly in the coming days, so go with Lv Yi to the city to order some warm clothes!" Jiang Ning said.
"Mm-hmm!" Zhong Ling nodded enthusiastically.
"Letâs go! To the front yard, breakfast should be ready by now!" Jiang Ning added.
"Mm-hmm!" Zhong Ling nodded again, occasionally trotting a few steps to keep up with Jiang Ning.
...
A moment later.
In the front yard.
"Brother!!" Jiang Liâs eyes widened in disbelief when he saw Jiang Ning with Zhong Ling.
"Didnât you hear anything last night?" Jiang Ning asked with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Liâs gaze shifted to Liuu Wanwan, who had just appeared.
"Hehe!" he then scratched his head with a silly smile.
Then he added, "Last night was a special situation, leading to a lapse in vigilance."
Following Jiang Liâs gaze, Jiang Ning looked at Liuu Wanwan and saw her glaring fiercely at Jiang Li.
"Ah Ning, what do you want to eat this morning? Iâll make it for you!" Liuu Wanwan asked Jiang Ning with a joyful expression.
"Braised beef noodles!" Jiang Ning replied.
"Okay!" Liuu Wanwan nodded with a bright smile. "I prepared the braised beef a few days ago, and all the ingredients are ready!"
"Sister-in-law, add two fried eggs!" Jiang Ning added.
"No problem, Iâll knead the dough right away!" Liuu Wanwan wiped her hands on her apron before turning to leave.
Jiang Ning then redirected his attention to his elder brother Jiang Li.
At this point, Jiang Li also composed his expression, looking seriously at Jiang Ning.
"Brother, the Martial Examination has been postponed for a month. Normally, you should be in the Royal Capital, waiting for the day of the Martial Examination! You suddenly returned last night quietly, did something major happen?"
"And you guessed it all?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Iâm no fool!" Jiang Li shook his head before saying, "In the letter you sent a few days ago, you said you wouldnât return to Dongling County for now; youâd wait until after the Martial Examination to bring back the Champion Scholar Plaque. But you suddenly came back alone last night; something major must have happened for such a rapid change in a few days."
"Smart!" Jiang Ning nodded in appreciation.
"Whatâs the major event? Tell me, brother!" Jiang Li asked.
"The Yellow Heaven Sect has revolted by Luoshui Lake in Xisha County!" Jiang Ning said.
"Yellow Heaven Sect!!" Jiang Liâs eyes widened in shock. "Isnât that the sect with millions of adherents?"
"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.
"This is a big problem!" Jiang Li furrowed his brows tightly.
"Itâs indeed a big trouble!" Jiang Ning said. "The Sect Hierarch of Yellow Heaven Sect is the second strongest in the world. Without the Martial Saint, no one can capture him! Moreover, the Yellow Heaven Sect has been deeply rooted for years, with millions of followers, and their believers number in the tens of millions! This rebellion by the Yellow Heaven Sect will plunge the world into chaos."
"Brother, what are you planning to do by returning? You canât be the sacrificial hero; even if the sky collapses, it shouldnât be you to hold it up." Jiang Li said gravely.
"Donât worry, brother! Iâm not that foolish! I came back mainly to send you to the Royal Capital!" Jiang Ning stated.
"To the Royal Capital?" Jiang Li frowned.
"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded and continued, "Now in the Thirty-six Prefectures of the Nine Provinces, the only safest place is the Royal Capital!"
"But..." Jiang Li frowned again, appearing hesitant.
"Brother, you have to think about sister-in-law and Little Dumpling Jiang Yiming! Xisha County is not far from Dongling County, and if the flames of war reach Dongling County and something goes wrong, it will be too late!" Jiang Ning said.
"What about you?" Jiang Li asked.
"As the Dongling County Patrol Envoy, I should stay in Dongling County!" Jiang Ning declared.
"Brother, youâre still young and have a great future ahead!" Jiang Li couldnât help speaking.
"I know!" Jiang Ning smiled. "Donât worry, brother! I wonât foolishly strike an unbreakable stone with an egg. If an irresistible force comes, I will protect myself! But within my capabilities, I will do my best to ensure peace in Dongling County."
"Alright!" Jiang Li nodded. "You stand at a higher perspective now and see further than I do! I wonât advise you too much, just hope you understand that as long as the green hills are there, thereâs no fear of running out of firewood! Youâve done enough for Dongling County in your role this past year, and youâve lived up to the position and responsibility on your shoulders."
"Rest assured!" Jiang Ning smiled.
"Then Iâll talk to your sister-in-law later!"
"Good!" Jiang Ning nodded.
...
A moment later.
"Smells so good!!" Jiang Ning inhaled deeply, his appetite piqued as he eyed the braised beef noodles Liuu Wanwan was bringing.
A large bowl of noodles was topped with a thick layer of braised beef and four fried eggs soaked in broth.
"Ah Ning, eat quickly!" Liuu Wanwan said with a broad smile, seeing Jiang Ningâs face full of appetite.
Jiang Ningâs expression of approval for the food filled her with a sense of achievement.
Then, Jiang Ning stirred the big bowl of noodles in front of him, and using chopsticks, he picked up a large bite and stuffed it into his mouth.
After chewing and swallowing a few bites, Jiang Ningâs face showed a satisfied expression.
"Delicious!!"
"Iâm glad you like it!" Liuu Wanwan said, her face full of smiles.
"Uncle!!!" At this moment.
A voice filled with surprise and joy resounded from the doorway.
Jiang Ning turned his head to look, and it was the tiny Little Dumpling.
The next moment.
Little Dumpling let go of Jiang Yimingâs finger, then trotted happily towards Jiang Ning and bumped into his leg.
"Uncle, I missed you so much!!" Little Dumpling said sweetly, hugging Jiang Ningâs leg.
"I missed you too!" Jiang Ning ruffled Little Dumplingâs head, then picked her up and placed her horizontally on his lap.
"Uncle, please stay with me more this time, okay?" Little Dumpling raised her eyes, looking pitifully at Jiang Ning.
Seeing this, Jiang Ning smoothed a few strands of hair off her forehead.
"I canât, dear! You have to leave for the Royal Capital today!"
"To the Royal Capital?" Liuu Wanwanâs face showed surprise.