Chapter 100 - 97: Coming to Pay Respects to the White Head Sword Sect

’So what if Ning Jiang has a strong physique? He isn’t a member of the Ning Family, after all. But I have the blood of the Ning Family flowing in my veins. In the future, this entire family will be mine.’

’When that time comes, I’ll be able to crush Ning Jiang whenever I please.’

"I imagine the guests should be arriving soon."

Ning Changhan looked outside. He had always been skilled at cultivating connections, and with Ning Feng’s breakthrough to the Innate Realm adding to his prestige, he was certain that far more people would attend this time than ever before.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before a voice called out from outside, "Sun Mu of the Sun Family has come to visit the Ning Family."

Someone walked in, and it was none other than a Postnatal Peak expert.

In a small place like Baiquan Town, a Postnatal Peak expert, while not on par with an Innate Realm master, was still considered a prominent figure.

This Sun Mu was clearly a man of some renown, as many people recognized him the moment he arrived.

"Brother Sun." A smile bloomed on Ning Changhan’s face as he went to greet him. "I’m so pleased that you could grace us with your presence, Brother Sun."

"You’re being too formal. For your son to break through to the Innate Realm, Brother Ning... truly, the younger generation is to be feared."

"You’re too kind, Brother Sun. Please, come in."

Ning Changhan led Sun Mu into the inner hall, where most of the attendees stood up and cupped their fists in greeting.

However, figures like the Old Master and a few other distinguished guests remained seated, merely offering a nod.

"Junior Sun Mu greets Old Master Ning."

"No need for such formalities."

Old Master Ning waved his hand dismissively. He was an Innate Late Stage expert who had single-handedly built this third-class family; he had no need to rise to greet someone like Sun Mu.

Sun Mu understood the gap between them and showed no displeasure on his face.

Strength commanded respect. That was the world of Martial Artists.

Sun Mu’s arrival seemed to open the floodgates, and a torrent of guests began to pour in.

"Zhao Shanquan of the Zhao Family, here to pay a visit."

"Kang Feng of the Kang Family, here to pay a visit."

"Cui Liang of the Cui Family, here to pay a visit."

"..."

Among the many visitors, even the weakest were at the Postnatal Late Stage of cultivation. It would have been an embarrassment to invite anyone with a lower cultivation, a loss of face for all involved.

Of all the guests, the majority had come for Ning Changhan. He had always placed great importance on his network and had made many acquaintances.

The arrival of two Innate Realm experts, in particular, brought a wide smile to Ning Changhan’s face.

Innate Realm experts were already considered major figures in Baiquan Town. After all, it only took two or three such experts to establish a third-class family.

Ning Changhan had invited them but hadn’t been sure if they would actually come. Now that they were here, he knew they had most likely come for his son.

His son had broken through to the Innate Realm and possessed immense potential, making him a worthy connection to cultivate.

One of the Innate Realm experts had even brought his daughter along and introduced her to Ning Feng. The implication was self-evident.

Ning Feng was infatuated with Song Mu’Er and naturally looked down on ordinary women. Still, the scene greatly satisfied his vanity. His gaze shifted toward the main hall, landing on Ning Yu’an and her companion.

Ning Yu’an and Ning Jiang sat alone, completely isolated. Unlike the other branches of the family, not a single person had come to visit them.

"Heh, Ning Yu’an, didn’t you say your little brother alone was greater than all the powers in Baiquan Town combined? If that’s the case, how come not a single person has come to visit you? Aren’t you embarrassed by this scene?" Ning Ding came over to mock them.

"Forget it, just drop it. Them having no visitors is an embarrassment to our branch of the family too," Ning Shan said.

Ning Yu’an frowned. She could clearly hear the sarcasm dripping from their words and was about to retort.

BOOM!

Suddenly, a deafening explosion echoed from outside the Ning estate. The main gate was blasted open.

Then, an icy voice rolled in like thunder.

"Ning Jiang, get your ass out here and die!"

Shortly after the voice faded, WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH, several figures appeared on the scene. Every single one of them was an Innate Realm expert!

"It’s the Qin Family!"

The members of the Ning Family recognized them at once, and their expressions changed dramatically.

"I get it now! The rumors I heard last night were true!"

"What rumors?"

"They say that last night, on the island at Crescent Lake, Qin Lie was killed."

"That’s right, that’s the rumor. And I also heard the Song Family and the Qin Family fought several vicious battles last night. Both sides suffered injuries, and the fighting only stopped this morning."

"He’s Ning Jiang!" Beside the members of the Qin Family stood Hou Zheng, who was missing an arm, and Qian Lan’s group. Their eyes burned with resentment.

"You’re the one who killed Lie’Er?"

A middle-aged man in a purple robe glared, his gaze as sharp as a blade and his killing intent surging to the heavens.

"That’s right, I am." Ning Jiang admitted it freely, ready to face the consequences.

"Your Ning Family had better give my Qin Family an explanation!" The purple-robed man’s gaze swept across the hall, placing every member of the Ning Family under immense pressure.

Ning Changhan’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly stepped forward and said, "This Ning Jiang has nothing to do with our Ning Family! He’s a bastard we found, not a real member of the family. Since he killed someone, the Qin Family can do with him as you please."

"That’s right, that’s right! He has no connection to us whatsoever," Ning Feng quickly added.

"Hmph. To actually provoke the Qin Family, he deserves to die."

"I hope the Ning Family isn’t dragged into this because of him."

"Kick him out of the family! Today was supposed to be our Ning Family’s annual celebration, a joyous occasion, and he’s ruined it."

"The Ning Family raised him for nothing. Instead of repaying our kindness, he brings this disaster upon us."

The surrounding crowd hurled accusations, showing no intention of speaking up for Ning Jiang.

Old Master Ning’s brow furrowed. In the end, he too shook his head. The Qin Family was not an existence he could afford to offend.

Ning Jiang had killed someone. Even if he were of his own bloodline, he would have to hand him over, let alone a mere outsider.

In that moment, it was as if Ning Jiang had been abandoned by the entire world.

Only a single, slender, graceful figure remained by his side, refusing to leave.

"Ning Yu’an, come back here! Don’t get involved with him," Ning Changhan shouted.

Ning Yu’an didn’t say a word, standing motionless beside Ning Jiang.

’Even if the whole world abandons Ning Jiang, I will not leave him.’

’No matter what, I will never let my little brother stand alone!’

"Little bastard, it seems you’re quite unpopular. Do you have any last words?" the purple-robed man asked, his eyes cold.

"You came seeking revenge, but I’m afraid you lack the ability to get it." Ning Jiang’s tone was as cool and placid as freshly drawn spring water.

The purple-robed man’s gaze turned frigid, and he was just about to order Ning Jiang’s execution.

Suddenly.

Voices rang out from beyond the Ning Family’s main gate.

"Song Tianzheng of the Song Family."

"Song Ziwen of the Song Family."

"Song Mu’Er of the Song Family."

"Song Jianxian of the Song Family."

"Song... of the Song Family."

As these names were announced, the entire Ning Family estate erupted in an uproar.

"Song Tianzheng! That’s Old Master Song, a Peak Innate Strong Person! And the others... they’re all famous Innate Realm experts from the Song Family! Only Song Mu’Er is at Postnatal Peak. What are they all doing here at the Ning Family’s estate?!"

A dozen or so voices had been announced. Then, before the stunned eyes of everyone present, they all merged into a single, respectful cry that was earth-shattering and magnificent.

"Here to pay our respects to the White Head Sword Sect!"