"Thank you, madam, for your hospitality!" Jiang Ning responded with equal politeness.

Then, he calmly sipped his tea, soothing his throat, while waiting for Shen Wenyan and the others to return.

The Marquis Mansion’s lady quietly accompanied him by the side.

...

A moment later.

Jiang Ning closed his eyes, his breath as steady and deep as an abyss.

In just a brief moment, a faint chill involuntarily emanated from his body.

The lady of the Marquis Mansion was surprised by this scene.

She realized that Jiang Ning was currently practicing in meditation.

The inadvertent release of energy during his practice caused the surrounding temperature to drop.

Seeing this, she was filled with deep admiration.

As Shen Wenyan’s legitimate wife, she was certainly not an ordinary woman.

For this reason, she knew a lot of things.

She also knew that Jiang Ning was currently afflicted with an incantation, the curse power had penetrated deeply, leaving him little time.

Yet, in such circumstances, he still persisted in his practice.

A deep sense of respect rose in her heart.

She instantly understood why Jiang Ning, at such a young age, had reached this step.

Seizing all available time to practice at any moment.

Even though he had little time left, and the end was near; practice was now meaningless, yet he persisted.

Such qualities she had never seen before.

Meanwhile.

Jiang Ning’s heart spirit had already unfolded, enveloping the entire Guangning City and extending for miles beyond.

The entire world appeared in his mind.

In his mind, he constantly visualized the onset of winter... light snow... heavy snow... the winter solstice... light cold... severe cold...

With his continuous visualization, occasional messages flashed before his slightly closed eyes.

[Winter Manual Experience Value +299]

[Winter Manual Experience Value +299]

[Winter Manual Experience Value +299]

[...]

After a long time passed.

The sun reached its zenith. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The heavens and the earth appeared clear, no longer enveloped in previous shadows.

In the front hall.

Ji Mingyue was still snacking on fruits and sipping tea.

The lady of the Marquis Mansion quietly accompanied her.

As for Jiang Ning, he remained in meditative practice.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard from the front courtyard.

Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes, his pupils instantly turning frosty white.

"Who has come?" Ji Mingyue asked, noticing Jiang Ning’s expression.

"The magistrate and the Residence Envoy have arrived!" Jiang Ning replied.

With his words, two servants led Magistrate Zhu Huaijin and Residence Envoy Liu Teng hastily inside.

"Your subordinate greets the Dongling Marquis! Greetings to the Seventeenth Princess!" Zhu Huaijin said solemnly, bowing first. Liu Teng followed closely, his fist-pumping hand slightly tightening as he bowed.

Then the two turned to bow to the lady of the Marquis Mansion.

"Greetings, Mrs. Shen!"

The lady of the Marquis Mansion nodded.

Jiang Ning raised his hand in a polite gesture, indicating for them to be seated: "No need for formalities, you came in such a hurry, is it regarding Zhuge Manor?"

"Indeed!" Liu Teng, being impatient, couldn’t help but speak as soon as he sat down: "Marquis and Princess rode back on the crane, so there must be results from Wolonggang. How is the situation? How are Marquis Wen Yuan and the Zhuge family head?"

Upon hearing this inquiry, the lady of the Marquis Mansion listened intently.

Earlier, although she heard from Jiang Ning that Shen Wenyan and others were safe, she didn’t know the specifics.

She didn’t ask too many questions.

Now that Liu Teng had voiced her unspoken question, she immediately felt hopeful.

At this moment, although Zhu Huaijin did not speak, his intense gaze at Jiang Ning also revealed his deep concern.

The safety of Shen Wenyan and the others was the heaviest concern on their minds.

Jiang Ning, hearing this, first sipped his tea to ease his throat, suppressing the urge to cough from deep within.

Then, placing the teacup down, he slowly said, "Ji Mingzhou, Li Sixiang, and the two Great Grandmasters they brought along are all executed."

In a few words that sounded like thunder in their ears.

"What?!" Zhu Huaijin suddenly stood up, not realizing the sleeve of his robe had knocked over a fruit dish on the tea table in his shock.

He was initially taken aback, then turned to sheer disbelief, "Four... four Great Grandmasters... all... all dead? Marquis, is this true?!"

Liu Teng’s eyes widened even more, his breath suddenly becoming heavy.

As a seasoned warrior, he well knew what a Grandmaster signified.

They represented nearly the pinnacle of mortal martial force, each capable of influencing the dynamics of an entire territory.

Four fell in one day?

Had this news not come from Jiang Ning, he would’ve dismissed it as mere ramblings!

"It is absolutely true." Jiang Ning said calmly.

"Was it the unmatched power of Nine River Dragon, Wang Wenzong?" Liu Teng inquired again.

He had long known that Shen Wenyan stepped into the fray this time because he had invited Wang Wenzong out of retirement.

Though he didn’t know the extent of Wang Wenzong’s strength, he knew that the power of the Eighteen Dragon Heads lay not just in their martial arts realm, but in their unparalleled physical might.

With unmatched physical strength, Fourth Grade could battle Third Grade.

Third Grade could challenge Second Grade.

Second Grade could contend against First-grade.

Nine River Dragon, Wang Wenzong, was a genuine Second Grade Peak, ranked third among the Eighteen Dragon Heads.

From his accumulated experience over the years, Wang Wenzong might not have advanced further, but his strength would have certainly improved.

At this point.

Hearing Liu Teng’s words, Jiang Ning immediately shook his head.

"Wang Wenzong faced Ji Mingzhou and ran away after just one move!"

"Ran away?" Liu Teng paused, seemingly unable to believe it.

He then realized: "Then how did Ji Mingzhou and the others get executed?"

At this point, Ji Mingyue spoke aptly.

"Ji Mingzhou, taking advantage of a snowstorm, possessed some mighty power, but the Marquis deployed a secret technique to kill him! As for the other three, they couldn’t escape."

Hearing Ji Mingyue’s words, Liu Teng looked at Jiang Ning, his pupils widened in amazement, unable to believe his ears.

Looking at Liu Teng’s eyes filled with doubts, Jiang Ning nodded, confirming Ji Mingyue’s words.

At this moment.

Zhu Huaijin finally spoke: "Then how is the Marquis’ condition now?"

Jiang Ning smiled: "No worries, in a day or three, it won’t cost me my life!"

"The Marquis’s righteousness earns my profound admiration!" Zhu Huaijin suddenly stood, bowing respectfully towards Jiang Ning.

"It’s a duty!" Jiang Ning said plainly.

Speaking, he again sipped tea to ease his throat, suppressing the bubbling urge to cough.

"And now, how about Marquis Wen Yuan?" Zhu Huaijin asked after sitting down again.

"Marquis Wen Yuan is unharmed; he is on his way back with Lord Ye." Jiang Ning replied: "The head of the Zhuge family, grateful for the aid, should also be accompanying. Calculating the time, they should arrive soon; the two of you will see them shortly."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Huaijin exhaled a long breath.

Liu Teng slapped his thigh vigorously, excitement written all over his face: "Great! Just great! The Marquis is indeed divine! After this battle, the Yingtian Alliance is leaderless, and Cross Immortal Gate’s primordial energy is will take a huge hit; the scourge in Guangning Prefecture can be pacified henceforth!"

Following these words, Zhu Huaijin promptly spoke.

"What does the Marquis plan next?"

Jiang Ning nodded: "With Cross Immortal Gate and the Yingtian Alliance both headless, it is time to eradicate them! I would now make the best use of my time and remaining strength!"

And then added: "I will soon convene with Mr. Shen to gather state troops and Inspection Office’s elite forces, and we will march as soon as possible, uprooting and clearing out, to prevent future troubles. As Zeshan State Patrol Envoy and being a dying man, I have no reason for excessive caution, it’s an opportunity to rid it once and for all."

At this moment, hearing the words "a dying man" shocked both Zhu Huaijin and Liu Teng to their cores, and they regarded Jiang Ning with even more reverence and regret.

They understood that this young Marquis was using his final time and strength to cleanse the looming shadows from Guangning Prefecture.

For a moment, admiration rose even more in their hearts.

The room was silent for a time, with only the occasional crackling of the burning charcoal.

Time quietly slipped by, with shadows gradually drawing long.

Shortly after noon had passed, commotions outside the Marquis Mansion resonated once more, more bustling than before. Sounds of footsteps and conversations grew nearer from afar.

Jiang Ning placed down his teacup, looking expectantly towards the outside of the hall: "They’re back."

Zhu Huaijin and Liu Teng immediately stood, swiftly moving towards the entrance of the hall.

They saw the broad doors of the Marquis Mansion now opened.

Shen Wenyan led the way, striding in with enthusiasm, his robes slightly soiled with snow and mud, but his spirit seemed very buoyant, the heaviness of past accumulation in his brows had eased significantly.

Ye Zhengqi followed closely, eyes brightened.

Behind them were Zhuge Qingsong and two elder members of the Zhuge family, all looking relieved of past fatigue and full of vigor.