Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint-Chapter 1424 - 254: Dongling Marquis, Nine States Patrol Envoy! (Part 2)
Regarding the rewards for Jiang Ning, many civil and military officials were extremely curious.
In the more than eight hundred years since Great Xia established its rule, he is the youngest among the ranks of Martial Champions.
"Jiang Ning!" Emperor Changning’s deep eyes suddenly opened.
"I am here!" Jiang Ning stood with a cupped fist, his expression calm.
Emperor Changning lightly tapped the dragon desk with his fingers inside his sleeve, his voice deep: "I saw you pound the drum on the training field yesterday, enduring sky thunder with your physical body without any harm, your muscles and bones resonating like gold and jade, your Qi-Blood surging like a mighty river. Such a physique, among the young generation today, no one can compare!"
As his voice fell, the civil and military officials in the hall murmured softly.
They understood this was the prelude from Emperor Changning.
With such praise, the rewards must be significant.
The next moment, Emperor Changning’s full voice rang out again.
"Bestow Jiang Ning as Dongling Marquis, the fiefdom of Luoshui County, Baisha County, Shishan County, and Lushan County."
Upon hearing this, the hall was in an uproar.
Dongling County originally only had four counties and numerous towns.
To grant four counties meant the entire Dongling County was now conferred as Jiang Ning’s territory.
"Your Majesty, isn’t such a reward too excessive?" An elderly official immediately stepped forward, addressing Emperor Changning with a cupped fist.
"How is it excessive?" Emperor Changning asked with slightly darkened eyes.
"Your Majesty, even a Second Grade Great Grandmaster wouldn’t be accorded such an honor!" the elderly official replied with a cupped fist.
"The new Martial Champion is a Second Grade Great Grandmaster!" Emperor Changning replied calmly.
These words were like a boulder being thrown into a lake, instantly causing ripples.
"Second Grade Great Grandmaster!"
"Second Grade Great Grandmaster?!"
"Second Grade Great Grandmaster?!!"
The exclamations echoed in the hall.
At this moment, the officials, ignorant of the inside story, now looked at Jiang Ning with astonishment.
Such a young Second Grade Great Grandmaster shattered their understanding.
At this moment, facing the reward from Emperor Ning, they had no further objections.
"Congratulations, Dongling Marquis!" Wan Jianyi said softly, looking at Jiang Ning with a complex expression.
Two days ago, the world saw him standing far above Jiang Ning.
Now, standing in front of Jiang Ning, he felt dwarfed.
The new Third Place in Martial Examination couldn’t compare to a Marquis.
"Additionally, Dongling Marquis Jiang Ning concurrently holds the position of Zeshan State Patrol Envoy, with a Second Grade official rank."
Upon hearing this, the entire court was in an uproar.
"Your Majesty, please rescind this order!" Out of the ranks of the military officers, a burly man stepped forward, bowing to the man on the dragon throne.
"Minister Yang, give me a reason!" Emperor Changning said lightly.
"Dongling Marquis is the new Martial Champion, according to customs, he should enter our military and take a key position! Your Majesty, one of the top three must come to our military!" the burly man said.
"Normally, Minister Yang makes a valid point! However, the role for Dongling Marquis was proposed by Minister Xiao!" Emperor Changning slowly spoke.
Upon hearing this, all officials immediately looked at Xiao Wuque, who hadn’t attended court for a long time.
At this moment, Xiao Wuque said calmly: "Dongling Marquis already belongs to the Inspection Office, previously serving as Dongling County Patrol Envoy. Recently, the Zeshan and Nan’an State Patrol Envoys were attacked and died. Someone must fill the position! Currently, no one in the court can do so, and these two states are adjacent to the Yellow Heaven Sect’s uprising area. Without a Patrol Envoy to oversee, it will end up like Xisha County, Hundred Rivers Prefecture, and Nan’an State’s Tongyi Prefecture and Jing’an Prefecture, all turning to the Yellow Heaven Sect."
"Master Xiao, both the Patrol Envoys of Zeshan State and Nan’an State possessed First-grade cultivation. They were attacked and died. Wouldn’t sending Dongling Marquis be placing him in great danger?" the burly man again voiced.
"Considering Dongling Marquis is taking office, the Martial Saint Mansion will undoubtedly make preparations!" Xiao Wuque said lightly.
"Your Majesty, please rescind the order!" Realizing it was impossible to convince Xiao Wuque, the burly man turned and bowed towards Emperor Changning atop the steps.
"This is the decision of the Martial Saint Mansion!" Emperor Changning said lightly.
Hearing the calm tone, Jiang Ning’s heart trembled.
At this moment, he understood why Ji Mingya had said what she did previously.
With five thousand years of historical understanding, he deeply understood the taboo in Xiao Wuque’s approach.
Although Emperor Changning’s tone was calm, internally he was already a maelstrom.
This was the decision of the Martial Saint Mansion!
This single sentence alone illustrated how many transgressions had been committed by those serving under the Martial Saint Mansion.
But he also understood, great power belonged to the individual.
With unrivaled martial prowess, why would one submit to the imperial power?
Between the two, without absolute overwhelming strength, conflict was inevitable.
At this moment, he already foresaw that when the Martial Saint’s time came, the greatest threat to the Martial Saint Mansion would not be from the various Cave Heaven Blessed Lands.
But possibly from this same Emperor Changning.
His thoughts were interrupted as Emperor Changning’s full voice recalled him to his senses.
"The decision of the Martial Saint Mansion is not to be refuted. Today’s rewards are thus settled!"
Hearing Emperor Changning’s indisputable voice, the burly man slowly bowed his head in salute.
"Yes!"
Accompanying the retreat of the burly man back into the ranks of the military officers.
The Changning Emperor spoke once more, "Is there any other important matter to report?"
The court officials fell silent.
"If there is nothing to report, then court is adjourned. I am weary!" The Changning Emperor waved his hand and then stood up.
The next moment, as if remembering something, he addressed the row of civil officials below.
"Arrange for the Ministry of Rites to follow the ancestral system, allowing the top champion to ride through Chang’an on horseback!"
"Your servant obeys!" From the civil officials, a man with a lean face, refined features, and a beard reaching his abdomen stepped forward, bowing to the Changning Emperor atop the nine steps.
"Farewell, Our Emperor!"
"Farewell, Our Emperor!"
"..."
At this moment, all the civil and military officials raised their voices in unison, bowing and sending off the Changning Emperor as he departed.
Backstage.
The Changning Emperor’s face suddenly changed, his once rosy complexion turning to ashen.
He took a deep breath and continued forward.
...
In the Taiji Hall.
"Congratulations to the Dongling Marquis!"
"Greetings to the Dongling Marquis!"
"..."
At this moment, civil and military officials gathered before Jiang Ning to offer congratulations, subsequently announcing their names.
Even those few first-grade officials displayed welcoming smiles.
Conferred as a Marquis, granted a county as a fief.
Simultaneously, holding an influential position in the prominent Inspection Office as the Zeshan State Patrol Envoy.
This is not merely a second-grade position, but also wields supreme power over life and death in a state.
They knew very well that if Jiang Ning reaches this point at such an age, as long as no unexpected event occurs, he will surely become one of the highest peaks beneath the sky.
Beneath the heights of that sky.
With such strength, even the Holy Emperor on the dragon throne must treat him with courtesy and equality, let alone these officials beneath him.
Faced with the accolades of the civil and military officials, Jiang Ning returned each salute.
Instead of feeling elated, he felt his heart tighten.
As that martial official had just said, the Patrol Envoys of Zeshan State and Nan’an State, both with first-grade cultivation, were ambushed and killed.
If he were to assume the position in Zeshan State, the risks would be considerably high.
Promotion is a good thing, but when paired with such peril, it ceases to be a good thing.
The so-called office, in his eyes, was merely an addition to one’s strength.
To seek promotion and potentially face greater risks is not worthwhile.
A moment later.
With the civil and military officials dispersed, Xiao Wuque approached.
"Worried?"
"A bit!" Jiang Ning nodded.
"Worried you’ll encounter such attacks as well?" Xiao Wuque asked.
Jiang Ning nodded without reservation.
"I knew it!" Xiao Wuque said, "But now that the Martial Saint Mansion has no suitable strong individuals, and you have been conferred as the Dongling Marquis, you unavoidably step into the spotlight, into the sight of the world’s powerful."
"For the position of Nine States Patrol Envoy, within Zeshan State, aside from you, there is no other candidate!"
"But rest assured, assigning you as Nine States Patrol Envoy is not to send you to your death."
As he spoke.
Xiao Wuque raised his hand, and a yellow talisman paper appeared in it.
"What’s this?" Jiang Ning asked, puzzled.
"A special talisman paper created by the Dao Ancestor. In a moment of crisis, the talisman’s power activates, allowing time and space to reflect, bringing you instantly back to your complete peak state. The energy burned by the talisman thereafter is sufficient to keep you unharmed for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea," Xiao Wuque explained.
"How do I use it?" Jiang Ning accepted the yellow talisman paper and asked.
"Drip blood, let the talisman record your aura, then stick it on your brow!" Xiao Wuque instructed.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately placed his hand on the yellow talisman paper.
In the next moment.
A drop of golden blood fell onto the yellow talisman paper.
As the golden blood gradually spread and then vanished.
Xiao Wuque observed the golden blood on the talisman paper, understanding in his heart.
Indeed, there is no falsehood; he has indeed reached this step!
The teacher’s arrangement is sufficient to protect his life!
He must also grow rapidly under pressure and in crisis.
If he does not grow quickly, should Emperor Ning and the teacher both encounter mishaps, the ensuing danger would be insurmountable.
