The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun

Page 199

"Big brother."

Jiang Ning still refused.

"This sword technique should be passed on to other more talented senior and junior brothers."

Jiang Ning didn't look down on the Dugu Nine Swords, but he believed that trying to do too much at once was counterproductive. Everyone's energy is limited, and for him, one innate skill was enough.

"Ok."

Seeing that Jiang Ning still had no intention of learning, Linghu Chong sighed regretfully.

“Junior brother, if you ever change your mind, come find me. I will pass on the Dugu Nine Swords to you at any time.”

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, Senior Brother."

Linghu Chong shook his head, sighed, and left.

Jiang Ning sat in the chair for a moment, then got up. Instead of practicing his martial arts or going out for a stroll, he picked up a copy of "The Treatise on Response and Retribution" from his desk and began to read it.

"Fortune and misfortune have no fixed gate; they are summoned by oneself..."

……

Today was the day Jiang Ning was to descend the mountain, and Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze saw him off early in the morning.

Originally, Lin Pingzhi, Linghu Chong, and other Huashan disciples were also supposed to come and see Jiang Ning off, but Yue Buqun said it wasn't necessary. He and Ning Zhongze could take them off, and told them to continue practicing their skills and not waste time.

"Be careful and stay safe along the way."

Ning Zhongze gave her instructions, her face showing concern.

"Don't worry, Master's wife."

Jiang Ning smiled and nodded.

"Alright, come back as soon as possible if you can."

Yue Buqun then spoke up, "If they can't come back, then we'll meet at Mount Song in June."

"it is good."

Jiang Ning nodded; this had been discussed beforehand.

"Then let's go."

No matter how worried he was about Jiang Ning going down the mountain alone beforehand, Yue Buqun calmed down when the moment actually arrived.

"Master and Mistress."

Jiang Ning smiled at the two of them and said, "This disciple will now descend the mountain."

Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze nodded, then watched as Jiang Ning descended the Thousand-Foot Tower, his figure gradually disappearing into the distance.

"Okay, stop looking."

Yue Buqun said to his wife, "Ning'er has already gone down the mountain, let's go back."

Ning Zhong nodded somewhat reluctantly.

……

After descending Mount Hua, Jiang Ning looked around, unsure of where to go first.

Jiang Ning thought for a moment, then took out a piece of paper from his pocket.

This is the list Lin Pingzhi gave him.

"Li Qingwu, Yangzhou, Shadowless Sect..."

Jiang Ning glanced at the first name on the list.

At this moment, Jiang Ning was dressed in a sky-blue robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a sword hanging from his left hip. He had a cool and unique demeanor, like a wealthy young master on an outing.

"Then let's go to Yangzhou first."

Jiang Ning muttered something to himself, then put the paper away.

……

March.

Yangzhou.

There is a line in Li Bai's ancient poems that says "In the third month of spring, amidst the fireworks, I went down to Yangzhou," which describes the prosperity of Yangzhou. Although it describes Yangzhou in the Tang Dynasty, Yangzhou was still very prosperous at that time.

"Candied hawthorn berries, candied hawthorn berries, so delicious candied hawthorn berries~"

Yangzhou City.

On both sides of a river stand quaint buildings, and the banks are bustling with people. Vendors call out their wares incessantly, and laughter occasionally drifts from one of the teahouses.

A small boat glides slowly across the river, sailing through this ancient city.

"Young master, is this your first time in Yangzhou?"

The boatman rowed and chatted with the man at the bow.

"Ah."

Jiang Ning stood with his hands behind his back, casually nodding as he looked at the bustling city of Yangzhou.

"Then you should definitely have a good time."

Upon hearing this, the boatman laughed and said, "As the saying goes, there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. Although Yangzhou is not Suzhou or Hangzhou, it is still a place in Jiangnan and is no worse than Suzhou and Hangzhou. Young master, you have come to the right place."

Hearing the boatman's words, Jiang Ning smiled but did not reply.

The small boat sailed on the river and passed an ancient bridge. A lush tree grew on the bridge, and a woman was carrying a basin of clothes to the riverbank, apparently to wash them.

The woman was young and dressed simply. She wasn't surprised to see Jiang Ning; instead, she smiled at him, appearing poised and graceful.

Jiang Ning nodded in response. As the small boat passed under the ancient bridge, the woman and the bridge disappeared, becoming part of the scenery in Jiang Ning's eyes.

"Sir, it's here."

At this moment, the boatman brought the boat to shore and laughed heartily.

"Ah."

Jiang Ning nodded slightly.

"Thank you."

After saying that, Jiang Ning got off the boat and walked towards the shore.

This is the headquarters of the Shadowless Sect.

"Young master, I hope you have a wonderful time in Yangzhou."

The boatman waved goodbye to Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning had already paid the fare before boarding the ship.

"Goodbye."

Jiang Ning turned around and smiled.

After saying goodbye to the boatman, Jiang Ning walked down the street with his hands behind his back.

The wealth and prosperity of Yangzhou and other Jiangnan regions were indeed unmatched by Shaanxi. Jiangning noticed that the people here dressed better and had better complexions than the people of Shaanxi.

"Dad, I want to eat candied hawthorn."

A child and his father were walking hand in hand down the street. Judging from their clothes, they were from an ordinary family.

At this moment, the child grabbed his father's finger and pointed at the candied hawthorns held up by a vendor on the side, shouting.

"Okay, okay, I'll buy it."

The commoner smiled indulgently and asked the vendor, "How much is a skewer?"

Seeing customers coming in, the vendor smiled and said, "Three coins a skewer."

"Give me a bunch."

The child's father took out three copper coins from his clothes and handed them to the vendor, then took a string of candied hawthorns from the vendor and handed them to his son.

"Here, eat up."

The child took the candied hawthorn, stuck out his tongue and licked it, savoring the sweetness and slight sourness in his mouth. A happy smile appeared on his face. Then, he let go of his father's hand and skipped away.

"Hey, slow down, don't fall."

Seeing his son running so fast, the father quickly followed.

Perhaps the father's words came true; no sooner had the father finished speaking than the child accidentally stepped on a pebble, slipped, and fell forward.

"Xiao Wen!"

Upon seeing this, the child's father shouted in alarm.

Just as the child was about to fall, two hands swept under his armpits from the front, lifted him up, and made him stand firmly on the ground.

"Are you okay?"

The child was still somewhat shaken. After hearing the voice, he looked up and saw that it was a teenager.

The child shook his head blankly.

At this moment, the child's father also ran over and grabbed the child to check him over.

"I told you to be careful."

The boy's father grumbled as he checked his son for injuries, then thanked the young man, saying, "Thank you, sir."

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "It's alright."

"Let's go, Xiaowen."

Seeing that Jiang Ning was dressed in an extraordinary manner and had a sword at his waist, the child's father realized that Jiang Ning was no ordinary person and quickly told his son to leave.

Jiang Ning was also preparing to leave.

Just then, a small hand suddenly tugged at Jiang Ning's clothes.

Jiang Ning turned around and saw the child named Xiao Wen.

"I'll treat you to candied hawthorns."

The child looked at Jiang Ning and spoke in a childish voice, while handing over the string of candied hawthorns he was holding, his little face very serious.

Jiang Ning paused for a moment, then laughed, took one of the candied hawthorns from the child's string and put it in his mouth.

"Thank you."

Jiang Ning thanked the child and then said goodbye to the father and son.

Jiang Ning walked down the street with his hands behind his back, chewing on a candied hawthorn, enjoying the sweet and sour taste, and was in a pretty good mood.

After crossing a street, Jiang Ning arrived at the gate of a large courtyard.

Above the gate was a plaque that read "Shadowless Gate," and two men were guarding the gate.

Jiang Ning looked around and confirmed the location was correct. He then stepped forward and, unsurprisingly, was stopped.

"May I ask what business you have with my Shadowless Sect?"

One of them asked Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning asked, "Is your sect leader, Li Qingwu, here?"

Seeing that Jiang Ning possessed an extraordinary air, unlike an ordinary person, the two assumed he had a connection with the sect leader and said, "Our sect leader is currently speaking with guests in the main hall. May I ask your honorable name so that I may inform the sect leader?"

"No need, I'll go find him myself."

Jiang Ning leaped over the two men and headed straight inside.

"Hey, you..."

Seeing Jiang Ning come in directly, the two hurriedly followed, trying to stop him. But for some reason, even though they felt Jiang Ning wasn't walking fast, they couldn't keep up and could only follow behind.

The structure of the mansion was simple, with the main hall at the far end. When Jiang Ning entered the main hall, there were several people chatting and laughing inside.

"Who are you?"

Upon seeing Jiang Ning enter, the group stopped talking, frowned at the uninvited guest, and one of the middle-aged men stood up and asked.

Jiang Ning looked at the group of three men and one woman.