Chapter 1818 - 163: Ji Minghao’s Purpose! (Part 2)

In the center of the hall stood a man in everyday clothes, hands behind his back. A map of mountains and rivers hung on the wall in front of him, and beside him was a graceful and elegant woman.

She was Shen Mengyun, the daughter of the current dynasty’s Great General, Shen Xiao.

Compared to previous encounters, Shen Mengyun now carried a nobler aura, perhaps due to her status, and exuded more gracefulness. However, it seemed out of tune with her original disposition, slightly diminishing her beauty.

Upon hearing footsteps from behind, Ji Minghao turned around.

His face lit up immediately upon seeing Jiang Ning’s silhouette.

"Brother Jiang, you’ve finally returned." Ji Minghao stepped forward briskly, his tone noticeably relieved, "I’ve waited for you here at the Li River palace for most of the day, worrying you might not return today."

Jiang Ning cupped his hands in greeting: "I was unaware the Holy Emperor was waiting here, making the Holy Emperor wait was my oversight."

"There’s no need for formalities, Brother Jiang." Ji Minghao reached out to steady Jiang Ning’s arm, his eyes scrutinized Jiang Ning’s face to confirm he was unharmed before finally relaxing, "Though I couldn’t witness the battle two days ago in person, seeing the might of those two Heavenly Soldiers from afar had me sweating on your behalf, Brother Jiang. Now that you’ve returned safely, my heart can finally be at ease."

Jiang Ning smiled slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Holy Emperor. It was nothing but the remnants of two ancient Heavenly Soldiers, harmless once their energy is depleted. I merely circled around outside until their energy was exhausted, freeing myself from their pursuit."

"Nothing but a harmless threat?" Ji Minghao chuckled wryly and shook his head, "Those were Heavenly Soldiers, mythical Heavenly Soldiers, two of them could supposedly battle an Immortal! Only you, Brother Jiang, could utter such words!"

As he spoke, he led Jiang Ning to be seated, himself taking the main seat, and gestured for an attendant to serve tea.

Shen Mengyun sat quietly beside them, refraining from joining the conversation.

She knew of Ji Minghao’s regard for Jiang Ning.

And she knew this was not the time for a woman like her to interject.

Inside the hall, as the fragrance of the tea gently rose, a silence fell, leaving only the sound of the wind and the distant subtle noises of craftsmen repairing.

"Brother Jiang, I arrived at the Li River palace at noon intending to meet with you, but you left the city again this afternoon!" Ji Minghao casually asked as he picked up his teacup, "Where did you go wandering, Brother Jiang?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning picked up his teacup, blew the floating tea leaves aside, took a sip, and then said: "First, I went to Five Mountains Prefecture and helped Purple Marquis Zhou Sheng dispel the encampment of the Yellow Heaven Sect’s two Heavenly Kings. Then I ventured to Xisha County to meet with the Yellow Heaven Taoist and exchanged a few blows with him."

"What?!" Ji Minghao’s hand holding the teacup paused sharply, some tea spilled onto himself and the ground.

He stared wide-eyed at Jiang Ning, his eyes filled with incredulity, "Brother Jiang! You went to Xisha County? Met the Yellow Heaven Taoist? And exchanged blows with him?"

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded: "Just a few collisions of Primordial Spirit to probe; then I withdrew."

Ji Minghao put down his teacup, while Shen Mengyun quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe the tea off his hand and clothes.

Meanwhile, Ji Minghao looked intently at Jiang Ning: "How did the exchange with the Yellow Heaven Taoist turn out, Brother Jiang?"

"A simple probe; it ended evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand." Jiang Ning stated honestly.

Upon hearing this, Ji Minghao continued to look intently at Jiang Ning.

"Brother Jiang, based on your probe, what are the odds of winning if you go all out?"

"Approximately zero!" Jiang Ning replied calmly.

"Just as I thought!" Ji Minghao sighed deeply, and then said: "I heard the Imperial Uncle went to Xisha County once and returned injured; this Yellow Heaven Taoist is indeed fearsome! Truly a grave threat! I once advised my father against nurturing a tiger to cause calamity! My father didn’t heed it, and now we face this situation!"

Seeing the despondency and agitation on Ji Minghao’s face.

Jiang Ning recalled past instances of Ji Minghao assisting him, as well as the changes he encountered walking through the palace.

Knowing that Ji Minghao went to great lengths for the restoration of the Li River palace.

Coupled with Ji Minghao having waited for him all afternoon.

He pondered for a moment before speaking words of comfort.

"Holy Emperor need not worry! The reason I said zero odds is because the Yellow Heaven Taoist was on his own turf, having set up an Eight Trigram Formation in the valley, granting him the advantage of the terrain. According to him, even the Martial Saint visiting would have to pay a price to kill him!"

"Even the Martial Saint would have to pay a price, so naturally my odds are zero!"

At the last statement, Jiang Ning chuckled indifferently.

"I see!" Ji Minghao exhaled deeply upon hearing Jiang Ning’s words.

Then he looked at Jiang Ning with delight.

"Hearing Brother Jiang’s words shows your confidence and indicates you genuinely possess the strength of second under heaven! Unlike the Imperial Uncle, who couldn’t achieve this! This is proof enough that your strength surpasses the Imperial Uncle’s, truly a cause for great celebration!"

Seeing the change in Ji Minghao’s expression, Jiang Ning smiled slightly, choosing not to elaborate further.

At this moment.

Ji Minghao collected himself, looking earnestly at Jiang Ning.

"Brother Jiang, we are close friends, soon to be family! Share with me, do you have the confidence to rise to the level of the Martial Saint?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning shook his head.

"Everything remains uncertain!"

At this moment, his mind recalled old tales he had heard.

"Brother Jiang, despite your youth, you have already reached this stage; it’s not an exaggeration to say you are unrivaled below an Immortal! In today’s world, aside from that one person, there’s no one else who can compete with you! If you can’t, who else can? As your brother, you must not deceive me!!"

At the last sentence, Ji Minghao looked earnestly at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning smiled: "Holy Emperor overestimates me!"

Hearing this, Ji Minghao remained silent for a moment, then also smiled.

"On another note, Brother Jiang, do you think there’s currently a solution to the threat of the Yellow Heaven Sect?"

Jiang Ning shook his head: "No solution for now. Although the Yellow Heaven Taoist acts aggressively, he has his own blueprint and convictions. I chatted with him; a few words can’t sway him. Moreover, the true chaos isn’t just within the Yellow Heaven Sect, there are other existences the Holy Emperor knows of!"

"I understand!" Ji Minghao nodded, indicating he understood.

"I wonder, what is the reason for your special visit today?" Jiang Ning asked.

"This morning, after the court assembly, I received an urgent plea for help from Five Mountains Prefecture, seeking Brother Jiang for advice and to invite you to tomorrow’s court assembly! I was originally planning to propose this in court, hoping some ministers would volunteer to lead troops to Five Mountains Prefecture to relieve its situation!"

"I’ve just ascended to the throne and succeeded the rule recently, fearing that if I propose this, no one would answer, I thought to ask Brother Jiang to take up this matter!"

Discussing this, Ji Minghao expressed a sigh of emotion.

"Unexpectedly, you have already resolved the matter, Brother Jiang!"

"This afternoon, you alone went to Five Mountains Prefecture and defeated the troops of the Yellow Heaven Sect’s Zhenyue Heavenly King and Fuhai King!"

"Moreover, you went on to gift me a great surprise."

"You ventured to the Yellow Heaven Sect’s base in Xisha County and came back unscathed after exchanging blows with the Yellow Heaven Taoist!"

"This act is enough to intimidate the Yellow Heaven Sect and deter them from rashly moving in the foreseeable future."

Saying this, Ji Minghao suddenly offered Jiang Ning a solemn bow: "Brother Jiang, the peace of Five Mountains Prefecture owes entirely to your efforts. On behalf of the thousands of people there, I thank you for your assistance!"

Jiang Ning stood up: "Holy Emperor exaggerates. It was merely an incidental act, not a major achievement."

"No, this is a significant achievement." Ji Minghao looked at him earnestly, his gaze determined, shaking his head, "If Five Mountains Prefecture falls, not only will countless people suffer, but the foundation of the Yellow Heaven Sect will strengthen. Then, the realm may be engulfed in war!"

As the words fell, Ji Minghao gazed at him, his eyes reflecting gratitude, admiration, and complex emotions.

"Holy Emperor is too kind!"

"It’s not mere politeness!" Ji Minghao shook his head, "Having Brother Jiang as a friend is a blessing for Great Xia and for me."

Jiang Ning smiled, chose not to respond further, and was reluctant to say anything courteous.