Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 90: Chapter 88: Returning to the Ning Family

Baiquan Town.

As the end of the year approached, the number of people returning home suddenly swelled.

Most Martial Artists in the world possessed a desire to roam the lands and make a name for themselves. As such, the majority of ambitious Martial Artists were unwilling to linger in a small place like Baiquan Town.

Thus, every year, many Martial Artists would leave Baiquan Town to temper themselves in the outside world.

But when the year drew to a close, these Martial Artists would return to reunite with their families. This was always Baiquan Town’s liveliest time.

The Ning Family.

A third-class family of Baiquan Town, located in the northern part of town. While not a top-tier family in Baiquan Town, they were still considered a local power.

On this day, the Ning Family estate was many times livelier than usual.

Outside the Ning Family estate, a young man and woman appeared.

”The Ning Family... I’m finally back.”

Ning Jiang lifted his head, his gaze indifferent as he looked at the Ning Family plaque hanging high above the main gate.

Although he had grown up in this place, he felt no attachment to it whatsoever.

In his mind, the memories belonging to the body’s original owner were filled with despair and rage toward this place.

After the original owner was afflicted with the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse, the mockery and cold faces of others had caused him far more pain than the fire poison itself.

Even now, as Ning Jiang reviewed that part of the original owner’s memories, he could still feel the man’s sorrow.

’I will bear all the grievances you have suffered. Those people... they will come to regret it!’ Ning Jiang vowed silently, feeling the anger and sorrow within the memories.

He let out a long sigh.

Ning Yu’an took a long, deep breath. Her beautiful eyes, too, were filled with ice as she looked at this place.

After all, wasn’t it because of the Ning Family’s indifference that she had taken Ning Jiang and left all those years ago?

If she had a choice, she would never have come back.

”Little Brother, let’s go in,” Ning Yu’an said slowly.

”Okay.”

The guards at the gate recognized Ning Yu’an and didn’t stop them.

’Huh? How strange. Was that Ning Jiang?’

After the two had walked inside, the guard wondered in shock. The change in Ning Jiang was simply too great. Whether it was his eyes or his aura, he seemed like a completely different person.

...

Meanwhile, several members of the Ning Family’s younger generation were gathered in a room in the rear courtyard.

However, everyone gathered here was from Ning Shoujing’s branch of the family.

Ning Shoujing’s line had produced five sons, with Ning Changfeng being the youngest. Above Ning Changfeng were four older brothers.

Ning Shoujing himself had several siblings, and each of them had, in turn, produced their own flourishing branches with many children and grandchildren. Above them all was the old patriarch of the Ning Family.

The old patriarch was the founder of the Ning Family. Ning Shoujing and his siblings were the second generation, Ning Changfeng and his generation were the third, and Ning Yu’an and her peers were the fourth.

The Ning Family was a four-generation clan.

Inside the room.

The younger generation of Ning Shoujing’s branch was gathered together. There weren’t many of them, only a handful of people.

Generally speaking, Martial Artists took three wives and four concubines, and would have many children.

However, only those with great strength or high status could afford to do so.

Take the Liu Family of Luoyang City, for example. As an Innate Limit Strong Person, Liu Yuanlong’s children each had three wives and four concubines. The descendants from just these few children numbered nearly a hundred.

Ning Shoujing’s sons, however, were relatively ordinary. Most had only taken one wife; the more outstanding ones had only married two or three.

His youngest son, Ning Changfeng, for instance, had only married Li Qingyun and had one daughter, Ning Yu’an.

Of course, Li Qingyun came from a noble background, hailing from a First-Class Noble House, far beyond what the others could compare to.

”Ning Qi, your strength has improved quickly. It’s only been half a year, and you’ve already reached the Postnatal Early Stage.” The speaker was a tall young man named Ning Ding.

His own Cultivation was at the Qi Cultivation Ten Heavens. Half a year ago, Ning Qi had been at the same level, but now he had taken a step ahead, making Ning Ding feel a twinge of jealousy along with his envy.

The members of the younger generation were all secretly competing, and no one wanted to be left behind.

”Heh, my little bit of strength is nothing. Ning Shan has already gone from the Postnatal Early Stage to the Postnatal Middle Stage,” Ning Qi said with a smile. Though there was a hint of pride in his eyes, he didn’t act too arrogant.

In the entire Ning Family, a Postnatal Middle Stage Realm was enough to rank in the top ten of the younger generation.

With Ning Shan’s current strength, she was certain to be highly valued by the Ning Family and receive significant resources for her training.

Ning Shan was about twenty years old, dressed in a green skirt that fluttered like a willow in the wind. She had a pretty face and was a rare beauty.

Among the entire younger generation of the Ning Family, she and Ning Yu’an were considered two bright pearls. In terms of beauty, she was only slightly inferior to Ning Yu’an.

”Don’t praise me. The truly formidable one is Big Brother Ning Feng.”

Ning Shan shook her head with a charming smile and looked toward a young man.

This young man sat in the center of the group, his posture ramrod straight. He had shoulder-length black hair, was around twenty-five years old, and possessed an imposing gaze. Anyone who entered the room would immediately sense that he was the leader among them.

Ning Feng, son of Ning Shoujing’s eldest son, Ning Changhan.

His Cultivation had actually reached the Innate Early Stage!

”Innate Early Stage... with such a Cultivation, Big Brother Ning Feng is indisputably number one in our Ning Family’s younger generation. At this year’s annual meeting, everyone is sure to look at him in a new light.”

”That’s right. With Big Brother Ning Feng’s current strength, he’s more than qualified for an important position in the Ning Family. Even the position of Clan Leader will most likely be his in the future.”

Ning Qi and Ning Ding spoke one after the other, flattering Ning Feng.

Even before, Ning Feng had been the most outstanding of the younger generation in Ning Shoujing’s branch, ranking in the top three of the entire Ning Family. Now that he had stepped into the Innate Realm, he had advanced even further.

The Innate Realm and the Postnatal Realm were two completely different levels.

”I think with Big Brother Ning Feng’s current strength, he could compete for the top three among the geniuses of Baiquan Town,” said Ning Qi.

Although Baiquan Town was a small place, not even a tenth the size of Luoyang City, there were still a few geniuses among its younger generation who had entered the Innate Realm.

”Top five is no problem, but top three would be difficult.”

Ning Feng shook his head. ”I was only able to break through to the Innate Realm because I had a stroke of luck while I was out adventuring. I obtained an Elixir that boosted my strength, which allowed me to break through and enter the Innate Realm in one go.”

Using an Elixir to break through to the Innate Realm often leads to an unstable foundation.

He would need at least half a year to consolidate his foundation. Only when his Cultivation was completely stable would he have a chance to contend for the top three.

”Big Brother Ning Feng is truly blessed by the heavens. Your future will surely be smooth sailing and limitless,” Ning Ding said with a chuckle. ”In the future, I’ll be counting on you to look after me in the Ning Family.”

He was building a good relationship with Ning Feng as a preemptive measure, thinking of the future. With Ning Feng’s current power, he was bound to hold great authority in the Ning Family down the line. When that time came, he might need to ask Ning Feng for favors.

He knew his own limits. His cultivation talent wasn’t high—in fact, it was the worst among his siblings. He estimated he had no hope of reaching the Innate Realm in this lifetime.

Since he was lacking in the Cultivation department, he had to focus on building connections.

In a place like a family clan, connections were crucial if you wanted to get by.

”We are all brothers here. That’s easily arranged.”

A trace of pride appeared in Ning Feng’s eyes. The feeling of being praised like this was intoxicating, making him feel on top of the world.

”I wonder if Ning Yu’an and that brat will come back for the annual meeting this year,” Ning Qi said.

As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere immediately turned a little strange.

To them, Ning Changfeng’s family was a rather peculiar case.

”Hmph. Ning Yu’an is supposed to be our cousin, but she’s stubborn as hell. Insisting on caring whether that brat lives or dies... it’s just stupid,” Ning Ding snorted coldly.

”He was afflicted with the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse. After so long, that brat is probably already dead,” Ning Feng said, shaking his head.

None of them felt any affection for Ning Jiang. He had been picked up by Ning Changfeng, a mere adopted son. He didn’t even have Ning Family blood. What was he to them?

”By the way, Ning Shan, didn’t you used to hang out with that brat all the time? He had a crush on you, didn’t he?” Ning Feng’s gaze shifted to Ning Shan.

Ning Shan’s expression stiffened slightly, and she said unnaturally, ”That was all a long time ago. Why bring it up now?”

Thinking of the past, she couldn’t help but sigh internally.

Back then, she had indeed been on good terms with Ning Jiang.

At the time, Ning Jiang’s talent wasn’t bad; he could rank in the top ten of the Ning Family’s younger generation. Plus, his adoptive father and mother were both Innate Realm experts. From that perspective, Ning Jiang could be considered to have a powerful background.

Back then, Ning Jiang had indeed shown some interest in her, and her impression of him wasn’t bad either. She had felt that getting together with him wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Unfortunately, Ning Jiang was later afflicted by the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse. He lived a life worse than death, and his Cultivation continuously declined.

From that moment on, she had gradually distanced herself from Ning Jiang and stopped associating with him.

”Hmph, if you ask me, that brat is a walking disaster. It’d be better if he were dead. If it weren’t for him, Little Uncle and the others wouldn’t have gone to Golden Cauldron City, and we wouldn’t be sitting here now, not knowing if they’re alive or dead,” Ning Ding said, full of disgust for Ning Jiang.

Ning Feng frowned. ”Keep your voice down. Don’t mention this in front of Grandfather. He’ll get upset if you bring up Little Uncle.”

With his youngest son Ning Changfeng gone for so long, Ning Shoujing, as his father, was naturally very worried.

Among all his sons, Ning Shoujing had always doted on the youngest, Ning Changfeng, the most.

”Anyway, I hope I don’t see that brat at the annual meeting this year,” Ning Ding muttered, pursing his lips.

”Hmph.”

A cold snort echoed through the room. Everyone inside looked up and was stunned.

The ones who had just walked in were none other than Ning Yu’an and Ning Jiang.

After just two months, Ning Yu’an had become even more beautiful. She was like a lotus rising from clear water, exceptionally stunning.

But the change in Ning Jiang was so drastic their pupils contracted. They almost didn’t recognize him.

Ning Jiang had a full head of white hair, handsome features, and an indifferent gaze. He carried an air of otherworldly detachment.

’Is that guy really Ning Jiang? How did he end up looking like this? And wasn’t he afflicted with the Black Jade Fire Poison Curse?’

They all stared at Ning Jiang in utter shock. Ning Shan was the most astonished of all. The Ning Jiang before her now seemed to possess a strange, captivating charm that could draw in any woman.