Chapter 1578: Chapter 45: Zhou Xing’s Ambition
Guangning City.
In front of the mansion.
"When did you arrive?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Marquis, I arrived yesterday evening," Zhou Xing replied.
"What is your current strength rank?" Jiang Ning asked as he turned to knock on the door.
"Marquis, I have reached the peak of Fifth Grade!" Zhou Xing replied.
"Marquis, I’m at Fifth Grade too!" Feng Jiuge said.
"Marquis, just entered Fourth Grade." Xie Xiaojiu said in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately turned around, his gaze falling on Xie Xiaojiu.
Dressed in a black tight outfit, her eyebrows were like swords, full of spirit.
Her gaze was much brighter than before, showing she was energetic and in excellent condition.
"Not bad!" He nodded at Xie Xiaojiu, indicating praise.
"All thanks to the Marquis’s cultivation!" Xie Xiaojiu’s face remained calm.
Jiang Ning chuckled; compared to Feng Jiuge and Zhou Xing, he indeed invested more resources into Xie Xiaojiu.
Moreover, Xie Xiaojiu’s talent surpassed Zhou Xing and Feng Jiuge’s.
Therefore, he wasn’t surprised that Xie Xiaojiu’s Martial Arts Grade was higher than Feng Jiuge’s and Zhou Xing’s.
Subsequently, his gaze fell on Feng Jiuge.
"You’re the weakest, and it shouldn’t be."
Upon hearing this, Feng Jiuge couldn’t help but shrink her neck and quietly stuck out her tongue.
If this was the year before, she would argue back defiantly against Jiang Ning’s reprimand.
But times had indeed changed.
Looking at Feng Jiuge’s demeanor, Jiang Ning helplessly shook his head.
Zhou Xing, Feng Jiuge, Xie Xiaojiu, the three of them.
He could distinctly discern the levels of their talents.
Xie Xiaojiu was the best, her talent surpassing the other two.
Next was Feng Jiuge, with a family background considered illustrious in Dongling County; her father was a Colonel, ensuring she received ample cultivation since young and established a strong foundation.
Lastly, Zhou Xing.
Like Jiang Ning, they both came from Luoshui County, with only a small pharmacy at home.
While he lived a relatively better life than the average person, not worrying about food and clothing, he was still somewhat lacking compared to true merchants.
Let alone compared to Feng Jiuge.
In terms of innate conditions or talent, he was weaker than Feng Jiuge.
Yet his current strength was ahead of Feng Jiuge.
Besides double the effort, there wasn’t another factor.
Zhou Xing had ambition, and Jiang Ning knew it.
He also wasn’t bothered.
Because only with ambition could someone serve him well, heed his instructions, and act appropriately.
Without ambition, it would be hard to possess strong capability.
Just at this moment.
The latch behind the door dropped.
The sound drew their attention to the front door.
The mansion’s door opened, revealing a small and delicate face.
Her brows and eyes were like a painting, her skin fairer than snow.
The visitor was Ji Mingyue.
Upon seeing Jiang Ning’s figure, Ji Mingyue’s eyes slightly curved, resembling a crescent moon.
Meanwhile, Zhou Xing had already lowered his head.
He understood well what to do and what not to do.
He wouldn’t glance improperly at what he shouldn’t see.
He understood that, for the Zhou family to rise and prosper,
he had to hold on to Jiang Ning tightly.
Jiang Ning was his only hope.
No matter the storm outside, he had already brainwashed himself not to waver.
For he realized that few people have the opportunity to achieve great riches throughout their lives.
The majority are ordinary people, mediocre in fate without any ebb and flow.
Yet by following Jiang Ning, his life was akin to turbulent waves.
Between peaks and depths, perhaps only a step apart.
But he had obtained opportunities unimaginable to the average person, not wanting to miss or abandon them.
He was very clear about what he wanted.
Aside from Jiang Ning, there’s no second person who could grant him such an opportunity.
Simultaneously.
Xie Xiaojiu looked at Ji Mingyue emerging behind the door, her expression subtlely dimming.
She had already guessed the identity of the person before her.
"I am Ji Mingyue; may I ask the names of the three here?" Ji Mingyue’s gaze fell on the three, Xie Xiaojiu among them.
"As expected!" Xie Xiaojiu thought inwardly.
"I am Zhou Xing, greet the Seventeenth Princess!" Zhou Xing was first to salute with clasped hands.
"I am Feng Jiuge, greet the Seventeenth Princess!" Feng Jiuge immediately followed suit.
"I am Xie Xiaojiu, greet the Seventeenth Princess!" Xie Xiaojiu also saluted thereafter.
"Please rise, no need for such formality. Outside, you need not mind my princess status, treat me as a friend of Jiang Ning," Ji Mingyue said.
"Understood!" Zhou Xing saluted.
"Please come inside!" Ji Mingyue gestured with her hand.
"Please come in! Let’s talk inside!" Jiang Ning also spoke.
Afterward, the three followed behind Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue, crossing the threshold into the mansion’s front yard.
The moment they stepped into the front yard.
The three suddenly revealed expressions of astonishment.
Despite it being winter, outside the vegetation was withered and yellow without a trace of greenery.
Yet the front yard brimmed with blooming plants competing in splendor, morning glories climbing the windowsills and fences, presenting a lively spring scene.
"Please sit; I’ll bring some tea." Ji Mingyue said after gently closing the door behind herself, then headed into the building ahead.
"Please sit!" Jiang Ning said.
"Yes, Marquis!" The three responded, gathering around the stone table and sitting.
"Do you know why I summoned you here?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Please instruct us, Marquis!" Zhou Xing stood, clasped his hands in salute.
"No need to be so formal!" Jiang Ning gestured with his hand for Zhou Xing to sit down.
Zhou Xing sat down again, his back straight.
"You know something about the situation in Guangning Prefecture, right?" Jiang Ning asked again.
"I know some!" Zhou Xing nodded.
Jiang Ning said, "The situation in Guangning Prefecture is now settled, Cross Immortal Gate is destroyed, Yingtian Alliance is nearly disbanded, and Chaosheng Pavilion has surrendered! With the surrender of two Great Grandmasters to me, it’s enough to sweep across the major sects in Guangning Prefecture."
