Chapter 46: Chapter 46: The Ning Family
Name: Fang Xing
Cultivation: Middle Stage of Neutralizing Force
Enhancement Level: Two-Star (32%)
Enhancement Points: 736.
"Only a little over seven hundred points left..."
Fang Xing sighed as he looked at the panel.
He had used up more than ninety percent of his previous accumulation.
Just advancing one step had cost him over three thousand Enhancement Points.
The resources required for advancing in the Martial Dao were immense. Without a solid foundation, most Martial Artists could only rely on the slow accumulation of time to improve.
Once one entered the Neutralizing Force realm, resources were crucial for faster progress. Without his prior accumulation, it would have been difficult to achieve such an improvement in a year or two, let alone just a couple of months.
His youth was a huge advantage among High Realm cultivators.
For the old, with their declining vitality and blood, improvement became far more difficult, and they could remain stagnant for the rest of their lives.
He never stopped his daily regimen of nourishing foods and Treasure Medicines.
Although his strength had greatly increased, this kind of improvement was built on a foundation of abundant resources.
Without sufficient resources, wanting to advance was just a pipe dream.
’After the New Year... it should be about time.’
The thought flashed through Fang Xing’s mind as he watched the snowflakes drift down from the sky.
After lying low for so long, it was time to make a move.
While he couldn’t touch the five major powers, it was time to clear out some of the remaining forces.
By sweeping away these groups, the criminal underworld of Qingshan County would be almost completely eradicated.
Clearing them out would also allow him to reap a new wave of Enhancement Points.
Averting his gaze, Fang Xing left the courtyard and headed toward the County Yamen.
Snow covered the ground.
The heavy snow had fallen for three consecutive days, making it the biggest snowfall since the beginning of winter.
As he walked through the snow, he noticed that the refugees who usually huddled by the street corners were gone.
For refugees, winter was a battle for survival.
The freezing temperatures were a devastating catastrophe for them.
Wine and meat rot behind vermilion gates, while frozen bones lie on the road.
This was not a rare sight. A single winter could claim the lives of tens of thousands.
Fang Xing had previously set aside some areas to establish refugee camps.
However, he could only save a fraction of them. The refugees inside the city could receive some care, but those outside were unlikely to survive the harsh winter.
Such was the way of the world.
Even in times of peace and prosperity, refugees and common folk died, let alone in these chaotic times.
...
"My lord."
"Lord Fang."
Arriving at the County Yamen, Fang Xing inspected each of the departments. The Constables he encountered all bowed in greeting.
After the reorganization of the four main departments, their numbers had swelled, but things had stabilized over the past few months.
With more manpower, public order had also become much more stable.
After completing his inspection, Fang Xing left the County Yamen.
Just showing his face occasionally was enough.
Just as he reached his doorstep, he saw a figure waiting there—a middle-aged man in a long robe.
Upon seeing Fang Xing, the man immediately stepped forward.
"Greetings, Lord Fang."
The middle-aged man said with a beaming smile.
Fang Xing sized up the man before him. He wore a cashmere cap, and from his aura, Fang Xing could sense that he was a Dark Force Martial Artist.
Thanks to his cultivation of the Longevity Technique and his powerful Perception Ability, he could get a rough sense of someone’s strength even if they weren’t releasing their aura.
Fang Xing gave him a once-over and asked coolly, "Who are you?"
The man smiled. "My lord, I am Qin Shen, a steward of the Ning Family. I’ve come today to deliver an invitation. In three days, my master, the patriarch of the Ning Family, would like to invite you to a gathering at the Drunken Immortal Tower."
As he spoke, he took out an invitation and handed it to Fang Xing.
The Ning Family!
As Qin Shen spoke, Fang Xing’s gaze fell upon the invitation in front of him.
Other than receiving a gift from the Ning Family when he was promoted to Chief Constable, he hadn’t had much contact with them.
"The patriarch said that with the end of the year approaching, he wished to have a get-together with you, my lord."
Qin Shen explained.
’It seems they’re trying to win me over... but there’s no harm in going.’
Fang Xing pondered for a moment before accepting the invitation. "Thank you for the Ning Family’s invitation. I will be there."
Hearing this, a smile spread across Qin Shen’s face. He looked at Fang Xing and said, "Then I won’t disturb you any longer, my lord. We will await your presence at the Drunken Immortal Tower in three days."
Fang Xing nodded. As he watched Qin Shen leave, his eyes fell on the invitation in his hand.
Then he walked into his courtyard.
Since the Ning Family had sent an invitation, it was a gesture of respect he naturally had to return.
Of the three great families, the Ning Family was the most powerful.
According to what he knew, the Ning Family even had connections in the Province Mansion.
To be rooted in Qingshan for a century, their foundation was certainly no joke.
However, he didn’t pay it too much mind.
It was just a meal, after all.
It was perfectly normal for him to be invited given his status; after all, he was in charge of all the constables and public order in Qingshan.
This wasn’t the first time, either.
The other two great families had already invited him several days prior.
—
「Three days passed quickly.」
Fang Xing arrived at the Drunken Immortal Tower as scheduled.
In a private room on the top floor, he saw the man in charge of the Ning Family, Ning Jiangbo.
Not only was he the head of the Ning Family, but he was also a Martial Artist at the Peak of Neutralizing Force.
Besides Ning Jiangbo, there was a beautiful woman by his side.
She had a dignified air!
In addition, there was a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen.
While not a peerless beauty, she was quite attractive and had the appearance of a young lady from a prominent family.
Fang Xing was a bit surprised to see the young woman and the beautiful lady.
’What’s all this about?’
"Lord Fang, please, have a seat."
Ning Jiangbo said with a beaming smile. Fang Xing nodded and sat down.
Ning Jiangbo then gave the order to serve the food.
His gaze then returned to Fang Xing, and he said with a bright smile, "Lord Fang, I have long heard of your name. Seeing you today, you truly are a heroic youth."
Fang Xing looked at him and smiled faintly. "Patriarch Ning, you flatter me."
"Allow me to introduce you. This is my wife, Zhuang Jie, and this is my young daughter, Ning Xiaoqian."
"A pleasure to meet you, Madam, and you, Miss Ning."
Fang Xing greeted them, his expression calm.
Zhuang Jie smiled, her expression gentle as she looked at Fang Xing. "Lord Fang, you are truly young and promising. To become the Chief Constable at nineteen is quite rare."
"You’re too kind, Madam. It’s only because my superiors saw some potential in me," Fang Xing said lightly.
At this, Ning Jiangbo laughed. "Haha, but they only see potential in those who are truly capable. Lord Fang, you have a boundless future ahead of you."
Fang Xing just smiled and said nothing more.
Just then, the dishes were served, and they all began to eat.
They drank some wine.
The atmosphere quickly became congenial.
They chatted as they ate.
Fang Xing had handled many such occasions and was perfectly at ease.
Even facing Ning Jiangbo, a master at the Peak of Neutralizing Force, he remained composed.
—
After several rounds of drinks and courses, the meal was drawing to a close.
Ning Jiangbo put down his chopsticks and looked at Fang Xing.
"Lord Fang, what do you think of my daughter?"
Hm?
Hearing Ning Jiangbo’s question, Fang Xing immediately sensed something unusual was afoot.
At his side, Ning Xiaoqian lowered her head slightly upon hearing this. Her pretty face was flushed, perhaps from the wine.
’What does he mean by this?’
’Is he trying to set me up with his daughter?’
Fang Xing was stunned for a moment but quickly recovered. He looked at Ning Jiangbo and said, "Your daughter is a lady from a fine family, a rare beauty indeed."
Hearing this, bright smiles appeared on the faces of Ning Jiangbo and his wife.
"Lord Fang, you are unmarried, I presume?" Ning Jiangbo asked with a smile.
Hearing this question, Fang Xing’s suspicion was immediately confirmed.
’No wonder he brought his daughter to the dinner. So this is what he was waiting for.’
Fang Xing looked at Ning Jiangbo, his expression serene. "My duties keep me busy, so I haven’t really considered such matters."
"Then, Lord Fang, do you think my daughter might be suitable?"
Ning Jiangbo asked, his smile unwavering.
"I am not considering this matter at the moment. I hope Patriarch Ning can forgive me," Fang Xing replied.
Hearing this, Ning Jiangbo continued to look at him with a broad smile.
"A man must marry when he comes of age, just as a woman must. Why refuse, Lord Fang? You could start by spending some time together to see if a bond develops."
"..."
