In front of the residence.

Jiang Ning quickly walked out.

"Marquis!"

"Greetings, Marquis!" Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu both clasped their hands in salute to Jiang Ning.

"Master Zhao and Brother Bai, there’s no need to be so formal! We don’t have to stand on ceremony among ourselves!" Jiang Ning said.

Then he gestured with his hand, "You two, let’s discuss inside first."

"Alright!" They nodded and followed Jiang Ning as he stepped through the mansion’s gate.

Entering the front courtyard, they were instantly captivated by the plaque hanging before the front hall.

"Martial Champion of the World!" Bai Luoyu slowly read the four large characters on the plaque, his eyes filled with envy.

"The youngest Martial Champion indeed!" He sighed with admiration.

Zhao Yulong couldn’t help but glance back at it, drawn to the plaque.

"Marquis, your trip to the Royal Capital signifies a hidden dragon emerging from the abyss and a flood dragon entering the sea." He remarked.

Jiang Ning shook his head helplessly, "Yet the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be blown down by the wind! This journey has also brought trouble to me."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yulong immediately thought of what had just happened.

Even though he could not recognize the figure shrouded in white light, he knew that this person took action because Jiang Ning was under attack.

"Marquis, who was that person earlier?" Bai Luoyu asked, voicing the curiosity that had been building up inside him.

"Martial Saint!" After pondering for a moment, Jiang Ning revealed these two words.

"Martial Saint?!!" Bai Luoyu’s pupils contracted, his face shocked.

Beside him, Zhao Yulong was equally astounded.

This answer was beyond his anticipation.

"Indeed!" Jiang Ning nodded, affirming it.

"So it was that person..." Zhao Yulong exhaled a breath, suppressing the upsurge within him.

Jiang Ning nodded again to confirm.

"What does the Marquis plan to do in the future?" At this point, the three of them entered the hall and sat down. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Lv Yi also brought in tea.

"First, I’ll return to the Royal Capital to spend the New Year, and then I’ll head back to Dongling City after the spring begins," Jiang Ning said.

"The Marquis should keep a low profile for now!" Zhao Yulong concurred, nodding, "Given that the Marquis has reached this point, certain figures are bound to make a move. The best choice is still for the Marquis to remain in the Royal Capital for some time."

Jiang Ning shook his head, "Although I’m not the Dongling County Patrol Envoy now, I’m serving as the Zeshan State Patrol Envoy, so both emotionally and logically, I can’t stay long in the Royal Capital nor can I leave Zeshan State for an extended period."

Zhao Yulong nodded, "What the Marquis says makes sense, but this also raises concerns about the Marquis’s safety."

Jiang Ning smiled.

At this moment, Lv Yi rushed in again.

"Young Master, County Governor Wang is at the door requesting an audience."

County Governor Wang.

Upon hearing these three words, Jiang Ning immediately stood up.

"Master Zhao and Brother Bai, please wait here for a moment."

"Please go ahead, Marquis!" Zhao Yulong said.

Jiang Ning immediately headed out of the hall.

County Governor Wang was actually Wang Shouyi, also the father of Wang Qintan.

A moment later.

He crossed the front courtyard and arrived at the mansion gate.

His first glance landed on the young girl standing behind Wang Shouyi.

The girl wore a long gown of golden-red silk that almost covered her feet.

Under the hem, there were golden pieces resembling phoenix feathers.

The gown itself was adorned with feathers like golden pieces embedded in it.

Under the afternoon sun, her entire being shimmered with golden light.

Standing in the white snow, she looked like a sun-drenched phoenix spreading its wings, extraordinarily splendid.

"Greetings, Marquis!" Wang Shouyi immediately saluted Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning stepped forward and supported Wang Shouyi’s elbows with both hands.

"County Governor Wang, there’s no need to be so courteous! Between you and me, such formalities are unnecessary."

"It must be done!" Wang Shouyi nodded, continuing, "Now that the Marquis has become the Dongling Marquis, the entire Dongling County is the Marquis’s fiefdom, and in the future, I will also be the Marquis’s subordinate."

"County Governor Wang, you’re too kind. In the future, the entire Dongling County will still rely on your assistance! As for myself, County Governor Wang can treat me as a mascot!" Jiang Ning replied.

"Marquis, you jest!" Wang Shouyi remarked.

"Let’s not talk about this for now. County Governor Wang, please come inside first and we’ll talk further." Jiang Ning said.

"Very well!" Wang Shouyi nodded and then stepped over the threshold.

Wang Qintan followed behind him, lifting her skirt slightly, causing a melodious clinking sound as the golden pieces rubbed together.

As they passed by, Wang Qintan winked at Jiang Ning and continued following in Wang Shouyi’s steps.

A moment later.

Inside the front courtyard hall.

Wang Shouyi first crossed the threshold, and in the center of the hall was a large charcoal brazier, burning brightly, emitting blue and red flames that warmed the entire room.

"County Governor Wang!" Zhao Yulong greeted him, getting up early.

"Greetings, County Governor Wang!" Bai Luoyu quickly followed.

"So you two were here early!" Wang Shouyi cheerily clasped his hands in greeting.

At that moment, Wang Qintan, following her father, entered the warm hall.

She first glanced softly at Jiang Ning, then turned to the other guests in the hall.

She crossed her hands at her waist and elegantly performed a standard curtsy.

"Qintan greets Master Zhao and Mr. Bai." Her voice was crisp and pleasant, like the light clinking of golden pieces.

The golden-red gown with phoenix feather-like adornments swayed slightly with her motion, appearing even more radiant under the glow of the charcoal fire.

"Miss Wang, there’s no need for formalities!" Zhao Yulong immediately said.

As Master of the Dongling County Inspection Office, and serving in the same city as County Governor Wang Shouyi, he naturally was familiar with the governor’s daughter and aware of some of the relations between Jiang Ning and Wang Qintan.

Luoyu also clasped his hands in return, his demeanor was more courteous, "Mr. Bai greets Miss Wang."

He was well aware that Wang Shouyi was not only Jiang Ning’s "father-in-law" but also the de facto ruler of Dongling County, a pivotal figure, making his daughter all the more someone he could not slight.