PNB Chapter 150 Conserving Strength
Chapter 150 Conserving Strength
The next day, when Ming Jizong came to have lunch, he heard that his aunt's family had been granted a pardon and their household registration had been changed from criminals to civilians. He then shouted and yelled at Zhou Xin, who had come with him to listen to his orders, to go and get more wine.
After returning home that day, Zhou Xin told Zhou Liangwu the news. Zhou Liangwu thought about it and then invited Zhao Yao to go to the Ning family to offer their congratulations after dinner.
Ning Xiaoxi didn't participate in entertaining Zhou Liangwu and Zhao Yao. If she couldn't become a Celestial Master, it was best not to get involved.
Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing returned to their respective rooms. Ning Ziqing folded and moved the screen beside the bed, sat on his bed, and chatted with Ning Xiaoxi across the fire wall, which was quite convenient. Ming Luoying sat in front of Ning Xiaoxi's dressing table, holding a set of new cotton clothes she had made for Ning Xiaoxi, with cloud-patterned lace embroidered on the sleeves and cuffs.
"My brother's level hasn't changed. Is it because his spiritual power isn't enough?"
"After passing Beixiao City, I basically didn't absorb any spiritual energy anymore. It was already difficult enough to maintain my level." Ning Ziqing wasn't sure if it was due to the location or if there was some problem with his cultivation.
Ning Xiaoxi placed her fingers on Ning Ziqing's wrist, and her spiritual energy circulated along the worthless spiritual vein. "There's no problem with your cultivation, it's just that your spiritual energy is insufficient."
The damage to the spiritual energy source seems to be getting worse. Such a vast region as Youzhou is now devoid of spiritual power for cultivation. Will any Celestial Masters still be willing to station themselves in Youzhou in the future? Will there even be any local Celestial Masters left?
After the Kuafu tribe was sealed off, she extracted spirit crystals from the veins beneath Mount Kongsang. It remains to be seen whether the Kuafu tribe can regain its former glory after the seal is lifted.
"Brother, if I want to go out of the North District to take a look, do you think Lord Di Kui will allow it?"
"The Celestial Masters stationed in the ten border counties are changed every year. The new Celestial Master is already on his way and will arrive soon."
Ning Xiaoxi stared at her brother with her mouth agape. The Celestial Master Pavilion really knows how to have fun!
"The Heavenly Fiend Masters of Beixiao City are rotated every three years, and this year is Heavenly Wisdom Master's last year. Actually, you can't blame the Celestial Master Pavilion for this mechanism; it's just that the spiritual energy in Youzhou is too scarce. Even a mid-level Celestial Master like myself can't cultivate, let alone Heavenly Fiend Masters." Ning Ziqing showed a worried expression. "Xiao Xi, what will you do?" He never knew his sister's level, but she was definitely someone he could only look up to. This was truly a place very unfriendly to Celestial Masters.
“Brother, you don’t need to worry about me. Now that you are no longer a criminal, you don’t need to stay in Youzhou. I heard from Lord Tianhui’s subordinate Li Jia that there is a trial mechanism. When I register, I will ask Lord Di Kui about it and see how it is implemented and whether you can participate.”
"Xiao Xi!" Ning Ziqing was a little anxious. Why was she still thinking about arranging things for him? She was the one who was important.
Ning Xiaoxi tugged at her brother's sleeve. "Brother, you know my greatest wish is for Father, Mother, and you to be safe. Now that Father and Mother are gradually settling down in Fufang, your strength will be affected. That's not right. Only when both of us are strong can we protect Father and Mother and ensure their safety and well-being. Listen to me, brother."
Ning Ziqing gritted her teeth and nodded.
Ming Luoying felt that the light in the room was a bit dim, and her eyes were fogged up, making it difficult to see clearly.
The barren landscape outside the north of the city is definitely not accidental; such a drastic difference wouldn't happen without reason. We can inquire about it when we see Lord Di Kui. Anyway, he's leaving soon, so he probably won't mind making a good connection.
If even the Celestial Master can't stay here, then there must be no great demon lords left, and the lesser demon soldiers probably wouldn't want to develop in this barren place either.
"Brother, how long has it been since there was a battle outside the city?"
"According to the veterans who guarded the city, there has been no fighting for four years. Moreover, the half-demons always launched their attacks in winter. Now that the weather has warmed up and the fish have returned to school, they have plenty of food and should not start any fighting."
Ning Xiaoxi thought of the burly enemy soldier who had infiltrated the area. If they weren't preparing for an attack, why would they send troops to infiltrate?
“Brother, in the northern border region, you can’t rely solely on experience. The reason I mentioned encountering Shang Wu before was because Shang Wu was tracking down infiltrated enemy troops.”
Ning Ziqing's expression turned serious. "If there's no purpose, why would they venture deep behind enemy lines without a reason?"
“Yes, although it has been killed, I don’t know if it was the only one that successfully infiltrated or what. Remember to remind Father to be careful.” Ning Xiaoxi was also pleased that her brother knew how to be flexible. “I still want to find a chance to go out for a trip. I won’t feel at ease if I don’t go and check on things.”
Soft voices and the sound of doors opening and closing could be heard outside, indicating that Zhou Liangwu and Zhao Yao had said goodbye.
Ming Luoying took the clothes in her hands and walked out. "You two shouldn't talk too late. You can talk about it tomorrow."
Ning Ziqing responded and got up to move the screen back and put it away. "Sister, go and check out Second Cousin's shop tomorrow. It's good to know the location of your own shop."
Ning Shi returned from seeing off the guests and said at the door, "The water on the stove is boiling. Xiao Xi Zi Qing, go wash up and rest!"
Ning Xiaoxi replied loudly, "Thank you, Father. We'll wash up and go to bed now."
"Brother, go to the shop early tomorrow morning and bring the carriage over. I have some goods for my second cousin."
Ning Ziqing glanced at Ning Xiaoxi curiously. How much cargo did she need to specially drive over to pick up?
The next day, when Ning Ziqing looked at the goods that Ning Xiaoxi had placed on the carriage, he realized that the goods Xiaoxi had taken out were not just numerous, but precious.
Just as Ning Xiaoxi finished loading the car and was about to leave, Liu Xing suddenly appeared.
"This is a request from Lord Di Kui, a subordinate official."
Ning Xiaoxi curiously pulled back the curtain and glanced at him, then nodded to Ning Ziqing, who was driving, and said, "Brother, could you give us a ride?"
"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Ziqing." Liu Xing thanked Ning Ziqing politely before getting into the carriage.
"Liu, what happened?"
"Commander Hu captured an enemy soldier who had infiltrated the area. We initially thought he was just another half-baked soldier like before, but he suddenly attacked and killed four soldiers before being captured. Lord Di Kui went to take a look, but he's not entirely sure, so he'd like to ask Officer Ning to help him as well."
Ning Xiaoxi was even more puzzled. It was just an enemy soldier, not even a pure demon. How could Di Kui, with his strength, not be able to judge her accurately? What did it mean to call her over?
The area where the criminals lived was in the eastern part of the northern city, while the garrison was in the west. Ning Ziqing drove to the gate of the barracks very quickly.
Ning Ziqing's status was insufficient, and he had not been invited, so Ning Xiaoxi told him to go back first, while she followed Liu Xing into the barracks.
Liu Xing led Ning Xiaoxi directly into the military camp. Instead of going straight, they turned left and walked along the edge of the camp to a simple house in the southern corner.
When Ning Xiaoxi entered the room, she saw enemy soldiers with their arms tied behind their backs, hanging in mid-air.
Upon seeing this person, Ning Xiaoxi sensed a strong demonic aura, mixed with a faint human scent. The pungent smell made Ning Xiaoxi take a step back, almost leaving the room altogether.