The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun

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"Thank you, senior sister."

After several days of recuperation and taking the Hengshan Sect's Black Jade Bone-Mending Glue, Jiang Ning's injuries have almost healed, except for a few deep wounds that exposed bone. However, he still needs to drink the daily medicinal soup.

This was Yue Buqun's request.

Du Lanyin smiled and shook her head, saying nothing.

Jiang Ning took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp, then put the bowl aside.

Du Lanyin did not leave at this time, but sat down not far from Jiangning.

Jiang Ning glanced at it but ignored it.

Du Lanyin gazed at the magnificent scenery in the distance, then glanced quietly at Jiangning not far away.

"That's good too."

Du Lanyin thought to herself.

Chapter 793: Zhu Houzhao's Envy

After months of effort, the various sects finally managed to deal with most of the contents of the Demonic Cult's treasury.

Of course, the help from the imperial court was also indispensable.

After learning of the righteous path's great victory over the demonic sect and Jiang Ning's plans, Zhu Houzhao sent people to assist Jiang Ning in returning all the silver and treasures that had been claimed to their rightful owners.

Otherwise, it would be time-consuming and laborious to let the various righteous factions handle this matter, since the imperial court is the professional in this area.

However, a small problem arose during this period.

That means some of the people sent by Zhu Houzhao wanted to line their own pockets.

These officials arrived with an arrogant attitude, looking down on the martial arts practitioners. Their behavior was that of a lord, which greatly displeased the martial arts practitioners and disciples from various sects.

However, since these people were sent by the emperor, everyone was unhappy but had to accept it.

However, soon after, an inspection team composed of elders from various factions discovered that some of them were embezzling funds, and immediately reported the matter to Jiangning.

……

"be honest."

Several officials were brought before Jiang Ning.

"Release me!"

"I am an official of the imperial court. How can you behave like this, pulling and tugging at me like this!"

These people were trying to break free when they were brought here, but they quieted down when they saw Jiang Ning.

"Master, these people have been brought here."

An Emei disciple stepped forward and said.

"Ah."

Jiang Ning nodded, then looked at the group of people.

The officials were taken aback when they saw Jiang Ning, but they still greeted him respectfully.

"This humble official greets Your Majesty."

Jiang Ning ignored them and instead looked at the leading official.

"How much did you embezzle?"

Jiang Ning asked calmly.

The leading official's expression changed, and he repeatedly said, "I am innocent! What do you mean by this?"

The other officials also repeatedly protested their innocence.

Jiang Ning was too lazy to talk to them, so he simply waved his hand, and a Kunlun Sect elder in charge of monitoring told him what they had done.

As the elder revealed their misdeeds one by one, the officials' faces turned ashen.

Faced with the facts, they can no longer deny it.

After speaking, the elder turned to look at Jiang Ning.

"Master Jiang, what should we do with these people?"

Jiang Ning said expressionlessly.

"The leader was killed, the rest..."

Upon hearing that he was to be killed, the leading official's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly said...

“Even if you are the Heavenly Venerable personally appointed by His Majesty, you have no right to punish us. I want to see the Emperor in the capital. I want to…”

Bang!

Before he could finish speaking, a bloody hole appeared on the official's forehead.

Jiang Ning withdrew his hand, his face expressionless.

The official collapsed and remained motionless, turning into a corpse.

The other officials were terrified and trembled.

"Take them away and tell the emperor what they have done."

Jiang Ning said expressionlessly.

"Yes."

The disciples from each faction obeyed the order and escorted these people away.

These people no longer dared to cause trouble and obediently allowed themselves to be taken away.

Their matter soon reached Zhu Houzhao's ears.

Not long after, Zhu Houzhao's decree arrived.

Zhu Houzhao's imperial edict was very simple: Jiang Ning was free to deal with the matter. In addition, he gave Jiang Ning an imperial sword, which gave him the power to execute corrupt officials without reporting to the emperor.

Upon learning this news, all the major sects and other martial arts practitioners felt a sense of pride and vindication.

As for the remaining officials, they naturally became obedient and dared not have any more ulterior motives.

At the same time, Zhu Houzhao sent another group of people to assist him. However, these people were not court officials, but members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The leader of them was Luo Ding.

In addition, Zhu Houzhao also brought a large number of titles and honors, such as Yue Buqun being given the title of Taihua Zhenren.

The leaders of the other sects were also awarded titles, which can be seen as the court's affirmation of the righteous path.

Under these circumstances, the leaders of all factions accepted Zhu Houzhao's rewards. After all, Zhu Houzhao was the emperor, the official, and they had to give him face.

In addition to the imperial edict and the bestowed treasures, Luo Ding also brought a letter from Zhu Houzhao, specifically addressed to Jiangning.

"Your Majesty, this is a letter that His Majesty has ordered me to deliver to you."

Luo Ding respectfully presented it with both hands.

"Well, thank you."

Jiang Ning said as he took it.

Luo Ding was flattered and overwhelmed.

"No, no, I am but a rough and uncouth man. How could I, Your Majesty, be so polite?"

Jiang Ning had mentioned him to Zhu Houzhao back then, which led to his current situation. Luo Ding was already grateful to Jiang Ning, not to mention that Jiang Ning was the Demon-Slaying Celestial Venerable personally appointed by the emperor and held a super-rank position in the court, equivalent to a prince. How could he possibly deserve a word of thanks from Jiang Ning?

Jiang Ning didn't say anything upon seeing this, and then opened the envelope. But after only a moment, Jiang Ning couldn't help but laugh.

Zhu Houzhao's letter is interesting. First, he clarifies that the officials sent earlier were sent by the imperial court. These people are used to being greedy and still want to be greedy after they came here. They deserve their fate.

Zhu Houzhao then wrote a long passage, but the core content of the entire piece can be summarized in just two words.

ask for money.

The terrifying amount of gold and silver in the Demonic Sect's treasury also reached Zhu Houzhao's ears, making him very envious.

In his letter to Jiang Ning, he described the sweeping changes he was making, including training troops and controlling the court. Money was needed for everything, and Zhu Houzhao's expenses were running out.

At the end of the letter, Zhu Houzhao even more confidently stated that his younger brother had a large family business and needed money everywhere, hoping that Jiang Ning, as the older brother, would help him out.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but laugh after reading it.

Luo Ding was also secretly observing Jiang Ning's expression. Seeing Jiang Ning's smile, he was visibly relieved, even though he didn't know what was written in the letter.

After reading the letter, Jiang Ning put it away and said to Luo Ding.

"When you get back, tell His Majesty that I understand."

Luo Ding was puzzled by what he heard, but he didn't say anything and replied respectfully.

"Yes, Tianzun."

Luo Ding hadn't left after he finished speaking, and Jiang Ning looked at him in surprise.

"Anything else?"

"His Majesty also has an imperial edict, which I have instructed to deliver to the Heavenly Venerable."

Luo Ding forced a smile.

"what's up?"

Jiang Ning asked.

"His Majesty has issued an edict stating that the court is currently short of manpower and urgently needs talented individuals to serve the court. He requests the Heavenly Venerable's assistance."

Luo Ding said.

Jiang Ning understood.

Zhu Houzhao wanted to invite martial arts masters to serve him and strengthen the court.

But he was afraid that those people wouldn't listen to the imperial court, so he wanted Jiang Ning to help him.

Jiang Ning pondered for a moment, then said.

"I am aware of this matter, but Your Majesty need not worry too much. If necessary, you can explain it directly to the leaders of the various sects."

In fact, after the imperial court and the righteous path joined forces to suppress Ren Woxing last time, the relationship between the two sides eased due to the foundation of the previous cooperation. Although it was only temporary, the major factions were no longer so resistant to the imperial court.

At this critical juncture, it wouldn't be as difficult for Zhu Houzhao to recruit members from various factions as one might imagine.

It could even be said that if other sects are not interested in this, then the Kunlun Sect certainly is.

Chapter 794: But It Begins

"This... I understand."

Luo Ding hesitated for a moment, but still nodded.

The situation became much more stable after that. With Zhu Houzhao's decree, the officials sent from the court lost their arrogant attitude and became very obedient, not daring to do anything underhanded.

With the contents of the Demonic Sect's treasury mostly dealt with, Luo Ding prepared to take his leave, and the officials breathed a sigh of relief.

When Luo Ding left, he took with him three million taels of silver, four hundred thousand taels of gold, and a considerable amount of treasure.

The various factions had no objections to this, after all, the imperial court is the imperial court, and the emperor had recently bestowed titles and rewards upon them. In addition, Jiang Ning was nominally the emperor's sworn brother, so they had to give him face, and they were not exactly at a disadvantage.

It is worth mentioning that after listening to Jiang Ning's words, Luo Ding contacted various sects. Apart from the Hengshan Sect, the Emei and Taishan Sects all expressed their willingness to send their disciples to work in the imperial court, especially the Kunlun Sect.

After meeting with Luo Ding, Zhen Shanzi showed great interest, especially when Luo Ding expressed that Zhu Houzhao was willing to reserve a mountain in the Central Plains for the Kunlun Sect as a base. Zhen Shanzi almost shouted "Your Majesty is wise!" on the spot.

Zhenshanzi immediately said that he would send many of his disciples to the imperial court, and even sent several elder-level experts.

As Jiang Ning had expected, the Kunlun Sect was indeed very interested in this matter. As for the other sects, although they were not as enthusiastic, they still gave the emperor face.

Luo Ding was overjoyed that things went so smoothly.

However, he also knew that the reason these sects cooperated so well was mostly because of Jiang Ning. Without Jiang Ning's identity, even if the emperor himself recruited them, the effect would probably not last long.

As for the thoughts of the various factions, they were very simple. They knew that no matter how much they disliked the imperial court, they had to acknowledge its status. Moreover, Jiang Ning was now the undisputed number one in the world and the emperor's sworn brother. The future of the martial arts world belonged to Jiang Ning.