Chapter 1866 - 187: Martial Saint Passes On, Jiang Ning Returns!

Suddenly, his figure disappeared from the spot.

...

"What? The Prince is returning to the Royal Capital now?" Prince Zhenbei Xu Zhen looked at Jiang Ning in disbelief.

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"May I ask why the Prince is returning so suddenly?" Xu Zhen probed.

"Something happened in the Royal Capital, I need to go back." Jiang Ning said.

"Understood!" Prince Zhenbei Xu Zhen replied.

"Should we notify Brother Beicang?" Xu Zhen added.

"Tell him later!" Jiang Ning said.

As his words fell.

Black and white rainbow light suddenly appeared, and then a rainbow light swiftly swept through the sky.

Xu Zhen looked up, only to see the black and white rainbow light had already disappeared beyond the sky, leaving no trace.

"This speed is truly astonishing!" Xu Zhen murmured, amazed.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Jiang Ning had already burst into extreme speed.

Compared to before, he was even faster.

An eight-hundred-year legend, reaching the end of life, the oil runs dry and the lamp goes out, peaceful transformation.

If this news gets out, he doesn’t know what kind of upheaval it might cause.

At this moment, only in the Royal Capital could he feel at ease.

Because the one he cared about the most was in the Royal Capital.

At this moment.

Jiang Ning’s speed increased rapidly, with scenes of conversations with the Martial Saint flashing through his mind.

’The body is limitless, the spirit unrestrained!’

’The great secrets of the human body!’

Various key information were all obtained from the Martial Saint.

To speak of assistance, the Martial Saint’s contributions to him had no demands and sought no rewards.

These bonds, how could he not remember, how could he forget.

With various thoughts swirling, a complex emotion that was hard to describe rose within him.

...

Moments later.

The majestic city walls appeared at the end of his vision.

In the next moment.

He silently landed far from the city wall of the Royal Capital.

This time returning, he wasn’t planning to make a big entrance.

The Martial Saint’s peaceful transformation.

This news came from Xiao Wuque.

And Xiao Wuque, the Deputy Mansion Master of the Inspection Office, was also the Martial Saint’s closed-door disciple.

This news from Xiao Wuque, he believed eighty to ninety percent.

The remaining uncertainty one or two percent was caused by the overwhelming impact the Martial Saint had on him.

Reigning over the world for more than eight hundred years.

What grace, what unparalleled brilliance.

How could he leave so suddenly, so silently, so unnoticed.

To him, this was too absurd.

Moments later.

Jiang Ning arrived at the city gate.

In front, the grand main city gate was closed, leaving only the side gates open.

People and vehicles flowed continuously, entering and exiting from one side.

Jiang Ning mingled among the crowd, passed the simple city entry inspection, and stepped into the Royal Capital.

In the city, it was still as usual, with crisscrossing streets and alleys, bustling sounds, streams of people and horses, without a trace of abnormality.

In the next moment.

He expanded his mind, instantly shrouding the entire Royal Capital with his Heart Spirit.

In an instant, he explored everything thoroughly.

He also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, his figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.

A few breaths later.

At Xiao Mansion.

Jiang Ning stepped in from the front as if no one was there, and the gatekeeper seemed completely unable to see Jiang Ning’s presence.

...

In the study, sandalwood smoke spiraled.

Xiao Wuque sat behind a desk, holding a scroll of yellowed ancient writings, his gaze not on the pages but gazing at the gray and misty sky outside the window, his expression somewhat vacant.

He had maintained this posture for a long time.

The tea on the desk had long cooled, and the candle in the lamp had burned down more than half, yet he remained unaware.

Suddenly, his whole body trembled, for a voice sounded by his ear, a familiar voice.

"Master, Jiang Ning is here to visit."

He abruptly looked up towards the study’s door, but the doorway was empty.

In the next moment.

His gaze sharpened as he looked ahead.

Because a figure seemed to walk out from the void, suddenly appearing at the doorway of the study.

"Jiang Ning!" Xiao Wuque spoke, his face expressionless.

Yet, his heart trembled.

For Jiang Ning’s voice had just sounded in his ear, and until Jiang Ning appeared, he hadn’t noticed any signs of Jiang Ning’s presence.

This was enough to show the depth of Jiang Ning’s current abilities.

"Greetings, Master Xiao!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands in salute.

At this moment, Xiao Wuque rose and let out a slow breath.

"You’re back!"

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded his head.

Then he added, "Master Xiao, is that news real?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wuque’s adam’s apple rolled slightly.

And then he nodded slowly.

His voice hoarse: "It’s true!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning’s breath instinctively became erratic, and his heart spirit was a bit shaken.

Looking at Xiao Wuque’s demeanor and expression, he believed it more.

In this matter, Xiao Wuque had no reason to deceive him.

After all, Xiao Wuque knew, though he wasn’t formally a disciple of the Martial Saint, he was practically recognized as one.

Reaching this point, the Martial Saint’s aid had been immense, and he had gained greatly.

Without the Martial Saint’s repeated guidance, even with his fortune and opportunities, he couldn’t have advanced so quickly to this step.

"How could it... be so sudden!" Jiang Ning spoke.

Upon hearing these words, Xiao Wuque sighed.

"The old master had long been exhausted."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning also sighed and then fell into silence.

"Oh yes!" A few breaths later, Xiao Wuque suddenly spoke, breaking the silence of the study.

Jiang Ning’s gaze then focused on Xiao Wuque.

"The old master found me two days ago and asked me to pass something on to you."

Saying this, Xiao Wuque turned around, walked to the bookshelf, and gently pressed an inconspicuous corner.

With a soft "click", a panel on the side of the bookshelf slowly slid open, revealing a secret compartment.

Inside the compartment lay a palm-sized black wooden box.

The box was entirely jet-black, with no decoration on its surface, appearing humble yet exuding a faint sandalwood fragrance.

Xiao Wuque took out the wooden box, holding it with both hands, and solemnly handed it to Jiang Ning.

"This is it," he said, "Master said this item concerns your future path; when you touch that realm and feel the time is right, you may open it."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning’s heart trembled, having a glimpse of what might be inside the box.

He then reached out and took the box.

It felt slightly heavy in his hand.

A gentle wave arose within his heart.

"I won’t disappoint the master’s expectations!"

Xiao Wuque nodded his head.

He then added, "The master’s passing, this news won’t remain hidden for long; prepare yourself psychologically!"

Jiang Ning nodded: "I understand!"

"Your arrival in the city hasn’t spread, has it?"

"No!" Jiang Ning shook his head.

Xiao Wuque nodded: "Seems like your mind isn’t disturbed! Even with such a major event, you remain so calm, a rare quality!"

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Ning smiled, showing a somewhat forced smile.

"Well then, Prince, best you check on your family first; I need some time alone!" Xiao Wuque said.

While speaking, Jiang Ning could still sense the heaviness in Xiao Wuque’s tone.

He also understood that the Martial Saint’s passing was a huge blow to Xiao Wuque.

The relationship between master and disciple in this era was akin to that of father and son, even surpassing blood relations.

For the Martial Saint’s passing, to others, it was great upheaval and fear, and panic ensued.

Because the sky truly seemed to fall.

But to Xiao Wuque and Xiang Yuan, it was mostly sorrow.

This was the departure of a close relative.

Thinking this over, Jiang Ning cupped his hands in salute toward Xiao Wuque.

"Master, I’ll take my leave now!"

Xiao Wuque nodded slightly.

Then, he watched as Jiang Ning faded softly from sight before him.

The whole process was without ripples, yet incredibly smooth and harmonious.

He watched the spot where Jiang Ning disappeared, his gaze slightly sharpening.

"Is it space?!!" he murmured to himself.

Meanwhile.

Jiang Ning had already exited Xiao Wuque’s mansion, emerging in a desolate alleyway.

The alley was silent and devoid of people.

A gleam of light flashed in his hand.

The wooden box Xiao Wuque had just handed over appeared in his grip.

Looking at the box, a surge of emotion arose within him, along with a sense of anticipation.