The courtyard is filled with peach trees, hence the name Taohua Pavilion.

And now the season has reached the time when the peach blossoms are mostly withered.

Therefore, in terms of residence pricing, Taohua Pavilion is somewhat cheaper compared to Tingzhu Pavilion.

But if we go back a month or two, it would be completely different.

A month or two ago was the peak season for peach blossoms, and the residence price would nearly double.

"Brother Jiang!" When Bai Luoyu opened the door and saw Jiang Ning standing outside the courtyard, he immediately smiled.

He then looked him up and down.

Feeling that Jiang Ning seemed a bit different today compared to usual.

But he couldn't pinpoint where the difference was.

"Brother Bai isn't going to invite me in?" Jiang Ning said with a smile.

"Brother Jiang, please come in!!" Bai Luoyu immediately made way in the middle, stepping aside to welcome him.

Jiang Ning smiled and then crossed the threshold, stepping into the courtyard.

He briefly surveyed the courtyard of over three hundred square meters, where the peach blossoms had long since withered and the flower buds had wilted.

He didn't pay much attention to it but looked toward Bai Luoyu.

"May I know why Brother Bai came to look for me just now?"

"I wanted to invite Brother Jiang to visit Lord Ye with me!"

"See Lord Ye?" Jiang Ning nodded immediately: "That is indeed necessary!!"

He then continued: "Since we have come to Guangning City, it is only fitting and proper that we pay a visit. Besides, Lord Ye has also helped me before!"

Jiang Ning's mind immediately recalled everything that happened at Xiao Qiushui's banquet of Grandmasters at Water Moon Sword Palace.

At that time, Ye Zhengqi suffered severe injuries at the hands of Li Sixiang and didn't forget to take him along before leaving.

Evidently fearing that leaving him at Xiao Qiushui's banquet would lead to unexpected events.

In daily interactions, Ye Zhengqi, though not exactly approachable, had a sense of pride.

But from that day on, he knew Ye Zhengqi was someone trustworthy and someone he could befriend deeply.

Ye Zhengqi was clearly someone without any hidden motives, or rather, couldn't be bothered to have any.

From this point, Jiang Ning understood why Ye Zhengqi could achieve such astonishing accomplishments on the path of Martial Arts.

A Heavenly Human Grandmaster who completed Four Blood Transfusions, rare in this world.

Absolutely worthy of the title of prodigy.

Then.

Once Bai Luoyu was ready.

The two of them headed to the Inspector Mansion together.

Ye Zhengqi, as the current sole Patrol Envoy of Guangning Prefecture.

Held such a transcendent status.

Although Jiang Ning didn't know where he lived, Bai Luoyu did.

...

Ye Mansion.

At the main gate.

Two stone lions, each a zhang high, stood on either side, subtly enhancing the majesty of the high courtyard with vermillion gates.

"Please announce that two Patrol Envoys from Dongling City have come to visit!"

Bai Luoyu bowed to the two Martial Artists guarding the gate of the Ye Mansion.

As the saying goes, 'In front of the Prime Minister's gate, even a Third-grade official.'

In front of the Patrol Envoy of a prefecture, Ye Zhengqi's mansion, though not as exaggerated as the Prime Minister's, is not to be underestimated either.

According to Jiang Ning's knowledge, Ye Zhengqi's position as a Patrol Envoy of a prefecture.

Is an official rank of Standard Fourth Grade.

While Shen Wenyan, the Residence Master of the Guangning Inspection Office, is only at a Standard Third Grade in official rank.

Compared to Ye Zhengqi, Shen Wenyan, a Great Grandmaster, is only higher by one rank in official terms.

But Shen Wenyan's most significant identity is his title as Marquis.

A Marquis with fiefdom.

Compared to this noble title, being the Residence Master of the Guangning Inspection Office is merely Shen Wenyan's concurrent role.

But from this, Jiang Ning also perceived how the current Great Xia government is severely lacking in talent.

In Guangning Prefecture, there was initially a Residence Master of the Guangning Inspection Office.

Later, because of Shen Wenyan's breakthrough, stepping into the realm of a Second Grade Grandmaster, and aligning himself with the government, he was entrusted with significant responsibilities as the Residence Master of the Guangning Inspection Office.

As for the original Residence Master of the Guangning Inspection Office, it is unknown where he was transferred to by Jiang Ning.

But he knew one thing, which is that the current Great Xia is short on manpower.

Lacking in the number of top-tier experts who can hold their own.

Thus, after Shen Wenyan assumed such an important position, the original Residence Master of the Guangning Inspection Office was transferred away.

And since the establishment of the Guangning Patrol Envoy, there has only ever been this one person, Ye Zhengqi.

If the Thirty-six Prefectures of the Nine Provinces are all like this.

It indicates that there are only a mere thirty-six such individuals like Ye Zhengqi in the world.

In front of the Ye Mansion.

With Bai Luoyu declaring his identity.

The two guards instantly became alert.

"Please wait a moment, sirs, I will go and inform the master right away."

One of the men, with a long knife hanging from his waist, said respectfully.

The guard then turned and entered the courtyard, leaving the other man to face Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu alone.

A short while later.

The man with the long knife at his waist quickly returned.

"Gentlemen, my master invites you, please come with me."

"Lead the way!" Bai Luoyu said first.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning was happy to relax and didn't need to handle the conversation.

...

Backyard.

"When did you two arrive?" Ye Zhengqi, seated in the pavilion, asked upon seeing Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu.

"Greetings, Lord Ye!"

"Greetings, Lord Ye!"

Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu immediately cupped their hands in salute.

Then Jiang Ning smiled and said, "Arrived the night before last!"

Bai Luoyu quickly added.

"Yesterday, we reported to Marquis Wen Yuan, hence today we are visiting."

Ye Zhengqi nodded.

"Sit down and let's talk!"

"Thank you, Lord Ye!" Bai Luoyu cupped his hands.

After the two sat down.

Ye Zhengqi couldn't help but look at Jiang Ning, his eyes filled with astonishment.

"Lord Ye, is your health well?" Jiang Ning asked.

He hadn't forgotten that Ye Zhengqi had a fierce battle with the Great Demon Bai Chi in the Luoshui River, which had left him quite injured.

After being wounded, he fought with Li Sixiang.

Facing Li Sixiang, who had already become a Second Grade Divine Realm Great Grandmaster at the time, he was completely outmatched.

The brief encounter was overwhelmingly crushing.

The injuries must have worsened.

At this moment.

Ye Zhengqi waved his hand upon hearing Jiang Ning's inquiry.

"It's been fine for a long time!"

"That's good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

Right then.

Ye Zhengqi suddenly turned to Jiang Ning and said, "Lord Jiang, have you... recently had any mystical insights regarding the Martial Arts Realm, particularly about the Unity of Heaven and Man?"

Bai Luoyu, upon hearing this, immediately looked at Jiang Ning in surprise.

He was well aware of what Unity of Heaven and Man represented.

If Jiang Ning had any insights in this area, it would mean that Dongling County was about to produce another Heavenly Human Grandmaster.

The next one after Xiao Qiushui.

Thinking of Xiao Qiushui, Bai Luoyu immediately turned to Ye Zhengqi and expressed his doubts.

"Lord Ye, I've heard that Xiao Qiushui is dead!"

"Indeed, he's dead!" Ye Zhengqi nodded.

"Who could have killed him? Do you have any guesses, Lord Ye?" Bai Luoyu asked.

"I do!" Ye Zhengqi replied.

"Who?" Bai Luoyu showed curiosity.

He had already received reports of Xiao Qiushui's death.

But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure out who could have killed him.

Because to kill Xiao Qiushui, both motive and strength were required.

In his intelligence summary, there was no one who matched at the time.

"Lord Jiang!" Ye Zhengqi looked at Jiang Ning and said calmly.

"How is that possible?" Bai Luoyu laughed.

"Indeed, not very likely!" Ye Zhengqi also shook his head slightly.

His gaze continued to fall on Jiang Ning.

A Heavenly Human Grandmaster?

A doubt arose in his heart.

He could sense that Jiang Ning was different from before, giving him a completely different impression.

The thought flickered in his mind, but then he suppressed it and chose not to voice his doubt.

Because he was not particularly curious by nature.

Subsequently, Ye Zhengqi spoke again.

"You two arrived just in time, take a look at this!"

As he spoke, Ye Zhengqi pulled out an intelligence report and tossed it in front of the two.

Bai Luoyu quickly picked it up first, and upon reading it, his pupils immediately contracted.

A few breaths later.

"Brother Jiang, take a look!"

As the words fell, Bai Luoyu handed the intelligence report to Jiang Ning.

When Jiang Ning saw the first glance, his gaze immediately tightened.

In Beimang County, An Yuan County, Sanlang Village, the entire village of one hundred and twenty-three people all died at the hands of a supernatural creature in the Luoshui River.

Just this one incident was enough to weigh heavily on Jiang Ning's heart.

One hundred and twenty-three lives.

"Could it be the Great Demon Bai Chi?" Jiang Ning raised his head and asked.

"There's a seventy percent chance!" Ye Zhengqi nodded, "This just arrived, and you two happen to accompany me to the Marquis later!"

"Yes!" the two replied.

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