Chapter 33

"Father, has Jiang Anping returned yet?"

Meng Jing, wearing red little boots, walked back and forth in the room with her legs bound in cloth, her face filled with anxiety, and her hands not knowing where to rest.

Sitting at the desk, Meng Kuo, who was handling official business, rubbed his temples, "You've asked this question about thirty times today."

"But the other party has been gone for a whole day, and he hasn't returned. Xu Tao, that old scoundrel, ran away. What if he goes to seek revenge on Jiang Anping?"

Meng Jing's brows were furrowed with deep concern.

Meng Kuo looked at his daughter with a half-smile, "Are you worried about Anping?"

"Who's worried about him!"

Meng Jing, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, shouted, "I want to defeat him. If he dies like this, how can I surpass him?"

At that moment, a soldier walked in, saluted, and said, "General, Captain Jiang has returned."

"He's back!"

Meng Jing was overjoyed and was about to run out, but suddenly thought of something, stopped, and put on a serious face, sitting down to eat a cake as if she didn't care at all.

Meng Kuo stood up to greet Jiang Anping, who had just walked in.

Seeing Jiang Anping, Meng Kuo's face was full of joy and excitement, "Quick, come and sit."

The victory in this war and its early conclusion were all due to Jiang Anping's efforts.

He first forced Xu Tao to launch a hasty attack, then disrupted the military formation, and saved him and the soldiers.

If it weren't for Jiang Anping, even if the war had been launched in winter, victory might not have been certain.

Moreover, Jiang Anping, at such a young age, had the combat strength to slay a person of Marin's level, and his future achievements would be boundless!

"General, I am very sorry for causing Miss Meng to be alarmed." Jiang Anping apologized.

When he brought Meng Jing into Ping Shui County, they were surrounded and almost got into trouble.

"This is not your fault. It's my daughter who insisted on following you." Meng Kuo already knew why they had gone to Ping Shui County and did not blame Jiang Anping.

Meng Jing pouted, dissatisfied, as her father had never scolded her before.

Meng Kuo, without his usual sternness, smiled and said, "I have already reported the news to the governor using a transmission talisman. Based on your great contributions, the governor will soon issue a reward."

"If everything goes well, with your talent, the governor will definitely invite you to participate in the Hundred Counties Competition. If you can place, the rewards will be even greater."

Jiang Anping was slightly taken aback, "Hundred Counties Competition? What is that?"

He had never heard of it before, and it must be some kind of competition.

Meng Jing, sitting on the side, swung her legs and explained, "It's a battle where the geniuses from over a hundred counties participate, all under the age of eighteen."

As she spoke, she raised her chin, "The Black Wind County Genius Battle I participated in was to prepare for this Hundred Counties Competition."

"I just managed to get the tenth place, which barely qualifies me to participate, and that's just the preliminary selection..."

"Princess Ninth has arrived!"

As they were talking, a voice came from outside.

Meng Kuo, Li Yuntian, and others changed their expressions, quickly stood up, and knelt with one knee, saluting.

Even the mischievous Meng Jing became obedient and knelt with one knee.

Jiang Anping followed their example and bowed.

Princess Ninth? A princess of the Great Xia Dynasty?

Soon, a woman gracefully entered the room.

She wore a light green and yellow silk dress, with a graceful and curvaceous figure.

Her long hair was tied up, with a few crystal-clear jade hairpins adorning it, and the delicate accessories swayed as she moved.

Her demeanor was gentle and refined, each step like a graceful ancient dance.

Beautiful, mature, and stunning, her eyes were as deep as the night sky, captivating anyone who looked into them.

"Governor!"

The group respectfully saluted and greeted her.

"Rise." The woman's voice was magnetic, evoking a sense of warmth.

"Governor, why didn't you notify us in advance so we could prepare?" Meng Kuo stood up, his expression respectful.

She was not only the governor of Black Wind County but also the Ninth Princess of the Great Xia Dynasty!

"There's no need to prepare. I just came to check and will leave after we talk."

Xia Qing walked over to Meng Jing and gently patted her head, "Little Jing has become even more capable."

"Hehe, I've been practicing hard these past two days." Meng Jing was as obedient as a kitten.

Meng Kuo was delighted to see his daughter getting along so well with Xia Qing, as it was a great opportunity for her to build a good relationship with the Ninth Princess.

"Keep practicing and strive to make significant progress in half a year."

Xia Qing had no air of superiority and instead seemed like a friendly neighbor.

"I will, I will definitely surpass that guy!" Meng Jing looked at Jiang Anping with a competitive spirit.

Xia Qing's gaze then fell on Jiang Anping.

This young man, though still very young, had a firm and calm demeanor that was rare for his age.

"Are you Jiang Anping?"

"Governor, yes." Jiang Anping saluted in response.

So, the Ninth Princess was the governor of Black Wind County.

"There's no need to be so formal. I came here mainly for you."

Xia Qing walked over and gently pressed Jiang Anping's head.

"Your spiritual cultivation talent is quite average."

Her slender fingers pressed on his forehead, and a drop of blood appeared out of nowhere.

After a moment, she said, "Your physical cultivation talent is very good. If you focus on physical cultivation, you will achieve something significant. Give up on spiritual cultivation; it will hinder your progress."

In a short time, she had assessed Jiang Anping's talents.

However, she didn't seem surprised, as if she had seen such talents many times before.

"Jiang Anping, I want to invite you to participate in the Hundred Counties Competition. Will you join?"

Li Yuntian quickly nudged Jiang Anping, as this was his opportunity and he couldn't miss it.

Jiang Anping nodded and said, "I will join, but I'm not clear about what this competition is."

"This is just a spot. Whether you can participate depends on how much you improve in the next half year."

"Now, let's talk about your military achievements. What reward do you want?"

Xia Qing seemed to be in a hurry and didn't waste any words.

Jiang Anping thought for a moment and said, "I want the Great Xia Supreme Secret Technique."

He wanted to become immortal and find a way to revive the dead.

Old Li had once said that perhaps only by learning the Great Xia Supreme Secret Technique could one become immortal.

So, he wanted this secret technique.

When he said this, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense, and everyone stared at Jiang Anping, almost thinking they had heard wrong.

It was like helping someone pick up a copper coin and then asking for a cart of gold as a reward.

Was he joking?

"Ha ha~"

After a moment of silence, Xia Qing didn't get angry but suddenly laughed, her laughter so beautiful that even the sun seemed to dim.

"Boy, this secret technique is not something just anyone can learn. If you can place in the top ten of the Hundred Counties Competition, I will teach it to you."

"Deal!"

Jiang Anping was actually just testing the waters, and he was very excited to see her agree.

Meng Jing, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore and lightly kicked the young man, saying, "Hey, do you know what it means to be in the top ten of the Hundred Counties Competition?"

Jiang Anping shook his head.

Meng Jing was speechless and explained, "Hundreds of counties select their top ten geniuses to participate in the competition among hundreds of counties."

"In other words, tens of thousands of geniuses participate in this Hundred Counties Competition. If your strength doesn't reach the level of a martial artist or a foundation builder, you won't even make it into the top five thousand!"

"Not only that, but there are many late-stage foundation builders, powerful divine bodies with various bloodlines, and geniuses proficient in various secret techniques... For us ordinary people, making it into the top thousand is already a great achievement!"

Jiang Anping was taken aback.

He hadn't realized that the competition in this tournament was so intense, with foundation builders and martial artists involved.

He thought his strength was quite formidable for his level, but now it seemed very ordinary.

The cultivation world was vast, and a small county like Lian Shan was insignificant.