Martial Arts School.
After Cheng Ran finished introducing the two properties, he asked, "Brother Jiang, do you have any thoughts on these two houses?"
Jiang Ning replied, "Brother Cheng, take me to see the one priced at one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight taels. I'm quite interested in that one."
Hearing this, Cheng Ran was inwardly shocked. Jiang Ning wants to see that mansion. Does that mean he can afford it? That's impossible, right? Even my family couldn't come up with that much silver at once. How could Jiang Ning have that kind of money?
Could the rumors I heard a few days ago be true? These thoughts flashed through Cheng Ran's mind.
Then Cheng Ran said, "Brother Jiang, follow me. I'll send my attendant to contact the owner of the property."
"Thank you, Brother Cheng," Jiang Ning expressed his gratitude.
Cheng Ran smiled. "We're friends. Helping each other is normal between friends. No need to be so formal."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning also smiled. "Since we're friends, from now on, don't call me 'Brother Jiang' so formally. This isn't a sect; there's no need for such formality."
"Alright, I'll follow your lead, Brother Jiang!" Cheng Ran immediately changed his tone.
Soon, the two of them walked out of the martial arts school together.
Along the way, Jiang Ning quietly circulated his qi and blood, causing his reddened skin to gradually return to normal.
Half an Hour Later.
The two arrived at a large mansion near the Luo River. A middle-aged woman with some wrinkles around her eyes was already waiting there.
"Auntie Tong!" Cheng Ran greeted the woman warmly.
Then he turned to Jiang Ning and said, "This is the owner of the property, also the head manager of the Moonlight Pavilion."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning's eyes showed a hint of surprise. He naturally knew of the Moonlight Pavilion it was one of the most famous restaurants in Luoshui County, frequented by dignitaries and wealthy patrons, earning a fortune daily.
He hadn't expected the head manager of such a prestigious establishment to be a woman and a middle-aged one at that. In this world, a lucrative business like the Moonlight Pavilion would inevitably attract covetous eyes. Without considerable strength, it would be impossible to protect such an enterprise.
With this in mind, Jiang Ning realized that this Manager Tong was no ordinary person.
"Manager Tong," Jiang Ning cupped his hands in greeting.
The middle-aged woman smiled gently. "Young Master Jiang, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. You truly live up to your reputation handsome and dignified."
Then she turned to Cheng Ran and said, "You've brought me quite a promising client!"
With that, Manager Tong effortlessly pushed open the heavy gate.
"Young Master Jiang, please come in and take a look."
"After you," Jiang Ning said politely.
The three of them stepped into the courtyard.
From the entrance, a series of steps led upward. On either side of the front yard were rock gardens, flowing water, and bamboo groves. The sound of trickling water and rustling bamboo filled the air, accompanied by the distant sound of waves from the Luo River.
As they walked deeper into the property, Manager Tong explained, "This mansion is situated on high ground, with the entrance leading upward. The highest point is the eastern courtyard, which overlooks the Luo River. The view is spectacular you can see the endless expanse of the river and the varied rooftops of the outer city."
"The mansion is divided into the front yard, the main house, and three large courtyards to the east, west, and north. It's more than enough to accommodate four generations living together."
A Short While Later.
The three of them stood at the highest point of the eastern courtyard, feeling the breeze from the Luo River.
Manager Tong smiled gently. "Young Master Jiang, what do you think of the property? Does it meet your expectations?"
Jiang Ning replied, "I'm interested, but could we discuss the price further?"
Hearing this, Manager Tong smiled again. "Since Young Master Jiang has brought it up, we can certainly negotiate. What do you have in mind?"
Jiang Ning said, "Manager Tong, give me a sincere price, and I'll take it."
Manager Tong thought for a moment, then said, "How about six hundred and sixty-six taels?"
Beside them, Cheng Ran's eyes widened in shock. "Auntie Tong, are you serious? Six hundred and sixty-six taels? Are you joking with my good friend?"
Manager Tong, seeing Jiang Ning's puzzled expression, smiled. "I wouldn't dare joke with Young Master Jiang. This is a sincere offer. What do you think?"
"Why?" Jiang Ning asked.
Manager Tong smiled. "I see great potential in Young Master Jiang and would like to befriend you. Six hundred and sixty-six taels are a very auspicious number. Consider it my blessing to you."
Cheng Ran nudged Jiang Ning with his elbow, and Jiang Ning slowly said, "Since Manager Tong is being so generous, how could I refuse?"
Hearing this, Manager Tong's smile widened.
Evening.
Jiang Ning stood at the highest point of the eastern courtyard, holding the deed to the property. The breeze from the Luo River brushed past him as he looked down at the sprawling mansion covering over 3,000 square meters. For a moment, he felt a sense of unreality.
In his previous life, he had worked tirelessly for years, exhausting the savings of two generations and taking on decades of debt just to own a small apartment and a modest home.
But now, in just a few months in this world, he owned a grand, luxurious mansion. A property of this scale and opulence was something he could never have dreamed of in his past life.
After a few breaths, he looked down at the deed in his hand. Under the glow of the setting sun, he took a deep breath.
Exhale.
"In this life, I've fulfilled my dream of owning a luxurious mansion. Now, let's see what the future holds."
He murmured to himself, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from his heart. He felt relaxed, free, and at ease.
That Night.
Jiang Ning decided to stay in the mansion alone. During the handover, Manager Tong had been extremely considerate, leaving all the furniture and even some valuable decorations in place.
Jiang Ning understood that this was Manager Tong's way of showing goodwill. Her decisiveness and generosity in giving up over a thousand taels of silver without hesitation left a deep impression on him. He couldn't help but admire her.
The Next Morning.
Jiang Ning woke up and checked his system panel.
[Name]: Jiang Ning
[Source Energy]: 9.7
[Skills]:
Literacy (Second Breakthrough 591/3000) (Traits: Photographic Memory, Enhanced Senses)
Five Animals Fist (Perfection 91/1000)
Firewood Chopping Technique (Third Breakthrough 2366/4000) (Traits: Versatility, Swift as the Wind, Mastery of the Blade)
Internal Elixir Cultivation Art (Proficient 414/2000)
Canglang Blade Technique (Proficient 1/200)
Indestructible Golden Body (Beginner 118/1000)
"Yesterday was a bit of a detour, so my progress slowed down in some areas. But I've accomplished something big I finally have a home of my own! Today, I can bring my elder brother and his family to live in the inner city."
Jiang Ning murmured to himself, feeling relaxed.
After a quick wash, he began his training. At the start of the Chen hour (7-9 AM), he faced the rising sun and began absorbing solar energy to refine his internal organs.
By the end of the Chen hour, he stopped.
[Skill]: Internal Elixir Cultivation Art (Proficient 414/2000)
"Another 27 points gained compared to yesterday! Not bad!"
Jiang Ning nodded slightly. Feeling himself grow stronger every day filled him with motivation. For most people, training might be tedious, but for him, it was incredibly rewarding. His progress was tangible, and every effort yielded results. Accumulating enough incremental progress would inevitably lead to a qualitative leap.
He was especially excited about the potential traits that would emerge with each breakthrough in his skills.
An Hour Later.
Jiang Ning left the mansion and headed to the outer city. Soon, he arrived at the familiar courtyard surrounded by a bamboo fence.
Pushing open the wooden gate, he saw his elder brother's family in the yard.
"Little brother, what brings you here?" Jiang Li looked up and immediately felt at ease upon seeing Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning bent down to pick up the little one who had run over to him.
"Big brother, sister-in-law, I've bought a big mansion in the inner city. It's too lonely living there alone, so I hope you'll move in with me."
"What did you say?" Jiang Li's eyes widened in disbelief.
Liu Wanwan's mouth also fell open in surprise.
"Uncle, uncle! Is it true? Do we have a big mansion?" The little one in Jiang Ning's arms looked up with bright, eager eyes.
Jiang Ning chuckled and gently pinched the child's nose. "Of course it's true!"
Then he carried the child over to his elder brother and sister-in-law.
"Here, take a look!"
As he spoke, he handed the deed he had prepared to Jiang Li.
He knew that without the deed as proof, it would take a lot of convincing. After all, moving to the inner city had been a dream for his elder brother and sister-in-law for over a decade a dream that had always been out of reach due to their financial limitations.
In the inner city, even the smallest properties were nearly half a mu in size and cost close to four hundred taels of silver. For Jiang Li, earning that much in a lifetime had been impossible.
Moving to the inner city had been a distant, unattainable dream until now.
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