I have a martial arts panel.

Chapter 80 Dark Clouds

Advancing to the Inner Qi Realm gave Xu Ning more confidence.

Right now, he could almost be considered the number one person below the seventh level of the mortal realm.

Furthermore, Xu Ning's strength was already sufficient to make him the Commandant of Kangyun County.

Before going to bed, Xu Ning, as usual, took a look at the Thousand Source Worms.

At this moment, the plump white worm in the earthenware pot remained motionless.

Xu Ning poked it a few times before it reluctantly moved to a different spot.

"This Thousand Source Insect seems to have gotten fatter..."

Xu Ning noticed that the Thousand Source Worm had become noticeably fatter since hatching, which was different from the growth path of the Thousand Source Worm that Wei Binglin had previously described.

Normally, after the larvae hatch, the changes in their physical form take at least three months to become noticeable to the naked eye.

However, less than a month has passed since the Thousand Source Insects hatched.

Although he was puzzled, Xu Ning didn't take it too seriously, since the spiritual energy crystals expelled by the Thousand Source Worm were quite normal.

Looking at the lazy, plump white worm, Xu Ning only hoped that it could grow up quickly, so that he could obtain a higher quality spiritual crystal.

……

The next day.

Outside Kangyun County, the defensive fortifications have been basically completed.

The number of refugees has decreased significantly.

Upon hearing that Qiuyun County had fallen, the refugees left Kangyun County again and went to more distant places.

"Sir, something happened in Dew Lane last night."

As soon as Xu Ning entered the post station, Feng Sigua came up to greet him and reported the news.

"What is it?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ning quickly asked.

"Captain Du of Lushui Lane was assassinated by his men last night."

Feng Sigua's words shocked Xu Ningpo.

"Where is he? Is he injured?"

Xu Ning hurriedly pressed for more information.

"The person is dead."

Feng Sigua's answer was even more unexpected by Xu Ning.

"The black-armored guard who attempted to assassinate Commandant Du escaped from the county last night."

Feng Sigua continued, "After killing Commandant Du, he used the pretext of going out of the city on a mission to escape openly and legitimately."

"Commander Du is, after all, a Qi Sensing Realm martial artist. How could he possibly be assassinated by a mere black-armored guard?"

Xu Ning continued to ask.

"Use poison."

Feng Sigua lowered his voice.

"Poison?"

Xu Ning frowned.

That cost is simply too high.

In this world, there are many martial artists. For those who practice internal energy cultivation, ordinary poisons have no effect on them at all.

Especially after advancing to the Qi Sensing Realm, one has internal Qi within the body, and upon discovering physical discomfort, one can easily expel toxins by exerting force.

Only poisons that are so potent that they cannot produce a rapid reaction, or that enter the body silently, can harm martial artists above the Qi Sensing Realm.

The cost of producing these poisons is even higher than the medicinal resources required to cultivate a martial artist of the same level.

"They're really going all out..."

Xu Ning's expression was rather gloomy.

The enemy's methods were clearly not as simple as just killing a captain.

This will directly affect the stability of the Black Armor Guard.

After this incident, everyone in the Black Armor Guard began to doubt whether their comrades were actually enemies.

Even a captain at the Qi Sensing Realm could no longer guarantee that he could withstand a sneak attack or assassination attempt by his subordinates.

"poison……"

Originally, Xu Ning didn't take poison very seriously.

Especially after advancing to the Inner Qi Realm, one's abundant inner qi can basically resist most poisons.

Only a very few extremely high-quality poisons can harm oneself.

But right now, the other side is clearly well-funded and capable of doing things like killing with poison without regard to cost.

Xu Ning felt this might be related to the fact that the other party belonged to the Demonic Sect, and their style of doing things was crazy and reckless.

"It seems I'll have to be more careful in the future..."

Xu Ning's vigilance towards the enemy increased once again.

……

Inside the commander's residence.

Wei Changqing was quite pleased with himself today.

Because he had already received a reply to his family's previous inquiry.

Previously, Wei Changqing had been wondering why Yunying City had not sent reinforcements.

The elders in his family have already found out the answer to this question for him.

According to the reply, all the senior executives of Yunying City have been focusing on a major event recently.

This matter was so significant that even if several counties on the southeastern border of Feiyun Prefecture fell, the high-ranking officials of the Yuansheng Sect and the Black Armor Guard would remain indifferent.

The letter didn't specify what the matter was.

However, in addition to explaining the situation, the letter also brought good news.

That major event that the top brass of Yunying City is focusing on is coming to an end.

Yunying City is now mobilizing support teams, which will depart soon.

The predicament of Kangyun County can be resolved as soon as reinforcements arrive.

This matter put a great weight off Wei Changqing's mind.

However, shortly after receiving this good news, Wei Changqing received another piece of bad news.

His own subordinate, a captain from Lushui Lane, was actually poisoned and killed by his own subordinate.

Wei Changqing was well aware of the terrible consequences this would bring.

To prevent this negative impact from spreading within the Black Armor Guard, Wei Changqing immediately decided to announce the impending arrival of reinforcements.

This was done for two reasons: first, to appease the people, and second, to demonstrate force to the enemy.

……

Several days have passed.

Taojiazhuang.

At Xu Ning's home.

Tao Yunchuan returned home with a heavy heart.

He had just attended a meeting in the village.

"So, what did the meeting in the village go about?"

As soon as Tao Yunchuan returned home, Xu Lian asked anxiously.

A few days ago, news came that Qiuyun County had fallen.

The news caused widespread panic among the villagers.

The war had been over for thirty years, but now it is about to reignite in Kangyun County.

"Zhuangli said that the current situation is not optimistic, and it is inevitable that those rebels will attack Kangyun County."

As he spoke, Tao Yunchuan sighed.

"What should we do then?"

Xu Lian was somewhat at a loss.

Tao Yunchuan said, "The village has made preparations. In the past few days, it has reached a consensus with Songjiazhuang, Tanjiazhuang, and even our two major local bandit gangs, the Ma Dao Gang and the Hua Die Gang."

"During the war, everyone put aside past prejudices and frictions, helped each other, and jointly resisted any harassment or invasion by the enemy."

Tao Yunchuan said, "However, overall, we are not in great danger. The rebels' main focus is still on dealing with the garrison in Kangyun County."

"To deal with the garrison in Kangyun County?"

Upon hearing this news, Xu Lian didn't feel relieved; instead, she became even more worried: "What about Xu Ning?"

Tao Yunchuan frowned upon hearing this.

He was also very worried about Xu Ning's safety.

However, on the surface, Tao Yunchuan comforted Xu Lian, saying, "Don't worry, the meeting also said that Yunying City has sent reinforcements to help. As long as we can withstand the enemy's attack, Kangyun County will definitely be able to be saved."

"Xu Ning is a captain. Didn't you say he's already very capable? Surviving in war shouldn't be difficult for Xu Ning."

In fact, Tao Yunchuan was very worried about Xu Ning's safety, but he could only say that to comfort his wife.

"It's good that reinforcements are here..."

Upon hearing this news, Xu Lian seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

In fact, Xu Ning's family is just a microcosm.

The shadow of war loomed over everyone in Kangyun County.

Fortunately, knowing that reinforcements were on their way, everyone still held onto hope.

Everyone is hoping that the war will end soon and that they can return to the peaceful days before.

(End of this chapter)