Chapter 13: Xu Yunfeng Following Behind

Arriving at the back kitchen.

I saw that the last bowl of steaming medicinal soup had already been placed on an octagonal table.

A middle-aged woman wearing an apron wiped her hands on it.

"If you hadn't come, young man, I would have drunk this bowl of soup myself!"

Jiang Ning gave a sheepish smile: "Sorry! I couldn't stop in the middle of practicing my punches!"

"Don't give me those useless excuses. Drink this bowl of soup quickly; if it gets cold, the medicinal effect won't be as good!" the middle-aged woman in the apron said.

Jiang Ning didn't say anything more and quickly picked up the last bowl of black medicinal soup from the table.

He sniffed it and caught a scent that wasn't very pleasant.

Immediately, he held his breath and gulped it down.

*Hoo—*

Only after the entire bowl of soup was in his stomach did he let out a long breath.

"Time to go, time to head home!" Someone spoke, and people began to walk out of the back kitchen courtyard one after another.

The setting sun had now completely sunk behind the mountains, the daylight was growing dimmer, and the veil of night began to fall.

After walking out of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall, Jiang Ning looked back at the hall behind him.

The next moment, he strode toward the outside of the city, the feeling of weakness from just finishing his practice gradually fading from his body.

"The martial arts hall's soup is indeed good. Although the effect isn't as obvious as wild ginseng, it's not a loss to have a bowl every day!"

Jiang Ning was walking along the road with some excitement when suddenly, his expression changed slightly, and his eyes narrowed sharply.

In the distance at the street corner, Xu Yunfeng was wearing a constable's uniform, his right hand resting on the standard-issue long saber at his waist. He looked at Jiang Ning with a faint smile, yet he seemed like a venomous snake.

Watching Jiang Ning walk toward the outer city, Xu Yunfeng followed him step by step, neither too far nor too close.

To others, it would only look like this constable was on a routine patrol.

It took Jiang Ning a full hour to walk from the Canglang Martial Arts Hall in the inner city to his residence in the outer city.

He stayed on the main roads of the city the entire time, refusing to take any quiet, deserted alleys.

Outer city.

Jiang Li was sitting in the courtyard. The moment he saw Jiang Ning's figure, a smile appeared on his face.

The next moment.

His expression turned cold instantly, and his eyes became sharp.

"Brother Li!" Xu Yunfeng looked at Jiang Li's gaze and smiled dismissively.

"Xu Yunfeng, don't you go too far!!!"

"Why would Brother Li say that?" Xu Yunfeng smiled again: "The city has been a bit chaotic lately, with frequent armed fights between major gangs. I escorted your brother home all the way; why is Brother Li not only ungrateful but acting as if I were the man who killed his brother?"

Hearing these words, a sharp murderous intent flashed in Jiang Li's eyes.

Seeing this, Xu Yunfeng didn't care at all. He then smiled again: "Brother Li, rest assured. From now on, whenever I run into your brother, I will escort him all the way to prevent him from being hurt by those blind fools in the gangs!"

Even if Jiang Li were stupid, he could fully understand the meaning hidden in Xu Yunfeng's words.

Watching Xu Yunfeng's departing figure, Jiang Li couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness.

If it were before, he would have dared to draw his blade and strike at such an arrogant Xu Yunfeng.

But now, with his right hand crippled, eight or nine tenths of his martial arts were gone; how could he be a match for Xu Yunfeng, who was about to enter the ranks of the initiated?

And behind him, there was not only his younger brother but also his wife and children.

Waves of powerlessness rose in his heart.

Seeing Jiang Ning return home.

"Brother, are you alright? Did Xu Yunfeng do anything to you?"

Jiang Ning shook his head: "I'm fine, Big Brother!"

He then spoke with confidence: "Big Brother doesn't need to worry. Xu Yunfeng coming to the door today was just to put pressure on you and make you submit! He won't easily make a move on me now. Besides, as a disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall, he won't easily provoke Wang Jin!"

He had figured all this out the moment he saw Xu Yunfeng.

So, even though he was followed by Xu Yunfeng the whole way, he didn't panic at all.

Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall was no small figure in Luoshui County, and Jiang Ning had read records about him.

Given Wang Jin's personality, if a martial arts hall disciple were killed on the street for no reason, he would absolutely dare to storm the yamen and beat the offending constable to death.

After all, behind Wang Jin was Head Constable Wang of the garrison outside the city.

A big shot who held military power and was qualified to sit on the sidelines—who would dare to provoke him easily?

Therefore, Jiang Ning was very clear that Xu Yunfeng following him and appearing before his brother was merely to put pressure on his brother!

However, being an ordinary disciple of the martial arts hall was not enough to make Xu Yunfeng overly cautious. If he could become Wang Jin's personal disciple, then he would truly have nothing to fear from Xu Yunfeng.

As Wang Jin's personal disciple, even an ordinary head constable would have to give him face—give Wang Jin face.

At that time, he should be truly safe for the time being.

I must work even harder now!

Jiang Ning's determination became even firmer at this moment.

Meanwhile.

Hearing Jiang Ning's analysis, Jiang Li also nodded with some relief.

"My brother sees things clearly indeed!!"

Then Jiang Li smiled again: "Brother, come with me quickly. Your sister-in-law has made a big meal waiting for you today!"

Jiang Ning smiled and quickly followed his brother's footsteps.

But at this moment, he was not as relaxed as he appeared.

He knew that Xu Yunfeng would not easily make a move on him to force his brother, unless he specifically walked into a deserted alley.

However, Jiang Ning had not forgotten the sentence he had just said.

*From now on, whenever I run into your brother, I will escort him all the way to prevent him from being hurt by those blind fools in the gangs!*

This undoubtedly hid another layer of threat.

Xu Yunfeng himself might not make a move easily, but he might hire others to do it.

For example, those thugs from the major gangs.

At this moment, Jiang Ning didn't know if his brother had heard the hidden meaning in Xu Yunfeng's words, but he didn't intend to point it out.

Even if he said it, it would be of no use; it would only add to the trouble and make his brother worry.

Threats of this nature could only be handled by himself. As long as his strength grew, he could naturally deal with these minor threats.

Xu Yunfeng was only someone who hadn't yet entered the ranks, and he was just a constable; how strong could the hoodlums he commanded be?

Once his strength improved a bit more, he would naturally have nothing to fear.

Walking into the hall.

"Woah~ woah!!"

"Dudu is back!!"

"Finally time to eat!!!"

"Doubao is starving!!!"

Little Doubao, sitting on a stool, happily swung her short legs, looking full of joy.

"Uncle!" the little boy on the side said indifferently.

This was Jiang Li's eldest son, Jiang Yiming.

"How is Jiang Yiming's homework coming along?"

"No need for Uncle to worry!" Jiang Yiming said flatly.

"Don't be rude to your uncle!! Do you remember what I told you before?" Liu Wanwan glared at Jiang Yiming.

Jiang Yiming couldn't help but shrink his neck.

"Uncle, I'm sorry!! I was being ignorant!"

Jiang Ning smiled and rubbed his head.

"Dudu, I want it too!!!" Little Doubao swung her short legs desperately.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning smiled and also rubbed her head.

"You two, take your seats!" Liu Wanwan said.

Then she lifted the large bowl covering the dishes, and immediately, waves of heat rose, and the fragrance of the food filled the air.

"Wow! Wow!!"

"So much meat!!"

Little Doubao's eyes lit up, and she let out exclamations repeatedly.

Smelling the fragrance of the food.

*Gurgle—*

A sound of hunger also came from Jiang Ning's stomach.

"It seems my brother is truly hungry!" Jiang Li laughed heartily.

Jiang Ning also gave a sheepish smile.

Having practiced punches all afternoon, his stomach was naturally empty.

"You two brothers, stop chatting and eat!" Liu Wanwan said.

Then she placed a bowl of rice, packed tight, in front of Jiang Ning.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning said from the bottom of his heart.

"Since you've entered the martial arts hall, practice well! Don't let your brother's expectations of you go to waste!" Liu Wanwan said while serving rice for Jiang Li.

"Don't worry, Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning said.

"Thank you, my dear," Jiang Li said with a smile as he took a bowl of rice.

At the dinner table.

Jiang Li asked: "Brother, how was your punch practice today?"

As he spoke, Jiang Li picked up a large piece of meat, half-fat and half-lean, and placed it in Jiang Ning's bowl.

"Very good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"It seems my brother has good talent in martial arts!" Jiang Li was quite happy.

"Dudu is so amazing!!" Little Doubao on the side also clapped her hands vigorously.

Even Jiang Yiming couldn't help but take an extra look at his cheap uncle, Jiang Ning, before burying his head in his food.

(End of chapter)