Chapter 6: The One Who Kills the Chicken to Scare the Monkey

In the main hall.

Jiang Ning’s gaze fell upon the man who had once been so burly, and he immediately noticed his complexion was sallow, his body trembling slightly, and beads of blood were dripping from the long sleeve of his left arm.

The entire main hall fell into a dead silence.

After a long while.

"Big Brother!" Jiang Ning couldn't help but speak up.

At this moment, Jiang Li slowly regained his composure.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me!"

"Big Brother, what have you decided to do?" Jiang Ning asked.

Jiang Li spoke with a calm expression: "Such a heart-chilling act—I do not believe the County Magistrate will allow Cao Bin to act so recklessly."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning secretly shook his head. Whether he would or wouldn't—who could truly guess the heart of another?

However, based on Xu Yunfeng’s remarks just now, it was clear that the struggle between the County Magistrate, an outsider, and the local snakes—the several great families—had reached a fever pitch.

If his brother refused to comply, it was entirely possible the local families would use him as a warning to others.

One had to know that his brother had worked in the yamen for many years and held some prestige, yet he had always followed the Magistrate’s orders above all else.

Such a person was perfectly suited to be the "chicken" slaughtered to frighten the "monkeys."

Under the pressure of the local snakes, the Magistrate might not choose to compromise.

Even if he didn't compromise, what hope was there for someone caught between two great powers? What kind of good ending could there be?

Thinking of this, the sense of crisis in Jiang Ning’s heart grew even stronger.

He had not forgotten the look in Xu Yunfeng’s eyes or his words as he left; it was clearly a threat against his brother using himself and his two niece and nephew.

To force his brother to compromise in the future, there was no guarantee that Xu Yunfeng wouldn't do something to harm him or the children.

"I must rely on myself! Learning martial arts is now a matter of urgency!" Jiang Ning thought to himself. He then recalled the identity of Wang Jin from the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.

According to his knowledge and speculation, Wang Jin likely had blood ties to Commander Wang of the Luoshui County garrison.

Moreover, Wang Jin held a very high status; he was an absolute master who had entered the ranks of martial arts and had traveled far along that path.

In a world where a martial arts master could be a one-man army, power was Wang Jin’s authority.

If he joined the Canglang Martial Arts Hall, Xu Yunfeng would at least be somewhat wary on the surface.

More importantly, if he could pass the assessment and become a true disciple of the martial arts hall—in this world, the relationship between master and apprentice was akin to father and son.

If he became a direct disciple, relying on Wang Jin’s face, Xu Yunfeng would not dare to touch him, let alone take action against him.

The status of a direct disciple to such a master was something a mere yamen runner could never compare to.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning nodded secretly: "Looking at it now, the Canglang Martial Arts Hall is indeed a good place to go! If my panel can grind experience points for martial arts techniques, give me some time, and I will definitely pass the test and become Wang Jin’s direct disciple. Achieving this is no less than crossing a class barrier, just like the difference between a commoner and my brother’s status as a government official."

As his thoughts drifted

"Little Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Jiang Li’s voice suddenly interrupted Jiang Ning’s contemplation.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning said: "I was thinking about what Xu Yunfeng said when he left. He was clearly using me and your children to force you into submission!"

Jiang Li nodded immediately: "I saw that too! He is very clever; you are all my weak points!"

As he spoke, Jiang Ning saw his left fist clenched tightly, the gaps between his knuckles already stained red with blood.

Then, Jiang Li added: "I believe in the Magistrate; he will not just stand by and watch!"

Jiang Ning shook his head: "Big Brother, pinning the lives of the entire family on the whim of the Magistrate is extremely unwise!"

Hearing this, Jiang Li gave a bitter smile: "Those are the Cao, Liu, and Xie families—three behemoths. Aside from relying on the Magistrate, I have absolutely no other way!"

"I have a way!" Jiang Ning said.

"What way?" Jiang Li’s eyes lit up, and he looked at Jiang Ning with hope.

Jiang Ning spoke slowly: "Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall has blood ties to Commander Wang of the Luoshui garrison. As long as I can become a true disciple of the hall, I will have a master-apprentice bond with Wang Jin, which is comparable to father and son. This should grant me Wang Jin’s protection. And since Wang Jin has blood ties to Commander Wang, who holds military power, neither the Magistrate nor the four great families would want to provoke him."

"Commander Wang?" Jiang Li muttered, lost in thought.

Having stayed in Luoshui County for so long, he naturally knew quite a bit.

After pondering for a moment, he nodded: "If we can establish a connection with Commander Wang, the Cao family truly might not dare to move! In the Great Xia, a hundred men make a 'du,' and even the weakest among them is no worse than me in my prime. There are no shortage of elite squads composed of ranked martial artists!"

"However..." He looked at Jiang Ning and continued: "But how will you become a true disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall? Wang Jin’s requirements are incredibly high. To become a true disciple means receiving his direct teachings—you would have to be a ranked martial artist!"

Jiang Ning said: "Big Brother need not worry about that; I have the confidence!"

"Alright then!" Jiang Li nodded: "It’s a good thing you have confidence; there’s no harm in trying! Besides, you were going to join the hall anyway!"

"If it doesn't work, I will risk my life to beg Chief Feng to step in and have the Magistrate protect you all!" Jiang Li said with a firm gaze.

Looking at the genuine emotion in Jiang Li’s eyes, Jiang Ning felt a complex mix of feelings.

Humans are not made of wood or stone; how could he be heartless?

In the few months since he had transmigrated, he had long since accepted his brother and sister-in-law.

Although his sister-in-law had her complaints about him, for the past two months, she had washed his clothes, mended his rags, and never once skimped on his share of good food and drink.

As for his brother, there was nothing more to say; the saying "the elder brother is like a father" was perfectly embodied in him.

Just yesterday, because he had mentioned wanting to learn martial arts, his brother had borrowed a large sum of silver to let him join the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.

Born as a human, how could he not be deeply moved by such familial love?

Now that they had encountered such a crisis, how could he stand by?

"It is time for me to repay my brother and sister-in-law," Jiang Ning whispered to himself.

After returning to his room.

【Name】: Jiang Ning

【Source Energy】: 3.6

【Skills】: Literacy (First Breakout 47/2000) (Trait: Eidetic Memory)

Looking at his panel, Jiang Ning’s mind was filled with thoughts.

He had never expected to encounter such a crisis.

With his understanding, how could he not realize the crushing pressure of being targeted by the Cao, Liu, and Xie families?

They were the sky over Luoshui County!

Not to mention the three top families, even Xu Yunfeng, a runner who had achieved success in martial arts, was a source of immense pressure for ordinary people.

Having achieved success in martial arts and possessing strong blood and qi, he could deal with a dozen strong men with his bare hands, let alone with a blade in his hand.

He had not forgotten the look in Xu Yunfeng’s eyes; if he truly wanted to force his brother to submit, he wouldn't just do nothing.

Xu Yunfeng was a huge potential threat to him!

And that was just someone who had achieved success in martial arts but hadn't yet "entered the ranks."

If one entered the ranks of martial arts, like Chief Cao Bin...

According to what his brother had said before, after entering the ranks, one’s skin would be tempered to perfection, as hard as copper, impervious to blades and spears—a level of existence no ordinary person could match.

Therefore, Jiang Ning knew very well that in this world where martial arts flourished and great power belonged to the individual, all so-called crises were merely due to one’s own lack of strength.

If he entered the ranks of martial arts and his strength was sufficient, what was Xu Yunfeng?

What was Cao Bin?

Even more, like the Great Xia’s Martial Saint, the whole world would be nothing.

"Everything depends on the trip to the Canglang Martial Arts Hall!"

After noon.

After finishing lunch, Jiang Ning went out with his brother.

Walking on the street, the roadsides were already filled with various hawking cries and the scent of life.

"Sesame cakes! Sesame cakes! Fresh out of the oven! Fifteen wen each!"

"Come and take a look! Fine sesame oil!"

"Selling candied haws!"

*Fifteen wen for a sesame cake?*

Jiang Ning clicked his tongue slightly.

He remembered from his predecessor’s memories that a sesame cake only cost eight wen; it had nearly doubled in price.

"From this, one can see that grain prices must have soared. This world is truly becoming more chaotic!"