Chapter 5: Another Unexpected Turn

Under the grape trellis in the small courtyard.

"Big Brother, is there really no way for your hand to recover?"

Jiang Li shook his head slightly: "There is no way. The tendons are severed and the bones are shattered; my right arm is nearly pulverized. If not for the high-quality healing medicine and painkillers provided by the County Magistrate, I probably wouldn't even be able to stand before you right now."

Having said this, he smiled and shook his head: "Little Brother, you mentioned at noon that you wanted to practice martial arts, right?"

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"You should practice martial arts!!" Jiang Li’s expression turned deeply emotional, and he continued: "The world is becoming more and more chaotic these days! The God-Worshiping Cult is becoming increasingly rampant! They are growing ever more insane in their pursuit of creating artificial gods. If it weren't for the God-Worshiping Cult, I wouldn't have suffered such a disaster!"

"God-Worshiping Cult?" Jiang Ning’s eyes narrowed, his mind instantly flashing back to what happened two months ago.

Two months ago, when he transmigrated here, he had been severely injured.

After absorbing the memories of his predecessor, he recalled that in his dazed state after the attack, he had heard the words "God-Worshiping Cult," as well as this sentence: *Found another natural-born spirit-sensitive. Once we extract this soul, we will surely receive a reward from the God's Envoy!*

Undoubtedly, he was that "natural-born spirit-sensitive."

In his view, his predecessor was likely targeted by the God-Worshiping Cult for this very reason.

Perhaps it was because of that accident that he awakened the wisdom of his past life, or perhaps that was the catalyst for his transmigration.

He had no way of knowing the true reason.

Hearing the name "God-Worshiping Cult" again now, Jiang Ning could not help but take it very seriously.

To this day, he still didn't understand what a "natural-born spirit-sensitive" was, but he knew that if his predecessor had been targeted for it, he could not guarantee that he wouldn't suffer the same fate if he were discovered again.

"Little Brother, what’s wrong?" Seeing Jiang Ning looking somewhat dazed, Jiang Li asked with concern.

"It's nothing, I just suddenly thought of something." Jiang Ning shook his head.

Hearing this, Jiang Li couldn't help but smile knowingly: "Don't worry! I have already made arrangements for you to learn martial arts and have found a good teacher for you."

"A good teacher?" Jiang Ning immediately shook his head: "Big Brother, you don't have to do this. Apprenticeship is too expensive; we can't afford it. You just need to teach me a few martial arts techniques yourself!"

"Let me teach you?" Jiang Li shook his head repeatedly: "That won't do! Learning martial arts is not simple; it cannot be taught or learned haphazardly. If something goes wrong, you will regret it forever."

He continued: "Besides, my right hand is now crippled. How can I teach you while holding a blade with my left? The teacher I found for you is Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall. Master Wang is a ranked martial artist whose strength is far above mine, and he has extensive teaching experience. He is definitely a good teacher."

"Canglang Martial Arts Hall? Wang Jin?" Jiang Ning was slightly surprised. He had been reading extensively these past few days and had asked his brother many questions, so he had naturally heard the famous name of Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.

This was a martial arts hall that countless practitioners dreamed of joining. Once one passed the trials of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall and became a true disciple, it was, for an ordinary person, a step into the heavens. This was not only because of the strength of the hall, but also because of Wang Jin's status.

Jiang Ning shook his head; he knew very well how much silver was required to join the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.

Even though his brother was a constable with official status and had connections to the government, and even had some ties to Wang Jin, there would be no exceptions.

Jiang Ning spoke up: "Big Brother, even if I really need a good teacher, it doesn't have to be the Canglang Martial Arts Hall. The tuition is far too expensive!"

"You don't need to worry about that!" Jiang Li said: "I have risked my life for the yamen and for the County Magistrate. Now that I have suffered such a serious injury, there will naturally be a pension issued by the yamen."

He whispered to Jiang Ning: "Little Brother, don't tell your sister-in-law about this. The pension from the county office will take some time to be issued, so I have temporarily borrowed some silver to cover your apprenticeship fee. If your sister-in-law finds out, she’ll nag me again."

As he finished speaking, Jiang Li chuckled, feigning a relaxed demeanor.

Jiang Ning felt a complex mix of emotions; he had never experienced such familial love in his past life.

Then, Jiang Li patted him on the shoulder: "It's late, go to sleep first! I’ve already paid the apprenticeship fee, so you don't need to decline anymore. This money can't be refunded, so just go with me to the Canglang Martial Arts Hall tomorrow."

Leaving these words behind, Jiang Li walked toward Liu Wanwan, and the two returned to their room.

The next morning, the sun rose, and the sky grew bright.

Suddenly.

*Knock, knock, knock—*

A series of knocks sounded at the door.

"Brother Li, I, Xu Yunfeng, have come to pay a visit!"

Xu Yunfeng?

Hearing this name, Jiang Ning was slightly surprised, and he instantly recalled his memories.

His brother had taken him to the yamen archives before, and he had looked through the files.

Xu Yunfeng: this man had been alone since childhood, having once fought wild dogs for food. He was unscrupulous in achieving his goals and was by no means a good person.

Most importantly, this man worked under Constable Cao Bin, and Cao Bin was one of the giants of Linjiang County—a direct blood relative of the Cao family.

The Cao family were the local snakes, and they were at odds with the County Magistrate, who was the "dragon crossing the river." Jiang Ning had seen this from various past events.

It wasn't hard to see; throughout human history, the infighting between the "dragon crossing the river" and the "local snake" was countless, naturally carrying intense conflict.

If his brother had to choose a side, he had always trusted the County Magistrate, and Head Constable Feng, who was his brother's superior, was also part of the Magistrate's faction.

Jiang Ning immediately judged that the visitor was not here with good intentions!

Thinking of this, he quickly rolled out of bed, preparing to go to the main hall to observe the situation.

Upon arriving at the hall, he saw his brother, Jiang Li, leading a man wearing a soap-colored robe and a standard long blade slung across his waist into the main room.

After the two sat down, his sister-in-law, Liu Wanwan, poured them each a cup of hot tea.

"Sister-in-law is very beautiful!!" Xu Yunfeng looked at Liu Wanwan with an expression of admiration.

Seeing this, Jiang Li frowned, then spoke slowly: "Brother Xu, why have you come to visit so suddenly today?"

Xu Yunfeng looked at Jiang Li and smiled slowly: "You and I are colleagues. I heard last night that Brother Li had met with danger and your right hand was crippled, so I came to visit today, and brought a bottle of healing and pain-relieving medicine. I hope Brother Li will not refuse!"

As he spoke, Xu Yunfeng took a ceramic medicine bottle from his waist and placed it in front of Jiang Li.

Seeing this, Jiang Li’s tense expression softened slightly.

"Many thanks for Brother Xu's kindness!"

Seeing this, Xu Yunfeng smiled slightly: "I have one more matter to attend to here."

"What matter?"

Xu Yunfeng said: "Head Cao heard about your sudden misfortune and felt deeply sorry. He would like to invite Brother Li to gather at the Mingyue Pavilion tonight at the hour of the dog."

"Head Cao?" Jiang Li’s expression changed drastically, and he said in disbelief: "You mean Constable Cao Bin?"

"It is indeed that Lord Cao!" Xu Yunfeng confirmed.

After receiving confirmation, Jiang Li’s expression became even uglier.

"Is Brother Li willing to do us the honor?" Xu Yunfeng asked slowly.

Jiang Li pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly: "I will certainly arrive on time."

"Good!" Xu Yunfeng nodded with satisfaction, then glanced at Liu Wanwan on the side: "Remember to bring your wife as well!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Li’s expression changed again.

He took a deep breath, turned to Liu Wanwan, and said: "Wanwan, go back to the room first!"

"Yes, Brother Li!" Liu Wanwan nodded, looked at Jiang Li with worry in her eyes, and then turned and walked out of the main hall.

Once Liu Wanwan had completely left, Jiang Li’s gaze became like a torch, and he whispered in a rage: "Xu Yunfeng, what do you mean by this?"

"What do I mean?" Xu Yunfeng smiled slightly: "Brother Li shouldn't be asking me what I mean; you should be asking Head Cao what he means!!"

Looking at Jiang Li, who looked like he wanted to eat him alive, Xu Yunfeng smiled again: "You should understand what Head Cao means. I believe you have heard the rumors in the streets!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Li’s face became even uglier and incredibly gloomy.

At this moment, hearing this, Jiang Ning instantly recalled the rumors about Constable Cao Bin.

According to street rumors, Constable Cao loved beautiful women, especially married ones.

Jiang Li’s face shifted, and he looked at Xu Yunfeng with extreme seriousness: "In the yamen, what is the Cao family? The County Magistrate is the sky of the yamen, and he is the sky of Luoshui County!"

"Utterly foolish!!" Xu Yunfeng looked at Jiang Li with disdain, as if he didn't want to be associated with him: "One Cao family is no match for the County Magistrate, but what if you add the Liu family and the Xie family?"

Having said this, Xu Yunfeng stood up: "Under the control of several major families, Luoshui County is like an iron bucket, yet the God-Worshiping Cult is becoming more and more rampant. If you were smart, you wouldn't have suffered such a serious injury! Think about it yourself: in this crackdown on the God-Worshiping Cult, who were the constables and yamen runners who suffered casualties close to?"

"What is the County Magistrate? If you are sensible, you only need to endure a little humiliation to gain Head Cao's appreciation, just like me!"

"If you don't comply, with your crippled arm, you won't be able to continue as a constable. If you go against the Cao family, you can only pack your bags and become a commoner!"

"When that time comes, do you think I will still speak to you so kindly?"

"Head Cao really cannot forget your wife!!"

"If you submit, you will be one of Head Cao's men, just like me. With Head Cao's care, there are only four months left until the year-end assessment. By then, you will surely be fine, and there will still be a place for you in the yamen! As for your pension, it will also be issued as promised!"

After finishing his words, Xu Yunfeng dropped two more sentences: "Brother Li, you have a son and a daughter; you are very happy!"

"I heard that Brother Li treats his younger brother very, very well. Such deep brotherly love—I am quite envious!" When he said this last sentence, Xu Yunfeng’s gaze fell on Jiang Ning, a smile on his face.

Looking at Xu Yunfeng’s gaze, Jiang Ning felt as if he were looking at a beast ready to devour him.

The next moment, Xu Yunfeng withdrew his gaze and strode out of the house, his movements powerful and swift, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

(End of chapter)