In the hall.
Jiang Ning's gaze fell on that once burly man, and he immediately saw his face turn ashen, his body slightly trembling, with beads of blood dripping from the long sleeve of his left hand.
The entire main hall instantly fell into a profound silence.
After a long while,
"Big brother!" Jiang Ning couldn't help but call out.
At this moment, Jiang Li slowly regained his composure.
"It's nothing, don't worry about me!"
"Big brother, have you decided what to do?" Jiang Ning asked.
Jiang Li spoke in a calm voice, "With such a cold-hearted act, I cannot believe the County Lord would allow Cao Bin to act so perversely."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning shook his head secretly. Who can truly understand another's heart?
But based on what Xu Yunfeng had just said, it was clear that the County Lord and the powerful local families had entered a fierce struggle.
If his big brother refused to comply, it wouldn't be out of question for the major local families to make an example of him as a warning to others.
After all, his big brother had been working in the government office for many years, gaining a modest reputation. However, he had always followed the County Lord's orders above all else.
Such a person was perfectly suitable to serve as a warning.
Under the pressure of the local bigshots, the County Lord might well compromise.
Even if he did not, being caught between two powerful forces, what chance of survival did he have, and what good end could there be?
Thinking of this, Jiang Ning felt an even greater sense of crisis.
He had not forgotten the look in Xu Yunfeng's eyes as he left and the words he spoke, which clearly threatened his big brother using him and his nephew and niece.
Perhaps one day, to force his big brother to comply, they wouldn't hesitate to harm him and his nephew and niece.
"We still have to rely on ourselves! Learning martial arts, now it seems, cannot be delayed any longer!" Jiang Ning said to himself. Immediately afterward, he thought of Wang Jin's status as a member of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
Based on what he knew and guessed, Wang Jin might have a blood relation with the Master Wang stationed in Luoshui County.
Moreover, Wang Jin's status was extremely high, undoubtedly a Martial Arts Entry level strongman, and he had gone a long way in the practice of martial arts.
In a world where a martial arts strongman could be an army in himself, his fists were Wang Jin's power.
By becoming a disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall, at least on the surface, Xu Yunfeng would have to be somewhat wary.
More importantly, if he could pass the Canglang Martial Arts Hall's assessment and become a true disciple of the Martial Arts Hall.
In this world, the relationship between heaven, earth, ruling lord, kin and teacher—master and disciple—is like that of father and son.
If he could become a direct disciple of the Martial Arts Hall, relying on Wang Jin's influence, Xu Yunfeng wouldn't dare to move against him, let alone lay hands on him.
A disciple taught personally by such a strongman was something ordinary constables and their like couldn't compare to.
Thinking this, Jiang Ning nodded secretly, "Looking at it now, the Canglang Martial Arts Hall is indeed a good place! If the panel can provide me with Experience Value for cultivating Martial Arts Skills, give me some time, I will surely pass the Canglang Martial Arts Hall's test, and become Wang Jin's true disciple. Achieving this is no less than crossing social classes, akin to an ordinary citizen gaining the status and respect accorded to my big brother as an official."
As his thoughts flowed,
"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 to comply!"
Jiang Li nodded immediately, "I've seen that too! He's clever; you are all my weaknesses!"
While talking, Jiang Ning still saw his left fist clenched tightly, the skin between the knuckles already stained red with fresh blood.
Then, Jiang Li added, "I believe in the County Lord, he won't neglect this!"
Jiang Ning shook his head, "Big brother, it's unwise to stake the life of the entire family on the whims of the County Lord!"
When he heard this, Jiang Li gave a bitter smile, "But it's the Cao family, the Liu family, and the Xie family, three colossally powerful clans. Besides relying on the County Lord, big brother truly has no other choice!"
"I have a way!" Jiang Ning said.
"What way?" Jiang Li's eyes brightened immediately, looking at Jiang Ning with hope.
Jiang Ning slowly spoke, "Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall is related by blood to Master Wang, the military commander in Luoshui County. If I can become a true disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall, then I will have a master-disciple relationship with Wang Jin, akin to father and son. Such a connection should afford me Wang Jin's protection, and since Wang Jin has blood ties with Master Wang, who wields military power, neither the County Lord nor the four big families would want to provoke the military commander."
"Master Wang?" Jiang Li murmured, deep in thought.
Having been in Luoshui County for so long, he naturally knew a good deal.
Pondering for a moment, he then nodded, "If we could forge a connection with Master Wang, the Cao family might truly not dare to make a move! In Great Xia, a hundred people make a 'du,' and the weakest among them are not inferior to me at my peak. There are no shortage of elite squads comprised of Martial Arts Entry level warriors!"
"But…" He looked at Jiang Ning and continued to speak, "But little brother, how can you become a true disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall? Wang Jin's requirements are extremely high, extremely high indeed. To become a true disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall, is to receive the true teachings of the Martial Arts Hall, surely becoming an Entry level martial artist!"
Jiang Ning said, "Big brother needn't worry about this, I have confidence in myself!"
"Alright then," Jiang Li nodded. "It's good for you to be confident, little brother. And it's worth a try! Especially since you want to become a disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall."
"If it doesn't work out, I'll risk my life if I have to and ask Master Feng to intervene, to have the County Lord protect you both!" Jiang Li declared with determination in his eyes.
Seeing the sincerity in Jiang Li's eyes, Jiang Ning felt incredibly complex emotions.
Human beings are not heartless like plants or trees.
Over the past few months since he had arrived in this world, he had come to recognize his current life's big brother and sister-in-law as his own.
Although his sister-in-law had some minor complaints about him, for the past two months, all his laundry was washed by her, and she also repaired his worn clothes, never skimping on offering him the best food and drink.
As for his big brother, there was nothing to complain about at all. The saying, "An elder brother is like a father," was perfectly exemplified in him.
Just yesterday, because he had mentioned wanting to study martial arts, his big brother had borrowed a significant amount of silver coins to enable him to join the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
Being human, how could he not be deeply moved by such familial affection?
Now, faced with such a sudden crisis, how could he remain indifferent?
"It's time for me to repay my big brother and sister-in-law," Jiang Ning murmured to himself.
...
After returning to his room.
[Name]: Jiang Ning
[Source Energy]: 3.6
[Skill]: Reading and Writing (One-time Break Limit 47/2000) (Trait: Unforgettable)
Looking at his status panel, Jiang Ning was flooded with thoughts.
He had never expected to encounter such a crisis.
He understood all too well the oppressive feeling of being targeted by the three major families of the Xie, Liu, and Cao.
They practically owned half of Luoshui County!
It wasn't just the top families like the Xie, Liu, and Cao of Luoshui County; even Xu Yunfeng, a constable with martial arts achievements, represented a tremendous pressure to ordinary people.
Having martial arts success, with strong Qi-Blood, one could fight against more than a dozen strong men barehanded, let alone with a weapon in hand.
He had not forgotten the look Xu Yunfeng gave when he left; if he truly wished to force his big brother to comply, he would not have left without a word.
To him, Xu Yunfeng was a significant potential threat!
And this Xu Yunfeng was a martial artist, not yet at the entry level.
If one reached the Martial Arts Entry level like Master Cao Bin.
According to what his big brother had said, once someone reached Martial Arts Entry, they would achieve great success in Skin Training, making their skin as hard as copper, impervious to sword and spear, far beyond the capabilities of normal people to contend with.
Therefore, Jiang Ning knew very well that in this world where martial arts thrived, and power was vested in individuals, every so-called crisis stemmed from one's own lack of strength.
If he were to reach Martial Arts Entry and become strong enough, what would Xu Yunfeng be?
What would Cao Bin be?
Even more so, like that Martial Saint of Great Xia, the entire world would amount to nothing.
"Everything hinges on the trip to the Canglang Martial Arts Hall!" he thought.
...
After midday.
After lunch, Jiang Ning went out with his big brother.
Walking on the street, both sides were now filled with various hawking voices and the smell of fireworks.
Scallion pancakes~ Hot off the oven scallion pancakes~ Only fifteen coins each~~
Come and see, fine sesame oil for sale~
Sugar-coated hawthorns here~
...
Scallion pancakes for fifteen coins each?
Jiang Ning couldn't help but click his tongue slightly.
He still remembered that according to the memories of the body he had inherited, scallion pancakes cost merely eight coins each, but now the price had doubled.
"Peering through the straws, it's clear that grain prices must have skyrocketed. Indeed, these are increasingly troubled times!"