A good teacher?
Jiang Ning was slightly taken aback and immediately understood his elder brother Jiang Li's intention.
It was clearly a preparation for others to teach him martial arts.
He also suddenly realized why Liuu Wanwan had just secretly stopped Brother Li.
As it is known, the poor learn literature and the rich practice martial arts.
Learning martial arts costs a lot of silver coins.
Just the fee to pay the master was already an absurd amount, not to mention the subsequent consumption of medicinal materials, which was incalculable.
And now, his elder brother's family was already in straits, and he himself was penniless.
If he were to learn martial arts, wouldn't that mean continuing to leech off his elder brother and sister-in-law?
And even more so than before!
Understanding this, Jiang Ning hastily spoke up, "Brother, I just want you to teach me a couple of martial arts techniques. I don't want to formally apprentice and add more burdens to you!"
"You really are sensible now!" Brother Li looked at Jiang Ning with a face full of relief, then continued, "I know what you are worried about. Don't worry about the mentorship fee. Your elder brother has extraordinary martial skills. Having been a constable for many years, I do have some savings."
As he spoke those words, Jiang Ning saw Brother Li grimace slightly and also caught Liuu Wanwan's small, secretive motion trying to stop him.
"Brother! There's really no need to find a mentor for me!"
"What do you know?" Jiang Li glared at Jiang Ning and continued, "With my limited skills, I can't even meet the Martial Arts Entry standard. How could I teach you without leading you astray?"
"Haven't you heard that a good teacher produces talented students? If you want to learn martial arts, you must find a true master to guide you in. This concerns your future achievements, and this is not where we should be thrifty!"
"If you do succeed in martial arts in the future, come to the county government. I can get you a position as a constable. That way, you'll have a secure future and be eligible to marry and have children."
Hearing the words about marrying and having children, Jiang Ning suddenly felt a headache. He intended to speak but then saw Liuu Wanwan pulling Brother Li, walking towards the rear hall.
"Never mind!" Seeing this, Jiang Ning sighed internally, "I'll find another opportunity to talk to Brother Li."
He quickly finished the food in front of him, stood up, and walked towards the inner hall, wondering about the condition of his elder brother and sister-in-law.
For his elder brother and sister-in-law in this life, Jiang Ning felt deep gratitude from the bottom of his heart.
His former self was indolent, yet they had done everything they could, exemplifying ultimate kindness and justice.
Even with a lazy brother-in-law like his former self, his sister-in-law only mildly complained and never embarrassed him in person.
When he arrived in this world, he was dispirited and seriously injured. It was his sister-in-law who had taken care of him all along, washing his clothes and cooking his meals.
Thus, for his elder brother and sister-in-law in this life, Jiang Ning had only gratitude and not a trace of resentment in his heart.
Approaching the rear hall, Jiang Ning heard his brother and sister-in-law's low voices conversing.
Curious, Jiang Ning walked a few more steps, their voices becoming clearer.
"Jiang Li, have you really thought it through? Your brother Jiang Ning is now eighteen. Even if he has high aptitude, he's nearly past the prime age to start learning martial arts. His future achievements will be limited!"
"Wanwan, I know! But he's my brother, my only blood brother. How could I not help him? An elder brother is like a father, and he's the only brother I have!"
"And what about Minger?" Anger saturated Liuu Wanwan's voice, "You know how expensive it is to apprentice in martial arts! Minger is fourteen now, soon to be at the best age to start learning martial arts!"
At this, Jiang Li was momentarily speechless, silent for a few moments before he spoke, "I can handle the money issue. Minger's future must not be delayed, but the future of my blood brother must not be neglected either! Since he wants to pursue a path in martial arts, as his elder brother, I must support him."
"I want to go back to my parents' home! I miss my father, mother, and elder brother!" Liuu Wanwan suddenly blurted out.
Silence, a sudden deathly silence followed.
"Brother!" Jiang Ning called out, walking towards the hall, instantly breaking the silence inside.
Suddenly,
"Brother Li—"
"Brother Li—"
"Feng Tou has summoned us. We must gather at the government office before three quarters past noon!"
The call came from outside, drawing nearer.
"Wanwan, I've put you through so much!" Jiang Li's voice came from inside the hall.
The next moment,
Bang—
The door in front of them burst open, and Jiang Li's tall, robust figure appeared instantly before Jiang Ning.
"Brother!" Jiang Ning spoke.
Jiang Li patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I can handle all this! Don't be angry at your sister-in-law."
Leaving behind these last words, Jiang Li strode out in a burst, crossing two to three meters in the hall.
He grabbed the standard long saber placed on the table with one hand, then stepped out and rushed straight from the main house.
"Let's go!" Jiang Li called out lightly, and his figure disappeared from Jiang Ning's sight.
"Sister-in-law!" Watching Liuu Wanwan come out from the back hall, Jiang Ning spoke softly.
"I hope you can mature a bit more in the future, don't let down your brother's earnest efforts again!" Liuu Wanwan stared into Jiang Ning's eyes with a very serious look and left these words before brushing past him.
She arrived at the dining table and began cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks.
-----------------
The moon shone brightly with sparse stars.
The cold moonlight illuminated Luoshui County, as if draping the night of Luoshui County in a light veil.
Under such bright moonlight, even as Jiang Ning sat in the courtyard, he could distinctly see the text in the book he was holding.
Woof, woof, woof—
Suddenly, a few barks of a dog came from outside the courtyard.
Then, a tall and burly man strode forward.
"Brother Li!!!" Liuu Wanwan, standing at the courtyard entrance, saw his figure and joy appeared in her eyes.
"Brother Li, what happened to you!" Liuu Wanwan instantly became anxious, her voice trembling.
Trouble!!!
The word sprang to mind for Jiang Ning as he read under the moonlight.
He quickly closed the book and stood up, walking towards the courtyard entrance.
The next moment.
Jiang Ning saw the tall and imposing figure of Jiang Li approaching under the moonlight, with a resilient and vigorous stride.
Then, his gaze was attracted to Jiang Li's right hand, which was wrapped in white bandages.
Did something really happen?
A sinking feeling took hold of Jiang Ning.
At that moment, Jiang Li also strode up to Liuu Wanwan.
"Brother Li, what happened??" Liuu Wanwan, on the verge of tears and with a trembling voice, looked at Jiang Li.
Jiang Li grinned, "It's nothing, I was just involved in the suppression of the God Worship Sect this afternoon. There was a little accident, just a minor injury!"
"Brother Li, you promised never to lie to me!" Liuu Wanwan looked like she wanted to touch Jiang Li's right hand, yet feared she might hurt him.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li fell silent.
After a few moments, he slowly said, "This afternoon's suppression was fierce. I was lucky to escape with my life, but my right hand is ruined."
"Ruined?" Liuu Wanwan murmured to herself, seemingly unable to believe her own ears.
The next moment, she determinedly looked at Jiang Li, "Can it be healed? No matter the cost, I'll bear it, I'll even go plead to my father and brother!!!"
Jiang Li shook his head slightly, "The tendons are torn, the bones shattered; it is beyond saving."
He then laughed heartily again, "No worries, though my right hand is ruined, serving the County Lord in the fight against the God Worship Sect was part of my duty! I got injured on duty, so the County Lord will surely take good care of me! Although I may not end up rich, a normal life is still more than possible. Moreover, given this injury happened on duty, there'll also be a pension. If the County Lord doesn't handle this right, who else would be willing to risk their lives for him in the future?"
Listening to this, Liuu Wanwan's eyes welled up with tears, continually nodding, "Yes, yes, yes!"
Jiang Li then smilingly pulled her into a hug with his left hand.
Watching this scene, Jiang Ning suddenly felt a bit awkward.
With Brother and Sister-in-law sharing such a moment, it wasn't really appropriate for him to be there.
At that moment.
Jiang Li patted Liuu Wanwan's back, and she gently stepped out from his embrace.
"Younger brother, come with me!" Jiang Li spoke.
Jiang Ning nodded.