The scroll also articulated the views of a certain person.
Behind these rebellions there always lurked the traces of Sectors and noble families, and in addition to rebellion, various churches worshipping the Evil God sprung up like bamboo after a rain, with most also having the backing of certain powers.
The reason behind this was that the invincible Martial Saint had not shown himself for thirty years.
Some speculated that the time of the Martial Saint was over, and that he had passed away, which caused the whole of Great Xia to enter a shaky era, with all parties secretly harboring disloyal thoughts.
That person even proposed a view that once it was confirmed the Martial Saint had passed away, the world might return to the age of numerous warlords vying for power. Therefore, the root of these rebellions was the struggle for military power.
It caused the current court to be drained and exhausted, unable to suppress the uprisings in time, and without triggering the ordinance that would release military power, allowing various stationed armies and regional forces to take advantage and expand their troops. It also allowed noble families and Sects to recruit disciples and members at will.
Relaxing military restrictions meant that the forces could have enough power to suppress local rebellions and lewd shrines to the Evil God.
When Jiang Ning reached this point, he fully understood.
Why just last year alone Great Xia had so many rebellions.
It was clearly a worldwide opposition to the royal family, not just opposition to the court.
The court is the political power formed by multiple forces.
Released military power represented the interests of everyone except the royal family.
Whether ambitious or not, all forces wanted to grow stronger, aiming to conspire for greater gains or to back a stronger side and hold out for a better offer.
Jiang Ning also understood why the Inspection Office was able to be formed so quickly with the force of a thunderbolt and why the Martial Saint was stationed there.
Forcing the royal family to release military power was clearly an open conspiracy.
The conspiracy forcing the royal family to release military power was such that if the military power was not released, the rebellions would not stop, nor would the shrines to the Evil God, and the court's power would be insufficient to suppress these rebellions, inevitably shaking the foundation of Great Xia and entering a turbulent era.
This kind of struggle against the overall situation in the world could not establish the Inspection Office without the personal presence of the Martial Saint.
And once the Inspection Office was truly established, it would also be involved in this great world trend.
At this moment, Jiang Ning thought about many things.
He pondered for dozens of breaths.
Sigh—
Only then did Jiang Ning resume his breathing.
"Do I even have a choice?"
"The chaotic times I predicted are not oncoming; they have already arrived! If I do not join the Inspection Office, which faction could I join?"
"The Inspection Office is, at least, a temporary refuge, and if I have some time, I will be able to establish myself in Luoshui County with Martial Arts."
"Joining the Inspection Office is the only way to give me that time."
"And it is also only the Inspection Office that can provide me with the fundamental methods for advancing in Martial Arts."
"A lean camel is bigger than a horse; the Inspection Office is still the biggest tree in this world as it stands, and will not fall in a short time, just as Great Xia which has stood for over eight hundred years, will not collapse so easily!"
In the midst of contemplation, Jiang Ning made his decision completely.
He then put down this scroll and picked up another one that recorded information on Luoshui County.
Having found himself in Luoshui County, he could not ignore a scroll that contained intelligence on it.
With just a cursory glance at the scroll, Jiang Ning had understood.
Both scrolls were most likely sent by Master Wang from the stationed troops outside the city.
The intelligence records were so abundant and detailed; who else but Master Wang, who led the stationed troops outside the city, could send such detailed intelligence to Wang Jin?
In Luoshui County, everyone knew that Wang Jin and Master Wang were blood relatives; it was no secret.
Master Wang was very likely Wang Jin's own brother.
The reason why Master Wang could sit back and watch the power struggle in Luoshui County was not simply because he commanded the hundred elite stationed troops outside the city, but also because he also directed the county's city guards.
With a hundred elite troops plus more than five hundred city guards, his power in Luoshui County was not any weaker than the County Lord's and the three major families leading the local snakes.
The County Lord commanded the County Magistrate, the chief clerks, and had comprehensive control over military and civil affairs within Luoshui County, managing over seven hundred constables, arrest officers, government officials, and so on.
Among them, as far as Jiang Ning knew, the decisive factor was the County Lord himself, something his elder brother had vaguely discovered.
Outside these two powers were the local influences headed by the three major families: Cao, Liu, and Xie.
This force was intricately complicated, and Jiang Ning's understanding of it was limited—he knew only that no one in Luoshui County could escape the influence of these three major families.
Subsequently, Jiang Ning meticulously reviewed the dossier concerning Luoshui County.
The dossier was quite thick and felt heavy in his hands.
...
In the blink of an eye.
The curved moon hanging high in the night sky gradually descended toward the east.
[This reading session has increased your Literacy and Judgement Experience by 48 points.]
[Skill]: Reading and Writing (Break Limit once 196/2000) (Trait: unforgettable)
Jiang Ning turned to the last page of the dossier and slowly withdrew his gaze, only to see this prompt before his eyes.
"Approximately three 2-hours sessions, an increase of 48 Experience Points. Tonight's reading yielded a higher efficiency in gaining Experience Points. There must be a pattern to this, though it's not easy to decipher."
The thought flickered in Jiang Ning's mind before shaking his head.
He then closed the dossier and placed it back in its original spot.
"This dossier contains such detailed records of the various forces and experts of Luoshui County. It indeed seems to be sent by Master Wang. If not for someone of his status, how many people could secretly investigate Luoshui County so thoroughly?"
"Even Xu Yunfeng is listed within! It's somewhat surprising that he is just one step away from Martial Arts Entry."
Jiang Ning's eyes unfocused as he fell into contemplation.
"According to the dossier, the various powers have long been aware of the setup of the Inspection Office."
"But, of course, even Wang Jin knows; the major interconnected powers must have known well in advance."
"The end of the dossier also advises Wang Jin to actively cooperate with the establishment of the Inspection Office. Though it poses dangers, it also holds opportunities."
"It says that the Inspection Office likely represents the will of the Martial Saint. The Martial Saint hasn't shown himself in thirty years, but it's highly probable that he's still alive, and he may appear before long."
Thinking this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but mutter to himself.
If that's indeed the case, joining the Inspection Office is actually a good choice.
For me, the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
He immediately thought of two people mentioned in the dossier.
Jiang Ning stroked his forehead as he sank into deep thought.
"Cao Bin... Xu Yunfeng..."
"Why is Xu Yunfeng targeting my elder brother so vehemently? There must be a matter of interest involved! But what interest could it be? Is my brother's existence, a mere constable yet to reach Martial Arts Entry, really that influential to the County Lord?"
"Could it be that Cao Bin is acting on his personal desires, choosing my brother?"
"And is Xu Yunfeng's diligent effort rooted in the soon-to-be-established Inspection Office?"
"If that's the case, this matter might be resolved more easily, merely facing the pressure from Cao Bin and Xu Yunfeng."
After mulling it over for a while, Jiang Ning regained his composure and shook his head.
Forget it!
There are too few clues; it's useless to consider this matter further!
My priority now is to achieve Martial Arts Entry within three months, so I can join the Inspection Office.
The Inspection Office, stationed by the only Martial Saint in Great Xia, represents the biggest backing under the heavens if he is still alive.
Since the Martial Saint personally oversees it, the importance of the Inspection Office is self-evident.
Joining the Inspection Office would be like a fish leaping over the dragon gate; it's an opportunity I must seize!
Not only will my status rise, but access to cultivation techniques, secret techniques, and precious medicines will surely be plentiful.
As for Sects, which one could possibly surpass the Great Xia Court in heritage?
With the position in the Inspection Office, all crises will naturally dissolve.
With the resources of the Inspection Office, I can continue to grow.
This is a chance to reap multiple benefits.