Another Twist of Fate

Beneath the grapevine in the small courtyard.

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

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

At this, he smiled and shook his head. "Little Brother, you said at noon that you wanted to learn martial arts, right?"

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"You should learn martial arts!" Jiang Li wore a deeply emotional expression, then continued, "These times are growing more and more chaotic! The God Worshipping Sect is becoming increasingly rampant! They're going crazier and crazier for the sake of Artificial Deities. If not for the God Worshipping Sect, I wouldn't have suffered such a calamity!"

"The God Worshipping Sect?" Jiang Ning's gaze sharpened as he instantly recalled what had happened two months ago.

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

After absorbing the memories of this body's former owner, he had vaguely heard the words "God Worshipping Sect" after the attack, along with a sentence: "We found another Innate Spiritual Awakened. Once we extract this soul, we will surely receive a Reward from the Spirit Envoy!"

Undoubtedly, he had been that Innate Spiritual Awakened.

In Jiang Ning's view, the former owner's attack had most likely occurred because the God Worshipping Sect had set its sights on him for that reason.

Perhaps it had also been because of that accident that he awakened his Past Life Wisdom—or perhaps it had been the opportunity that brought him here through transmigration.

As for the true reason, he did not know.

Hearing the words God Worshipping Sect again now made Jiang Ning take the matter very seriously.

To this day, he still did not understand what an Innate Spiritual Awakened was. But he knew that if this body's former owner had been targeted by the God Worshipping Sect because he was one, then should they discover him again, he might well follow in those same footsteps.

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

"Nothing. I just suddenly thought of something." Jiang Ning shook his head.

Hearing this, Jiang Li smiled knowingly. "Don't worry! I've already arranged your martial arts training and found you an excellent teacher."

"An excellent teacher?" Jiang Ning immediately shook his head. "Eldest Brother, there's no need for that. Taking a master to learn martial arts is too expensive; we can't afford it. You only need to teach me a few martial arts techniques."

"You want me to teach you martial arts?" Jiang Li shook his head repeatedly. "That won't do! Learning martial arts isn't simple. It can't be taught carelessly, nor can it be learned carelessly. If something goes wrong, regret will come too late."

He continued, "Besides, my right hand is ruined now. How can I teach you with a blade in my left hand? The excellent teacher I found for you is Wang Jin of Canglang Martial Hall. Hall Master Wang Jin is a Ranked Martial Artist, far stronger than I am, and he has abundant teaching experience. He absolutely counts as an excellent teacher."

"Canglang Martial Hall? Wang Jin?" Jiang Ning was mildly surprised. Over the past few days, he had read extensively and asked his Eldest Brother about many things, so naturally he had heard Wang Jin of Canglang Martial Hall's great name.

This was a Martial Arts Hall that countless martial artists wished to enter. Once one passed Canglang Martial Hall's tests and became a true disciple of the hall, it was like ascending to the heavens in a single step for ordinary people. This was not only because Canglang Martial Hall was powerful, but even more because of Wang Jin's status.

Then Jiang Ning shook his head. He knew very clearly how much silver was required to enter Canglang Martial Hall.

Even though his Eldest Brother was a Constable, entered in the official registers and thus a man of the Imperial Court, and even had some connection to Wang Jin of Canglang Martial Hall, there would be no exception.

Jiang Ning then said, "Eldest Brother, even if I truly were to find an excellent teacher, it needn't be Canglang Martial Hall. The tuition to study under Canglang Martial Hall is far too expensive!"

"You needn't worry about that!" Jiang Li said. "I've risked life and limb for the Yamen and for the County Magistrate. Now that I've suffered such severe injuries, the Yamen will naturally grant me compensation."

He lowered his voice and said to Jiang Ning, "Little Brother, don't tell your Sister-in-law about this. The County Office's compensation won't be issued for some time yet, so I've temporarily borrowed some silver to pay your tuition. If your Sister-in-law finds out, she'll nag me again."

With that, Jiang Li gave a soft chuckle, feigning ease.

Jiang Ning's heart was immediately filled with mixed emotions. He had never experienced such familial affection in his previous life.

Then Jiang Li patted his shoulder. "It's late. Go sleep first! I've already paid the money for your apprenticeship, so don't refuse any longer. That apprenticeship fee can't be refunded. Tomorrow, just obediently come with me to Canglang Martial Hall."

After leaving those words behind, Jiang Li walked over to Liu Wanwan, and the two returned to their room.

Early the next morning, the Rising Sun climbed into the sky, and daylight shone bright.

Suddenly.

Knock, knock, knock—

A series of knocks sounded at the door.

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

Xu Yunfeng?

Hearing those three words, Jiang Ning was slightly surprised, then immediately recalled who he was.

Previously, his Eldest Brother had taken him to the Yamen archives, where he had also read the Yamen's records.

Xu Yunfeng had been without family or support since childhood. He had once fought stray dogs for food, and to achieve his ends, he would stop at nothing. For him to have reached this point, he was certainly no good man.

Most crucially, he worked under Cao Bin, Feng Constable Cao, and Cao Bin was a direct blood relative of the Cao Family, one of Linjiang County's colossal powers.

As a Local Snake, the Cao Family did not get along with the County Magistrate, a Dragon Crossing the River. Jiang Ning had already seen this from one incident after another.

It had not been difficult to see. Looking across human history in his previous life, the open and covert struggles between Dragons Crossing the River and Local Snakes were too numerous to count; conflict between them was only natural.

If his Eldest Brother had to be assigned to a faction, he had always trusted the County Magistrate deeply. Feng Constable, Jiang Li's superior, also belonged to the County Magistrate's faction.

Jiang Ning immediately reached a conclusion: the visitor meant no good!

With this in mind, he hurriedly rolled out of bed, preparing to go to the Main Hall and assess the situation.

When he arrived at the Main Hall, he saw his Eldest Brother Jiang Li leading a man in a long black robe, with a Standard Long Blade slung at his waist, into the Main Hall of the house.

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

"Sister-in-law is very beautiful!" Xu Yunfeng stared at Liu Wanwan with a face full of admiration.

Jiang Li frowned at once, then slowly said, "Brother Xu, what brings you here so suddenly today?"

Xu Yunfeng smiled slowly at Jiang Li. "You and I are colleagues. Last night, I heard that Brother Li had encountered danger and that his right hand had been crippled, so I came specifically to visit you. I also brought a bottle of medicine for treating injuries and relieving pain. I hope Brother Li will not refuse it!"

As he spoke, Xu Yunfeng took a porcelain medicine bottle from his waist and placed it before Jiang Li.

Seeing this, the change in Jiang Li's expression eased somewhat.

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xu."

Xu Yunfeng smiled faintly. "There is another matter I came for."

"What matter?"

Xu Yunfeng said, "Cao Tou heard of your sudden misfortune and was deeply saddened. He wishes to invite Brother Li to gather at Bright Moon Pavilion tonight, at the first quarter of Xu Time."

"Cao Tou?" Jiang Li's expression changed drastically, disbelief written across his face. "Cao Bin, Head Constable Cao?"

"It is precisely Lord Cao!" Xu Yunfeng confirmed.

Upon receiving confirmation, Jiang Li's expression became even uglier.

"Would Brother Li be willing to honor us with your presence?" Xu Yunfeng asked slowly.

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

"Good!" Xu Yunfeng nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at Liu Wanwan beside them. "Remember to bring Sister-in-law as well!"

The moment those words came out, Jiang Li's expression changed drastically again.

He immediately drew a deep breath and turned to Liu Wanwan. "Wan Wan, go back to the room first!"

"Yes, Brother Li!" Liu Wanwan nodded. Worry flickered in her brows as she looked at Jiang Li, then she turned and left the Main Hall.

Once Liu Wanwan had completely departed, Jiang Li's eyes blazed as he snarled furiously, "Xu Yunfeng, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Xu Yunfeng smiled faintly. "Brother Li shouldn't be asking what I mean. You should be asking what Cao Tou means!!"

Looking at Jiang Li, who seemed ready to devour someone, Xu Yunfeng smiled again. "You should understand Cao Tou's meaning. I trust you've heard the rumors going around as well!"

At those words, Jiang Li's face grew even uglier, incomparably dark.

At that moment, Jiang Ning also instantly recalled the rumors about Cao Bin, Head Constable Cao.

According to common rumors, Head Constable Cao loved beautiful women, especially other men's wives.

Jiang Li's expression shifted repeatedly. He stared at Xu Yunfeng with extreme seriousness. "In the County Office, what does the Cao Family amount to? The County Magistrate is the sky of the County Office, and the sky of Luoshui County!"

"Utterly foolish!!" Xu Yunfeng looked at Jiang Li with disdain, as though he disdained being associated with him. "One Cao Family is indeed inferior to the County Magistrate, but what if you add the Liu Family and the Xie Family?"

As he said this, Xu Yunfeng rose to his feet. "Luoshui County is held in the grip of several great families, solid as an iron barrel, while the God Worshipping Sect grows increasingly rampant. If you were clever, you wouldn't have suffered such severe injuries! Think carefully—during this campaign against the God Worshipping Sect, who were the Constables and Yamen Runners who died or were wounded close to?"

"What does the County Magistrate amount to? If you know what's good for you, you need only endure a tiny bit of humiliation to receive Cao Tou's favor, just as I have!"

"If you refuse, then with your crippled arm, you can no longer remain a Constable. Oppose the Cao Family, and you can only pack up and return home to become a commoner!"

"When that time comes, do you think I'll still speak to you so politely?"

"Cao Tou truly can't forget Sister-in-law!!"

"If you comply, then you and I will both be Cao Tou's men. With Cao Tou looking after you, and only a little over four months remaining until the year-end assessment, you will surely come through that assessment unscathed. There will still be a place for you in the County Office! As for your injury compensation, it can also be issued as promised!"

After saying that, Xu Yunfeng tossed out two more sentences. "Brother Li has both sons and daughters. You are very fortunate!"

"I heard Brother Li treats his own Little Brother exceptionally, exceptionally well. Your brotherly bond runs deep. I envy it greatly!" As he said those last words, Xu Yunfeng's gaze fell on Jiang Ning, a smile on his face.

Looking into Xu Yunfeng's eyes, Jiang Ning felt as though he were seeing a savage beast choosing whom to devour.

The next moment, Xu Yunfeng withdrew his gaze and strode out of the house. He moved with the force of a tiger, and in the blink of an eye, vanished from sight.