Killing Chickens to Warn Monkeys

In the main hall.

Jiang Ning's gaze fell upon the once-brawny man. He immediately saw that Jiang Li's face had turned green, his entire body trembling faintly, droplets of blood falling from within the long sleeve of his left arm.

The entire main hall instantly sank into silence.

After a long while.

"Eldest Brother!" Jiang Ning could not help calling out.

By then, Jiang Li had slowly regained his composure.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about me!"

"Eldest Brother, then what have you decided to do?" Jiang Ning asked.

Jiang Li spoke calmly. "Such a heart-chilling act—I don't believe the County Magistrate will simply allow Cao Bin to run amok."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning secretly shook his head. Whether he would or would not—who could truly fathom another person's heart?

Yet based on Xu Yunfeng's earlier remarks, it was clear that the County Magistrate, this Dragon Crossing the River, and the local snakes of the major local families had already clashed to the point of white-hot intensity.

If his eldest brother refused to comply, the local great families might very well use him to kill a chicken and warn the monkeys.

One had to know that his eldest brother had worked in the yamen for years and possessed a modest measure of prestige, yet he had always treated the County Magistrate's orders as the horse's head to follow.

Such a man was perfectly suited for killing a chicken to warn the monkeys.

Under the pressure of the local snakes, the County Magistrate might not necessarily refuse to compromise.

Even if he did not compromise, caught between two great powers, how could there be any path to survival? What good end could await them?

At this thought, the sense of crisis in Jiang Ning's heart grew even stronger.

He had not forgotten Xu Yunfeng's look and words when he left just now. He had clearly been using Jiang Ning and his two nephews and niece to threaten his eldest brother.

In the future, in order to force his eldest brother into submission, there was no telling what he might do to harm Jiang Ning and the children.

I still have to rely on myself! Learning martial arts is now something that cannot be delayed! Jiang Ning thought inwardly. Then he considered Wang Jin of Canglang Martial Hall.

Based on what he knew and suspected, Wang Jin of Canglang Martial Hall might be blood-related to Wang Dutou, the commander of Luoshui County's garrison.

Moreover, Wang Jin held an extremely lofty position. He was unquestionably a Martial Dao Entry Rank expert and had traveled very far along the Martial Path.

In a world where a single martial arts expert could become an army, Wang Jin's fists were his power.

If he joined Canglang Martial Hall, Xu Yunfeng would at least show some restraint on the surface.

More importantly, if he could pass Canglang Martial Hall's assessment and become a Direct Disciple of the hall—

In this world, Heaven, Earth, ruler, kin, and teacher—the relationship between master and disciple was akin to that of father and son.

If he could become Wang Jin's Personal Disciple, then for Wang Jin's sake, Xu Yunfeng would not dare touch him, much less make a move against him.

The Personal Disciple of such an expert was in no way comparable to an ordinary constable with a clerk's registration.

Thinking this, Jiang Ning secretly nodded. Looking at it now, Canglang Martial Hall truly is a good destination! If the Panel can grind Experience Points for Martial Arts Techniques, then given some time, I will certainly be able to pass Canglang Martial Hall's test and become Wang Jin's Direct Disciple. Reaching that point would be no less than crossing social classes, much like the difference between a commoner's status and the clerk's registration enjoyed by Eldest Brother.

Just as his thoughts were turning.

"Little Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Jiang Li's voice suddenly interrupted Jiang Ning's thoughts.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning said, "I was thinking about what Xu Yunfeng said before leaving. He was clearly using me and your children to force you into submission!"

Jiang Li immediately nodded. "I saw that as well! He is very clever. All of you are my weak points!"

As he spoke, Jiang Ning still saw Jiang Li's left fist clenched tightly, the gaps between his fingers already stained red with blood.

Then Jiang Li said, "I trust the County Magistrate. He will not simply stand by and do nothing!"

Jiang Ning shook his head. "Eldest Brother, placing the lives of the entire family upon a single thought from the County Magistrate is exceedingly unwise!"

At those words, Jiang Li gave a faint, bitter smile. "Those are the Cao, Liu, and Xie Families—three colossal families. Other than placing my hopes on the County Magistrate, Eldest Brother has no other way at all!"

"I have a way," Jiang Ning said.

"What way?" Jiang Li's eyes immediately lit up as he looked at Jiang Ning with hope.

Jiang Ning slowly said, "Wang Jin of Canglang Martial Hall is blood-related to Wang Dutou, commander of Luoshui County's garrison. As long as I can become a true disciple of Canglang Martial Hall, I will have the bond of master and disciple with Wang Jin. The bond between master and disciple stands shoulder to shoulder with that of father and son. That should allow me to receive Wang Jin's protection. And Wang Jin is blood-related to Wang Dutou, who holds military power. Whether it is the County Magistrate or the four great families, no one would want to provoke Wang Dutou, who holds military power."

"Wang Dutou?" Jiang Li muttered, looking thoughtful.

Having spent so long in Luoshui County, he naturally knew quite a lot.

After pondering for a moment, he nodded. "If we can establish ties with Wang Dutou, the Cao Family probably truly would not dare make a move! In Great Xia, one hundred men formed a dui. Even the weakest among them would be no weaker than I was at my peak, and there were no shortage of elite squads made up of Ranked Martial Artists!"

"But..." He looked at Jiang Ning and continued, "But how will Little Brother become a true disciple of Canglang Martial Hall? Wang Jin's requirements are extremely, extremely high. Those who can become true disciples of Canglang Martial Hall receive the hall's true teachings and are certain to become Ranked Martial Artists!"

Jiang Ning said, "Eldest Brother need not worry about that. I naturally have that confidence!"

"Fine, then!" Jiang Li nodded. "It is good for Little Brother to have confidence. There is no harm in trying! It just so happens that Little Brother is going to join Canglang Martial Hall as well!"

"If it does not work, then even if I must risk my life, I will beg Head Constable Feng to step in and have the County Magistrate protect all of you!" Jiang Li said with firm eyes.

Looking at the genuine emotion in Jiang Li's eyes, Jiang Ning's feelings became incomparably complicated.

Man was not grass or wood—how could one be without feelings?

Over these past few months since transmigrating here, he had long since accepted the elder brother and sister-in-law of this life.

Although his sister-in-law had quite a few complaints about him, over the past two months, she had washed his changes of clothes, mended his torn garments, and never shorted him in food or drink.

As for his eldest brother, there was even less to say. The phrase "an elder brother is like a father" was perfectly embodied in him.

Just yesterday, because Jiang Ning had merely said that he wished to practice martial arts, his eldest brother had borrowed a great sum of silver to let him join Canglang Martial Hall and learn martial arts.

Born human, how could he not be deeply moved by such family affection?

Now that such a sudden change had arisen, how could he remain uninvolved?

It is time for me to repay Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law! Jiang Ning said silently to himself.

After returning to his room.

[Name]: Jiang Ning

[Source Energy]: 3.6

[Skills]: Literacy (First Breakthrough 47/2000) (Trait: Photographic Memory)

Looking at his Panel, countless thoughts filled Jiang Ning's heart.

He had never expected such a sudden change to occur.

With what he knew, how could he fail to understand the crushing pressure of being targeted by the Three Great Families—the Cao, Liu, and Xie Families?

They were half the sky of Luoshui County!

Forget the Cao, Liu, and Xie Families, the three foremost families of Luoshui County. Even Xu Yunfeng, a constable who had achieved success in martial arts, exerted immense pressure upon ordinary people.

Having achieved success in martial arts, with powerful Blood Qi, he could handle more than ten ordinary strong men barehanded, let alone with a blade in hand.

Jiang Ning had not forgotten Xu Yunfeng's gaze when he left. If he truly intended to force his eldest brother into submission, he would not simply do nothing.

Xu Yunfeng was an enormous potential threat to him!

And this was still someone who had achieved success in martial arts but had not entered the ranks.

If it were someone who had attained Martial Dao Entry Rank, like Cao Bin, Head Constable Cao—

According to what his eldest brother had said before, after attaining Martial Dao Entry Rank and reaching Skin Refining Great Accomplishment, one's skin became as hard as copper. Blades and spears could scarcely harm them; they were no longer beings ordinary people could contend with.

Thus, Jiang Ning understood very clearly that in this world where the Martial Path flourished and great power belonged to the individual—

Every so-called crisis arose because one was not strong enough.

If he attained Martial Dao Entry Rank and possessed sufficient strength, what was Xu Yunfeng?

What was Cao Bin?

More than that, if he became like Great Xia's Nation-Protecting Martial Saint, then the entire realm would amount to nothing.

Everything depends on what happens after the trip to Canglang Martial Hall!

After noon.

Having finished lunch, Jiang Ning left the house together with his eldest brother.

As they walked down the street, the roadsides were already filled with all manner of cries from hawkers and the scents of everyday life.

"Flatbread! Flatbread! Freshly baked flatbread! Fifteen wen each!"

"Come and have a look! Finest sesame oil!"

"Selling tanghulu!"

Fifteen wen for one flatbread?

Jiang Ning immediately clicked his tongue slightly.

He remembered from the previous owner's memories that flatbread had cost only eight wen each. Now, the price had nearly doubled.

See the leopard through the tube, and one can tell grain prices must have soared. These times truly are growing more chaotic by the day!