Unexpected Change

Unexpected Change

A fine teacher?

Jiang Ning was slightly taken aback, then immediately understood what his elder brother Jiang Li meant.

He clearly intended to have someone else teach him martial arts.

He also suddenly understood why Liu Wanwan had secretly stopped Jiang Li earlier.

After all, the poor studied literature, while the rich practiced martial arts.

Learning martial arts cost a great deal of silver.

The apprenticeship fee alone was already an astonishing sum, and the later expenses for medicinal materials were even beyond counting.

His elder brother's household was already struggling, while he himself did not have a single coin to his name.

If he learned martial arts, would he not be continuing to suck his elder brother and sister-in-law dry?

And even more severely than before!

After understanding this, Jiang Ning hurriedly said, "Brother, I only meant for you to teach me two martial arts techniques. I don't want to seek out a master. I don't want to add more burdens to you because of me!"

"Looks like you really have grown sensible!" Jiang Li looked at Jiang Ning with a face full of relief, then continued, "I know what you're worried about. You don't need to concern yourself with the tuition for apprenticing. Your elder brother is quite skilled in martial arts. After being a constable for so many years, I've saved up at least a little."

As he said this, Jiang Ning saw Jiang Li bare his teeth slightly again, and also noticed Liu Wanwan secretly making a small gesture to stop him.

"Brother! There really is no need for me to apprentice!"

"What do you know?" Jiang Li shot Jiang Ning a glare and continued, "With my three-legged-cat skills, I can't even enter the ranks of martial artists. How could I teach you? Wouldn't I end up leading you astray!"

"Haven't you heard that a fine teacher produces outstanding disciples? If you want to learn martial arts, you must find a true master to guide you through the door. This concerns your future achievements. This money absolutely cannot be saved!"

"If you truly achieve something in martial arts in the future, come to the county office. I can get you a constable's position as well. That way, you'll have somewhere to settle in the future, and you'll be qualified to marry and have children."

At the words "marry and have children," Jiang Ning immediately felt a headache coming on. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Liu Wanwan pull his elder brother to his feet and head toward the inner hall.

Forget it! Jiang Ning sighed inwardly at the sight. I'll find a chance to talk to Brother about it later!

He hastily picked at the food before him, then got up and headed toward the inner hall, intending to see what exactly was going on with his elder brother and sister-in-law.

Jiang Ning was sincerely grateful toward his elder brother and sister-in-law in this life.

His former self had been idle and good-for-nothing. For the two of them to do this much could already be called fulfilling their duty to the utmost.

Even his sister-in-law had merely voiced some complaints about her idle younger brother-in-law. She had never openly made things difficult for his former self.

When he had arrived in this world, he had been listless and seriously injured. It had also been his sister-in-law who had constantly cared for him, washing his clothes and cooking his meals.

Thus, toward his elder brother and sister-in-law in this life, Jiang Ning felt only gratitude, without the slightest resentment.

As he drew close to the inner hall, Jiang Ning heard the low voices of his elder brother and sister-in-law talking.

Curious, Jiang Ning took a few more steps, and their voices became clearer.

"Jiang Li, have you really thought this through? Your brother Jiang Ning is already eighteen. Even if his talent is exceptional, he has nearly missed the best age to learn martial arts. His future achievements will be limited!"

"Wanwan, I know! But he is my younger brother, my only blood brother. How can I not help him? An elder brother is like a father, and he is my only younger brother!!"

"What about Ming'er?" Liu Wanwan's voice brimmed with anger. "You know how expensive apprenticing in martial arts is! Ming'er is fourteen now. His bones are about to finish developing, and in another year or so, he'll reach the golden age for learning martial arts!"

At those words, Jiang Li was instantly speechless. After several breaths of silence, he said, "I can solve the money problem. Ming'er's future cannot be delayed, but neither can my own younger brother's future! Since he wants to learn martial arts and seek a way out, then as his elder brother, I must support him."

"I want to go back to my parents' home! I miss my father, my mother, and my elder brother!" Liu Wanwan suddenly blurted out.

Deathly silence. In an instant, deathly silence descended.

"Brother!" Jiang Ning called out as he walked into the hall, instantly breaking the dead silence within.

Suddenly—

"Brother Li—"

"Brother Li—"

"Constable Feng has summoned us! We must gather at the county office before 11:45 a.m.!!"

The shouts came from outside, drawing closer and closer.

"Wanwan, I've wronged you!!" Jiang Li's voice came from the inner hall.

The next moment—

Bang—

The closed door ahead flew open, and Jiang Li's tall, burly figure instantly appeared before Jiang Ning.

"Brother!" Jiang Ning said.

Jiang Li patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. I can handle all of this!! Don't be angry with your sister-in-law!"

After leaving those final words, Jiang Li took a single long stride, crossing two or three meters through the main hall.

With one hand, he snatched up the standard-issue long saber lying on the table. Then, with another step, he rushed straight out of the house.

"Let's go!!" Jiang Li shouted, and his figure vanished from Jiang Ning's sight.

"Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning softly called as he looked at Liu Wanwan emerging from the inner hall.

"I hope you will grow more mature in the future and not disappoint your elder brother's painstaking efforts again!" Liu Wanwan stared into Jiang Ning's eyes and left those words with utmost seriousness before brushing past him.

Arriving beside the dining table, she began clearing away the bowls and chopsticks.

--

The moon shone bright, and the stars were few.

Cold moonlight bathed Luoshui County, as though draping the county at night in a veil of gauze.

Under such bright moonlight, even while sitting in the courtyard, Jiang Ning could clearly see the writing in the book in his hands.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

Suddenly, several barks sounded from outside the courtyard.

Then, a tall and burly man strode over.

"Brother Li!!!" When Liu Wanwan, standing at the courtyard gate, saw that figure, delight appeared in her eyes.

"Brother Li, what happened to you!" Liu Wanwan instantly became frantic, her voice trembling.

Something happened!!!

Those three words instantly surfaced in Jiang Ning's mind as he read beneath the moonlight.

He quickly closed his book, rose to his feet, and walked outside the courtyard.

The next moment—

Jiang Ning saw the tall, burly Jiang Li approaching beneath the moonlight, his steps steady and forceful, carrying the wind with him.

Then his gaze was drawn to Jiang Li's right hand, wrapped in white bandages.

Something really happened?

Jiang Ning's heart immediately sank.

At that moment, Jiang Li also strode up to Liu Wanwan.

"Brother Li, what happened??" Liu Wanwan looked at Jiang Li as though tears might fall at any moment, her voice quivering.

Jiang Li grinned. "It's nothing. We surrounded and suppressed the God-Worship Cult this afternoon, and there was a small accident. Just a minor injury!"

"Brother Li, you promised you wouldn't lie to me!!" Liu Wanwan looked as though she wanted to touch Jiang Li's right hand, yet feared hurting him.

At those words, Jiang Li immediately fell silent.

Several breaths later, he slowly said, "This afternoon's operation was brutal. I was lucky to come back alive, but my right hand is ruined."

"Ruined?" Liu Wanwan murmured, seeming unable to believe her own ears.

The next moment, she looked at Jiang Li with resolute eyes. "Can it be healed? No matter how much it costs, I'll pay it. At worst, I'll beg my father and elder brother!!!"

Jiang Li gently shook his head. "The tendons are severed and the bones shattered. Even the gods cannot save it."

He then laughed heartily. "It's fine, don't worry. Although my right hand is ruined, I risked life and limb to wipe out the God-Worship Cult. That was work for the county magistrate! I was injured in the line of duty, so the county magistrate will definitely see that I'm properly settled! I may not become rich and honored in the future, but living normally won't be a problem. Besides, with an injury sustained in the line of duty, if I move to logistics, there will certainly be compensation. If the county magistrate acts unfairly, who will still fight and die for him or risk their lives for him in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Wanwan's eyes filled with tears as she nodded repeatedly. "Mm, mm, mm!!"

Jiang Li smiled and pulled her into his embrace with his left hand.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning immediately felt somewhat awkward.

With his elder brother and sister-in-law sharing such a moment as husband and wife, it was not appropriate for him to remain here.

Just then—

Jiang Li patted Liu Wanwan's back, and she gently withdrew from his embrace.

"Little brother, come with me!" Jiang Li said.

Jiang Ning nodded.