A New Complication

A New Complication

Beneath the grapevine in the small courtyard.

"Big 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 crushed to pieces. If not for the high-quality healing medicine and painkillers issued by the county magistrate, I probably wouldn't even be able to stand before you now."

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

"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"You should practice martial arts!!" Jiang Li's face filled with deep emotion. Then he continued, "The world is becoming more and more chaotic! The God-Worship Cult is growing increasingly rampant! They're becoming more and more frenzied in their attempts to create gods. If not for the God-Worship Cult, I would never have suffered such a disaster!"

"The God-Worship Cult?" Jiang Ning's gaze sharpened, and he instantly recalled what had happened two months ago.

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

After absorbing the memories of the body's former owner, he recalled that, in his dazed state after the attack, he had heard the words "God-Worship Cult," as well as this sentence: "We've found another one born with spiritual wisdom. Once we extract this soul, we'll surely receive the divine envoy's reward!"

Without a doubt, he had been that person born with spiritual wisdom.

In his view, the former owner of this body had most likely been targeted by the God-Worship Cult for precisely that reason.

Perhaps it had also been because of that accident that he awakened the wisdom of his past life—or perhaps that opportunity had allowed him to transmigrate here.

As for the true reason, even he did not know.

Hearing the words "God-Worship Cult" again now made Jiang Ning take them very seriously.

Even now, he did not understand what a person born with spiritual wisdom was. But he knew that if the former owner of his body had been targeted by the God-Worship Cult for being one, then if he were discovered again, he might very well follow in the same footsteps.

"Little Brother, what's wrong?" Seeing Jiang Ning's somewhat dazed expression, 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 a good teacher."

"A good teacher?" Jiang Ning immediately shook his head. "Big Brother, there's no need for that. Studying martial arts under a master is too expensive—we can't afford it. You only need to teach me a few martial arts techniques yourself!"

"Have me teach you martial arts?" Jiang Li repeatedly shook his head. "That won't do! Learning martial arts isn't simple. You can't teach recklessly, nor can you learn recklessly. Once something goes wrong, it'll be too late for regrets."

He continued, "Besides, my right hand is crippled now. How could I teach you while holding a blade in my left hand? The good teacher I found for you is Wang Jin of Blue-Wave Martial Academy. Master Wang Jin is an ranked martial artist, far stronger than I am, and he has extensive teaching experience. He absolutely counts as a good teacher."

"Blue-Wave Martial Academy? Wang Jin?" Jiang Ning was slightly surprised. Over the past few days, he had browsed through many books and asked his elder brother countless questions, so naturally he had heard of Wang Jin of Blue-Wave Martial Academy.

It was a martial academy that countless martial artists dreamed of entering. Once one passed Blue-Wave Martial Academy's tests and became a true disciple, it was like ascending to heaven in a single step for an ordinary person. This was not merely because Blue-Wave Martial Academy was powerful, but even more because of Wang Jin's status.

Then Jiang Ning shook his head. He knew perfectly well how much silver was required to enter Blue-Wave Martial Academy.

Even though his elder brother was a constable with an official registry and served the imperial court, and even though he had some connection with Wang Jin of Blue-Wave Martial Academy, there would be no exception.

Jiang Ning then said, "Big Brother, even if I truly need to find a good teacher, it doesn't have to be Blue-Wave Martial Academy. The tuition for joining Blue-Wave Martial Academy is far too expensive!"

"You don't need to worry about that!" Jiang Li said. "I've risked my life for the yamen and for the county magistrate. Now that I've suffered such serious injuries, there will naturally be compensation from the yamen."

Then he lowered his voice and said to Jiang Ning, "Little Brother, don't tell your sister-in-law about this. The yamen's compensation won't be issued for a while yet, so I've borrowed some silver for the time being to pay your apprenticeship fee. If your sister-in-law finds out, she'll nag me again."

After saying that, Jiang Li chuckled, putting on an air of ease.

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

Then Jiang Li patted him on the shoulder. "It's late. Go get some sleep first! I've already paid the apprenticeship fee, so don't refuse any longer. The money can't be refunded. Tomorrow, just obediently come with me to Blue-Wave Martial Academy."

Leaving those words behind, Jiang Li walked over to Liu Wanwan, and the two of them returned to their room.

Early the next morning, the rising sun hung high, and the sky was fully bright.

Suddenly.

Knock, knock, knock—

A series of knocks sounded at the door.

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

Xu Yunfeng?

Hearing that name, Jiang Ning was slightly surprised, then immediately recalled who he was.

Previously, his elder brother had taken him to the yamen archives, where he had read through the yamen's records.

Xu Yunfeng had been alone and without support since childhood. He had once fought wild dogs for food, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Someone who had climbed this far was certainly no good man.

Most importantly, he worked under Constable Cao Bin, while Cao Bin was a direct blood relative of the Cao Family, one of Linjiang County's great powers.

As the local tyrant, the Cao Family had never gotten along with the county magistrate, an outsider who had crossed the river like a dragon. Jiang Ning had seen this clearly from one incident after another.

It was not difficult to see. Throughout the history of humanity in his previous life, open and secret struggles between outsiders who crossed the river like dragons and local tyrants had been too numerous to count; conflict between them came naturally.

If his elder brother had to be placed into a camp, he had always deeply trusted the county magistrate. Captain Feng, who stood above his elder brother, also belonged to the county magistrate's faction.

At that moment, Jiang Ning immediately made his judgment. The visitor had come with ill intent!

With that thought, he hurriedly got out of bed, intending to go to the main hall and assess the situation.

When he arrived at the main hall, he saw his elder brother Jiang Li leading a man in a black constable's robe, with a standard-issue long saber slung diagonally at his waist, into the main room.

After the two sat down, his 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. "We are colleagues. I heard last night that Brother Li had encountered danger and that your right hand had been crippled. That is why I specially came to visit today. I also brought a bottle of medicine for healing injuries and easing pain. I hope Brother Li won't refuse it!"

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

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

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xu!"

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

"What matter?"

Xu Yunfeng said, "Chief Cao heard of the sudden misfortune that befell you and felt deeply grieved. He wishes to invite Brother Li to Bright Moon Tower tonight at a quarter past the Hour of the Dog."

"Chief Cao?" Jiang Li's expression changed drastically. Somewhat disbelieving, he asked, "Do you mean Constable Cao Bin?"

"Precisely Lord Cao!" Xu Yunfeng confirmed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Yes, Brother Li!" Liu Wanwan nodded. She gave Jiang Li a worried glance, then turned and left the main hall.

After Liu Wanwan had completely departed, Jiang Li's gaze became piercing. With a furious expression, he growled, "Xu Yunfeng, what do you mean by this?"

"What do I mean?" Xu Yunfeng smiled faintly. "Brother Li shouldn't ask what I mean. You should ask what Chief Cao means instead!!"

Looking at Jiang Li, who seemed ready to devour someone, Xu Yunfeng smiled again. "You should understand Chief Cao's intentions. I'm sure you've heard the rumors in the streets as well!"

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

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

According to street rumors, Constable Cao loved beautiful women, especially married women.

Jiang Li's expression shifted repeatedly. He stared at Xu Yunfeng with utmost seriousness. "In the yamen, what does the Cao Family count for? The county magistrate is the sky over the yamen, and the sky over Luoshui County as well!"

"Incurably foolish!!" Xu Yunfeng looked at Jiang Li with disdain, seemingly unwilling to associate with him. "One Cao Family is no match for the county magistrate—but what if you add the Liu Family and the Xie Family?"

With that, Xu Yunfeng rose to his feet. "Luoshui County is held in the grip of several great families like an iron bucket, while the God-Worship Cult grows increasingly rampant. If you were smart, you would not have suffered such serious injuries! Think about it yourself: in this campaign against the God-Worship Cult, who were the wounded and dead constables and yamen runners close to?"

"What does the county magistrate count for? If you know what's good for you, then so long as you endure a tiny bit of humiliation, you can earn Chief Cao's favor just as I have!"

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

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

"Chief Cao truly cannot forget Sister-in-law!!"

"If you submit, you'll be Chief Cao's man just like me. With Chief Cao looking after you, there are only a little over four months until the year-end assessment. When the time comes, you'll certainly be safe in the assessment, and there will still be a place for you in the yamen! As for your compensation for injury and death, it will also be issued as promised!"

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

"I've heard that Brother Li treats his younger brother exceptionally well. Your brotherly bond runs deep—I truly envy it!" As he spoke those final words, Xu Yunfeng's gaze fell upon Jiang Ning, a smile on his face.

Looking into Xu Yunfeng's eyes, Jiang Ning felt as though he were looking at a savage beast choosing its prey.

The next moment, Xu Yunfeng withdrew his gaze and strode out of the house, moving with the force of a tiger and the wind at his heels. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from sight.