Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Rebirth and Change
Under 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 is no way, the tendons are severed, bones shattered, my right arm is nearly pulverized. If it weren't for the high-quality Healing Medicine and painkillers issued by the County Lord, I probably couldn't be standing in front of you right now."
With a smile, he shook his head, "Brother, you mentioned wanting to practice martial arts at noon, right?"
"Yes!" Jiang Ning nodded.
"It's time to practice martial arts!" Jiang Li expressed with a deeply emotional countenance before continuing, "The world is becoming increasingly chaotic these days! The God Worship Sect's influence is growing more rampant! And for the sake of creating Gods, they're becoming more and more insane. If not because of the God Worship Sect, I wouldn't have encountered such a disaster!"
"The God Worship Sect?" Jiang Ning's eyes sharpened, his mind instantly recalling the events from two months ago.
Two months ago, he had transmigrated, arriving with severe injuries.
After absorbing the memories of his predecessor, amidst his confusion, he heard the three words "God Worship Sect" and that sentence: Another with Innate Spiritual Wisdom found, seizing this soul will surely be rewarded by the Divine Envoy!
Without a doubt, he was the one with Innate Spiritual Wisdom.
His predecessor was attacked, and in his eyes, it was very likely due to being targeted by the God Worship Sect.
Perhaps it was because of that accident that he awoke the wisdom from his previous life, or maybe it was this chance occurrence that led to his transmigration.
As for the actual reason, he was not certain.
But now, hearing "God Worship Sect" again, Jiang Ning couldn't help but take it very seriously.
To this day, he did not understand what being an Innate Spiritual Wisdom was, but he knew if his predecessor was targeted by the God Worship Sect for that reason, and if he were discovered, he could end up facing the same fate.
"Brother, what's the matter with you?" Seeing Jiang Ning's somewhat distracted expression, Jiang Li showed concern.
"It's nothing, just suddenly remembered some things," Jiang Ning shook his head.
Hearing this, Jiang Li smiled knowingly, "Don't worry! I've already arranged for 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 such trouble, becoming a disciple to learn martial arts is too expensive, we can't afford it. You just need to teach me a few skills!"
"Me, teach you martial arts?" Jiang Li shook his head vehemently, "No, that won't do! Learning martial arts is no simple matter; one cannot teach or learn haphazardly. If something goes wrong, the regret will be too late."
He continued, "Moreover, now that my right hand is disabled, how can I teach you wielding a sword with my left? The good teacher I've found for you is Wang Jin from the Canglang Martial Arts Hall. Master Wang Jin is an acknowledged Martial Artist whose strength far exceeds mine, and with extensive teaching experience, he absolutely qualifies as a good teacher."
"Canglang Martial Arts Hall? Wang Jin?" Jiang Ning was slightly surprised; these past days, he had been browsing various books and also inquiring his elder brother about many things, naturally, he had heard of the great reputation of Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
It was the Martial Arts Hall countless martial arts practitioners aspired to join. Passing the tests of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall to become a true disciple was, for ordinary people, nothing short of a meteoric rise, not merely because of the strength of the Martial Arts Hall, but more importantly because of the identity of Wang Jin.
Then Jiang Ning shook his head, fully aware of how much silver it would require to be accepted as a disciple in the Canglang Martial Arts Hall.
Even though his elder brother was a constable, holding a government position as a servant of the court, and had some connections with Master Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall, there would be no exceptions.
Immediately, Jiang Ning spoke, "Big brother, even if I truly sought a good teacher, it doesn't have to be from the Canglang Martial Arts Hall. The tuition to become a disciple there is far too expensive!"
"You don't have to worry about that," Jiang Li said, "I've risked my life serving the government office and the County Lord. Now that I'm seriously injured, I will naturally receive a sum of pension from the government office."
He then whispered to Jiang Ning, "Brother, don't tell your sister-in-law about this. The county government will take a while to disburse the pension. I've temporarily borrowed some Silver Coins for your apprenticeship fee; if your sister-in-law finds out, she'll scold me again."
As he finished speaking, Jiang Li chuckled lightly, trying to appear relaxed.
At that moment, Jiang Ning's heart was filled with mixed emotions, a kind of familial affection he had never experienced in his previous life.
Then, Jiang Li patted his shoulder, "It's getting late, go to sleep. I've already paid the apprenticeship fee, so there's no need for you to delay any further. The fee cannot be refunded, so tomorrow, just obediently accompany me to the Canglang Martial Arts Hall."
Leaving that message, Jiang Li walked towards Liuu Wanwan, and the two returned to their house.
...
The next morning, as the sun rose and the sky brightened, suddenly.
Thump, thump, thump—
A series of knocks resounded at the door.
"Brother Li, it's Xu Yunfeng here to visit!"
Xu Yunfeng?
Hearing this name, Jiang Ning was momentarily surprised, then he instantly remembered.
Previously, his elder brother had taken him to the government office archives, and he had seen the records there.
Xu Yunfeng, this man grew up orphaned, had contended with stray dogs for food, and by hook or by crook, he made his way to the top, certainly not a kind-hearted sort.
Most crucially, this man was an underling of Master Cao, Cao Bin, who was one of the local powerhouses of Linjiang County, a direct blood relative of the Cao family.
The Cao family, as the local powerhouse, was at odds with the County Lord, the new power crossing the river, as Jiang Ning had noticed from one incident after another.
It was not difficult to notice this; the covert struggles between the newcomers and entrenched local forces throughout the history of mankind were numerous and inherently fraught with conflict.
If his elder brother were to take sides, he had always placed his trust in the County Lord, and Chief Feng above him was also part of the County Lord's faction.
At this moment, a judgment formed in Jiang Ning's heart—the visitor meant no good!
Thinking of this, he quickly rolled out of bed and prepared to head to the main hall to assess the situation.
After arriving in the main hall, he saw his elder brother, Jiang Li, leading a man in a black robe and long tunic with an official saber slung at his waist into the main hall.
As the two men sat down, Sister-in-law Liuu Wanwan poured them both a hot cup of tea.
"Sister-in-law is very beautiful!!" Xu Yunfeng looked at Liuu Wanwan with a face full of admiration.
Seeing this, Jiang Li's eyebrows furrowed immediately, and then he slowly spoke up, "Brother Xu, why this sudden visit today, what brings you here?"
Xu Yunfeng looked at Jiang Li and smiled slowly, "You and I are colleagues, and last night I heard Brother Li encountered danger and your right hand was crippled. Therefore, I made a special visit today, and also brought a bottle of healing medicine for pain relief. I hope Brother Li won't refuse!"
As he spoke, Xu Yunfeng took a porcelain medicine bottle from his waist and placed it in front of Jiang Li.
Seeing this, Jiang Li's slightly altered expression softened somewhat.
"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xu!"
Upon seeing this, a slight smile appeared on Xu Yunfeng's face, "I have another matter to discuss."
"What is it?"
Xu Yunfeng said, "Master Cao heard of your sudden misfortune and was deeply distressed. He wishes to invite Brother Li to a gathering at the Moon Pavilion tonight at 7 p.m."
"Master Cao?" Jiang Li's expression suddenly changed, and he said with some disbelief, "The arrest officer Cao Bin?"
"Exactly that Lord Cao!" Xu Yunfeng confirmed.
Having his information confirmed, Jiang Li's expression turned even uglier.
"Would Brother Li honor the invitation?" Xu Yunfeng asked slowly.
Jiang Li pondered for a moment and then slowly nodded, "I shall certainly keep the appointment on time."
"Good!" Xu Yunfeng immediately nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at Liuu Wanwan, "Remember to bring your sister-in-law too!"
The moment these words came out, Jiang Li's expression drastically changed again.
He immediately took a deep breath, turned to Liuu Wanwan, and said, "Wanwan, go back to your room!"
"Yes, Brother Li!" Liuu Wanwan nodded, a look of worry crossing her brow as she glanced at Jiang Li, then turned to leave the main hall.
Once Liuu Wanwan was completely gone, Jiang Li's gaze burned with anger as he growled lowly, "Xu Yunfeng, what do you mean by this?"
"What do I mean?" Xu Yunfeng smiled slightly, "You shouldn't ask me what I mean; you should ask what Master Cao means!!"
Looking at the Jiang Li who seemed ready to pounce, Xu Yunfeng smiled again, "You should understand Master Cao's intentions, I believe you've also heard the rumors in town!"
Hearing this, Jiang Li's face grew even grimmer, dark with anger.
At that moment, Jiang Ning, listening to these words, immediately recalled the rumors about the arrest officer Cao Bin.
According to the town gossip, Master Cao had a fondness for beauties, especially for other men's wives.
Jiang Li's face went through a range of changes, and his eyes seriously fixed on Xu Yunfeng, "In the county government, what counts as the Cao family? The County Lord is the sky over the county government and the sky over Linjiang County!"
"Foolishly stubborn!!" Xu Yunfeng looked at Jiang Li with a disdainful eye, as if unworthy to associate with, "One Cao family may be inferior to the County Lord, but what if you add the Liu family and the Xie family to that?"
Saying this, Xu Yunfeng stood up, "Linjiang County is like an iron barrel under the control of several major families, yet the God Worship Sect is growing increasingly rampant. If you were wise, you wouldn't have ended up seriously injured like this! Think about it, in this campaign against the God Worship Sect, which arrest officers and government officials close to whom suffered casualties?"
"What does the County Lord amount to? If you know what's good for you, just endure a little humiliation, and you could be appreciated by Master Cao just like me!"
"If you refuse, with your crippled arm, you won't be able to continue as an arrest officer, and opposing the Cao family, you can only return home, becoming nothing more than an ordinary citizen!"
"By that time, do you think I'll still speak to you this amiably?"
"Master Cao really can't stop thinking about your sister-in-law!!"
"If you agree, just like me, you'll become one of Master Cao's men, protected by him. With just over four months left until the year-end evaluation, you'll certainly be unscathed by then, and there will still be a place for you in the county government! Your compensation for the injuries and fatalities will also be paid out as scheduled!"
After saying this, Xu Yunfeng threw out two more sentences, "Brother Li has both a son and a daughter; you're fortunate."
"I hear Brother Li treats his younger brother exceedingly well, such deep fraternal love, it makes one envious," and with that last phrase, Xu Yunfeng's gaze landed on Jiang Ning, his face carrying a smile.
Watching Xu Yunfeng's gaze, Jiang Ning felt as if he was looking at a ferocious beast picking its prey.
The next moment, Xu Yunfeng withdrew his gaze, strode out of the house with a vigorous presence, and vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.