Chapter 6: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

Chapter 6: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

In the main hall, Jiang Ning's gaze fell upon the once robust man, and he noticed his face turning pale, his body trembling slightly, and drops of blood falling from his left sleeve.

The entire main hall fell into silence.

After a long while, Jiang Ning couldn't help but speak up, "Elder Brother!"

At this moment, Jiang Li slowly regained his composure.

"It's fine, don't worry about me!" Jiang Li assured him.

"Elder Brother, what do you plan to do?" Jiang Ning asked.

Jiang Li calmly replied, "Such a chilling act, I don't believe the County Magistrate will allow Cao Bin to get away with his wrongdoings."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning secretly shook his head. Who could guess the intentions of others? But based on Xu Yunfeng's recent statements, it was clear that the County Magistrate was already engaged in a heated struggle with the local big families.

If Elder Brother doesn't comply, the local big families might not hesitate to use the same tactic of killing the chicken to warn the monkey, even if it was directed at Elder Brother.

It was well-known that Elder Brother had served in the government office for many years and had some influence, but he had always followed the County Magistrate's orders without question.

Such a person was the perfect candidate for killing the chicken to warn the monkey.

Under pressure from the local bullies, the County Magistrate might be forced to compromise.

Even if he didn't compromise, caught between two powerful forces, what chance did he have of survival? What kind of outcome could he expect?

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning felt an even stronger sense of crisis.

He hadn't forgotten Xu Yunfeng's parting words and actions, which were clearly meant to threaten Elder Brother using Jiang Ning and his niece and nephew.

To force Elder Brother's compliance, Xu Yunfeng might not hesitate to take actions that would harm Jiang Ning and his niece and nephew.

"I must rely on myself!" Jiang Ning thought to himself, "Learning martial arts is now an urgent matter!"

He then considered Wang Jin's identity at the Waveflow Martial Academy.

Based on his understanding and speculation, Wang Jin of the Waveflow Martial Academy might have a blood relationship with Wang Douzhang, the military commander stationed in Luoshui County.

Moreover, Wang Jin was a powerful martial practitioner, having achieved great progress on the martial path.

In a world where a single martial practitioner could form an army, Wang Jin's fists were his power.

If Jiang Ning became Wang Jin's disciple at the Waveflow Martial Academy, at least on the surface, Xu Yunfeng would show some restraint.

More importantly, if Jiang Ning could pass the academy's assessment and become a true disciple, in a world where the relationship between master and disciple was akin to that of father and son, he would be protected by Wang Jin's status. Xu Yunfeng would not dare to harm or lay a hand on Jiang Ning.

The true disciple of such a powerful master was far beyond the reach of a mere sheriff.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning nodded to himself, "Now that I think about it, the Waveflow Martial Academy is indeed a good choice! If I can grind and gain experience points in martial techniques, give me some time, and I will definitely pass the academy's assessment and become Wang Jin's true disciple. Achieving this is no less than crossing class boundaries, just like how Elder Brother enjoys the status of a government official."

As his thoughts wandered...

"Younger Brother, what are you thinking about?" Jiang Li's voice interrupted Jiang Ning's reverie.

Jiang Ning replied, "I was thinking about Xu Yunfeng's parting words. He was clearly using me and Elder Brother's children to pressure you!"

Jiang Li nodded, "I realized that as well. We are your soft spots!"

As he spoke, Jiang Ning's fists clenched tightly, already stained with blood.

Jiang Li continued, "I trust the County Magistrate. He won't turn a blind eye to this!"

Jiang Ning shook his head, "Elder Brother is foolish to put the entire family's lives in the hands of the County Magistrate!"

Hearing this, Jiang Li's eyes lit up, "There's a way!"

"What way?" Jiang Li asked, his gaze filled with hope as he looked at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning slowly explained, "Wang Jin of the Waveflow Martial Academy has a blood relationship with Wang Douzhang, the military commander stationed in Luoshui County. If I can become a true disciple of the Waveflow Martial Academy, then I will have a master-disciple relationship with Wang Jin. And since Wang Jin has a blood relationship with Wang Douzhang, who holds military power, no one, not even the County Magistrate or the four big families, would dare provoke someone with military authority.

"Wang Douzhang?" Jiang Li murmured, deep in thought.

Having lived in Luoshui County for so long, he was naturally well-informed.

After a moment's contemplation, he nodded, "If we can establish a connection with Wang Douzhang, the Cao family probably won't dare to do anything! In Great Xia, a hundred people make up a Dou, and even the weakest among them are no less capable than I was in my prime. There are numerous elite squads composed of Rank 1 Martial Practitioners!"

"But..." He looked at Jiang Ning and continued, "But how can our younger brother become a true disciple of Waveflow Martial Academy? Wang Jin's requirements are extremely high. To become a true disciple of Waveflow Martial Academy means receiving their true teachings, and that's only possible for a Rank 1 Martial Practitioner!"

Jiang Ning said, "There's no need for you to worry, big brother. I have the confidence!"

"Alright!" Jiang Li nodded, "It's good that our younger brother has confidence. It's worth a try! It's also time for our younger brother to become a disciple of Waveflow Martial Academy!"

"If it doesn't work out, I'll risk my life to ask Feng Tou to intervene and have the County Head protect you all. It's time for me to repay big brother and elder sister-in-law."

Jiang Ning's heart was filled with complex emotions as he witnessed the genuine concern in Jiang Li's eyes.

As humans, who can remain unmoved?

In the months since his arrival in this world, he had already come to accept his current life's big brother and elder sister-in-law.

Although elder sister-in-law had some complaints about him, she had been washing his clothes and mending his torn garments. He had never lacked for delicious food and drink.

As for big brother, there was nothing to say. The phrase 'an older brother is like a father' perfectly described their relationship.

Just yesterday, because he expressed his desire to learn martial arts, big brother had arranged for him to join Waveflow Martial Academy with a substantial amount of silver.

As a human, how could he not be deeply moved by such familial love? Now, with this sudden change of events, how could he stand idly by?

"It's time for me to repay big brother and elder sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning muttered to himself.

After returning to his room.

Name: Jiang Ning

Essence Energy: 3.6

Skills: Literacy (One Break Limit 47/2000) (Characteristic: Photographic Memory)



Looking at his panel, Jiang Ning's thoughts wandered.

He had never expected such a sudden turn of events.

Given his understanding, how could he not feel the pressure of being targeted by the three major families of Cao, Liu, and Xie?

They were like half the sky in Luoshui County!

Not to mention the three top families of Luoshui County, even Xu Yunfeng, a successful Imperial Inspector and martial artist, was a formidable force to ordinary people.

With his successful martial arts training and powerful energy, he could take on a dozen strong men with his bare hands, let alone with a weapon in hand.

Jiang Ning hadn't forgotten Xu Yunfeng's gaze as he left. If he had truly intended to force big brother to submit, he wouldn't have done nothing.

Xu Yunfeng represented a significant potential threat to Jiang Ning.

And this was with his successful martial arts training, without even reaching Rank 1.

As his big brother had previously mentioned, after reaching Rank 1 and achieving Body Cultivation, one's skin becomes as hard as copper, impervious to knives and guns, making them an extraordinary existence beyond the capabilities of ordinary people.

Therefore, Jiang Ning was well aware that in this world where martial arts flourished and strength resided in individuals, all so-called crises were due to one's lack of power.

"Everything will depend on what happens at Waveflow Martial Academy!"

After lunch.

Jiang Ning followed his big brother out after finishing their meal.

As they walked down the street, both sides were filled with various hawkers' cries and the scent of cooking.

"Flatbread! Freshly baked flatbread! Only 15 copper coins each!"

"Come and take a look! The finest sesame oil!"

"Hawking candied hawthorn!"

"Flatbread for 15 copper coins each?" Jiang Ning couldn't help but click his tongue.

He remembered from his predecessor's memory that flatbread used to be only 8 copper coins each, but now the price had doubled.

"A leopard can be seen through a tube, indicating that grain prices must have skyrocketed. This world is indeed becoming more and more chaotic!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end