https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-6-The-Warning-of-the-Tiger-s-Descent/13021519/
Chapter 7: The Worshipping God Sect
Chapter 7: The Worshipping God Sect
On the bustling street, Jiang Ning's gaze suddenly sharpened as he stared ahead.
Before him marched a group of people beating drums and gongs.
"Big Brother, what's this?" Jiang Ning's eyes revealed his confusion.
Jiang Li glanced at them and, after spotting a familiar symbol, explained, "These must be followers of the Worshipping God Sect. They're probably going to the City God Temple to pray for blessings."
Jiang Ning's expression turned to one of astonishment. "The Worshipping God Sect? Isn't that the very sect the government office is trying to eradicate? How can they be going to the City God Temple for prayers and blessings?"
Jiang Li shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure, but according to the higher-ups, we're to ignore the common believers. The task is to eradicate the sect's followers."
Hearing this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.
With such leniency, how could they possibly suppress the Worshipping God Sect? This permissive attitude will only allow the sect to grow more rampant.
He knew all too well the immense power of the church held.
History from his past life had repeatedly demonstrated the church's strength.
Whether it was the Yellow Turban Rebellion during the late Han Dynasty or the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement in the late Qing Dynasty, the church's terrifying power was evident.
Even in that highly civilized and technologically advanced society, the distant Western world also had the world's largest church, with countless fanatical followers.
In this world, perhaps one where deities once existed and supernatural powers were real, any church would become even more formidable, and their ability to rally people and amass power would multiply.
Jiang Ning couldn't believe that the three major families and the County Magistrate of Luo Shui County were unaware of the dangers of such leniency towards the Worshipping God Sect.
At this moment, he was more certain than ever about his previous judgment and the information Xu Yunfeng had revealed.
Luo Shui County was clearly a battleground between the powerful and the local forces.
His big brother, elder sister, and even he himself had been drawn into this struggle.
Jiang Ning had no faith in the County Magistrate's emotional attachments, so he understood that to escape this vortex, he must seek a third party.
The Head Commander Wang, stationed outside Luo Shui County, was that third party. His control over the military was the source of Jiang Ning's confidence in being a detached observer.
To escape this vortex and save his brother and sister, he could only rely on the connection to Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Academy.
Both were of the Wang family, sharing a blood relation.
If he could pass the Canglang Martial Academy's examination and become a true disciple, he would have the qualification to borrow their power.
"I only hope the board is amazing enough!" he muttered to himself.
Soon after, the two men passed by the group of Worshipping God Sect followers and headed straight towards the inner city along the broad avenue.
Half a shichen later, with Jiang Li's identity as a county sheriff, the two smoothly passed through the inner and outer city walls and entered the inner city of Luo Shui County.
Luo Shui County was divided into the inner and outer cities. The outer city was home to commoners like peddlers and soldiers, and the security situation was relatively chaotic.
The inner city, however, was different. The five-zhang-high inner city wall separated the two cities into distinct worlds.
The residents of the inner city were either wealthy or noble, and the security was far superior to that of the outer city. The Canglang Martial Academy was located within the inner city.
As soon as they entered the inner city, Jiang Ning felt as if he had stepped into a new world.
The well-connected roads on both sides were lined with towering, sturdy trees and vibrant flower beds.
Even the air carried a faint floral fragrance, and the roads were clean and wide enough for five horse carriages to drive side by side.
"To the Canglang Martial Academy!"
The two men boarded a carriage, and Jiang Li took out ten wen coins and handed them to the carriage driver, saying, "To the Canglang Martial Academy."
"Yes, sir!" The carriage driver bowed and nodded.
The next moment, the carriage sped through the inner city with the two men.
After what felt like an hour, the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of a large building.
Canglang Martial Academy.
Looking at the four large characters above the entrance, one could gauge the size and strength of the martial academy just by glancing at the building's footprint.
Land within the inner city was incredibly valuable.
Jiang Li had struggled for many years, and his efforts to move his entire family into the inner city had been in vain due to the exorbitant prices.
The Canglang Martial Academy was vast, and the front wall alone was fifty to sixty meters wide.
"Halt!"
As the two approached, two men standing on either side of the main entrance stopped them.
"Please inform Wang Guan, I, Jiang Li, have come with my younger brother as promised to pay our respects!" Jiang Li said, bowing politely.
The two men at the entrance sized up Jiang Li, and despite noticing his official uniform, they remained impassive, showing none of the fear that commoners typically displayed towards officials.
Then, one of them turned and headed inside the academy.
After a while, the man who had entered came out, striding quickly.
"Wang Guan has said that only your younger brother needs to enter," he said.
Hearing this, Jiang Li nodded. "Understood."
Then he turned to Jiang Ning, "Little brother, I've already paid the apprenticeship fee for you. Once you're inside, Wang Guan will teach you martial arts, but to pass the test and become a true disciple of Canglang Martial Academy, it's all up to you!"
Jiang Ning nodded. "Big brother, rest assured! I will become a true disciple of the academy."
Their conversation was clearly overheard by the two men guarding the academy's entrance.
Hearing this, both men revealed a faint look of disdain.
Other than that, they didn't say much more.
After all, they were used to such scenes.
For them, during their time guarding the academy's entrance, they had seen countless ambitious young men aspiring to join Canglang Martial Academy.
Before entering the academy, each of them was full of confidence.
Most of them were from wealthy families within the inner city, and some were even from prominent clans.
It was common knowledge that learning martial arts was a luxury for the rich.
These young men had abundant resources; they were nurtured with precious medicinal herbs from a young age, and their natural talent was exceptional. They had an inherent advantage in their martial arts journey compared to ordinary people.
However, only a select few had become true disciples of Canglang Martial Academy.
For the wealthy and prominent families' children, passing the test to become disciples of the academy was challenging, let alone for someone like Jiang Ning, who was clearly from a humble background.
For ordinary families, paying the apprenticeship fee alone was an immense challenge.
After all, it was a hundred taels of silver, enough to feed a wealthy family for three to five years.
And this was just the registration fee; the expenses for martial arts training would only increase.
Not to mention, meat was a basic necessity for those practicing martial arts. Without a meat-rich diet, one's body would eventually be ruined.
So, at this moment, they had no faith in this slightly frail-looking young man.
"Follow me!" One of the burly men said to Jiang Ning.
Then, as Jiang Ning's figure disappeared through the side entrance of the Canglang Martial Academy, Jiang Li left with a relieved heart.
(End of Chapter)
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