Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Chapter 75: Chapter 5 All Because of Jiang Ning

In front of the Martial Arts Hall’s main gate.

Cao Bin lay on the ground, his fate between life and death unknown.

Wang Desheng, the arrest officer who had accompanied him, shrunk against the Martial Arts Hall’s surrounding wall, silent, striving to make his presence as inconspicuous as possible.

At this moment, Wang Jin remained as if facing a formidable enemy, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent.

Cao Rong suddenly ceased his actions, leaving Wang Jin utterly perplexed.

But right now there wasn’t time to think too much, Wang Jin quickly signaled Jiang Ning with his eyes.

Jiang Ning instantly understood, and with a swift movement, he arrived behind the compound wall.

Based on the location from where Cao Rong had just appeared, his current spot would be within Cao Rong’s field of vision.

Unless Cao Rong climbed over the Martial Arts Hall’s wall, there was absolutely no possibility of him discovering Jiang Ning.

Hiding behind the wall, Jiang Ning couldn’t help but clench his fists, feeling an extraordinary sense of frustration.

He had been mysteriously transported to this world, and just as mysteriously got caught up as an innocent bystander.

These days, the Cao family had been oppressing him step by step, leaving him barely able to catch his breath.

The oppression forced him to practice his boxing and Martial Arts night and day, all for the capacity to protect himself, to stand tall and proud.

As his strength improved, he had thought the day when he could stand up for himself was not far off.

Give it some more time, to enter the ranks of Martial Arts, to hold the ceremony to become a disciple, to become a Direct Disciple of Wang Jin.

At that time, he felt he would truly be able to escape this suffocating predicament.

However, with Cao Rong’s appearance, Jiang Ning realized it wouldn’t be that simple.

Having come this far, the Cao family would not sit idly by and watch his growth.

If they understood him as Wang Jin did, doubtless the Cao family would stop at nothing to eliminate him.

Unless there was some kind of accident.

From today’s actions of the Cao family, he had already seen their true colors.

Cao Bin had come to the Martial Arts Hall to capture him, and without thinking, Jiang Ning knew they could no longer wait.

Regardless of the reason, it was without question they were unwilling to wait any longer!

Thus, they resorted to extreme measures, framing the incident on his older brother Jiang Li, which led to Cao Bin’s move to capture him today.

In that moment, Jiang Ning also understood why Xu Yunfeng had dared to strike against him two nights ago.

Thinking of these things, Jiang Ning’s fists clenched even tighter.

From today’s events, he had realized all the more keenly the powerlessness of ordinary people, the vital importance of having strength in one’s hands.

Without sufficient strength and status, sometimes you can’t even live in peace!

These days, even though he had the strength to kill Xu Yunfeng, he had restrained himself.

Two days ago, when Xu Yunfeng wounded himself and fled, at that moment he could have quietly followed and killed him.

But he did not do so. He was holding back.

Because he did not want to escalate the situation.

All of this was because he was not alone in this world; he also had his older brother and sister-in-law’s family.

In his previous life, he had been alone; this life, feeling the presence of family, he did not wish to bring harm to his brother and sister-in-law’s family.

Moreover, this life’s name and likeness were nine parts similar to those of his previous life.

Whether it was a parallel universe, or awakening the wisdom from his past life.

He had already embraced this life’s older brother and sister-in-law.

To escalate the conflict, to become enemies with the Cao family, could even potentially set off a chain reaction, becoming enemies with the three major families of Luoshui County.

Even if he could escape Luoshui County, relying on his own miraculous abilities, he was confident that in a few years, he could come back and exact his revenge on them one by one.

But to what end?

His brother and sister-in-law’s family would all be needlessly sacrificed for his own actions.

Big Brother Jiang Li would die, sister-in-law Liuu Wanwan would die, and not to mention his niece Little Dumpling and nephew Jiang Yiming—there would be absolutely no room for recourse.

At that time, for having done such a deed, he knew without thinking that he would inevitably become a wanted criminal in Great Xia.

He would have embarked upon a path with no guarantees for tomorrow, a path filled with endless bloodshed.

That was why he had been patient, waiting until his strength was sufficient and his status high enough.

By then, the Cao family would naturally give up using Jiang Li as a pawn in their struggle against the County Lord.

Even if his identity as Wang Jin wasn’t enough, once he joined the Inspection Office and had the support of this towering entity.

Coupled with the fact that his conflict with the Cao family had not intensified, it would be enough to extricate his brother and sister-in-law’s family from this vortex and fend for themselves.

He would also be able to use the position and wealth he had fought for to repay the kindness his brother and sister-in-law had shown him.

Afterward, he would be able to slowly grow and increase his own strength.

As for the future, once he had power in his hands, he would no longer need to be concerned about all this.

But the events of today had informed Jiang Ning that it was already too late!

Without needing to think, he knew that since Cao Bin had personally come to catch him, other people would definitely be trying to catch his brother and sister-in-law’s family. @@novelbin@@

Right now, his brother and sister-in-law might already be on their way to prison, or possibly already trapped behind bars.

And for himself, if it hadn’t been for Wang Jin’s prior attention, with Wang Jin standing in front of him,

He might have also found himself on the path of a fugitive.

Even now, despite Wang Jin’s consideration, Jiang Ning knew he himself was not safe.

It would even be more accurate to say he was in extreme danger.

Cao Rong was a being countless times more powerful than Cao Bin.

Now that he was targeted by Cao Rong, especially as Cao Rong was a Martial Arts Seventh Grade strongman skilled in archery, it was incredibly terrifying.

In Jiang Ning’s eyes, a martial arts strongman proficient in archery could amplify their effectiveness several times over if they had the geographical advantage.

No different from a sniper from his previous life!

And now, he was targeted by such a frightening individual.

Moreover, Cao Rong possessed scholarly honors, having joined and successfully secured the title of Military Scholar in the Child Test of Dongling City at the age of thirty.

As far as Jiang Ning knew, this man held a position in Dongling City.

Right at this moment, he had never craved power and status more desperately than now.

If he had enough strength, in this world where great power belonged to the individual, he could act arbitrarily.

Just like the legendary Great Xia Martial Saint, the only Martial Saint of his time.

When it came to status, that Martial Saint’s status was far above that of the current emperor.

This was a universally known fact, a matter disclosed publicly.

This is a world where great power belongs to the individual.

So at this moment, Jiang Ning had an immense longing for power.

With strength, he would not be limited by his current predicament.

Moreover, if he had enough status, he would also not be limited by his current predicament.

Status and hierarchy are an unchanging truth through the ages.

They are also the essence of society.

If he had become a True Disciple of Wang Jin much earlier and taken him as his mentor,

How could he have found himself in this situation today?

How could he have been drawn into this whirlpool?

Regardless of the power struggle between the three great families and the County Lord, his different status would have prevented him from being pulled into this vortex.

And if he joined the Inspection Office soon after, with the backing of the Great Xia Court, leaning on that towering giant.

In Jiang Ning’s view, he would also be immune from his current predicament.

But as it stood, it seemed as though everything might be too late.

…

Time passed, breath by breath.

Suddenly.

Tap tap tap—

Footsteps falling upon stone tiles entered Wang Jin’s ears.

Outside the Martial Arts Hall, three figures emerged from a clean and flat alley.

These three were none other than Cao Rong, Shen Congyun, and Lin Qingyi.

Upon seeing these three, Wang Desheng outside the Martial Arts Hall first appeared startled, then spoke.

“Lord Cao!”

“Building Owner Shen!”

“Master Lin!”

Hearing the words “Lord Cao,” Wang Jin’s heart instantly tightened, and his muscles braced for battle at a moment’s notice.

However, the next moment, when he heard the titles “Building Owner Shen” and “Master Lin,”

his expression suddenly paused, and his tense body relaxed.

In Luoshui County, who else could be addressed as Building Owner Shen and Master Lin?

Only Wanhua Building’s two deputy owners, Shen Congyun and Lin Qingyi, were entitled to such honorifics.

Just then.

Shen Congyun’s voice rang out in Wang Jin’s ears.

“Brother Wang, I’m here; bring Jiang Ning out!”

Hearing this, Wang Jin’s face showed astonishment.

Hearing the name Jiang Ning from Shen Congyun’s mouth greatly surprised him.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and he recalled the recent meeting between Shen Congyun and the disciples of the Martial Arts Hall.

Then he considered the current situation where Shen Congyun and Cao Rong had come together, and how Cao Rong had suddenly ceased hostilities.

Wang Jin’s mind suddenly came to a realization.

“So it was Mr. Shen’s intervention that made Cao Rong cease his actions!”

As this thought arose, he suddenly felt something was amiss.

According to Wanhua Building’s rules, Shen Congyun, as the deputy owner of Luoshui County’s Wanhua Building, was not allowed to enter the fray of the major powers’ disputes.

Such an action was contrary to the rules of Wanhua Building.

Thinking of this, Wang Jin was immediately filled with doubts.

He glanced again at Jiang Ning.

Then, he silently shook his head in his heart.

Forget it!

I can’t be bothered to think anymore!

For now, it seems to be a good thing!

The next moment.

Wang Jin spoke, “Jiang Ning, come with me! Building Owner Shen is here; he’s likely to help you!”

With those words, the disciples hiding in the Martial Arts Hall were suddenly shocked as they looked at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning himself was also full of surprise.

Shen Congyun had come?

And he was here to help him?

How could that be possible?

Wang Jin’s words were far beyond his expectations.

He had never spoken a word with such a high-status individual as Shen Congyun before.

He had only met Shen Congyun once a few days ago, and since then, he had not seen him again.

Let alone any actual interaction.

Moreover, as he understood, Wanhua Building never interfered in any local power struggles.

If what Wang Jin said was true, that Shen Congyun had come to help him,

it undoubtedly meant that Shen Congyun was willing to break Wanhua Building’s rules on his behalf.

But why?

Jiang Ning was utterly bewildered at this moment.

But remembering the sudden shift in the situation,

with Cao Rong holding all the advantages but then suddenly stopping, taking on a calm demeanor,

it seemed impossible that no unexpected events or intervention from powerful third-party figures had occurred in between.

Considering this, it appeared to align with what Wang Jin was saying now.

In Luoshui County, only a handful of people had the power to make Cao Rong back down.

In Jiang Ning’s view, Shen Congyun might well have such influence to be one of them.

With this doubt in mind, Jiang Ning followed Wang Jin’s steps, heading outside the Martial Arts Hall.

…

Outside the Martial Arts Hall.

Shen Congyun and the other two approached Cao Bin.

Upon seeing Cao Rong’s arrival, Cao Bin no longer feigned death and opened his eyes.

Cao Rong looked at the wounds on his younger brother Cao Bin’s body, his eyebrows slightly knitting.

Wang Jin’s strength had greatly surprised him.

At that moment, Shen Congyun squatted down in front of Cao Bin.

He placed his hand on Cao Bin and suddenly Cao Bin’s face turned to shock, his eyes widening as he stared at Shen Congyun.

“Shen… Building Owner Shen, is this… Inner Breath…?!”

Shen Congyun nodded slightly.

A few breaths later, Cao Bin’s complexion looked much better.

Shen Congyun reached into his bosom and handed a small white jade porcelain bottle to Cao Bin.

“Take one and swallow it; these pills can help accelerate the healing of your wounds.”

Cao Bin looked at the small white bottle passed to him by Shen Congyun, observing the label on the bottle’s surface.

[The Edge of Life and Death]

Seeing this label, he was even more astonished.

These words, “The Edge of Life and Death, Flesh and Bone,” conveyed the potency of the pills.

Cao Bin quickly poured out a pill and swallowed it, his complexion instantly filling with color.

“Thank you, Building Owner Shen, for your great kindness!” Cao Bin struggled to stand and then spoke.

Shen Congyun smiled.

At this moment, Cao Rong, witnessing the scene, understood something clearer.

Just how much Shen Congyun valued Jiang Ning.

“Sigh—”

“It is what it is!”

In his heart, he sighed, having made his decision.