Inner City Streets.
Seeing Jiang Ning step out of the carriage, Xu Yunfeng smiled. "Good, it seems you don't want to trouble your friend either!"
At this moment, Cheng Ran quickly grabbed Jiang Ning's shoulder.
"Junior Brother Jiang, no!"
He looked into Jiang Ning's eyes and shook his head repeatedly.
Jiang Ning smiled. "How can my affairs trouble Senior Brother Cheng?"
As he spoke, Jiang Ning pried open Cheng Ran's fingers and jumped down from the carriage, landing on the ground.
The brightly lit inner city streets were nearly empty of pedestrians.
Jiang Ning stood on the ground, the Ebony Longsword slung diagonally at his waist, his right hand firmly gripping the ebony hilt, veins bulging.
Such an obvious gesture naturally drew Xu Yunfeng's attention.
His gaze shifted from Jiang Ning to the long sword at his waist.
"Quite bold, aren't you? Having practiced martial arts for less than half a month, you dare to draw your sword against me! Even your elder brother Jiang Li doesn't have the guts to do that!"
At this moment, Jiang Ning noticed that Xu Yunfeng's attention was fully focused on his right hand gripping the sword.
He was about to speak to distract Xu Yunfeng, so he could firmly grasp the bag of quicklime powder with his left hand.
Whether the sneak attack would be effective or not, he would try it to maximize his advantage.
Just then, a deep, resonant voice came from the corner of the street.
"You're quite bold yourself, daring to lay a hand on my disciple?"
Hearing this voice, Jiang Ning was stunned.
Cheng Ran's face lit up with joy. "It's Master Wang!!"
Xu Yunfeng's body trembled, and a look of horror flashed in his eyes.
"Why is he here?!"
At this moment, everyone's gaze turned toward the direction of the voice.
A figure appeared at the corner of the street.
A figure who, though not tall, was robust and imposing.
This person was none other than Wang Jin, who had rushed over from the Canglang Martial Arts School.
Seeing the scene from afar, Wang Jin's expression turned cold.
His disciple, whom he had just taken in that day, was being ambushed on the road. How could he not be furious?
If something happened to Jiang Ning, and word got out, his reputation in Luoshui County would be ruined.
His most valued disciple, whom he had just accepted that very day, getting into trouble that night would surely become a laughingstock among his peers.
Then, Wang Jin felt a sense of relief.
Thankfully, Brother Shen sent someone to inform me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known that Jiang Ning was being targeted by the Cao family.
If I hadn't arrived tonight, who knows what would have happened to Jiang Ning!!
If his limbs were crippled, no matter how prodigious his martial talent, he would never achieve greatness in this lifetime!
That would be such a pity!!
Under everyone's gaze, Wang Jin moved like a white ape leaping through the forest, covering the distance in a few bounds and appearing between Jiang Ning and Xu Yunfeng.
"So, you're the one who dares to lay a hand on my disciple, Wang Jin?"
Hearing the question that seemed to echo in his ears, Xu Yunfeng trembled and quickly bowed.
"Greetings, Elder Wang!"
"Speak!" Wang Jin demanded.
Xu Yunfeng bowed again. "I am acting under Chief Constable Cao's orders to apprehend Jiang Ning."
"Apprehend my disciple?" Wang Jin suddenly roared. "Get lost!!"
"Yes!" Xu Yunfeng bowed and then turned to leave without hesitation.
His retreating figure showed no hesitation, and he didn't say another word.
He had surrendered!
"Stop!" Wang Jin was momentarily stunned but then spoke again.
Xu Yunfeng immediately halted and turned to bow to Wang Jin. "What further instructions does Elder Wang have?"
Wang Jin looked at Xu Yunfeng's demeanor and couldn't help but laugh in anger. "You think you can just leave after targeting my disciple?"
Xu Yunfeng spoke respectfully. "I understand!"
In the next moment
Swish
A flash of sword light and his blade were drawn.
He then reversed the blade and stabbed it into his abdomen.
Sss
The sound of the blade piercing flesh and separating tissue echoed sharply.
"Hiss" Xu Yunfeng gritted his teeth against the pain, his face contorted. "I am but a mere constable of the county yamen. If Elder Wang were to personally take action, it would only dirty your hands."
"Moreover, it would spread the unflattering rumor that Elder Wang is bullying the weak."
"This strike is my apology for today's mistake. Please forgive me, Elder Wang."
Xu Yunfeng lowered his head, admitting his fault to Wang Jin.
Drip Drip
Crimson blood flowed down the pale blade, gathering at the tip before dripping onto the ground.
After a brief silence of less than two breaths, Wang Jin spoke.
"Get lost!!"
"Thank you, Elder Wang, for your mercy!" Xu Yunfeng bowed despite the pain.
Then, he pulled out the blade.
Sss
As blood threatened to gush out, he pressed his left hand against his abdomen.
Soon, he limped away and disappeared.
Watching the scene, Jiang Ning's heart grew heavier.
He had a new understanding of Xu Yunfeng.
This man was ruthless!
Being ruthless to others was one thing, but being ruthless to oneself was truly fearsome.
"Still... having a powerful backer feels great!!" Jiang Ning smiled to himself.
At the same time, he gained a new appreciation for the status of martial arts masters.
A ruthless man like Xu Yunfeng immediately surrendered upon seeing Master Wang's arrival.
Then, upon sensing that Master Wang might take action to teach him a lesson, Xu Yunfeng decisively stabbed himself to prevent Wang Jin from having a reason to strike.
This showed just how much psychological pressure a martial arts master like Wang Jin could exert on someone like Xu Yunfeng.
"Thank you, Master!" Jiang Ning bowed to Wang Jin.
Cheng Ran also quickly jumped down from the carriage.
"Greetings, Master Wang!"
Wang Jin turned to look at the two of them. "Don't linger outside. Hurry back!"
"Yes, Master Wang!" Cheng Ran bowed. "I will escort Junior Brother Jiang back to the martial arts school!"
Wang Jin nodded, then glanced at Jiang Ning. "Remember today. Strength is the ultimate truth! Train hard, and when you achieve mastery in martial arts, such petty individuals won't dare to even breathe loudly in your presence!"
After saying this, Wang Jin leaped away, quickly disappearing, clearly not wanting to travel with Jiang Ning and Cheng Ran.
"Master truly comes and goes like the wind!" Cheng Ran sighed in admiration.
Jiang Ning exhaled softly and nodded.
Gripping the Ebony Longsword in his hand, he thought to himself.
"Master's appearance was it Xu Yunfeng's luck or mine?"
"Whatever!"
"It's good that I didn't have to risk my life today. Give me a few more days, and even if Xu Yunfeng has achieved the martial rank, I can still kill him in a sudden burst of strength!!"
He muttered to himself, then glanced in the direction where Xu Yunfeng had disappeared, confirming there was no unusual movement.
Only then did the force he had been gathering in his body slowly dissipate, and the bulging veins on the back of his hand returned to normal.
Seeing Jiang Ning turn back, Cheng Ran said, "Junior Brother Jiang, you had such a strong killing intent earlier! It even startled me!"
Jiang Ning forced a smile. "When it comes down to it, I can't just surrender and let myself be captured, can I? I had to fight back!"
Cheng Ran's expression suddenly turned somber. "Junior Brother Jiang, I'm sorry!!"
Hearing the word "sorry," Jiang Ning immediately understood Cheng Ran's meaning.
He shook his head. "I know Senior Brother Cheng did your best! No one expected Xu Yunfeng to have already achieved the martial rank."
"It's my fault!" Cheng Ran said with self-reproach. Then he added, "Junior Brother Jiang, you must be extra careful from now on. Try not to leave the martial arts school. Xu Yunfeng is a ruthless character, and you won't be able to handle him for the time being."
"I understand," Jiang Ning nodded.
"Junior Brother, get back in the carriage. I'll take you back to the martial arts school."
-support me in Patreon for more chapters 225+ chapters chapters in there
patreon.com/LordoftheReader