Chapter 4: Unexpected Changes

A good teacher? 

Jiangning was slightly taken aback, immediately understanding what his elder brother Jiang Li meant. 

It was clear that Jiang Li intended to have someone else teach Jiangning martial arts. 

He also suddenly realized why Liu Wanwan had subtly tried to stop Jiang Li earlier. 

After all, it was said that the poor pursued scholarship, while the rich practiced martial arts. 

Learning martial arts was an expensive endeavor. 

The cost of hiring a master alone was already a significant sum, not to mention the ongoing expenses for medicinal herbs and other necessities. 

And now, with the family already struggling financially, and Jiangning himself penniless, if he were to pursue martial arts, it would only add to the burden on his elder brother and sister-in-law. 

It would be even more of a strain than before. 

Understanding this, Jiangning quickly spoke up, "Brother, what I meant was that I just want you to teach me a couple of martial arts techniques. I don't want to hire a master or add more financial pressure on you!" 

"It seems you've matured!" Jiang Li looked at Jiangning with a face full of pride and continued, "I know what you're worried about, but you don't need to concern yourself with the cost of hiring a master. Your brother has some savings after working as a constable for so many years." 

As he said this, Jiangning noticed Jiang Li's slight wince and the subtle movements of Liu Wanwan trying to stop him. 

"Brother! I don't need to hire a master!" 

"What do you know?" Jiang Li glared at Jiangning and continued, "My martial arts skills are mediocre at best. I haven't even reached the lowest rank in martial arts. How could I teach you? I'd only lead you astray!" 

"Haven't you heard the saying, 'A good teacher produces outstanding students'? If you want to learn martial arts, you need a proper master to guide you. This is about your future achievements, and we can't skimp on this!" 

"In the future, if you truly excel in martial arts, I can get you a position as a constable in the yamen. That way, you'll have a stable future and be able to start a family." 

Hearing the words "start a family," Jiangning felt a headache coming on. He was about to say more when he saw Liu Wanwan pull Jiang Li up and lead him toward the back hall. 

"Forget it," Jiangning sighed inwardly. "I'll find another chance to talk to my brother later." 

He quickly finished the food in front of him and stood up, heading toward the inner hall to see what his brother and sister-in-law were discussing. 

Jiangning was genuinely grateful to his elder brother and sister-in-law in this life. 

Despite his past self's idle and unproductive nature, they had gone above and beyond for him, showing immense kindness and patience. 

Even his sister-in-law, though she had her reservations about him, had never openly humiliated him or made things difficult. 

When he first arrived in this world, weak and injured, it was Liu Wanwan who had taken care of him, washing his clothes and preparing his meals. 

So, for Jiangning, there was only gratitude toward his elder brother and sister-in-law, not a trace of resentment. 

As he approached the back hall, Jiangning overheard the low voices of Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan. 

Curious, he took a few more steps, and their voices became clearer. 

"Jiang Li, have you thought this through? Your brother Jiangning is already eighteen. Even if he has talent, he's almost past the optimal age for learning martial arts. His future achievements will be limited." 

"Wanwan, I know! But he's my brother, my only younger brother. How can I not help him? As the eldest brother, I'm like a father to him. He's my only sibling!" 

"What about Ming'er?" Liu Wanwan's voice was filled with anger. "You know how expensive it is to hire a martial arts master! Ming'er is fourteen now, and his bones are almost fully developed. In another year or so, he'll be at the perfect age to start learning martial arts!" 

At this, Jiang Li fell silent for a few moments before responding, "I'll figure out the money. Ming'er's future can't be delayed, but neither can my brother's. If he wants to learn martial arts and find a path in life, I have to support him as his elder brother." 

"I think I'll go visit my parents and brother for a while," Liu Wanwan suddenly blurted out. 

Silence. A heavy, suffocating silence followed. 

"Brother!" Jiangning called out, stepping into the hall and breaking the tense atmosphere. 

Suddenly. 

"Brother Li" 

"Brother Li" 

"Captain Feng has summoned us. We must gather at the yamen before noon!" 

A voice called from outside, growing louder as it approached. 

"Wanwan, I'm sorry for putting you through this," Jiang Li's voice came from the back hall. 

The next moment. 

Bang

The closed door in front of Jiangning swung open, and Jiang Li's tall, burly figure appeared before him. 

"Brother!" Jiangning called out. 

Jiang Li patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll handle everything. Don't hold any grudges against your sister-in-law." 

With those final words, Jiang Li took a large stride, covering two to three meters in a single step. 

He grabbed the official longsword from the table and, with another step, rushed out of the main house. 

"Let's go!" Jiang Li shouted, his figure disappearing from Jiangning's sight. 

"Sister-in-law," Jiangning said softly as Liu Wanwan emerged from the back hall. 

"I hope you can mature a bit from now on and not let your brother's efforts go to waste again," Liu Wanwan said, her eyes locking onto Jiangning's with a serious expression. After leaving those words, she brushed past him. 

She then went to the dining table and began clearing the dishes. 

The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse. 

The cold moonlight bathed Luoshui County, casting a gentle veil over the night. 

Under the bright moonlight, Jiangning could see the words on the book he was holding, even while sitting in the courtyard. 

Woof woof woof

Suddenly, the sound of barking dogs came from outside the courtyard. 

Then, a tall, burly man strode in. 

"Brother Li!!!" Liu Wanwan, standing at the courtyard gate, called out with a mix of relief and joy upon seeing the figure. 

"Brother Li, what happened to you?" Liu Wanwan's voice quickly turned to panic, trembling with fear. 

Something's wrong!!! 

The thought instantly flashed through Jiangning's mind as he sat reading under the moonlight. 

He quickly closed the book and stood up, heading toward the courtyard gate. 

The next moment. 

Jiangning saw Jiang Li's tall, burly figure walking in under the moonlight, his steps steady and powerful. 

Then, his gaze was drawn to Jiang Li's right hand, which was wrapped in white bandages. 

Something happened? 

Jiangning's heart sank. 

By now, Jiang Li had reached Liu Wanwan. 

"Brother Li, what happened?" Liu Wanwan asked, her voice trembling and on the verge of tears. 

Jiang Li forced a smile. "It's nothing. We were ambushed by the Worshipers' Cult this afternoon. Just a minor injury." 

"Brother Li, you promised you wouldn't lie to me!" Liu Wanwan said, her hand hovering over Jiang Li's injured hand, afraid to touch it and cause him pain. 

Hearing this, Jiang Li fell silent. 

After a few moments, he spoke slowly, "This afternoon's operation was brutal. I was lucky to survive, but my right hand is ruined." 

"Ruined?" Liu Wanwan repeated as if she couldn't believe her ears. 

The next moment, she looked at Jiang Li with determination. "Can it be fixed? No matter how much it costs, I'll pay. I'll even beg my father and brother if I have to!" 

Jiang Li shook his head slightly. "The tendons are severed, and the bones are shattered. There's no way to fix it." 

He then forced a cheerful smile. "It's fine, don't worry. Even though my right hand is useless, I survived the battle against the Worshipers' Cult. I was serving the county magistrate, so he'll make sure I'm taken care of. I may not live in luxury, but I'll be able to live normally. Plus, there'll be compensation for my injury. If the magistrate doesn't treat me fairly, who would be willing to risk their lives for him in the future?" 

Hearing this, Liu Wanwan's eyes filled with tears, and she nodded repeatedly. "Mhm, mhm, mhm!" 

Jiang Li smiled and pulled her into a one-armed embrace with his left hand. 

Seeing this, Jiangning felt a bit awkward. 

This was a private moment between his elder brother and sister-in-law, and he felt out of place standing there. 

Just then. 

Jiang Li patted Liu Wanwan's back, and she gently stepped out of his embrace. 

"Little brother, come with me," Jiang Li said. 

Jiangning nodded.