Chapter 7: The Worshipers’ Cult

On the bustling street, Jiangning's gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked ahead. 

Ahead of them was a procession of people beating gongs and drums. 

"Brother, what's this?" Jiangning asked, his eyes filled with confusion. 

Jiang Li glanced at the group and, recognizing a familiar symbol, replied, "These are likely followers of the Worshipers' Cult. They're heading to the City God Temple to offer sacrifices and pray for blessings." 

Jiangning's expression turned to one of surprise. "The Worshipers' Cult? Aren't they the ones the yamen is trying to suppress? Why are they allowed to go to the City God Temple to offer sacrifices?" 

Jiang Li shook his head. "I'm not sure either. According to the higher-ups, ordinary believers aren't to be targeted. Our mission is to suppress the cult's leaders and core members." 

Hearing this, Jiangning couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. 

Such a lenient approach would only allow the Worshipers' Cult to grow stronger. He understood all too well the power of religious organizations. 

History has repeatedly demonstrated the formidable strength of such groups. 

From the Yellow Turban Rebellion that swept through the late Eastern Han Dynasty to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement in the late Qing Dynasty, the terrifying power of religious organizations was made clear. 

Even in the modern, technologically advanced world he had come from, there were still powerful religious organizations with countless fervent believers. 

In this world, where gods might have once existed and supernatural powers were real, any religious organization would be even more terrifying, capable of gathering people and power on an unprecedented scale. 

Jiangning didn't believe that the three major families of Luoshui County and the county magistrate were unaware of the dangers of tolerating the Worshipers' Cult. 

At this moment, he became even more convinced of his earlier judgment and the information revealed in Xu Yunfeng's words. 

The current situation in Luoshui County was a struggle between the outside county magistrate and the local powers. 

And his elder brother's family, including himself, had been dragged into this conflict. 

He dared not place any hope in the county magistrate's sense of loyalty or righteousness. Therefore, he knew that to escape this vortex, he had to find a third party. 

Captain Wang, who commanded the garrison outside Luoshui County, was that third party. With military power in his hands, he had the leverage to remain neutral. 

If Jiangning wanted to borrow Captain Wang's influence to escape this situation and save his elder brother's family, he would have to rely on his connection to Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts School. 

Both men shared the surname Wang and were related by blood. 

As long as Jiangning could pass the Canglang Martial Arts School's entrance exam and become a true disciple, he would have the qualifications to leverage this connection. 

"I just hope the panel is as miraculous as I think it is," he thought to himself. 

Soon, Jiangning and Jiang Li passed by the procession of Worshipers' Cult followers and continued along the wide main road toward the inner city. 

Half an hour later, thanks to Jiang Li's status as a constable, the two of them passed through the wall separating the inner and outer cities without any trouble and entered the inner city of Luoshui County. 

In Luoshui County, there was a clear distinction between the inner and outer cities. The outer city was home to commoners peddlers, laborers, and the like and was relatively chaotic in terms of security. 

The inner city, however, was a different world. Surrounded by a towering wall five zhang high (about 16 meters), the inner city was home to the wealthy and powerful, and its security was far superior to that of the outer city. The Canglang Martial Arts School was located in the inner city. 

As soon as they entered the inner city, Jiangning felt as if he had stepped into a new world. 

The wide roads were lined with tall, sturdy trees and flower beds that complemented each other. 

Even the air carried a faint floral fragrance, and the roads were clean and spacious, wide enough for five carriages to travel side by side. 

"To the Canglang Martial Arts School," Jiang Li said, handing ten coins to a carriage driver. 

"Right away, sir!" The driver bowed and nodded. 

Moments later, the carriage sped through the inner city with Jiangning and Jiang Li inside. 

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, the carriage slowly came to a stop in front of a large compound. 

Canglang Martial Arts School. 

Looking up at the four large characters above the gate and taking in the size of the building, no one could doubt the strength of this martial arts school. 

The inner city was a place where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. 

The fact that Jiang Li, despite working hard for so many years, had not been able to move his family into the inner city spoke volumes about how exorbitant the prices here were. 

The Canglang Martial Arts School, however, occupied a vast area. Just the front wall alone stretched fifty to sixty meters. 

"Halt!" 

As soon as the two of them approached, they were stopped by two burly men standing guard at the gate. 

"Please inform Master Wang that Jiang Li has brought his younger brother as agreed," Jiang Li said, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture. 

The two guards scrutinized Jiang Li. Even though they saw his official constable uniform, their expressions remained indifferent, showing none of the fear that ordinary civilians would have in the presence of an official. 

One of them then turned and walked into the martial arts school. 

A short while later, the man returned. 

"Master Wang says your younger brother may enter alone." 

Hearing this, Jiang Li nodded. "Understood." 

He then turned to Jiangning. "Little brother, I've already paid the tuition fee for you. Once you're inside, Master Wang will teach you martial arts. But to pass the entrance exam and become a true disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts School, you'll have to rely on yourself." 

Jiangning nodded. "Don't worry, brother. I will become a true disciple of the school." 

Their conversation was overheard by the two guards at the gate. 

Upon hearing Jiangning's confident words, both men showed faint traces of disdain. 

However, they said nothing more. 

After all, they had seen this countless times before. 

During their time guarding the martial arts school, they had witnessed many ambitious young men, filled with dreams, come to enroll in the Canglang Martial Arts School. 

Before entering, every one of them had been brimming with confidence. 

Most of them were from wealthy families in the inner city, and some were even the direct descendants of major clans. 

After all, the saying went: "The poor pursue scholarship, while the rich practice martial arts." Learning martial arts was a pursuit for the wealthy. 

These young men had grown up with abundant resources, nourished by expensive medicinal herbs from a young age, and possessed exceptional natural talent, making it easier for them to progress further in martial arts than ordinary people. 

Yet, even among them, only a handful had managed to become true disciples of the Canglang Martial Arts School. 

For young men from wealthy or influential families, passing the entrance exam was already a difficult task. For someone like Jiangning, who came from an ordinary background, it would be even harder. 

For ordinary families, even coming up with the tuition fee was a significant challenge. 

After all, the fee was one hundred taels of silver enough to feed a well-off family for three to five years. 

And that was just the enrollment fee. The costs of training in martial arts would only increase from there. 

For example, a steady supply of meat was essential for martial artists. Without sufficient protein, the body would eventually break down from the intense training. 

Therefore, the two guards had little hope for this thin and seemingly frail young man. 

"Follow me," one of the burly men said to Jiangning. 

Then, as Jiangning's figure disappeared through the side gate of the Canglang Martial Arts School, Jiang Li turned and left, reassured.