Chapter 13: Xu Yunfeng’s Stalking

Arriving at the kitchen. 

On an octagonal table, the last bowl of steaming medicinal soup was already placed. 

A middle-aged woman in an apron wiped her hands on her apron. 

"If you hadn't come soon, I would've drunk this bowl of soup myself!" 

Jiangning smiled awkwardly. "Sorry! I was in the middle of practicing and couldn't stop!" 

"Enough with the excuses. Drink the soup quickly. If it cools down, the medicinal effect won't be as good," the apron-clad woman said. 

Jiangning didn't say more. He quickly picked up the last bowl of black medicinal soup from the table. 

Taking a sniff, he caught a rather unpleasant smell. 

Holding his breath, he gulped it down in large mouthfuls. 

Phew

Only after finishing the entire bowl did he let out a long breath. 

"Let's go, time to head home!" someone said, and people began filing out of the kitchen courtyard. 

The sun had completely set behind the mountains, and the sky grew darker as night began to fall. 

After leaving the Canglang Martial Arts School, Jiangning turned back to glance at the school. 

Then, he strode toward the outer city, the earlier weakness from his practice session gradually fading. 

"The medicinal soup from the martial arts school is really good. Although it's not as potent as the wild ginseng, having a bowl every day is worth it!" 

Jiangning walked excitedly, but suddenly, his expression changed, and his eyes sharpened. 

In the distance, at a street corner, Xu Yunfeng stood in his constable uniform, his right hand resting on the hilt of his standard-issue long sword. He looked at Jiangning with a faint smile, but it felt like the grin of a venomous snake. 

As Jiangning walked toward the outer city, Xu Yunfeng followed at a steady pace, neither too close nor too far. 

To an outsider, it would seem like the constable was simply patrolling the streets. 

It took Jiangning a full hour to walk from the Canglang Martial Arts School in the inner city to his home in the outer city. 

He stuck to the main roads, avoiding any secluded alleys. 

Outer city. 

Jiang Li sat in the courtyard, and when he saw Jiangning, a smile appeared on his face. 

But the next moment, his expression turned cold, and his eyes sharpened. 

"Brother Li!" Xu Yunfeng looked at Jiang Li's gaze and smiled indifferently. 

"Xu Yunfeng, don't go too far!!!" 

"Brother Li, what do you mean by that?" Xu Yunfeng smiled again. "The city has been a bit chaotic lately, with frequent gang fights. I escorted your brother home to ensure his safety. Instead of thanking me, you're treating me like an enemy!" 

Hearing this, Jiang Li's eyes filled with murderous intent. 

Xu Yunfeng, however, remained unfazed. He smiled again and said, "Brother Li, rest assured. From now on, whenever I encounter your brother, I'll escort him to prevent him from being harmed by those reckless gang members!" 

Even if Jiang Li were foolish, he would understand the underlying threat in Xu Yunfeng's words. 

Watching Xu Yunfeng's retreating figure, Jiang Li felt a sense of helplessness. 

In the past, he wouldn't have hesitated to draw his sword against someone as arrogant as Xu Yunfeng. 

But now, with his right hand crippled, most of his martial skills were gone. How could he possibly stand against Xu Yunfeng, who was on the verge of becoming a ranked martial artist? 

And behind him, he had more than just his younger brother he had a wife and children to protect. 

A deep sense of powerlessness washed over him. 

Seeing Jiangning return home. 

"Little brother, are you okay? Did Xu Yunfeng do anything to you?" 

Jiangning shook his head. "Big brother, I'm fine." 

He then spoke confidently, "Big brother, don't worry. Xu Yunfeng's visit today was just to pressure you into submission. He won't easily take action against me now. Besides, as a disciple of the Canglang Martial Arts School, he wouldn't dare provoke Master Wang lightly." 

Jiangning had already figured this out the moment he saw Xu Yunfeng. 

That's why, even though Xu Yunfeng had followed him all the way, Jiangning hadn't panicked. 

Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts School was no small figure in Luoshui County. Jiangning had read about Wang Jin's temperament. 

If a disciple of his school were killed on the street without reason, Wang Jin wouldn't hesitate to storm the yamen and beat the perpetrator to death. 

After all, Wang Jin had the backing of Captain Wang, the garrison commander outside the city. 

A man with military power, who could afford to remain neutral who would dare provoke him lightly? 

So Jiangning was well aware that Xu Yunfeng's actions were merely to pressure his elder brother. 

However, being just an ordinary disciple of the martial arts school wasn't enough to make Xu Yunfeng overly cautious. If Jiangning could become Wang Jin's true disciple, then he would truly have nothing to fear from Xu Yunfeng. 

As Wang Jin's true disciple, even ordinary constables would have to show him respect and respect Wang Jin by extension. 

By then, he would truly be safe, at least for the time being. 

"I need to work even harder now!" 

Jiangning's determination grew firmer. 

At the same time. 

Hearing Jiangning's analysis, Jiang Li nodded, somewhat reassured. 

"Little brother, you've got a clear mind!" 

Then Jiang Li smiled. "Come on, little brother. Your sister-in-law has prepared a feast for you today!" 

Jiangning smiled and quickly followed his elder brother. 

But inwardly, he wasn't as calm as he appeared. 

He knew Xu Yunfeng wouldn't easily take action against him to pressure his elder brother unless Jiangning deliberately walked into a secluded alley. 

However, Jiangning hadn't forgotten Xu Yunfeng's earlier words. 

"From now on, whenever I encounter your brother, I'll escort him to prevent him from being harmed by those reckless gang members!" 

This undoubtedly carried an implicit threat. 

Xu Yunfeng might not act himself, but he could hire others to do so. 

For example, thugs from the various gangs. 

Jiangning wasn't sure if his elder brother had picked up on the hidden meaning in Xu Yunfeng's words, but he decided not to bring it up. 

Even if he did, it wouldn't change anything it would only add to his elder brother's worries. 

This kind of threat could only be dealt with by himself. As long as he grew stronger, he could handle these minor threats. 

Xu Yunfeng was, after all, not yet a ranked martial artist, and he was just a constable. How powerful could the thugs he hired be? 

Once Jiangning's strength increased a bit more, he wouldn't need to fear them. 

Entering the main hall. 

"Wow~ wow!!" 

"Dudu's back!!" 

"Finally, we can eat!!!" 

"Little Doubao is so hungry!!!" 

Little Doubao sat on her stool, happily swinging her short legs, her face beaming with joy. 

"Uncle," a boy said indifferently. 

This was Jiang Li's eldest son, Jiang Yiming. 

"How's Jiang Yiming's studies going?" 

"None of your concern," Jiang Yiming replied coldly. 

"Don't be rude to your uncle!! Remember what I told you?" Liu Wanwan glared at Jiang Yiming. 

Jiang Yiming shrank back. 

"Uncle, I'm sorry!! I was being childish." 

Jiangning smiled and ruffled his hair. 

"Dudu, me too!!!" Little Doubao waved her short legs vigorously. 

Jiangning chuckled and also patted her head. 

"Both of you, take your seats," Liu Wanwan said. 

Then she lifted the large bowl covering the dishes, and a wave of steam rose, filling the air with the aroma of food. 

"Wow! Wow!!" 

"So much meat!!!" 

Little Doubao's eyes sparkled as she exclaimed in delight. 

The smell of the food made Jiangning's stomach growl. 

Gurgle

"It seems my little brother is really hungry!" Jiang Li laughed heartily. 

Jiangning smiled awkwardly. 

After practicing martial arts all afternoon, his stomach was naturally empty. 

"Stop chatting, you two. Let's eat!" Liu Wanwan said. 

She then placed a bowl of tightly packed rice in front of Jiangning. 

"Thank you, sister-in-law!" Jiangning said sincerely. 

"Since you've joined the martial arts school, practice well. Don't let your elder brother down," Liu Wanwan said as she served Jiang Li a bowl of rice. 

"Don't worry, sister-in-law," Jiangning replied. 

"Thank you, wife!" Jiang Li took the bowl of rice with a smile. 

At the dinner table. 

Jiang Li asked, "Little brother, how was your martial arts training today?" 

As he spoke, Jiang Li placed a large piece of fatty meat in Jiangning's bowl. 

"It went very well!" Jiangning nodded. 

"It seems my little brother has quite the talent for martial arts!" Jiang Li said cheerfully. 

"Dudu is so amazing!!" Little Doubao clapped her hands enthusiastically. 

Even Jiang Yiming couldn't help but glance at his uncle Jiangning before quickly returning to his meal.