Chapter 30: The Struggle Between the World and the Imperial Family

The volume also presented someone's perspective. 

Behind these rebellions were the shadows of sects and aristocratic families. In addition to the rebellions, various cults worshipping evil deities had sprung up like mushrooms after rain, most of which also had the backing of certain forces. 

The root cause was that the Martial Saint, who had been invincible in the world, had not made an appearance for thirty years. 

Some suspected that the Martial Saint had reached the end of his lifespan and had passed away, plunging the entire Great Xia into turmoil, with various forces secretly harboring disloyal intentions. 

The author of the volume even proposed a viewpoint: once it was confirmed that the Martial Saint had passed away, the world might return to an era of warlords rising. Therefore, the root of these rebellions was the struggle for military power. 

By exhausting the imperial forces and delaying their suppression, the regulations restricting military power were loosened, allowing local garrisons and regional armies to act freely and expand their forces. This also gave aristocratic families and sects the authority to recruit more disciples and retainers. 

The relaxation of military restrictions allowed various forces to have sufficient strength to suppress local rebellions and the spread of evil cults. 

When Jiang Ning read this, he finally understood. 

Why had there been so many rebellions in Great Xia in just the past year? 

This was a confrontation between the entire world and the imperial family, not just the imperial court. 

The imperial court was a political entity formed by various forces. 

The relaxation of military power represented the interests of everyone except the imperial family. 

Whether ambitious or not, every force desired to strengthen itself. With greater strength, they could either aim for greater power or align themselves with stronger factions, waiting for the right opportunity. 

Jiang Ning also understood why the Inspection Bureau had been established so swiftly and why the Martial Saint was needed to oversee it. 

Forcing the imperial family to relax military restrictions was an open scheme. 

It was a scheme that the imperial family had no choice but to accept. If military power was not relaxed, the rebellions and evil cults would not cease. The imperial forces would be insufficient to suppress these uprisings, inevitably shaking the foundations of Great Xia and plunging it into an era of turmoil. 

To contend with such a vast trend, only Martial Saint's oversight could ensure the establishment of the Inspection Bureau. 

And once the Inspection Bureau was truly established, it would inevitably be drawn into this grand struggle. 

At this moment, Jiang Ning's mind was filled with countless thoughts. 

After pondering for dozens of breaths. 

He finally exhaled. 

"Do I have any other choice?" 

"The chaos I had anticipated isn't just coming it's already here! If I don't join the Inspection Bureau, which faction can I join?" 

"The Inspection Bureau, at the very least, offers a temporary haven. As long as I have some time, I can establish myself in Luoshui County through martial arts." 

"Now, only by joining the Inspection Bureau can I buy that time." 

"Moreover, only the Inspection Bureau can provide me with the fundamental methods for advancing in martial arts." 

"A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. The Inspection Bureau remains, for now, the largest tree in the world. It won't fall anytime soon, and neither will Great Xia, which has stood for over eight hundred years!" 

As he considered this, Jiang Ning made his decision. 

He then put down this volume and picked up another one detailing intelligence on Luoshui County. 

Since he was in Luoshui County, he couldn't ignore such detailed information about the area. 

After a glance, Jiang Ning understood. 

These two volumes were likely sent by Captain Wang, the commander of the garrison outside the city. 

The level of detail in these volumes was such that only someone like Captain Wang, who commanded the garrison, could have provided such comprehensive intelligence to Wang Jin. 

In Luoshui County, it was no secret that Wang Jin and Captain Wang were blood relatives. Many people knew this. 

Captain Wang was likely Wang Jin's younger brother. 

The reason Captain Wang could remain neutral in the power struggles of Luoshui County was not only because he commanded a hundred elite garrison troops but also because he controlled the city's defense forces. 

With a hundred elite troops and over five hundred city guards, his power in Luoshui County was on par with that of the county magistrate and the local forces led by the three major families. 

The county magistrate controlled the county's military and administrative affairs, commanding over seven hundred constables, officers, and government runners. 

From what Jiang Ning knew, the decisive factor was the county magistrate himself. His elder brother had vaguely mentioned this before. 

Apart from these two forces, there were the local powers led by the Cao, Liu, and Xie families. 

This faction was complex, and Jiang Ning knew little about it, only that no one in Luoshui County could escape the influence of these three families. 

Jiang Ning then carefully read through the volume on Luoshui County. 

The volume was thick and had considerable weight in his hands. 

In the blink of an eye. 

The crescent moon hanging high in the night sky gradually descended toward the east. 

[Reading books this time has increased the Literacy and Comprehension skill by 48 experience points.] 

[Skill]: Literacy and Comprehension (First Breakthrough 196/2000) (Trait: Photographic Memory) 

As Jiang Ning turned to the last page of the volume, he slowly looked away and saw this notification. 

"About three hours, and I gained 48 experience points. The efficiency of gaining experience from reading tonight was higher. There must be a pattern, but it's hard to figure out." 

This thought flashed through Jiang Ning's mind, and he shook his head. 

He then closed the volume and returned it to its place. 

"This volume provides detailed information on the major forces and experts in Luoshui County. It must have been sent by Captain Wang. Who else in his position could have secretly investigated Luoshui County so thoroughly?" 

"Even Xu Yunfeng is recorded in it! It's somewhat surprising that he's only one step away from attaining a martial rank." 

Jiang Ning's eyes grew distant as he fell into thought. 

"According to the volume, the major forces have long been aware of the Inspection Bureau." 

"Of course, even Wang Jin knew about it. How could the deeply entrenched forces not have known early on?" 

"The end of the volume also advises Wang Jin to actively cooperate with the establishment of the Inspection Bureau. While the Inspection Bureau is dangerous, it also presents opportunities." 

"It says that the Inspection Bureau likely represents the will of the Martial Saint. Although the Martial Saint hasn't appeared for thirty years, he's probably still alive and might make an appearance soon." 

Thinking of this, Jiang Ning murmured to himself. 

If that's the case, joining the Inspection Bureau might indeed be a good choice. 

For me, the benefits outweigh the risks. 

He then thought of the two people mentioned in the volume. 

Jiang Ning rubbed his forehead, lost in thought. 

"Cao Bin... Xu Yunfeng..." 

"Why is Xu Yunfeng so determined to target my elder brother? There must be some benefit involved. But what exactly is it? My elder brother is such an insignificant figure, just an unranked constable. Could he have such a significant impact on the county magistrate?" 

"Is it possible that Cao Bin is acting out of personal interest and chose my elder brother?" 

"And why is Xu Yunfeng so dedicated to this matter? Is it because of the upcoming establishment of the Inspection Bureau?" 

"If that's the case, then this matter might be easier to resolve. I only need to deal with the pressure from Cao Bin and Xu Yunfeng." 

After pondering for a while, Jiang Ning shook his head. 

Forget it! 

There's too little information. I won't dwell on this anymore! 

My most urgent task is to attain a martial rank within three months so I can join the Inspection Bureau. 

The Inspection Bureau is overseen by Great Xia's only Martial Saint. If he's still alive, then he's the largest tree in the world. 

Since the Martial Saint himself is overseeing it, that alone proves the importance of the Inspection Bureau. 

Joining the Inspection Bureau would be like a fish leaping over the dragon gate. This is an opportunity I must seize! 

Not only will my status improve, but I'll also have access to countless techniques, secret arts, and precious medicines. 

As for sects, which one could compare to the resources of the Great Xia imperial court? 

Once I have the status of the Inspection Bureau, all crises will naturally resolve themselves. 

With the resources of the Inspection Bureau, I can continue to grow. 

This is a win-win situation. 

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