Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

In the kitchen.

On an octagonal table, the last bowl of steaming herbal medicine had already been set out.

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

"If you don't come soon, young man, I'll drink this herbal medicine myself!"

Jiang Ning gave an awkward smile, "Sorry! I couldn't interrupt my training!"

"Never mind that nonsense, quickly drink the herbal medicine. If it gets cold, it would lose its effectiveness," the middle-aged woman in the apron said.

Jiang Ning said no more, hurriedly picking up the last bowl of dark herbal medicine from the table.

He sniffed it and immediately sensed an unpleasant odor.

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

Phew—

Not until the whole bowl of herbal medicine was in his stomach did he exhale a long breath.

"Let's go, time to head home!" someone said, and they slowly left the courtyard of the back kitchen.

The sunset had fully dipped behind the mountain by this time, the sky grew darker, and night began to fall.

...

After leaving Canglang Martial Arts Hall, Jiang Ning turned back for another glance at the hall.

The next moment, he strode toward the city gate, gradually shaking off the weakness from just finishing his training.

"The Martial Arts Hall's herbal medicine is indeed good. Although not as obvious as wild ginseng, a bowl a day doesn't hurt," he thought.

Jiang Ning walked with excitement, but suddenly his expression changed slightly and his eyes narrowed.

At the street corner in the distance, Xu Yunfeng, wearing a constable uniform with his right hand resting on a standard long knife at his belt, looked at Jiang Ning with a faint smile, like a viper.

Watching Jiang Ning heading towards the outer city, Xu Yunfeng followed him closely but kept a suitable distance.

To others, it simply appeared that this constable was on a routine street patrol.

It took Jiang Ning a full hour to walk from the Canglang Martial Arts Hall in Inner City to his residence in the outer city.

He stuck to the main avenues within the city, avoiding any deserted alleys.

...

Outer City.

Jiang Li sat in the courtyard and broke into a smile the moment he saw Jiang Ning's figure.

Then suddenly.

His face turned cold in an instant, and his gaze became sharp.

"Brother Li!" Xu Yunfeng smiled nonchalantly at Jiang Li's gaze.

"Xu Yunfeng, you are being too much!!!"

"Why say that, Brother Li?" Xu Yunfeng chuckled again, "The city has been quite chaotic recently, with gang fights happening frequently. I escorted your brother home, yet Brother Li not only doesn't thank me but instead treats me like a mortal enemy!"

Hearing these words, a murderous intent flashed in Jiang Li's eyes.

Xu Yunfeng, seeing this, remained completely unfazed and smiled again, "Rest assured, Brother Li, whenever I encounter your brother in the future, I will escort him all the way home to prevent him from being harmed by those guild hooligans."

Even if Jiang Li had been foolish until now, he completely understood the hidden meaning in Xu Yunfeng's words.

Watching Xu Yunfeng's departing figure, Jiang Li couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness.

If it were before, facing such a brazen Xu Yunfeng, he would have dared to take up a knife and strike.

But now, with his right hand disabled, most of his martial arts skills were lost. How could he be a match for Xu Yunfeng, who was about to reach the next level?

Moreover, he had not just his younger brother behind him but also a wife and children.

A surge of helplessness rose within him.

Seeing Jiang Ning return home.

"Brother, are you alright? Xu Yunfeng didn't do anything to you, did he?"

Jiang Ning shook his head, "I'm fine, Brother!"

He then confidently added, "Brother, there's no need to worry. Xu Yunfeng came here today just to pressure you into submission. He wouldn't act against me easily, and since I am now a disciple of Canglang Martial Arts Hall, he won't want to provoke Wang Jin of the Canglang Martial Arts Hall!"

He had figured this out the moment he saw Xu Yunfeng's silhouette.

So, even being followed by Xu Yunfeng all the way, he didn't worry.

Canglang Martial Arts Hall's Wang Jin was no small figure in Luoshui County, and Jiang Ning had also read about Wang Jin's records.

With Wang Jin's character, if a hall disciple was killed in the street without reason, he would not hesitate to rush into the government office and beat the offending constable to death.

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

A man holding military power, qualified to stay aloof; who would dare provoke him lightly?

Therefore, Jiang Ning knew very well that Xu Yunfeng's presence was just to pressure his older brother!

However, merely being a regular disciple of the martial arts hall wasn't enough to intimidate Xu Yunfeng. If he could become a true disciple of Wang Jin, then he wouldn't fear Xu Yunfeng at all.

A true disciple of Wang Jin had to be respected even by ordinary arrest officers, giving face to both Wang Jin and me.

Then, things should indeed be safe for a while.

I must work even harder now!

Jiang Ning's determination became even stronger at this moment.

Meanwhile.

Hearing Jiang Ning's analysis, Jiang Li nodded with some relief.

"Brother can always see things clearly!!"

Then Jiang Li smiled again, "Hurry and follow me, brother. Your sister-in-law has prepared a feast for you today!"

Jiang Ning smiled and quickly followed his older brother's steps.

But at this moment, his heart was not as relaxed as he appeared to be.

He knew Xu Yunfeng wouldn't easily make a move to pressure his older brother, unless he deliberately took a deserted path.

However, Jiang Ning had not forgotten what Xu Yunfeng had just said.

Whenever I encounter your brother in the future, I will escort him all the way and prevent guild hooligans from harming him!

This undoubtedly harbored another layer of threat.

Xu Yunfeng wouldn't strike easily himself, but he might have someone do it.

For example, those thugs in the various guilds.

Jiang Ning didn't know if his older brother had caught onto Xu Yunfeng's double-edged words, but he didn't plan on saying it outright.

Even if he did, it would have no effect, only adding to the worries of his older brother.

Such threats could only be dealt with through his own strength. As long as he grew stronger, he could naturally cope with these minor threats.

Xu Yunfeng was also just a figure who had not yet reached the next level of skill, and he was merely a constable. How strong could the thugs he commanded be?

When his strength improved further, he naturally wouldn't fear them.

...

Entering the living room.

"Woo~ woo!!"

"Doudou is back!!"

"Finally, time to eat!!!"

"Little Dumpling is starving!!!"

Little Dou Bao, sitting on the chair, cheerfully swung her short legs, her face full of joy.

"Uncle!" nearby, a young boy spoke indifferently.

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

"How are Jiang Yiming's studies?"

"It's none of Uncle's concern!" Jiang Yiming replied quietly.

"Do not be rude to your uncle! Do you remember what I told you before?" Liuu Wanwan glared at Jiang Yiming.

Jiang Yiming shrank his neck.

"Uncle, I'm sorry!! It was my mistake!"

Jiang Ning smiled, ruffling his hair.

"Doudou, me too!!!" Little Dou Bao eagerly shook her short legs.

Jiang Ning smiled and ruffled her hair as well.

"Both of you sit down!" Liuu Wanwan said.

She then lifted the large bowl covering the food, releasing waves of steam and fragrant aromas.

"Wow! Wow!!"

"So much meat!!!"

Little Dou Bao's eyes sparkled, and she let out continuous exclamations.

The fragrant aroma of the food reaching their noses.

Growl—

Jiang Ning's stomach also sent out hunger signals.

"Looks like brother is genuinely hungry!" Jiang Li laughed heartily.

Jiang Ning gave a sheepish smile.

Having trained all afternoon, his stomach was naturally empty.

"You two brothers, stop chatting and eat!" Liuu Wanwan said.

She then placed a bowl of firmly packed rice in front of Jiang Ning.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning said sincerely.

"Now that you're part of the Martial Arts Hall, practice well! Do not disappoint your brother's expectations," Liuu Wanwan said while serving rice to Jiang Li.

"Rest assured, Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning replied.

"Thank you, my dear!" Jiang Li accepted a bowl of white rice, speaking with a smile.

At the dining table,

Jiang Li spoke, "Brother, how was your training today?"

As he spoke, Jiang Li placed a large piece of marbled meat into Jiang Ning's bowl.

"Very good!" Jiang Ning nodded.

"It seems that Brother has great talent in martial arts!" Jiang Li said with satisfaction.

"Dou Dou is amazing!!" Little Dou Bao clapped her hands enthusiastically.

Even Jiang Yiming couldn't help but glance at his uncle, Jiang Ning, before burying his head back into his meal.