Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

Chapter 173: Chapter 97 Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, Wu Sheng

"Gentlemen, we are a merchant convoy from the Wu Family of Yongzhou returning to the city. Each time, we have stopped here to rest; I wonder if it would be convenient for you to let us stay together in this dilapidated temple for the night?"

The man who stepped forward had a square face and looked to be in his twenties. He was well-dressed and seemed to hold some status, not appearing to be an ordinary person.

Being away from home, Shen Qing had no intention of causing trouble, and he calmly responded, "This place is just an abandoned temple; make yourselves at home."

"Thank you," said the man in his twenties, glancing at Shen Qing with a smile. "Your accent doesn't sound local to Yongzhou. Are you from outside?"

"From Taiping County."

"Oh!" The man's face instantly showed a flash of realization, and he slowly said, "It's not very peaceful over there recently."

Shen Qing was startled; he hadn't expected the man before him to know about Taiping County.

They had traveled many days, not a thousand miles but certainly seven or eight hundred. Explore more stories with M V L

In these times, the largest range of activities for ordinary people was just a few dozen miles, and their access to information relatively limited, so most knew nothing of affairs a hundred miles away.

The man before him was truly well-informed.

He must possess some skills.

At the very least, he was a martial master, and his cultivation realm was not low.

Naturally, if he didn't possess some skills, he wouldn't be able to lead a group of people roaming around this wilderness.

The man with the square face bowed his hands and signaled to his companions behind him, indicating they could come over normally.

Upon receiving the man's signal, these people hesitated no further, leading their carts toward the position of the temple one by one.

Shen Qing scanned briefly; there were about ten people, all robust men.

Each one of them was muscular and formidable at a glance.

"Everything has its order. The temple is only so big and we outnumber you, so it seems we are at an advantage. If you have any troubles, you can ask us for help," the man said.

Keeping his vigilance, Shen Qing, seeing how polite the other party was, also exchanged a few courtesies and said, "All right, don't mind us imposing on you then."

"Hahaha... Brother Shen has a good nature," the square-faced man laughed. "My surname is Wu, with a single name Sheng. How may I address you, brother?"

"Shen Qing!"

"Where are you all heading?"

"We were planning to go to Yongzhou County."

"That's a coincidence, we're preparing to return there too. From here to Yongzhou is just a day and a half's journey. Why not travel together?"

Shen Qing hesitated for a moment.

Wu Sheng said, "Brother Shen needn't worry, we are people from Wu Family of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines. The Wu Family strictly abides by the principle of 'sincerity,' ensuring all debts are repaid. Once you're in the county town, you'll understand after a little inquiry. We are not bad people."

After pondering for a while, Shen Qing said, "Then thank you for the trouble."

"Good, it's settled then. We'll set off together tomorrow morning."

Wu Sheng called to his companions, and with their luggage, they entered the temple. The already small temple quickly became crowded.

Big Sister Shen Fang and Aunt had hurriedly washed up and, having dressed, came out of the temple. Seeing so many people inside all of a sudden, they hesitated and cautiously moved back behind Shen Qing and the others.

"Qingzi, who are these people?" Big Sister Shen Fang asked quietly.

Shen Qing signaled to Tian Xiao Hu and Xiao Zhi behind him to keep low profile, reassuringly saying, "They are people from the Wu Family of Yongzhou, staying with us in this derelict temple."

"Oh."

Big sister Shen Fang's bright eyes sparkled, curiously sizing up the Wu Family ahead of them.

After Shen Qing started learning martial arts, his life greatly improved.

Not only did he become robust, but his once fragile elder sister, Shen Fang, had also grown plumper.

With already good features, the proper care made her stand out even more.

Her appearance, freshly bathed, caused them to take several more glances.

"Hurry up and pack the goods properly, if anything is missing, Boss won't spare you," Wu Sheng, with a meticulous mind, noticed this and kicked one of his men harshly, shouting to break everyone's train of thought.

The well-dressed men shifted their gazes and resumed working, not daring to look further.

Shen Qing thought for a moment and said to Tian Xiaohu and the others, "Let me keep watch tonight, you guys should rest early."

For many days now, it was mostly Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu who took turns on guard duty. Occasionally, Shen Xiaoshan would also help out.

Shen Qing, to maintain his energy, seldom performed patrols.

But seeing that tonight's company seemed rather extraordinary, Shen Qing decided it was better to take over for safety's sake.

The setting sun, like blood, painted the vast green mountains golden red, and eventually sank into the embrace of the mountains below the horizon.

The night sky revealed a myriad of stars, and the sound of frogs began slowly to fill the air.

Two bonfires gradually lit up in the old temple, where Shen Qing and Wu Sheng's groups began preparing their respective meals and organizing their personal belongings.

Compared to Shen Qing's group eating stir-fried rice and hard cakes, Wu Sheng's group had better food: dried meat, steamed buns, and even alcoholic drinks.

Wu Sheng, seeing Shen Qing sitting at the doorway, walked over with a wineskin and offered, "Drink some?"

Seeing Shen Qing hesitate, Wu Sheng uncorked it, took a few sips himself, and laughed, "It's not poisoned."

Shen Qing, slightly apologetic, said, "I've never really drunk alcohol before, I'm afraid it might impair my ability to deal with things."

"Never drunk before? Okay then."

Wu Sheng sat next to Shen Qing and started a conversation, "Brother Shen, what are you planning to do in Yongzhou?"

Shen Qing was not familiar with Wu Sheng; this was their first acquaintance.

In his view, one should avoid profound conversations when the relationship is shallow.

"Not sure yet," Shen Qing, uninterested in revealing too much in response to Wu Sheng's inquiry, sighed helplessly and said, "Brother Wu might already know about the situation in Taiping County. We are going to Yongzhou to see if we can find a way to make a living, but I'm not sure what's next, or what we can do."

"Facing natural and man-made disasters, we mere mortals truly have no means to respond. However, seeing Brother Shen's magnificent young steed, you might be able to establish yourself in Yongzhou despite your youth."

Wu Sheng offered, "If Brother Shen really faces difficulties in Yongzhou, feel free to look for me. My position in the Wu Family isn't high, but I can still arrange some work. Getting food on the table won't be a problem."

Shen Qing detected the sincerity in Wu Sheng's tone—it did not seem like a recruitment pitch, but rather seemed genuine.

"Thanks, Brother Wu. If things really don't work out, I'll definitely come to bother you," he said.

"Hahaha, it's no big deal," Wu Sheng took a sip of his drink and said, "It's just a pity. It would have been good if you came earlier. If you had come sooner, Yongzhou might still have been promising, but now… alas..."

"Oh, Brother Wu, is there something secretive going on inside the county town?"

Shen Qing knew Wu Sheng was well-informed, surely aware of many matters.

He didn't let go of this rare opportunity to gather information, pressing further with his inquiries.