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

Chapter 187: Chapter 13: Subordinate Shen Qing, Fortunately Fulfilled the Mission

Outside the gates of Yongzhou City, the official road was bustling with pedestrians.

Suddenly, a suffocating stench of blood swept over them.

The pedestrians on the road quickly covered their noses, their faces showing disgust as they looked curiously toward the source of the foul smell.

They saw a group of officers dressed in the attire of the Guardian Martial Department approaching the gate leisurely.

Behind them, on the back of a horse, was something enormous—it was the corpse of a massive demon.

Not quite human, not quite eagle, it was ferocious and terrifying.

All the bloody stench originated from this demon's body.

The spectators widened their eyes in horror at the sight.

They scurried to the sides in panic, automatically clearing a path for Shen Qing and his group.

Leading them, Shen Qing sat upright and proud on his steed, one hand on his sword, the other pulling on the reins, exuding bursts of an imposing aura.

"Who is that? He looks so valiant and righteous."

"Must be a disciple from a high-ranking family, right?"

"Why are you all staring at that man? Look at that demon's corpse, if I'm not mistaken, that's an Eagle Demon!"

"Ah? An Eagle Demon! Wasn't it said that only an Innate-level individual could subdue such a demon? Was it an Innate Realm powerhouse who took action?"

"What are you dreaming about, an Innate Realm powerhouse wouldn't bother with such trivial matters!"

"Pah, if demons are trivial, and rebels are trivial, then I really don't know what counts as important to those lords! In my view, Yongzhou simply has no serious matters."

"Nonsense, collecting taxes is a major affair!"

"…"

The Sixth Group, overhearing the crowd's comments, felt that Shen Qing was being overly conspicuous.

However, even if there were always rumors of demons outside the city, no government office in Yongzhou had ever really eliminated one.

This return of Shen Qing with a demon's corpse was unprecedented.

He couldn't keep a low profile even if he wanted to.

The expressions of the group members turned complicated and indistinct.

At the city gate, the duty guards, seeing Shen Qing and others returning from slaying the demon, couldn't help but show their respect and hurriedly cleared the way for them.

After they entered Yongzhou, they attracted countless gazes, which was something the usually low-profile members of the Sixth Group were not accustomed to.

Amidst such crowding, they made their way to the Guardian Martial Department Office.

…

In the main hall of the Guardian Martial Department Office.

"Lord Chief Officer, this is the situation."

Dong Jing stood before Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu, earnestly making his report.

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu frowned and asked, "The case in Baili Village, you're sure it was the work of an Eagle Demon?"

"No mistake about it. The method of killing and eating matches those from before exactly."

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu's facial muscles twitched twice, as if he was suppressing a look of pleasure, he said anxiously, "This is troublesome."

Trouble is good!

The more troubling it is, the more chaotic Yongzhou County becomes, advancing the cause of the Holy Sect.

More importantly, if his subordinates fail their tasks, he could rightfully deduct their official salaries, gaining more control over them.

If the demons were too weak or his subordinates too capable, it would actually be less desirable.

Dong Jing, unaware of Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu's ulterior motives, also did not reveal that Shen Qing had already slain the Eagle Demon.

He made his point succinctly without showing off too much.

Better to avoid troubles for himself.

Just then, a high-ranking gatekeeper from the Military Department rushed in, panicked, and said, "Lord Chief Officer, Lord Huangfu has arrived."

"Oh, she is here," said Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu, his face instantly brightening up.

In the entire Yongzhou Government Office, it was Huang Furo, a woman whose figure was the most domineering.

The parts that should protrude did so impressively, and those that should curve did likewise, quite simply captivating one's soul.

Moreover, what was even more remarkable was that not only did Huang Furo have an attractive figure, but her appearance, background, and abilities were also exceptional.

He felt that if he married this woman, he would be willing to sacrifice decades of his life.

"Hurry, hurry, check if my appearance has any flaws?" Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu cheerfully exclaimed as he beckoned.

Chang Sui wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurriedly continued, "Lord Chief Officer, I haven't finished yet. Along with Lord Huangfu, there is another official."

A man?

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu's face darkened, and his cheerful expression faded, quickly replaced by dissatisfaction, "Who is it?"

"Lord Commander!"

"Lord Commander?"

Dong Jing quietly reminded, "Didn't a commander from the Innate Realm arrive in Yongzhou not long ago?"

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu exclaimed in surprise, "It's him!"

This was clearly the boss of his boss, an official from the court!

"What does he want, coming here out of the blue?"

"What, can't I come if there's no specific matter?"

As Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu's voice fell, a deep male voice resounded from afar, causing him to involuntarily shiver.

He quickly rose from his seat and walked to the doorway, respectfully saying, "This subordinate greets Lord Commander."

"Hmph!" Commander Jia Zhiping snorted coldly, his face displeased as he brushed past him and boldly sat in the main seat.

Following him, Huang Furo also crossed the threshold, deliberately keeping some distance from Zheng Yuanqiu, and moved to stand beside Commander Jia Zhiping.

On Zheng Yuanqiu's face there was no sign of dissatisfaction or anger, instead, he approached with a fawning smile and said, "May I know why Lord Commander has come this time?"

Commander Jia Zhiping got straight to the point, "You're aware of the situation at Baili Village, aren't you?"

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu nodded and replied, "Responding to Lord Commander, this subordinate is already aware and has sent people to handle it."

As he spoke, he couldn't help glancing at Dong Jing with an appreciative look, then said to Jia Zhiping, "Now, my men have already investigated. The incident at Baili Village was the deed of the Eagle Demon."

"The Eagle Demon?!" Commander Jia Zhiping frowned.

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu complained, "My lord is unaware, but this Eagle Demon is extremely troublesome to deal with. It is incredibly fast, and each time it slaughters and consumes humans, it vanishes before our arrival. Although the demon's cultivation isn't deep, capturing it is harder than reaching the heavens, and it has severely troubled us too."

"However, my lord, rest assured, we will not slacken our efforts and will eradicate this evil!"

Commander Jia Zhiping glanced at Huang Furo and asked, "Lord Huangfu, is the Eagle Demon as troublesome as Mr. Zheng describes?"

Although Huang Furo disliked Zheng Yuanqiu, she didn't cause any hurdles in this matter, "Indeed it is as so, both our departments are aware of the trouble. Whether we should ask the Lord Governor's involvement is even being considered."

Commander Jia Zhiping placed his hands on the table and tapped it, then after thinking for a while, he decided, "If that's the case, let me handle this Eagle Demon issue. We can't afford to delay."

"With you handling it, capturing the Eagle Demon will be guaranteed. Many will thank you for your grace," Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu flattered.

Suddenly, outside the main hall, a flurry of disordered footsteps erupted.

Accompanied by intermittent exclamations, the Guardian Martial Department Office became as noisy as a marketplace.

The noise grew louder and more intense.

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu rebuked discontentedly, "What is happening outside, who is creating a disturbance?!"

The Chang Sui stumbled in, stammering, "Lord, demon, demon, demon..."

"What demon?"

"It's the Eagle Demon." Following Chang Sui, Shen Qing confidently strode into the main hall.

Seeing Zheng Yuanqiu standing beneath, and a middle-aged man with a beautiful woman sitting above, he was momentarily startled.

Shen Qing quickly realized these must be other high officials from the county town, having coincidentally encountered them.

He clasped his hands together and forcefully said to everyone in the hall, "Subordinate Shen Qing, has successfully slain the Eagle Demon and resolved the Baili Village demon case, awaiting your judgment!"

As he spoke, the entire room fell silent, suddenly so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Aside from Dong Jing, everyone else on the dais turned their eyes sharply towards him.