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

Chapter 198: Chapter 24 Capturing Demons Outside the City, The Visitor Bodes Ill

The next day.

Shen Qing emerged from his room, full of energy, striding like a dragon and stepping like a tiger.

As he passed Tian Xiaohu, Tian couldn't help but glance sideways at Shen.

Subconsciously, Tian nudged Xiao Zhi beside him with his arm and whispered, "Hey, do you feel like the Boss is somewhat different today?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi, originally deep in thought, was pulled back to the present. He slowly lifted his head and his gaze fell on Shen Qing.

Shen stood tall and straight, with a faint aura of light seeming to envelop him. It was a change in temperament, radiating from inside out, commanding unwitting reverence.

Xiao Zhi agreed, "Indeed, the Boss seems to possess an ethereal charm, as if overnight, his essence, vigour, and spirit reached Great Perfection. Even the aura he exudes has undergone a significant transformation. How peculiar and astounding."

The two murmured among themselves, puzzled.

Without any intention to explain, Shen Qing strode out and headed to the Guardian Martial Department, just as usual.

When he arrived there, many officers were also arriving, changing their duty tokens just like him.

After replacing his duty token, Shen Qing habitually returned to the dispatch office's resting room to wait for his subordinates like Liu Sangui.

However, before long, a Chang Sui entered and conveyed, "Shen Chasi, the Lord Chief Officer summons you."

Shen Qing sipped his tea, pondering, "Zheng Yuanqiu seeking me out at this time must be nine times out of ten related to demons."

After all, Zheng Yuanqiu was a true "rebel," and certainly wouldn't be plotting against the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect. That left only the demon concern.

Putting down his tea bowl and wiping his mouth, Shen Qing said, "I'll be right there."

Having finished speaking, and recalling the reaction of Tian Xiaohu and the others when he left, Shen Qing was cautious. He subtly used his hunting skills to conceal some of his aura before walking to the back hall and calling out, "Chief Officer, did you call for me?"

In the main hall, Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu stood with his hands on a long table, looking stern, as if suppressing something.

Seeing Shen Qing enter, he lifted his head and said, "The Military Department just sent a message. There appears to be a Wolf Demon in Changqiao Town. Take your people and check it out. If it is indeed a Wolf Demon, take care of it on the spot. I trust with your abilities, it shouldn't be difficult."

Shen Qing had heard about the Wolf Demon a few days earlier and wasn't too surprised about being summoned for a demon hunt. He clasped his hands and said, "Understood. I will take my men there immediately."

"Go ahead."

Hmm?

Shen Qing noticed an urgency in Zheng Yuanqiu's tone as if he was in a rush to send him off. His eyes couldn't help but fall on the long table, where he noticed a rhythmic trembling.

Impatient, Zheng Yuanqiu saw Shen Qing had not yet left and asked, "What is it, is there anything else?"

As if realizing something and feeling a sense of disdain, Shen Qing bowed with clasped hands, "No, I take my leave."

Once Shen Qing left, the trembling of the table gripped by Zheng Yuanqiu's hands grew more intense.

With a red face, Zheng Yuanqiu looked down and cursed with a chuckle, "You little minx!"

...

In the small courtyard house, Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong had arrived.

When they saw Shen Qing come in, they quickly stood up and bowed with clenched fists, saying, "Shen Chasi."

Shen Qing instructed, "Get ready, both of you. We are going to make a trip to Changqiao Town shortly."

Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong were slightly startled, exchanged a glance, and then agreed.

Continuing to wait, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu arrived fashionably late.

Shen Qing did not fuss over them, and as soon as everyone had arrived, he gave the order, "A demon has appeared in Changqiao Town, we'll make a trip there today, to take a look."

"Yes."

"Let's set out."

Changqiao Town was located outside Yongzhou City, built along the mountain and surrounded by water.

Overlooking the town, three sides were surrounded by mountains lush and green, as verdant as though dripping paint, with clear water circling one side, glistening like ripples, the scenery stunningly beautiful as if a jade belt gently caressed it.

Because Changqiao Town was abundant with forests, many townspeople and those around the town made a living from logging.

Over half the firewood in Yongzhou City was supplied by Changqiao Town, making it one of the larger towns under Yongzhou's jurisdiction.

Shen Qing and his party approached Changqiao Town rapidly amid the urgent sounds of galloping hooves.

In just two quarters of an hour, they had already arrived outside Changqiao Town, which was fifty miles away.

They saw a stone bridge spanning a hundred meters across crystal clear waters, blocking the path of Shen Qing and his group.

The bridge's surface was mottled with bluestone, and the water flowed gently beneath.

Fishing boats were moored at the riverside, lending an unexpected charm to the scene.

The word "Changqiao" in Changqiao Town was indeed named after this bridge.

At this moment, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a look.

Understanding the signal, Guan Yunjian suddenly reined in his horse and shouted to Shen Qing and the others, "Hold on!"

"Whoa!" Shen Qing turned his head to look, asking, "What's wrong?"

Guan Yunjian said, "Something isn't right, Shen Chasi. Uncle Shu and I will go ahead to scout the path."

Shen Qing looked around and did not sense anything amiss, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the two men.

He did not trust them and was unsure what they were up to.

Shen Qing had no intention of letting them go alone, "No need, let's all have a look together!"

"There's no need, Shen Chasi, we'll just go." Guan Yunjian said urgently.

"Strange, very strange," Shen Qing stared at Guan Yunjian, a sharp light flashing in his eyes as he questioned, "What's the rush to leave? Are you planning to engage in some kind of skulduggery?"

Guan Yunjian's complexion changed, and he exchanged a quick look with Uncle Shu.

Without hesitation, Uncle Shu barked, "Damn it, Shen, don't push your luck. Don't force us to move!"

"Hmm?"

As soon as Uncle Shu's voice fell, several dark figures emerged like ghosts from their hiding places on the seemingly tranquil bridge, their speed astonishingly fast.

Jiang Dacong, who was at the forefront of the group, had no time to react before he felt a pain in his chest. He was sent flying backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily to the ground, his life or death unknown.

"Dacong!" Liu Sangui cried out in alarm from the group, hastily drawing his dagger.

Shen Qing's expression turned stern as he quickly scanned the surroundings, only to find they were encircled by ten martial masters.

Guan Yunjian clasped his hands and said, "Today we must trouble you all. Once this task is completed, I assure you that your promised reward will be delivered in full to your residence."

"Hahaha, good. Rest assured, for just one person, the ten of us will surely take care of your business cleanly," said an old man with youthful features among the ten, chuckling.

Shen Qing's expression darkened as he leaped from his horseback straight at Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu.

"How dare you."

Before the old man finished speaking, his figure swayed like an ancient pine, his sleeves billowed as if containing the force of mountains and rivers, and he struck out with two fierce palms.

Two invisible bursts of strength surged forth like dragons, whistling towards Shen Qing.

Bang!

A deafening boom, like thunderclaps tearing the sky, erupted as their palm winds collided in mid-air, sending visible ripples of spiritual power spiraling out from them, shredding the surrounding air into tatters.

Shen Qing's figure swayed slightly as he lightly tapped his feet on the empty air, using the motion to dissipate the overwhelming force.

"A Qi Hai Realm martial master!" Liu Sangui, standing to the side, turned ashen in an instant.

"Go!"

With the old man blocking in front, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu acted decisively, splitting to the left and right, swiftly breaking away from the group and silently blending into the surrounding shadows.

Watching the two escape, Shen Qing was in no hurry. He slowly dismounted and swept his gaze across the crowd, calmly saying, "Who exactly are you, and why would you be tempted by mere officers? Do you think you'll live after killing an officer if the county office finds out?"

"That's none of your concern. I don't like to waste words on the dead," the old man said.

"Do you really think you've got me cornered? Up until now, I still don't know how strong I've become after my breakthrough! I'm afraid you might not be up to the task," Shen Qing said with a smirk, glancing at the clear river water beneath the bridge, "The scenery here is beautiful; how about I make it your final resting place?"