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

Chapter 35: Chapter 34 Outer City

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The ancient city gates of Taiping County towered majestically, with the weak winter sunlight piercing through the heavy clouds, casting dim shadows inside the gate.

The cold wind surged from the open space outside the city gate, constantly seeping into the gate in wisps and strands.

As Shen Qing stepped into the city gate, the winter chill hit him head-on, causing both Shen Xiaohu and Zhang Shuyuan to shrink their necks involuntarily.

Once they had passed through the ancient city gate, the cold wind gradually ceased.

The familiar scene once again appeared before the eyes of Shen Qing and his two companions.

The uneven ground was mixed with dark snow water soiled by mud...

The surrounding shanty was put together using various materials, crowded and sprawling as far as the eye could see.

The narrow, muddy paths between the shanties were interwoven with the figures of running children and the sporadic sounds of vendors, adding a few touches of life's reality and noise to this bleak scene.

It was already afternoon, and there were fewer people entering the city.

The guards standing under the city gate were mostly idle since there was no fee for leaving the city.

The guards' gazes lingered briefly on Shen Qing before they retracted their attention, allowing him to leave.

By the time they reached the shanty area, Shen Qing, who was sitting on the cart, immediately became vigilant.

Glancing to the side, he saw that Shen Xiaohu had a stern look on his face, his eyes constantly sweeping the surroundings. Shen Qing warned, "Xiao Hu, don't tense your face or else people will think we have something valuable. Just relax a bit and stay alert in your heart."

"Okay," Shen Xiaohu, startled by the reminder, realized he was too tense and quickly let go of his worries, doing as he was told.

Zhang Shuyuan, holding the reins, looked at Shen Qing and smiled, "You're quite clever. Anyone in the Outer City who has their eye on you would be unlucky."

"Better be safe than sorry," Shen Qing replied casually, "When you're away from home, in unfamiliar places, it's always good to be cautious."

Zhang Shuyuan chuckled and cracked his whip, "Giddy up!"

The scrappy horse shook its rump and couldn't help but quicken its pace.

Pulled by the horse, the cart made of a few broken planks also sped up, passing by the entrance of each shanty home.

The items Shen Qing had purchased, including some rice and grain tied securely with hemp rope, were covered with coarse burlap but still drew the gaze of many passersby.

Whether busy adults or idle children, everyone in the shanties couldn't help but slow down as Shen Qing passed by, their eyes drawn involuntarily to the goods piled on the cart.

The further they went into the depth of the Outer City, the more such people there were.

They watched Shen Qing overtly and covertly, whispering to one another, curiosity and greed flashing in their eyes, as if the goods were a bright spot in this chaotic world.

A subtle atmosphere gradually permeated the air.

A young man leaning against the doorway of a shanty, dressed in a short outfit with his arms crossed, watched Shen Qing and his companions pass by.

As they whisked by, the young man dropped his casual demeanor, turned, and entered the house to speak to a burly man inside, "A new face just passed by, Old Ba, are we doing it?"

The burly man called Old Ba tossed aside the chicken leg he'd been gnawing on—which was then hungrily fought over by the boys waiting nearby, like wild dogs.

One of the taller boys grabbed the chicken leg bone and dashed out the back door in a flash, quickly disappearing from sight.

The other teenagers chased after him wildly.

"Hahaha." The burly man wiped his greasy lips, looking somewhat pleased with himself, and asked, "Did you get any details? Where are they from, and do they have any connection to the big shots in the city?"

"This morning when that new guy went in, Old Dog was already asking around; he should be back soon."

"Have someone keep an eye on them. As soon as they're about to exit Seven Turns Alley, no matter if Old Dog got any news or not, take action."

"Understood. If after all this time we still can't figure it out, it must mean he's a nobody."

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Old Ba Zi nodded and said, "That's right, recently Boss has sent a message saying that the Song and Dong Family are looking for a few mountain delicacies, to help their young masters make a breakthrough in their Martial Pass. Tell your brothers to pay attention to the hunters coming into the city recently, see if they have any of those items."

"Boss said," Old Ba Zi's face showed a hint of longing, "if anyone can find them, he could guarantee them wealth and entry into the Inner City."

"Old Ba Zi, just tell me, what are the three items?" the youth exclaimed in surprise.

Old Ba Zi spoke unhurriedly, "Blood Bird's Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King's Penis."

"Ah... I only know of the penis, haven't even heard of the others," the youth said. "I'll pass this on to the brothers when I get back."

"Mhm, arrange it as soon as possible."

...

After his breakthrough in hunting skills, Shen Qing had long since become adept in details such as Tracking and hunting, and was very sensitive to his surrounding environment.

Just as they had been advancing, passing through the shantytown, he felt as if there were fleeting gazes on them every so often.

His hunter's intuition told him that he was being watched.

Shen Qing lowered his voice to Shen Xiaohu and Zhang Shuyuan and said, "Speed up, we're being followed."

"Ah!"

Shen Xiaohu exclaimed.

"Keep your voice down. Don't startle the snake in the grass."

"Oh, right."

Shen Xiaohu quickly steadied his nerves.

Zhang Shuyuan, who was usually nonchalant, also became serious for once.

"Whack, whack, whack!"

He didn't mind hurting someone else's horse as he ferociously whipped it three times, striking the small nag's hindquarters and leaving three bloody marks.

The nag, in pain, suddenly accelerated and began to gallop forward.

When Shen Qing and his two companions whizzed by a bald man, the bald man summoned a teenager and instructed, "Quickly tell Old Ba they're about to reach Seven Turns Alley."

"Alright."

In a shantytown in the Outer City, a teenager wearing straw sandals ran in panting and said, "Old Ba, they're nearly at Seven Turns Alley, the bunch wants to know whether to do it or not."

"Has there been any news from Old Dog?" Old Ba Zi asked the straw-sandaled youth at his side.

"Not yet."

"Then forget about it, tell the brothers to go ahead."

"Got it. The cart they're carrying doesn't seem to have much on it, shall we cripple the three of them first and then sell them to the brokers? Make a hefty profit off them."

"Just see to it," Old Ba Zi's muscles suddenly tensed, his Qi-Blood surging throughout his body, pumping his muscles until they expanded like lumps of flesh, emanating a powerful aura.

Great Perfection of Qi and Blood!

The speaking teenager stepped back and hurriedly said, "Old Ba, the brothers all know the rules, they won't short-change you."

"Let the brothers be at ease, I will also stick up for them if they get into trouble," Old Ba Zi reigned in his aura, "Go now!"

The teenager nodded vigorously and ran towards Seven Turns Alley, his figure gradually vanishing among the many shanties.