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

Chapter 92: Chapter 16 Fellow Disciples

The other disciples and Li Linfeng's son and daughter were all stunned at that moment, filled with shock.

Shen Qing, the guy who came out of the ravines, actually managed to reach the Bone Refining Realm so quickly?

The speed was a bit too fast.

Li Linfeng circled around Shen Qing once more, his eyes growing increasingly satisfied.

He had taught countless people, and he could generally tell someone's specific cultivation realm with just a glance.

Just now, when he felt Shen Qing's muscle and bone, it confirmed that what Shen Qing said was true.

"Alright. Tiezhu, go and fetch me a cup of tea," Li Linfeng casually called out to Ouyang Tiezhu behind him.

Ouyang Tiezhu was still in shock but quickly came to his senses and replied, "Yes."

After a little while, Ouyang Tiezhu walked over with a cup of tea.

Shen Qing was good at seizing the moment; he quickly stepped forward to take the teacup and then knelt in front of Li Linfeng, respectfully saying, "Master, please accept your disciple's bow."

This clever act pleased Li Linfeng, a twinkle of satisfaction in his eyes.

He didn't put on airs and naturally took the teacup, sipped a bit, set it aside, and lifted Shen Qing up with one hand.

"By rights, to show respect for the teacher-student relationship, taking a disciple should involve an incense table, offerings, three kneels and nine bows, and many witnesses, but the current situation inside and outside Linfeng Hall is a bit complicated, so we'll keep it simple."

Shen Qing wasn't interested in these elaborate formalities; the simpler, the better, so he found Li Linfeng's arrangement perfectly acceptable.

Li Linfeng observed all this and couldn't help but raise his assessment of Shen Qing by several notches.

To tell the truth, he was now a bit afraid.

The Mi Gang had been targeting people close to him one after another, nearly crippling two of his disciples.

Having finally found a promising seed, if he were too conspicuous and caught their attention, there would be nowhere to cry when trouble came.

So, it was better to keep a low profile, at least for a while during this transition period.

Shen Qing's untroublesome and steady character suited this arrangement very well.

Li Linfeng grabbed Shen Qing's arm and pulled him into his study.

This place was considered his private area, one that those not close to him had no chance of entering.

Now by bringing Shen Qing into the room, it was clear that he had accepted him.

"Let me introduce you to your senior brothers," Li Linfeng gestured to the people in front of him and introduced one by one, "This is your eldest senior brother, Ouyang Tiezhu. This is your second senior brother, Niu Daping. This is your third senior brother, Dong Zizhuang. This is your fourth senior brother, Wushili. His family is in business."

"And these two," Li Linfeng continued sternly, "are my second son and fourth daughter. They were also worried when something happened to Qi Niang." "Ling Chan, Hongyang, come and meet your junior brother."

Li Lingchan and Li Hongyang both greeted with clasped fists, "Greetings, Junior Brother Shen."

"Young master, miss, greetings."

"No need to be so formal; you are older than they are. From now on, you can just call them by their names."

Li Linfeng returned to his seat and said to Ouyang Tiezhu and the others, "Now you all have a new junior brother. Look out for each other from now on. He's new to the city and not familiar with many things here, so he's prone to being taken advantage of."

"Yes, we will take good care of our junior brother," Ouyang Tiezhu and the others replied in unison.

"Alright, you may all leave. That's enough for today's matters," Li Linfeng instructed before his mood seemed to wane, "Shen Qing, I'll teach you some more advanced techniques tomorrow."

"Yes, Master."

Li Linfeng waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

The others didn't linger either, bowing their heads to pay their respects before each took their leave from the room.

As soon as he stepped out, Ouyang Tiezhu hooked Shen Qing's neck, saying affectionately, "That's really impressive, I never expected you, kiddo, to have such strong Sight. It hasn't been long, and you've already trained to the Bone Refining Realm. At this rate, you might even have a chance to break through to the Qi Cultivation Realm."

"Even if I can't break through, I'll definitely be able to become a martial master in the Skin Forging Realm, obtain a place in the martial arts register, and become a minor official. If I can live off the official's pay, I would be considered someone of status."

Shen Qing was no longer Wu Xia A Meng, and he knew that to obtain a martial title in Great Zhou, the Skin Forging Realm was the minimum requirement.

For those born at the bottom like them, it was extremely difficult to cultivate to this degree, and to have achieved it was already a significant accomplishment locally.

His second senior brother, Niu Daping, interjected, "Our master said, Junior Brother Shen, that you came from outside the city?"

Shen Qing wasn't embarrassed and said truthfully, "Yes, I used to live near Shicheng Mountain. Now I'm residing in the Outer City."

"Shicheng Mountain? That's really quite far. The Outer City is a mixed bag with many gangs often fighting; it's unsafe. My house has two spare rooms. How about you come to stay with me?" Niu Daping offered.

"No thanks, I've already settled in the Outer City. So far it's alright, not too chaotic," Shen Qing declined, shaking his head.

"Alright then, whenever you want to come and stay, just let me know," Niu Daping said.

"Thank you, Second Senior Brother." Shen Qing expressed his gratitude with a cupped fist salute.

After Second Senior Brother Niu Daping finished speaking, their third senior brother, Dong Zizhuang, said with a smile, "Junior Brother, now that you've become a Bone Refining expert, you could be a minor leader in many of the gangs. Even the Inner City Four Families are vying for you.

Although you could only serve as a guard or instructor, you would be considered fairly influential, which is much better than the average person."

"Us who practice martial arts, not to mention anything else, have great expenses. The herbs our master uses, and the elixirs for practicing—they all cost money, not given for free. Seeing that you're not very well-off, Junior Brother, are you interested in helping me out? Although my place can't compare to those Bosses, we're quite generous towards martial masters."

"Third Junior Brother, the business of debt collection at your place is too risky. Junior Brother just arrived and is unfamiliar with life here; if you let him go, he might inadvertently cause trouble," Ouyang Tiezhu chimed in from the side.

Dong Zizhuang laughed and said, "The bigger the waves, the pricier the fish! Besides, we're fellow sect brothers. If Shen Junior Brother comes over, would I still allow him to risk his life?"

His Dong Family lived off the Wang Family's moneylending business, and the connections they had behind them were beyond what Ouyang Tiezhu could imagine.

Seeing how much Li Linfeng valued it, it was clear that Shen Qing's Sight was very promising.

If he could win over such a talented individual early on, it would be very beneficial for his family.

"In the end, it's all up to Junior Brother's decision."

Outside the house, the sun hung high, casting a warm glow that filled the courtyard with a sense of warmth.

Shen Qing paused in his steps, pondering.

Having established himself in the Outer City, he probably wouldn't be short on money in the future.

So, with a smile, he declined, "Just as Eldest Senior Brother said, I've just arrived and don't know the city well. I should get acquainted with it first so as not to inadvertently offend anyone. If I'm in need of money later, I'll definitely trouble Third Senior Brother."

His words were quite reasonable and well-founded.

Dong Zizhuang felt it made sense and nodded, "Alright, my house's door is always open for Junior Brother."

"Thank you, Third Senior Brother."

"I'm off."

Dong Zizhuang bid the others farewell with cupped hands, not persuading any further, and walked straight out of the courtyard.

As for Fourth Senior Brother Wushili, after leaving, he merely nodded at Shen Qing as a gesture and then strode away without looking back.

As if he was holding a grudge.

"What's wrong with Fourth Senior Brother?" Shen Qing asked curiously.

Ouyang Tiezhu couldn't help but express regret, "Among us four, Junior Brother is the youngest and most promising, always having it smooth sailing. Not long ago, he was injured by a skilled member of the Mi Gang, and he's struggled to get over it."