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

"Suspicious? What's so suspicious about it?" Tian Xiaohu asked, pressing for more details.

Shen Qing recalled, "That Huang Tian Sect member didn't seem like someone from the Huang Tian Sect. It was too deliberate, like they were trying to make everyone know they were with the Huang Tian Sect."

"Do you remember how the members of the Huang Tian Sect acted back in Taiping County?"

Tian Xiaohu reminisced, "As far as I remember, they seemed enthusiastic about spreading their teachings."

"So if that person was really from the Huang Tian Sect, instead of secretly preaching, they came out in the open killing people, as if afraid people wouldn't know they're a traitor from the Huang Tian Sect. That's definitely strange. Sun Ding challenged me before and lost. He surely holds a grudge against me. I'm afraid some might exploit this in secret. Do a thorough investigation."

Tian Xiaohu quickly realized the hidden risks and promptly agreed.

Shen Qing waved his hand, "Get to it quickly, and give me the results as soon as possible."

"At your service."

Just as Shen Qing predicted.

The next day, a rumor spread like wildfire, quickly stirring up within the Guardian Martial Department.

"Have you heard? The Vice Director plans to make a move against our Old Sun."

An officer in a Guardian Martial Department uniform whispered to another officer beside him.

"Ah, what's going on?" the other officer asked, curious.

"What else? Back in the day, our Old Sun attacked the Vice Director right in front of Lord Huangfu. Do you think if you were in charge, you could just let Old Sun off the hook? So many days have passed, and the Vice Director has been secretly preparing. Now's the time."

"The Vice Director is using the Huang Tian Sect traitor incident to violently go after Old Sun, saying he must capture the fierce beasts in three days. How could he manage to find them? It's as if he's pushing Old Sun into a dead end!"

The person next to him nodded heavily, "Not three days, even thirty days, I doubt they could manage. The Huang Tian Sect moves like shadows. How could you find them in the vast expanse of Yongzhou?"

"That's not even the most outrageous take."

"Go ahead."

"I also heard, the rebellion in Xin'an Square regarding the Huang Tian Sect was actually all a conspiracy orchestrated by the Vice Director! His goal is to use it as an opportunity to bring down Sun Ding and gradually clear out the veterans in the Guardian Martial Department to replace them with his own men."

A member of the Second Group added mysteriously, with hints of disbelief in his voice.

"This... can't be, right?"

"Hard to say. You saw yesterday he recruited a new officer who just refined his bones. Now he's recruiting new officers openly, so this theory isn't entirely baseless."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Quickly, these wild rumors became the favorite gossip among the officers over tea and meals, and for a while, a state of unease gripped the Guardian Martial Department.

However, Shen Qing seemed exceptionally calm amid the murmurs.

He stood before his study in the back hall, watching the vibrant peonies and roses competing to bloom outside the window.

"It looks like whoever orchestrated the Xin'an Square case is targeting me."

Shen Qing's brows gradually furrowed.

He pondered attentively, wondering if he had offended anyone recently.

Did they think he was easy prey?

...

In Xinyi Square.

In front of the Chen Family's vegetable stall, a burly man trotted over joyfully, shouting as he ran, "Dad, Dad, I made it, I made it!"

Old Chen, busy tidying up the stalls, looked up at his son with puzzlement, "Made what?"

"It's about what you asked me to do, applying to be an officer for the Guardian Martial Department!"

"Ah, are you saying that Lord Shen agreed to let you become an officer?"

The burly man nodded emphatically.

"You good lad, really pulled it off. It wasn't in vain, your father didn't work so hard for nothing."

Old Chen gazed at his son, tears welled up suddenly in his eyes.

"Once you join the Guardian Martial Department, you must do your job properly, sever ties with those gangs, don't end up like your brother, losing your life to those gangs."

The burly man, Chen Guang, stepped forward to comfort him, "If it weren't for my elder brother teaching me martial arts, how could I have these skills? Don't worry, Dad. I will surely bring glory to our family and achieve great things. Even if I can't, my son, my grandson, they will succeed."

"Let's not talk about hypotheticals. From what I see, Lord Shen is a good official. You should follow him diligently and refrain from petty crimes."

Chen Guang grinned, "Dad, I know what I'm doing."

"Alright, I won't go on. I have to go on a trip to deliver some vegetables out of the city, if it's too late, we'll miss the Shi Chen."

Chen Guang asked curiously, "Dad, don't you usually deliver only to the Dong Family and a few big houses? Why go out of the city today?"

"The Dong Family's young master requested it. He has a house outside the city that needs supplies as well."

Looking at the overflowing baskets and the spread of vegetables in front of him, Chen Guang grabbed the carrying pole, "Dad, you lead the way. Today I'll carry the load for you."

Old Chen intended to reclaim it, but facing his martial-trained son, he had no chance and just let it go.

"Dad, you go ahead."

"You brat. Alright, let your father relax for once. If it gets too heavy, let me know."

Chen Guang, having already refined his bones, had hardened and rough skin. Carrying a load wasn't a challenge for him. Understanding that Old Chen was concerned, he didn't explain more and simply set off ahead.

"Dad, hurry up," Chen Guang said as he steadily carried the hefty load of vegetables.

Old Chen smiled briefly, fetching an old cane from behind the door, and catching up to Chen Guang quickly.

Together, they passed through the bustling streets, swiftly exiting the city.

They walked along a spacious official road for a while before Old Chen led the way, "This way's closer."

With that, he veered off the official road onto a path through the fields.

Chen Guang followed closely.

Looking around, they saw lush green fields, distant mountains layered with clouds, a scene reminiscent of a tranquil ink wash painting.

They forged ahead silently, focusing only on their journey.

After a seemingly endless walk, an ancient house came into view.

"We're here."

Old Chen stepped forward, pulling the door ring and knocked.

Soon, a man dressed as a Jianghu martial artist opened the door. After glancing at Old Chen, he fixed his gaze on Chen Guang behind him.

"Who is he?"

"My son, helped carry the basket."

The martial artist squinted and grumbled, "Bring fewer irrelevant people in the future."

"Yes, yes."

"Come in."

Chen Guang felt a bit confused but refrained from asking, following Old Chen over the threshold.

As they entered and passed through the courtyard, lively shouting caught his attention.

"Leopard, take it all, hahaha... Hand it over, hand it over."

Chen Guang realized instantly, it was a gambling den.

He said nothing more and followed his father, Old Chen, to the kitchen area, arranging the vegetables.

At that moment, the Jianghu martial artist approached, pulling out a string of large coins, "Here, deliver another fresh batch in three days."

Old Chen accepted the string, bowing, "Sure, sure."

Pocketing the money, Old Chen turned to leave.

Suddenly, Chen Guang felt his stomach cramp and hastily asked, "Gentleman, is there an outhouse here? I need a quick relief."

"Behind this house, find it yourself."

Chen Guang turned and said, "Dad, wait for me."

He then headed to the back, discovering a low-built outhouse, and entered without a second thought.

No sooner had he squatted down than footsteps and disgruntled mutters echoed outside.

"It's almost been three days. I'm fed up with this lousy place. When is the young master letting me go?"

"Soon, soon."

"I'm telling you, I have done everything the young master asked, killed the man, disguised as the Huang Tian Sect, but the promised three hundred liang gold ended up as three little goldfish, all lost gambling with you guys. You have to give me something certain."

"Don't worry, our young master always keeps his word... come, let's play a few more rounds."

After the sound of rushing water ceased, their footsteps gradually faded away.

Once confirming they had left, Chen Guang pondered for a moment, quickly stood, and discreetly slipped away.