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

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Inside Baihua Building, laughter filled the air.

Dong Jing, wearing an officer's robe from the Guardian Martial Department, sat surrounded by friends during his patrol, endlessly talking and laughing.

The table was laden with exquisite dishes and fine wine, their aroma diffusing everywhere.

"Brother Dong, tell us, how does the newly introduced tribute tea, 'Yunding Cuilu,' compare to the 'Tai Long He Jing' we drank last year? Which is superior?"

A man in a deep blue Cloud Brocade Robe raised his cup invitingly, his eyes full of anticipation.

Dong Jing smiled slightly, took a sip from his cup, closed his eyes to savor it, then leisurely said, "Yunding Cuilu, with its jade-green color, enters the mouth crisp and leaves a lingering sweetness, truly exuding a transcendent feeling; whereas Tai Long He Jing resembles a gentle beauty in the misty rain of Jiangnan, delicate and elegant—each has its own merits, hard to distinguish superiority."

As he finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement, their laughter even more exuberant.

"Brother Dong, aren't you afraid that your new superior will hold you accountable for running out to join our little gathering during your duty?"

A woman with a high-tied hairpiece teased while holding a teacup.

"Him?" Dong Jing chuckled: "It's uncertain if he can even keep his position."

"Is there a story behind this?"

"I'm not at liberty to disclose, just you wait and see," Dong Jing declared confidently.

Those at the table exchanged glances, showing a trace of curiosity.

A nobleman smiled and said, "I remember you used to think highly of this person, how did your attitude change so dramatically?"

"That was then, this is now. After our gathering last year, I figured it out. We have prestigious status, how can we lower ourselves to be in the company of someone of his sort? Trying deliberately to get close makes me seem like I'm currying favor. Though I'm not a direct heir of the Dong Family, I'm still a member. I can't lose face like that."

Dong Jing's remarks resonated deeply with everyone present.

In their view, family background was paramount.

Making friends without the right social match was truly a loss of face.

A man with a gem-embedded jade belt around his waist set down his teacup, sighed, and said, "To speak of it, I didn't think much of him at first, never expected he had some competence, breaking through to the Yu Luo Realm in such a short time and now holding the position of Chief Officer. It's extraordinary, he truly is something."

"Indeed, except for his humble origins, he does possess some skills."

A woman in a pale yellow long dress said to Dong Jing, "Pardon me for being blunt here, Brother Dong."

"Sister Qian, speak."

The woman in the pale yellow long dress covered her mouth and laughed, "Given Shen Qing's current status and position, if you try to approach him now, he might not even pay attention to you."

Hearing this, bursts of laughter erupted around the table.

"Indeed, indeed, that's exactly the case."

Dong Jing felt his blood energy surge, his ears turned red.

Feigning a drink of tea, a deep jealousy and resentment welled up inside him.

He approached Shen Qing because he recognized Shen Qing's potential and to enjoy the glory of having followers.

Now Shen Qing had climbed above him. Even ignoring family background, befriending him would mean humbling himself, effectively becoming Shen Qing's follower.

Utterly unjust.

The more he thought about it, the more indignant and unfair he felt.

As everyone merrily conversed, a Chang Sui dressed in a Guardian Martial Department officer's attire hurried in, scanning the crowd until his eyes settled on Dong Jing. He respectfully saluted and softly said, "Lord Dong, Lord Shen has summoned you. Please accompany me immediately."

With those words, the room was abuzz with surprise, eyes casting curious glances.

"How coincidental, just when he was the topic, a message comes."

Dong Jing regained composure, stood up, and clasped his fists towards his friends: "Everyone, please stay calm, it seems there's something needed from us at the government office. Though today's gathering was brief, there's always tomorrow. Let's meet again next time."

"Go ahead, we'll call for you later."

Having said that, Dong Jing rose to straighten his attire, nodded slightly at Chang Sui, signaling readiness to depart.

As Dong Jing and Chang Sui's figures gradually disappeared within Baihua Building, lively chatter filled the room once more.

...

Guardian Martial Department, rear hall.

Incense on the desk curled upward, the subtle sandalwood aroma pervading the study, creating a refreshing atmosphere.

"Dong Chasi, Lord Shen has been waiting for some time, please enter." Chang Sui led Dong Jing to the study entrance and stopped.

Dong Jing nodded, stepped into the study, letting his gaze swiftly survey the room, and finally settled on Shen Qing's stern face.

He bowed and said, "Lord Shen, subordinate Dong Jing, here by command."

Standing before the long table, Dong Jing maintained his usual respectful and calm demeanor, though internally he speculated on Shen Qing's intention for this summoning.

Shen Qing's gaze lifted from the documents, directly staring at Dong Jing, as he spoke in a deep, powerful voice, "Dong Chasi, do you know why I summoned you?"

A knot tightened inside Dong Jing, but he maintained a calm exterior, slightly raising his head to meet Shen Qing's gaze, "If my lord summons, it must be important. This humble one is not astute, please enlighten me."

Shen Qing gave a small smile, though within it rested a trace of barely noticeable coldness: "Dong Chasi, to be honest, when I first joined this office, you were quite accommodating, and I thought you trustworthy. However, lately, I've discovered some things that have made me suspect you."

He found out?

Dong Jing felt his heart skip a beat, turmoil brewing within.

He forced himself to remain composed, "My lord's words make me anxious. What might have caused this misunderstanding? I wish to hear clearly, to prove my innocence."

Shen Qing stood up, paced slowly towards Dong Jing, his gaze sharp as a blade, "The Guardian Martial Department has been unrestful lately, and behind every disturbance, your shadow appears. Dong Chasi, did you truly think I, Shen Qing, am blind and deaf?"

Dong Jing's heart pounded. Drawing a deep breath, he endeavored to make his voice more sincere and innocent, "My lord, my loyalty to you is evident as the sun and moon. If there's any misconduct, it must be a misunderstanding by subordinates, or someone's deliberate framing. I'm willing to bear the responsibility, but I ask for a chance to investigate and prove my innocence."

Shen Qing fixed Dong Jing with his gaze, falling silent.

In truth, Tian Xiaohu hadn't truly clarified the origins of the rumors circulating in the government office these past days, and Shen Qing was merely feigning.

But even so, Shen Qing gleaned the information he wanted.

After a moment, he sighed softly, his tone gentler, "Seems I misunderstood you."

"Humbled and fearful," Dong Jing bowed in flattery, "The Guardian Martial Department admits no secrets, and my lord must have his own difficulties. Rest assured, I will do my utmost to assist you."

"Hmm, I trust Dong Chasi's character." Shen Qing gestured dismissively, "You may go now. I need some solitude."

"Yes."

Watching Dong Jing's retreating figure vanish from the study, Shen Qing's mind whirled with thoughts.

He closed his eyes, using the Never Forget skill to meticulously recall Dong Jing's performance just moments before.

He caught the momentary panic Dong Jing exhibited when he thought he'd been "discovered."

Indeed, something was amiss.

Unexpectedly, this Dong Chasi under his command turned out to be quite the actor.

Planning against me?

Better to strike preemptively.

Shen Qing instructed towards the door, "Bring Tian Xiaohu over, tell him I have matters to attend to."

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