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

County Supervisor Yan Xushou's words sent a shock through many, making their expressions turn more serious.

The martial masters from Yongzhou on the outskirts, upon hearing Yan Xushou's opinions, subconsciously wanted to draw closer.

They feared being isolated and inevitably falling into danger, so everyone instinctively sought to band together.

Seeing this, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou revealed a knowing smile. This was the outcome they desired.

At the moment, everyone was in unfamiliar territory. Although their cultivation was at the Innate Realm, standing out among the many martial masters from Yongzhou like a crane amongst chickens,

in the grand scheme of the Jingluan Assembly, there were always higher heavens and higher mountains; many possessed cultivation far exceeding theirs.

Furthermore, cultivation did not equate to everything.

Some individuals were formidable fighters, skilled in killing and knowing many techniques to take life. With their ability to turn one part cultivation into two parts strength, slaughtering martial masters advanced than themselves was not impossible.

If many joined them, their chances of survival in this Jingluan Assembly would undoubtedly increase.

Shen Qing stood to one side, quietly observing all this without voicing an opinion and making an effort to reduce his presence.

In recent days, he had made quite a name for himself in Yongzhou. If he wished, these people from Yongzhou would surely look to him for leadership.

Before he had a clear understanding of the situation here, he did not wish to rashly stand out; otherwise, he might become a target of collective hostility and be targeted by other small groups.

Though there is strength in numbers, it still depends on the timing.

It was not too late to form a group once the situation here became clearer.

While Shen Qing was weighing the pros and cons internally, someone next to him suggested, "My lords, I see many others from different cities who are still alone. Why don't we communicate with them and persuade them to join our ranks? By increasing our allies, won't we be safer?"

"You make a good point," Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi, with eyes lighting up, said, "Now is the perfect time to invite these like-minded individuals since the Jingluan Assembly has not yet fully commenced."

"Then let's not delay. We have nothing else to do now, so let's start moving. Let's recruit as many as we can," an official quickly stood up and said.

"Okay."

After determining their course of action, the people of Yongzhou immediately got to work and began to actively recruit others.

Many martial masters in the vicinity, while feeling at a loss, saw the forming group and did not hesitate to join upon invitation.

The stir from Yongzhou set off a chain reaction; other cities also had the same idea, each forming their own group or organization.

The camp suddenly became bustling with activity.

Seeing the number of joiners increasing, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou started setting two rules.

First, do no harm to one another. Before the final stages of the Jingluan Assembly, they must not slay each other over Merit Stones;

Second, obey unified commands and move in sync. The martial masters who joined must follow the directives of Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou without acting on their own.

Many were at a loss in this newly formed team.

They found these two rules reasonable and agreed upon them.

"Chief Officer Shen, do you have any suggestions for our small group?"

Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi, pleased with the growth of the group and feeling a sense of security, thought the Jingluan Assembly was not so frightening anymore.

Looking at Shen Qing again, he no longer had the same reservations as before.

However, considering Shen Qing's formidable past achievements, he did not disregard his presence and took the initiative to ask for his opinions.

Shen Qing preferred to keep a low profile and did not wish to stand out too much, so he gave a perfunctory response, "I'm just a rash man who knows only about fighting and killing. It's better for you, my lords, to decide on such matters."

Hearing this, Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi's impression of Shen Qing improved further.

He said with satisfaction, "If Chief Officer Shen has any thoughts, please feel free to share them with us."

"Of course."

Once Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi was sure that Shen Qing had no intention of intervening, he turned and began discussing the next moves within the Jingluan Assembly with County Supervisor Yan Xushou.

Just then, a few people in the crowd witnessed the exchange between Dou Wenxi and Shen Qing.

"Who is that man?"

The speaker was a woman dressed in black practice clothes with a long sword at her waist, standing tall like a young leopardess, full of agility.

Upon closer inspection, it was clear that her beautiful face carried an air of practicability and decisiveness.

The young man she addressed replied, "Boss, just a moment; I'll ask the people from Yongzhou."

"Alright, make it thorough."

Moments later, the young man returned and said, "Boss, I've found out. That man is the Chief Officer of both the Yongzhou Guard Martial Arts Bureau and the Military Department, a ruthlessly efficient man. It's said he single-handedly slaughtered the demons from the west to the east of the city, without blinking an eye."

"Without blinking, wouldn't his eyes get dry?"

"Uh..." The young man was somewhat perplexed.

"Never mind, don't fuss over such trivial matters; let's go over and greet him. I see those two lords from Yongzhou treat this Chief Officer quite differently."

"What's different?"

The woman thought for a while and said, "I see a hint of apprehension in their eyes."

"Apprehension?"

"Yes, apprehension." The woman's eyebrows slightly knit as she said, "He must be very strong. It can't be bad to make friends with him."
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"Boss, whatever you say goes. We'll listen to you."

The woman, leading two subordinates, made her way through the crowd to Shen Qing, clasped her hands and introduced herself, "I am Shao Hongling from the Chai Gang of Lu'an Prefecture. May I know how to address the lord?"

The Chai Gang of Lu'an Prefecture?

Shen Qing was somewhat taken aback by this woman who took the initiative to approach him. Unsure of her intentions, he casually replied, "From Yongzhou, Shen Qing."

"So it's Lord Shen in person," Shao Hongling said. "My apologies for the oversight."

Shen Qing had a good memory. Hearing the name Lu'an Prefecture, he felt it was familiar; he recalled that Li Linfeng's hometown was there.

His aunt and Li Linfeng had gone to Lu'an Prefecture to take refuge years ago.

Time had flown; it had already been three years, and he wondered how they were faring.

He asked Shao Hongling, "Are you from Lu'an Prefecture?"

"Indeed. Does the lord also know of Lu'an Prefecture?"

Shao Hongling was somewhat surprised.

Lu'an Prefecture was a small city, rather inconspicuous among the eight hundred and ten cities of the Great Zhou.

Shen Qing continued, neither confirming nor denying, "Have you ever heard of a martial master named Li Linfeng there?"

Shao Hongling shook her head, "Perhaps I am not well-informed, but I have not heard of such a person in Lu'an Prefecture."

Li Linfeng must have changed his and his aunt's surnames to stay hidden. This reply was within Shen Qing's expectations.

Shao Hongling cautiously probed, parting her red lips, "Lord Shen, life and death are unpredictable in the upcoming Jingluan Assembly. May I know if my few companions and I could follow your lead?"