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

"Quite the sharp-tongued one."

Shen Qing didn't know Xue Bai's purpose, but at this moment, he became even more certain that Xue Bai didn't have full assurance in his hands.

The Jing Luan Assembly had not yet begun, and with Great Powers of the Kongyou Realm present at the camp, no one dared to act rashly.

If Xue Bai truly wanted to confirm that he was the one who had killed Xue Yan, he would probably bring up the matter after the Jing Luan Assembly began.

At that time, they would have the opportunity to take his life.

In fact, as Shen Qing had suspected, Xue Bai had no idea who actually killed Xue Yan.

Nor did Xue Bai want to know.

In his view, everyone from Yongzhou deserved to die; it no longer mattered who the killer was.

He brought it up now for other purposes.

Xue Bai stood upright, puffed out his chest, turned his head to look at Prefecture Governor Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, and others, and took a deep breath before saying, "I'm sure you all know why you are here today. What if I were to offer you a way out today?"

Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou, among others, perked up and said, "We do not know what way out Mr. Xue is referring to?"

"I have now ascertained the real murderer who killed my third brother, and it is none other than Shen Qing. If today you are willing to distance yourselves from him, once the Jing Luan Assembly begins, I will only kill Shen Qing. As for you, I will turn a blind eye and spare your lives."

After finishing his words, Xue Bai's gaze slowly swept across everyone's faces, seeing each of them with vibrant expressions, he couldn't help feeling somewhat triumphant.

"Remember, the Jing Luan Assembly is about to begin, and you don't have much time left. Consider carefully whether your lives are more important, or so-called loyalty. After the Assembly begins, give me your answers."

With that, Xue Bai turned on his heel and strode away.

Prefecture Governor Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou exchanged a subtle look, along with others, their minds wavered fractionally.

In their eyes, their relationship with Shen Qing had not yet developed to the point of life and death.

Even if they faced danger in the future, Shen Qing might not necessarily go out of his way to help them.

Standing aside, Shen Qing witnessed it all and instantly the words "drive a wedge" surfaced in his mind.

So this was Xue Bai's purpose.
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He noticed that after seeing so many people gathered from Yongzhou, he deliberately acted to sow discord.

On the one hand, he made the Yongzhou people start to contemplate, and on the other hand, he let those Jianghu Martial Artists and officials who had just joined Yongzhou understand the feuds between them and the Xue Family, prompting a reassessment of the pros and cons.

A few sentences, deftly stirring the situation, saved him a lot of trouble.

The new supporters like Zhang San who had just joined Shen Qing's side looked at each other in dismay.

They did not expect Shen Qing to have such a past with the renowned Xue Family, and they inwardly groaned.

This was no strong support; it was clearly a calamity.

An especially big calamity they had inadvertently sought out for themselves.

The martial master Zhang San suddenly remembered, that when they had pledged their support, Shen Qing had not accepted; it seemed he had grasped something crucial and hurriedly said, "My cultivation is minor, and just now when I offered my support, Lord Shen remained silent, probably because he looks down on a minor character like myself. Since that is the case, I won't impose any longer. Farewell!"

Zhang San clasped his hands together, bowed, and then departed from Shen Qing's side with a face full of disappointment.

Following his lead, the other Martial Artists also seemed to have caught onto something significant and quickly followed suit, leaving one after another.

In the blink of an eye, the area behind Shen Qing was once again empty.

And from beginning to end, Shen Qing did nothing to stop them, letting these people leave.

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A Da and Xiao Man exchanged glances.

Xiao Man stepped forward, unable to resist tugging at Shao Hongling's sleeve, lowering his voice to say, "Miss..."

His intention was clear, he wanted Shao Hongling to leave with them, and not to invite trouble upon herself.

Shao Hongling remained unaffected and said, "Share in blessings, but shirk in adversity; where in the world can such a good deal be found? Do you think these people can hide for a moment, but for a lifetime? It's merely a matter of time."

"Since that is the case, if we're all going to die, why bother with trouble? I, Shao Hongling, have always been straightforward, never treating my sworn promise of allegiance as child's play. If you wish to leave, then go."

"Because of me, I already feel guilty, and have no right to ask anything more of you. If you can live a little longer, that would be good."

A Da and Xiao Man hurriedly said, "Miss has granted us the favor of saving our lives, how can we cling to life so shamefully? Wherever Miss is, that is where we shall be."

Shen Qing overheard the dialogue between Shao Hongling and her servants, and couldn't help but look at Shao Hongling with newfound respect.

He had thought Shao Hongling was like everyone else, but he hadn't expected her to have such a temperament.

But, of course.

If she weren't this resolute, she wouldn't have ended up in such a predicament.

Compared to Shao Hongling's determination, Dou Wenxi, Yan Xushou, and others nearby were clearly wavering.

Their expressions changed unpredictably, secretly calculating the pros and cons.

Dou Wenxi cleared his throat and, with a somewhat calculating tone, said, "Shen Qing hates evil as if it were his personal enemy, and is not to be underestimated. If handed over lightly, one may draw fire upon oneself. Moreover, our small group is newly established. If we rashly distance ourselves from him, I fear it may seem too unrighteous of us."

"Then, in Lord Dou's opinion, what should we do?" Yan Xushou stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

Dou Wenxi said, "Before the Jing Luan Assembly commences, we should first stabilize Shen Qing and the martial masters from the other cities, maneuvering among them. Once the Jing Luan Assembly begins, we shall take the role of the good cop first, then secretly find someone to play the bad cop. Under such circumstances, we have no choice but to follow the will of the people and distance ourselves from Chief Officer Shen. These actions will stabilize the martial masters and also ensure we do not become enemies with the Xue Family."

"Brilliant. Just as you say, we must not rush into things. It is a good plan."

"Let's go, we'll find Shen Qing to mollify him."

Yan Xushou nodded, and with the agreed-upon course of action, he and Dou Wenxi walked up to Shen Qing.

"Lord Shen."

Shen Qing lifted his eyelids and said, "Have you gentlemen come to sever ties with me?"

"How could that be?" Dou Wenxi hurriedly clasped his hands and said, "Although we do not possess great courage, we are certainly not such fickle and untrustworthy people."

Yan Xushou immediately followed, saying, "The words of Xue Bai are merely his attempt to destroy the trust among us. How could we, who stand with Lord Shen, falter so easily due to external rumors? We will surely face the adversity together with Lord Shen, weathering the storm."

Shen Qing's gaze lingered back and forth on their faces.

Both had held an indifferent demeanor during the demon threat in Yongzhou, and he didn't believe they would suddenly change their nature after joining the Jing Luan Assembly.

"You... truly won't sever ties with me, as Mr. Xue claimed?" Shen Qing said with a sardonic smile, "After all, as he said, the Xue Family is willing to give you a way out."

"Whether the words of the Xue Family are true or false, who can know?" Dou Wenxi stepped forward, gently placing his hands on Shen Qing's shoulders, "We will not be fooled by them, rest assured."

Shen Qing glanced at the hand Dou Wenxi had placed on his shoulder and, playing along, said with a smile, "The high righteousness of you gentlemen is commendable. The dangers of this Jing Luan Assembly are unprecedented, and no matter what happens, I, Shen Qing, will certainly do my utmost."

"Good," said Dou Wenxi, "Lord Shen, you must be busy; I will go and appease our fellow comrades."

"As you wish, my lord."

Watching Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou leave, the smile on Shen Qing's face gradually faded. He didn't believe a word they had said.

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