Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 117 - 41: Killing on the Road, Seizing the Bow

On the bustling street, Shen Qing preferred to avoid conflict with others. It was better to have fewer complications than more, so he offered the other party a way out, hoping to turn big issues into small ones and small issues into nothing.

As long as the silver tael was returned, he didn't mind letting the other person go.

Unfortunately, the other party clearly misunderstood his intentions, taking him for an easy target.

The man caught by Shen Qing laughed slyly, "Oh, I'm really sorry. I accidentally bumped into a big tree like you. I promise I'll watch my way next time. Please don't take offense, I'll return your things right away."

Shen Qing remained expressionless, planning to let go.

A flash of viciousness crossed the man's face, and with his other hand, he slyly reached for his waist, drawing out a dagger to stab fiercely toward Shen Qing.

In Taiping County, few pickpockets or people in such shady professions were of a good nature.

For them, money was more important than life.

When pushed to the edge, they acted without hesitation, going for the kill immediately.

They made their living by this brutal edge.

Shen Qing had already acutely noticed the unusual nature of the man before him. His entire Qi-blood surged, instinctively triggering the Dragon Roar Armor.

His whole body's muscles suddenly tensed like iron, and his skin was covered with a transparent membrane.

Clang!

A crisp sound emerged from Shen Qing's skin.

The pickpocket looked at his knife, astonished to find its tip curled, leaving him momentarily dumbfounded.

He realized that today he had provoked a tough character and hurriedly withdrew his hand, trying to escape.

Unfortunately, his arm seemed to be fixed in place by Shen Qing, unable to move despite his struggles.

Panic hit the pickpocket's heart. He seemed to smell the scent of death, his scalp tingling.

Shen Qing grinned and said, "I clearly gave you a chance, why push me?"

"Huh?"

Shen Qing struck with a finger, and the Wind Defying Finger was instantly activated.

Bang!

The back of his shirt exploded, bursting into a mist of blood.

The pickpocket looked down in disbelief, only to see a basin-sized hole blown out of his chest under Shen Qing's finger.

There wasn't any blood gushing from the wound.

Because it was already cooked.

The pink flesh inside curled up, trapping white and yellow on it, completely sealing the blood vessels.

Just as the pickpocket was about to let out an ear-piercing scream, Shen Qing quickly covered his mouth and nose, stifling his voice in his throat.

Then he hooked the pickpocket's neck, dragged him to an alley, and threw him there.

The pickpocket gasped heavily, exhaling more than inhaling, gradually falling silent like a dead rat.

Seeing another vibrant life disappear before him, Shen Qing heaved a heavy sigh, "Every time I see people like you, I always feel an inexplicable sadness."

Shen Qing surveyed his surroundings, ensuring no one overly curious followed him or alerted the authorities. He promptly retrieved what the pickpocket had stolen and safely returned to the avenue.

Then, he walked on the bustling street as if nothing had happened.

As he left the street and reached a secluded area, he opened his chest and looked down at the spot where the pickpocket had stabbed him earlier, without a trace of blood.

Perfectly intact.

"Judging from his strength, that person was probably a martial master, but his training wasn't thorough, only reaching the stage of refining some Qi-blood. Even so, he couldn't harm me in the slightest. Although the Dragon Roar Armor is difficult to train, the rewards it brings are considerable."

Shen Qing mused to himself, "Coupled with the Wind Defying Finger and Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill's might, killing such people is almost effortless. I just don't know what it will be like facing martial masters of the same tier."

For some reason, he felt an impulse in his heart to try it out.

Putting away these impractical thoughts, Shen Qing followed the path in his memory to Ruan Pottery Master's shop.

Ruan Family Kiln.

The old shop's facade was half-open.

Before reaching the Ruan Family Shop, Shen Qing could distinctly hear the clear and forceful sound of hammer striking an anvil from afar, "dang dang."

He quickened his pace, pushed open the door, and walked into the shop, immediately greeted by waves of heat and the heavy smell of iron rust and burning charcoal.

At this moment, the flames in the furnace danced, illuminating the entire shop in red.

The middle-aged craftsman was sweating profusely, swinging a large hammer in his hand, his every move showing ease, blending seamlessly with this world of iron and fire.

Several apprentices struggled with a bellows beside him, assisting with the tasks.

Shen Qing stepped forward and cupped his fists, "Master Ruan, has my fifty shi bow been forged?"

Hearing the commotion, Ruan Chengbao glanced at Shen Qing and called into the room, "Girl, bring out that bow and the arrows that were made."

Before long, a freckle-faced girl, whom Shen Qing had seen last time, emerged with a bow and arrows in her arms.

She walked up to Shen Qing, her bright eyes sizing him up closely, "Here, your bow and arrows, they're a bit heavy."

Shen Qing looked down.

The fifty shi heavy bow the girl held was robust, entirely black and polished, forged entirely from dark iron.

On both sides of the bow arms, the inlaid ox horn and intricate patterns were clearly visible, exuding an air of exquisite craftsmanship.

At first glance, Shen Qing found it exceptionally satisfactory.

He reached out to take it.

The heavy bow made of dark iron felt no different in weight from other bows in his hand.

Shen Qing knew it wasn't a problem with the bow but rather the result of his cultivation improving over the last month, significantly enhancing his strength.

Excited, he grabbed the arrows the girl handed and asked Ruan Chengbao, "Master Ruan, do you have a place to practice archery?"

"Go try it in the backyard."

Shen Qing strode directly to the backyard.

An apprentice poked his head out and asked, "Do you think he can pull that bow? It's a fifty shi heavy bow, and none of us could move it."

"Let's watch and find out."

A bold apprentice, putting down his work, followed.

"Master…"

Ruan Chengbao placed the hammer aside, rotated his wrist, and said, "I'm tired after working for so long. Perfect time to stretch my muscles and bones."

He then followed them to the backyard.

The rest of the hesitant apprentices eagerly rushed toward the yard.

The girl beside them bit her lip, moved her steps, and silently followed behind the group.

The backyard of Ruan Family Shop was a large open space, roughly only thirty meters from front to back.

Ahead was a simple wooden target set in front of the courtyard wall, likely Ruan Chengbao's usual bow testing setup.

Shen Qing stood in front of the target, his figure towering and steady like a silent mountain.

Ruan Chengbao, with several apprentices, watched the scene, arms crossed.

"Look, he's about to draw the bow."

As everyone watched, Shen Qing gripped the fifty shi heavy bow made of dark iron, drew a dark iron arrow, and placed it on the bowstring.

He took a deep breath, his arm muscles tensed, and veins popped like tiny dragons coursing through his muscles.

Creak, creak, creak!

Shen Qing began to draw the bowstring, which made a sound like tightened steel wire.

"He's pulling it, he's pulling it!"

Ruan Chengbao and the apprentices exclaimed.

The fifty shi arm bow was effortlessly drawn open by him.

"His cultivation must be quite advanced."

As the bowstring tightened, the air around seemed to solidify, with a powerful aura emanating from Shen Qing, making everyone shiver.

Finally, as the bowstring was drawn to its fullest extent, Shen Qing suddenly released his fingers, and the bowstring shot the arrow with a "buzz."

The arrow whistled through the air with a sharp sound, heading straight for the distant target.

With a "whoosh," the arrow hit dead center on the target, causing the wooden target to burst apart in splinters.

The arrow didn't stop, blasting into the courtyard wall with a bang.

Boom!

A section of the courtyard wall collapsed entirely, sending rubble flying everywhere, dust rising into the air.

The commotion startled everyone present.

Silence descended over the scene.

The power of that fifty shi bow surprised even Shen Qing.

He turned to find Ruan Chengbao's face darkened.

"You'll pay for the wall repairs."

He then yelled to the nearby apprentices, "What are you all doing here? Got nothing to do?"

The apprentices who'd come to watch scattered in shock.

The remaining girl's gaze when looking at Shen Qing filled with a hazy emotion. She blushed, lowered her head, and quietly left.

At that moment, Shen Qing felt something and showed a trace of delight.

[Skill: Bow Technique (Small Success)]

[Progress: 303/300 points]

[Status: Upgradeable]

[Note: As the heavens move forward with strength, so should a gentleman relentlessly strive! Continuous practice can break through skill progress, with a certain chance to awaken a bow technique talent.]