Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 121 - 45: Distrust

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Mao Hour, under the West City Gate.

Shen Qing, fully prepared, arrived at the West City Gate with his heavy bow and package as promised.

When he got there, several officials from the Guardian Martial Department and some martial masters from other factions had already arrived.

Among everyone present, Shen Qing noticed a familiar figure.

That familiar figure was none other than Xiao Zhi, someone he was relatively acquainted with.

He walked over and said, surprised, "Senior Brother, you're going too?"

Hearing Shen Qing's greeting, Xiao Zhi turned his head, equally surprised, and said, "Did Master send you this time?"

Shen Qing nodded and said, "Yes, our eldest brother and fourth brother both have hidden injuries, and you know about the matters with the second and third brothers. Besides me, there are no other suitable direct disciples."

Xiao Zhi was aware of the events in Linfeng Hall, and he could only sigh helplessly, saying, "Ah... indeed, there are no other suitable people."

"Why are you going this time as well?"

Xiao Zhi smiled and said, "Of course, to fight for a future. If we can successfully defeat the tiger this time, I might get a martial arts register status. A gamble that benefits three generations, this business is worth doing."

Shen Qing looked him up and down, as if seeing him anew.

Unexpectedly, this unremarkable chef had a bit of "ambition."

While the two were chatting idly, a total of five inner courtyard disciples including Xiao Zhi and one direct disciple including Shen Qing from Linfeng Hall gradually arrived.

As far as Shen Qing knew, every year Linfeng Hall had disciples leave due to lack of talent or financial means. These people didn't necessarily lose contact with Linfeng Hall.

As former disciples of Linfeng Hall, they occasionally took on tasks from the hall to supplement their household income.

So among those who came, some were known to Shen Qing, while others, who were no longer in the hall, he had no impression of.

Seeing that most people had arrived.

The five officials from the Guardian Martial Department ticked off the roster, ensured there were no issues, and shouted, clearing their throats, "It's getting late, let's set off."

Shen Qing cast a glance at the crowd. Besides their sixteen from Linfeng Hall, other forces also sent around the same number, bringing the team's total close to fifty.

All martial masters.

Such teams had been organized in several batches.

The tiger demon entrenched in Shicheng Mountain might be more challenging than he had imagined.

On the official road, five officials from the Guardian Martial Department were divided into front and rear sections of the team in the numbers of two-one-two, heading toward Shicheng Mountain.

People from different forces spontaneously found their groups, clustered together to form small parties.

"May I ask, Sir, how will we arrange everyone?"

On the road, a martial master in his thirties approached and asked the officer from the Guardian Martial Department.

Yu Xiaoruo, the officer from the Guardian Martial Department, turned to glance, seeing that this martial master was tall and had a resolute face, a stranger.

Without concealing anything, he said, "We will form five teams, each stationed in villages near Shicheng Mountain, to search for traces of the demon tiger, and once found, join forces to eliminate it."

"Are there others in the villages now?"

"Of course, we're going to supplement the manpower they've lost."

"I see." The martial master in his thirties clasped his fists and said, "May I know your name, Sir?"

"Speak quickly if you have something to say!"

"Sir, my name is Chang Yinfa, I learned for a year under Master Li the year before last, here is a small token of appreciation."

Yu Xiaoruo discreetly accepted and asked, "What do you want?"

Chang Yinfa smiled and said, "Could you possibly transfer me to a stronger team?"

"Why? You don't trust your Linfeng Hall?"

"Well... the direct disciples of Master Li are dead or crippled, although the direct disciple sent this time has some Sight, he's only learned for half a year and lacks practical experience. We need to consider our own safety, right?"

Chang Yinfa had a smile on his face and handed over more silver, "Please, Sir, make an exception."

The Guardian Martial Department's Yu Xiaoruo pointed to the side and said, "Go to that team."

Following Chang Yinfa, many new and old disciples of Linfeng Hall stepped forward, handing silver to people from the Guardian Martial Department.

Shen Qing squinted slightly and asked Xiao Zhi beside him, "What are they doing?"

Xiao Zhi, having interacted with these people, understood the situation. He hesitated a bit but still said, "They're rearranging teams."

"Rearranging teams?"

Shen Qing immediately understood. This tiger elimination operation promised substantial rewards from the county government to Linfeng Hall, enticing some to muddy the waters and try their luck.

These people didn't trust him and sought a safer place.

"Should we stop them?"

Shen Qing said, "No, let them be."

In his view, such people, even if brought in, wouldn't offer much help.

Soon, under Shen Qing's deliberate laissez-faire, the original team of sixteen from Linfeng Hall dwindled to seven.

These people, besides Xiao Zhi who trusted him, stayed either because they had no money or didn't value money, or because they were confident in their own strength and too lazy to move.

People from other forces, seeing this, couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Shen Qing.

When the team reached a fork in the road, Yu Xiaoruo, the officer from the Guardian Martial Department, had everyone stop and arranged, "There are two villages nearby. Linfeng Hall brothers, your station is this Shiqiao Village; Feiying Pavilion brothers go this way, uphill to Heshan Village. If you spot the tiger demon, signal with fireworks. Understood?"

"Understood."

Everyone responded in unison and went their separate ways.

Each team had someone from the Guardian Martial Department accompanying them.

Accompanying Shen Qing was a government officer named Lian Bing from the Guardian Martial Department, who seemed simple and honest.

As he passed by Shen Qing, he glanced at him discreetly, his expression unpleasant.

As if bringing Shen Qing was particularly unlucky.

After a long walk, they finally arrived at the so-called Shiqiao Village.

The entire mountain village was in ruins.

A small stone bridge spanned the mountain stream, overgrown with weeds.

At the village entrance, a few houses appeared old and abandoned for many years.

Among the group, an old disciple from Linfeng Hall looked around and said, "This village seems abandoned not by the tiger demon's influence; it looks earlier."

"Life in the mountains is tough. There are many such villages around Shicheng Mountain," Lian Bing said indifferently, "We have over a dozen people stationed here, let's meet up with them first."

Following Lian Bing, they ventured deeper into Shiqiao Village.

The village was empty and lifeless, and everyone sensed something was amiss.

Lian Bing sternly said, "Stay alert."

Everyone's expressions turned serious as they followed Lian Bing to a relatively intact building.

The strong smell of blood emanated from inside the building.

Lian Bing's face looked grim.

"Kick open the door, let's see inside."

A burly man said nothing, stepping forward to kick the door.

"Charge!"

Lian Bing led the way in, and the rest followed suit.

Once the area was deemed safe, Shen Qing quietly joined them inside.

When he saw the scene in the room, his brows furrowed tightly.

There were no people in the room, or rather, no complete bodies.

Eyes with tendons attached and gnawed skull fragments...

The devoured human remains were scattered all around.

Lian Bing crouched by the remains, examining carefully.

He touched the bloodstains with his hand, rubbed them between his fingers, and found the blood had not yet dried, indicating it had happened recently.

"This is troublesome..."

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