Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 144 - 68: Chaos Arises, Rapidly Increasing Strength

Taiping Escort Agency.

Tang Wanrou relentlessly punched and kicked at a wooden stake before her.

The stake seemed like a boat adrift on a stormy sea, finally collapsing with a dull thud.

"Miss, have some lotus seed and white fungus soup to calm down," a maid offered, bringing a bowl of crystal-clear lotus seed soup to Tang Wanrou.

Tang Wanrou retracted her fists and feet, staring solemnly at the fallen stake as she panted.

At this moment, her face was flushed, beads of sweat rolling down.

If one looked closely, one would see deep worries and helpless frustration in her eyes.

Since the demon tiger was slain last month, she thought the escort agency's business would improve, and Taiping Escort Agency would rise again.

However, unexpectedly, while business did improve, the situation outside worsened.

Additionally, due to the demon tiger incident, the capable martial masters in Taiping County greatly decreased, leading to escort masters of varying abilities.

They lost several consignments in one go, compensating much, worsening the already struggling Taiping Escort Agency's situation.

If things continued like this, their business at Taiping Escort Agency would fail, forcing them to close down.

Faced with such a predicament, the always strong-willed Tang Wanrou couldn't find a solution, becoming increasingly frustrated, leading to pent-up feelings inside her.

After calming her breath, Tang Wanrou said, "Ping'er, what do you think we should do to change the current situation at the escort agency?"

The maid, Ping'er, comforted her, "Miss, there will always be a way. Aren't the master and others actively seeking solutions outside? Maybe a turning point will come one day."

Actively seeking solutions?

Tang Wanrou no longer held much hope for her father.

If he were ten years younger, full of vitality and still fighting, perhaps others might give him some respect.

Now that many sects and gangs are struggling themselves, coupled with her father's decline, far from his prime, who would lend a helping hand?

The currently unstable Taiping Escort Agency would consider itself fortunate if no one took advantage of its downfall.

As if remembering something, Tang Wanrou asked, "Last month, did you deliver the invitation to Martial Master Shen Qing?"

"Delivered it. I went with Brother Yuan," the maid, Ping'er, confidently replied.

"No news yet, I guess he didn't take a liking," Tang Wanrou said despondently.

Seeing Tang Wanrou in this state, the maid, Ping'er, placed the lotus seed and white fungus soup aside on a table and, after some thought, quickly consoled, "Not necessarily. Miss, remember Master Shen earlier sent someone to propose marriage, surely interested in you. Just lower your stance a bit, and Master Shen might still marry you."

"With no reply now, perhaps he received too many visitors, and our invitation was overlooked. We should write another one and send it again, maybe then he'll see it."

"Given that Martial Master Shen, who slew the tiger demon and achieved martial arts register, has connections with both the Wang Family and the Li and Dong Family, even some with Lord County Magistrate, if he were willing to help, the problems within the escort agency could be easily resolved."

Tang Wanrou shook her head with a bitter smile and said, "It's not that simple. I never imagined someone of such a humble origin could achieve such accomplishments. If delayed by a month or two, I'd agree to anything. Regrettably now... it wasn't meant to be."

"Why?" the maid, Ping'er, pursued further.

Tang Wanrou was silent for a while, sat down, and said, "You don't understand how formidable Master Shen is. I've already inquired: though he has trained in martial arts for only four months, he surpassed others, ascending to the Qi Cultivation Realm, with capabilities even beyond mine."

"What's terrifying is that not only did he slay the tiger demon, but he also, almost effortlessly, killed the Boss of Mi Gang, a feat many Qi Cultivation Realm martial masters could not accomplish."

"Such a person, having already reached high status, could have any woman he desires. How would he have an interest in me? Now, the associates he makes are prominent figures of different families; what does our escort agency mean to him?"

"Furthermore, the idea of him marrying into our family seemed quite unreasonable then. If I were he, I wouldn't spare a glance either."

Tang Wanrou's face displayed a tinge of bitterness, "Honestly, I somewhat regret it. Back then, had I lowered my stance a bit, it would've been better."

"Miss..." The maid, Ping'er, suddenly didn't know how to console her.

"Let it be, what's past is past, no use thinking about it. For now, let's focus on the escort agency," Tang Wanrou said, her eyes drifting toward the courtyard gate, showing a hint of determination in her gaze.

"Miss! Miss!"

At that moment, an escort master wearing a grey tunic rushed in, shouting excitedly.

"There's good news!"

"What good news?"

"We've secured a big job," the escort master said joyfully, "The master has accepted a series of consignments from the inner city to the outskirts, totaling twenty to thirty trips."

"Really? Are you serious?" Tang Wanrou stood up and asked.

"Would I deceive you?" The master has already made arrangements with the clients."

"That's wonderful!" Tang Wanrou exclaimed, relieved, "We're quite familiar with the outskirts of Taiping County; there shouldn't be any problems. With this business, we can finally catch a break."

"Indeed, indeed," the young escort master suddenly remembered something, "Also, a major incident happened in our city today."

"What major incident?"

"The Boss of the Song and Dong Family died!"

...

"The Boss of the Song Family died?" Shen Qing, who was practicing martial arts, was quite surprised by the news, "How did he die?"

Ouyang Tiezhu replied, "How do we know? Some say it was illness, others say poisoning, and some claim he was assassinated. Overall, it was quite a mysterious death."

Shen Qing remained silent.

For some reason, it seemed that over the past month, Taiping County was becoming more and more uneasy.

Previously, the county government and major families in the inner city could still maintain some order.

But since the incident with the tiger demon, the relationships among the major families have become somewhat tense, competing covertly, leading to some turbulence in the inner city's order.

In the city, a variety of bold and aggressive, bullying entities were emerging, with several gangs becoming more daring as well.

Now that the weakest Boss of the Song and Dong Family had died, several other bosses and the government would be very interested in their industries, sure to fight over them.

Life in Taiping County was likely to become even more difficult.

Shen Qing collected himself and said, "This matter doesn't concern us; we'd better continue practicing. Senior Brother, want to spar a move or two? I'll go easy on you."

Ouyang Tiezhu's face stiffened, showing a trace of fear, "I just remembered I have some matters to attend to. You go ahead and practice," he said and hastily left as if escaping.

Shen Qing felt somewhat helpless, realizing that as his cultivation improved, fewer and fewer people could defeat him.

His gaze shifted, and the Water Ink Panel appeared in his vision.

[Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Great Perfection)]

[Progress: 490/500 points]

...

[Skill: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill (Small Success/Fourth Transformation)]

[Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Small Success)]

[Skill: Bow Technique (Great Perfection)]

[Skill: Dragon Roar Armor (Small Success)]

...

"Wind Defying Finger is almost there, let's seize the time for practice, endeavor to master this martial arts skill in the coming days," Shen Qing thought, sensing the vigorous Qi within him, striking out with a finger as the air shattered.

His various strengths rapidly soared.