Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 173 - 97 Yongzhou Thirteen Lines, Wu Sheng

"Folks, we're a merchant caravan from the Wu Family in Yongzhou, returning to the city. We usually rest here each time. Would it be convenient for you to let us join you in this dilapidated temple for the night?"

The speaker was a man with a square face, around his mid-twenties. He was dressed well, suggesting a certain status, not appearing as an ordinary person.

Being on the road, Shen Qing didn't want any trouble. He calmly said, "This is just an abandoned temple, make yourselves comfortable."

"Thank you." The man in his twenties glanced at Shen Qing and said with a smile, "From your accent, you don't sound local to Yongzhou. Are you from elsewhere?"

"From Taiping County."

"Oh!" The man's face showed a moment of realization and he said slowly, "Things haven't been peaceful there recently."

Shen Qing was taken aback, not expecting the man before him to know about Taiping County's situation.

In these times, they'd traveled close to a thousand miles, if not that, at least seven or eight hundred.

For ordinary people, their range of activity was generally within dozens of miles, making information quite closed off. Most ordinary people knew nothing of matters beyond a hundred miles.

The man before him sure had a keen sense for news.

He probably had some skills too.

At the very least, he was a martial master, and his cultivation realm was not low.

But then again, without some skills, he couldn't be running around this desolate place with a group of people.

The square-faced man cupped his hand in greeting and gestured to his companions behind him, signaling they could come over normally.

After receiving the man's signal, these people hesitated not, and led the horse carts gradually toward the dilapidated temple.

Shen Qing glanced around briefly, seeing about a dozen men in total, all burly and not to be trifled with.

"Everything has a first come, first serve. The temple's only so big, and we're taking advantage of you guys. If you run into trouble, you can ask for our help too."

Shen Qing remained cautious, and seeing the other party so polite, exchanged a few formal words, saying, "Sure, just don't blame us for bothering you when the time comes."

"Hahaha... Brother, you have a good temperament." The square-faced man laughed and said, "Brother, my surname is Wu, with the single given name Sheng. How should I address you?"

"Shen Qing!"

"Where are you heading on this journey?"

"We're planning to go to Yongzhou County."

"What a coincidence, we're getting ready to head back too. It's still a day and a half to Yongzhou from here. How about we travel together?"

Shen Qing hesitated for a moment.

Wu Sheng said, "Brother, there's no need to worry. We're from the Wu Family of the Yongzhou Thirteen Lines. The Wu Family is strict, upholding 'honesty' as their foundation, always settling debts. Once you get to the county town, asking a little bit will confirm it. We're not bad people."

Shen Qing pondered for a while and said, "Then I'll trouble you."

"Great, it's settled, we'll leave together in the morning."

Wu Sheng called his companions and brought their belongings into the temple, making the already small temple crowded.

Elder Sister Shen Fang and Aunt had hurriedly finished washing up, dressed, and came out of the temple, seeing so many more people, hesitantly and cautiously returned to Shen Qing's side.

"Qingzi, who are they?" Elder Sister Shen Fang asked softly.

Shen Qing signaled Tian Xiaohu and Xiao Zhi behind him to relax, reassuring, "They're people from the Yongzhou Wu Family, sharing the temple with us."

"Oh."

Elder Sister Shen Fang's bright eyes flickered as she curiously glanced at the Wu family members in front of her.

After Shen Qing took up martial arts, their life greatly improved.

Not only did he grow robust, but the once frail elder sister Shen Fang also became plumper.

With her naturally good features, she became even more outstanding with some nurture.

Having just bathed, appearing in front of everyone, she inevitably garnered a few more glances.

"Quickly tidy up the goods, if anything's missing, the boss won't spare you." Wu Sheng was keen, noticing this point, kicked one of them hard, scolding, breaking everyone's distraction.

These sturdy men all looked away and got busy, avoiding further glances.

Shen Qing thought for a bit, then said to Tian Xiaohu and others, "I'll take the night watch tonight, you all rest early."

For these many days, it was mainly Xiao Zhi and Tian Xiaohu taking turns watching, occasionally helped by Shen Xiaoshan.

To conserve energy, Shen Qing seldom performed patrols.

But seeing that tonight's crowd seemed a bit unusual, Shen Qing thought it safer to replace them for tonight.

The setting sun dyed the verdant hills in gold and crimson, eventually sinking bit by bit into the mountains' embrace, dropping below the horizon.

A starry night sky emerged, accompanied by the chorus of frogs around.

Two groups of campfires gradually rose in the dilapidated temple, with Shen Qing's and Wu Sheng's sides beginning to prepare their respective meals and arrange personal belongings.

Comparing with Shen Qing's group, surviving on fried rice, hard pancakes, and other dry foods, Wu Sheng's people's fare was evidently better, with jerky, buns, and even liquor.

Wu Sheng noticed Shen Qing sitting by the entrance, took a wineskin, and approached Shen Qing, gesturing, "Want some?"

Seeing Shen Qing hesitate, Wu Sheng uncorked it and took a few sips himself, smiling, "Not poisoned."

Shen Qing replied a bit apologetically, "I've never drunk before, afraid of getting drunk and making mistakes."

"Never drank? Alright then."

Wu Sheng sat beside Shen Qing, proactively chatting, "Brother Shen, what plans do you have for Yongzhou this time?"

Shen Qing wasn't familiar with Wu Sheng, the meeting being their first.

In his view, the initial acquaintance was hardly the time for deep revelations.

"Haven't decided." Faced with Wu Sheng's inquiry, Shen Qing had no intention to divulge. He sighed, saying reluctantly, "Brother Wu, you might already know Taiping County's situation. We're off to Yongzhou looking for a livelihood, but it's uncertain what we'll do, or what we can do."

"When faced with disasters, common people like us really lack means to cope. But seeing Brother Shen's fine steed, still young, you might well find a place in Yongzhou."

Wu Sheng extended a sincere invite, "If Brother Shen truly encounters troubles in Yongzhou, don't hesitate to come to me. My position in the Wu Family isn't high, but I can arrange some tasks, at least not letting you starve."

Hearing Wu Sheng's tone genuine, Shen Qing realized it wasn't mere recruitment but a heartfelt offer.

"Thank you, Brother Wu, if I really can't find my way, I'll definitely come to bother you."

"Hahaha, it's a minor matter." Wu Sheng said, sipping his drink, "It's a pity though. If only you came earlier, Yongzhou might've been fine, but now... sigh..."

"Oh, Brother Wu, is there any inside story in the county town?"

Shen Qing knew Wu Sheng had a knack for news, certain he knew quite a bit.

He didn't miss the chance to inquire further.