Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 178 - 4 Have your problems been solved now?

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The sound of the middle-aged officer reverberated throughout the main hall.

After a while, a man leisurely emerged from the back of the main hall.

Yawning, he sat down behind the desk, stretched his neck, and with eyes closed, he said, "Are you Shen Qing?"

Shen Qing stepped forward and said, "Indeed."

"I've reviewed your identity documents. From now on, you will lead Lao Liu and the Sixth Group."

The Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department stopped nodding his head and opened his eyes to say, "Lao Liu, you've been with the Guardian Martial Department for a long time and have considerable experience. Shen Chasi is new here and unfamiliar with many aspects; assist him to help him get acquainted with the department's affairs quickly."

"Yes, my lord."

"Alright, get familiarized then."

The pot-bellied Chief Officer waved his hand dismissively.

The officer, Lao Liu, clasped his fists respectfully and retreated.

Shen Qing glanced at the desk in front of him without saying much and followed suit, retreating as well.

After leaving the main hall, Lao Liu led Shen Qing to a side chamber and said, "Shen Chasi, please show your official certificate and collect your duty token. Thereafter, every day at the Mao Hour, you must switch your duty token and return again during the Xi Hour in the evening."

Isn't this just clocking in and out for work every day?

Shen Qing asked, "What if one forgets to switch the duty token?"

"Forgetting once a month isn't a big deal, but forgetting twice results in a one-day salary deduction. Three times, half is deducted, and if it's four or five times, the entire salary is deducted. In severe cases, it leads to dismissal."

Shen Qing's face immediately turned serious; dismissal meant being fired.

It seemed that being an official was not an easy task.

The officer, Lao Liu, seeing Shen Qing take the duty token, continued, "Here in the county town, the Guardian Martial Department has six groups responsible for twelve districts and seventy-two towns in dealing with demons and malevolent matters. Occasionally, they have to deal with traitors and assist the Military Department with maintaining security. In short, the tasks are varied and numerous. You'll have to follow the directives of the Lord Chief Officer."

"If it's about security, does it mean night shifts are required?"

"Typically, this is handled by the Military Department; we don't do night duty."

Shen Qing responded, "I see."

"Shen Chasi, let me introduce you to the people in the Sixth Group. We're all under your command by name, and since everyone is here today, get acquainted first."

"Alright." Shen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Lao Liu, the Guardian Martial Department in our county town is divided into six groups; are there differences among them?"

"There... there are indeed..." Lao Liu hesitated in his speech.

"Feel free to speak."

Lao Liu sighed and said, "Within the Guardian Martial Department, the order of the groups is, in fact, based on strength ranking."

Shen Qing raised his eyebrows and said, "So, the Sixth Group is the weakest?"

"Yes..." Lao Liu said with an awkward expression on his old face, "Shen Chasi is unaware; the officers of the other five groups all hail from high-ranking families in the county town. Although not closely related in direct lineage, they have some abilities, and their officers are meticulously selected, with ties to them, to enjoy the imperial grain."

"Then our Sixth Group's officers..."

Lao Liu candidly explained, "Are all those unwanted by the other groups, kicked out, and ordinary martial masters."

Shen Qing was at a loss for words: "Let's have a look first."

Lao Liu led Shen Qing out of the side room, passing row after row of houses, finally stopping at a corner house: "Shen Chasi, we're here."

"Let's go in."

Lao Liu led him directly through the door.

"Everyone, be alert, the Lord Officer is here."

As Shen Qing entered, three people, two men and one woman, stopped their conversation and stood up.

They examined Shen Qing and were surprised by his youth and appearance.

Lao Liu stepped forward to introduce them, "Shen Chasi, this is Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu, the officers of the Sixth Group."

"This is our new officer, Shen Qing, Shen Chasi."

The three of them clasped their fists in unison, "Greetings, Shen Chasi."

"There's no need for formalities." Shen Qing stepped forward, noting down their appearances and names.

Jiang Dacong was a tall woman, with somewhat sallow skin and acne scars on her face, not conventionally attractive.

Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu appeared not to be young either, around thirty years old, their faces weathered.

And these people would be his subordinates from now on.

Officers were different from chasi.

Chasi were non-ranking minor officials, while officers were essentially "temporary workers" for the government office.

These people, barring any mishaps, would spend their lives as officers, muddling through at the bottom tier.

Even if they didn't say it, Shen Qing could sense it from their demeanor.

Having lived two lives, Shen Qing felt no stage fright. His gaze swept over their faces and he said, "Everyone, I'm new here and unfamiliar with many things. I will need your assistance..."

At that moment, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a glance, and Guan Yunjian stepped forward, interrupting, "Shen Chasi!"

Instantly, everyone's gaze in the room focused on Guan Yunjian.

Shen Qing frowned, somewhat displeased, "What's the matter?"

Guan Yunjian bowed, his hands clasped, and said, "I heard Shen Chasi is from Taiping County and is currently in the Qi Cultivation Realm. Is this true?"

Shen Qing detected a hint of hostility in Guan Yunjian's words.

He narrowed his eyes and said, "What if it's true?"

"To be truthful with Shen Chasi, all three of us are also in the Qi Cultivation Realm. During the absence of a chasi, we managed the affairs of the Sixth Group in an orderly manner. You don't come from a high-ranking family, nor is your cultivation higher than ours. If Shen Chasi were to interfere recklessly in the future, causing trouble that leads to punishment for everyone, it wouldn't be good for the Sixth Group."

Uncle Shu added, "Shen Chasi is so young yet able to become an officer, there must be some means, so how can you voice your opinions here?"

Lao Liu, standing at the door, had a gloomy expression, intending to step forward and scold them, but Shen Qing stopped him.

He could tell these people were discontented with him, an outsider.

Moreover, seeing his youth, they probably thought he was easy to manipulate.

Did they really think he was a pushover?

If so...

Shen Qing was not at all angry; he smiled and said, "I'm just an ordinary person, what means could I have? Yunjian makes a valid point; what do you think I should do then?"

"This matter isn't difficult. As long as Shen Chasi doesn't issue commands recklessly and listens to our arrangements, it'll be fine. I'm sure Shen Chasi is a smart person who knows how to choose."

Shen Qing thought for a moment, shook his head, and said, "Sorry, I'm quite dull, and I've never liked multiple-choice questions."

"Usually, when faced with a problem I can't solve, I first deal with the person who brought up the problem."

"Hmm?"

Boom!

In an instant, Shen Qing's clothes fluttered as he charged swiftly towards Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian, hands jabbing forcefully.

Their pupils contracted as they hastily swung their arms, attempting to block Shen Qing's sudden onslaught.

However, Shen Qing's speed far exceeded theirs.

The Wind Defying Finger descended upon them with overwhelming might.

At the moment of contact with their clothes, the third transformation of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill activated.

A scorching aura and rampant Qi exploded between them, generating a deafening roar.

In face of such terrifying strength, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian staggered back, their bodies slammed into the wall, barely coming to a stop.

The two couldn't hold on, blood spewing uncontrollably from their mouths as they fell to their knees, faces as pale as paper.

Lao Liu and Jiang Dacong's expressions changed drastically; none of them expected Shen Qing to be so fierce, striking as soon as he intended.

"You..."

Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian couldn't help but tremble as they spoke.

Their previous mockery and frivolity vanished, replaced by undeniable fear and unease.

A faint smile hung on Shen Qing's lips, "Are your issues resolved now?"

The bodies of Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian were taut to the extreme, cold sweat trickling down like a fine rain, yet they dared not utter a sound.

Moments later, the two couldn't support themselves anymore and lay prostrate, submitting to Shen Qing, "We were blind to your eminence, Shen Chasi. We hope the Lord Chasi will not hold our past mistakes against us. Henceforth, we will follow you wholeheartedly."

"Since you knew this was inevitable, why persist earlier?" Shen Qing withdrew his killing intent and sat at the main seat, pouring himself a cup of tea, "Rise; from now on, the tasks of the Sixth Group will need your attention."

"Yes."

At this moment, everyone in the room gazed at Shen Qing with changed eyes, no longer carrying their previous frivolity.

Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian couldn't even withstand a single move from Shen Chasi, his strength likely far surpassed the Qi Cultivation Realm.

Shen Qing understood that being new here and having no one trustworthy under his command, these people couldn't be disposed of yet, only kept for now.

He drank a bowl of tea, feeling somewhat displeased.

"Damn, this tea's really bitter."

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