Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 183 - 9: The Baili Village Tragedy

Shen Qing glanced at the Guardian Martial Department's First Group gathered in the courtyard, his eyes falling on a young man among them.

He was surrounded by many officers, like stars around the moon.

This person was indeed the First Group's Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, an illegitimate son of Yongzhou's high-ranking Dong Family, Dong Jing.

Rumor had it that this person had broken through to the Qi Hai Realm at just sixteen years old, and it wouldn't be long before he would condense the Yu Luo.

Such cultivation talent was considered among the best even within his peers in the Dong Family.

However, due to his background, even with his cultivation, he could neither inherit the family business nor seek an official position elsewhere, so he became an officer at the Guardian Martial Department to find a way out.

As if sensing Shen Qing's gaze, he glanced over indifferently, as casually as one looks at a stranger, then retracted his gaze.

Shen Qing lowered his head and led his team across the threshold into the Guardian Martial Department Office's courtyard, maintaining a low profile.

Due to the Sixth Group's background and relatively weaker strength, they were not favored by other patrol teams at the Guardian Martial Department. Shen Qing led his team to stand quietly at the very end according to the formation order.

During this period, Shen Qing observed that the other five patrol teams within the Guardian Martial Department formed cliques and silently excluded the Sixth Group.

After a month of joining the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing had hardly interacted with them, appearing almost invisible in their eyes, without any presence.

Fortunately, Shen Qing had a clear goal and maintained the proper mindset, not letting the environment affect his state of mind.

Otherwise, working in such an environment would indeed be somewhat oppressive.

After a while, the other patrol teams gradually arrived.

The previously quiet courtyard became bustling.

The courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department wasn't large, and these people had no intention of avoiding speaking openly.

The conversation among the attendees was clearly overheard by Shen Qing.

"Something happened at Baili Village outside the city, and many people died."

"Was it that demon?"

"You guessed it?"

"Sigh, lately, it's the most rampant demon inside and outside."

Listening to the discussion, Shen Qing frowned and asked Liu Sangui, "Baili Village sounds familiar, is that our patrol area?"

Liu Sangui replied with a pained expression, "Yes, it's the patrol area outside the city for our Sixth Group. We generally patrol once a month; I didn't expect such an incident."

As soon as he finished talking, the faces of Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu all turned grim.

For some reason, demons were becoming increasingly clever.

In the hands of demons, they had suffered many losses, often returning without success.

Thinking of a troublesome demon appearing in their patrol area, their mood turned sour.

After a while, Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu, with a big belly, came out.

He glanced at everyone before him and asked, "Is everyone here?"

Officer Dong Jing of the First Group clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Reporting to Lord Chief Officer, all seven members of the First Group are present."

"Second Group..."

"Sixth Group, five members are present."

Zheng Yuanqiu's expression slightly softened; he planned to keep it brief, giving a succinct order, "A report came from below, there was a murder case at Baili Village due to demons. I remember that area belongs to the Sixth Group's jurisdiction. You are given three days to capture this demon. If you fail to complete it, your official salary for this month will be halved."

Upon hearing this order, Liu Sangui and the others seemed to have anticipated it, showing a 'as expected' expression.

"The other groups will assist the Sixth Group in solving the case." Zheng Yuanqiu's gaze suddenly sharpened as he scanned everyone, releasing an invisible oppressive aura. He raised his voice abruptly, "Did everyone hear clearly?"

"Clearly!" The people in the courtyard responded haphazardly.

Zheng Yuanqiu barked fiercely, "If it's clear, why are you still standing here? Hurry up and investigate for me!"

Shen Qing felt a bit upset but chose not to confront Zheng Yuanqiu, echoing with the others, "Understood."

The Guardian Martial Department's courtyard fell into chaos, with everyone squeezing towards the gate, quickly dispersing.

Officers rushed out of the Guardian Martial Department's county government gate. Looking back to see that Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu had left, they sighed in relief, joking with arms around each other's shoulders as they departed.

They did not take Zheng Yuanqiu's orders seriously.

In their view, since the demon appeared in the Sixth Group's jurisdiction, naturally, it should be handled by the "lowly skins" of the Sixth Group—it was their urgency.

Anyway, it wasn't their patrol area, the docked salary wasn't theirs, it had nothing to do with them.

Shen Qing walked behind them, watching their departing backs, unsurprised at all.

From ancient times, each swept the snow from his own doorstep, ignoring the frost on his neighbor's roof.

He had no relation to these high-ranking disciples, so naturally, they wouldn't be kind enough to help him.

After a moment of silence, Shen Qing spoke to Liu Sangui, "Is our Lord Chief Officer always this way, deducting our salary at every turn?"

Liu Sangui chuckled bitterly, "Shen Chasi might not know, but our Chief Officer has a well-known vice."

"What vice?"

"Avarice and lust." Liu Sangui lowered his voice, "Our Chief Officer is getting older now, and his interest in women has diminished considerably, so only greed remains. If we fail in tasks, the docked salaries end up in his pocket. This is an unwritten rule in the Guardian Martial Department; everyone's long been accustomed to it."

"Sir, if you stay longer, you'll naturally understand."

After hearing this, Shen Qing formed a clearer impression of Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu.

"Let's go, to Baili Village to see what's going on there?"

With that, he went to the stable, led his prized steed, while Liu Sangui and the others handled some procedures inside the stable.

Liu Sangui and the others didn't have their own horses. They generally used the Guardian Martial Department's official horses for business trips.

These horses were aged nags, unable to run fast, but still serviceable.

After seeing everyone ready, Shen Qing mounted his fine horse, determined the direction, and led his team galloping towards Baili Village.

Officer Dong Jing from the First Group was the last to leave the Guardian Martial Department, instructing his men, "Inform the brothers, get ready, we're going to Baili Village."

The officers behind him were puzzled, "Officer Dong Chasi, are we going to help that newcomer?"

"Hmm? Just get ready when I say so, why so much nonsense!" Dong Jing's face turned cold, "Do you want me to listen to you?"

The reprimanded officer shrank his neck and didn't dare speak further, hastily getting others to prepare.

Others might not know, but Dong Jing was quite clear.

He had long heard that the new Commander, unlike the county government's incompetent ones, was a decisive and fair person, especially having a deep-seated hatred for demons.

If he found out that the Chief Officer failed to eliminate the demon, he would undoubtedly erupt in fury, and the Chief Officer likely wouldn't escape the consequences.

This was his chance.

If he could achieve something, it would undoubtedly turn the situation around in the Chief Officer's favor, earning him a good face in front of the two superiors, greatly aiding his career development.

He knew that, as an illegitimate child, despite the apparent glamor, he couldn't hope for a share in the Dong Family's assets because of his mother's low status.

To avoid a miserable future, he needed to seek more opportunities and strive for advancement.

With the Commander being an Innate Realm Martial Artist, if he was willing to lend him a hand, it would undoubtedly be a significant advantage.

Shortly after Shen Qing, Dong Jing led his officers, also racing towards Baili Village.

Outside Yongzhou City.

A five-person team charged past.

The leader carried a black Heavy Bow and an Arrow Quiver, riding proudly in front.

"Officer Shen Chasi, ahead is Baili Village, we're almost there!"

From afar, Shen Qing seemed to smell a strong scent of blood, causing his expression to turn severe, and he swung his whip forcefully, "Hyah!"