Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 198 - 24: Going Out of the City to Catch Demons, The Newcomer Means No Good

The next day.

Shen Qing energetically walked out of his room, striding with the grace of a dragon and the strength of a tiger.

As he passed by Tian Xiaohu, Tian Xiaohu couldn't help but glance sideways.

Tian Xiaohu instinctively nudged Xiao Zhi lightly with his elbow and whispered, "Hey, don't you think the boss seems a bit different today?"

Xiao Zhi, hearing this, snapped back from the thoughts engulfing him and slowly raised his head, his gaze landing on Shen Qing.

Shen Qing appeared with an upright posture, surrounded by a faint aura of radiance. It was an inner radiance exuding a mesmerizing transformation, inspiring awe in others.

Xiao Zhi nodded in agreement, "Indeed, the boss seems to have acquired an otherworldly charm, as if overnight, his Essence Qi and spirit have reached a state of Great Perfection. Even the aura he exudes has changed remarkably. Truly strange."

The two whispered among themselves, baffled.

Shen Qing didn't seem inclined to explain, striding out as usual, heading towards the Guardian Martial Department.

When he arrived at the Guardian Martial Department, many officers were also arriving, like him, to change their duty tokens.

After changing his duty token, Shen Qing habitually returned to their dispatch office's resting room, waiting for his subordinates like Liu Sangui.

However, he hadn't waited long when a Chang Sui came in and conveyed, "Officer Shen, Lord Chief Officer would like to see you."

Shen Qing sipped his tea, pondering internally, "Zheng Yuanqiu looking for me at this time is almost certainly related to demons."

After all, Zheng Yuanqiu was undoubtedly a "notorious rebel," unlikely to target Huang Tian Sect remnants, leaving only the matter of demons.

Shen Qing put down the teacup, wiped his mouth, and said, "I'm coming."

With that, Shen Qing recalled Tian Xiaohu and the others' reactions when he left the house, keeping a wary mind as he quietly used his hunting skills to conceal some of his aura. He walked to the back hall and said aloud, "Lord Chief Officer, you wanted to see me?"

In the main hall, Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu was at the moment gripping the long desk, his face stern as if suppressing some matter.

Seeing Shen Qing enter, he looked up and said, "Just now, the Military Department sent a message over, stating that the wolf demon is in Changqiao Town. Take your men and make a trip. If it is confirmed to be the wolf demon, resolve it on the spot. I believe with your abilities, it shouldn't be difficult."

Shen Qing had heard about the wolf demon earlier, so learning that he was to investigate demons was not too surprising. He cupped his hands and said, "As you command. I'll take my men over immediately."

"Go ahead."

Hmm?

Shen Qing detected an urgency in Zheng Yuanqiu's tone, almost as if he wanted him to leave immediately. His gaze involuntarily fell upon the long desk and noticed rhythmic tremors occurring on it.

Seeing Shen Qing still not leaving, Zheng Yuanqiu impatiently said, "What is it, do you have something else to attend to?"

Shen Qing seemed to have realized something, felt disdain, and cupped his hands, "No, I take my leave."

Once Shen Qing left, the trembling of the long desk grabbed by Zheng Yuanqiu intensified.

Zheng Yuanqiu flushed crimson, cursing with a chuckle, "You little seductress!"

...

In the courtyard's small room, Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong had already arrived.

Seeing Shen Qing enter, the two hurriedly stood up, cupping their fists and saluting, "Officer Shen."

Shen Qing instructed, "Both of you prepare yourselves. Shortly, we'll make a trip to Changqiao Town."

Liu Sangui and Jiang Dacong were slightly startled, exchanged a glance, and each agreed.

After waiting a while more, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu belatedly arrived.

Shen Qing didn't bother with them, and seeing everyone was present, wasted no time and commanded, "There are demons appearing in Changqiao Town, we're heading over today to take a look."

"Yes."

"Let's go."

Changqiao Town was located outside Yongzhou City, built on mountains, encircled by water.

Overlooking the town, three sides were surrounded by emerald peaks, the verdant hue as if about to drip, one side surrounded by clear water, shimmering, like a jade belt lightly brushing by, presenting a breathtaking scene.

Due to many forests in Changqiao Town, many people in and around the town made their living by logging.

Over half of Yongzhou City's firewood was supplied by Changqiao Town, one of the major towns under Yongzhou.

Riding fast with urgent hoofbeats, Shen Qing and his group quickly approached Changqiao Town.

The fifty-mile distance took them no more than two quarters, arriving outside Changqiao Town.

A hundred-meter-long stone bridge stretched across the clear water, blocking the path of Shen Qing's group.

The bridge deck was mottled with bluestone, the water below murmuring.

The small boats of fishermen docked by the shore had a hint of elegance.

The name Changqiao Town originated from this very bridge.

Just then, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu exchanged a look.

Understanding the signal, Guan Yunjian suddenly tightened his reins and called out to Shen Qing and the others, "Slow!"

"Whoa!" Shen Qing turned to look, asking, "What's wrong?"

Guan Yunjian said, "Something's not right, Officer Shen, Uncle Shu and I will go ahead and scout the path."

Shen Qing looked around but didn't find anything unusual, squinted at the two.

He didn't trust them, unsure of their intentions.

Shen Qing had no intention of letting them go off alone, "No need, let's all go and take a look!"

"Officer Shen, no need, we'll go ourselves." Guan Yunjian insisted urgently.

"Strange, truly strange." Shen Qing stared at Guan Yunjian, a glint in his eyes, and questioned, "What are you so eager to leave for, planning something untoward?"

Guan Yunjian's face changed, exchanging a glance with Uncle Shu.

Uncle Shu decided swiftly, shouting, "Damn it, Shen, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, take action!"

"Huh?"

As Uncle Shu spoke, suddenly, several shadows burst from the darkness on the seemingly calm long bridge, as swiftly as ghosts, astonishing everyone.

At the front of the team, Jiang Dacong hadn't yet reacted before he felt a sharp pain in his chest, and the whole person flew back like a kite with a broken string, landing heavily on the ground, life or death unknown.

"Dacong!" Liu Sangui's shocked cry rang from the team, hastily drawing the dagger from his waist.

Shen Qing's eyes narrowed, quickly surveying the surroundings, finding themselves surrounded by a group of ten martial masters.

Guan Yunjian clasped his hands, "Today, I request your assistance, and once this matter is completed, I promise the rewards will be delivered promptly to your residences without fail."

"Hahaha, sure. Rest assured, just one person, the ten of us will make sure to handle the task beautifully."

Among the ten, an elder with crane-like white hair and youthful features laughed and said.

Shen Qing's face darkened, leaping directly from horseback towards Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu.

"How bold."

Before the elder's words could finish, his figure swayed like an ancient pine tree, sleeves inflating, seemingly containing the power of mountains and rivers, suddenly delivering two powerful palms.

Two invisible gusts of strength roared like dragons, sweeping toward Shen Qing.

Bang!

A deafening blast resounded like heavenly thunder, the two's palm winds fiercely clashing in mid-air, visible ripples of spiritual power spreading wildly from their center, tearing the surrounding air asunder.

Shen Qing's figure swayed slightly, his feet lightly tapping the void, leveraging to dissipate the overwhelming force.

"A Qi Hai Realm martial master!" Liu Sangui's face turned ashen at the sight.

"Go!"

With the elder as a barrier in front, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu acted decisively, separating left and right, quickly escaping the team, silently merging into the shadows around.

Watching the two leave, Shen Qing remained unhurried, calmly dismounting, his gaze sweeping across everyone, asking evenly, "Who exactly are you people? Why are you swayed by the mere words of two officers? Do you think you will survive if the county office finds out you killed an officer?"

"That's no concern of yours. I don't enjoy exchanging unnecessary words with the dead."

"And you think you can definitely take me down? So far, I still don't know how strong I am after my breakthrough! You may find yourselves lacking." Shen Qing glanced at the clear river beneath the bridge, grinning, "The scenery here is beautiful, how about I bury you all here?"

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