Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 38 - 37 Never Forget

County town, Linfeng Hall, inner sect disciple, direct disciple...

Each word fell like a thousand-pound boulder into the center of a lake, stirring waves.

Their whole lives had been spent in this village, where even martial masters from the county town were considered lofty figures.

Even a regular outer court disciple was someone they wouldn't dare provoke.

The Chen Family's eldest son, Chen Yuan, once, with just a martial art for refining Qi-Blood, could command wind and rain in their village.

Not to mention an inner sect disciple or a direct disciple.

It seemed the Shen Family was truly going to prosper.

Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing couldn't help but swallow, looking at Shen the Second with envy.

If anyone in Hongshan Village benefited most from Shen Qing's favor, it had to be Shen the Second.

In recent observations, Shen Qing, after his parents' death, walked a bloody path, having a nature that hated evil like an enemy, with a heavy killing aura.

Yet, he also was clever and grateful, repaying favors.

The family of Shen the Second was destined to be well off in the future.

At this moment, looking at the old face of Shen the Second, they secretly felt both glad and regretful.

Glad that they hadn't made enemies with Shen Qing before; they'd interacted a lot with Shen Qing and the Shen Family recently, becoming close in the village.

Regretful that they didn't lend a hand when the siblings were at their lowest.

Adding flowers on a brocade pales compared to sending charcoal in snow.

Setting aside their chaotic thoughts, Tian Xiaohu and Zhang Baqing quickly came to their senses, developing a great interest in Shen Qing's experiences in the county town.

Under their urging, Shen Xiaohu recounted everything that happened to the three of them in the county town today, detail by detail.

After listening, their faces all showed a hint of astonishment.

"Blood Bird's Nest, Jade Deer Tendon, and Tiger King's Penis, these mountain treasures haven't been seen in our village for years. But if you really want to find them, you might. However, you made enemies with those in the outer city; that's troublesome. They have nothing left but a rotten life; if they fight you, the outcome won't be good. What to do now?"

Zhang Baqing, who had received favors from Shen Qing, had been to the county town and had some insight, immediately realizing the seriousness of their problem.

This poured cold water on Shen the Second, who was initially excited, making him calm down and anxious as well.

...

Just returned home, Shen Qing didn't yet know that his news of becoming an inner sect disciple of Linfeng Hall had spread within Hongshan Village, known by most.

Also, unknown to him was that some villagers close to him were already worrying about his matters in the outer city, thinking of ways to help.

Sometimes, indeed, the emperor isn't anxious, but the eunuchs are.

In the shabby cottage.

Shen Qing was tidying up the items he bought from the county town.

Once he finished these miscellaneous tasks, he eagerly took out a new floral cotton-padded jacket and secretly placed it before his elder sister Shen Fang, saying, "Big sister, the old jacket Mother made for you has been mended over and over; how can it keep you warm? I bought you a new one today at the county town; see if it fits?"

Shen Fang was busy putting the grain Shen Qing bought into the rice jar; turning her head, she suddenly saw her brother bought her a new piece of clothing, and she was pleasantly surprised.

Like a little girl, she held the new jacket, looking at it all around, her almond eyes curving into crescents.

After a while, she straightened her face, shoved the jacket back into Shen Qing's hands, and said against her will, "I don't like it. When you go to the county town again, tell the store owner it's too small and return it. Save the money for getting married in the future."

Shen Qing saw through his elder sister's behavior at a glance, forcibly putting the new clothing on her, saying, "It's such a hassle going back to the county town. Would the store owner acknowledge it the next time?"

Shen Fang bit her lip and stamped her foot, saying, "Why didn't you consult me before buying it this morning?"

"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing." Shen Qing laughed and said, "Besides, my uncle at Linfeng Hall has already said, I'll be an inner sect disciple of Linfeng Hall. Once I practice martial arts, I'll afford clothes, so just keep it."

"Alright then." Shen Fang didn't understand the significance of being an inner sect disciple of Linfeng Hall. She only knew that her brother had great prospects.

She carefully put away the new clothing Shen Qing handed her, folding it neatly.

"Tonight I bought plenty from the county town, sister. Cook something sumptuous; let's have a good meal together."

"Okay."

In the evening, Shen Fang cooked two dishes and a soup, both meat and vegetables.

She added plenty of seasoning, letting Shen Qing eat with great satisfaction.

The next day, Shen Qing took some silver taels he had scavenged from the Chen Family and found Zhang Baqing to settle the money owed by various households.

He initially thought it would be troublesome; to his surprise, it proceeded smoothly.

Zhang Baqing took care of almost everything; in less than half a day, all accounts were settled before Shen Qing.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Shen Qing felt that today, the villagers of the village showed him special respect, even a kind of awe and flattery for someone in a higher position.

It left him a bit puzzled.

Fortunately, Shen Qing wasn't someone who liked to get to the bottom of things, not overly concerned with such subtle changes.

Finishing his business with the village and setting a time for the next trip to town, he went straight to Zhang Shuyuan's home to practice reading and writing.

Five days later.

After practicing the last character required for the day, Shen Qing suddenly sensed something, his mind stirring.

In his vision, an ink droplet spread, and sections of ink letters appeared before him.

[Skill: Recognize Characters and Read (Skillfully)]

[Progress: 203/200 points]

[Status: Can be improved]

Shen Qing hesitated not at all: "Improve."

The next moment, an unprecedented clarity flooded his mind, making him feel as if a certain door had opened, perceiving things around him more clearly.

He subconsciously looked at the water ink panel in his vision.

[Skill: Recognize Characters and Read (Small Success)]

[Progress: 3/300 points]

[Status: Cannot be improved]

[Note: Awaken new skills, memorize by hearing, never forget.]

Shen Qing was instantly filled with joy.

He didn't expect that this time breaking through skills would awaken new abilities, realizing the ability to memorize by hearing, never forgetting.

This skill seemed ordinary, but probing deeper, it was remarkable.

At least for now, this skill would significantly accelerate his progress in recognizing characters and reading.

Shen Qing's lips curved slightly, walking toward Zhang Shuyuan. He said, "Teacher, I'd like to learn more from the Thousand Character Classic. Can you teach me one more time?"