Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 49 - 48 Progress Increase

```

"Junior Brother, today you should practice this movement technique. When you can handle it as easily as I do, I'll teach you more complex techniques," Ouyang Tiezhu said to Shen Qing with a smile. "I need to take care of other things now. If you have any questions, you can ask the other senior brothers."

"Got it, thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother."

Ouyang Tiezhu waved and took a few steps away, then suddenly seemed to remember something and came back to Shen Qing, saying: "By the way, after you finish your practice today, let A Fu get you a Shiquan Dabu Decoction."

Shen Qing was a bit surprised.

Ouyang Tiezhu remarked: "Miss Qi bought it for you earlier, and it's already paid for."

"Okay."

Watching Ouyang Tiezhu's departing back, Shen Qing couldn't help but sigh.

He never expected his aunt, Shen Xiu, to be so kind to him. Now, he owed a lot of favors.

After today's training, he needed to visit his aunt to thank her in person.

Shen Qing focused his mind, his expression became solemn, and he practiced on the Wooden Dummy as if no one else was around.

Without the distractions of the Water Ink Panel, his attention was intensely focused, and he struck the Wooden Dummy with force.

Bang, bang, bang, bang...

His speed kept increasing.

He continued until he reached his limit, then stopped.

"Again."

He practiced continuously for nearly two Shi Chen.

Shen Qing became more and more skillfully, constantly raising the limits of his interruption threshold.

"Huff!"

After completing the last move, Shen Qing instinctively protected his shoulder and officially ended today's practice after taking a hit with a stick.

With a thought, Shen Qing's eyes flashed brightly, creating ripples.

The familiar Water Ink Panel appeared in front of him.

[Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)]

[Progress: 18/100 points]

[Status: Cannot be improved]

Progress had increased.

Shen Qing wiped the sweat off his face, feeling that everything was worth it.

After an afternoon of training, he felt intense soreness throughout his body, especially in the bruised areas of his back and shoulders hit by blows.

There were burning sensations, and any slight touch would intensify the pain.

Fortunately, his Qi-Blood was vigorous, and his skin was thick and tough, so it wasn't too much of a problem.

At that moment, A Fu came in and found him, greeting: "Junior Brother, someone outside is looking for you."

Shen Qing guessed that it might be Tian Xiaohu and replied: "I'll be right there."

When he reached A Fu, he paused, clasped his hands in salute, and asked: "I heard from Senior Brother Ouyang that my aunt prepared a Shiquan Dabu Decoction. I'm not sure..."

Before he could finish his sentence, A Fu interrupted: "I've already packed it for you. Let me know when you're leaving, and I'll give it to you."

"Thank you." Shen Qing repeatedly clasped his hands in thanks: "I want to see my aunt and thank her in person."

"Unfortunately, the Hall Master took Miss Qi out, and they haven't returned yet."

"Where did my aunt and the others go?"

"They probably went to stay at Jifu Temple for a few days and should be back the day after tomorrow."

"Alright, then I'll find my aunt next time," Shen Qing said no more. "Thank you, Brother A Fu, please give me the medicine. It's getting late, and I need to leave."

"Okay, let's go together."

With that, Shen Qing and A Fu left the second courtyard of the Outer Gate and went to the Outer Court. A Fu deftly went into the pharmacy and handed the Shiquan Dabu Decoction to Shen Qing.

"Your cart and horses are over at the stables, you can pick them up then."

A Fu pointed to a room in the Outer Court.

Shen Qing nodded and quickly thanked him.

After sending A Fu off, he went to where Shen Xiaohu was practicing in the Outer Court.

He saw Shen Xiaohu looking like a drowned rat, with hair stuck to his scalp, slumped on the ground, appearing completely defeated.

Shen Xiaohu saw Shen Qing approaching and struggled to stand, weakly saying: "Brother Qingzi..."

"How is your practice going?"

Shen Xiaohu regretfully replied: "I... can I get a refund for the Silver I paid this morning?"

"Can't you young people have some ambition, be brave like a man?"

"I didn't... it's just that..."

"Do you want to continue practicing martial arts?"

"I do!"

"Then keep practicing; otherwise, you'll never excel. I suspect that with your personality, you'd cry if you're ever faced with a problem."

"Impossible," Shen Xiaohu said, stubbornly, his neck stiffening, his face turning red.

"Enough," Shen Qing didn't continue to chastise Shen Xiaohu, turning around, "Tian Xiaohu should come to pick us up. Let's go back and rest."

Shen Xiaohu quickly followed, unyielding, "I won't cry if I face problems, it's just that I'm too tired today, and I'm not used to it yet."

Shen Qing didn't respond.

This attitude made Shen Xiaohu feel an urge to prove himself and vowed to practice well in the future to never be looked down upon by Shen Qing.

They walked out to the entrance of Linfeng Hall.

As expected, Shen Qing saw Tian Xiaohu standing at the door, pacing while waiting for them. Seeing Shen Qing and his brother approaching, Tian Xiaohu's eyes lit up, and he hurried forward, lowering his voice: "What you asked me to investigate..."

Shen Qing responded: "Tell me on the road."

"Alright."

"Have you booked the inn?"

"It's booked." Tian Xiaohu took out a money pouch, "The inn cost 200 wen per night including food and lodging. I spent some on the task, and there are 500 wen left, all here."

At this point, Shen Qing realized Tian Xiaohu was a man of principles.

Compared to the villagers in Hongshan Village, who only wanted to take advantage, he was indeed an exception.

However, he had already said his words and couldn't go back on them.

Shen Qing jumped onto the cart and said: "Keep it. We may need your help with something in the future."

"But it's so much."

"It's getting late, let's go, stop hesitating," Shen Qing replied impatiently.

Seeing Shen Qing's attitude, Tian Xiaohu gave up and didn't insist. He and Shen Xiaohu then got on the cart one after another.

"Giddy up!"

Shen Qing cracked the whip, and the horse slowly started moving along the street.

Once again, Tian Xiaohu approached Shen Qing from the back of the cart, lowered his voice, and began to relay the information he had gathered.

After listening, Shen Qing nodded and said: "Alright, I understand."

Tian Xiaohu watched Shen Qing's calm demeanor, unsure of his intentions.

After a while, Shen Qing and the others arrived at a district of single-story houses.

Following Tian Xiaohu's directions, they arrived at the entrance of an inn called "Yuelai Inn."

A servant at the door recognized Tian Xiaohu and proactively took the horse, leading Shen Qing and the others in.

Yuelai Inn was quite ordinary, with just some Eight Immortals tables and chairs inside, sparsely occupied by some customers.

Linfeng Hall didn't provide food and lodging, and Shen Qing and the others hadn't eaten much all day. After a whole day of practice, they were famished.

Upon entering the inn, Shen Qing immediately ordered the waiter to serve all the signature dishes.

Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu devoured the food like starving ghosts reborn, polishing off all the dishes in no time.

After eating and drinking to their heart's content, Shen Qing called for the waiter and asked: "Can your store cook medicine?"

The waiter replied: "Yes, yes. Would you like us to cook it, or would you prefer to do it yourself? The former costs ten wen, and the latter five wen."

Shen Qing placed five large coins on the table and said: "Take me over. I'll do it myself."

"Alright, this way, please."

Taking the medicine, Shen Qing instructed Tian Xiaohu: "You both rest after you finish eating. I'll come up later."

After giving instructions, Shen Qing followed the waiter to the backyard.

```