Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 66 - 65 Meeting

Shen Qing often traveled between Hongshan Village and the county town, and the path he took was precisely under the jurisdiction of this "Boss."

If he tried to avoid meeting this "Boss," he could dodge once, but he couldn't evade forever.

Sooner or later, he would have to face him.

It's better to meet now than to wait for another day.

Going now would allow him to gauge the opponent's depths.

Otherwise, if he refused today and offended the opponent, leaving no room for reconciliation, it would be difficult in the future.

After killing two people, Shen Qing did not linger at the scene. Instead, he quickly got up and left, hiding patiently in the alley nearby.

Before long, there was the sound of footsteps on the road, and a group of people passed by the alley.

Shen Qing, with his sharp eyes, spotted Shen Xiaohu among them right away. He stepped out of the alley and called, "Xiao Hu."

Shen Xiaohu, holding a bow and arrow, came to an abrupt halt.

He turned around and looked back, seeing Shen Qing with a puzzled expression, and hurried over to ask, "Brother Qingzi, what are you doing here?"

Shen Qing didn't explain much, casually saying, "Waiting for you."

Now that there were no longer people from Boss restricting him, the initiative was in his hands.

Shen Qing felt slightly more confident and appeared less urgent.

He shifted his gaze from Shen Xiaohu to the people behind him.

Seeing the face of "Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu," he was somewhat surprised.

If he remembered correctly, wasn't Senior Brother injured?

Shen Qing was a bit confused.

Aside from this Senior Brother, there was another stranger, not someone from Linfeng Hall.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with dark skin and a resolute face, dressed in a slightly faded cotton coat, wrapping his lean and strong body.

"Who is this...?" Shen Qing asked aloud.

"Yang Zhao Ping," the young man in his twenties cupped his hands and introduced himself, speaking quite efficiently.

After he spoke, "Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu" glanced up and down at Shen Qing, then said, "Are you the employer?"

"Hmm?"

As soon as this "Senior Brother" spoke, Shen Qing immediately sensed something off.

The voice was similar to before, and he looked almost identical, but the tone was completely different, more slick and roguish.

He immediately remembered that Ouyang Tiezhu had mentioned he had a younger brother.

"You are... Ouyang Tie Niu?"

When Shen Qing spoke, he subtly glanced at Shen Xiaohu.

Shen Xiaohu quickly explained, "Ran into him at the gate on the way out."

Seeing that Shen Qing recognized him, Ouyang Tie Niu did not deny it.

He very seriously extended two fingers, waved them in front of Shen Qing, and emphasized, "At first, it was agreed, two taels of Silver, don't forget!"

Shen Qing was momentarily stunned. After reacting, he laughed and said, "Brother Ouyang, you are straightforward indeed. It was not just two taels, if done well, it could be twenty taels."

"Really?" Ouyang Tie Niu was somewhat shocked by the amount Shen Qing mentioned, as if it hit home for him.

"Of course it's true, I wouldn't deceive you with my education," Shen Qing said with a smile.

Initially, if he had followed the two subordinates of Boss, he would undoubtedly have had to bow down and be passive, easily yielding to manipulation.

But now, it was different.

The two subordinates that Boss sent were already killed by him. Now, Shen Xiaohu, along with four others, followed.

If they went together, their momentum would be enough, and their confidence strong.

Concerning his safety, it was not the time to be stingy with money. Hence, he made a bold promise.

In his view, Boss had been running rampant in the Outer City for so long; this amount should be available. It was just a matter of obtaining it.

Shen Qing's words hit right at the heart of Ouyang Tie Niu.

What others didn't know was that since Wang Mazi's death, he had no livelihood, and what he needed most now was Silver Taels.

Today, he came to Linfeng Hall hoping to seek help from his brother.

If he could earn money, even if he met the big boss's boss, he wouldn't mind putting on a show; if need be, he could just run away if things went sideways.

He was familiar with this approach.

As they say, "Know thyself, know thy enemy, a hundred battles, a hundred victories."

Seeing Ouyang Tiezhu, Shen Qing recalled something and asked proactively, "I remember your brother mentioned you worked under Wang Mazi, which means you were under this Boss. How much do you know about this Boss?"

Ouyang Tie Niu thought for a moment and replied, "Boss's real name is Zhao Ba, who came to earn a living from the county town. When he was young, he challenged numerous heroes from the eighteen neighborhoods of the Outer City, and finally established himself in the West City area."

"He has five subordinates. Now, with two dead, only three remain."

"What about Zhao Ba's cultivation level?"

Ouyang Tie Niu spoke without reservation, "He practices a kind of Hard Qi Gong called Tongbei Iron Pine Lean, possessing tremendous brute strength. Last year, he just began 'stretching,' and I estimate now he's still at the stretching level, not yet at the 'Bone' strengthening tier."

Once he heard Ouyang Tie Niu's words, Shen Qing felt even more confident.

After three or four days of rigorous training, he tirelessly honed the Wind Defying Finger to such proficiency that he also reached the stretching realm and could transmit force effortlessly.

Compared to Zhao Ba, he wasn't far behind.

Shen Qing looked around at the group and asked, "Is there anyone among you who excels at Bow Technique?"

Seeing no response.

Shen Qing felt somewhat helpless, then turned to Shen Xiaohu, seriously stating, "Follow behind us and hide well later. Act when the opportunity arises. Only a hidden arrow is the hardest to defend against."

Shen Xiaohu nodded heavily and replied, "Okay."

After instructing, Shen Qing cupped his hands towards Xiao Zhi and the others, saying, "I appreciate you accompanying me on this trip."

...

In the area outside the West City Gate, within the Outer City.

Amidst a low-lying shantytown, stood a striking residence.

Its walls were clean, made of blue bricks and tiles, with lush green trees inside, and stone paths leading to a half-open wooden door.

It stood in stark contrast to the surrounding simple buildings.

Inside the residence, Zhao Ba, the hero of the West City area, was sitting at the main seat in the central hall.

He wore a black robe with a stern face, and his hands continuously tapped on the table, making a dull thudding sound.

"It's already this late, why hasn't that kid come?"

After a while, one of his subordinates, growing impatient, began to complain.

Zhao Ba picked up the teacup before him, took a small sip, and then set it down, saying in a low tone, "I've already sent someone, whether he wants to come or not, they'll bring him here. In this Taiping County, aside from those officials, no one can wipe my face."

"There's no rush, good things take time. He's just a little hunter, can't stir much trouble."

Just then, quiet footsteps were heard from outside the door, followed by a knock.

Zhao Ba waved his hand, signaling his men to be quiet.

"Alright, the people I've called for have arrived."

One of his subordinates stepped forward, walked to the door, and opened it.

They saw Shen Qing, wearing a gray-blue cotton coat, standing at the entrance.