Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 85 - 9 Enter the City! Enter the City! Demon Tiger Blocks the Way!

A while ago, Zhao Ba was killed by him.

After that, the issue with the Huang Tian Sect arose, and the shantytown in the West City area was basically cleared out.

Now that area in the West City had no leader, it was the perfect time to fish in troubled waters.

Bringing some people over, they might soon be able to open up a new situation.

These people were all fellow villagers and neighbors, undoubtedly more reliable.

Things were different now.

Back then, he did not have such thoughts, but now the mountain goods business couldn't be done. Along with the demon tiger and evil officials assisting, he had no reason not to give it a try.

"Fellow villagers and neighbors, to be honest, recently Taiping County recently cleared out a batch of remnants from Huang Tian Sect. A large part of the outer city's shantytown is now empty, perfect for us to settle."

"Everyone here is in the hunting business, why not broaden our horizons? The prey isn't just in the mountains; the outer city can be considered our hunting ground as well."

"Qingzi... do you mean... you want us to rob?" a young hunter said straightforwardly.

Shen Qing smirked and said, "Rob what? We're hunting, fair and square, just the prey is different."

Although Shen Qing's words were a bit roundabout, they still understood.

It was indeed robbing!

Robbing was great.

It was much better than struggling to catch rabbits in these deep forested mountains.

Some of the more adventurous hunters licked their lips, suddenly eager to try.

Shen Qing continued, "I'll be upfront with everyone. The Hall Master of Linfeng Hall, who is also my uncle, intends to take me as a direct disciple. We have connections to rely on in the county town. If you trust me, I will definitely make sure you establish roots in the county town."

His gaze swept across as he picked up a roster from the ground, "And in the county town, the roster is checked and replaced at least once every six months. When the time comes, if within those six months anyone regrets and wants to scrape by, they can return as an escape route."

"Anyway, it's better than now, what do you say? Are you willing?"

Tian Xiaohu, a solitary person, had long seen Shen Qing's methods.

He firmly trusted his judgment and was the first to agree, "Of course I'm willing, I'll go with you."

"I'm willing too." Shen Xiaohu immediately stood up.

Shen Xiaoshan followed closely.

Uncle Shen the Second, standing aside, knew that the money for this spring's tax was all given by Shen Qing.

He didn't know what had happened to his nephew during this time.

But to come up with such an amount of money in such a short time, he clearly had some skill.

As life became untenable, based on trust in Shen Qing and the desire for a shot, Shen the Second also agreed.

Zhang Baqing had the same idea.

Gradually, nearly twenty households in Hongshan Village mostly agreed to go to town with Shen Qing.

These households were mainly young people.

The rest were either old or weak, or Chen family members who were not on good terms with Shen Qing.

Everyone had their own ambitions, and Shen Qing didn't force them.

"Alright, the tax money you've each paid, take it back." Shen Qing said, "My share can go to Uncle Wang's family."

The Uncle Wang mentioned by Shen Qing was the old hunter killed by the tax officials.

Two and a half silver taels were given just like that.

Everyone instantly felt that Shen Qing was noble and righteous.

Shen Qing announced, "Time is of the essence, those who agreed to go with me, pack up early. We'll leave after brunch."

"Alright."

The village's many villagers started to take action.

Shen Qing approached Tian Xiaohu and Shen the Second, reminding, "Uncle, Xiaohu, don't forget to take back your tax money."

Uncle Shen the Second and Tian Xiaohu exchanged a glance simultaneously.

Their tax money was all given by Shen Qing.

Now being told to take it back, wasn't it being given to them?

Shen the Second was deeply moved, further convinced that his nephew was a person who repaid kindness.

Tian Xiaohu felt the same, feeling more confident in his choice.

Returning to the house, Shen Qing didn't delay and called his elder sister, planning to pack up and move valuables to the outer city.

Shen Fang was somewhat reluctant, "Are we really moving?"

"Trees move and die, people move and live. People live on the water and grass, there's nothing worth missing about these rundown dirt houses."

"Alright then."

Shen Fang said no more and started packing immediately.

In the twenty days since Shen Qing brought things back from the city, they had almost used them all up.

There wasn't much to pack.

Quickly, they were ready to go.

As Shen Qing was packing, Zhang Shuyuan, who heard about the move, came to visit.

"Sir, is this?" Shen Qing asked curiously.

"I want to use your cart to move some books." Zhang Shuyuan said straightforwardly.

Shen Qing didn't expect that Zhang Shuyuan, who had been silent, also wanted to move. He laughed, "Sir, it's a small matter, just move them as you like."

Zhang Shuyuan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you."

Outside, Zhang Shuyuan couldn't help but sigh, "With most people moving, if I don't, those left won't care if I live or die, I'd starve."

"If I starve, old master's literary legacy will have one less person to pass it on to, that can't happen, I have to go with them."

...

By noon, many people were already packed, with families standing at the village entrance ready to enter the city with Shen Qing.

Some families who didn't want to go were seeing them off at the village entrance.

A hunter from the Chen family earnestly said, "Qingzi, sorry, we won't go with you this time. But rest assured, we won't utter a word about you killing the tax officials. If you hear a whisper outside, may I die a horrible death."

Shen Qing shook his head, said seriously, "You're wrong, these two tax officials weren't killed by us; they were killed by the demon tiger in the mountains!"

"We found a demon tiger in the village, and the two lords died doing their duty tracing its tracks, unfortunately killed by it... it had nothing to do with us. Isn't that right, everyone?"

Those present were not fools; they soon understood.

Shen Qing was framing the blame.

Now the bodies of the two tax officials had been thrown into the deep mountains.

One has to admit, this was logical!

"Yes, Qingzi is right, it was the demon tiger in the mountains, I saw it with my own eyes."

"I saw it too, that demon tiger was red-yellow all over and spoke like a human, it had become a spirit."

"What's more? The demon tiger had a pack of wolves with it, I reckon it was already ruling the mountain."

"..."

Everyone spoke up, turning a non-existent story vivid and believable.

The scene suddenly became ridiculous and amusing.

"Folks, we're going ahead to scout the way. Once things settle, if you regret it, it's not too late to come over."

"Alright, waiting for your good news, safe travels."

"Farewell."

Shen Qing waved, and the horse and donkey carts slowly started, about twenty families with their belongings, leaving the village with a bit of reluctance, moving towards Taiping County.

After they were far, the few remaining families quickly replaced their reluctant and awkward expressions with sneers.

"The city isn't as easy as they think, they'll know once they hit a wall."

"And the matter of killing tax officials is all Shen Qing's doing, nothing to do with us. Those people, they're too easy to deceive."

"Let's go, now that they're gone, we can choose any house to stay in. It doesn't matter if we use their place to do our business, haha..."

"True, makes sense."

Just then, gusts of wind unexpectedly blew down from the mountain.

A forest crisp with crackles, as if swayed by the wind.

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