Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

"""

The woman looked at the cat curled up on her, a strange light flashing in her eyes.

"Excuse me, Fifth Young Master, while I put this cat away," the woman said apologetically to Zhou Xintong.

"At your convenience, sister-in-law."

The young woman stood up gracefully, offered a bow, and returned to her chamber with her maid.

The maid opened the door, and the woman quickly walked in.

Once inside, the young woman turned her head, her eyes flashing pink as she coldly instructed, "Stand guard outside, don't let anyone come in."

The maid lifted her head, her eyes also glowing pink, woodenly like a puppet, "Yes, Goddess."

Creak.

The door closed again.

"Why are you seeking me now?"

A cool voice of the woman filled the room.

The white cat in her arms leaped to the ground anxiously, speaking in human language, "It's bad, Xiao Hei was killed."

"What happened?"

"A month ago, Xiao Hei ate one of the Guardian Martial Department's officers. We thought nothing of it, but just a moment ago, they somehow found Xiao Hei."

"Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?" the young woman said, "Xiao Hei has nine lives, it shouldn't be that easy to die."

"I saw it clearly, Xiao Hei's nine lives are all gone. When they left, I counted nine Xiao Heis."

The young woman fell silent for a moment, then said after a while, "You'd better behave yourself in the near future. Don't go looking for trouble. If you want blood food, just tell me, and I'll have the Zhou Family give you some servants."

"I understand, Goddess," the white cat raised its head and asked, "Goddess, what about Xiao Hei's matter?"

"What do you mean what to do about it?"

"Shouldn't we avenge him?"

"That's a Human Clan rule, we demons don't bother with that. For now, let's focus on the opportunity that's about to appear in Yongzhou. I have a premonition that it won't be long now. This time, the Spirit Mechanism eruption might even be more intense, perhaps not weaker than that time in Yun Meng County."

"Ah, really?"

"Don't provoke those in the Guardian Martial Department anymore and keep your mouth shut to prevent news from leaking. We already have our hands full with the Ji Family. Is there anything else?"

"No more."

"If there's nothing, just stay in the room today. Tonight I'll send someone over, and we'll eat together."

"Yay. I want a tender child."

"Got it."

The young woman calmly turned around, casually waved her right hand to open the door, and walked out, returning to the courtyard.

She couldn't help licking her lips at the abundant Essence Qi emanating from Zhou Xintong.

"If it weren't for the agreement with your great-grandfather, I'd really like to drain you dry. What a pity, now I can only watch."

She showed a hint of helpless disappointment, then walked forward again with a forced smile.

...

Guardian Martial Department's government office, quiet room.

Zheng Yuanqiu asked, "How are things in Taiping County?"

The officer from the fifth group, Xu Changle, stood and said, "The Ji Family attacked several times without success, and the Commander and others held them off."

"That's good. So what's the next step? Does the True Master have any instructions on whether we should take Yongzhou?"

The officer from the fifth group, Xu Changle, said, "The True Master said Yongzhou is not urgent for now, but there is something else we need to focus on."

"What is it?"

"The True Master observed the celestial phenomena and feels that a new Spirit Mechanism might descend in Yongzhou."

"A new Spirit Mechanism?" Zheng Yuanqiu said with unusual solemnity, "I understand. I'll make arrangements."

"Good. We'll exchange information when the time comes."

"Yes."

At this point, Xu Changle suddenly remembered something and said, "You mentioned having the fourth group investigate the demon's matter in a month, now there are only two days left. What's your plan?"

Zheng Yuanqiu dismissed it, "Naturally, according to the usual practice, strip them of everything. This time, I want more than just their silver."

Xu Changle was curious, "What else do you want?"

"Heh, I want their wives and concubines," Zheng Yuanqiu said shamelessly, "You don't know, such women are the real deal."

"Be careful," Xu Changle glanced at him, "Two officers from the fourth group came to me. In view of the silver Tael they brought, I plan to bring them into my group. I'm informing you in advance."

"Do as you see fit."

With that, without waiting for a response from Zheng Yuanqiu, he silently left the quiet room.

Outside the door, he had just taken a couple of steps when he met Shen Qing returning to report.

The two exchanged a glance before looking away and passing each other.

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow.
Experience tales at empire

He knew the fifth group's defense zone had been peaceful lately, so why was Xu Changle here?

The fat slob inside the room was someone they could hardly afford to associate with.

No clue.

Shen Qing stopped thinking further, straightened his attire, and walked to the quiet room's door, respectfully saying, "This humble officer, Shen Qing, requests an audience with Lord Chief Officer."

"What is it?" Zheng Yuanqiu's voice came from inside the room.

"It's about the demon that killed Xi Chasi," Shen Qing continued, "I am fortunate not to have failed my duty and have already slain the demon, coming specially to report to Lord Chief Officer."

Zheng Yuanqiu, who was lazily lying on a chair in the quiet room, suddenly sat up from the table upon hearing the words 'fortunate not to have failed my duty.'

He walked to the door, staring at Shen Qing, and asked in a lowered voice, "What did you say?"

Shen Qing lifted his head, met Zheng Yuanqiu's gaze, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Lord, I have already captured the demon that killed Xi Chasi."

A shadow covered Zheng Yuanqiu's face as he felt the silver and women slipping away from his grasp, sparking a nameless anger in his heart, and he said unpleasantly, "Where is the demon's body, take me to see it."

Shen Qing calmly stepped aside, saying, "This way, Lord."

Zheng Yuanqiu suppressed his dissatisfaction and walked with Shen Qing to the courtyard.

There lay nine cat demon corpses the size of large dogs, seemingly dead for a while, their dark red blood and fur clumped together.

The foul stench was overwhelming.

Confronted with the undeniable reality, Zheng Yuanqiu remained speechless.

Other officers, including those from the fourth group, came in succession upon hearing the news.

When they saw the demon corpses piled like a small hill, each drew a cold breath, too shocked to speak.

Especially those officers who had prepared their escape plans, at this moment, deeply regretted it.

They had never expected Shen Qing to actually have slain the demon within the deadline.

As a result, the Guardian Martial Department's fourth group was now safe and secure.

The so-called escape plan for which they had spent so much silver Tael might as well have been money down the drain.

Worse still, going or not going, they would lose either way.

Looking at Shen Qing again, several of them secretly cursed, "Damn, this Shen guy really doesn't care for his fellow humans."

"""