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

Yongzhou Inner City, Baihua Building.

Inside the main hall, the noise was deafening, a cacophony filled the air.

Waiters shuttled back and forth, holding menu books, busy recording orders; servants were occupied serving tea and water, welcoming guests, a scene bustling with activity.

He Quan from the Hei Zhao Gang, accompanied by two subordinates, strode into the main hall of Baihua Building, heading straight toward a private room at the far end.

He wore luxurious clothing, not made of brocade or silk, yet exuded an undeniable aura of significance.

Whenever he passed by the waiters and servants, they all nodded and bowed, not daring to slacken.

Arriving at the stairs leading to a private room, he paused and slightly bowed to an attendant dressed as a family servant.

He cupped his hands and spoke with a respectful tone, "I am He Quan from the Hei Zhao Gang. Lately, I heard that the fifth young Master requires mountain delicacies to aid in his practice. I specially selected a Spiritual Jade Mushroom and an aged ginseng as tokens of my appreciation, hoping the fifth young Master would graciously accept."

With that, he gave a signal with his eyes.

The two followers behind him respectfully presented the exquisitely boxed Spiritual Jade Mushroom and aged ginseng, their actions natural.

The servant seemed to recognize He Quan, silently accepting the two gift boxes with a slight movement of his eyes, "Wait here."

Having said that, he turned, opened the door, and entered carefully to report.

It wasn't long before the servant returned.

He spoke considerately, "The fifth young Master is aware of your gift and appreciates Boss He's kindness, but tonight the Sun Family's heir is hosting a banquet, leaving the fifth young Master unable to meet personally. Boss He should seek another opportunity to converse."

Hearing this, He Quan's mouth curled into an almost imperceptible smile; he retrieved a few heavy Copper Coins from his sleeve and lightly placed them in the servant's hand, "Thank you, I hope for a few kind words from you in front of the fifth young Master in the future."

Being a servant at the bottom of the Great Zhou, this particular servant was of low status.

However, it is said to consider the owner even when reprimanding a dog; servants indeed had their ranks.

Some servants of high-ranking families sometimes had a status not inferior to those in gangs.

The Zhou Family's servants were such.

Sometimes, those in gangs had to look to them for favor and dared not underestimate these servants.

He Quan lowered himself, very humble in posture.

The Zhou Family servant seemed used to such scenarios; as he weighed the money bag He Quan handed over, a grin spread across his face, "Well said, well said, the fifth young Master has always valued Boss He. Knowing Boss He has sent such a valuable gift, he surely would be pleased."

With a face full of smiles, He Quan turned to leave.

As he prepared to leave, laughter inside the private room suddenly escalated.

He suddenly stopped and turned to look at the dimly lit room, where shadows of young men and women seemed to be joyously conversing.

He Quan withdrew his gaze, his smile slowly faded, as he walked out of Baihua Building.

"People say dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes to phoenixes. Must I, He Quan, be born inferior? Someday, I will rise above them."

He silently vowed, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes.

Soon, He Quan slightly lowered his eyelids, concealing that fervent longing, and briskly left Baihua Building, heading towards Hei Zhao Hall.

From Baihua Building to the Hei Zhao Gang hall was a distance requiring one to pass through Qinghe Square.

He Quan and his two subordinates walked on the street like a lion patrolling its territory, seemingly somewhat satisfied.

After delivering the gifts, he neither regretted nor urgently sought results; his demeanor appeared relaxed, indifferent.

Pointing to several shops on the street, he said, "This is Old Zheng's storefront, heard his business is good lately; tomorrow his protection fee should go up by twenty percent."

"As for Yang Sandao's, I heard he has two daughters, raise his fee by thirty percent, help him sell his daughters." Experience more on empire

"And this one, loans released earlier this year, we need to recover them with interest."

"..."

Along the way, He Quan "commanded the landscape."

His two subordinates behind him took notes continuously.

When He Quan roughly estimated, he felt it was about right and said, "That should do; leave the other shops till middle of the year. Focus on who among them has sons or daughters and is living hard; we can lend some funds to help them through tough times."

"Our boss is benevolent."

"Haha."

He Quan laughed heartily.

The mountain treasures given to the Zhou Family's fifth young Master were indeed valuable, but the money came from others.

By working the city's residents a bit harder, he would recover it.

In this world, the one with the largest fist got to speak.

As long as he didn't push too far, forcing them into a dead end, chopping the roots, these people would just make do.

To He Quan, calling them people was overestimating; they were no more than cattle or horses that could eat, poop, and speak human language.

Lost in thought, He Quan approached near Hei Zhao Hall, and suddenly he felt something amiss.

"Wait a moment." He reached out to block, a subtle hint of alertness flashing in his eyes, causing his pace to slow significantly, walking more cautiously.

"Something's wrong…" he murmured, gently lifting his hand, instructing the subordinates behind, "It's getting dark, why is the hall still open? One of you, check if something has happened at the hall."

Being from a gang background, He Quan had fought and struggled from the bottom; it was common for vendettas to result in bloodshed, so he was sensitive to such situations.

Without a bit of wit, he wouldn't have lived till now.

Under his command, a skilled subordinate stepped forward.

Probably influenced by He Quan, this subordinate also became cautious, quietly approaching the large door.

Before reaching the threshold, a strong smell of blood surged like a tide, overwhelming his senses, making his heart skip a beat.

Stationed at the door, he glanced inside the hall, "Dear me!"

Corpses were strewn across the hall like hell, terrifying him to the core.

Directly ahead, a man dressed in Guardian Martial Department uniform sat quietly in the main seat, his stature upright, a unsettling aura continuously radiating from his body.

"Rivals have come to settle scores."

He Quan's subordinate was terrified and intended to flee.

Yet Shen Qing flicked his finger, an invisible Qi Force instantly sealed his throat, killing him without form.

"What a coincidence, I was wondering how to find you, yet you delivered yourselves." Shen Qing's voice was icy, tinged with a playful smile, "Perfect timing, allows me to end future troubles."

He sprang up, leaping from the main hall, landing swiftly atop the roof.

Shen Qing skillfully took down the Cloud Splitting Bow, drew an arrow, aiming at the dumbstruck He Quan below.

He Quan felt an intense, penetrating chill surge from his spine, straight to the top of his head.