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

The so-called "registration under patronage" involved placing one's household registration in the family of the employer one worked for.

Although this did not equate to being registered as a slave, it still meant that one had assumed a master-servant status and could not simply renege or do anything detrimental to the master's family.

If one did, the master had every right to punish or even kill them without objection.

Shen Qing smiled and waved his hand, "Sir, you are too kind. As old acquaintances, we should help each other."

"Boss is so generous!"

After allowing Zhang Shuyuan to eat for a while longer, Shen Qing arranged for a servant to guide him in registering within the residence and familiarize himself with the affairs.

Zhang Shuyuan was extremely grateful and thanked him profusely before leaving.

Once Zhang Shuyuan had left, Uncle Shen the Second tapped his tobacco pipe and said, "Qingzi, aren't you the Chief Officer of the two departments? Is it possible to dispatch some people to Taiping County to deal with those demons? It's a pity to see Taiping County in such a state."

Shen Qing shook his head, "The situation there is a thousand miles away from Yongzhou, and we don't know what's happening. It's not appropriate to act rashly. I'll send some people to investigate before we decide."

"Alright, I don't understand these matters. You just take care of it, Qingzi."

"Mm-hmm." Shen Qing turned to Shen Xiaoshan and asked, "What level has your cultivation reached now?"

Shen Xiaoshan appeared very confident and earnestly replied, "Brother Qingzi, I have started stretching exercises."

"Not bad, you're almost catching up with Xiao Hu and the others. Later, I will have someone give you more Elixirs. Practice well and develop some real skill soon."

"I understand, brother."

Shen Qing always had the impression that the Great Zhou seemed on the brink of collapse due to Zhang Shuyuan's words, which put him on high alert.

After years of experience and communication with many knowledgeable instructors, he was no longer the lowly hunter who knew nothing about the world.

There were many great powers within the Great Zhou Temple.

Even the elders who had swept through many small countries and sects when the Great Zhou Dynasty was first established were still alive in the world.

Any one of these individuals could destroy an entire city.

If one day a great chaos should arise, and such powers emerge,

He did not wish to be an ant that they could squash with a flip of the hand.

He would have to cultivate diligently, and with the help of Elixirs, increase his cultivation level as soon as possible.

In the following days, Zhang Shuyuan was full of vigor and quickly adapted.

Shen Qing also secretly sent several people to Taiping County to probe the situation.

After some time, they returned from Taiping County with much news.

In the county office, within the Government and the Military Department offices,

Shen Qing was immersed in handling administrative duties in his private chamber.

Footsteps approached from outside, finally stopping at the doorway.

"My lord, we have returned."

The familiar voice of Ji Youwu came from outside the door.

Shen Qing ceased his work and said, "Come in and talk."

"Yes."

The door gently opened, and several figures dressed in Guardian Martial Department uniforms quietly entered. Stay connected through empire

Their faces bore the weariness of their long journey.

Shen Qing lifted his head, his eyes sharp, "What's the status?"

Leading Ji Youwu stepped forward, lowering his voice, "My lord, the situation isn't good. Taiping County has become a demon's granary, akin to hell on earth. Demons run rampant there, barely one in ten households remains."

Although Shen Qing had been mentally prepared, his brows still involuntarily furrowed upon hearing the news.

Yet, he quickly regained his composure.

Shen Qing continued to probe, "Are they all Little Demons?"

If they were all ordinary demons, he wouldn't mind making a trip to execute them on the spot.

Ji Youwu's expression turned solemn as he said, "Sir, the situation in Taiping County is somewhat complicated. I heard that a Great Demon claimed the city as its kingdom, which led to the complete downfall of Taiping County. Moreover, I've also learned that this demon's power is overwhelming, as it has devoured a martial master from the Spirit Void Realm, which makes its strength terrifying."

A Demon King?

This was an outcome Shen Qing had never considered.

"Has this demon ever left Taiping County?"

Ji Youwu shook his head and said, "According to our investigation, this Great Demon and its subordinates have always been entrenched within Taiping County and have never left. It seems these demons believe that there may be a tomb from Ancient Times nearby, which contains great opportunities, and they are waiting for it."

"A tomb from Ancient Times?" Shen Qing was quite surprised.

He had always lived in Taiping County and had never heard of such a thing; his heart was filled with astonishment.

Ji Youwu pressed on, "Sir, do we need to prepare to go to Taiping County to exterminate the demon?"

Zhang Shuyuan was still chewing on chicken, his response muffled, "Cough, this matter is a long story."

Shen Qing spoke calmly, "No hurry, you can take your time."

"Mm-mm." Zhang Shuyuan nodded like a pecking chick; he swallowed the food in his mouth, his face changed color, and he suddenly began thumping his chest.

In his rush, he grabbed a teacup and drank a big gulp of water as if this was the only way to feel relieved, completely lacking the former grace of a scholar.

After a little while, Zhang Shuyuan belched contentedly, his expression growing solemn again: "Taiping County... suddenly, there were many more demons there, the trade routes were also cut off, and everyone's days became harder and harder. I had no choice but to come out and look for ways out."

Hearing this, Shen Qing furrowed his brows, gently set down his teacup, and produced a faint sound: "Demons? I remember Taiping County was captured by the Huang Tian Sect, and even the government forces couldn't break through their hold. Facing the demons, aren't they concerned?"

Zhang Shuyuan sighed and said, "Alas... let's not talk about this anymore. The Huang Tian Sect left after the autumn harvest. When they left, they took quite a few people with them, and now Taiping County is essentially a lawless land."

Uncle Shen the Second, Aunt, and Xiao Shan, and others felt relieved hearing Zhang Shuyuan put it that way.

They were also fortunate they had not stayed there, or else they might have ended up like Zhang Shuyuan.

Uncle Shen the Second's weathered face furrowed, and he couldn't help but pull out a smoking pipe, skillfully filling the bowl with tobacco.

The servants behind him were very attentive and handed over the fire.

With a soft "click" sound, sparks ignited the tobacco, and the wisps of blue smoke slowly rose, swirling around Shen the Second's face.

Uncle Shen the Second took a deep drag, the smoke whirled inside his chest before he slowly exhaled and asked, "What about the rest of the folks from the village?"

Zhang Shuyuan glanced at Shen the Second, and a hint of noble air was revealed, utterly different from the Shen the Second he remembered.

He remembered back in Hongshan Village, Shen the Second, who would pinch a penny so hard he'd try to split it in two, was reluctant to smoke.

Yet now he had even learned to smoke, which seemed rather incredulous to him.

At this thought, Zhang Shuyuan couldn't help but cast a glance at Shen Qing, secretly envious.

The old Shen Family had produced someone remarkable.

This Old Shen the Second also had some luck, having a good nephew.

Thinking back, when they were in Hongshan Village, Shen Qing had come to him to learn to read and write.

Later on, when he went to the county, he too became an accountant; their relationship was quite close.

Only regretfully, short-sighted at the time, he did not predict all that would happen later and missed out.

Regret.

He truly regretted it.

But unfortunately, there is no elixir for regret in this world.

Even if he regretted it, it's useless.

Zhang Shuyuan muttered in his heart, 'Understanding what has passed is beyond admonishment, knowing the possibilities of the future can be pursued; perhaps the current me still has opportunities.'

He quickly adjusted his emotions and thoughts and stated truthfully, "Most members of the Chen Family and the Tian Family left with the Huang Tian Sect, and a portion of the remaining people were eaten by the demons, while some weak and sick survivors are barely clinging to life in the city."

"What about the government? After all, Taiping County is still under the court's jurisdiction; they can't be completely unmanaged, right?" Uncle Shen the Second pursued.

"Let's not talk about that. We've contacted the court, but the court says they are busy exterminating the rebel armies in Jinzhou and Dan Zhou who joined the Huang Tian Sect and had no time to deal with it. They will consider Taiping County, that small place, only after the rebel forces in Jinzhou and Dan Zhou have been dealt with."

Uncle Shen the Second couldn't help but sigh, "Ah... the world is becoming more and more chaotic."