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

He was most worried about something that had finally shown some signs.

In this world, it seems that in ten out of ten chances, it's going to be far from peaceful in the future.

Shen Qing held a porcelain pot, pressed the lid, and poured a cup of tea for Huang Furo, also pouring himself one.

He set the teapot down, picked up his teacup, and said, "You just mentioned that ancient cultivators were discovered being devoured by demons in Jinzhou. Now I'm seeing demons everywhere across Great Zhou. Are these demons related to the Ancient Period? Why is the temple so indifferent about it?"

"Currently, there are records of demons from the Ancient Times, and nine out of ten chances, they are indeed related. As for the temple's indifference to the demons, it's somewhat complicated." A faint, almost imperceptible weariness showed in Huang Furo's expression.

"What do you mean?" Shen Qing pressed on.

Huang Furo sighed and said, "You know that a demon's Demon Core is greatly beneficial to cultivators in enhancing their cultivation, right?"

Shen Qing nodded, "That's indeed the case."

Ever since he killed his first tiger demon, he had obtained a Demon Core and significantly advanced his cultivation because of it.

"Are you aware that Your Majesty has been increasingly stringent in consolidating martial mechanisms over the past decade?"

Shen Qing's brow furrowed, sensing there was more to Huang Furo's words. Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire

He looked directly at Huang Furo and said, "I'd like to hear the details."

"This is something I only learned after joining the Mountain Sea Department," Huang Furo continued, organizing her thoughts. "Martial mechanism includes various martial arts techniques, elixirs, wish pearls, advancement methods, and other things related to martial arts. Any martial artist wanting to train wouldn't have any future at all relying solely on their own efforts without martial mechanism."

"Once the Imperial Family gathered the martial mechanism, it wasn't simply collected and stored. From what I know, everything other than the martial arts is consumed by the Imperial Family, and there are rumors that the nation's martial mechanism sustains one person within the royal family."

"Who?"

"The ancestors of the Ji family."

Shen Qing felt as if he'd touched upon some secret, his eyes lighting up.

"He wants to break into the Integration Realm, aiming for the pinnacle of the heavens, to become the only one in this world." Huang Furo said slowly.

Achieving one's success with the resources of the entire world, such ambition.

After hearing this, Shen Qing felt a deep shock in his heart.

"And how does this relate to the demons?" Shen Qing asked further.

Huang Furo replied, "You must understand, it's not just the Ji family's ancestor who harbors ambitious goals; those old monsters within the Shi families, from his era, are still alive. They also wish to breach the heavens and attain prolonged lifespan."

"But with just the Ji family ancestor blocking the way, naturally these people put their focus on Demon Cores."

"If the court eradicates the demons, then the Demon Cores would naturally belong to the court, which is something many lords in the temple do not wish to see. Therefore, they obstruct in numerous ways, and the organization of Guardian Martial Departments across regions keeps getting reduced."

Shen Qing, puzzled, asked, "Then does the temple just watch as demons rampage?"

"How could that be? In fact, the cities with demons have long since been parceled out by the people in the temple. The demons appearing there are quietly dealt with by people from various families, forming an intricate network of underground dealings. It's just that we weren't aware before."

Huang Furo, with a gloomy look in her eyes, said, "This time the Xue family targeted you and targeted Yongzhou, also because the Xue family saw the proliferation of demons there and had ideas of meddling. Do you know what they call these demon-infested cities once they take them?"

"What?"

"A vegetable city!" Huang Furo's lips parted with cold words: "Turning a city into a vegetable garden, harvesting a batch every so often."

Shen Qing was deeply shocked after Huang Furo's explanation.

At this moment, many confusing past events suddenly clarified for him.

Why are there so many demons, and Ji Zikong doesn't eradicate them?

Why continuously expend martial artists, preferring to send them to their deaths rather than let them cultivate continuously?

...

Shen Qing looked down at the teacup in his hand, and after a moment, he said, "So in some places, demons haven't been exterminated because someone is raising them to accumulate large Demon Cores?"

Huang Furo replied, "Yes, the higher the demon's rank, the greater the benefit of the Demon Core for them."

"So, currently, in the eyes of these people, Yongzhou and Taiping County are quite the goodies," Shen Qing said calmly as he looked up at Huang Furo.

Huang Furo fell silent, saying nothing more.

Shen Qing lifted his cup, saying, "Let's drink tea, it's getting cold."

As he drained his cup, Shen Qing felt the bitterness become more apparent.

At present, without power or influence, and being in the Military Department, if not for Huang Furo disclosing these things today, should he offend someone and end up fed to a great demon, he might remain oblivious, forever ignorant of these secrets.

After all, the higher-ranking the martial artist, the more nourishing they are to demons, full of allure.

Huang Furo asked, "What are you planning next?"

"I don't know, take it one step at a time."

Huang Furo mused for a while before saying, "According to the information on my end, it won't be long before Xue Zhao returns to the Capital. Given his vindictive nature, I doubt he'll let you off. You'd better find someone to rely on in the Capital to avoid being too passive when the time comes, lest you find yourself losing your life confusedly."

Shen Qing helplessly said, "Finding a protector like that isn't so easy."

Previously, Lan Gongliang did help him a lot and had the potential to become a protector.

But he hasn't clearly understood Lan Gongliang's intentions yet, so he dares not take too much risk.

Elsewhere, in the capital, he's completely in the dark, with no connections at all.

"Take it one step at a time."

Shen Qing stood up and said, "I've drunk the tea and seen the person; I won't delay Lord Huangfu from handling official duties any longer, I'll head back first."

Huang Furo's eyes flickered subtly, and she got up as well, saying, "Let me see you off."

"Lord Huangfu, no need, there's always tomorrow; you'll have plenty of opportunities to see me off in the future. Go ahead and take care of your duties, keep your health in check. From the looks of it, you haven't worried less these days, worn yourself quite a bit."

"I now live on Pingkang Street, you can come to find me if you have time."

Finishing his words, Shen Qing waved his hand, turning to stride away.

Suddenly, Huang Furo called to him, "By the way, I discovered something interesting lately."

Shen Qing paused, turned back, and said, "What is it?"

"In ancient times, there was a supreme being of humanity, called the Qing Emperor by the world, the same name as yours."

Shen Qing chuckled and said, "Do you think I'm that Qing Emperor or something, hahaha... I didn't even know I've been alive for ten thousand years."

Huang Furo also laughed along, her mood considerably brightened.

"I'm leaving."

Shen Qing left directly.

Huang Furo put away her smile, feeling much more cheerful.

She sat back down at her long desk, her smile dissipating, and she instantly returned to her usual frosty demeanor.

...

The night passed in a flash.

The next day, neither early nor late, Shen Qing arrived at the Military Department Office.

At this time, Wei Chengye had already arrived.

Shen Qing stepped forward and cupped his fist, "I apologize for keeping you waiting, Lord Wei."

"I just arrived myself." Wei Chengye led out two horses and said, "Let's go, I'll help you get acquainted with the Capital and the responsibilities you'll need to oversee."

"Alright."

Shen Qing took the reins and mounted his horse.

The two rode side by side down the street.

While riding, Wei Chengye introduced, "There are seventy-two wards in the Capital, each with twenty of our people. The Outer City and the Capital's surroundings have ninety-one wards and townships, and each area has between thirty to forty people."

"You are responsible for fourteen neighborhoods in the southern gate section, sixteen wards and townships in the Outer City, as well as numerous affairs of the Military Department in the southern region of Great Zhou."

Wei Chengye continued, "Generally, most of these tasks can be delegated to your subordinates, the bailiffs, and the patrols. If nothing major occurs, requiring our personal involvement is unnecessary, allowing you to focus on cultivation without issue."

Shen Qing felt this was very much to his liking, understanding Wei Chengye's words well.