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

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When Shen Qing returned home and shut the door, he no longer maintained the calmness he had shown earlier. His expression immediately turned much more serious.

From today's gathering, he had already seen that the powerful families of Yongzhou and the Prefectural Governor were as incompatible as fire and water, teetering on the edge of collapse.

However, considering the court's influence, these people's actions had not yet turned too ugly and had yet to reach a point of no return.

Recently, he had noticed frequent personnel changes within the county office, with many high-ranking officials trying to extend their influence into his Guardian Martial Department.

But he had managed to block them.

Thus, the Thirteen Lines probably did not have a favorable attitude towards him.

Although he had taken preemptive action by killing Dong Pengfei, it did not mean that the current danger was eliminated; it merely removed a hidden threat in advance.

Dong Pengfei had formed a deadly feud with him, and it was just a matter of time before things escalated.

The fundamental problem had not been resolved.

Furthermore, over the years in Yongzhou, his repeated actions had shown that he was skilled with arrows, earning him some reputation.

Even if he were cautious today, it wouldn't remain hidden for long.

The Dong Family also had an Innate Ancestor overseeing them, making their overall strength not weak.

If the Dong Family Ancestor took action, Shen Qing feared he would find it difficult to resist.

Yet, he did not panic; instead, he became even more composed.

Shen Qing sat on a chair, lost in thought.

After a long time, he slowly formed some conclusions in his mind.

In his view, the current situation had not yet reached a point of deep crisis; it was merely a power struggle between both sides.

With the court backing him, the Dong Family would not act rashly unless they wanted to become rebels.

As the saying went, with the Ji Family Court as a backing, there was no need to fear those Jianghu scoundrels.

Yet, to be safe, he quickly summoned his subordinates and secretly moved his uncle, aunt, and elder sister outside the city, planning to adapt to changes without doing anything rash.

...

At the Dong Residence.

Dressed in fine clothing, the servants began attending to the masters' living arrangements, bustling around busily.

In the study, the Dong Family's eldest son, Dong Yunlai, sat upright on a carved wooden chair, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

On the table was an ancient Dan Vase, emitting a faint medicinal aroma. Dong Yunlai gently opened the Dan Vase, pinched a bead-like Elixir between his fingers, and swallowed it to temper his body.

Just then, a servant tumbled into the study.

Dong Yunlai's cultivation was abruptly interrupted. He was furious and slapped the servant.

A gust of wind whistled.

The servant who had rushed in screamed and flew sideways, crashing heavily against the wall and collapsing like a pile of mud.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he was disoriented.

After a moment, as if recalling something, he hurriedly crawled forward and painfully said, "Thank you, young master, for your slap!"

"Speak, what's the matter?" Dong Yunlai asked sternly.

The servant, pale-faced and flustered, stammered, "Something terrible happened; the master... the master was killed!"

"What!"

Upon hearing this, Dong Yunlai nearly fell to the ground, losing his composure. He thought he had misheard and incredulously asked, "What, say that again?"

"The master, he... he died!"

Boom!

Instantly, Dong Yunlai felt as though struck by lightning, turning ashen-faced.

"No, go quickly find the uncles, I must see the Ancestor!"

For a moment, all his previous composure was gone, and he became at a loss.

"Yes."

The servant, covering his face, dared not express any complaints and struggled to get up, rushing to find others.

In the rear courtyard of the Dong Residence, there was a quiet house.

Inside, an elderly man, with hair as white as snow, sat cross-legged on a cushion, his aura completely integrated with the surroundings.

Without someone seeing him face to face, it would be hard to detect his existence.

Tap, tap, tap.

A few sharp knocks sounded at the door.

"Ancestor, something happened!"

Upon hearing the male voice at the door, the Dong Family Ancestor slowly opened his eyes, "What happened?!"

"The Family Head is dead!"

For the first time, a ripple of change appeared on the previously calm face of the Dong Family Ancestor, a flash of sharp light in his eyes.

The originally closed door suddenly swung open.

"Come in and speak!"

Dong Yunlai and the others standing at the door, their expressions serious, quickly nodded and responded.

Among them, a middle-aged man with a square face said seriously, "Ancestor, news just came from the servant below, Pengfei was killed in the city!"

The Dong Family Ancestor remained silent for a moment and asked, "Who did it?"

"The assailant was masked, making it hard to identify, but from his arrow techniques, it's very likely to be Chief Officer Shen Qing of the Guardian Martial Department!"

"The Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department? Meaning someone on the Prefectural Governor's side?"

"Yes!" The Dong Family's eldest son, Dong Yunlai, said anxiously, "Ancestor, what should we do?"

The Dong Family Ancestor gave him a glance and said calmly, "Seal the news and eliminate anyone who knows about this in secret!"

"Ah?"

Those standing at the door were bewildered. They couldn't understand the Ancestor's intentions and thought they had misheard.

Dong Yunlai, agitated, said, "Ancestor, my father was killed by someone from the government office."

"So what do you think should be done?" The Dong Family Ancestor, eyes half-closed, asked indifferently.

Dong Yunlai said without hesitation, "Of course, kill that Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department to avenge him!"

"And then?"

"Then?" Dong Yunlai hesitated slightly.

"You kill a registered court official, and the Prefectural Governor files a memorial in anger. Our Dong Family is seen as rebels by the Ji Family Court and is attacked by the court, allowing other high-ranking families to benefit?"

An invisible pressure emanated from his body, making everyone present feel a tremendous weight.

The Dong Family Ancestor opened his eyes, staring at Dong Yunlai, and asked, "So, what is your plan, to ruin the Dong Family's scheme at this critical juncture?"

"I... I..." Dong Yunlai's throat went dry, unsure of what to say.

The Dong Family Ancestor withdrew his gaze, closed his eyes again slowly, and said, "Lack of patience disrupts major plans. For now, the family affairs are temporarily entrusted to Xiuzheng until we pass this hurdle. Rest assured, that Chief Officer won't last long."

"Yes." Everyone responded in unison.

"Is there anything else?"

"No, Ancestor."

"Then don't disturb my cultivation."

"Yes."

The Dong Family members dared not linger, quietly leaving the room one after another.

The large room became empty again, returning to its tranquility.

Meanwhile, at the county government.

Prefectural Governor Bai Mu glared angrily at the unconscious Bai Anlong.

"Damn it, those old crooks have gone too far! Do they really think I'm made of mud?" Prefectural Governor Bai Mu summoned a servant and said, "Go, call the Lord Commander, I have important matters to discuss."

The servant hurried away with the order.

After a while, the servant returned and reported, "My lord, the Lord Commander said he is feeling unwell and is currently unable to come."

The Prefectural Governor's face grew despondent, losing its spark.

"Damn it, that bastard wants to protect himself!"

As the Commander of the troops, he controlled nearly ten thousand soldiers in Yongzhou, possessing absolute military power.

Normally, he, as Prefectural Governor, had the authority to dispatch troops.

But right now, with the Great Zhou Country under attack by the Yellow Heaven rebels, all regional Commanders were appointed by the court and not directly affiliated with the Prefectural Governor.

They had the right to refuse to dispatch troops.

Even if he were foolish, he'd know that "feeling unwell" was just an excuse.

"No, I can't sit idly by, must petition the Emperor. Yongzhou has demon rebels causing chaos, beseeching Heavenly Soldiers to clear out the evil!"

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