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

Xiao Hu and Shanwa, seeing Shen Er hesitate, couldn't help but feel anxious.

Shen Xiaohu had been eager to go to the city for a while, and now that a rare opportunity had arisen, he hurriedly said, "Grandpa, Brother Qingzi is going to the city tomorrow, why don't I follow him and try it out? Making a trip won't be a problem."

After considering for a moment, Shen Er felt that there really was nothing bad about it and nodded, "Then go ahead and take a look this time. If you're not cut out for it, just come back and hunt with me in peace."

Seeing that Shen Er was not stopping him, Shen Xiaohu immediately beamed with joy and agreed again and again.

Shen Xiaoshan, watching his older brother get a head start, couldn't help feeling anxious and opened his mouth to speak.

However, just as he was about to speak, Shen Er, as if seeing through his thoughts, said, "You'll go next time."

Immediately, Shen Xiaoshan deflated, letting out a weak "oh."

"By the way, uncle, I wanted to ask, besides the Chen Family, who else in our village is familiar with Taiping County?"

Shen Qing had never been to Taiping County and knew nothing about it, being completely in the dark.

For this trip to Taiping County, it would be best if he had someone to accompany him.

Without even thinking, Shen Er replied, "Definitely the Zhang Family's bookworm. He's spent quite a few years in the county; even the Chen family members probably don't know it as well as he does."

Shen Qing suddenly realized.

He had almost forgotten about this.

Zhang Shuyuan had indeed studied in the county and lived there for a few years afterward.

Eventually, he returned to the village because he couldn't make it there anymore.

If anyone in the village understood it, it was indeed him.

"Then I'll have to call him to join me when I leave."

At this moment, Shen Er suddenly remembered something and instructed, "Qingzi, when you go to the city tomorrow, remember to stop by Linfeng Hall to see your little aunt. I'll take some goods from the mountains at home for you to bring to her."

"Is there any message you want to send?" Shen Qing asked casually.

As if his thoughts had been pinpointed, Shen Er, a seasoned hunter living off the mountains, showed a rare hint of embarrassment, "Just ask her if the outer gate of Linfeng Hall might take disciples. If they do, I'd like to have Shanwa give it a try."

Initially, when the family was in poor straits, he didn't even dare to think about this.

But now, having snatched six or seven silver taels from the Chen Family, he felt somewhat emboldened.

The thought of having Shanwa learn martial arts began to stir vigorously in his mind.

Without much thought, Shen Qing agreed on the spot, "Okay."

Afterward, the uncle and nephew discussed the details casually, and the matter of selling goods from the mountains was settled as well.

However, Shen Qing did not bring up the specifics of the profit-sharing.

So far, Shen Qing was completely in the dark about the situation in the county and didn't dare to make wild promises.

He decided to take it one step at a time.

He would wait until he had a clear understanding of the situation in the county before speaking further.

This matter was crucial to his future plans; he could not afford to neglect thinking about it.

As far as he knew, most martial masters in the county either ran martial arts halls or lived off the imperial grain, each having their own stable way of earning money.

Otherwise, worrying about the day-to-day needs without support, no martial master could concentrate on cultivating their qi-blood and refining their body and techniques.

If it were him, even with a gift, he wouldn't necessarily make great progress in the martial arts or find a foothold in the county.

For someone of low birth like him without any backing, it wasn't easy to secure a place in the class-conscious Taiping County just by talking.

Seeking a master, showing respect, buying precious medicines, currying favor, begging for techniques...

If he failed in any of these areas, his efforts could end in failure.

Shen Qing was acutely aware of this.

After discussing business, Shen Qing, Uncle Shen Er, Shen Xiaohu, and Shen Xiaoshan chatted casually about family matters and recent amusing incidents in and around the village.

The atmosphere gradually became much more lively.

Sometime later, Auntie Wang had finished roasting a lamb shank and brought it to the table.

The goat roasted over the fire, its exterior had slowly turned to a golden brown, dripping with grease.

There were bursts of aroma overflowing, exuding the enticing scent of cumin mixed with lamb.

Besides the roasted lamb ribs, Auntie had also stir-fried a dish of bamboo shoots and wild vegetables from the mountains.

Shen Qing knew that his aunt was usually reluctant to use much salt when cooking, but now she was actually generous with the seasonings.

It was evident that Auntie Wang had put a lot of effort and determination into it.

"Auntie's cooking is really good. I've only ever had such delicious meals during the New Year," Shen Qing couldn't help but let out a satisfied burp, drawing laughter from everyone.

After the meal, Shen Qing made small talk at his uncle's house for a while, then got up to say goodbye.

On the way home, Shen Fang quietly followed behind Shen Qing, becoming silent and reserved.

...

After a day of toil.

That night, Shen Qing slept exceptionally soundly.

By the time the sky was faintly light, he had woken up early as usual, began his stance training, and planned to improve the "Nine Skills" training progress.

Ever since he had made a breakthrough to the level of mastery with the "Nine Skills," Shen Qing often felt his body warm as a furnace, not fearing the harsh winter in the slightest.

In the past, during such winters, he could hardly muster the will to leave his bed.

Shen Qing spread his legs wide, just as described in the books, with his energy sinking into his Dantian.

Soon, his breathing became deep and even, his body seeming to merge with the surrounding air. A warm current arose spontaneously, flowing like trickling streams through his meridians.

With the rhythm of his breathing, Shen Qing's chest rose and fell slightly, his Qi-Blood circulated within his body.

Under his skin, there was a faint glow flowing, a sign of Qi-Blood growth.

After practicing for almost half an hour, Shen Qing finally stopped.

He exhaled a breath of stale air, clenched his fists, and faintly perceived that his strength seemed to have grown a bit more.

A trace of joy appeared on Shen Qing's face.

Only after the heat in his body had mostly dissipated did he put on a cotton-padded jacket.

But as soon as he opened the door, he saw a young man of about his age standing at the doorway, hands tucked in and feet tapping continuously.

When the young man saw Shen Qing come out, he hurried over, grinning and saying, "Brother Qingzi, last night my dad already asked around, everyone says it's fine, all the goods from the mountains are yours to sell."

This young man was the son of Zhang Baqing—Zhang Fanglin.

He must have been entrusted by Zhang Baqing to make the trip, standing outside for a while.

"Good, my thanks to Uncle Zhang. I'll pack up and then go door to door to collect them."

"And there's this..." Zhang Fanglin took out a few paper-wrapped packets from his chest and said, "Brother Qingzi, these are the medicines my grandpa got from the Chen family. He checked and they are all good for replenishing Qi-Blood. He thought you could use them, so he asked me to deliver them to you, please take them."

Zhang Baqing's action surprised Shen Qing a little.

It seemed that stepping down from the role of mountain driver was a great favor in his eyes.

Shen Qing did not refuse and accepted them graciously, "Please thank your grandpa for me."

"Eh! Nothing else, I'll head back now." Zhang Fanglin bowed slightly, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, he turned and ran off.

Shen Qing looked at the medicinal herbs he was holding in his hand, a smile unconsciously forming at the corner of his mouth.

He hadn't thought that one day, there would be people in the village trying to curry favor with him.

Shen Qing felt that he must go to the county town to find a backing and practice Martial Arts as soon as possible.

In this world, strong power was the very foundation of one's standing!